Obituaries

Obituaries, week of March 15, 2023

Gayle Taylor

Funeral service for Ms. Gayle Taylor, age 75, formerly of Century, Fla. will be held with Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

James “Lil James” Shavers, Jr.         

Shavers

Mr. James “Lil James” Shavers, Jr., 56, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Friday, March 3, 2023, at Atmore Community Hospital. A native of Atmore, he was a 1986 graduate of Escambia County High School. He ran and operated Shavers Grocery store on Harris Street for many years. He enjoyed race cars as that was a hobby of his to pass the time and he was a big Dallas Cowboy fan.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary; his father, James, Sr.; a son, James, III; one sister, Carrie and two brothers, J. D. and Richard

Mr. Shavers is survived by his four daughters, Chereka (Claude) Crenshaw, O’Keria Shavers, jy’Keria Shavers and Bianca (Riley) Riley, all of Atmore; two sons, Ja’Corian Shavers and LaDarrius Nichols, both of Atmore; two sisters, Gloria (Bruce) Lacy of Saraland, Ala. and Allison Wright of Atmore; three brothers, Williams Shavers, Tony Shavers and Roderick Cooper all of Atmore; twelve grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. 

The family will receive friends Friday, March 10, 2023 from 2 until 5 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Gospel Temple #2 Church – 621 Brazzell Hill Road, Atmore with co- pastor, Irma Redmond officiating. Inhumation will be in Fairview Cemetery.

Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

Joyce Phillips Sellers

Sellers

Mrs. Joyce Phillips Sellers, age 76, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023. She was born in Atmore to the late Harvey Lester and Glenda Mildred Ellison Phillips. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore and worked with United Bank for forty-seven years. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry Burton “Buck” Sellers and her brother, William Harvey “Bill” Phillips. 

Mrs. Sellers is survived by her son, Leonard Ray (Leslie) Sellers of Atmore; her daughter, Vicki S. (J.B.) Gulsby of Uriah, Ala.; her brother, Joseph A. (Becky) Phillips of Atmore; her sister, Barbara (Wayne) Harrison of Atmore and her grandchildren, Noel, Haley, Heather, Jackson and Myles. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Kevin Garrett officiating.  Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. 

Active pallbearers will be Rodney Helton, Travis Harrison, Jarard Phillips, Chris Harrison, Jonathan Phillips, Mike Helton and Michael Harrison. 

Honorary pallbearers will be the ladies Sunday school class of First Baptist Church of Atmore. 

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore. 

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

James W. “Billy” Smith

Mr. James W. “Billy” Smith, age 84, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2023 at a local hospital after a brief illness. He was born to a full-blooded Creek Indian mother, Nunie McGhee Smith and father, Arthur A. Smith in McDavid, Fla. He was one of nine children. He loved his family and always took care of them and made sure they had what they needed. He was a 1957 graduate of Century High School and then served a brief time in the U. S. Army and received an honorable discharge for family hardship due his mother’s passing. He worked at various places and retired from Georgia Pacific in Brewton, Ala.

He was currently employed by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as Manager of Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, a position he held since 2006. He served on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Council for eighteen years; ten of those years as Vice-Chairman. He served on the Wind Creek Casino Board for seventeen years. He has been credited for naming the Casino’s “Wind Creek,” because he was of the Wind Clan. He was instrumental in starting the annual Poarch Band of Creek Indians Pow Wow’s. He was proud of his Tribe and gave his heart to everything he was asked to do with the Tribe for over fifty-three years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur A. and Nunie McGhee Smith; two sisters, Joyce Boatwright, Margaret Rigby; three brothers, Austin, Dudley and Aubrey Smith; one grandson, Dustin Blake Smith; one half-brother, Edward Smith; three half-sisters, Zollie Mae McGhee, Lorene Harrison and Inez Holden.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Faye Ledkins Smith of McDavid; son, Darrin F. Smith of McDavid; one grandson, Dakota F. Smith of McDavid; one granddaughter, Makaya A. Smith of McDavid; five great-grandchildren, Kayden, Brayden, Bryson, Ava and Baylor; one brother, Ronnie (Mary Jo) Smith; two sisters, Eunice Nall and Judy (Roberts) Amos and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 10, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. Atmore with Reverend David Elliott officiating.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 10, 2023 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Petty-eastside Chapel Funeral Home

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

Monroe White, Sr.

