Mehmet Yurdakul
Mr. Mehmet Yurdakul, age 59, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, July l, 2021 at his home.
He was born in the Ismir Province, Turkey. He came to the US in 1991 where he acquired a Green Card and began working in the pizza industry. Over the next decade, Mehmet worked his way up from a dish washer with limited English skills to general manager in charge of his own store. Mehmet made the choice to become an American citizen and on August 19, 2000, he took the solemn oath to protect and serve the United States. Mehmet found a passion for food and culinary arts and in 2001 applied to culinary school at Johnson & Wales University. He was accepted and entered the program in Charleston, SC. In 2005, Mehmet graduated Magna Cum Laude and gained employment with a very prestigious retirement community in Charleston. He was the community favorite for his sense of humor and exotic food creations.
Mehmet’s reputation preceded him and, in 2007, the opportunity to join a team to open a new and exciting casino in Atmore presented itself. After careful consideration, Mehmet and Lynn made the decision to move to Atmore and begin their careers at Wind Creek. Mehmet helped grow the property from a bingo style hall to the 5-star hotel and casino resort present today.
Over his career Mehmet had many milestones, accomplishments, and community influences. In 2010, Mehmet was voted Chef of the Year of the Wind Creek Chapter of The American Culinary Federation. Mehmet established the dining facility at the then new Lavan Martin Assisted Living Facility. He operated the Wind Creek Food Truck, which traveled all over the state representing the tribe and the casino. Mehmet volunteered his time and skill with the Baldwin County School District by teaching a class in the studio kitchen at BCHS. The students loved the class and anticipated his visit each semester. He made a guest appearance on News Channel 5 demonstrating his skills for the local viewing audience. Mehmet is probably best known in the community for his time teaching classes at the Culinary Studio at Wind Creek. It is not unusual to hear an Atmore citizen say that Mehmet taught them how to properly and safely use a knife.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Surahiye Ak Yurdakul, and his father, Sabri Yurdakul.
Mr. Yurdakul is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Lynn Pennington Yurdakul;
two daughters, Bonnie Warner (John) of Williamsburg, Va. and Penny Stroupe (Joey) of Augusta, Ga.; four grandchildren, Chance Turner, Sarah Warner (Jack Pronier), Wesley Griffin, and Alexander Hilton; three great-grandchildren, Aidan, Arya, and Roman; three sisters, Mujgan Yurdakul, Nermin Wood, Nezi Yurdakul of Turkey.
Memorial services for the family will be determined at a later date.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Gail Hope Gresham
Mrs. Gail Hope Gresham, age 71, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in Monroeville, Ala.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl (Leona) Hasin; brother, Allen (Pat) Hasin.
Mrs. Gresham is survived by her husband, Hughey Gresham: five daughters, Melanie Lorenz (Michael), Sherry Gresham, Julie Brown (Patrick), Vickie Souther (Richie), Tina Christmas; one son Mark Gresham; JoAnn Ebright (a sister she never had); eleven grandchildren, Malcolm Davis (Natisha), Michael Gresham, Nicolle Gresham, Cody Gresham, Sean Lorenz, Adrian Wilson (Amber), Destini Wilson, Tevyn Wilson, PJ Brown, Ryan Souther and Corinthian Christmas; five great-grandchildren, A’leya Smith, Malcolm Davis, Novaleigh Barclay and Sophia Knott; a very special friend, Nancy Golden.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 12 p.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Rev. Fred Straworth officiating. Burial followed at Traveler’s Rest Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday, July 10, 2021 from 10 a.m. until service time at 12 p.m.
Pallbearers were Michael Gresham, Dewayne Gresham, Malcolm Davis, Richie Souther, Patrick Brown and Adrian Wilson.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.
Alicia N. Holland
Ms. Alicia N. Holland, age 28, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Pensacola. She was born in Pensacola to David Holland and Marcie Andrews. She was a member of the class of 2011 at Northview High School.
She was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Joyce Fralick Benefield and Leila Parker; her father, David Holland; her aunt, Donna Peebles and her cousin, Jarrod Peebles.
Ms. Holland is survived by her mother, Marcie Andrews of Little Rock, Ark.; her children, Landon, Leah and Laila; their grandparents, Charles and JoAnn Peterson; her sisters, Ashley Holland of Atmore, Ala. and Amber (Jody) Levins of Byrneville, Fla.; her aunts, Tammy Harper of Pensacola and Anita (Miguel) Sanchez of Duluth, Ga.; her uncles, Jerry Holland, Jim Holland, and Michael Holland, all of Pensacola and Ron (Dana) Holland of King George, Va.; her nieces and nephews, Kolby, Kaleb, Carter, Carsen, Conner, Gracie, Jonah, Ellie and Lillie and her cousins, Jason, Nick, Dustin, Olivia, Anna, Jessica, Katie, Parker and Riley.
Funeral service were held Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Nathan Barnes officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Oak Grove, FL.
The family received friends Tuesday, July 13, 2021 from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Johnathan Roberts
Mr. Johnathan Roberts, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Piedmont Hospital in Columbus, Ga.
Graveside service will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 16, 2021 from 1-5 p.m. at Christian Memorial Funeral Home.
Repast to follow at Holy Community Center Fellowship Hall 300 Wilkerson Street, Atmore.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Gregory Allen Hunter
Mr. Gregory Allen Hunter, age 58, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Pensacola, Fla. He was a lifelong resident of Century, Fla. He enjoyed playing golf, pool, and fishing and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Winifred Hunter; wife, Sunji Hunter and brother Dallas Edwards
Mr. Hunter is survived by his father, Clyde (Dottie) Robert Hunter Sr of Valparaiso, Fla.; one son, Brett Allen (Jessica) Hunter of Corinth, Miss.; one daughter, Natasha (Steve) Cundy of Radcliff, Ky.; four brothers, Clyde R. Hunter Jr of Ariz., George R. Hunter of Century, Christopher Lynn Hunter of Pensacola, and John Joseph Hunter of Brewton, Ala.; one sister, Melsia Hunter of Baker, Fla.; one grandchild, many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at a later date
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.