News Obituaries

Obituaries for week of July 7, 2019

George Washington Bell

Mr. George Washington Bell, age 79, of Siler City, N. C. passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at Hospice House, High Point, N,C. He was born in Canoe, Ala. to the late George and Louise Bell.

After graduating from high school he attended Barber College in Birmingham, Ala. After a move to New York he moved to Detroit, Mich. where he purchased a barber shop as barbering was his first passion.  He also became a licensed electrician and performed extensive electrical work on the Renaissance Center which is now the Headquarters of General Motors Corporation in Detroit. His other business ventures include, Anastasia Furs, Set Artistry Jewelry & Precious Metals and Strawberry Fields Night Club. Because of his active involvement in the city of Detroit, he was awarded the Spirit of Detroit Award and a Testimonial Resolution by the Detroit City Council for his leadership and entrepreneurship. He was interested and well versed in politics, history, sports and all world affairs, some would say that he has an opinion about everything.

Mr. Bell is survived by his wife, Chris; sons, Eddie, Derrick and Eric; daughters, Jessica Tonya, Tammi and Rhonda; grandsons, Djimon, Brice and Deon; siblings, Roxie, Mary, Martha Eunice and Doris (Robert); sisters in-law, Shirley and Essie; brothers in-law, Henry (Cathy), Graphel (Mae) and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Lambert Chapel Baptist Church, 510 Lambert Chapel Road, Siler City with Dr. William Harrington officiating.  Burial will follow in Lambert Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, Siler City.

The family will receive friends Friday, July 5, 2019 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Carl “Buster” McGhee

Mr. Carl “Buster” McGhee, age 102, of Poarch, Ala., and formerly of Walnut Hill, Fla., passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019 in Atmore, Ala. He was born to the late Littles and Ellen Colbert McGhee in Huxford, Ala. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. He was the oldest living WWII veteran and Poarch Creek Tribal Member in the state of Alabama. He was an avid fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Atrebee “Bootee” Dees McGhee; six brothers; a sister; a son, Stephen McGhee and granddaughter, Rhonda Kay McGhee.

Mr. McGhee is survived by his children, Gilbert (Mary) McGhee of Walnut Hill; Carl Farron “Fay” McGhee and Larry E. McGhee, all of Poarch, Ala.; Robert (Annette) McGhee of Saraland, Ala.; Glenn (Billie) McGhee of Pensacola, Fla.; Harold (Lynna) McGhee of Brewton, Ala. and Sandra (Larue) Chunn of Theodore, Ala.; one sister, Thelma Henson of Frost Proof, Fla.; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11 a.m. from Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. James Boyd and Bro. Rowdy Boyote officiating. Burial followed in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family received friends Friday, July 5, 2019 from 6 until 8 p.m. from Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Douglas Anthony Hadley

Mr. Douglas Anthony Hadley, age 75, of Century, Fla., passed away Monday, July 1, 2019
in Milton, Fla. He was a retired equipment operator with Swift Lumber Co. He was born in Escambia County, Fla. to the Louie Lee and Ola Mae Spence Hadley. He was an avid Alabama football fan, Atlanta Braves fan and coached Little League Baseball for many years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Louie Lee Hadley; sister, Lisa Allen.

Mr. Hadley is survived by his mother, Ola Mae Weekley of Walnut Hill; two sons,
Anthony “Tony” (Teresa) Hadley of Canoe, Ala. and Nicky (Valerie McGhee) Hadley
of Poarch; one daughter, Jolene (Brian Joiner) Elliott of Walnut Hill; five brothers, Billy Taylor of Frisco City, Ala., Roger Hadley, Ronnie Hadley, Joe Hadley and Brian Hadley, all of Perdido, Ala.; three sisters, Patsy Newhart of Atmore, Ala., Janice Williams of Nokomis, Ala., Peggy McDuffie of Perdido; eight grandchildren, Tashina, Emily, T.J., Anna, Lyn,
D.J., Nakisha and Joe Michael; ten great-Grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Friday July 5, 2019 at 3 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby
Funeral Home Chapel.

