Obituaries

Obituaries, week of September 29, 2021

Martae Finley Jackson

Martae Finley Jackson, native of Atmore, Ala., resident of Michigan, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 11 a.m. in Fairview Cemetery.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Johnny Wayne Smith

Mr. Johnny Wayne Smith, age 72, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021 in Atmore. He was born\ in Atmore\ to the late William Rayford and Jeanette Day Smith. He served in the United States Army and served two tours in Vietnam. He was an active member of Presley Street Baptist Church and enjoyed painting, learning guitar, video games, music and was an avid Alabama fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Coby Smith; two brothers, Jackie and Larry Sims.

Mr. Smith is survived by his loving wife of forty-one years, Debbie Smith; three sons, Tommy Smith, Marty Smith, Levi (Codi) Smith; one brother, Jimmy Sims of Spanish Fort, Ala. and two sisters, Cheryl Snider and Debbie (Quinton) Rowell; ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joseph T. Simpson officiating with Military Honors. Inurnment will be in the Alabama State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort, Ala. at a later date.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Presley Street Baptist Church, Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Tonya Rolin

Mrs. Tonya Rolin, age 46, passed away Monday, September 20, 2021 in Brewton, Ala. She was a born in Brewton and resided most of her life in the Pollard, Ala. area. She loved her children, and was a great mother. She was loved by all. She enjoyed all outdoor activities especially fishing. She enjoyed playing basketball, twirling baton and playing a clarinet.
She was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Amye Brantley.
Mrs. Rolin is survived by her parents Tony and Teresa Rolin, of Flomaton, Ala.; two sons, Trevor Kuria and Troy Alexander Agahia, all of Flomaton; one brother, Chris (Suzan) Rolin, of EL Paso, Texas; her significant other, Omid Agahighomi,, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC. Burial will follow at Pollard Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 10 a.m. until service time at 1l a.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Adam Gassner, Frankie Holloway, Mandi Manning, and Jeff Rolin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.

Shirley Long

Long

Mrs. Shirley Long, age 76, of Canoe, Ala., passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at her home. She was born to the late Curtis and Virginia Johns. She was Mom or Granny and loved everyone with her whole heart.

She was preceded by her parents; husband, Harry Long (Hal) and brother, Jimmy Johns.

Mrs. Long is survived by two daughters, Felicia Hadley and Angela (Brian) Greer; three grandchildren, Danial Baker, Justin Baker and Malaree Lane; nine great-grandchildren, Tessa, Marissa, Zoey, Collins, Karma Baker; Kellie and Jordyn Baker; Trey, Hyatt and Shiloh Lane; numerous ones she called hers; two brothers, Shannon Johns and Jimmy Johns; two nieces, Lil Shannon and Kristie Johns; one nephew, James Johns.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Eloise Peavy Weaver

Mrs. Eloise Peavy Weaver, age 83, of Bay Minette, Ala., passed away Thursday, September 23, 2021. She was born in Monroe County, Ala. to Willie Arthur “Bill” Peavy and Pelma McDonald Peavy. She was known by many names Momma, Granny, Lou, Sis, and Babe and for her devotion and love to her family which she leaves in all of us.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James R. “Bob” Weaver, Sr.

Mrs. Weaver is survived by her children, Regina (Chuck) Langham, Rebecca (Charles) Smith and Jamie (Jennifer) Weaver; her grandchildren, Cody (Heather) Langham, Cameron (Ashley) Smith, Caitlin (Tyler) Davis, Dustin (Lexi) Langham, Dillon (Christina) Weaver, Taylor Weaver and Ensley Weaver; great-grandchildren, Braxton Langham, Halle Davis, Lucas Weaver, Kelly Smith, Bryden Weaver, Wyatt Langham and Carston Stanley; her brothers, John (Diane) Peavy; AL (Diann) Peavy, Billy (Joni) Peavy; her sisters, Bonnie Green, Ann (Steve) Hester and Lois (Ricky) Franklin along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Rev. Carl R. Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Bay Minette Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 1p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

James Richard Dixon

Dixon

Mr. James Richard Dixon, age 83, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away Sunday, September 26, 2021. He was born in Brewton, Ala. to the late Richard and Evelyn Holmes Dixon. He was Baptist by faith. He was a veteran of the armed forces serving his country in the United States Army. He was a devoted husband. He worked as a Law Enforcement Officer for thirty years, having worked as the Chief of Police in Atmore, Ala. and for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.

