FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
March 28, 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) Widening, Escambia County – Intermittent and alternating lane closures, between State Road (S.R.) 291 (Davis Highway/Exit 13) and U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, March 28 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 90 at I-110 overpass- Intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Monday, March 28 and continuing through Friday, April 8 as crews perform bridge painting.
- U.S. 29, Escambia County – Intermittent and alternating lane closures within the town of Century and from Champion Drive north continue.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98, Santa Rosa County – Alternating lane closures, between Central Parkway and the Gulf Breeze Zoo, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday, March 28 through Thursday, March 31 as crews mill and pave crossovers and side streets.
- I-10 Widening, Santa Rosa County – Alternating lane closures on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, March 28 through Thursday, March 31 as crews place barrier wall. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange during this time as crews perform striping work.
- S.R. 87, Santa Rosa County – Temporary speed limit reduction from 55 mph to 45 mph from the Eglin Air Force Base boundary to Choctaw Field Road beginning Monday, March 28. The reduced speed limit is needed for roadway reconstruction efforts that will require shoulder closures along S.R. 87.
- Drivers will encounter nighttime traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Santa Rosa County through Friday, April 8 as crews perform striping and pavement marking operations.
- U.S. 90 just east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to S.R. 87 and west end of Blackwater Bridge to the east end of Blackwater Bridge.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) from U.S. 90 to north end of Clear Creek Bridge.
- S.R. 89 from U.S. 90 to S.R. 87.
- S.R. 89 from S.R. 87 to County Road 178.
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.
Pictured: Work on widening I-10 near Scenic Highway in Escambia County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Easter Sunset Photos: Amazing Beauty
March 28, 2016
Easter morning may have started out cloudy and wet, but the day ended across the North Escambia area with an amazing array of colors, cloud formations and even what looked like a tornado (you’ll see that one below).
These photos were all taken over about a 30 minute period in the Walnut Hill area, mostly along Kansas Road, Pine Forest Road and Highway 97.
For more amazing Easter sunset photos from North Escambia, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Marsha Johnson Cook
March 28, 2016
Marsha Johnson Cook was born on April 20, 1971, in Franklinton, LA. Marsha was known as the most beautiful baby ever born. She passed away March 27, 2016, surrounded by all her loved ones and her three loving children, River, Hunter and Brook.
Marsha was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Mami Johnson, Earl and Mattie Johnson; her step-father, Charles Miller; father-in-law, James Cook; nephew, Christopher Miller; and best friend, Brandi Moye, along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Survivors include her husband, Daryl Cook; her three loving children, River Cook, Hunter Cook and Brook Cook; her mother, Skippy (Johnson) Miller; her daddy and step-mama, Fred and Faye Johnson; brother, Jeff (Trisha) Johnson; sister, Tinia (Marc) Hennington; special niece, Rachel Pardue; special nephews, Josh and Bo Johnson; step-sisters, Tammy Cable, Jeannie Page, Ann Whitehead and Loretta Ditmire; step-brothers, Adam Daw, Calvin Miller and Gerald Miller; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Ken Johnson and Rev. Cliff Emmons officiating.
Burial will be at the Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 30, 2016, from 12:30 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Josh Johnson, Bo Johnson, Johnny Johnson, Jackie Johnson, Jacob Pardue and Hewtil Mumaw.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Lee, James Emmons, Terry Capps and Adam Daw.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Escambia County Road Prison K-9 Team Tops At Southern States Competition
March 28, 2016
The K-9 tracking team from the Escambia County Road Prison recently competed in the Southern States K-9 Man Tracking Field Trial and Certification. Out of 31 teams competing, ECRP K-9 Team won first place in Single Leash and third place in Multi Leash. Also, the K-9 team placed fourth out of 19 teams in the narcotics detection category. Pictured are (L-R) Robert Oliver, Chad Sims, Matt Marmont, and Jason Chaney. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Annie Mae Oswald Gimbel Bailey
March 28, 2016
Annie Mae “Sue” Oswald Gimbel Bailey, age 90, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday night, March 21, 2016, at Kershaw Health Hospital in Camden, SC. To most of her family and friends, she was known as Sue. She was a long-time member of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.
