Donald Ray Majors, Sr.
April 6, 2015
Donald Ray Majors, Sr., age 74, of Pensacola, passed away on April 1, 2015. He was born in Muskogee, OK, on October 25, 1940. He was preceded in death by his father, Forest Majors and his mother, Grace Majors and brothers, Paul, Everett, and Gene Majors.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Freeman Majors; son, Donald Majors, Jr. (Donna); daughters, Debra Winfield (Dave) and Sally Edgar (James); brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Marty Freeman; ten grandchildren, Ashley, Jared, Brandon, Samantha, Cayla, Carly, Cody, Courtney, Megan, and Cassidy; seven great-grandchildren, Chase, Cash, Cole, Jayden, Sienna, Lila, and Mason and siblings, Bob (Sam), Oscar (Lori), Shirley, Sidney, Linda (David), Barbara Ann (David) and Terry, all from Oklahoma.
Donnie was raised in Muskogee, OK, but spent the majority of his life in Pensacola. He was a member of the Tahlequah Cherokee Nation. He was a respected and well known car salesman for many years and received multiple awards and recognitions. He loved music, enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and took great pride in his yard. Everyone that knew Donnie knew how much he loved his wife, children and grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel South. Funeral Services will be held at Faith Chapel South on Wednesday, April at 11 a.m. with pastors Ken and Esther Ponder officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Bayview Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Goodale, Jared Majors, Cody Cates, Jerry Freeman, Jr., Robin Freeman, and Jason Boyle.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Herbert “Bud ” C Rowell
April 6, 2015
Herbert “Bud ” C Rowell, age 80, of Berrydale, Florida went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 4th, 2015. He was born January 4, 1935 to John Pascoe and Hazel Rowell. Herbert and Lorrine were married June 2, 1956. He retired from the Department of Transportation as the district prestress engineer in 1996, after 41 years of service. He was a charter member a Berrydale Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon in 1968.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son John, sisters Evelyn Jacobs and Wanda Roberts, and son-in-law Greg Reeder.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 58 years, Lorrine, sons Stephen (Gladys )Rowell and Roderick (Gina) Rowell , daughters Tammy (Steve) Yuhasz, Dawn (Rod) Roberts, and Dana (Bart) Regan , and numerous, precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he loved dearly. He is also survived by siblings Jane King, Frank (Pearl) Rowell, Dinah Colonna, and Roger (Joy) Rowell.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 6 from 12 to 2 p.m. with a funeral following at 2 at Berrydale Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Gandy and Bro Steve Yuhasz officiating. Active pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Rowell, Roger Rowell and Roy O’Dell.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Oliver H. “Al” Nellums
April 6, 2015
Oliver H. “Al” Nellums, 79, of Pensacola, passed on Friday, April 3, 2015.
He was born in Pensacola, on February 18, 1936, to the late Joseph H. and Zeliabell Nellums. He was a lifelong resident of Pensacola going to Eliza Jane Wilson School, PK Young School, Blount Jr. High and Pensacola High School. After high school , Oliver joined the U. S. Air Force and retired after 25 years of service. He was a participating member of The Moose Lodge American Legion Post 340.
He is preceded in death by his son, Norman Nellums; parents; his four sisters; and his five brothers.
He is survived by his wife, Pam Nellums; son, Barry Nellums; two daughters, Nancy Clark and Gail Watson; sister, Joyce Penton; and brother in law, Billie Kinnard.
Funeral services will be held at noon. on Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Charlie Petro and Linda Hill, officiating.
Burial to follow in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.
Family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Glen Mobley
April 6, 2015
Glen Mobley joined his Lord on Saturday morning, April 4, 2015, at the age of 81. He was born on a farm in Century. The family later moved to South Carolina for a few years, returning to Florida and settling in Cottage Hill. He lived in the Cantonment-Molino area the rest of his life where he raised his family and, in retirement, worked the grounds at the Molino post office. He was a long-time member at Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church and in recent years brought his membership closer to home at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He was one of the best people you could know and many loved him.
This beloved man loved his family dearly and loved to spend time riding his lawnmower, keeping the grass cut and leaves mulched and he had a love for gardening. He began his working life at Jones’ Service Station, later working at Royal Tire and other stations in the area. He began his lifetime’s work at Cooke’s Hardware in Cantonment, a place he eventually purchased and worked for 45 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Berlie Mobley and Myrtle Sullivan; his oldest son, Gregory; brothers, Donell and Richard; and sisters, Gladys, Helen, and Betty.
He leaves behind to mourn his passing a loving wife of 52 years, Marian Fillingim Mobley; his son, Robert (Amy); daughter, Mary Bishop (Darrel); grandchildren, Joshua, Nicholas, Matt, Sara, and Marina Mobley and Nathan and Nolen Bishop; his brothers, Buddy and Claude; sisters, Hazel, Deborah and Linda; his stepmother, Rosa Mobley; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Services will be held on April 8, 2015, at Faith Chapel North with visitation beginning at 12 p.m. followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. with Rev. Jimmy Cook officiating.
