News Obituaries

Obituaries for week of June 30, 2019

Clifton H. Mims, Jr. 

Mr. Clifton H. Mims, Jr., age 67, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, June 27, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Atmore to the late Clifton H. Sr. and Lorene Tucker Mims. He attended Jefferson Davis Community College and AUM of Montgomery, Ala. He was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church of Atmore where he served in many roles and was a member of the church choir for over forty-one years. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and he tapped out in the Order of The Arrow. He was an outdoorsmen, avid turkey hunter, bird watcher, gardener, and animal lover and truly loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Gayle Mims Ward and a brother, John Clifton Mims.

Mr. Mims is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Darla Bethea “Totise” Mims of Atmore; his children, Joshua Cullen Mims of Daphne, Ala.; Lindsay Bethea Mims and Anna Katherine Mims, both of Atmore; five grandchildren, Jazmine, Ella, Sydney, Keaton, Jasiah and his special companion “Bama” who never left his side.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 2 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore with Rev. Brennan Peacock and Rev. Andy Gartman officiating. Family will greet friends following the memorial service at the church.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Church Choir at First United Methodist Church of Atmore.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Pilots for Christ.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Franklin Gibbs

Mr. Franklin Gibbs, age 62, of Prichard, Ala. born June 10, 1957, a resident of Prichard, Ala. passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at a local hospital.

Mr. Gibbs is survived by his wife, Rev. Marie Gibbs of Prichard, Ala.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion Church, 701 Bella Street, Prichard with Rev. Joyce Gant, Pastor officiating. Interment followed in Roper Cemetery in Chastang, Ala.

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Roosevelt Knight 

Mr. Roosevelt Knight, age 79, of Walnut Hill, Fla., passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019. He was to Lee Dale Lymon and Lillie Bell Howard in Wilcox County, Ala. After moving with his family to Walnut Hill he attended Earnest Ward High School. He was a long time member of New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Walnut Hill. As an adult he made Detroit, Mich. his resident for many years. He was employed with Nicholson and Son and U-haul of Detroit for many years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lee Dale Lymon; sister, Joann Kennedy and grandmother, Lena Mae Redmond.

Mr. Knight is survived by his spouse, Kimberly Williams of Detroit; one son, Ramon Williams of Detroit; a mother, Lillie Bell Howard of Walnut Hill; siblings, Lorenzo Knight and Jimmy Earl Knight, both of Walnut Hill and Sammie Lee Howard of Pensacola, Fla.; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Services were held Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 2 p.m. at House of Prayer Church of God in Christ,| Walnut Hill with Pastor Danny Fountain, Host Pastor officiating and Bishop Darryl North, Eulogist. Interment followed at New Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Walnut Hill.

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Angela “Ann” Diane Sargent- Russell  

Mrs. Angela “Ann” Diane Sargent-Russell, age 59, a native and lifetime resident of Mobile, Ala., passed away. She was born to the late Charles and Ann Marie Sargent.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ann Marie Sargent; brother, Nathan Sargent; grandparents, Ora Lee Ward, Hattie Sargent and Edward Sargent.

Mrs. Sargent-Russell is survived by a devoted husband, Bobby Russell; three children, Derrick (Tonya) Sargent, Sr., Cierica Sargent and Tierica (Nastase) Coleman; three grandchildren: Kenjuan Penn, Derrick Sargent, Jr. and one devoted grandson, Montrevion Sargent; one great- granddaughter, A`Moni Penn; two – sisters: Anita (Levi) Shaw, Linda ( Jessie) Saulsberry; three brothers: Charles Sargent, Lanard (Angela) Sargent and Kenneth Sargent; one sister-in-law, Pamela Russell, three brothers-in-law, Johnny (Shirley) Russell, Harry (Mitchell) Russell and Michael Russell; niece, Latrina (Leonard) Jackson; nephew, Roderick (Dorothy) Sargent; special and devoted friends, Fannita Kirksey Billups, Beatrice McDuffie, Rachandra Kennedy, Denise and Robert Boykins; Deacon Larry Wiggerfall, Roy Hudson and Rachel Dent; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Greater Nazaree Missionary Baptist Church, 501 J. Blair Street, Mobile, Ala. with Rev. Edward Robert, Eulogist and Rev. James A. Parrish, Jr., Pastor. Internment followed in Whispering Pines Cemetery, Mobile, Ala.

