First Baptist Of Bratt Honored For Operation Christmas Child Collections
June 27, 2016
Christmas is still several months away, but Christmas was on the mind of church members Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
The church has served for the past five years as a collection point for Operation Christmas Child, which provides simple, gift-filled shoe boxes that bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in countries across the globe.
Sunday, Bethany Daily, Northwest Florida area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, gave special recognition to Tim Hawsey and Michelle McKinley at the church. Over 2,300 boxes have been collected by the First Baptist Church of Bratt since 2010.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hellon Belle Pierce
June 27, 2016
Our hearts rest easy knowing they are together again with the Lord.
Hellon Pierce passed away early on the morning of June 24, 2016, to be with the Lord and Seldon, her husband of 65 years. She was a woman of tremendous grace, and leaves behind a void her family will find difficult to fill.
In a letter Seldon wrote to Hellon on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, he quoted the scripture, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” (Proverbs 31). Hellon, indeed, was an exemplary example of a Christian wife, mother, and friend. Seldon ends the letter by writing, “The past five decades have been wonderful having you as my best friend, my lover, and my steadfast companion. Let’s go for another decade and finish the game of life together…come with me. The best is yet to come.”
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Walnut Avenue Missionary Baptist Church beginning at 10 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Bill Adams officiating.
Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald Byrd
June 27, 2016
Gerald Byrd, age 55, died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at his family home with the love of his life beside him.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dollie Byrd of Cantonment; his children, George Sundberg of Oklahoma City, OK, Terry Stacey of Cantonment, Katherine Sundberg of Seminole, AL, and Kevin Byrd of Pensacola; as well as many other family members and a very special grandson, Devin Creamer.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Ard.
A memorial service is scheduled for friends and family on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 6 p.m. at The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill, 230 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment, with dinner to follow at 7 p.m.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gerald’s life. The family would like to thank everyone for the wonderful prayers and support you have provided them in their time of need.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family.
Loula Jane Cooper Hoffman
June 27, 2016
Jane, affectionately known as “Nana”, always had an exuberant smile for all she met and we are certain she was smiling brightly as she greeted her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a host of angels, and her family and friends as she entered Heaven’s Gate on Thursday, June 23, 2016.
Jane was born and raised in Water Valley, Mississippi. She was the second child of Virgil Malcolm “Tide” and Ila Cooper. Her parents, step-mother Susie Cooper, sisters Mary Smith and Jeanie Hinson, grandson Willie McCormick, son-in-law Walter Zittel, and her loving husband, James David Hoffman, preceded her into eternal life.
Jane married the love of her life, James David Hoffman, of Taylor, Mississippi, at the early age of 16. They were a happy couple and spent the first 20 years of their married life in the Navy; he as an enlisted Navy man and she as a Navy wife. Jane and Dave were a great couple and made friends easily wherever they moved. They were always involved with church life and serving God in every way possible. They were members of Ensley United Methodist Church in their early years living in Pensacola, and then as members of Gonzalez Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children, Lyn Hoffman Zittel of Pensacola; Jim (Mary) Hoffman of Virginia Beach, VA; Jeff (Robyn) Hoffman; Janet (Dennis) Foster; and K.C. (Susanne) Fehl, all of the Pensacola area. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bert (Felicia) Wynne, Emily and Savannah Price, Rebecca (Josh) MacDonald, Meagan and Matthew Hoffman, Jared and Trevor Hoffman, Kim Zurbay, Charles McCormick, and Kenny Paul (Melana) Fehl; and her two great-granddaughters, Abigail and Allison Wynne. She also leaves her brother, Rev. Virgil (Amy) Cooper of Birmingham, AL; sister-in-law Marilyn Hoffman of Oxford, MS; her aunts, Iva Brown and Edna Hargrove; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jane loved to be in her kitchen cooking, baking, and canning. She especially loved to cook fried chicken for her “boys” and chicken salad for her “girls.” Her special lemon pound cake was cherished by all and her “icy-sweet pickles” were a special treat and everyone considered themselves “lucky” if she gave them a jar to take home! As part of Jane’s Christian giving, she prepared meals for many years for the church members at the Chapel on the Hill in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and at Gonzalez Baptist Church. Seeing people enjoy her delicious food gave her great pleasure.
