James Earl Waters 
Mr. James Earl Waters, age 68, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018 in Pensacola, Fla. He was born in Ruskin, Fla. and has resided in Flomaton, Ala. for most of his life. He was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict serving in the United States Marine Corp. He was an avid coon hunter and was a member of the Northwest Florida Coon Hunters Association.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kim Sims; mother, Margie Waters; father, Jimmy Waters; mother-in-law, Mazie Jewel Hanks; four brothers-in-law, Det Hanks, Ken Hanks, Wayne Griffis and Arnold Averett; two sisters-in-law, Mary Griffis and Jeanne Baggett and a nephew, Chad Hanks.
Mr. Waters is survived by his wife of 4forty-eight years, Tiny Waters of Flomaton; one son, Jamie (Dean) Waters of Flomaton; one daughter, Ashley Lee of Flomaton; two special grandsons, Ryder Lee and Brayden Lee, both of Flomaton; three brothers, Donnie Waters and Bruce (Sherry) Waters, all of Flomaton and Kevin (Lori) Waters of Fairbanks, Alaska; two sisters, Gloria (Jimmy) Weatherford of Atmore, Ala. and Janie (Terry) Knowles of Century, Fla.; four grandchildren, Dak Sims, Haley Sims, Emily Waters, Payton Waters and one great-grandchild, Adelina “Little Texas” Sims.
Funeral services were held Friday, June 1, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Bobby Carnley and Bro. Joe Macks officiating. Burial followed at Godwin Cemetery.
The family received friends Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 6 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Jamie Waters, Shane Waters, Bryan Waters, Dak Sims, David Jernigan, Sammie Portwood and Travis Moye.
Honorary pallbearers were Fred Johnson, Wade Harris, Konner Wood, Dale Scott and Josh Jones.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.
Susan Fillingim Purvis
Mrs. Susan Fillingim Purvis, age 70, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018, after a short illness and a forty-one year battle with rheumatoid arthritis. She was born in Atmore, Ala. She grew up in the Bay Springs, Fla. community where her family owned and operated Morris’ General Store. She and her husband own and operate Sugarfoot Farms in Northwest Florida. She attended Ernest Ward High School and Pensacola Junior College.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert T. “Tommie” and Gail Morris Fillingim.
Mrs. Purvis is a survived by her husband of fifty-four years, Gary R. Purvis; a son, Gary Wayne Purvis (Monica) of Blountstown, Fla. and a daughter Sharon Delmar (Mark) of Atmore; three grandsons, Nick Delmar of Pensacola, Fla., Brandon Purvis and Colton Purvis, both of Blountstown; mother-in-law, Bernice Purvis of Bratt, Fla.; brother-in-law Mike Purvis (Cathy) of Blountstown; nephew, Brad Purvis (Nicole) and niece, Ashley Purvis, all of Blountstown and many special family and friends.
A celebration of life was held Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Atmore with Rev. Brennan Peacock. Officiating. Interment followed at Enon Baptist Church in Enon, Fla.
Pallbearers were Nick Delmar, Rodney Fillingim, Wayne Fillingim, Brad Purvis, Brandon Purvis, and Colton Purvis.
Honorary pallbearers were Lloyd Albritton, Billy Bryan, Wendell Hall, Wendell Rigby, Merrill Traylor, Billy Ray Williams.
The family received friends Friday, June 1, 2018 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home INC in charge of all arrangements.
Francis Earline Odom
Ms. Francis Earline Odom, age 79, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018. She was born in Atmore, Ala. and was a lifelong resident of the Little Rock Community. She was an employee of Vanity Fair in Atmore for many years. She will be remembered for her commitment to raise money for the less fortunate in the community. She was the driving force behind the Grand Ole Dames Garden Club’s “Atmore Area’s Tour of Homes” during the Christmas Season for several years.
Ms. Odom is survived by one son, James C. “Jamie” Odom; one granddaughter, Sehoy Spence, and three great-grandchildren, Tucker, Tanna and Tate Spence, all of the Greater Atmore Area.
The family received friends Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 2 pm. at Little Rock Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (Little Rock, Ala. Community).
A Celebration of her life, along with fellowship, was held at the Little Rock Church from 12-1:45 p.m. preceding the funeral service.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home INC in charge of all arrangements.
