Riley Johnson, Jr.
July 25, 2011
Riley Johnson, Jr., age 74 of Pensacola, went to be with the Lord Friday, July 22, 2011, surrounded by his family. Riley was a native of Flomaton where he graduated from Flomaton High School. Riley was a retired over the road truck driver. He served for 20 years with Bowman and for 10 years with J.B. Hunt, where received a One Million Mile Accident Free Award.
Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Riley and Teedie Johnson.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Bonnie Macks Johnson; his cousin, Russell Johnson (Diane); best friends and neighbors, Eddie Wayne and Theresa Lollie; brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Fiath Chael at FAITH CHAPEL NORTH FUNERAL HOME, 1000 Hwy 29, Cantonment, with Brother Bo Brantley officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Home Cemetery, Flomaton, AL.
Pallbearers will be Joe Eddie, Daniel, Sammy, and Leonard Macks, Russell Johnson, Jr. and Eric Johnson.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday July 25.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to Covenant Hospice for their help and compassion.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in Riley’s name to Covenant Hospice.
Geraldine Gardner Bond
July 25, 2011
Geraldine Gardner Bond age 83, our beloved wife, mother, and granny, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2011. She was born on June 17, 1928.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Genia A. Gardner and Dora Bodie Gardner; her brothers, Ruthord Gardner, Russell D. Gardner, William D. Gardner, Hollis Gardner and Roland Gardner; sisters, Myra Osburn and Hayrul Patterson.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ovie Bond; sons, Darrell (Debra) Bond and Dwayne (Lisa) Bond; two grandchildren, Leslie (Travis) Smith and Bryan Bond; two great-grandchildren, Landyn and Leigha Smith; two brothers, Benny R. (Joyce) Gardner of Huntsville, Al. and Robert (the late Mary) Gardner of Atlanta Ga.; sister, Betty (Hubert Bugs) Lowry of Jay; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Jay First Baptist Church with Bro. Will Rushing and Bro. Chip Fox officiating services. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Henry Lowry, Jimmy Anderson, Sam Gardner, Paul Gardner, Dennis Green and Denny Green.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Dr. C. David Smith, Dr. Langhorne, Dr. Stringfield and the staff at Jay Hospital for the love and care given to Geraldine and her family.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Clara Alma Chambers
July 25, 2011
Mrs. Clara Alma Chambers, 92, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2011 in Pensacola.
Mrs. Chambers was a native of Lineville, AL, a former resident of Pensacola and a resident of Atmore for the past six years. She was a retired employee of Monsanto after eight years, and attended the Ensley Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Ray Chambers of Atmore; a son, Edward Joseph Chambers of Miami; two daughters, Dianne Johnson of Atmore and Reba Brooks of Pensacola, give grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Burial will follow at Pensacola Memorial Garden Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Cody Mooney, Jim Bell, Joe Chambers, Jim Bell, Tommy Brooks and David Ingram.
Laundry Room Fire Forces Partial Evacuation At Century Care Center
July 24, 2011
A small fire Sunday morning forced a partial evacuation of the Century Care Center.
The fire was reported in the laundry room of the nursing home about 7 a.m. and was quickly extinguished. However, due to smoke in the building, many residents were evacuated outside for a short time period.
The fire caused little damage and no injuries were reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call.
Editor’s note: We received several emails about LifeFlight landing the during the incident at the nursing home. LifeFlight landed at the EMS Post behind Century Care Center on a medical call that was not related to Century Care Center.
Pictured above and below: Several fire departments responded to a small fire at the Century Care Center. Pictured inset: Residents are escorted back inside the facility following a brief evacuation. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Taking Bids To Demolish Building
July 24, 2011
The Town of Century is soliciting bids to demolish a portion of an abandoned building owned by the town.
The town voted to demolish the front, two-story portion of the building on Mayo Street because it is beyond repair. Once the the older 6,400 square foot part of the building is gone, town employees will be used to create a new front for the remaining single-story metal structure.
Bids for the demolition will be accepted until 9 a.m. on August 9. Prospective bidders are required to contact Mayor Freddie McCall at the Century Town Hall, (850) 256-3208.
The white, mostly brick building at 7601 Mayo Street (across from the old hospital) housed doctors’ offices and even a pharmacy and soda fountain years ago. It has been abandoned for several years and is in an obvious state of disrepair with roof and structural problems.
Pictured above: Town of Century will tear down the two story portion of this building owned by the town on Mayo Street. Pictured below: The interior of the building just inside the front door as seen in October 2008.NorthEscambia.com photos.
CCI Inmate Pleads Not Guilty In Murder Of Another Inmate
July 24, 2011
An inmate at the Century Correctional Institution has pleaded not guilty of the late 2010 murder of another inmate.
John Scaife, 58, was charged in May with manslaughter and battery for the death of 54-year old Donald J. Bart. Officials said Scaife allegedly punched Bart at CCI on December 22, 2010. After being punched, Bart fell and hit his head on the prison floor. He died three days later.
Scaife is due to back in court in September . He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Scaife was serving a 12 year sentence from Polk County for a 2001 conviction on charges of burglary, grand theft auto and fleeing/eluding law enforcement. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, he has been in and out of prison since 1979 for a list of offenses that include burglary, robbery, aggravated battery, sexual battery and petty theft.
Bart was sentenced in 2009 in St. Lucie County to eight years for arson, torturing animals and burglary, and a five year sentence for a 2008 St. Lucie County conviction on marijuana charges.
Have Extra From Your Garden? Food Pantry Seeks Donations
July 24, 2011
A local food pantry is asking those with an ample harvest from their gardens to help those that are less fortunate.
The Allen Memorial UMC Fred Lacy Memorial Food Pantry in Cantonment has joined with AmpleHarvest.org to help provide the pantry with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Anyone with excess produce that they would like to donate, call Katrina Williamson at (850) 968-6213 or (850) 777-9666. The church can pick up the items if needed.
Man Grabs McDonalds Deposit, Steals And Burns Getaway Van
July 24, 2011
Authorities are searching for the suspect that snatched a restaurants deposits, stole a van and then torched the van Saturday afternoon.
The unidentified man stole the deposits from McDonalds on Pensacola Boulevard before stealing a 2001 Pontiac van. The van was later found burning on Longleaf Drive.
The incident is still under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Gudell, Amerson To Wed
July 24, 2011
Mr and Mrs Floyd Gudell of Molino announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Layla Ann Gudell, to Brian Matthew Amerson, son of Mr and Mrs Rick Amerson of Century.
Both are graduates of Northview High School and Mr. Amerson is a graduate of Pensacola State College. Ms. Gudell is currently attending PSC.
The ceremony will take place at The Barkley House on July 30, 2011.
Birth: Lillie Marie Murphy
July 24, 2011
Willie and Christina Murphy of Pensacola are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Lillie Marie Murphy.
Lillie came into the world on July 8, 2011, at 11:53 p.m. She weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Paternal grandparents are Wanda Pittman Murphy and Gary Sunday of Pensacola. Maternal grandparents are Terry and Mary Freeman of Walnut Hill.