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

 

Hazel Smith Strawbridge
Mrs. Hazel Smith Strawbridge, age 74, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at her residence. She owned and operated Hazel’s Curl Country Beauty Salon for over fifty years. She was born in Huxford, Ala. to the late Grover Frisco and Myrtle Irene McKinley Smith. She was a member of Robinsonville Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lewis G. Strawbridge; a grandson, Dylan Strawbridge; three brothers, Carvin McKinley, Roy Smith and Billy Smith.
Mrs. Strawbridge is survived by two sons, Keith (Ashley) Strawbridge of Atmore and Michael
Strawbridge of Huxford; one brother, David (Brenda) Smith of Atmore; two sisters, Wanda Speron of Atmore and Patricia (Eddie) Baker of Robinsonville, Ala.; two grandchildren, Keely and Braylee Strawbridge.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 3 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Phil Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday, July 6, 2019 from 2 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m.at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.

 

Thelma Wiggins Holley

Mrs. Thelma Wiggins Holley, age 90, passed away Friday, July 5, 2019, at her home in Bratt, Fla. after a lengthy illness. She was born in Bratt to the late Robert and Addie Wiggins. She was a graduate of Ernest Ward High School. She was a resident of Pensacola, Fla., where she lived for forty-three years. She was a long-time teacher aide in the Head Start program, and then at McMillan and Brentwood Elementary Schools. She was a faithful member of First Free Will Baptist Church in Pensacola. Upon her retirement in 1997, she returned to Bratt, where she was a member of Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Edgar Holley; her brothers, Robert James Wiggins, H. B. Wiggins, Rufus Wiggins, Henry Wiggins, Leon Wiggins and M. L. “Buddy” Wiggins; her sisters Bertha Wiggins, Dorothy Norris, Myra Brantley, and Essie Coleman; her step-son and daughter-in-law, Talmadge and Dorothy Holley.

Mrs. Holley is survived by her son, Darrell Holley of Bratt; her sisters, Glyndal Robbins of Bratt and Jessie Wiggins of Pensacola; her four step-grandchildren as well as by a large extended family.

The family will receive friends Monday, July 8, from 9 – 11:00 AM, at Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church in Bratt, 5410 North Highway 99.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 8 at 11 a.m. at Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Matthew Pinson officiating.

Pall bearers will be Gregory Robbins, Brian Robbins, Marvin Wiggins, Joe Brantley, John McCall, and Rev. James Sage. Burial will be at Godwin Cemetery, in Bratt.

Petty Eastside Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.

 

Casey Lynn Orem

Mrs. Casey Lynn Orem, age 46, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2019 in Mobile, Ala. She was a native and former resident of Atmore, Ala. and had resided in Dyas, Ala. for the past seven years. She was of the Christian faith.

She was preceded in death by her father, Marshall Tom Wall; brother, Charles William “Bill” Wall and grandson, William Clay Wall.

Mrs. Orem is survived by her mother, Judieth Diane Hines of Atmore; husband, Owen Casey Orem of Bay Minette, Ala.; one daughter, Skyla Braddock; two step-daughters, Morgan Olivia Orem and Megan Elizabeth Orem, both of Bay Minette; one brother, Marshall Wayne Wall of McCullough, Ala. and one granddaughter, Julianna Jane Ippilitto.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Steven Breceda officiating.

The received friends Saturday, July 6, 2019 from 9 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to help assist with funeral expenses.

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

 

Franklin “Frank” Carnley, Sr.

Mr. Franklin “Frank” Carnley, Sr., age 76, passed away Friday, July 6, 2019 in Milton, Fla. He was a native of Perdido, Ala. and had resided in Bratt, Fla. for the past fifty-two years. He was a man of integrity, fish bait man and woodworker. He attended the Renovation Ministries in Huxford, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Krystal Carnley and parents, Fred and Annie Lee Carnley.
Mr. Carnley is survived by his wife of  fifty-one and half years, Cathy Carnley of Bratt; two sons, Eddie (Pam) Carnley of Perdido and Allen (Kim) Carnley of Nokomis, Fla.; one daughter, Kathryn Carnley (Steve) Huggins of Bay Minette, Ala.; one brother, Rev. Ron (Bonnie) Carnley of Pace, Fla.; six sisters, Evon (Henry) Crocker of Lucedale, Miss., Ethree (Jimmy) Taylor and Ruth Futrel, both of Pensacola, Fla., Rachel Stewart of Dickerson, Texas, Mildred Carnley of Chumuckla, Fla. and Kay (Bill) Ham of Pace, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Nathaniel Carnley, Montana Carnley, Branson Carnley, Chris Carnley, Shonnon Huggins (Jon) Taylor, Aaron Huggins, Skyler Wallace (Zach) Berwick and Brandon Wallace and three great-grandchildren, Jonathan Taylor, Samuel Taylor and Ana Grayce Taylor.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Allen Carnley and Pastor Eddie Carnley officiating. Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Nathaniel Carnley, Chris Carnley, Aaron Huggins, Eddie Daw, Andy Sapp and Brandon Wallace.
Honorary pallbearers will be Branson Carnley, Marcus Stewart and Leslie Barnes.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