Joseph “Buddy” Carlton Sands
Mr. Joseph “Buddy” Carlton Sands, age 70, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018 in Mobile, Ala. He was born in Key West, Fla. and lived most of his adult life in the Atmore, Ala. area. He was a 1966 graduate of Ernest Ward High School. To date, he is the only All State Linebacker to come out of Ernest Ward High School weighing in at only 155 lbs. He retired from Frontier Communications as the Facilities Supervisor of the Southeastern District, serving a total of forty-two years. He was a long time member of the Atmore Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph R. Sands and mother, Rosa Lee Roach Sands of Bratt, Fla.
Mr. Sands is survived by his wife, Jean Parsons Sands of Atmore; brother, David C. Roach of McDavid, Fla.; sister, Marsha Sands Gibson of Walnut Hill, Fla.; daughters, Gia J. Sands of Metairie, La., Jeanna Sands (Villie P., III) Encalade of Beaufort, S.C. and Shelley Sands (Joseph) Henderson of San Diego, CA; mother-in-law, Irene S. Parsons of Uriah, Ala.; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a special little brown creature, Sweet Pea.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 4, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Atmore Church of Christ with Brother Norman Newberry officiating.
The family received friends Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were CJ Powell, Michael Powell, Lauren Smart, Annie Winsor, Caleb Comer, Villie Encalade and Joe Henderson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.
Carolyn Eloise Embley
Mrs. Carolyn Eloise Embley, age 70, passed away Friday, June 1, 2018 in Mobile, Ala. She was a native of Mobile and has resided in Chickasaw, Ala. most of her adult life. She was active in the Celebrate Recovery with the Wilmer First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Lonie Embley; one brother, Anthony Gene Embley, Sr. and one sister, Anita Embley.
Mrs. Embley is survived by her three nephews, Benjamin (Ginger) Godwin of Wilmer, Ala., Doyle Johnson and Anthony Gene (Jennie) Embley, Jr., all of Atmore, Ala.; two nieces, Anita Catherine (Joey) Stephens of Wewahitchka, Fla. and Lacy Pope of Wilmer; nine great-nieces; four great-nephews; one great-great-niece; one great-great-nephew and other family and many friends.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. J.P. Lambeth officiating.
Reception will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2018 from 1 until 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.
Vivian Louise Lyons Patten
Mrs. Vivian Louise Lyons Patten, age 83, of Port St. Joe, Fla., formerly of Atmore, Ala. passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf in Port St. Joe. She was native of Atmore and was a graduate of Escambia County Training School. She received her Bachelors and Master’s degrees from Alabama St. University- Montgomery. She taught school in Greenville, Miss. and Atmore, before relocating to Port St. Joe in 1968. She taught school for 47 years before retiring in 2004. She started one of the first African American tutorial programs in the North St. Joe Community. She was a member of the Gulf-Franklin Retired Teachers’ Association. She grew up at Second Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, Atmore. She was a Member of Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church, Port St. Joe before joining New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where she served as the Church Clerk, Sunday School secretary, a member of the Senior Choir, Missionary Department, and Usher’s Board. She also served as Recording Secretary for the Progressive M&E State Congress, Senior Women’s Auxiliary under the Gulf Coast Association, President of the Northwest Florida Usher’s Union, Recording Secretary of The Concerned Christian Society, Secretary of the City Wide Mission and Port St. Joe Ministerial Alliance.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Patten; her parents, Chester, Sr. and Gussie Lyons; her sisters, Mable (U.D.) Parker and Bertha McMillian; brothers, Willie Arthur and Carney Lyons; in-laws, Sue Beachum, Leroy Patten, and Willola Wright; God-children, Davida and Damien Byrd.
Mrs. Patten is survived by her three daughters, Sonja (Charles) Maddox of Clinton, Maryland, Bonita (Samuel) Smith of Panama City, Fla. and Ashley Robinson of Port St. Joe; one son, Ashton Larry of Panama City; one sister, Joyce (C.J.) Lamar of Atmore; one brother, Chester Lyons, Jr. of Atmore; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing will be held Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 1 – 5 p.m at Turner Funeral Chapel – Atmore. Family Hour will be held Friday, June 8, 2018 from 6 – 8 (EST) p.m. at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church – 208 North Park Dr., Port St. Joe, Fla.
Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. (EST) at The Body of Christ Jesus Church, 106 Harbor Street, Port St. Joe, Fla. with Rev. Carle Bailey, Pastor, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church- Port St. Joe – Eulogist and Rev. Wilhelmina Williams – Host Pastor. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery – Port St. Joe, FL. Her remains will lie in-state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Turner Funeral Chapel LLC in charge of all arrangements.
