Debra Jo Ryals
August 20, 2015
Debra Jo Ryals, 32, of Six Mile, South Carolina, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 11, 2015.
She is survived by her mother, Paula Jo Ryals; step-father, Rodney Coker; sister, Jessica Lynn Stuckey; paternal grandparents, Elvin and Elizabeth Ryals; and her special friend, Ivy Westmoreland and family.
She is preceded in death by her father, Phillip Van Ryals; and maternal grandparents, Pascal (Bud) and Sarah Richburg.
The visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015, at 12 pm at Central Independent Baptist Church, in South Carolina, with the funeral service following at 1 p.m.
Interment will be in Faith Baptist Church Norris Cemetery.
Wilma Jean “Jeannie” Adams
August 20, 2015
Jeannie was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Jeannie and Chuck were married for 67 years. They had the best marriage anyone could ask for. Their marriage was an example that they set for their children and grandchildren. Jeannie was a true Christian woman. You could sit down and talk with her about the Bible with what you didn’t understand and she could guide you through the Bible for your understanding along with any problems you were going through. Jeannie loved being a part of church anyway she could. Jeannie loved her family and church family with all of her heart and soul. When it came to the holidays she made sure everyone had something homemade like a scarf or blanket. When Jeannie would find out that someone was expecting a child or had a new baby she made sure that they had a blanket to bring the baby home in or to have when the baby was born. Jeannie was the type of person if you were in need of something she would make sure you had it with no questions asked. Jeannie had the type of personality to make you smile or laugh no matter what when she was going through. Jeannie loved crafts; there wasn’t much out there that she couldn’t do. Jeannie’s favorite craft was crocheting. If you wanted to learn how to do it she would say I will teach you I have everything that you need all you will need is time. Jeannie loved everybody and anybody all the same. Jeannie would always take someone under her wing and guide them in the right direction and put them onto a straight path without you even knowing them.
She is survived by her son, Charles Adams, Jr.; daughter, Kathy and Rand Holloway of GA; granddaughter, Wilma and James Lumpkins; grandsons, Charles and Heather Adams of MS, Brandon and Naduxa Booker of UT and Logan and Ashley Booker of GA; great-grandsons, James Lumpkins, Jr. of NC, Dylan Lumpkins and Kevin Adams of MS; great-granddaughters, Jessica Lumpkins and Ruby Adams of MS.
Pallbearers will be Steve Wiggins, James Lumpkins, Charles Adams, Charles Sims, Willie Howell and Grady Stokes.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015, from 12:30 p.m. until funeral services at 1:30 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Reverend Stan Jones officiating.
Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Pershing Lafayette Sowell
August 20, 2015
Pershing Lafayette Sowell, 93, of Mobile, and formerly of Atmore, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, in Mobile. He was born on October 14, 1921, in Red Level, AL to the late John Oliver and Dovie Howell Sowell. He was a member of the First Assembly of God of Atmore and presently attended Gospel Lighthouse in Mobile. He was a member of Good Sam’s of Mobile Road Runner. He was retired from Mobile Marine Bulk and Handling.
He is survived by his wife, Christine Sanspree Sowell; daughters, Gloria Goodman and Annette (Gary) Odem all of Mobile; son, Virgil (Dawn) Sowell of Mobile; step-daughters, Sheila (Rev. Randy) Hogan and Sandra (David) Cottrell; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, August 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. from the First Assembly of God of Atmore with Bro. Don Davis and Bro. Kenneth Odom officiating.
Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. from Pine Crest Cemetery on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile.
Pallbearers will be members of Atmore First Assembly of God Monday Night Prayer Meeting Group.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 21, 2015, from 10 a.m. until service time the First Assembly of God.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Colburn Malden, Jr.
August 20, 2015
James Colburn Malden, Jr., 63, of Bay Minette, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at his residence. He was a Merchant Marine. He was born on August 17, 1952, in Miami to James Sullivan and Sylvia Cox Watford.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Ramona Christine Malden Tate; and a sister, Ramona R. Watford.
Survivors include his two sons, Steven (Corinna) Malden of Pontotoc, MS and James Colburn ( Alisha) Malden, III of Bay Minette; one daughter, Cassandra Malden of Bay Minette; his parents, James and Sylvia Watford; one brother, James Patrick Malden; three sisters, June Isabella Malden, Jeanie Malden and Rhonda Watford Little; and three grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Wade officiating.
Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Johnny Little, Jonathan Little, Scott Nall, Tony Orr, Aaron Edington, and Peyton Little.
