Obituaries

Obituaries, week of August 3, 2022

William Thomas Rolin

Mr. William Thomas Rolin, age 80, passed away Monday, July 25, 2022 at his home. He was born to Tracy and Girlie Walker Rolin in Atmore, Ala. He was a native of Poarch, Ala. and has resided in Stapleton, Ala. for the past forty-three years. He was a Member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, working for thirty-four years serving his Tribe initially as a Tribal Dispatcher, then attending the Police Academy training as a Police Officer (ES 42). He later transitioned and was currently employed as an In-take Officer for the Tribal Police Department. He enjoyed working and serving his tribal community. He had a profound love for his church, St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, serving as a Lay Reader. His love for Auburn Tigers. He loved them win or lose. The Rolin family spent many years together watching Auburn football games in their home. Cherished times the family will never forget.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; brother, Richard McGhee; sisters, Leola Manac, Linda Gail Parker, Bessie O’Barr and Lottie Duerst.
Mr. Rolin is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Shelia Rolin; his children, Matthew (Sarah) Rolin of Stapleton, Bridget Wasdin and Kasey (Terry) Wise, all of Bay Minette, Ala.; grandchildren, Landon Wise, Kaylee Wise, Kohen Wasdin, Whitely Rolin, Chapman Wasdin, Walker Rolin, and Will Rolin; his brother, Buford L Rolin and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. As Pops would always say to his wife, children and grandchildren, “Love ya, see ya, bye”. Until we meet again.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Father, Mike Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Stapleton.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Chad Parker, Timmy Brooks, Shawn Smith, Jake Thomas, Larry Faircloth, Corey Hicks, Jerry Faircloth, and Vermon Byrd II.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Helton and Josh Thomas.
The family will accept flowers, as well as memorial contributions to St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, 100 Lynn McGhee Drive, Atmore, AL 36502.

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

Deborah Ann Maples

Ms. Deborah Ann Maples, age 63, of Frisco City, Ala., passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at her residence.  She was born in Houston, Texas to Robert and Helen Ruth Lambert Gipson. She had been employed at Wind Creek, Atmore, Ala. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Donnie Joe Gipson and Brenda Gardner.

Ms. Maples is survived by her sons, Kenneth “Sam” (Christy) Ward of Arab, Ala., Shane (Kim) Ward and Shaun Ward, all of Uriah, Ala.; her daughter, Chasitty Benner (Bill Carnley) of Frisco City; her brother, Robert (Mary) Gipson of Atmore; her sister, Shana (Mark) Ellis of Dadeville, Ala. along with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Atmore at a later date.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Carl Vernon Gunter, Sr. 

Mr. Carl Vernon Gunter, Sr., age 85 of McDavid, Fla., passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at a Pensacola, Fla. hospice facility. He was born in Pensacola and had lived most of his life in McDavid. He was a U.S. Army veteran and, retired as a Chemical Operator at Monsanto. He enjoyed hunting, and fishing. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Century, Fla. where he served as a deacon.

Mr. Gunter is survived by his wife, Joyce Kelly Gunter of McDavid; two sons, Carl (Wanda) Gunter, Jr. of Brewton, Ala. and Joel Gunter of McDavid; two daughters, Kelly Ann Gunter of McDavid and Robin (Richie) Thomas of Brewton; two sisters, Barbara (Jack) Ryals of Walnut Hill, Fla. and Peggy (Darrell) Barrow of Century; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. David Boyd officiating.  Interment, with military honors, will follow at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, July 29, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. service time at Flomaton Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Ethan Thomas, Joshua Gunter, Clint Gunter, Dusty Sutton, Jonathan Bondurant, and Matthew Gunter.

Craver’s Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Brewton, Ala.

Hugo Homer Rogers, Jr.

Rogers

Dr. Hugo Homer Rogers, Jr., age 74, of Auburn, Ala., passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2022. He was born in Perdido, Ala. to Hugo Homer Rogers, Sr. and Katherine Brantley Rogers. He attended Faulkner State Community College and Auburn University. He attended Auburn United Methodist Church. His impressive career moved him between intellectual projects and positioned him on the front lines of basic research about climate change. Dr. Rogers enjoyed experimental design and had a particular affinity for building test chambers to run CO2 experiments on plants.

