Myrtle Louise Smith
May 1, 2013
Mrs. Myrtle Louise Smith, age 75, of Century, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at Century Care Center.
Mrs. Smith was a native of Brewton and had been a resident of Century since 1960, coming from Brewton where she was a member of the 1958 Class of W.S. Neal High School. She was retired from Monsanto where she worked as a lab technician. Mrs. Smith was of the Pentecostal faith and was preceded in death by her husband, Cleveland R. ‘Buck’ Smith, Sr.; and brothers, James Blow and William Joseph ‘Joe’ Blow.
Her survivors include her children, Cleveland ‘Buckie’ Rufus (Susan) Smith of the McCall community near Flomaton, Sonja (Mike) Allen of Bratt, Tammy (Tom) Wilkerson of Pollard, and Johnnie Joshua (Kimberly) Hughes-Smith of Gulf Breeze; brother, Charles (Cathy) Blow of Navarre; grandchildren, Burton Smith, Brandon Smith, Rachael Smith, Brandy Wilkerson and Johnnie Buck Smith; great-grandchildren, Jackson Smith, Brayden Smith, Robert Weston Spicer, Juliana Smith, Samantha Smith, Dalton Smith and another on the way.
Graveside services will he held on Friday, May 3, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Union Grove Freewill Baptist Cemetery in Castleberry, AL with speaker Ronnie Fore.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
Hunt For Suspect Continues After Atmore Armed Robbery
May 1, 2013
A manhunt was underway late Tuesday afternoon and early Tuesday in Atmore for a robbery suspect.
A property owner reported was doing construction work at his rental property on Fourth Avenue when he was robbed of his wallet and phone at gunpoint in by a while male. The suspect was described as a white male, about 5-foot, 10-inches and 175 pounds wearing pants that had a black and white camouflage pattern, and a hoodie or cap.
The Atmore Police Department established a perimeter around the area and called a K-9 team from the Alabama Department of Corrections. Horner Street and several other streets in the area were closed for the search.
A suspect was taken into custody about 7:30 p.m. near Fourth Avenue and Horner Street, and roads were re-opened about 7:40 p.m. Later in the evening, the man taken into custody was released without being charged after police were unable to find evidence linking him to the crime.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
$1.5 Million Replacement Of Highway 97A Bridge Begins Next Week
May 1, 2013
The Florida Department of Transportation will begin replacement of a bridge on Highway 97A over Boggy Creek in the Bay Springs community the week of May 6. Crews are setting up work zone signage this week.
Weather permitting the $1.5 million project should take about eight months to complete. During construction, an on-site diversion will be built for local residents to continue to have access to the area.
The 121 foot bridge was constructed in 1969 and is supported on wooden timbers. The bridge is rated as “structurally deficient” and has a current weight limit of 15 tons. The bridge is located about one mile west of South Highway 99.
The speed limit will be reduced to 30 mph through the work zone. FDOT is advising motorists to use caution when traveling through the work area and to be aware that speeding violations will be doubled when workers are present.
Marrahnell Wright Culp
May 1, 2013
Marrahnell Wright Culp of Cantonment, age 78, passed away April 29, 2013, after a chronic illness. She was born in Laurel Hill on July 28, 1934.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George W. Wright and Percie L. Wright and an infant brother. After working for years at the telephone company, she was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, flowers and gardening. After her husband retired, they enjoyed traveling with their camper and meeting new friends while fishing and camping around the country. “Nell”, as everyone knew her was devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a devout member of Cantonment First Baptist Church.
She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, John E. Culp; two sons, Gregory (Sue) Henderson and Dale (Angela) Henderson; daughter, Starlyn (Jessie) James; five granddaughters, Candace (Bill) Hendricks, Jessica (Todd) Barlow, Whitney and Courtney Henderson and Kristie Henderson; three great-grandchildren, Nathan and Matthew Hendricks and Addistynn Barlow; two brothers, George C. Wright and Preston Wright; and many nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered as a generous, strong and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Saying she will be missed is an understatement.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 2, 2013, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Funeral Services will be Friday, May 3, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Jay Beats Central To Advance In Regional Tournament
May 1, 2013
The Jay Lady Royals are moving on the regional finals Friday night after a win Tuesday night.
Jay beat Central 16-6 in six innings. Chassity McCranie pitched four for the Royals, striking out five. Oliva Wright was 4-4 with a double, triple, a home run and five RBIs. Wright recently signed to play college ball at Wallace State. Ashlyn Geck was 1-5 with an RBI; Michaela Stewart was 1-4; Sydney Lowery was 3-5; Brittany Gillman was 2-3 and Taylor Moore was 3-4.
