Obituaries

Obituaries for the week of January 3, 2018

Jerry Dewayne Ard
Mr. Jerry Dewayne Ard, age 66, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2017 in Mobile, Ala. He was a native of Jay, Fla. and a resident of Atmore, Ala. for most of his life. He attended Crosspoint Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lena Ard; five brothers, Troy Ard, Tommy Ard, Bill Ard, RJ Ard and Carlton Ard and two sisters, Mae Wright and Mamie Milstead.

Mr. Ard is survived by his wife, Myhala Cook Ard of Atmore; two sons, Terrel (Robin) Ard of Opelika, Ala. and Tharon Ard of Gulf Port, Miss.; five daughters, Sheryl (Ronnie) Kirkland Karen Ard, both of Jay, Fla., Kellie Ard of Gulf Port, Pamela Fletcher of Luling, La. and Melissa Anderson of Pensacola, Fla.; one brother, Roland Ard of Daleville, Ala.; one sister, Geraldine Tedder of Milton, Fla. and eleven grandchildren, Cody Ard, Kyle Ard, Adrianna Anthony, Ally Anthony, Mike Ammons, Alexis Ammons, Chasen Anderson, Haley Anderson, Ally Anderson, Hunter Kirkland and Marissa Kirkland.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Burial followed at Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family received friends Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Joseph Smith, Cody Ard, Kyle Ard, Terrel Ard, Tharon Ard and Donnie Tedder.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

Clara O’Farrell
Mrs. Clara O’Farrell, age 88, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2017 in Mobile, Ala. She was a native of Pineville, Fla. and resided in Atmore, Ala. She was a member of Atmore First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Buford O’Farrell and brother, J.W. Hubbird.
Mrs. O’Farrell is survived by her son, Donald A. O’Farrell of Atmore; four nieces and three nephews, Ronnie, Brenda, Janette, James, Joe, Regina and Candice.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating. Burial followed at Serenity Gardens Cemetery.

The family received friends Saturday, December 30, 2017 from 9 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were the Church Deacons.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

John Louis Gandy
Mr. John Louis Gandy, age 80, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Flomaton, Ala. She was a native of Bluff Springs, Fla., former resident of Century, Fla. and resided in Flomaton most of his life. He was a member of the Poplar Dell Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.L. and Louise Gandy; brother, William H. “Bill” Gandy and grandson, Judson Slocom.

Mr. Gandy is survived by his wife, Mary Faye Gandy of Flomaton; two sons, John Michael “Mike” (Rena) Gandy and Tracy Lee (Tammy Jo Smith) Gandy, all of Century; one daughter, Belinda (Ellie, Jr.) Black of Seminole, Ala.; grandchildren, KC (Meaghan) Ives, Shawn (Tamara) Black, Danielle (Luke) Whedbee, Robin (Robert) Fuqua, Cole Gandy, Shenna (Andy) Robinson, Chrystal (Shane) Dunsford and David (Kayla) Wilson, Cody (Christy) Smith, Clay (Destinie) Smith, Chad Smith and Cloe Smith and great-grandchildren, Tinsley Gandy, Matthew Slocom, Robert Tompkins, Braxton Smith, Braelyn Smith, Briana Dunsford, Addie Dunsford, Riley Wilson, Logan Wilson, Zackary Black, Jamee Black, Amari Whedbee, Luke Whedbee, Caleb Barrentine, Maurice Dixon and Blake Dunsford.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Mitch Herring officiating. Burial followed at Flomaton Cemetery.

The family received friends Saturday, December 30, 2017 from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Cole Gandy, Hanes Gandy, Caleb Barrentine, Robert Fuqua, Shane Dunsford, David Wilson, Clay Smith and Jace Gandy.

Honorary pallbearers were Donnie Cofield, Bill Priddy, Mickey Powell, Carl Gandy, George Chavers, Hank Coleman and Robert Fuller.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

Donald Eugene Davis
Mr. Donald Eugene Davis, age 85 years old, of Davisville, Fla., passed away Saturday, December 30, 2017 at his home. He was born to Ammon and Pearl Davis of Davisville. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force and avid fan of the Blue Angels.

For many years he delivered buses from High Point, N.C. to Mississippi, Mobile, Ala. and Atmore, Ala. He will also be remembered for driving the van for the senior citizens in Davisville. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Bratt, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Lillian (Bill) Barclay; Ruby (James) Ziglar; Evelyn (Milton) Armstrong and one brother, Dalton (Amelia) Davis.