He retired as a Plant Physiologist for Global Change at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory after 35 years of service with USDA–ARS. He prized his friendships and enjoyed corresponding in letters, postcards, and later emails.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Rosemary Rogers, He also leaves in sorrow his three siblings.

Dr. Rogers is survived by his wife, Crystal; daughter, Dr. Hannah Star Rogers; son, Dr. Hiram Harmon Rogers; his brothers, Tolbert Rogers of Saraland, Ala., Norman (Shelia) Rogers of Atmore, Ala.; his sister, Barbara Rogers McCoy of Nokomis, Ala.; nieces and nephews, Spencer Rogers, Austin Rogers, Ross McCoy and Katherine “Khaki” McCoy; great-nieces and nephews, Harper Rogers and Anna Brantley Smith, Tyler Bell, Lucas Bell and Emily Bell.

An Open House was held in honor of Dr. Rogers at the Rogers family home in Goldhill, Ala.  Monday, July 25, 2022 from 3-7 p.m. with a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Auburn United Methodist Church Founder’s Chapel.

The family ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Alabama Prison Arts and Education Project (https://apaep.auburn.edu/) because of his interest and concern about the wellbeing of prisoners and his volunteer work in this area earlier in life.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Opelika, Ala.

Franklin Edward Daw

Daw

Mr. Franklin Edward Daw, age 84, of Davisville, Fla., passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at his residence. He was born in Escambia County, Ala., to John Jess and Myrtie Godwin Daw. He worked as a bricklayer with Stebbins Engineering and was a member of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Union Local 3. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Donald “Don” Melvin.

Mr. Daw is survived by his son, Franklin John (Julie) Daw of Nokomis, Ala.; his daughters, Robbie Daw (Brian) Toomey of Cantonment, Fla. and Rhonda Daw Melvin of Atmore, Ala.; his sister, Arline (Joe) Davis of Stockton, Ala.; his grandchildren, Joshua Toomey, Alex Toomey, Jason Melvin, Franki Peebles, Jacob Daw and Payton Daw along with his great- grandchildren, Joe Toomey and Timothy Melvin.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore with Bro. Theron Collingsworth officiating. Interment will follow at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Joshua Toomey, Joe Toomey, Jason Melvin, Jacob Daw, Trent Peebles and David Boular.

The family will receive friends Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 9 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

David Lee Neff

Neff

Mr. David Lee Neff, age 61, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Friday, July 29, 2022 at his residence.  He was born in Pueblo, Colo. to the late John W. and Ann Tucker Neff.  He received his degree from the Colorado State University and worked as an Electrical Engineer most of his life.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Atmore.  He enjoyed many hobbies including scuba diving, woodworking, cross country skiing and downhill skiing, tennis, camping, golf, archery, marksmen competition, elk hunting and fishing. He was a lifetime member of National Rifle Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Eric Neff.

Mr. Neff is survived by his wife, Christy Burkett Neff; daughter, Lisa Neff (Matt) Butters of Atlanta, Ga. and grandson, Charlie Roy Butters.

A celebration of life service was held Sunday, July 29, 2022 at the Neff’s residence.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Thomas F. “Tom” Boatwright, Jr. 

Boatwright

Mr. Thomas F. “Tom” Boatwright, Jr., age 52, of Perdido, Ala., passed away Friday, July 29, 2022 at his residence. He was born in Atmore, Ala. to the late Thomas F. Boatwright, Sr. and Rethea Diane Hadley Boatwright. He was an employee of Baldwin County Board of Education as a carpenter. He loved his family dearly and was known by many for his contagious smile. He was a hard worker, an avid outdoorsman, a two-time winner of Field and Stream’s Total Outdoorsman Challenge and a 2010 Buck Master Champion.  Tom was the founder of the World Champion Outdoors in Nokomis, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Fiest Boatwright, Sr.; his grandparents, Dan and Lola Boatwright and Melvin and Eulema Hadley.

Mr. Boatwright is survived by his wife of twenty-eight years, Angela Thomas Boatwright; his mother, Rethea Diane Boatwright (Larry) Crenshaw of Stockton, Ala.; his sons, Tanner Boatwright (Meagan Tolbert) of Nokomis, Ala. and Tucker Boatwright of Foley, Ala.; his daughters, Allison (Jessie) Jones of Greenwell Springs, La. and Lauren Wilkins of Loxley, Ala.; his brother, Toby Boatwright (Holly Labue) of Nokomis; his sister, Cassie Boatwright (Frankie Buck) of Stockton; his grandchildren, Melody Bettis, Daniel Bettis, Ethan Bettis, Abe Bettis, Amberlyn Wilkins, London Kate Jones and Kallyn Reece Jones.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore with Bro. Angelo Thomley and Bro. Jackie Caudle officiating. 