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Glenn Bryars

Mr. Glenn Bryars, age 70, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2019 at his home in Perdido, Ala. He was a native and life-long resident of Perdido. He retired from the Baldwin County Road Department with over forty-three years of service.  He was of the Holiness faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orie and Model Bryars; his wife of forty years, Sarah Bryars; son, Donald Gardner; two grandchildren, Sarah Gardner and Larry Gardner; one great-grandchild, Jerico Coleman; three brothers, Wiley Bryars, Gene Autry Bryars and O.W. Bryars and two sisters, Ora May White and Glinda Gillam.
Mr. Bryars is survived by five sons, Robert Eugene Gardner, Jr., John (Shelby) Gardner, all of Excel, Ala., Charles Arthur (Jerri) Gardner of Robertsdale, Ala., Thomas (Tika) Gardner of Nokomis, Ala. and Eddie (Bess) Gardner of Rabun, Ala.; three daughters, Theresa Ann Gardner of Perdido, Rossanna (Shannon) Edwards of Malcolm, Ala. and Katherine (Charles) Jones of Robertsdale;  one brother, Benjamin (Dee) Bryars of Perdido; four sisters, Peggy White of Perdido, AL, Shelby (Joel) Brown and Deborah (Randy) Conway, all of Perdido,  Shelia (Robert) Michaels of Chancellor, Ala.; three grandchildren he raised as his own, John Glenn McDowell, Brandy Bruce and Blake Hadley all of Perdido; thirty-three grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at White Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Billy Gardner, Darren Gardner, A.J. Gardner, Jonathan Joseph, J.T. McDowell, Easton White and J.R. Gardner.
Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Sprinkle and Blake Coleman.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Ala.

 

Robert Lee Rivers 

Rivers

Mr. Robert Lee Rivers, age 78, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019. He was born in Mobile, Ala. to the late Beatrice Johnson. After high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was employed as a letter carrier. Later he was a construction worker and worked on many historical and business sites locally and surrounding areas of Mobile County, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Rivers; mother, Beatrice Johnson and son, Bruce E. Barnes.

Mr. Rivers is survived by five children, Anna M. Williams, Winford Barnes, Denise Rivers Lyons, Jacinta (Thomas) Bovvay and Sean (Concetta) Payne; fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held Friday, July 5, 2019 at Catholic Cemetery of Mobile, Ala. at 10 a.m. with Reverend Dr. Clyde Maye, officiating Eulogist|

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Qwinsenta “Qwin” Willis

Ms. Qwinsenta “Qwin” Willis, 61, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla. A native of Atmore, she was born to Dorothy Mae Willis and Charles McCorvey. She was a 1975 graduate of Escambia County High School. She was a faithful member of the Christ Temple EPC where she served on the Pastor’s Aid and Hospitality committees. She attended University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa and employed as a correctional officer at Holman Prison for many years. In 2000, she was stricken with her illness, but she continued to run the race of life vigorously. In her leisure she enjoyed cooking and baking. She enjoyed going to church and loved her family deeply.

Ms. Willis is survived by her children, Tamika (Willis) Crook of Bay Minette, Ala., Katrina Willis and Ashley Willis, both of Atmore and Brian Willis of Montgomery, Ala.; her mother, Dorothy Mae Benjamin of Atmore; one sister, Helen Thomas Robinson of Atmore; one brother, Charles “Bubba” (Yane) Willis of Montgomery; six grandchildren; nieces, aunts, cousins, and many dear friends.

Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at noon at Emmanuel Faith Center with Bishop Wayne Johnson – Host Pastor and her son, Evangelist Brian Willis, Eulogist. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery.

Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

 

Marsha Gayle Thames English

Ms. Marsha Gayle Thames English, age 75, of Atmore (Freemanville Community), Ala., passed away Monday, July 1, 2019 at Santa Rosa Health & Rehab Center in Milton, Fla. She was a native of Atmore. She was a 1962 graduate of Escambia County Training School and retired from Vanity Fair (Atmore) with over twenty years of service. In her leisure, she enjoyed working puzzle books, reading the Bible, listening to Gospel Music, and going to yard sales. She was a member of Deliverance Ministries of Jesus Christ Church #1 in Atmore where she served as a Church Mother.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Crystal Montgomery Collins; her parents, John A. and Elizabeth Thames; a sister, Finola Harvey.

Ms. English is survived by a sister, Mamie Gantt of Atmore; a brother, John A. “Teen” (Loretta) Thames, Jr.; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. at Deliverance Ministry of Jesus Christ Church #1 with Rev. Kelvin Williams, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Pierce, Rabb and Montgomery Cemetery in Atmore (Freemanville).

Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

 

Gloria Marshall

Gloria Marshall, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019 at her home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Pillar Ground Church. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Samantha Murray

Ms. Samantha Murray, age 54, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019. She was born to Willow D. Murray.

Ms. Murray is survived by her daughter, Danishia Murray; beloved friend and sister, Mia Kyles Finklea (Charles) and God-daughter, Kameria Parker; beloved family, Rebecca Boyles; sister-in-love, Shannika Kyles Johnson (Michael Johnson, Sr.); niece and nephew, Mikayla Johnson and Michael Johnson, Jr. and special friend, Jessica Knight.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Christian Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Jimmy Kyles, officiating. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery.

Pall bearers were Derrick Arnold, Jr., Derrick Arnold, Sr., Michael Johnson, Jr. Michael Johnson, Sr., Ronnie Thomas and Gordon McKenzie.

Flower bearers were family and friends.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Adell Porter Williams

Mrs. Adell Porter Williams, age 81, of Brewton, Ala., passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019. She was born in Barlow Bend, Ala., Clark County, Ala., to the late Ervin McCants and Rosa Lee Lundy. She attended school in Clark County and later moved to Huxford Camp on Hwy. 41. She was a hairdresser and was a member of Huxford Baptist Church. Later she moved to Pearidge Rd. in Brewton, Ala. She worked in the restaurant business for a number of years in Brewton.

She was preceded in death by her husband of twenty-eight years, James Williams; a son, Willie James Williams; siblings, Octavia Howard, Ervin McCants, Ernest Lee Lundy and Clare Mae Jones, Rosie Lee McCants, Sarah McCants, Regina McCants, C. C. McCants, J. C. McCants, Tewill McCants, Albert McCants and John McCants; nephew, Willie Ervin McCants and a sister-in-law, Essie Lundy.

Mrs. Williams is survived by her children, Rosie (Simmie) Benjamin of Lauderhill, Fla., Walter J. Williams and James Williams, of Lithonia, Ga., Shirley (Clarence) Dubose, Elmira (Alponso) Wesley, Calvin Williams, Shannon (Anthony) Rankin, all of Brewton; Judy (Patrick) McIntosh of Stone Mountain, Ga., Nathaniel (Rhonda) Williams of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jeffery (Tycious) Williams of Pensacola, Fla., Monica (Holland) Perryman of Millbrook, Ala.; siblings, Cleo McCants of Atmore, Willie Lundy of Denver, Colo., Robert Lundy of Brewton and Patricia Lundy of Modesto, Calif.;  twenty-seven grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; devoted friend, Murk Knight and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Second St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Brewton, with Rev. M. Dailey Pastor officiating and Bishop Robert McWilliams, Eulogist. Interment followed at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Clarence Jr. Michael, Tyreke, Sgt. Brian, Jaylon, Alphonso, Jr., Prentice, Darius, Avery, Moe, Chris, Johnathan, Jordan.

Flower bearers were grandchildren and friends.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Brewton, Ala.,