Obituaries

Obituaries, week of November 10, 2019

Loretta Lynn Galvan

Mrs. Loretta Lynn Galvan, age 52, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2019 in Pensacola, Fla.  She was a native and life-long resident of Brewton, Ala. She was a contract painter most of her working life and she attended the Shady Grove Holiness Church.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert A. Patton.

Mrs. Galvan is survived by her mother, Margaret Patton of Brewton; special friend and companion, Leon Lambert of Brewton; and four sisters, Paula Marie (David) McCormick of Opp, Ala., Pamela Melissa Grimes and Amanda Jean Patton, both of Brewton and Mona Dianne (Hartwood) McMillian of Paul, Ala.

Memorial services were held Friday, November 8, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Doug Greer officiating.

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

 

Leon Earl Jeter

Mr. Leon Earl Jeter, age 73, passed away Monday, November 4, 2019 at his home in Atmore, Ala. He was a native of Booneville, Ala. and had resided in Atmore for most of his life. He was a jack of all trades, an excellent carpenter and was retired from Swift Lumber Company with twenty years of service. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Effie Cumbie; father, Joe Jeter; wife of fifty-one years, Kathryn Hardy Jeter; two brothers, Danny Jeter and Edwin Jeter and sister, Patsy Taylor.

Mr. Jeter is survived by his two sons, Joey (Brandy) Jeter and Todd Jeter, all of Atmore; special friend and caregiver, Melissa Gorum of Atmore; three sisters, Sherry Buckhault of Atmore, Cheryl (Joe) Matthews of Repton, Ala. and Marilyn Peavy of Uriah, Ala.; four grandchildren, Blaine (Rachel) Jeter, Sissy (Brett Gorum) Jeter, Cole Sanspree and Nick Sanspree; two great grandchildren, Braxton Jeter and Charlie Jeter and numerous, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Beauchamp officiating. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery.

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

Pallbearers were Ray Singleton, Eddie Gideons, Fred Whitaker, Whit Whitaker, Don Jackson and Richard Boutwell.

Honorary pallbearers were Charles Lowery, Billy Dorriety, Aubrey Peacock, Bubba Wolfe, Fred Harrison and James Morris.

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

 

Thornwell S. Lee

Mr. Thornwell S. Lee, age 87, of Atmore, Ala. passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2019 in Fairhope, Ala. He was born to the late Edward and Mary Marsh Lee in Camden, S.C. He served in the United States Army and was a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.S. degree in forestry. He was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church. He was a forester most of his life and retired from International Paper Company and the State of Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Alva Kennedy and a brother Edward Lee, Jr.

Mr. Lee is survived by his wife, Betty Lee of Atmore; two daughters, Cynthia (Roy) Munger of Spanish Fort, Ala. and Candy (Pierre) Bustany of France; three grandchildren, Alan, Lee and Robert.

Memorial services will be held Friday, November 15, 2019 at 10 a.m. from Brooks Memorial Baptist Church with Bro. Steve Lee officiating.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Bruce I. Akins 

Mr. Bruce I. Akins, age 72, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, November 7, 2019 in Pensacola, Fla. He was born to the late Harry and Annie Clyde Still Akins in Booneville, Ala. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He retired as a salesman from Service Auto Supply where he worked for many years. He was a member of Booneville Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Frances Akins; siblings, Jack Akins, Leon Akins, Mary Zelm and Paul Akins.

Mr. Akins is survived by his two sons, Timothy B. (Tracy) Akins of Elberta, Ala. and Daniel Akins of New Orleans, La.; his siblings, Clarence (Bobbie) Akins of Robertsdale, Ala. and Peggy Helton of Milton, Fla.; grandchildren, Laura Akins, Oliva Akins, Braxton Akins; one great-grandchild, Brooks Hadley and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Graveside services were held Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 1 p.m. from Booneville Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Cindy Still and Rev. David Atchison officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with military honors.

Active pallbearers were Mickey Akins, Harry Akins, John Akins, Andy Akins, Meador Akins and Joe Helton.

The family received friends Saturday, November 9, 2019 from noon until service time at 1 p.m. from Booneville Baptist Church.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Pansy Willine Bryan

Bryan

Mrs. Pansy Willine Bryan, age 90, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2019 in Jay, Fla. She was a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and had resided in Century, Fla. for the past sixty years. She was member of the Bratt First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and played piano and organ. She was a former member of the Galloping Gourmet and the Flomaton Research Club. She was an artist and painted several nature scenes.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years, Preston Earl Bryan, Sr.; parents, Locklin Lyall and Jackie (Lewis) Zeigler and a great-granddaughter, Caroline Bryan.

Mrs. Bryan is survived by her three sons, Preston Earl (Willene) Bryan, Jr. of Century, John Kenneth (Charlotte) Bryan of Pace, Fla. and Terry David (Sheila) Bryan of Bratt, Fla.; one sister, Dean Bethea of Pensacola, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Kevin (Carrie) Bryan, Michelle (Shawn) Bryan, Jacqui (Matt) Luberto, Amanda (Ryan) Bryan, Jill (Jeffrey) Laborde, Heath (Shelby) Bryan and Brian Callaway; fourteen great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Megan, Logan, Raven, Gracie, Jackson, Paisley, Juliana, Laura, Brantley, Ledger, Forest, Ruth and Collene; five great-great grandchildren, Kayden, Triston, Alex, Duke and Karlie and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, November 11, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Sanders and Bro. Mitch Harrington officiating. Burial will follow at Byrneville Methodist Cemetery.