Mr. Davis is survived by five nieces, Winifred Hollingsworth (Martin) of Davisville; Frances Cain of Pensacola, Fla.; Tina Davis of Jacksonville, Fla.; Sharon (Sue) Davis of Huntsville, Ala.; Barbara Jo Davis of Texas; and four nephews, Dwight Ziglar (Arleen) of Columbus, Ohio; Larry Davis (Ann) of Atmore, Terry (Joe) Davis (Beth) of Conroy, Texas; Jerry (Bubba) Davis (Barbara), Huntsville and a special cousin, Henry Davis of Perry, Fla. and many friends.

The family received friends Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. until service time at 11:30 a.m. From the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Family viewing from 10 until 10:30 a.m.

Funeral services were held Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. from the Culley’s Funeral Home with Reverends Jesse Wood, Tim Hawsey, and Delbert Redditt officiating. Burial followed in Serenity Gardens in Atmore.

Pallbearers were: Dalton Brinson, Nick Cain, John Richard Davis, Ed Gilman, Mike Hanks, Jerry Mason, Dean Peters, Colt Tanner. (Alternate: Buddy Trawick). (Family Members attending) Martin, Winnie, Rhonda, Russel, Randy & Jen; Fran, Terri, Susie & Nick, Karen, Aubrey, Colt, Jack, Lisa; Tina, Brad, Dalton, Tia; Pittman, Rick & Martha, John Richard Davis

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home INC in charge of arrangements.

Filmer Stacey
Mr. Filmer Stacey, age 59, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017 at his residence in Rabun, Ala. He was a native and life-long resident of Rabun. He was of the Holiness Faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Clinie Stacey; two sisters, Flossie Stacey and Freida Johnston and two brothers, Fate Stacey and Farrell Stacey.

Mr. Stacey is survived by two brothers, Fred (Vicki Crowe) Stacey and Fabian (Lucille) Stacey, all of Rabun; two sisters, Faye Luker and Fern (Terry) Gill, all of Perdido, Ala. and numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Bubba Rolin officiating. Burial followed at Dean Cemetery.

The family received friends Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 1 until service time at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

Aquilla Alexander Bradford
Mr. Aquilla Alexander Bradford, age 67, of Atmore, Ala. passed away Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 at Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola, Fla. He was a native of Mobile, Ala. and reared in Atmore where he attended Escambia County Training School.

Bradford

He was a member of Gaines Chapel AME Church. He was a retired employee with Monsanto as a Draw Twist Machine Operator. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and farming.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aquilla, Sr. and Elva Bradford; a daughter, Tracy Dortch Bradford; three brothers, Walter, Robert, and Charles Bradford.

Mr. Bradford is survived by his wife, Brunetta Bradford of Atmore; his children, Anita (Marcus) Williams, Jerry (Brenda) Nettles, Walteena Brooks, Shawanda Paula Woods, Lashawn Bradford, Latricka Bradford, Alto (Joann) McCants, Terry Dortch, Jeffery (Yolanda) McCants, and Calvin (Marquita) McCants; three sisters, Gola (Min. McKinley) Dailey, Betty Stewart and Dorita (Roger) Purifoy, all of Atmore; one brother, James (Sarah) Bradford and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Gaines Chapel AME Church with Rev. Amos Smith, Pastor, officiating. Interment followed in Fairview Cemetery.

Turner Funeral Chapel LLC in charge of all arrangements.

John Edward Brown
Mr. John Edward Brown, age 74, of Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Atmore, Ala., passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Fort Myers.

Brown

A native of Stockton, Ala. he was a member of Triumph Holiness Church, Stockton and was a retired forklift operator at Standard Furniture Company after 43 years of service.

Mr. Brown is survived by one daughter, Vivian (Michael) Brown – Tolbert of Fort Myers, Fla,; two sons, Steven Brown of Philadelphia, Pa. and Toronto (Brenda) Brown of Atmore, Ala. four sisters, Ocie Bell (Rayfield) Hubbard of Hurtsboro, Ala., Carrie (Mandela) Thomas of Austin, Texas, Deloris Clarke of Montgomery, Ala. and Mary Artis of New Haven, Ct.; one brother, Larry (Denise) Brown of Fort Leavenworth, Kans., seventeen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Empowerment Tabernacle Christian Center – Atmore with Bishop Darryl North, Pastor, officiating. Interment followed in Mt. Shiloh Cemetery – Nokomis.