Mr. Monroe White, Sr., of Mobile, Ala. passed away recently. He was born to Isaac and Icephine White in Thomasville, Ala. He became a crane operator for Scott Paper Company in Plateau- Africatown (and retired after 35 years of employment). He owned and managed a mechanic shop, a billiard hall, a wrecker service, a gas station, and a power washing company. The Ice Cream business would be the primary supplement to support his family. In 1978 Roe’s Sno Cone served communities near and afar, and Roe’s Ice Cream was operable until his health began to fail in 2021.  He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church; became a proud “Libertonian” and a member of the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained as a Deacon and served faithfully, singing songs of praise with the Liberty Male Chorus and also sang with the Washington County Male Chorus.    

He was preceded in death by his parents; several siblings; his grandsons, Yarnell Muttilib and Tyvonte Johnson; daughter, Vanessa White Hayes.

Deacon Monroe White, Sr. is survived by is devoted wife of sixty years, Carolyn Jenkins White; Six children, Sharon Pickett of Mobile, Monroe (Gwendolyn) White, Jr., of Houston, Texas, Varion (Levi) Eaton, Gabriel Johnson, James Rembert, and Kim White (Bert) Powell all of Mobile; two devoted adopted children, Tylando White and JaCaila White, both of Mobile; three devoted grandchildren, Ukecia White, LaBrandi (Billy) McFadden, Anthony (Christa) Crawford, of Mobile; twelve grandchildren, Ashaunte (Adam) Bailey, James L. Harris, II, LaKindra Williams, LaKizzy White, Carlos Kim, and Shantel Rembert, Treyon Crawford of Huntsville, Africa Muttilib, Khadija (Paul) Charleston, and Asia Sanders, James Rembert, Jr., and ShaMichael Rembert; thirty-three great-grandchildren; one sister, Joyce Williams of Mobile;  and a host of other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala. with Rev. Clyde Maye, Jr., Pastor and Eulogist. Interment will follow in Whispering Pines Cemetery, Whistler, Ala.

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the Church.

Mayberry Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.

Amanda Perry Jay

Mrs. Amanda Perry Jay, age 36, of Atmore, Ala., passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  She was born in Atmore to David and Lechia Boatwright Perry. 

She was preceded in death by her son, Patrick Jay. 

Mrs. Jay is survived by her husband, James Roger Jay of Atmore; her parents, David Perry of Atmore and Lechia Boatwright Perry of Bay Minette, Ala.;  her children,  Shawn Salter, Chris (Kristen) Jay, Timothy Jay, Alayana Salter,  Brylee Salter and Alexis McClain, all of Atmore; her brother, Blake Perry of Atmore; her sister, Tierani Donaldson of Bay Minette; her uncle, Greg Boatwright of Canoe, Ala.; her aunt, Cindy Boatwright of Bay Minette and her grandson, Joe Jay. 

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 13, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Thurl Pearson officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore. 

Active pallbearers will be Blake Perry, Hunter Clark, Shawn Salter, Jake Donaldson, Dudley Flowers, Chris Jay and Jimmy Boyington. 

The family will receive friends Monday, March 13, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. until service time at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home. 

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Hose M. Creamer

Mr. Hose M. Creamer, age 95, of Century, Fla. passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023 in Jay, Fla.  He was born to Thomas and Lena Godwin Creamer.  He lived his life being a farmer. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Georgia Ann Walker and his nephew, Earnest Earl Creamer, Sr. 

Mr. Creamer is survived by his brother, Marvin Marshell “Doodle” Creamer; his great niece, Jennifer Wilson and his nephews, Junior Creamer, Jeffery Creamer and Joseph Creamer. 

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Bowman Cemetery with Bro. Tim Floyd officiating. Interment will follow in Bowman Cemetery in Wawbeek, Ala. 

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Carl Cecil White

Mr. Carl Cecil White, age 76, of Midland City, Ala. passed away Monday, March 6, 2023. He was born in Fla. After graduating high school in Virginia, he served in the US Navy. After serving, he attended and graduated from Troy (State) University. He was a member of the Troy Alumni Association. He helped coach football at Carver Middle School where his motto was “Everybody Plays.” Through his volunteer coaching, he had an impact on many youth. Through his career, he had an impact on many adults. He also was a high school sports announcer on the radio for WOOF radio. During the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, he carried the torch in Dothan. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and playing the guitar. He was a very resourceful man and never met a stranger. Carl also was awarded the “Bishop Barron” award. He attended Heritage Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Cecil White, Sr. and Sarah Nell Conn White; his brothers, John White and Alan White.