Jay will host the Chipley Tigers at 7 p.m. Friday.
Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals celebrate a win over Central Tuesday night to advance in the regional softball tournament. Photo by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Agnes Faye Smith
May 1, 2013
Agnes Faye Smith, 76 of Atmore, passed away Monday, April 29, 2013, in Mobile. She was born on February 19, 1937, in Conecuh, Alabama to the late Will and Birda Curry Thompson. She was retired from Masland Carpets and was a member of Unity Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Hurley L. Smith; grandchild, Jospeh Daniel Johnson; two brothers, “Buck” Thompson and Bob Thompson and one sister, Mazie Lassiter.
Sh is survived by Myles (Sandy) Johnson of Atmore; Farrel (Kay) Johnson of Stephen’s City, VA; one daughter, Deborah (Tony) Scott of Brewton; two sisters, Judy Miller and Hazel Lynch; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and very special friend “Rocky”.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 03, 2013, at 10 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Gene Pickern officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Thursday, May 02, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.
Gary C. Mullins
May 1, 2013
Gary C. Mullins, 61, of Hixson, TN, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 26, 2013.
Mr. Mullins was born in Chattanooga and raised in Pensacola. He graduated from Tate High School in 1969, where he served as Senior Class president and was Mr. Tate High School. He returned to Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee where he belonged to the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He retired as a Supervisor Deputy US Marshal belonging to SOG (special operations group). Gary was a member of Burks United Methodist Church, New Beginnings Sunday School Class, past president of the Soddy Daisy Quarterback Club, and also coached with the Red Bank Dixie Youth Baseball and YMCA youth football.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, H. F. “Speck” Dunaway; and grandparents, Fred and Ida Mullins and Walter and Nora Ann Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Karen Mullins; sons, Curtis and Michael Mullins; parents, Curtis and Willadean Mullins; brother, Fred (Patti Baillie) Mullins; sisters, Teresa (Camp) Wynn and Lisa Mullins (Paul) Barretto; mother-in-law, Ruth B. Dunaway; sister-in-law, Tami (Dan) Traczek; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, April 30, 2012 at Burks United Methodist Church in Hixson, TN.
Misty Way Rider
May 1, 2013
Misty Way Rider, 32, of Lillian, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2013, after a brief illness. She was born on December 9, 1980 in Pensacola to Kenneth and Tracy Way. She was a 1999 graduate of Gulf Breeze High School. She was involved with Perdido Key Chamber and was employed by ECB Services.
She is survived by her husband, Bryan Scott Rider of Lillian; parents, Kenneth and Tracy Way of Milton; two brothers, Kenneth Way II and Christopher Way; maternal grandmother, Sue (Nanny) Sloan of Pensacola; paternal grandparents, Frank (Papa) and Martha (Nanny Michael) Way of McDavid; aunt and uncle, Robert and Paula Way; uncle, John Sloan; cousins, Heather and Robert Way II; father and mother-in-law, Don and Vicki Rider of Lillian; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
She was predeceased by her grandfather, Charles (Papa Chuck) Sloan.
Visitation for Misty is Friday, May 3, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel in Pensacola.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, at 12 p.m. at the Flora Bama in Pensacola.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Shed
April 30, 2013
[Updated] Several fire stations responded to a shed fire in Cantonment early Tuesday evening, sending black smoke into the sky that was visible for miles.
The fire was reported about 6:15 in the 400 block of Well Line Road, near the corner of Lakeview Avenue. The shed, about 400 square feet in size, was completely destroyed in the fire.
The blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated “The first fire units on scene reported the shed was behind a locked gate and a citizen would not allow firefighters on the property.” While that was the report from the first fire units on scene, the fire unit’s report was based upon incomplete information. Fire officials confirmed Wednesday morning that they were allowed access to the property.
Pictured top: Black smoke from a fire Tuesday evening on Well Line Road was visible from the Cantonment Ballpark. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Dies In Santa Rosa I-10 Wreck
April 30, 2013
An Escambia County man died in a traffic crash Monday night on I-10 in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a semi-tractor trailer was stopped in the outside eastbound lane of I-10 after being involved in a prior crash. The driver of the semi had placed emergency reflectors in the roadway and had activated his emergency flashers on the truck and trailer to warn motorists.
Daniel Mac Dobbins, age 34 of Pensacola, was eastbound on I-10 at the 34 mile marker when he failed to see the semi, traveling over the reflectors and into the rear of the trailer being pulled by the semi. Dobbins’ 2006 VW Passat came to rest under the trailer. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The crash was not alcohol related, according to the FHP.