Turner Funeral Chapel LLC in charge of all arrangements.

Audrey M. Turner
Mrs. Audrey Marie Ames Turner, age 73, of Anniston, Ala., passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the home of her son in Atmore, Ala. She was a native of Detroit, Mi. and was reared in Atmore. She was a 1961 graduate of Escambia County Training School and then attended Alabama A&M University in Normal, Ala. She worked in retail sales; Children Services at Constantine Daycare Center as teacher, then as asst. director and director until its closing.

Turner

She later was a case aid with DHR. She was president of Turner Funeral Chapel LLC. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church serving as a member of the Sarah Denard Matrons, the Mass Choir and Sunday school.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Louie Turner, Jr.; a daughter, Crystal Lynn Turner; her mother, Maxcine Zeigler; her father, Robert Lee Ames; her grandmother (who reared her), Parie Lee Ames Crow; one brother, Emmett Zeigler, Jr. and her in-laws, Louie, Sr. and Pearl Turner.

Mrs. Turner is survived by her son, Louie Turner, III of Atmore; her daughter, Alicia D. Turner of Anniston; her sister, Thomasa Zeigler of Detroit; her brother, Cornelius Gund of Detroit; her step-mother, Alice Ames of Detroit; twelve grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Public viewing was held Saturday, January 6, 2018 from Noon – 6 p.m. in Longmire- Jones Memorial Chapel of Turner Funeral Chapel.

A second viewing was held Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 1 – 7 p.m. at Ervin Funeral Chapel, 1518 Brown Avenue, Anniston, Ala.

Funeral service was held Monday, January 8, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1130 W. 14th Street, Anniston with Rev. Carlton Phillips, Pastor and Rev. E. Baxter Morris, Pastor, First Baptist Church – North Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL – Eulogist. Interment followed in Maple Grove Cemetery – Anniston.

In lieu of floral arrangements, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Honor of Audrey M. Turner.

Turner Funeral Chapel LLC in charge of all arrangements.

Louis Chester Brazzell
Mr. Louis Chester Brazzell, age 63, of Augusta, Ga., formerly of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017 at his residence.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church – Atmore with Rev. Willie Hawthorne, Pastor, officiating. Interment followed in Fairview Cemetery.

Turner Funeral Chapel LLC in charge of all arrangements.

Shirley Ann Norman
Ms. Shirley Ann Norman, age 55, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Monday, January 1, 2018 at her residence.

Funeral services are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Turner Funeral Chapel LLC.

Gilbert Lee Crenshaw
Mr. Gilbert Lee Crenshaw, age 55, of Philadelphia, Pa., formerly of Atmore, Ala., passed away Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 in Philadelphia.

Funeral services are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Turner Funeral Chapel LLC.

Mary Louise Quarker McMillan
Missionary Mary Louise Quarker McMillan, age 86, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017 at Atmore Community Hospital. She was a native of Putnam, Ala., and a resident of Atmore, Ala. most of her life. She was a retired employee with Masland Carpet Co.

McMillan

She was a member of Mt. Gillead Baptist Church and then she joined Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church. 1988 her husband organized the Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church and she labored faithfully until the Lord called her home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop Purvis McMillan, Sr.; a son, Purvis McMillian, Jr.; two grandsons, Datron Kendrix and Terrell Norman; her parents, Rev. Shelley L. and Annie Bell Quarker; three sisters, Rosa Lee Sharpe, Flora Crawley, and Rosa Maryland; six brothers, James, Charlie, Shelley, Roy, Robert, and Kenneth Quarker.

Mrs. McMillan is survived by her children, Willie (Linda) McMillan of Beulah, Fla., Faye (James) Pettway of Atmore, Ala., Jerry (Flora) McMillan of Detroit, Mich., Valerie (Terrell) Jones of Birmingham, Ala., Renee Parker and Teresa Norman, both of Atmore and Michael (Teresa) Norman of Montgomery, Ala.; three sisters, Emma Lancaster of Brewton, Ala., Marcetta McCreary and Thelma Boykins, both of Los Angeles, Calif.; one brother, William Quarker of Los Angeles; eighteen grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, surrogate family, The McNeals, and friends.

