Willis Matthew Ray
July 9, 2019
Mr. Willis Matthew Ray, age 89, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Century, Florida.
Mr. Ray was a native of Sontag, MS, former resident of Mobile, AL and had resided in Canoe, AL for the past 64 years. He retired from Monsanto Corp with 39 years of service, was a veteran of the Korean War Conflict with the U.S. Army and a member of the Canoe Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Jessie Lee Ray; brothers, Arthur Lee Ray, Johnnie Frank Ray, Marvin Kenneth Ray, Milton Ray and Sam Leonard Ray; and sister, Lettie Jane Childress.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Voncile M. Ray of Canoe, AL; two daughters, Carolyn (Mike) Helms of Robinsonville, AL and Beverly (Don) Ellis of Atmore, AL; one sister, Mary Conway of Atmore, AL; six grandchildren, Matt (Gayle) Helms, Joey Helms, Tammy Lollar, Kavin Dykes, Bradley (Emily) Dykes and Jennifer Dykes; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Kavin Dykes and Carolyn Helms officiating.
Burial will follow at the Canoe Free Will Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2019, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Matt Helms, Joey Helms, Sebastian Helms, Wayne Mayo, James Conway and Tammy Lollar.
Honorary pallbearers will be Leroy Harrison, Gary Bailey, Keith Bailey and Doug Bailey.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Franklin Carnley, Sr.
July 9, 2019
Mr. Franklin “Frank” Carnley, Sr., age 76, passed away on Friday, July 6, 2019, in Milton, Florida.
Mr. Carnley was a native of Perdido, AL and had resided in Bratt, FL for the past 52 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, man of integrity, fish bait man and woodworker. He attended the Renovation Ministries in Huxford, AL. He is preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Krystal Carnley; and parents, Fred and Annie Lee Carnley.
He is survived by his wife of 51 ½ years, Cathy Carnley of Bratt, FL; two sons, Eddie (Pam) Carnley of Perdido, AL and Allen (Kim) Carnley of Nokomis, FL; one daughter, Kathryn Carnley (Steve) Huggins of Bay Minette, AL; one brother, Rev. Ron (Bonnie) Carnley of Pace, FL; six sisters, Evon (Henry) Crocker of Lucedale, MS, Ethree (Jimmy) Taylor of Pensacola, FL, Rachel Stewart of Dickerson, TX, Ruth Futrel of Pensacola, FL, Mildred Carnley of Chumuckla, FL and Kay (Bill) Ham of Pace, FL; eight grandchildren, Nathaniel Carnley, Montana Carnley, Branson Carnley, Chris Carnley, Shonnon Huggins (Jon) Taylor, Aaron Huggins, Skyler Wallace (Zach) Berwick and Brandon Wallace; and three great-grandchildren, Jonathan Taylor, Samuel Taylor and Ana Grayce Taylor.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Allen Carnley and Pastor Eddie Carnley officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Nathaniel Carnley, Chris Carnley, Aaron Huggins, Eddie Daw, Andy Sapp and Brandon Wallace.
Honorary pallbearers will be Branson Carnley, Marcus Stewart and Leslie Barnes.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Harvey James Rolin
July 9, 2019
Mr. Harvey James Rolin, age 69, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2019, at his home in Poarch, AL.
Mr. Rolin was a native of Dallas, TX and had resided in Poarch, AL for most of his life. He was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the Poarch Community Church. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Eugene and Bessie Rolin; brother, Donnie Rolin; and one great-granddaughter.
He is survived by his two sons, James Wilson (Melinda Rolin) of Poarch, AL and Josh (Lindsey) Hammac of Poarch, AL; two daughters, Keisha (Joey) Lambert of Shreveport, LA and Tonya Whatley of Bay Minette, AL; nine brothers, Ernest (Tina) Rolin, Roy Rolin, Walter (Anita) Rolin, Kenneth “Radio” Rolin, Anthony (Jennifer) Rolin, Deno (Necole) Rolin, Johnny (Ashley) Rolin, Shawn (Stephanie) Rolin and Aubrey “Tinker” (Tasha) Rolin all of Poarch, AL; three sisters, Peggy Couch, Virginia Bell Godwin and Tonya (Wesley Rayborn) Jordan all of Poarch, AL; special sister (sister-in-law), Dianna Rolin of Poarch, AL; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the McCullough Christian Center with Bro. Cornelius Phillips and Bro. Walter Rolin officiating.
Burial will follow at the Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be James Wilson, Dakota Lambert, Bryan Couch, Shawn Rolin, Shane Gibson and Anthony “Buzzy” Jordan.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Andrews, Ronnie McGhee, Gino Wiggins, Tony Gibson, J.T. Holland, Julius Sells and Jerry Sells.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Robert Franklin Johns
July 9, 2019
Robert Franklin Johns, known respectfully and lovingly as “Chief CedarBear” of the Perdido Bay Tribe of Southeastern Lower Muscogee Creek Indians, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, following medical complications that arose during his treatment for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on June 2.
Interment, following escort by the Patriot Guard Riders to Barrancas National Cemetery, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2019. Then, on Saturday, August 31, 2019, the Perdido Bay Tribe in conjunction with the Native Paths Cultural Heritage Museum, will host a Memorial Celebration of Life Event. More details regarding the exact location and time of this event can be found at www.facebook.com/perdidobaytribe in the days to come.
