Donald Athan Baggett
Mr. Donald Athan Baggett, age 60,
better known as “Donnie,” passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021 after
a lengthy hospital stay due to health issues. He was born in Evergreen, Ala. to
the late Travis Baggett and Dorothy Fussell Baggett. He was a 1978 ECHS
graduate where he excelled in high school sports in football and basketball,
giving Coach Buck Powell and Frankie Bell the thanks for keeping him motivated
in team sports. He was an employee at Georgia Pacific in Monroeville; Scott
Paper Company in the timberland division; International Paper, Pensacola Mill,
working in the pulp mill and warehouse shipping as team leader for over 20
years. His favorite position there, however, was one for which his colleagues
selected him, and that was Union Representative. “I probably should have
gone to law school because I really enjoy language and logic,” Donnie
always used to admit. “I guess fighting for the underdog as a Union Rep is
the next best thing.” Donnie was a true believer in democracy and
patriotism, serving as a major donator to Veteran causes and was an active
member of the Republican Presidential Task Force.
He was preceded in death (just days prior) by both his mother and father; his
wife, Rita; and his brother, Steve.
Mr. Baggett is survived by two
brothers, Ronnie (Margaret) Baggett of Atmore, and Garry (Vicki) Baggett of
Bratt; his daughter, Krystal (Charles) Weaver of Dothan, Ala.; nephews, Stephen
Baggett, Corry Baggett, Alex Baggett (Kaylee) of La.; and nieces, Melissa
Baggett of Atmore and Lexxi Baggett of Bratt; three grandchildren, Charlie,
Kaitlin, and Braden of Dothan; and two great-nieces.
The family will receive friends Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 9 a.m. at Petty
Funeral Home with funeral services following at 10 a.m. with Rev. Tim James of
Atmore Apostolic Church officiating. Burial will follow at Buffington Cemetery
in Castleberry, Ala.
Active pallbearers will be Alex Baggett, Corry Baggett, Hunter Kite, Randall
Morris, Robert Wells, and Bobby Wooten.
Petty Funeral Homes in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.
Stella Dixon
Mrs.
Stella Dixon, age 78, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021 in Atmore, Ala. She
was a native and former resident of Perdido, Ala. and had resided in Atmore for
the past thirty-six years. She loved sewing, quilting, gardening, cooking and
canning. She was retired from Vanity Fair and a member of Atmore Church of God.
She
was preceded in death by her husband and father of her children, Willie Hadley;
son, Claude Hadley; two grandsons, Miles Shiver and Morgun Ridlehoover;
great-grandson, Aden Hadley; son-in-law, William Wells; seven sisters and three
brothers.
Mrs. Dixon is survived by her four sons, Ronnie (Sissy) Hadley and Chester
(Diane) Hadley, all of Booneville, Ala.,
Matt Clark (Lisa) Hadley of Milton, Fla. and Willie Gordon Hadley of Atmore;
three daughters, Gladys Lavine (Danny) Minchew of Booneville, Margie Wells of
Perdido, Ala. and Becky Hadley Ridlehoover of Atmore; daughter-in-law, Angie
Hadley of Booneville; one sister, Ella (B) Gilbert of Bay Minette, Ala.;
special great-granddaughter, Addison Clair Hadley of Booneville; sixteen grandchildren;
twenty-one great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and numerous
nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 2 p.m. at
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Michael Farley officiating. Burial
followed at Lottie Methodist Cemetery.
The family received friends Friday, February 19, 2021 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside
Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Chester Hadley, Mitchell Hadley, Willie Hadley, Joel Minchew,
C.J. Hadley and Blakeley Sanders.
Honorary pallbearer were Larry Spellar.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore,
Ala.
Irene P. Waller
Mrs.Irene P. Waller, age 83, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021. She was a native of Poarch, Ala. and the daughter of the late Constance Cole Lambert Parker and Rogers Milton Parker. She graduated from Taylor County High School in Perry, Fla. She moved to Alabama following high school to live with her aunt. She had a long and successful career in real estate, building contractor, and sales. She was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan, but her family was her world always.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dorothy Parker Croft; brothers, William “Bill” Parker, Gene Parker, and Bobby Joe Parker.
Mrs. Waller’s survivors include her daughters, Charisse Mantzanas (Bill) Dotson of Kernersville, N.C. and Mary Mantzanas of Woodstock, Ga.; son, Patrick (Christie) Waller of Spanish Fort, Ala.; grandchildren, Dakota Mantzanas, Parker Dotson, Callie Waller, and Lad Waller; special “daughter”, Patricia (Michael) Furr and their children, Michelle (Patrick) Harrigan, Andy (Holly) Furr, and Jessica Furr Parker; and a host of extended family and friends.