The family received friends Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Heath Bryan, Jeff Laborde, Kevin Bryan, Logan Bryan, Jeremy Bryan Sims and Matt Luberto.

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

 

Bobby Lee “Earl” Frye

Frye

Mr. Bobby Lee “Earl” Frye, age 81, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Sacred Heart – Covenant Hospice in Pensacola, Fla. A native of Atmore, he was an industrious man. He was a 1957 graduate of Escambia County Training School in Atmore and a graduate of Wenonah State Community College in Birmingham, Ala. After graduating college, he served four years in the U. S. Navy. He, along with his brother, established Frye Construction Co. Years later he and his wife opened the Chick-a-Dee lounge and Frye Tire Link. He was known by many as a teacher, motivator, activist, and mentor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Eddie (Rollie Mae) Frye; his sister, Narvell Parker and his brother, Benny Lee Frye.

Mr. Frye is survived by his wife, Ida Mary Frye of Atmore; one daughter, Kimberly (William) Evans of Petersburg, Va.; two sons, Layton Earl (Karen) Frye of Mobile, Ala. and John Earl (Hasana) Frye of Atmore; seven  grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church with Rev. Willie Hawthorne, Pastor, officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be in Stallworth Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, November 15, 2019 from 2 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home. His body will lie in repose at the church for one hour prior to the funeral service.

Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

 

Annie Flora Bonner

Bonner

Ms. Annie Flora Bonner, age 99, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Friday, November 8, 2019 at Century Nursing Care Center. She was a domestic worker and was a member of Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, where she served faithfully on the Senior Usher Board.

She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Larry Travis; four sisters, Reathie Lewis, Laura McNeil, Millie Thompson and I. V. Warren; and a brother.

Ms. Bonner is survived by her daughter, Anne Travis-Powell of Atmore; three sons, Richard (Cassandra) Crenshaw of Mobile, Ala., Samuel Crenshaw of Albany, N.Y. and Benjamin Lawson of Atmore; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 15, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church with Rev. Willie Hawthorne, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until funeral service time at the church.

Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

 

Ursha Monique Evette Dirden

Ms. Ursha Monique Evette Dirden, age 43, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Monday, November 4, 2019. She was born in Atmore to Rachel Dirden and Wayne Gray, Sr. She was a faithful member of Abundant Life Church of Deliverance. She was a 1994 graduate of Escambia County High School. She enjoyed games on her phone, music and spending time with family and being a community and neighborhood friend.

She was preceded in death by her mother; grandmother, Betty Dirden; grandmothers, Willie Dosha Gray and Frances Gray and a very special niece, Nia Wiggins.

Ms. Dirden is survived by her parents, Wayne and Sandra Gray of Atmore; two sisters, Tamara (Eddie) Montgomery and Carla (Jermaine) Westry, both of Atmore; two brothers, Wayne (Jamie) Gray, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas and Steven (Civora) Gray of Troy, Ala.; five aunts, Rita Gray, Alvanise Gray, Margarett Lymon and Eloise Dirden, Shirley (David) Gray-Smith; three uncles, Willie Gray, Jeffrey Gray and Barron Dirden; special and devoted cousins, Desmond Dirden, John Dirden, II, Laquia Dirden Scott, Kharda Hale and Stacey Dirden; thirteen nieces and nephews; two very special friends, Cynthia Flavors and Mary Shoemaker and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Gillead Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Gary Bryant with officiating Pastor, Chief Apostle Carolyn Bankes of Abundant Life Church of Deliverance. Interment followed in Luscious Cemetery.

Pallbearers were James Bush, John Dirden II, Desmond Dirden, Xavier Lymon, Cordera Dirden and John Dirden, III.

Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Gray, Jr., Steven Gray, Alton Gray, Akeem Gray, Imani Gray Sr., Artemus Wiggins, Dimitri Wiggins.

Flower bearers were her cousins, family and friends.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

 

Claude Castleberry

Mr. Claude Castleberry, age 81, of Evergreen, Ala., passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019. He was born to the late Martha and Willis Castleberry, Sr. in Evergreen (Conecuh County) Alabama. He loved fishing in Alaska, travelling to Hawaii, baseball, cooking, dancing and listening to the blues. He served as Deacon at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and reunited with the Nazarene Baptist Church after moving back to Evergreen. He worked for Jesse Wagner, was a very skillful heavy equipment operator.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willis Jr. (June) Aubrey and Isaiah (Zick) Castleberry; sisters, Mabel (Nan) Lusane, Rosie Lewis and Drucilla Harris; aunts, Pete, Dootie and Bubba Jack; uncle Fred and his cousin, Adele.

Mr. Castleberry is survived by his son, David Calvin Castleberry; two stepdaughters, Redonda Williams and Donna Means; grandson, kelvin Castleberry; one sister, Dorothy Wilson; three brothers, Fred (Gwendolyn) James, David (Georgia) Kenneth Castleberry; special companion, Mary Ball and a favorite niece, Nicole Claudette  Megan as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, November 11, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Greater Nazarene Baptist Church with Dr. John O. Meeks officiating. Interment followed in Greater Nazarene Cemetery, Evergreen.

Pallbearers were his family and friends.

Honorary pallbearers were Fred, David and Kenneth Castleberry, Roosevelt Harris, Errice and Nathaniel Richardshon, Lonnie and Michael Lacy and Eric Wilson, Jr.

Flower bearers were his family and cousins.

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

 

Ceola Rivers

Ceola Rivers, age 61, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Ala.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Empowerment Christian Center. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.