Lula “Laura” Pettway Grimes
Ms. Lula “Laura” Pettway Grimes, age 93, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the residence of her daughter in Montgomery, Ala.
Funeral services are incomplete at this time but will be announced by Turner Funeral Chapel LLC.
Russell Wayne White
Mr. Russell Wayne White, age 70, passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018 at his home in Nokomis, Ala. He was born in Atmore, Ala. and has resided in Nokomis for most of his life. He was a Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict serving with the U.S. Army. He was a retired Crane Operator. He was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Ruby White and one brother, Paul White.
Mr. White is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Patricia White of Nokomis; three daughters, Teresa (John) Booker of Perdido, Tina (Michael) McGhee of Nokomis and Tonya (Johnny) Rolin of Canoe, Ala.; five brothers, Mike (Debra) White of Pensacola, Fla., Tony White, Wendall White, Ricky White and Terry (Sherry) White, all of Atmore; five sisters, Francine (Norman) Wilson of Nokomis, Nancy (Joe) Pace of Atlanta, Ga., Marsha Wright, Connie (Joe) Gibson and Judy Godwin, all of Pensacola; nine grandchildren, Cameron McGhee, Austin McGhee, Taylor McGhee, Josh Booker, Alaina Rolin, Hannah Booker, Rebecca Booker, Tyler Rolin and Zane Rolin; one great-grandchild, Jaxon McGhee and two great-great grandbabies, due in December.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Sullivan Cemetery with Rev. Don Davis officiating. Burial will follow at the Sullivan Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 5, 2018 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Steve White, Daniel White, Jonathan White, Ashley Dupree, Tony Wilson and Denny Carlton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas White, Chad White, Brad Wilson, Justin Godwin, Jake Godwin, Stoney Carlton and Derek Wilson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore,
Ala.
Catalaya Jordan Kyles
Infant, Catalaya Jordan Kyles, age 11 months old, passed away Monday, May 28, 2018. She was born in Monroeville, Ala. to Bonita Cunningham
She was preceded in death by her great-grandfather, Rufus Cunningham; great-grandmother, Mary Cunningham and grandfather, Micheal Cunningham.
Catalaya is survived by her mother, Bonita Cunningham; sister, Asia Thames; brother, Darshawn Lynch; grandmother, Michaela Cunningham; aunt, Candice (Ethan) Gurley and a host of cousins and other family members.
Funeral services were held Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Christian Memorial Funeral Chapel. Interment followed at Second Marietta Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were, Ethan Gurley, Lonnie Harper, Alvin Cunningham and Michael Thomas Jr.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Donald Ray Marshall
Mr. Donald Ray Marshall, age 57, of Walnut Hill, Fla., passed away Monday, May 28, 2018 at Thomas Hospital.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Christian Care Ministry, Atmore, Ala.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Clinton Dortch
Mr. Clinton Dortch, age 62, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2018. He was born in Wilcox County, Ala. to the late Will Dortch Sr. and Bessie Mae Dortch, He was a member of Waymon Chapel A.M.E. Church of Wilcox County.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandmother, Alice Murphy of Wilcox County; two brothers, Will Dortch, Jr., and Willie Dortch; one brother-in-law, Robert Lee Phillips.
Mr. Dortch is survived by six sisters, Linda (Claude) Stallworth, Geraldine Phillips, Georgia Dortch, Ella (Cal) Abner, Rosetta (Jerry) Johnson, Earnestine (Ernest) Atkinson, all of Atmore; one aunt, Rosie Johnson of Mobile, Ala; one devoted niece, Loretta Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins and friends and a best bud, Prince Wiggins.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Christian Care Ministry with Rev. Wayne Marshall, Pastor and Pastor James Murphy officiating. Interment followed at Stallworth Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his nephews.
Flower bearers were his nieces.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Clarence Hall
Mr. Clarence Hall of Brewton, Ala., passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018, in Atlanta, Ga.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Christian Memorial Funeral Home.
John Roberts
Mr. John Roberts, age 66, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Mobile Infirmary, Mobile, Ala.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 2:30 p. m. at Empowerment Christian Center.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Doug Montgomery
Doug Montgomery of Evergreen, Ala., passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Evergreen Medical Center.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Christian Memorial Funeral Home