After Nana retired from J.C. Penney, she kept many children in her “at-home” day-care for a number of years. Those children are now grown, many with children of their own, and they have a special place in their hearts for the loving and generous woman who treated them like her own children.
A special thank you is extended to Jane’s long-time friend, Mrs. Laurel Ellis who spent countless hours visiting with and transporting our Nana to dialysis three days a week for the past several years. Our boundless gratitude is expressed to this selfless lady who gave Jane her time, energy, joy and friendship.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 28, 2016, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
“Her children arise and call her blessed … many women do noble things but you surpass them all … a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31: 28-31.
Ken “Rabbit” Simpson
June 27, 2016
Ken “Rabbit” Simpson, age 77 from Milton, passed away June 24th after a short battle with melanoma cancer.
He retired from Monsanto after 34 years of exemplary service as a maintenance mechanic. His passion was drag racing. As an avid driver of the sport, he was recognized and awarded numerous accolades in various races as one of the elite professionals in the sport. He was a three time world record holder with the International Hot Rod Association(IHRA). Local friends remember his car, the “Lil General”, and the crazy fun that Daddy Rabbit sparked wherever he would go. Recently, Rabbit enjoyed spending time eating out with friends and gambling at his favorite casinos.
Rabbit is survived by his two daughters Tammy (Don) Hierholzer and Jill (Kerry) Coker along with grandchildren. He will be missed by many friends, especially Dickie Davis and Donald Jo who comforted him during his final days.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28 at Faith Chapel North, Hwy 29, Cantonment. Visitation will start at 11 a.m. with service at noon. The burial will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens next to Five Flags Speedway, so that Rabbit can be close to where his passion lies.
Etta Pearl Standifer
June 27, 2016
Etta Pearl Standifer, age 76, went to be with the Lord on June 11, 2016, in Milton. She was born in Crestview, on January 3, 1940. Etta was the beloved daughter of Mary Etta and Charlie Oglesbee of Jay.
Etta leaves behind her beloved daughters, Peggy Madden and Tammy Peacock; and her beloved sons, William and Bobby; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and her beloved husband of 61 years, Carl Standifer.
Etta was a homemaker who loved Jesus Christ and her family. She loved working in the yard with her flowers and many flower beds.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Berrydale Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Gandy officiating.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Two Molino Residents Injured In Cantonment Crash
June 26, 2016
Two people were injured, one seriously, in a single vehicle accident in Cantonment Saturday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 70-year old John Wall of Molino was southbound on River Annex Road approaching Muscogee Road when he lost control of his 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, left the roadway and struck a tree.
Wall received minor injuries, while his passenger, 53-year old Laura Montoya of Molino, was seriously injured. Both were transported to Baptist Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The crash was not alcohol related, and both victims were wearing their seat belts, troopers said.
Any charges against Wall are pending, according to the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Scooter Driver Critical After Beulah Crash
June 26, 2016
The driver of a scooter was critically injured in a wreck Saturday afternoon in Beulah.
Tommy Mitchell, 50, was westbound on Nine Mile Road near Beulah Road in a 2014 Chevrolet Pickup when he turned into the path of a Yamaha Scooter driver by 51-year old Brian J. Moulyet of Pensacola, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Moulyet was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Mitchell was not injured.
Mitchell was cited for an improper left turn by the FHP.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
June 26, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements – The following traffic impacts will occur Sunday, June 26 through Thursday, June 30 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to perform bridge widening work:
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 (exits 10A and 10B).
- The U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured south to make a U-turn at Diamond Dairy Road.
- The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street.
- Drivers are reminded that the speed limit on I-10 near U.S. 29 has been lowered to 50 mph.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), Sunday, June 26 through Thursday, June 30 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews continue widening work. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange for bridge work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit has been lowered to 60 mph. Be alert for construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway.
- State Road 87 – Construction crews are building the new northbound bridge across the Yellow River in Milton. Although the river will remain open during construction, boaters and kayakers are encouraged to use extra caution when approaching the bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Vehicle Fire Threatens Mobile Home
June 26, 2016
Firefighters were able to keep a vehicle fire from spreading to a nearby mobile home Saturday near Molino.
The fire was reported to be fully involved and threatening a nearby structure on Casey Lane of Highway 95A. The blaze was quickly brought under control by responding firefighters.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