Mr. Dixon is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harry Dixon, sister, Judy Hullett and son, James R. Dixon, II.

Mr. Dixon is survived by his loving wife of fifty-six years, Carol H. Dixon of DeFuniak Springs; two brothers, Tommy Dixon and David (Ola Mae) Dixon, all of Brewton; also numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at Cluster Springs Baptist Church Cemetery at 1333 County Highway 1084, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433, with Reverend Phil McMillian officiating.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to your favorite charity.

Clary-Glenn Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. DeFuniak Springs, Fla.  

Gay Nell Garner Godwin

Mrs. Gay Nell Garner Godwin, age 92, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021 in Mobile, Ala. She was born in Batesville, Miss. and has lived most of her life in Century, Fla. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sammie (Margaret Stewart) Garner,; husband, Lester J. Godwin; one son, Paul H. (Gail) Godwin; one brother, Sammie Garner Jr; one sister, Mary Lou Garner McGrew.
She is survived by her two sons, Lester Lynn (Judith) Godwin, of Pensacola, Fla.; Wayne Godwin, of Bratt; one grandson, Matthew Godwin; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Family requests that “Masks” be worn.

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

Luther Jackson

Mr. Luther Jackson, age 82, of Brewton, Ala., passed away Saturday, September 18, 2021. He was born to the late Ruby Covington and Proff Jackson. He attended Southern Normal and graduated from Booker T. Washington. He was employed with Ford Motor Company in New Jersey and retired in 1989. Upon returning to Brewton in 1995 he joined Peace and Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucinda Jackson; a sister, Annie Jean (Roosevelt) Thompson; devoted friend, James Ewing and best friend, like a brother, Robert McCaskill.

Mr. Jackson is survived by three daughters, Luthelia Jackson (John Ray Jones), Tiffany Jackson and Heidi Jackson, all of Brewton; one sister, Elaine Richardson of Richmond, Va.; one brother, Danny Stewart of Pensacola, Fla.; six grandchildren; a best friend like a sister, Celestine McCaskill; special brother-in-law, Carl Golden of Maryland and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Second Bethlehem Church Cemetery with Rev. Matthew Coleman, Pastor and Pastor Michael Arnold officiating.

Pallbearers were Jahmeir Jackson, Christian Autrey, Terry Floyd, Ryshaun Autrey, Ashante Smith and John Ray Jones.

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

Toni Denise Brown

Ms. Toni Denise Brown, age 56, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, September 8, 2021. She was born in Atmore to the late Ruby Lee Brown and Eugene Finley. She was a graduate of Escambia County High School. She was employed with the Flowerwood Nursery for many years. She was a member of Elizabeth Holiness Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jerry Brown; son, Trenton Earl Brown; sister, Martha Ray Brown; grandmother, Mattie Hawkins; aunts, Ruth Phillips, Rosa Dailey and Marie Hawkins.

Ms. Brown is survived by two sons, Darrell (Karissa) Brown and Shaquille Brown, both of Atmore; special friend, Willie Ray Dortch of Atmore; siblings, Larry Finley of Huntsville, Ala., Debra (Calvin) Poole of Birmingham, Ala., Shelia (Ricky) Smith Ellenwood, Ga., Darry (Shelia) Finley of Pensacola, Fla., Michael (Cheretha) Finley of Toney, Ala., ,Paulette (Bobby) Watson of Douglasville, Ga., Terry (Jeanette) Finley of Crestview, Fla., Kenneth (Glenda Brown of Houston, Texas and Gary Brown of Atmore; two aunts, Bessie Brown and Lee Ella Brown, both of Atmore; one uncle, Aubrey Hawkins; one Godson, Makhail Reynolds of Atmore; grandchildren, Carmello Brown, Trenton Brown, Aalyiah Scott, Zyquarious Washington, Shavaeh Brown and Easton Johnson; best friends, Ivory Hall and Donna McGhee, both of Atmore; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held Friday, September 24, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Monroe Tucker, Jr., Eulogist, and Pastor of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