 

Willis Matthew Ray                         

Mr. Willis Matthew Ray, age 89, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2019 in Century, Fla. He was a native of Sontag, Miss., former resident of Mobile, Ala. and had resided in Canoe, Ala. for the past sixty-four years. He retired from Monsanto Corp with thirty-nine years of service. He was a veteran of the Korean War Conflict with the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Canoe Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Jessie Lee Ray; brothers, Arthur Lee Ray, Johnnie Frank Ray, Marvin Kenneth Ray, Milton Ray and Sam Leonard Ray and sister, Lettie Jane Childress.
Mr. Ray is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Voncile M. Ray of Canoe; two daughters, Carolyn (Mike) Helms of Robinsonville, Ala. and Beverly (Don) Ellis of Atmore, Ala.; one sister, Mary Conway of Atmore; six grandchildren, Matt (Gayle) Helms, Joey Helms, Tammy Lollar, Kavin Dykes, Bradley (Emily) Dykes and Jennifer Dykes; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Kavin Dykes and Carolyn Helms officiating. Burial will follow at Canoe Free Will Baptist Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Matt Helms, Joey Helms, Sebastian Helms, Wayne Mayo, James Conway and Tammy Lollar.
Honorary pallbearers will be Leroy Harrison and Gary Bailey.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

 

Harvey James Rolin

Rolin

Mr. Harvey James Rolin, age 69, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2019 at his home in Poarch, Ala.  He was a native of Dallas, Texas and had resided in Poarch most of his life. He was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the Poarch Community Church.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Eugene and Bessie Rolin; brother, Donnie Rolin and one great-granddaughter.

Mr. Rolin is survived by his two sons, James (Melinda Rolin) Wilson and Josh (Lindsey) Hammac, all of Poarch; two daughters, Keisha (Joey) Lambert of Shreveport, La. and Tonya Whatley of Bay Minette, Ala.; nine brothers, Ernest (Tina) Rolin, Roy Rolin, Walter (Anita) Rolin, Kenneth “Radio” Rolin, Anthony (Jennifer) Rolin, Deno (Necole) Rolin, Johnny (Ashley) Rolin, Shawn (Stephanie) Rolin and Aubrey “Tinker” (Tasha) Rolin, all of Poarch; three sisters, Peggy Couch, Virginia Bell Godwin and Tonya (Wesley Rayborn) Jordan, all of Poarch; special sister (sister-in-law), Dianna Rolin of Poarch; sixteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 10 a.m. at McCullough Christian Center with Bro. Cornelius Phillips and Bro. Walter Rolin officiating. Burial will follow at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 9, 2019 from 6 p.m. 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at Poarch Community Church.
Pallbearers will be James Wilson, Dakota Lambert, Bryan Couch, Shawn Rolin, Shane Gibson and Anthony “Buzzy” Jordan.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Andrews, Ronnie McGhee, Gino Wiggins, Tony Gibson, J.T. Holland, Julius Sells and Jerry Sells.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

Wilellen Weaver Elliott

Mrs. Wilellen Weaver Elliott, age 91, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019 in a Brewton healthcare facility. She was born in East Brewton, Ala. to William W. Weaver, Jr. and Jessie E. Evans Weaver. She was a graduate of T.R. Miller High School and then attended business school where she was recruited to work in the Escambia County Courthouse probate office. She traveled across country until her husband, David, retired from the Navy and then returned to Brewton for retirement. She worked with the Cub Scouts, organized a library for the elementary school and volunteered with the Navy Relief Society. As a member of the Escambia County Historical Society, she served as president.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David F. Elliott; a son, David P. Elliott; her parents.

