Obituaries

Obituaries, week of March 1, 2023

Brenda Joyce Peacock

Mrs. Brenda Joyce Peacock, age 70, of Perdido, Ala., passed away Monday, February 20, 2023 in Fairhope, Ala. She was born in Pensacola, Fla. to William and Mary Elizabeth Little Simmons. She was a member of Little Rock Church of Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ. Brenda was a registered nurse who loved her job and helping others. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia Wiggins. 

Mrs. Peacock is survived by her husband, Aubrey Peacock of Little Rock; her daughters: Elizabeth Morris and Trista Peacock, both of Perdido, Sandra (Clinton) McCoy of Hollister, Calif., Terren Peacock of Foley, Ala.; her brothers, Raymond Simmons of Atmore, Ala. and Thomas “Bo” Simmons of Milton, Fla.; her sister, Linda Sue Wiggins of Bratt, Fla.; her step-father, Harold Peacock; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 24, 2023 at 4 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel. Inurnment will follow at a later date in Little Rock Church Cemetery. 

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Terry Earl McMullan

Mr. Terry Earl McMullan, age 75, of Decatur, Miss., passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at his residence. He was born in Newton County, Miss. to Charles “Bully” McMullan and Emma Mae Thompson McMullan. He was a 1966 graduate of Decatur High School and went on to ECJC where he played football and met the love of his life, Nelda Still from Atmore, Ala. They made their residence in Newton County. He retired from Hardin’s Bakery after forty years as a route salesman.  He enjoyed riding horses, farming, traveling, and spending time with family especially his grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Newton County Funeral Home-North in Newton with Bro. Scott Engle and Bro. Mark Vincent officiating.  Burial will follow in Decatur City Cemetery in Decatur.

Mr. McMullan is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Nelda McMullan;  sons, Terry  “Tem” McMullan, Jr. and Blake McMullan (Melissa);  daughter, Emilie Smith (Jeff);  grandchildren, Cody McMullan (Jessi), Charlie McMullan, Tanner Smith (Alexa), Braden Smith, Madelyn McMullan, Ryleigh McMullan, Landon Davis and Annelise Davis;  brothers, Doyle McMullan (Janie) and Kenny McMullan (Brenda); sisters, Charleece Gipson (Richard) and Bonnie Walker (John); great-grandchildren, Grayson McMullan, Bostyn McMullan, Saylor Smith, Weston McMullan and Ansley Smith.

The family will receive friends Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Newton County Funeral Home-North.

Pallbearers will be Todd Gipson, Stephen McMullan, Ken McMullan, Dustin McMullan, Matt Walker, and Mark Walker.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons. 

Newton County Funeral Home-North in charge of all arrangements. Newton, Miss.

Eugene Rackard

Mr. Eugene Rackard, age 63, of Chipley, Fla., passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023.  He was born in Atmore, Ala. to the late Edgar Rackard and Ruthie Mae (McGhee) Rackard. He worked thirty eight years with AT&T and was a proud tribal member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and rarely missed a day of at least one episode of Gunsmoke. He was a quiet man, until you got him talking, then he enjoyed learning about that person and also sharing the wonderful stories of his life. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Lonnie Rackard.

Mr. Rackard is survived by his wife of forty four years, Karen; two children, Jonathan Rackard (Rachel) of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Amy Rackard of Bonifay, Fla.; sisters, Hazel Rolin (Ardis), Ruby Hawkins (Jerry), Dorothy McGhee, Mary Cordes (Gary) and Glenda Carlton; four loving grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hildebrand, Christian Hildebrand, Cassie Hildebrand and Peyton Rackard along with sixteen nephews and nine nieces.

Pallbearers include Peyton Rackard, Christian Hildebrand, Kendall McGhee, Chet McGhee, Bill Walker and Ben Lee.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 at Noon at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore with Elder Gary Cordes and Rev. Marshall Wall officiating. Interment will follow at New Home Indian Cemetery in Poarch, Ala.

The family will receive friends Monday, February 27, 2023 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. prior to the service.

Brown Funeral Home & Blue Lake Crematory of Chipley, Fla. along with Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home of Atmore in charge of arrangements.  