Pallbearers and floral attendants were family and friends.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Maria Victoria Curry

Mrs. Maria Victoria Curry, age 59, passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021 in Bay Minette, Ala. She was born in Austin, Texas, but has lived most of her life in the Perdido, Ala. area. She enjoyed spending time with her family outdoors fishing and her dog, Sophia. She would nurture and foster a lot of family, friends and her children’s friends, she always carried an open loving heart and home for anyone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Domingo (Isabella) Martinez; two brothers, Oscar Martinez, and Domingo Martinez Jr.
Mrs. Curry is survived by her husband, Everette Curry, of Perdido; one son, Steven (Sakaowkan) Curry of Killeen, Texas; two daughters, Destiny, of Perdido and Marissa Curry, of Poarch, Ala.; seven brothers, Edward Martinez, of Kans., Enricque Martinez, of Maxwell, TX., Jimmy Martinez, of Calif., Ricky Martinez, Cordilla Martinez and Little Joe Martinez, all of Austin, TX.; Ruben Martinez, Del Valley, TX.; five sisters, Mary Ann Zamora, of Austin, Sylvia Zamora, of Leander, TX., Estella Zamora, of Killeen, TX., Julie Spence, of Manor, TX. and Frances Martinez, of Bastrop, TX.; best friend, Frances Gulley; other relatives, and friends.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.

Glennie Elizabeth Kirby

Mrs. Glennie Elizabeth Kirby, age 73, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021 in Flomaton, Ala. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James (Ruby) Kirby; one sister, Mary Frances Kirby.
Mrs. Kirby is survived by two daughters, Rhonda Tullos, of Tallahassee, Fla. and Pam (Tommy) Sheets, of Flomaton: one brother, Jimmy Kirby, Atmore, Ala.; six grandchildren, Christopher Sheets, Brandon Sheets, Peyton Sheets, Aurora Sheets, Brian Tullos, Jessica Tullos; four great- grandchildren, Julian, Koen, Athena, Sabrina, other relatives and friends.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.

Charles Anthony “Tony” Brozson

Mr. Charles Anthony “Tony” Brozson, age 59, passed away Monday, September 6, 2021 in Mobile, Ala. He was native of Atmore, Ala. but has resided in Mobile for the past twenty years.
Graveside services will be held Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.

Morris Ropp

Ropp

Mr. Morris Ropp, age 89 of Bemidji, Minn., and Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021 while his wife, Norma Joan (Miller) Ropp was holding his hand. He was born in Kalona, Iowa into the family of Solomon C. and Vesta (Yoder) Ropp. They began their married life in 1-W service and then moved to Churubusco, Ind., living there from 1957-1964. His passion for sharing the love of Jesus took him to northern Minn. where he maintained a residence until the day of his death. Since the winters were long and cold in Minnesota, he also resided in Atmore for the past thirty-eight years. During the winter months he was very involved with the prison ministry as well as fishing, traveling, nature, and reading. He frequently had a book beside his chair that reflected these interests. It was precious to see the hand of God allowing him, despite declining health, to return to Alabama for 9 days where his earthly pilgrimage ended.

He was preceded in death by his parents; eight siblings; two daughters-in-law, Fayetta (Dale) Schrock/Ropp and Carmen (Sanford) Kulzer/Ropp.

Mr. Ropp is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Norma Joan Ropp; six children, Debora of Kenora, Ont., Dale of Bemidji, Donna (Ellis Beery) of Mt. Crawford, Va., Judith (Dale Huber) of Atmore; Joann (Nevin Nisly) of Partridge, Kans., Sanford of (Wamesa Beckman), Newbern, N.C.; twenty-five grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 1, 2021 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Mennonite Christian Fellowship.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Mennonite Christian          Fellowship with Blaine Copenhaver officiating and Anthony Swartzendruber bringing the message.  Interment will follow in Freemanville Community Cemetery.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.