William Peter Coon
November 18, 2014
William Peter Coon, 80 of Oak Grove, passed away November 16, 2014, in Atmore. He was born on April 9, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa to the late William Otto and Clara Josephine Barstead Coon. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was an ordained Deacon, taught Sunday School for over 38 years, a Gideon and a member of Highland Baptist Church in Molino. He was a retired mechanic from Monsanto and was on the board of directors with Escambia River Electric Company. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Fred Coon.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Mary Milstead Coon of Oak Grove; two sons, William Kevin (Jannette) Coon and Lawrence Peter (Betty) Coon both of Oak Grove; four daughters, Kathryn (Eddie) Roach of Bratt, Dr. Pamela (Robert) Gibbs, Jr. of Monroeville, Susan (David) Underwood of Fayetteville, GA, and Zelda Berry of Pensacola; two sisters, Joline Kaucher and Patricia Coon both of Little Rock, AK; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 20, 2014, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brian Calhoun and Pastor Glenn Weber officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors.
Visitation will be held Thursday, November 20, 2014, from 10 a.m. until service time at the Johnson Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Edward Sharpless
November 18, 2014
John Edward Sharpless, age 77, a native of Atmore and a resident of Fairhope for the past nine years, passed away November 12, 2014.
Johnny was a graduate of ECHS in Atmore and Pensacola Junior College. He was owner of Direct Carpets in Mobile and The Decorating Center in Atmore. After retirement he became an avid genealogist.
Preceding him in death are his parents, John C. Sharpless and Lala Holley Sharpless; his siblings, Jewel Grace S. Godwin, Geraldine S. Findley, Roy C. Sharpless and Maxine Bell.
Mr. Sharpless is survived by his wife of 57-years, Martha Weaver Sharpless and their daughter, Holley S. Richter; son-in-law Dan L. Richter; granddaughters, Danielle Honey
Richter and Megan Audrey Richter; his dear sister, Ellafair S. Cotter; eight nieces and two nephews.
A private Celebration of Life in memory of Johnny will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Atmore. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Debora Bishop.
Interment will be at the Serenity Gardens in Atmore.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Hutchinson Retiring From Gulf Power
November 18, 2014
John L. Hutchinson, Gulf Power’s director of Community and Economic Development is retiring on November 21 after 24 years of service for the local utility and a total of 32 years working for the utility industry.
In his current role, he is responsible for the company’s job creation, community building and charitable and civic programs as well as ensuring the company maintains strategic and credible relationships with key community stakeholders.
Before taking over economic development, John served as the face of Gulf Power as director of Corporate Communications for 22 years. He was the utility’s spokesperson during some of the company’s most challenging storm events, including Hurricane Ivan.
John has worked extensively with local, regional and state economic development organizations and has helped Gulf Power build strong community relationships and manage important public policy issues.
“John has helped Gulf Power become the company it is today,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power president and CEO. “He has worked hard over the years to not only help ensure Gulf Power is providing our customers with what they need, but also has continued to invest personal time and energy into moving Northwest Florida forward as a region. His creativity, passion and guidance has made him a well-respected leader and friend to many at our company and across Northwest Florida and he will be missed.”
In recent years, John participated in several economic development trade missions with Enterprise Florida and Florida’s Great Northwest and worked closely with local economic development organizations across Northwest Florida to help attract new businesses and to help existing businesses expand.
An active member of the community, he also represented Gulf Power in many different venues, from making frequent public presentations to serving on community and civic boards and task forces. He is currently serving as Community Economic Development Association president, University of West Florida Foundation chairman, and is on the executive committee for Florida’s Great Northwest.
He has been named both Community Leader of the Year (2002) and Volunteer of the Year (1997) by the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was named Communicator of the Year in 2009 by the Florida Public Relations Association.
A graduate of Louisiana State University, John held various positions with Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Southern Company Services during his 32 years in the electric utility business.
Tate’s Casey McCrackin Signs With Auburn University
November 18, 2014
Tate High School senior Casey McCrackin signed a letter of intent Monday to play softball at Auburn University.
McCrackin played softball for three years for the Aggies, after having played on the school’s baseball team her freshman year. She was member of Tate’s 2014 state final four team with a .351 average, 34 hits and 40 runs. She also played for the West Florida Elite Travel team.
Pictured: Tate senior Casey McCrackin (in the Auburn cap) signed a softball letter of intent with Auburn University Monday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Commission Honors Top K-9 Team
November 18, 2014
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team recently named one of the best in the country was honored Monday night by the Escambia County Commission for their dedication and many hours of training.
The ECSO team won first place in the four-man team competition at the United States Police Canine Association Police Dog Trials in October in Wilson, NC. Team members are Mark Smith with his K-9 Jeck, Wayne Gulsby with his K-9 Caleb Carlos Lizarraga and his K-9 Saban, and Jason Land with his K-9 Edo. Lizarraga is employed by the Foley Police Department, but trains with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: Lt. Jason Potts, Carlos Lizarraga, Wayne Gulsby, Jason Land and Mark Smith. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview To Host PLT Performance Of ‘The Things They Carried’
November 18, 2014
On Wednesday, Northview will host a group from the Pensacola Little Theatre as they perform a staged reading of Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”, a novel about the lasting impact of the Vietnam War.
The production is being offered in association with The Big Read Grant,a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of reading in American culture by exposing citizens to great works of literature and encouraging them to read for pleasure.
Northview juniors and seniors will attend the 40 minute program beginning at 10 a.m. Northview family members and the public are welcome to attend.