Shadel Wayne Cruit 

Mr. Shadel Wayne Cruit, age 75, of Havelock, N.C., was born the son of Robert Freeman and Verna Mae (Flowers) Cruit, in Mobile, Ala. He passed away Monday, February 20, 2023 in Denton, Texas, having recently moved to Argyle, Texas to be closer to his family. He was a 1965 graduate of Murphy High School in Mobile. He received his draft notice from the Army, but enlisted in the Marine Corps instead. After 30 years of faithful and honorable service, Wayne retired from the Marine Corps at the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant of Marines on March 1, 1998. His personal awards include, the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation medal with one star; Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct medal with 8 stars; National Defense Service Medal with one star; Vietnam Service Medal with one star; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one star. After retirement, he continued with DynCorp in support of Navy and Marine Corps Depot Level Aviation Maintenance. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, spending time doing crossword puzzles, and reading books on the old West. He was also an avid NASCAR fan and die-hard Alabama football fan. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Freeman Cruit; his mother, Verna Mae Flowers and brothers, George Wendell Cruit, James Riley Cruit, and Roger Freeman Cruit.

Mr. Cruit is survived by his wife of nearly fifty-two years, Cathy Jo (Rasmussen) Cruit of Argyle, TX; son, James Duncan (Karen) of Plumas Lake, Calif.; daughter, Adina Mattix (Kevin) of Argyle; seven grandchildren, Dean Duncan of Plumas Lake, David Duncan of Midland, Texas, Alex Mattix (Pam) of Tunkhannock, Penn., Lauren Mattix of Frisco, Texas, CJ Duncan of Arcata, Calif., Addison Mattix, Zackary Mattix, Zeke Mattix, and Zane Mattix, all of Argyle, Texas; great-grandchildren, Melanie Duncan, Amara Duncan and Samuel Duncan; sisters, Frances Sexton of Norman, Okla. and Janna Gilmore (Randall) of Mobile, Ala. 

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 3, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, Ala. Burial will follow at Enon Baptist Church Cemetery in Goodway, Ala.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 3, 2023 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at www.nmcrs.org or Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Rose Wallace Thompson Nicholas

Mrs. Rose Wallace Thompson Nicholas, age 91, of Gulf Shores, Ala., passed away Saturday, February 25, 2023. She was born to Claude Wallace and Rose Allene Phillip Thompson in Tuscaloosa, Ala. but was raised in Monroeville, Ala.  She was a 1950 graduate of Monroe County High School. She attended the University of Alabama and was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Rose was faithful to God, her church, family and friends. She was a member of First Methodist Church of Atmore where she also was a Kindergarten teacher for twelve years.  She and Felix owned Gray Oil Company where she was the office manager. After retiring in 1995, she and Felix moved from Atmore to Lottie, Ala. and lived there until moving to Gulf Shores, in May of 2021. She dearly cherished times spent with their family and grandchildren. She was an avid reader and loved visiting historical places she previously read about.  She also loved to cook and to color the most beautiful flowers, birds and geometrical designs. Her color choices were amazing and her finished work was always beautiful. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty-six years, Felix Creighton Nicholas and her brother, Phillip Winston Thompson.   

Mrs. Nicholas is survived by her children, Phillip Creighton Nicholas of Asheville, N.C. and Johanna Nicholas (Bill) Millsap of Orange Beach; her grandchildren, Nicholas (Carly) Millsap of Gulf Shores, Lindsey (Justin) Luke of Birmingham, Ala. and Haley (Marco) Italia of Melbourne, Fla. and one great-granddaughter, Caroline Haley Luke of Birmingham, Ala. 

Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore with Reverend Andy Gartman officiating.  Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilots for Christ, P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, AL  36461. 

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Fairer Dreadin

Mr. Fairer Dreadin, age 90, of Flomaton, Ala. passed away Monday, December 19, 2022.

His heart was his family, the only thing he loved more was his Lord and Savior. He also loved hunting, fishing, and gardening.

He was survived by his two children, Mary K. Ross of Elgin Scotland and Fairrel Keith (Linda) Dreadin of Scottsboro, Ala.; four step-children, Linda Hadley, Wanda Burnett, both of Atmore, Ala., Theresa (Johnny) Allen of Flomaton and Wayne Burnett, of Mobile, Ala.; three grandchildren, Cameron (Brittany) Dreadin and Amy (Jeremy) Morris, all of Pace, Fla. and Melissa Dreadin of Collinsville, Okla.; eight great-grandchildren and other relatives. 

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

Frances L. Holsonback

Frances L. Holsonback, age 81, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 in Bay Minette, Ala. She was born in Uriah, Ala. to James Franklin Qualls and Alda Mae Whidbee Qualls. She attended Gospel Light Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her infant brother and sister; her siblings, Robert Qualls, William “Bill” Qualls, Lonnie Qualls, Harold Qualls, Marvins Mason, Jr., Dorothy Rhoades, Ethel Davidson, Clara Payne and Louise Jones. 