Public viewing was held Friday, January 5, 2018 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the funeral home and from 5 – 7 pm at Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church on Jack Springs Road – Atmore (Freemanville Comm).

Funeral service was held Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Gillead Baptist Church – Atmore (Freemanville Comm) with Rev. Carnell Otis, presiding and Pastor Darlene McMillan – Eulogist. Interment followed in Pierce – Rabb Cemetery (Freemanville Comm.)

Turner Funeral Chapel LLC in charge of all arrangements.

Neita Stewart Smith
Mrs. Neita Stewart Smith, age 78, passed away Friday, December 29, 2017 in Century, Fla. She was a native of Walnut Hill, Fla., former resident of Bratt, Fla. and has resided in Atmore, Ala. since 2012. She retired from the Escambia County Florida School Board with thirty-three years of service. She was a member of Bratt First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ruth Stewart; brother, Robert Stewart and brother-in-law, Abil Walt Dzurus, Jr.

Mrs. Smith is survived by two sons, Glenn (Debbie) Smith of Atmore and Roger (Carrie) Smith, all of Atmore; four sisters, Millie Dzurus of Orlando, Fla., Myrna (Ray) Hodgen of Atmore, Jackie (David) Johnson and Diann Stewart, all of Century; five grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Hawsey and Rev. Dale Johnson officiating. Burial followed at Godwin Cemetery.

The family received friends Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers were Greg Hodgen, Walter Dzurus, Sam Stewart, Dale Johnson, Jace Campbell and Jackson Campbell.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements in Atmore, Ala.

Charles Eric “Goat” Gohagan
Mr. Charles Eric “Goat” Gohagan, age 44, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Valley Grove, W. Va. He was born in Mobile, Ala. and was a resident of Atmore, Ala. most of his life. He had also resided in Flomaton, Ala. He was a welder by trade working mainly in the offshore oilfields, gas and pipeline industry.

He was a hard worker devoted to providing for his family. He enjoyed the simple things in life like bass fishing, good food, particularly a good steak and a day of rest. He had an infectious smile with eyes that twinkled, which you couldn’t miss. He was raised in the Bethel Methodist Church of Atmore and was a member of the Poplar Dell Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Alfred “Buck” Gohagan, Sr. and brother, Michael Gohagan.

Mr. Gohagan is survived by his mother, Regina Gohagan of Robinsonville, Ala.; wife, Teresa Gohagan of Flomaton; one son, Robert Codey Hadley of Flomaton; one daughter, Haley Danielle Hadley of Flomaton; one brother, Lawrence Alfred “Larry” (Kambi) Gohagan, Jr. of Atmore; three sisters, Kay Gohagan (Joe Frank) Wooten of Century, Emily Gohagan (Jeff) DeRidder of Brewton, Ala. and Kristen Gohagan Branch of Atmore; mother and father-in-law, Judson and Delores Carden of Flomaton and numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends, including an extended pipe line family.

Funeral services were held Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mitch Herring and Rev. Waylan Stuckey officiating. Burial followed at Poplar Dell Baptist Cemetery.

The family received friends Wednesday, January 4, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Bryan “Bones” Andrella, Josh “Cave Man” Bailey, Jerry Silguero, Jaime Aguilar, Michael “The Pipeliner” Liner and Jason Tingstrom.

Honorary pallbearers were Larry Gohagan, Judson Carden, Jeff DeRidder, Bailey Bass, Rodney Hightower, Joe Frank Wooten, Rex McKinley and Judson Carden, Jr.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

Elmer Martell Bryant
Mr. Elmer Martell Bryant, age 74, of Atmore, Ala., son of Gracie Lee and Samuel Thomas Bryant, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2017

Mr. Bryant is survived by two sisters, Faye Sasser and Ernestine Fields; his daughters, Mona Bryant and Donna Bryant; five grandchildren, Matt White, Gid White, Chelsea White, Channing Green, Trey Mancil and a loving companion, Irene Hicks

Funeral services were held Sunday, January 7, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, INC in charge of all arrangements.

Esther Benson
Ms. Esther Benson, age 86, of Flomaton, Ala., passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2017.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Fanny Cemetery.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Sandra Harris
Ms. Sandra Harris of Mobile, Ala., passed away Friday, December 29, 2017.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Christian Memorial Funeral Home.