Melvin Purvis Sr.
Retired U. S. Navy Senior Chief Radioman Melvin Purvis Sr., age 87, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2022. He was a Canoe, Ala. native, and a resident of Virginia Beach, Va. In 1952 he joined the Navy, became a Radioman, served on five ships and five shore stations. As his career progressed he sent and received messages using systems which evolved from Morse code to Satellite Communication Systems. In addition to other medals, while working for the Defense Communications Agency he earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal. After retirement from the Navy, he joined Civil Service as a telecommunications manager at the Norfolk Naval Supply Center until his transfer to Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet where he retired in 1996. His most memorable service at sea was aboard the National Emergency Command Post Afloat in USS Wright CC-2. It was fully equipped so top echelon commands could provide strategic direction to area or worldwide military operations should such officials have to vacate Washington. After retirement he enjoyed golf, bowling, fishing, surfing the internet and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ernest and Nina Alderson Purvis; sisters Marie Maass, Lenna Langford, Eleanor Sotorske, Bonnie Madison Blackmon, and Carolyn Young.
Mr. Purvis is survived by his wife Sonia; sons, Melvin Jr, Ernest (Arnie), Robbie; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He will be interred at the Albert G. Horton Jr, Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Va. Celebration of life service was conducted at Kempsville Greens for family and loved one Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 4 until 7 p.m. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vacremationsociety.com.
Ruth Ellen O’Farrell
Mrs. Ruth Ellen O’Farrell, age 64, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022 in McDavid, Fla. She was born in Hammond, In. and resided in McDavid for the past thirty years. She was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She enjoyed playing with her cats and dogs. She liked going to the creek, to yard sales, and flea markets. She enjoyed traveling, loved to cook, and enjoyed working in her flower garden and vegetable garden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Mildred McGhee Hubbird; four brothers, Sherill Hubbird, Shelby Hubbird, Robert Hubbird, Clayton Hubbird; two sisters, Anette Balaban, and Ruby Swick.
Mrs. O’Farrell is survived by her loving husband of twenty-five years, Daryl O’Farrell of McDavid; five sons, William (Tia) Brooks of Wetumpka, Ala., Michael (Lee Ellen) Brooks of Excel, Ala., Darrell Brooks of Woodyville, Miss., Jason (Jessica) Love of Atmore, Ala., Raymond (Candy) Pellegrini of Frisco City, Ala.; sixteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Monday, July 25, 2022 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.
Jimmy H. Varner
Mr. Jimmy H. Varner, age 71, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2022 in Mobile, Ala. surrounded by family at his bedside. He resided most of his life in Latham, Ala. He retired as a diesel mechanic with many years of service. He loved spending time with his family, his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going places with his brother. He enjoyed all outdoors including his game birds, sitting in the swing on his back porch, planting and tending the fruit trees.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ether (Montez) Suell) Varner; one son, Jimmy Darell Varner; one brother, David Varner; three sisters, Darlene Wade, Martha Weaver and Kathy Kelly.
Mr. Varner is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years, “we cannot lose someone we love who has been in our hearts that was deeply apart of us forever”, Rachel Jackson Varner, of Latham, Ala.; one son Kenny Milstid of Latham; one daughter, Debra Lands, of Pensacola, Fla.; two brothers, Golden Varner, of Meridian, Miss and James (Christi) Varner, of Lottie, Ala.; six sisters, Liz Smith of Meridian, Ellen Fikes of Bay Minette, Ala., Louise (Mickey) Wilson of Fairhope, Ala., Vivian Varner of Stapleton, Ala., Edith Evans, of Quitman, Miss. and Patricia Hemmon, of Spanish fort, Ala.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters-in law, Pearl Jackson, Linda (Lee) Hiebert; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were held Sunday, July 24, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery with Bro. Walter Lee Rolin officiating. Burial followed at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.