Mrs. Weaver is survived by a daughter, Lynne E. (Mark) Haller; two sons, Thomas W. (Danila) Elliott, and Robert B. (Betty) Elliott; a brother, Raymond L. Weaver; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 9 a.m. at Craver’s Funeral Home with Jennifer Mawhinney officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Crawford Cemetery.
The family received friends Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Craver’s Funeral Home.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Escambia County Historical Society, Brewton, Ala.

Craver’s Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Brewton, Ala.

Thomas Wesley Dean

Mr. Thomas Wesley Dean, age 61, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019 in Bay Minette, Ala. He was a native of Bay Minette, former resident of Texas and Atlanta, Ga. and had resided in Perdido, Ala. for the past seven years. He served in the oil field for twenty years as a seismographic supervisor and twenty years as a logger in various capacities. He was a member of the Perdido Masonic Lodge #752.
Mr. Dean is survived by his mother, Christine Patterson of Bay Minette; wife of forty-two years, Kathy R. Dean of Perdido; two sons, Jason Thomas (Melissa) Dean of Texarkana, Texas and Kevin (Sandra) Dean of Perdido; one sister, Terri (Butch) Purvis of Saraland, Ala.; nine grandchildren, Jackson, Victoria, Nelson, Norah, Kobe, Lucieanna, Phillip, Isabella and Caleb.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 12, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Brown Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

 

Weldie Elihue Donald

Mr. Weldie Elihue Donald, age 79, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, July 6, 2019.

He was a 1957 graduate of Escambia County High School. He attended the University of Alabama. He was employed at Monsanto in the 707 lab for thirty-eight years. After retirement he became an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time on his back forty and with his hunting buddies and grandson at Broken Arrow hunting lodge where he was charter member. On off seasons he could be found at Patterson’s Lake looking for that big bass. He was an active member of the Carney Masonic Lodge for over 30 years. He always had a smile.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elihue and Hannas Donald; his sister, Virginia Miller, and grandson, Amon Mark Wietbrock.

Mr. Donald is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Loyce; his only child, a daughter, Tracie Donald of Naples, Fla.; one sister, Lorraine Donald (Bill) May of Dallas Texas; one grandson Matthew (Danyell) Wietbrock; one granddaughter, Tessie Wietbrock and fiancé Alex Breuer of St. Louis, Mo.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 10 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Don Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Serenity Gardens Cemetery with Masonic Honors.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Wietbrock, Alex Breuer, Mark Wietbrock, Randy McKinley, Neil Baumann and Blaine Ford.

Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Moore, Roy Bracken and Greg Napps

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Tommy Finklea

Mr. Tommy Finklea of Atmore, Ala., passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019.

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

 

Lonnie Nettles

Mr. Lonnie Nettles of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Atmore Community Hospital.

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

 

Gloria Abner Marshall

Mrs. Gloria Abner Marshall, age 68, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019. She was born in Atmore to the late John H. and Ruth Abner. She was a 1971 graduate of Escambia County Training School. She was a faithful of The House of God serving faithfully as a Trial Deaconess, Choir Director and in many various auxiliaries. She had retired from both Monsanto and Masland Carpets.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, W9illie James Abner and loving husband of fifty years, John Henry Marshall.

Mrs. Marshall is survived by two daughters, Shannon (Willie) Lee and India Marshall; three sons, Jamil (Kandace) Marshall, Darrell Marshall and Kyler Marshall; three sisters, Laura Pettway, Johnnie Mae Davis and Joann (Dr. McNair) Ramsey; three brothers, Wiley (Shirley) Abner, John Abner and Rev. Dan Abner; ten grandchildren, Terrance, Shania, Natoshia, Tavion, Kennedy, Omari, Trey, Nigeria, Exavion and Jakeria; four great-grandchildren, Omari, Trey, Trent (twins) and Ace; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary A Marshall, Maxine Marshall, Deborah (Cheryl) Marshall, Eugene (Geraldine) Marshall, Anthony (Magaline) Marshall and Kevin Marshall; special aunt, Katie Lambert and special uncle, Ray Marshall; caregiver, Annie Willis and Deloris Wilson; host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many long-time devoted friends and former co-workers.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 2 p.m. at The House of God, Freemanville, Ala., with Trial Elder Shirley Dean, Pastor and Elder Jeanette Lott, Eulogist, Overseer Shawon Salter, Expeditor. Interment followed in Fairview Cemetery.

Pallbearers were grandsons and nephews.

Floral attendants, nieces and cousins.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.