Graham Takes First In Karting Super Show
January 15, 2013
Colby Graham of McDavid took first place in his division during the 5th Annual Alabama Karting Super Show at the Covington Center Arena in Andalusia. Racing in the Junior Blue Clone class, Graham qualified second before working his way to the front for the win.
In addition, this was Graham’s first year racing at the Pensacola Kart Raceway where he placed third in the point championship.
Graham, 11, is a sixth grader at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Pictured: Kart racer Colby Graham of McDavid. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Black Gold: Learn All About Composting
January 15, 2013
Residents can learn how to turn landscape and vegetable scraps into black gold during an upcoming program offered by the Escambia County Master Gardeners.
“Garden Talks: Composting” will be held from 9 until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 18 at the Escambia County Extension Office at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. To register, or for more information, call (850) 475-5230 or email bbolles@ufl.edu.
Bessie Joyce
January 15, 2013
Bessie Joyce, 75, went home to be with the Lord on January 9, 2013, in Cantonment, FL.
Joyce was born in Chumuckla on April 9, 1937, to Major and Vera Mae Freeman. She was a retired school bus operator for the Escambia County School District. After retirement, she enjoyed gardening, being a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is proceeded in death by her parents; sons, Steven and Allen Baxley; sister, Carol Mitchell; brothers, Lloyd, Johnny and Charles Freeman.
She is survived by her sons, Michael, James and Kenneth Baxley (Chong Baxley); grandchildren, Brandy Baxley, James “Ray” Baxley, Jr., Bradley Baxley, Matthew Baxley and Gracie Baxley; great-grandchildren, Dametrius Baxley, Arianna Baxley, Dalton Baxley, Heiden Baxley, Braiden Baxley and Micah Baxley and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Special thanks to caregivers, Brandy and Dametrius Baxley and Covenant Hospice staff.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 12, 2013, one hour prior to the 2:00 p.m. service at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Burial will follow at Cottage Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Cantonment.
Man Sentenced To 43 Years For Attacking Two UWF Students
January 15, 2013
An Escambia County man will spend the next four decades in prison for attacking two students at the University of West Florida.
William Isiah Johnson was convicted of burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery. Judge Ross Goodman sentenced Johnson to 43 years state prison.
On October 11, 2011, two UWF nursing students were attacked outside their apartment by defendant Johnson. Johnson hit one of the victims in the head, and kicked and hit the
other victim in the head and neck, according to court testimony. Johnson then forced his way into their apartment and took their television.
DNA analysis from FDLE confirmed the defendant’s presence at the scene.
E. L. “Buddy” Seeber, Jr.
January 15, 2013
E. L. “Buddy” Seeber, Jr., 72, of Cantonment passed away Monday, January 14, 2013 at this home surrounded by his loving family. Buddy retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service. He also retired from the United States Post Office after 13 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Gail Seeber.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Hannah Seeber; sisters, Wilma Aguayo, of Barstow, CA, and Nancy Bledsoe of Ft. Walton Beach; four nephews and his favorite dog, Nicholas.
Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, January 18, 2013, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend James Harris officiating. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, January 17, 2013, from 5-8 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29S, Cantonment, is in charge of arrangements.
Jim “Dwight” Beasley
January 15, 2013
Jim “Dwight” Beasley, 50, was healed of Huntington’s Disease when he went to be with the Lord on January 7, 2013.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Elizabeth Younce.
He is survived by his parents, Jim Gerald Beasley and Amanda Carol Beasley; his sons, John Hallmark, Anthony Beasley and James Beasley; his grandchildren, Brayden, Lilah, Joshua, and Rylee; his sisters, Kim Ware, Dawn Welch, Jennifer Schuetrum, and Angel Beasley; and his nephews, Zachary, Hunter, and Joseph.
He was a heavy equipment operator for many years and enjoyed deer hunting and anything NASCAR. His faith in God was unwavering and the Bible was his favorite book.
The family expresses its sincere appreciation to the staff and nurses at Specialty Center of Pensacola, Glenn Moe, R.N., and Ms. Evelyn Fields, all of whom went beyond expectations in caring for Dwight.
A remembrance service will be held on January 18, 2013, at 6 p.m., at Heritage Baptist Church in Cantonment.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts of donations be made to Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ina Lewis Poe Ferguson
January 15, 2013
Ina Lewis Poe Ferguson died January 12 in her home in Cantonment after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family and under the care of Covenant Hospice. A special thank you to Ina’s personal caregivers, Moné Bell (Ina called her “Angel”), Dee Grimes and Elizabeth Richardson.