Mr. White is survived by his wife, Georgia White; his children, Eric White and Jennifer (Todd) Deese; his grandchildren, Charlie White, Birdie White and Connor Deese; his brother, Mark White and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 10, 2023 at 11a.m. in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Woody Farrington officiating. Burial with Military Honors followed in Sunset Memorial Park.

The family received friends at the funeral home Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 5 – 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Heritage Baptist Church, 1951 Westgate Parkway, Dothan, AL 36303.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Midland City, Ala.

Ruby Jane White

Mrs. Ruby Jane White, age 70, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Century, Fla. She was a lifelong resident of Century and a member of Bethel Methodist Church.  She loved spending time with her family, and attending church. She was an avid Auburn football fan. She enjoyed going to the beach, Disney World and going fishing. She liked getting out and feeding the squirrels, playing with her dog, Bosco, and her cat Garfield. She loved her family dearly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Johnson; mother, Dorothy Jean Cofield Hendrix; three brothers, Ricky Hendrix, Terry “ToTo” Hendrix and Lavon Wayne Hendrix.

Mrs. White is survived by her loving husband of fifty years, Kenneth White of Flomaton, Ala.; one son, Jason (Tiffany) White of Flomaton; one step-son, Wade White of Uriah, Ala.; three brothers, Lamar “Marcy” (Dee) Hendrix of Byrneville, Fla., Tim (Melody) Johnson of Cantonment, Fla., Jim (Melissa) Johnson of Flomaton; two sisters, Jeannine Moye of Century, and Linda Kay Zimlich, of Bay Monette, Ala.; four grandchildren, Alicyn White, Elizabeth White, Landon White, Caleb White; two special cousins, Carolyn Harris, of Flomaton and Mary Sue Dueitt of Leaksville, Miss., other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Fred Stallworth officiating.

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

Bertron Eugene Chastang, Jr.

Mr. Bertron Eugene Chastang, Jr., age 67, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 at his home in Stockton, Ala. He was a lifelong resident of Foley, Ala. before moving to Stockton. He was a skilled brick mason for many years. He enjoyed going to flea markets and thrift stores. He loved to grow a vegetable garden and enjoyed cooking, especially grilling and smoking.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertron Eugene (Vera Weekley) Chastang, Sr; his best friend, “Snowball”.

Mr. Chastang is survived by one son, Bertron Eugene (Brandy) Chastang, III; of Laurel, Miss.; one step-son, John “Skippy” Miller, of Foley; two daughters, Candi Stacey (David Chavies) of Stockton and Amanda Paul of Rabun, Ala.; three sisters, Gloria Chastang (Michael Smith) of Bay Minette, Ala., Kim Graham and Tawana Rowghani, both of Houston, Texas; fourteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren,; special cousin, Ann Mixon of Stockton and other relatives.

Graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Chastang Cemetery with Rev. Eddie Sullivan officiating.

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

Ida Nell Baldwin

Baldwin

Ms. Ida Nell Baldwin, age 98, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at her home. A native of Chestnut Community in Monroe County, Ala. she had been a resident of Atmore most of her life. She enjoyed fishing, cooking, going to church and talking on the phone. She was an avid sports fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide (football) and Atlanta Braves (MLB). She was a member of Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church (Freemanville Community) where she served as the Mother of the church, member of the usher board, senior choir, and a Sunday school teacher.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jimmie Lee Baldwin; her grandson, Trevor “TJ” Baldwin and her great-grandson, Michael “MJ” Baldwin.

Ms. Baldwin is survived by her daughter-in-law, Linda H. Baldwin of Atmore; two grandsons, Jeffrey Baldwin of Atmore and Michael (Shameka) Baldwin, Sr, of Spanish Fort, Ala.; one sister,  Lula Montgomery of Pensacola, Fla. and three great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 17, 2023 from 2 – 5 p.m. at Turner Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Noon at Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church (Freemanville Community) with Elder Edgar McCarthy, Pastor, officiating. Thine earthy bed will be in Stallworth Cemetery.

Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.

Rufus James Wingate

Rev. Rufus James Wingate, age 95, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 17, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Stallworth Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday, March 16, 2023 from Noon until 5 p.m. Jones Unity Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Monroeville, Ala.