Ruby Maddox Smith
November 18, 2014
Ruby Maddox Smith, 93, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, November 13, 2014, in Tampa, FL. Ruby was born in Santa Rosa County, FL on July 21, 1921, as the first child of Henry and Clara Carnley Maddox. She had a brother, Earl Maddox and a sister, Agnes Maddox Schultz, whom both preceded her in death. Ruby was married for 57 years to William Gail Smith, Sr. and resided her entire married life in Atmore. They opened the Western Auto Supply in 1937 and operated it for 42 years. After Gail’s passing in 1999, Ruby moved with her daughter Julie’s family to Decatur, AL. In 2003, Ruby moved to Lithia, FL with Julie’s family and enjoyed the remaining years of her active life. Ruby loved spending time with family, studying her bible and growing flowers. Her greatest story was her testimony about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ruby is survived by four children; William (Bill) Gail Smith, Jr. of Dothan, Kay Smith LaVigne of Olive Branch, MS, Don Smith of Atmore and Julie Smith Osenton of Lithia, FL. Ruby is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Matt Smith and Mikey Smith (children of Bill and Carol Smith); Sarah Smith Tolleson and Mary Katherine Smith (children of Bill and Marilu Smith); Kelley LaVigne Sturman, Lisa LaVigne and Wendy LaVigne (children of Bob and Kay LaVigne); Rob Osenton, Ryan Osenton and Kaitlyn Osenton (children of Malcolm and Julie Osenton); Eric Roberts and Stephanie Roberts Maddox (children of Don and Laura Smith). Ruby is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Haleigh and Hunter (children of Brian and Kelley Sturman), Lexie, Emma, Macy and Abby (children of Matt and Claudia Smith), Isabel and Peyton (children of Mikey and Deanna Smith), Charlotte (child of Rob and Meg Osenton), Christian and Peyton (children of Eric and Morgan Roberts) and Taylor and Eli (children of Walt and Stephanie Maddox).
Services will be Saturday, November 22, 2014, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jack Lockhart officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill cemetery.
Family will receive friends Friday, November 21,2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Lee Roy Findley
November 18, 2014
Mr. Lee Roy Findley, 90, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2014, in Century.
Mr. Findley was a native of Big Spring, TX, and a resident of Century for most of his life. Mr. Findley was a World War II Veteran, former member of Airport Baptist in Big Spring, TX, and a long time member of the Poplar Dell Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ruthie Hawthorne Findley, sisters, Lois Jernigan, Mary Wells and Mattie Ruth Ohlson and brothers, Cecil Findley, Garland Findley and James Findley.
Survivors include his two daughters, Sara Lea (Steve) McAuliffe and Linda Ann Kuykendall; grandchildren, Tammy (Scott) Kenyon, Randy (Eric Stevens) Kuykendall and Terri (Kris) Main and great grandchildren, Steven Main, Ashlyn Main, Kayla Main, Aubrey Kenyon, Chandler Kenyon and Lillian Kenyon.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 21, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. David McNary and Rev. Mitch Herring officiating.
Burial will follow at the Poplar Dell Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, November 20, 2014, from 6-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Steve Newberry, Carl Gandy, Joe Moreno, Daniel Moore, Nathaniel Mote and Judson Carden.
Honorary pallbearers will be Evon Johnson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Possible Vehicle Trade For Crack Cocaine, Dispute Leads To Arrest
November 17, 2014
A dispute over a vehicle that may have been traded for crack cocaine has landed a Century man behind bars.
Jermain Lavelle Smith, 28, was charged with battery and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He remained behind bars Monday morning with bond set at $50,000.
The female victim told deputies that she confronted Smith over allegedly stealing her husbands vehicle and abandoning it with a blown engine in Canoe, AL, where law enforcement had it towed away. She said the confrontation escalated until Smith punched her in the face and in the throat. She refused medical treatment.
The incident was witnessed by about a half dozen people at the Carver Community Center, but all of the witnesses wished to remain anonymous, according to an arrest report.
The victim’s husband told deputies that he had tried to report the vehicle stolen with Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office but had difficulties in doing so. According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, Smith may have had possession of the vehicle after a possible crack cocaine trade.
The husband also told deputies that he intervened after his wife was attacked and threatened to cut Smith with a box cutter. Smith allegedly left the area while threatening to shoot the man and wife.
Escambia County Establishes Fraud, Waste And Abuse Hotline
November 17, 2014
Escambia County has launched an fraud, waste and abuse hotline that allows residents and employees to anonymously report activity that may be considered unethical or otherwise of concern.
The hotline will be managed by an outside organization, Lighthouse Services, which will monitor incoming reports. Reports may be made 24 hours a day.
In the coming weeks, all County vehicles will be given identification numbers and bumper stickers with the hotline phone number advertising the program.
Examples of major violations:
- Fraudulent financial practices
- Breaking the law
- Verbal and physical threats
How to submit a report:
- Call Lighthouse Services toll free at (844) 640-0008 and an operator will ask the caller a series of questions
- Visit www.lighthouse-services.com/myescambia
- Email reports@lighthouse-services.com and identify Escambia County BCC in the message
- Fax your report to (215) 689-3885 and identify Escambia County BCC in the message
Remember:
- When making a report, please provide thorough and accurate information
- All complaints are within the Sunshine Law and are subject to public record. You are responsible for remaining anonymous if you choose to do so. While you will be asked your name when giving the report, you are not required to disclose yourself.
- County employees should keep in mind that by providing job-specific duties and details you may reveal your identity without actually giving your name