Ina was born on March 31, 1927, in Moultrie, Georgia, the third of six children. She attended Moultrie Grammar School and graduated from Milton High School in 1944. Ina married Herbert Smith Poe and they made their lives in Pensacola, FL. Ina and Herbert were active members of Warrington Methodist Church for many years. Herbert died in 1980.
Ina enjoyed a successful career in civil service as an Administrative Assistant at the Naval Air Station. Upon retirement, Ina built a second career in residential real estate earning her real estate license at 60. She was a member of Toastmaster International. Ina married Robert W. Ferguson in 1989 and they also made their home in Pensacola. Bob died in 1997.
Ina lived an active life enjoying dancing and socializing including the Jesters, which is the longest running all female Mardi Gras krewe in Pensacola. Later in life she participated in The Red Hat Society and loved to read, play cards and dominos with friends and family. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor, compassion, generosity and love of her family and friends.
Ina was preceded in death by son, John David who died at 2 days old; parents, Mary Myrtle Gregory and Sirmon Greene Lewis; brother, Robert Harris Lewis; sister, Cleo Faye McCoy (Herman); great granddaughter, Katelyn Elizabeth Payne; nephews, Craig McCoy and Scott Baxley; and sister-in-law, Betty Lewis.
Ina and Herbert have 3 surviving children, Barbara Jean Peterson (William) of Windermere, FL; Deborah Joan Milam (Ray) of Pensacola, FL and Robert Smith Poe (Mary Jane) of Troy, AL.
Ina is also survived by her brother, James Richard Lewis and sisters Mary Ann Rader (Robert) and Joan Baxley (Glenn); grandchildren Kyle Peterson (Wendy), Kaci Peterson Ariza (Daniel), Michele Payne (Derrick), Lindsey Milam, Devin and Nathan Poe, Lee Griffin, great grandchildren, Kali and Will Peterson, Elijah and Ryland Ariza, Reagan, Addison and Caroline Payne. There are numerous loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Peterson, Derrick Payne, Daniel Ariza, Tony Lewis, Devin and Nathan Poe. Visitation will be Friday, Jan 18, 6 – 8 pm, funeral Saturday, Jan 19, 11 am at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, FL officiated by Rev. Winston Jay. Interment follows at Bagdad Cemetery, Bagdad, FL.
Helen Jeanette ‘Net-Net’ Coleman
January 15, 2013
Helen Jeanette ‘Net-Net’ Coleman, 45, of Pensacola passed away Thursday, January 10, 2013.
Helen was a native and life long resident of Pensacola and attended the Church of Christ in Cantonment. She was a person that loved helping others and in the past, volunteered with the Red Cross and the Ensley Volunteer Fire Department. Helen’s family relationship was very dear to her heart and her family will miss her deeply.
Helen is survived by four sisters, Pat Freeman (John), Diane Parker (Claude), Debra Johnson and Kathy Williams (Don); and seven nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 17, 2013m from 6-8 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Mary Gertrude Woods
January 15, 2013
Mary Gertrude Woods, 77 of Atmore, passed Monday January 14, 2013, at her residence. She was retired from Monsanto after 34 years of a draw twist operator.
She was born on November 8, 1935, in Bay Minette to the late Antis and Mary Strickland Pierce. Her hobbies were painting, sewing, gardening, and waiting for the arrival of the hummingbirds in the spring. But her true Love was growing yellow roses.
She is preceded in death by four brothers, Conner Kirkham, J. C. Kirkham, Clifford Pierce, and Clarence Kirkham; two sisters, Ethel Kirkham and Iona Pierce.
Survivors are one son, Anthony Keith (Brenda Jackson) Walz of Bay Minette; one daughter, Sandra Woods Mosley of Milton; one brother, William( Priscilla) Pierce of Charleston, S.C.; grandchildren: Robert Woods (Mary Alice) Mosley Troy, Jonathan Cory Walz and Joseph Aaron Walz both of Bay Minette; a great-grandson, Jack Leslie Mosley of Troy; nieces, Dana, Bonnie and Susan.
Services will be Wednesday January 16, 2013, at 10 a.m. Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Tuesday evening January 15, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Victims Named, Driver Located In Fatal Drag Racing Accident
January 14, 2013
The victims and a driver that fled a scene have been identified in an alleged drag racing accident that claimed two lives early Saturday morning.
Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol that 30-year old Modesto Becerril-Lopez, the driver of a 2000 Volkswagen Passat, was racing the driver of an Acura on Blue Angel Parkway approaching Cerney Road. Becerril-Lopez lost control and hit a tree. He and his passenger, 21-year old Juan Vazquez-Moreno, were both pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Acura fled the scene. Monday afternoon, troopers said the driver, 19-year old Aden Michael Yabut, and his Acura had been located and were part of an ongoing investigation. Charges are pending the results of a traffic homicide investigation, the FHP reported.