Interment will follow at Sullivan Cemetery in Nokomis, AL.

Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Dale Shiver, Timothy Shiver, Kevin Bryars, Toby Boatwright, Andy Boatwright, Randall Stewart, Keith Hadley and Cruz Davis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Odom, Jack Cox, Brian Cooper, Julio Atenza, Paul Thomas, Kevin Thomas, Clay Shiver, Clayton Hadley and Carl Hadley

The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mary Elizabeth Daw

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Daw, age 76, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Saturday, July 30, 2022.  She grew up in Bay Minette, Ala., attended college there before attending Troy State University.  She attended First Assembly of God Church in Atmore as well as Mountain Shadow Chapel in Cleveland, Ga.  She was a Typing/Accounting teacher and loved being an Art teacher.  She was well travelled and loved shopping at flea markets and discount stores. Her passion was talking to people about Jesus and her dream was to start a Bible study class. She loved caregiving her family and had her own outreach. Her main purpose in life was loving Jesus and taking care of her beloved husband, Thomas. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ellen Pugh; her father, Raymond Pugh; her brothers, Vonnie Ray Pugh and Earle Pugh.

Mrs. Daw is survived by her husband, Thomas Daw; her daughter, Bridget (Walter) Wilson; her sons, Brett (Latonya) Daw and Harold (Amber) Daw and her fourteen grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel in Atmore. Interment will follow in Moyeville Cemetery in Stanley Crossroads, Ala. 

The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 3, 2022 from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel.

Atmore Memorial Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

Lois Rackard Amos

Mrs. Lois Rackard Amos, age 90, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2022, at her home in Spanish Fort, Ala. She was born in Uriah, Ala. and resided most of her life in Poarch, Ala. until moving to Spanish Fort. She was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She retired from Vanity Fair Mills with many years of service. She loved animals especially her cat, Rufus. She enjoyed traveling, camping and being outdoors. Her hobbies included bead work, pottery, painting, basket weaving, shell carving, sewing, quilting and making ribbon shirts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Nancy Percy Rackard; husband, Gladden Amos; two sons, Freddie Pugh and Russell Hayes; one daughter, Donna Lord; numerous brothers, and sisters.
Mrs. Amos is survived by her two daughters, Debbie (Barry) Westbrooks of Spanish Fort and Joyce (Glynn) Hall, of McDavid, Fla.; one sister, Warnice Anderson of Pensacola, Fla.; eleven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; loving caregiver, Kim Carnley with Martin in Home Care, LLC; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC with Rev. Brent Pugh officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Griffin Hood, Justin Westbrooks, Lane Hamlin, Lawson Hamlin, Mayson Ikner and Brandon Byrd.
Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Pugh, Mitchell Brown, Sean Hayes, Stephanie Hood, Brylee Watson, Miranda Watkins, Brenna Hayes, Jenni Glover, and Jeremy Byrd.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.

Marquis Burnette

Mr. Marquis Burnette, age 36, of Bay Minette, Ala., passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.

Funeral services are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Christian Memorial Funeral Home.

Malissia Powell Finn

Mrs. Malissia Powell Finn, age 82, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2022. She was born in Castleberry, Ala. to the late Maggie Moore Powell and Jesse Powell. She attended school at Conecuh County Training School in Evergreen, Ala. She was a member of Second Marietta Missionary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Carolyn Finn and Jacqueline Finn- Johnson.

Mrs. Finn is survived by Malissia Prentella Finn Vargas (Andre) of Dallas, Texas and Bruce Bernard Finn of Philadelphia, Pa.; siblings, Evelyn Faye Powell, Stanley Edwards, Daniel Edwards, Laura Nell Woods (Richard Woods), all of Castleberry; three brothers, David Powell (Yolanda), Donald Ray Powell of Castleberry and Jimmy Powell (Delphine) of Huntsville, Ala; thirteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life was held Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Second Marietta Baptist Cemetery with Rev. Stanley Stallworth, officiating.

Pallbearers were nephews and friends.

Flower bearers were nieces and friends.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.