Obituaries

Obituaries, week of October 26, 2022

Johnny Ray Burkett

Mr. Johnny Ray Burkett, Sr., age 64, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022, in Pensacola, Fla. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, Ala. and a member of Westside Baptist Church. He was employed with Masland Carpets with forty-two years of service. He was an avid Alabama Football Fan and always loved going to the Smoky Mountains. He had a love for gospel and country music, especially Johnny Cash. He had a heart of gold and was a faithful church goer. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, was an avid tootsie roll eater, and he enjoyed drinking a good cup of coffee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Comer Eugene (Lela Frances Bruce) Burkett; two brothers, Tommy Burkett and James Burkett, and one sister, Cindy Burkett.

Mr. Burkett  is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Barbara Burkett of Atmore, AL; one son Johnny Ray (Samantha) Burkett, Jr. of Atmore; one daughter, Jennifer Karen Burkett (George Hughes) of Flomaton, Ala.; four brothers, Gene (Mazie) Burkett, Wayne (Diane) Burkett and Michael (Rainey) Burkett, all of Atmore, Floyd (Frances) Burkett of Nokomis, Ala.; four sisters, Ruby Sanspree, Francis Godwin, Shirley Boatwright, all of Atmore, Claudia Powell of Perdido, AL; six grandchildren, Kinkade Hadley, Daniel Green, Bryson Burkett, John Hollis Denard, Marley Denard, Gillian Denard; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Clarence Rolin officiating. Burial will follow at Serenity Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 20, 2022 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside  

Pallbearers will be Floyd Burkett, Michael Burkett, Cynthia Scott, Kenny Boatwright, Dewayne Boatwright, and Scottie Eugene Burkett.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Godwin, Stephen Burkett and Toby Jordan.

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

Doyle Orvin Johnson, Sr.

Mr. Doyle Orvin Johnson, Sr., age 66, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022 in Frisco city, Ala. He was born in Pensacola, Fla. and resided in Monroe County most of his life. He was a tugboat captain with many years of service. He enjoyed wood working, fishing, grilling out, and gardening. He was always big fan of science and history.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Orvin Johnson and Shirley Fralick McDaniel; daughter, Penny Johnson and sister, Gail Johnson.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his one son, Doyle Johnson, Jr.  of Atmore; one brother, George (Leann) Johnson of Goodway, Ala.; two sisters, Darlene (Mark) McLain of Pace, Fla. and Ginger Ramar of Perdido, Ala.; one grandchild, MeKayla Andrews of Mobile, Ala.; other relatives, and friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 28, 2022 from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.

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

William Kiner Morris

Mr. William Kiner Morris, age 78, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Sunday, September 25, 2022 after his long fight with cancer. He was born to Reta Kiner and Gerald Morris. After graduating from Susquenita High School he started working for Masland Carpet in Carlisle, Penn. retiring after 50+ years of service. He attending church at Cornerstone Christian Church in Duncannon, Penn. before moving to Florida. He called Cross Creek home for the last 10+ years where he looked after and maintained homes while owners were away. He enjoyed the outdoors, both fishing and hunting. He also loved watching college football, especially Penn State and Clarion where his son Matthew played for 4 yrs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Roy E. Stoner; brother, Barry Morris; sister, Joan Morris (Lightner) and great nephew, Alex Morris.

Mr. Morris is survived by his wife of thirty one years, Kathy Skelton Morris; children, Gerald Harper of Austin, Texas, Matthew William Morris of Boiling Springs, Penn., Jodi Ann Morris  (Edwin Watts), Lisa Jo Morris (Kevin Wilson), both of Duncannon; two daughters, Michelle Luker (Darren Duke) of Cape Coral, Fla. and Kelly Luker (Cindy) Luker of Saraland, Ala.; twelve grandchildren, Owen Laird, Jordan Laird (Kelsie), Alysha Jefferies (Jade), Brianna Watts, Josh Noss, Travis Gordon, Jade Wilson (Kathryn), Taylor Wilson, Kathryn Cody (Derek), Audrey Nix, Bailey Burris and Zackery Burris; six great-grandchildren, Galexy Laird, River Laird, Orion Laird, Wyatt Lesher (Jefferies), Hadley Wilson and Isaiah Cody; nephews, Richard Morris (Peg), Randy Morris (Tammy), Mark Lightner (Terry), Scott Lightner (Grace), and many other great nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service was held Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Cross Creek Resort in Arcadia from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the activity building followed by a small luncheon.  His wishes were to have his ashes spread in his hometown of Duncannon which will be his final resting place.

Online condolences can be made at pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes in charge of all arrangements. Arcadia, Fla.

Arthur “Gene” Benton  

Benton

Mr. Arthur “Gene” Benton, age 77, of Dallas, Texas and formerly of Austell, Ga., passed away Friday, October 21, 2022. He was born to Daniel and Aralou Benton in the Atlanta, Ga. area. He graduated from South Cobb High School and joined the Navy spending two years serving his country. He worked with Overhead Door Company for 25 years. In the late 80’s, he started his own business, Quality Door Service. He also served as a dispatcher with the Atlanta Journal Constitution. In 2011, he spent the last working days at Benton Nissan with his son, Dale, in Oxford, Ala. He was a long-time member of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church. He enjoyed being involved in his community through coaching Little League baseball. He loved all sports. He was good at working with his hands creating the most beautiful trains, towns, and hand-carved boats.

Mr. Benton is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Myra Louise Benton; sons, Scott Benton (Sandy Helton) of Atmore, Ala. and Dale Benton (Victoria) of Anniston, Ala.; brother, Danny Benton (Pat) of Brunswick, Ga.; grandson, Daniel Benton and many beloved extended family members and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church with Dr. Roland Brown and Pastor Billy Wood officiating. Interment followed at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery, Mableton, Ga.

The family received friends Monday, October 24, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home.

Davis-Struempf Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Austell, Ga.

Kathleen Byrd Forches

Kathleen Byrd Forches of Evergreen, Ala., passed away Saturday, October 22, 2022 at her home.

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

Edward Cornelius Stallworth

Mr. Edward Cornelius (Pie) Stallworth of Evergreen, Ala., passed away Thursday, October 29, 2022 at Evergreen medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Evergreen.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.