Mrs. Holsonback is survived by her daughter, Rose Westervelt of Atmore; her grandchildren, William “Bill” Lemmon of Gulf Shores, Ala., Stephanie (Joe) Spicer of Elberta, Ala. and Mikeal Lemmon of Atmore and her great-grandchildren, Joseph Spicer, William Lemmon, Rebecca Spicer and Hannah Lemmon along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Judson Cemetery in Poarch, Ala. with Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating. Interment will follow in Judson Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.. 

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Regina Stevens   

Funeral Services for Mrs. Regina Stevens will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. at

Fresh Revelation Church, Stockton, Ala. Bishop Lesley Williams, Pastor, officiating.

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Sallie Mae Cobbs     

Funeral Services for Sallie Mae Cobbs will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Edward Point Christian Center, Century, Fla. Bishop Robert Grissett, Pastor, officiating.

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Lillie Rogers                    

Funeral Services for Lillie Rogers will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Noon at Light House Apostolic Holiness Church, Atmore, Ala.  Bishop Robert Grissett, Pastor, officiating.

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Janiya Ariana Kenique Wilson   

Funeral Services for Janiya Ariana Kenique Wilson will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Greater Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist Church, Atmore, Ala. Reverend Willie Hawthorne, Pastor, officiating.

Mayberry Funeral in charge of all arrangements.

Minnie Lindsey Ellis

Minnie Lindsey Ellis of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. at New order Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 2, 2023 from 2 until 5 p.m. at Christian Memorial

Funeral Home Chapel.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Belinda Shoemake

Belinda Shoemake of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, February 17, 2023.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Christian Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Stallworth Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 2, 2023 from 2 until 5 p.m. at Christian Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Gregory J. Matthews, Jr.

Mr. Gregory J. Matthews, Jr., age 37, of Brewton, Ala., passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023. He was born in Brewton, Ala. to Saundra J. Matthews and Gregory J. Matthews, Sr. He was a 2003 graduate of W. S. Neal High School and continued at Reid State Technical College receiving his degree in the field of Masonry. He was a member of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church. He was the ultimate jokester who had the love of rap music.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Calvin and Dorothy Matthews; his maternal grandmother, Martha German; his paternal great-grandmother, Rosa Mae Green; his maternal great-grandmother, Alberta German; his aunt and uncle, Hazel and Robert E. Green; his great-aunt and uncle, Louise and Thomas miller.

Mr. Matthews is survived by his mother, Saundra Matthews of Pensacola, Fla.; father, Gregory J. Matthews, Sr., (Gale) of Brewton; maternal grandfather, Walter German (Dorothy) of Brewton; sisters, Quincil Matthews (Veronica) of San Antonio, Texas, Cathy Simpkins of Pensacola; brother, James Matthews (Atiya) of Atmore; great-aunt, Sonia Grace (Ronnie) of Brewton; great-uncle, Ricky Page (Brenda) of East Brewton; aunt, Melissa German-Westry (Anthony) of Pensacola; very special aunt, Carol Brown of Brewton; uncles, Marcus (Jan) Matthews and Gary (Loretha) Matthews of Brewton and James (Patricia) Monroe of Huntsville, Ala; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, February 23, 2023 at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church with Rev. Daniel Dozier, officiating. Interment was held at Fannie Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers and flower bearers were his cousins and friends.

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

Fredrick Leovaskii Banks

Mr. Fredrick Leovaskii Banks, age 53, of Brewton, Ala., passed away Monday, February 13, 2023, He was born to the late Joe Floyd and Celestine Banks in Evergreen, Ala. He was a grate of W.S. Neal High School. He was a loving father and grandfather. He loved all his sisters and brothers and was a very talented athlete. He met his first love, Angela Benjamin Banks, who later became his wife.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Banks and his parents.

Mr. Banks is survived by his daughter; two sons, Felecity (Akinola) Banks Similton of Baltimore, Ad., Derrick (Ashley) Benjamin and Fredrick Benjamin of Harvest, Ala.; three sisters, Sue Mosely, Marjorie “Shawnte” Banks and Kenya “Daunts” (Anthony) Fantroy, all I n Brewton and one brother, Don (Vivian) Brown of Brewton; first grand-daughter and his caregiver, Janae “Pistol” Banks; total of thirteen grandkids; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Church of God Pentecostal with Elder Robert Barren, Sr. officiating. Interment followed at First Marietta Cemetery, Andalusia, Ala.

Pallbearers were Marquese Banks, Montreal Banks, Anthony Banks, Anthony Fantroy, Terrell Smith, Akinola Simlton.

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