Family will receive friends on Saturday August 22, 2015, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel from 10 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Cantonment Woman Critical After Rear-Ending UPS Truck
August 19, 2015
A Cantonment woman was critically injured when she rear-ended a parked UPS truck Wednesday morning in Cottage Hill.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 77-year old Sharon K. Gipson was westbound on Eden Lane approaching Virecent Road as the unoccupied UPS truck was parked with hazard lights activated in the westbound lane of Eden Lane making a parcel delivery.
The FHP said Gipson rear-ended the UPS truck before her 2006 Nissan Maxima rolled eastbound on Eden Lane and struck a tree.
Gipson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “trauma alert”. Any charges in the accident are pending.
Brewton Accident Claims Life of Flomaton Man
August 19, 2015
A traffic crash Tuesday afternoon in Brewton claimed the life of a Flomaton man.
According to authorities, 56-year old Jimmy Wayne Cash was southbound on Highway 31 just south of College Drive in a 1991 Ford Ranger when, for an unknown reason, he rear-end a 2003 Chevrolet pickup. Cash was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver of the second pickup, Steven Smith of Graceville, was not seriously injured.
The accident remains under investigation by the Brewton Police Department.
Reader Photos: Morning Rainbows
August 19, 2015
Here are a couple of NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos of rainbows Wednesday morning. The photo above is International Paper in Cantonment, courtesy of Kevin McCanty. The photo below is looking across Highway 29 from Escambia Fire Rescue Station 6 in Ensley this morning, courtesy of Bryan Caro, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
If you have news or weather photos to share, just email them to news@northescambia.com
Ransom Middle Gym Named For Educator, Coach Joseph E. Murphy
August 19, 2015
The Escambia County School voted Tuesday to name the gymnasium at Ransom Middle School as the “Joseph E. Murphy Gymnasium” in honor of Joseph E. Murphy.
Murphy said he never dreamed of such an honor.
“To have this honor bestowed upon me is very humbling,” he said. “No one can ever feel worthy of this wonderful honor…I am very grateful.”
Murphy began his career with the school district in 1976 as a science teacher at Ferry Pass Middle School, became a physical education teacher at Workman Middle School in 1980, and then moved to Ransom Middle School in 1984 where he has served as physical education teacher, physical education department chair, School Advisory Council member, and dean of students.
Murphy coached middle school basketball and track and field, winning numerous district championships for Ransom. He also coached football and golf at Tate High School, and served as the pitching coach for the Tate baseball team, leading them to two state championships.
Murphy was also named the Escambia Physical Education Association Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year.’
He retired in June.
“Joseph E. Murphy has touched the lives of countless young people through his coaching and focus on health and wellness, encouraging and motivating students to perform at their highest level, in the classroom and on the athletic field,” a school board resolution stated.
Pictured top: Joseph E. Murphy before by the Escambia County School Board Tuesday night as the Ransom Middle School gymnasium was named in his honor. Pictured inset; Murphy (left) with Ransom Middle Principal Brent Brummet. Pictured below. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas with Murphy, Brummet and a group of Ransom supporters. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
GED Classes Beginning At Molino Community Center
August 19, 2015
GED classes will being Monday, August 31 at the Molino Community Center from 6-8 p.m. each Monday and Thursday evening in Room 124.
New students 1will need to take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) before registration for the GED classes. The test will be given at the Molino Community Center on Tuesday, August 25 at 5 p.m. for new students 18 or over with a photo identification. Cost is $15.
Registration for Fall 2015 classes will be Thursday, August 27 at the Molino Community Center from 5-8 p.m. All new and returning students will need to bring identification and a social secuity card. ‘
New students are required to complete an online registration at www.georgestonecenter.com. Computers will be set up on registration day to assist new students if needed. Tuition for the class is $30.
For more information on the Molino GED class, call Patricia Harrison at (850) 941-6200.
Century Woman Sentenced For Bratt DUI Crash
August 19, 2015
A Century woman convicted for a DUI crash on Bratt Road back in January.
Debra Lee Lukkar, age 51 of Century, lost control of her vehicle, with her Jeep overturning coming to rest across both lanes of Bratt Road just east of Vaughn Road about 10:30 p.m. on July 12. Lukkar was briefly trapped in the vehicle but quickly extricated by firefighters. She refused medical treatment at the scene.
Lukkar was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with DUI and resisting an officer without violence.
Lukkar was sentenced by Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz to 12 months probation and ordered to pay $1,081 in charges and fines. She was also ordered to attend first offender DUI school and consume no alcohol.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
