Margaret Terry Strawbridge Smith
August 12, 2014
Mrs. Margaret Terry Strawbridge Smith was born March 24, 1929, in Atmore and died August 11, 2014, in Atmore Community Hospital.
She is predeceased by her husband, James E. Strawbridge, Sr.; son, James E. (Eddie) Strawbridge, Jr.; and husband Bernie Ray Smith.
Margaret was one of nine children born to Ed McGowin Terry and Fannie Elizabeth Fountain Terry. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Edwin, Lewis, Joseph Walker (JW), James
(Jamie), William and G.K. Terry; and sisters, Lillian Terry Levy Lynn and Florence Terry Ezell.
Margaret is survived by her granddaughter, Elizabeth Strawbridge Brightman (Ryan) of Mobile; step-daughter, Pam Smith Watson; step-sons, Joe Smith, Gary Smith and Marc Smith,
all of Mobile; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Margaret was a lover of Alabama football and the Atlanta Braves. She retired from The First National Bank of Atmore (now First National Bank & Trust) on December 31, 1985, as vice
president and cashier with thirty-five years of loyal service to the bank.
Margaret was a member of McRae Street United Methodist Church of Atmore, but never lost her love of church and family at her childhood church, Bethel United Methodist Church of Atmore.
Visitation will be held August 13, 2014, at Johnson Quimby Funeral from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m., with Rev. Diane Everette officiating.
Pallbearers will be Bill Terry, Rodney Owens, Hal Johnson, Gary Darby, Steve Dantzler and Kevin O’Donnell.
Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Sam Eugene Tucker
August 12, 2014
Sam Eugene Tucker, 78, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, August 10,2014. He was born on May 2, 1936, in Hamilton, MS to Sam P. and Mamie Nix Tucker. The family moved to Frisco City, Ala., while Sam was a small child. He was the second of eight children.
He was a veteran of the US Army and retired from Hormel Foods Corporation of MN. Sam was a member of East Brent Baptist Church, a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and belonged to the Scottish Rite. He loved fishing, hunting and Alabama football. Above all Sam was a child of God and believed the most important thing in life is to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Ray Tucker; and sisters, Nancy Sewell, Manie McGee and Ellen Rowell.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Annette Walston Tucker; daughter, Sandra Tucker of Chicago, IL; son, Keith (Debi) Tucker of Cantonment and their four children, Topanga, Noah, Tatyana and Pandora (the light of their PawPaw’s life, they loved him dearly); his two brothers, John of Gadsden, AL and Allen of Gulf Shores; sister, Janice Peterson of Century; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at East Brent Baptist Church on August 13, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. with visitation at 10:30 a.m.
Dr. Dale Patterson will officiate.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Covenant Hospice for all the loving care they provided, especially Karen, Donna, Tosha and Doug.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sam’s memory to East Brent Baptist Church, Building Fund, 4801 N. Davis Hwy, Pensacola, Florida 32503.
Lavonne D. Willis
August 12, 2014
Mrs. Lavonne D. Willis 86, of Huxford, passed away August 11, 2014, at her residence surrounded by her loved ones. She was born May 5, 1928, in Escambia County, Alabama to the late Barney and Vickie Taylor Day. She was a retired O.B. unit nurse from Greenlawn Hospital, devoted member of Huxford Baptist Church and a member of the Huxford Order of the Eastern Star. She is preceded in death by her parents and her five siblings.
She is survived by her son, William B. (Debra) Willis of Bratt; two daughters, Badonda Womack of Huxford and Kimberly Willis of Foley; grandchildren, Deena Sprague, Melanie Luker, Holly Shipp, Brandi Womack, Mandi Davis, Chad Willis; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 14, 2014, at 3 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Rev. James Boyd officiating.
Burial will follow in Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 14, 2014, from 1 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
A special thanks to the Gentiva Hospice, Atmore Home Health and Huxford Baptist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Names, Details Released In Friday Night’s 56 Mile Police Chase
August 11, 2014
Authorities have released the names of two people involved in a 56 mile police chase Friday.
Antoine Lamar Goldsmith, 37 was charged with felony fleeing/eluding, habitual felony driving while suspended and one count of assault on an officer. Delana Roberts Phillips, 51, was charged with driving under the influence, felony fleeing/eluding and four counts of a assault on an officer. Both are in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on Alabama charges and will eventually be extradited back to Santa Rosa County.