Brittany Kay Talbot
Ms. Brittany Kay Talbot, age 37, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. She was born in Panama City, Fla. and resided most of her life in Century, Fla. She enjoyed being around people and was very outgoing person. She enjoyed going to the beach, creek, and taking the kids to skating rink. She always enjoyed a long ride on the back roads.
She was preceded in death by her pawpaw, Marvin Kimmons, Sr.; grandmother, Kitty Kimmons; two uncles, Marvin Earl Kimmons, Jr; Joseph “JoJo” Kimmons, and one aunt, Debrah Jean Crawford.
Ms. Talbot is survived by her father, Wayne (Sandra) Talbot, of Paxton, Fla., mother, Rhonda Kay Daw of Jay, Fla; three sons, Tyler Shane Talbot of Dothan Ala., Trenton Dewayne Pleasant, of Jay, Kayden Knighten of Atmore, Ala.; one brother, Zac Talbot of Paxton, Fla.; special cousin, Mallory Anderson of Pace, Fla.; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 3 p.m. a Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Sis: Kathy Stophel and Sis: Grace Lusk officiating. Burial will follow at Beulah Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 1p.m. until service time at 3 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Cade Howell, Ashley Grimes, Jessica Mathis, David Kimmons, and Tommie Sue Hobbs Walden.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.
Christopher Knighten
Mr. Christopher Knighten, age 38, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2022 in Mobile, Ala. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, Ala. He loved life and was very outgoing. He enjoyed old cars, fishing and the outdoors.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Vicki Boutwell Knighten; grandparents, Levice Davis, James (Donna) Boutwell, and Junior (Dottie) Knighten.
Mr. Knighton is survived by his father and step-mother, Gene and Beverly Knighten of Atmore; one son, Kayden Knighten, of Atmore; one daughter, Bailey Knighten of Atmore; three brothers, Derrick Knighten and Daren (Cheyenne) Knighten, both of Atmore and Steven (Sara) Knighten, of Century, Fla.; one sister, Gina Knighten of Atmore; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services and burial will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Semirah Springs Cemetery with Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 26, 2022om 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Randall Morris, Dennis Jerrell, Steven Knighten, Daren Knighten, and Gina Knighten.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.
Sinatrous Mims
Mr. Sinatrous Mims, age 63, of Bay Minette, Ala., passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022 at his residence.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Turner Funeral Chapel.
Wince Nelson, Jr.
Mr. Wince Nelson, Jr., age 88, of Hempstead, N.Y., formerly of Atmore, Ala. and Camden, Ala. passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Elizabeth Baptist Church – Atmore. Retirement of his remains will be in Fairview Cemetery.
Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.
Teresa Ann Godwin
Mrs. Teresa Ann Godwin, age 72, of Atmore, AL, passed away Friday afternoon, July 22, 2022, in a Century Health Care Facility. She loved flowers, her family and the Lord was the most important in her life. Mrs. Godwin was a member of the Little Escambia Baptist Church. She was very involved in her church and Vacation Bible School.
She is survived by a son, Jason (Tara) Godwin of Mobile, AL; one daughter, Dena (Terry) Strength of Atmore, AL; one sister, Thelma (Don) Robinson of Bay Minette, AL; and four grandchildren, Petty Officer Chandler Strength, Ashleigh Anna Strength, Chase Godwin, and Luke Godwin.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Roy Godwin; Parents, Thomas and Anna Whitehurst; a brother, Neville Whitehurst; Father-in-law, Clark Godwin, and her Mother-in-law, Myrtle Godwin.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at Little Escambia Baptist Church with Dr. Larry Patterson officiating. Interment will follow at Sardis Cemetery in Canoe, AL.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 12:30 P.M. until service time at 1:00 P.M. at the church.
Pallbearers: Chase Godwin, Luke Godwin, Casey Fordyce, Terry Strength, Jonathan Wiggins, and Matt Robinson.
In Lieu of flowers, send donations to Gideons International or R.P.M. Ministries through Little Escambia Baptist Church.