She was born on September 21, 1925, to C. Bonnie Oswald and Sallie Mae Bodiford Oswald in Frisco City, Alabama. When she was 12, the family moved to Pensacola. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young teenage girl. She completed her education at Tate High School and went to work at Biggs Sporting Goods in downtown Pensacola. Working at Biggs is where she was given the nickname, “Sue.” One of the ladies who worked there said, “You don’t look like an Annie Mae. You look like a Sue.” She attended First Baptist Church of Pensacola. There on the steps of the church one Sunday morning, she noticed a young Naval officer dressed up in his white Navy uniform. She later saw him at Biggs and helped him pick out some golf clubs. Before long, they were dating. She married that young Naval officer, Lt. Robert Henry Gimbel, on September 28, 1946. Life took them to the Panama Canal Zone; Philadelphia, PA; Patuxent River, MD; Anderson, SC; Jacksonville, FL; and Pensacola, FL. In 1967, after years of being away from Pensacola, Sue, Rob, and family settled back in Pensacola. However, on December 20, 1976, Sue became a widow when Rob passed away.
She was a loving mother and cared very deeply about her children. She always wanted what was best for them. As spouses to her children became a part of the family, she welcomed them as her own.
She relished her role as Grandma Sue to her six grandchildren. She always had time to rock them and sing “Love Lifted Me.” She spoiled them, and they loved it! As years passed, she became a Great Grandma, and she cherished the time she spent with her great-grandchildren. Birthdays and Christmas were always special times for her to be with her family, and she showed how much she loved them by making fried chicken and her specialty at Christmas—fruit cake.
She was the oldest of nine children. She loved each one of them and their families. She and her sister, Burnis, were inseparable growing up. She always looked out for her younger brothers and sisters, Earl, Frances, Geraldine, Bob, Roland, Helen and Linda. She had plenty of love to go around for each of them.
Later in life, she started attending her high school class luncheons. There she saw a former classmate who took an interest in her. She married Grover Jackson Bailey, Sr. on July 15, 2000. They enjoyed their life together doing some traveling and spending time in Baldwin County at their ranch house. After Grover’s death on June 9, 2014, Sue moved to Lugoff, SC, in May 2015, to live with her daughter, Gayle.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, CDR Robert Henry Gimbel; her second husband, Grover Jackson Bailey, Sr., her sister, Geraldine Fillingim; her brother, Bob Oswald; brothers-in-law, Anthony Fillingim, Norman Crawford, Edward Viita, and Julian Godwin.
Sue is survived by: her sons, Charles (Kathy) Gimbel, and Fred (CJ) Gimbel; and daughter, Gayle (Trey) Gilstrap; grandchildren, Julie (Derek) Paden, Tiffany Gimbel, Stacy (Phil) Vidal, Laurie (John) O’Brien, Tyler (Marissa) Gilstrap, and Justin (Lindsey Marshall) Gilstrap; great-grandchildren, Richie Paden and Luke Vidal; step-children, Grover (Pam) Bailey, Jr. and Brenda (Mike) Seymour; step-grandchildren, Michael (Samantha) Seymour, Christopher (Jaime) Seymour, Stephanie (Grey) Burge, Allison (Lang) Tarrant, Jaclyn (Richard) Hines, and Jackson Bailey; and numerous step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Burnis Godwin, Earl Oswald, Frances Crawford, Roland (Terry) Oswald, Helen (Don) Jordan, and Linda Viita.
The family of Mrs. Annie “Sue” Bailey would like to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Kershaw Health Hospital for their diligent care of our mother.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. for family on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South and from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. for friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at 10 a.m., with Dr. Jerry Passmore officiating, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South.
Burial will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, at 11:45 am.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Gilstrap, Justin Gilstrap, Derek Paden, John O’Brien, Phil Vidal, and Steve Godwin.
Louise Simmons Tyree
March 28, 2016
Louise Simmons Tyree, age 95, of Jay, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, March 24, 2016. She was a lifelong resident of Santa Rosa County and a member of Ebenezer Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed quilting and was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, and friend.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Tyree; mother, Bessie Simmons Shirley; sister, Peggy Goodson; an infant child; daughters, Gladys Ann and Ruth Tyree; and son, Billy Tyree.
She is survived by her children, Evelyn (Billy) Moore of Pensacola, Betty Hall of Andalusia, AL, and Bobby (Elaine) Tyree of Milton. She was very proud of her 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She had lived the last five years at Century Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 28, 2016, at Jay Funeral Home with Brother Gene Hudson and Brother LaDon Hall officiating.
Active pallbearers were Sammy Simmons, Doug Simmons, Cecil Simmons, Malcolm Reed, Eddie Simmons, Tim Diamond, and Jerry Carnley.