Friends and family may sign and view guestbook at www.PierceJeffersonFuneralService.com
Memorial contributions may be made to a local food bank in her memory.
Graveside Funeral Services to celebrate her life were held Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Mineola United Methodist Church Cemetery in Mineola, Ala. The family visited with friends from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday at the Atmore Memorial Chapel in Atmore, Ala.
Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Home and Atmore Memorial Chapel in charge of all arrangements.
John Calvin Dees, Sr.
Mr. John Calvin Dees, Sr., of 206 Community Road, Evergreen, Ala., passed away Monday, February 15, 2021.
The family received friends Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 4 until 6 p.m. at Presley-Fluker Funeral Home, 531 Knoxville Road, Evergreen, Ala.
Graveside services were held Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Sandy Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, 181 Temple Road, Castleberry, Ala. with Rev. Andre Hunter, officiating.
Heddy Johnson Cox
Mrs. Heddy Johnson Cox, age 77, of Elba, Ala., passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at her home. She was born and reared in Mobile, Ala., and graduated from Florala High School. The Coxes are members of Elba First United Methodist Church, where “Mrs. Heddy” took great joy in working in the nursery for many years. For decades, they have shared the ups and downs of life with members of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class, who are loved and appreciated as extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Houston and Nellie Johnson; and two siblings, Mack and Clifford Johnson.
Mrs. Cox is survived by her husband of more than 57 years, Ferrin; children, Michele (Tom) Gerlach, of Andalusia, Ala., Chris (Penny) Cox, of Opelika, Ala., and Eric (Karen) Cox of Excel, Ala.; her sister, Theresa Johnson Adams of Destin, Fla.; her grandchildren, Sarah and Christopher Cox of Opelika; step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kevin, Ann, Kate and Carson Gerlach, Anthony, Hillary, Gage and Emmy Brantley, Cody Crutchfield and Kaylen Crutchfield; several sisters-and brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family also acknowledges with appreciation the many employees and associates of The Elba Clipper and The Graceville News, past and present, whom they also consider part of their extended family.
Because of the COVID pandemic, a private family service was held with Steve Reneau, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Internment was in Evergreen Cemetery.
The family requests that contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, 503 Davis St., Elba, AL 36323; the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or act.alz.org; or the charity of one’s choice.
Hayes Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Elba, Ala.
Dorothy Jean Lambert Dennis
Dorothy Jean Lambert Dennis, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at Mobile Infirmary Hospital in Mobile, Ala.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021 at p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, Atmore, Ala.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Shellie Sharp
Shellie Sharp, age 66, of Atmore, Ala., (Freemanville Community) passed away Monday, February 22, 2021 at Mobile Infirmary Hospital in Mobile, Ala.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced by Christian Memorial Funeral Home.
Joseph “Joe” Fountain
Mr. Joseph “Joe” Fountain, age 65, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021. He was born in Peterman, Ala. to the late Eddie Lee and Rosie Fountain. He was devoted to his job as an auto body mechanic so much so that he did it for over 30 years.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father and siblings, Eddie Lee Fountain, Jr., Lafayette Fountain of Pensacola.
Mr. Fountain is survived by his devoted wife, Allison Fountain of Atmore; his children Terrica (Joseph) Rudolph of Monroeville, Ala., Joseph R. Fountain of Houston, Texas, Lesean Treawell of Atmore; step-son, Keith Treawell of Atmore, Jasala Fountain, Dakota Fountain and Hallie Fountain, all of Atmore; two sisters, Creola Fountain and Mary Barge of Pensacola, Fla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grands; a host of nieces and nephews; devoted mother-in-law, Jacqueline Fore; devoted son-in-law Jeffery; and devoted friends Catherine and Garvis Sells, Cleo McCants, Jerry Johnson, James Montgomery and Scott.
Graveside services were held Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Mark Ramsey officiating.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Camden, Ala.
Linda Johnson Thames
Mrs. Linda Johnson Thames, age 54, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021. She was born in Atmore to Charles and Mary Johnson. She received her education and graduated from Escambia County High School. She continued her education at Troy University obtaining her bachelor’s degree in business and finance. She was a member of Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Terry Johnson; sister, Mattie.
Mrs. Thames is survived by her husband, Regeory D. Thames; daughter, Diamond Renee Thames; step-son, Regeory Thames Jr., and step-daughter, Callie Thames; three sisters, Mary Rostchild of Grovetown, Ga., Patricia Armstrong of Dayton, Ohio, Ernestine (Lewis) Lee of Austin, Texas; brother-in-law, Gregory Thames of Atmore; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were held Friday, February 19, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery with Pastor Edgar McCarthy, Officiating Eulogist.
Pallbearers and floral attendants were her family and friends.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.