Burial will follow at Aldersgate Cemetery in Molino.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Bishop, Ted Hassebrock, John and Ted King, Doug Pippin, and Alan Smith.
Honorary pallbearers are Martin Posey and William Bray.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Daniel Douglas Nelson, Sr.
April 6, 2015
Mr. Daniel Douglas Nelson, Sr. age 70, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2015, in a Dumas, Arkansas hospital. Mr. Nelson was born in Brewton and had been a resident of Jay prior to moving to Arkansas. He was of the Christian faith. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Isabel Nelson; and sister, Mary Agnes Nelson.
He is survived by two sons, Daniel (Becki) Nelson, Jr. of Flomaton and Mack (Karen) Nelson of Pinellas, FL; two daughters, Kathy Marie Nelson of Appleton, AL, and Faith Nelson of Nebraska; three brothers, Tommy (Katie) Nelson of Brewton, Anthony Dewitt (Yong Cha) Nelson of Pensacola, and Lawrence Earl (Shirley) Nelson of Brewton; two sisters, Ruby Jean Davis of Gonzalez, and Elizabeth Sue (Wayne) Horton of Jay; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Services to be announced.
Gerald Thomas Hagan
April 6, 2015
Mr. Gerald Thomas Hagan, age 68 of Century, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at his home.
Mr. Hagan was a native and lifetime member of the Century community where he worked for Exxon as a maintenance foreman. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in Vietnam. Mr. Hagan was of the Baptist faith and is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lewis and Ruth Inez Brigham Hagan and brother, Donald Hagan.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Susan J. Hagan of Century; son, Scotty Hagan of Century; brothers, Robert (Patricia) Hagan of Milton, Floyd (Linda) Hagan of Flomaton, Earl (Sue) Hagan of Century; sister, Judy (David) Webb of Molino; grandchildren, Delaney Hagan and Ian Hagan.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Harold Brown officiating.
Internment will be in McCurdy Cemetery in Century.
Pallbearers will be Josh Webb, Michael Hagan, Daniel Hagan, Greg Hagan, Glen Reid, Todd Burkett and Jeff Fischer.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Sims, Billy Campbell, Roy Chancery, Jerry Fischer, Sr., Floyd Calloway.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Nettie Ruth Goetsch
April 6, 2015
Mrs. Nettie Ruth Goetsch, age 75 of Flomaton, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2015, at her home.
Mrs. Goetsch had been a member of the Flomaton community since 1991 coming from Jacksonville, FL. During her working years she worked as a registered nurse in the healthcare field. Mrs. Goetsch was a veteran of the United States Navy and is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Henry Goetsch, Sr.
She is survived by her sons, Marvin H. Goetsch, Jr. of Kodiak, Alaska and Harold M. Goetsch of Flomaton; brother, William (Betty) Reaves of Flomaton; sisters, Bobbie (Thomas) Agee of Flomaton, Inez (Dewey) Carnley of Century, and Elsie Reaves of Century; grandchildren, Heather Goetsch and Dalton Goetsch.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 10, 2015, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 1 p.m. until a 2:30 p.m. service time with Pastor Scott Synder officiating.
Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery in Flomaton.
Pallbearers will be Burton Reaves, Stevie Reaves, Mike Carnley, Tim Fletcher, Mike Winn, Matt Reaves.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Edwin William Bell
April 6, 2015
Mr. Edwin William Bell, age 68, passed away Monday, April 6, 2015, at his Repton, AL residence.
Mr. Bell was a life long resident of Repton. He worked as a truck driver for Conecuh County and was member of Bethel Holiness Church.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mrs. Hazel Blair Bell of Repton; two sons, Rodney Bell of Range, AL, and William Bell of Repton; two daughters, Kimberly Joyce (Mark) Neal of Excel, AL, and Tammie Sue (Tommy) Anderson of Mexia, AL; two brothers, Edward Bell of Range, AL, and Alfred Bell of Flomaton; three sisters, Adaline Murphy of Fidelis, FL, Wanda Sue Bell and Donnie Faye Bradley all of Range, AL; six grandchildren, Toshia Pate, Ashley Neal, Taylor Anderson, Adam Neal, Ivan Bell, and Alexis Bell; one great-grandson, James Pate.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Rev. Frankie Bell officiating.
Interment will follow in Canaan Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
‘Graffiti Bridge’ Used To Spread Easter Message
April 5, 2015
“Graffiti Bridge” in Pensacola, as seen on Easter Morning. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Faithful Celebrate Resurrection At Easter Services
April 5, 2015
Easter morning sunrise services and special church services were held at many locations across the area Sunday morning.
One of the largest sunrise services in North Escambia was held in Molino as several churches came together for a community Easter morning sunrise service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, celebrating with music and a message.
Other sunrise services were held in Century, Atmore,Walnut Hill, Flomaton, Gonzalez and Cantonment. And thousands attended a Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Sonrise Service held at the Blue Wahoos Stadium downtown.
The sunrise services celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pictured top and below: A morning “Sonrise Service” at Pensacola’s Maritime Stadium Sunday. Courtesy photos from Marcus Pointe Baptist Church for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