The pursuit began when a Santa Rosa County deputy conducted a traffic stop for a seat belt violation at Hamilton Bridge Road and Windham Road. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the Goldsmith sped off. The deputy was forced to take evasive action to avoid being struck by the vehicle.
Goldsmith switched to the passenger seat, and Phillips moved into the driver’s seat along Hamilton Bridge Road, the deputy stated.
The pursuit headed north through Santa Rosa County and crossed the Escambia River on Highway 4 into Century. The driver of the truck turned north on Highway 29 and crossed into Flomaton, Ala., and then headed west on Highway 31 out of Flomaton. Phillips continued with deputies in pursuit toward Atmore. Along the way, the truck ran though several stops signs and traffic signals and ran several vehicles off the road.
The Santa Rosa deputies decided to call off the pursuit as they approached Atmore because they were getting out of range of their radio system, and they were unable to clearly communicate with their dispatcher. They continued to follow the vehicle without emergency lights and sirens.
According to witnesses, when the westbound driver spotted approaching Atmore Police Department officers, the suspect made a u-turn through a motel parking lot near Buster’s Restaurant and headed back east on Highway 31 straight toward the Santa Rosa deputies, forcing them to take evasive action.
Phillips then turnednorth on 18th Avenue just outside Atmore. She lost control and ran into a ditch and the end of 18th Avenue at the intersection of Carver Avenue. Phillips and Goldsmith were taken into custody at gunpoint without further incident.
Goldsmith and Phillips were both arrested earlier this month on narcotics charges by the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop.
Pictured top and bottom: The scene near Atmore moments after the end of a police chase that started 50 miles away in Milton. NorthEscambia.com exclusive reader photos by Waylon Jones. Pictured inset and below: Two people in this Ford F150 were taken into custody following the chase. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Yard Sale Bible Headed Back To Family Of Deceased Military Member
August 11, 2014
Update: After this NorthEscambia.com story was posted on Sunday, a family member was found and the Bible will be returned to the family on Tuesday.
An Alabama woman is looking to return the a Bible to the family of a deceased military member likely to be from the Atmore or Walnut Hill area.
Johnnie Smith of Monroeville found the Bible in box of old books and magazine purchased at a yard sale in Atmore. Inside the Bible, the dedication page says the Bible was presented in remembrance of Edwin Smith by the American Legion Post in Atmore on May 16, 2007. The King James Version Bible was in a wooded box presented “in recognition of you loved one’s service to our country”.
“I cant imagine why a family member would want to sell it in a box of old books and magazines,” Johnnie Smith said.
If you know how to reach the family of Edwin Smith, email news@northescambia.com with the details and your contact information; we will pass the information along to Johnnie Smith.
Driver Slams SUV Into Cow On Highway 97
August 11, 2014
The driver of a SUV was not injured when she slammed into a cow Sunday night on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The female driver hit the black cow in the roadway in a dark wooded area on Highway 97 south of Tungoil Road about 11:15 p.m. She was evaluated at the scene by Atmore Ambulance but refused medical treatment. The adult female cow did not survive the collision with the Toyota Land Cruiser.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Chances Continue
August 11, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Light northwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday Night Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Saturday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Election Watch: 7,300 Absentee Ballots Returned So Far
August 11, 2014
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will begin counting absentee ballots today for the August 26 primary election. As of the weekend, 7,300 absentee ballots had been submitted in Escambia County; that’s about 22 percent returned of those issued.
All absentee ballots must be received in the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on August 26.
Northview, EWMS Hosting ‘Glow Run’; Cross County Parent, Athlete Meeting
August 11, 2014
Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle school’s cross country programs will host a athlete and parent information meeting and “glow run” Thursday.
Anyone interest in learning more about the sport or planning to run this year needs to attend.
The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt on Highway 4, just west of Northview. Participants should bring glow items such as glow sticks, bracelets, etc. During the evening, Northview shirts will be on sale for $5. For more information, contact Coach Natalie Nall at nnelson@escambia.k12.fl.us.
Brickyard Bridge Replacement To Begin This Week In Molino
August 11, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will replace the existing two-lane bridge on Brickyard Road over an unnamed branch in Molino beginning this week.
Brickyard Road will be closed to traffic during the construction process. Motorists should use Molino Road, Highway 95A and Brickton Road as a detour route, according to FDOT, while the new bridge is under construction.
The $746,853 project is anticipated to be complete in late 2014. The wooden support bridge, which is considered structurally deficient, was constructed in 1960.