The family would like to thank Dr. David Smith and Jay Medical, Century Health and Rehabilitation, and Covenant Hospice for all their special care and dedication for our mother.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Willard Beasley
March 28, 2016
Willard Beasley, age 73, of Allentown, passed away on March 20, 2016. He was a barber at Design One Barbershop in Milton. He was a member of the Jay Masonic Lodge and enjoyed gardening and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Posey and Elendia Beasley and brother, Austin Beasley.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Beasley; children, Malcolm and Karl Beasley; grandchildren, Mary Katherine and Jackson Beasley, and Brittany and Tabitha Beasley; and great-grandchildren, Anderson, Trevan and Gavin.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Jay Funeral Home.
Burial was at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Amanda Golembiewski
March 28, 2016
Amanda Golembiewski, age 23, passed away on March 21, 2016, one-month shy of her 24th birthday. She was born on April 30, 1992 to Ronald and Cathy Golembiewski. Amanda’s smile could light up a room and could calm the anger. She is loved and missed by many people.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Golembiewski and her sister, Jessica Caler.
She is survived by her mother, Cathy Golembiewski; her beloved boyfriend, Steven Barney; grandmother, Betty Uphold; godmother, Carla Fordyce; seven sisters, Shonda Routley, Amy Poole, Kaytee Kelly, Donna Collins, Angela Poole, Heather Poole, and Crystal Poole; five brothers, Jason Thorne, Eric Thorne, Joe Powell, Dustin Powell, and Joshua Golembiewski; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at Jay Funeral Home on Sunday, April 17, 2016, at 2:00 pm.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Edward Greenberry Rowell
March 28, 2016
Edward Greenberry Rowell, 84, of Milton, left this earth on March 24, 2016, for his heavenly home. Edward was born February 14, 1932, in Jay. He was the ninth child born to Green B. Rowell and Linnie Herold Rowell.
He is survived by Gladys M. Golden Rowell, his wife of 62 years. They were married on October 6, 1953, in Dixonville, FL. To this union were added daughter, Teresa D. (Greg) Gardner and son Keith E. (Charlene) Rowell, both of Milton, FL.
Edward is known as “Papa” to his four grandchildren, DeAnna (Mitch) Lambeth, of Milton; Kimberly (Chris) Smith, of Milton; Kayla Dee (Nathan) Hamel, of Pace; and Jonathan Gardner, of Milton. “Papa” has five great-grandchildren, Faith, Grant, Malachi, and BrayLeigh Monroe Lambeth, and Kali-Ann Smith. Edward is also survived by his siblings, Jean Roberts and Hazel Bertrand both of Milton, FL.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Green B. Rowell and Linnie Herold Rowell; five sisters; and his two brothers.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at Golden Memorial Holiness Church in Dixonville with funeral services to follow.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jonathan Gardner, Mitch Lambeth, Nathan Hamel, and Chris Smith and nephews, Ricky Ellis and Dennis Rowell.
Edward “Papa” loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. He displayed unconditional love and unwavering faith to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
The family extends sincere thanks to all who have ministered to Edward and his family.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Josephine Watson Griffin
March 28, 2016
Mrs. Josephine “Jo” Watson Griffin, age 87, of Juniper Creek Drive in Brewton, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016, in a Century nursing facility after a brief illness. She was a native of Escambia County, Alabama, a former resident of Jay, before moving back to Escambia County, Alabama. Mrs. Griffin was a member of the Brewton First Baptist Church. She was a graduate of W.S. Neal High School, a graduate of Larkins Business School, and was a retired executive secretary from Container Corporation of America/Jefferson Smurfitt with 30 plus years of service. She enjoyed golf and was an avid Alabama football fan.
She is survived by her husband, BJ Griffin of Brewton; two sons, Butch (Dianne) Stokes of Loxely and Joe (Donna) McCurdy of Jay; one step-son, Chris (Robin) Griffin of Brewton; three step-daughters, Gwenda (Steve) Faulk of Brewton, Karen (Mark) Eastman of Austin, Texas and Sondra (Jimmy) Wacker of Mobile; one brother, Tom Watson of Florence, AL; one sister, Lillian Odom of Savannah, GA; one sister-in-law,Vaudin Watson of Brewton; three grandchildren, Heath Stokes, Laura Bird and Madison McCurdy; one great-granddaughter, Ava Grace Bird.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Obin and Kathleen Durden Watson; and brother, Bill Watson.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 28, 2016, at the Brewton First Baptist Church with Rev. Jack Fitts and Rev. John Finklea officiating.
Interment will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Jay.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church building fund.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is directing.