Robert was born May 10, 1960, in Macon, Georgia, attended high school in Warner Robins, Georgia, and entered the Navy in a delayed entry program so that shortly after leaving high school, he began a one tour enlistment with the United States Navy. Following training, he served on the U.S.S. Constellation Aircraft Carrier (known as “Connie” to its crew), which was based in San Diego, California. His final mission aboard Connie began in February, 1980, as the ship moved westward following in November, 1979, takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Connie arrived at Gonzo Station on May 1, 1980, to relieve the Coral Sea, with Connie and her crew’s “at sea period” for this mission lasting a record setting period of time that resulted in the Connie crew members being awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal for their service.
Following his Navy service, Robert worked in a fairly wide variety of businesses, most of which were retail operations of one sort or the other, working everything from sales to inventorying to management training, but he finally went to work with Excel Logistics where he stayed for about 17 years. During his time with Excel, he worked in a variety of positions at several different locations in the western metro-Atlanta area and also spent a year in New Mexico as a member of the team sent to help open a new facility for the company in Albuquerque. During his time in New Mexico, being surrounded by Native American culture, Robert became more interested in his Native American Heritage, an interest that grew to become an integral part of the remainder of his life. Robert left Excel Logistics in 2008 and moved to Florida to work with his father and the Perdido Bay Tribe at Native Paths Cultural Heritage Museum, where he continued until the time of his motorcycle accident and subsequent death.
He was preceded in death by his father, who was founder and predecessor Chief of the Perdido Bay Tribe, Bobby Thomas “Chief Bearheart” Johns, and his step-father, Claude “Fred” Fraser.
He is survived by his mother, Matilda “Ann” Berry Fraser, and his step-mother, Marian Johns-Holcombe (Mike); his wife, Lynn Bundrick Johns and his children, Krystal Lace Johns Eisemann (Patrick), Kara Lauren Johns Nunnally (Jamie) and Jesse Robert Johns; his grandchildren, Lorelei Michelle Eisenmann, Cordelia Lace Eisenmann, Rhett Lee Nunnally and Jacie Lynn Nunnally; his brother, Christopher Berry Johns (Linda); his sisters, Cynthia Johns O’Herron (Billy) and Karen Johns Turner (Ben); his sister’s children, Kimberly Paulsen Phelps (Michael), Julia Bonnie Ann Turner and Logan John Turner; a great nephew, Anthony Michael Phelps, and many other extended family members; his life-long friend, Harold McMullen, the friend who was by his side through his final illness, John Hailer, and his pastor, Henry Lewis of Community Baptist Church in Pensacola.
Our deepest appreciation goes out to the entire staff and medical team of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SINU) at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola for providing such amazing, respectful and loving care to this man who spent 22 ½ days with them. There was never a doubt that this group of amazing people were pulling for the “Chief” (as so many of them chose to call him).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chief Cedarbear’s honor to the Perdido Bay Tribe via the GoFundMe page referenced on their facebook at www.facebook.com/perdidobaytribe or by mail to PBT, 3300 Beloved Path, Pensacola, FL 32507.
Man Airlifted After Suffering Burn Injuries At International Paper In Cantonment
July 8, 2019
A man was airlifted to the hospital after being burned at International Paper in Cantonment Monday afternoon.
The man was transported to the hospital with serious burn injuries by LifeFlight helicopter following the incident about 3 p.m., according to Hana Frenette, Escambia County spokesperson.
“We are actively working a situation with authorities and unable to provide specific details at this time. As soon as we are able to release information, we will do so in a timely manner,” IP Communications Manager Whitney Fike said.
Further details about exactly what happened have not been released by IP officials.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Nine Mile Road Crash
July 8, 2019
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Nine Mile Road.
The crash happened about 2 p.m. at the Jernigan Road intersection. One vehicle came to rest against a large high voltage utility pole.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Ferry Pass Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Spokesperson Resigning
July 8, 2019
Another high profile Escambia County employee is resigning.
Escambia County Community and Media Relations Division Manager Joy Tsubooka has submitted her resignation effective in 90 days.
The county says she will not be handling media contacts, but will be working on “special projects” during the 90 day period. Hana Frenette assumed responsibility for working with the media as the county’s spokesperson effective immediately.
New Details Released In Cantonment Stabbing
July 8, 2019
A man was found stabbed late Saturday night in Cantonment, and his girlfriend has been charged with his death.
Ja’Quoia XiaXiana Collins, 24, stabbed her boyfriend in the chest outside the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in the 800 block of North Highway 29 shortly before midnight, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. She is charged with first degree homicide.
Deputies responded to apartments at 11:39 p.m. where her found victim Quartez McShane unresponsive in the roadway near the driver’s side door of a blue Mitsubishi Gallant. He had been stabbed in the chest. McShane was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 12:22 a.m.
Investigators found Collins had made a post to her Facebook account at 11:19 p.m. that stated, “Ladies, NEVERRRR let a Boy put his hands on You cs a Real MAN ain’t Going for it.” That post was later deleted.
Four hours prior to that, she also made a post that stated, “(Vulgarity) Only think you Good for Sex, like (vulgarity) did you Know I knew how to Draw.” And only July 3, she posted “That Would Be My First & LAST Time Entering Escambia County Jail Cs I’m Going DOWN w that fresh Murder charge” when reposting a friend’s comment about speaking bad about someone’s kids.
Deputies obtained video surveillance from the apartment complex that shows McShane’s vehicle arrive. After a period of time, Collins is seen running from McShane’s vehicle toward her residence. At no time does the video show Collins move from her residence to the vehicle, prompting investigators to conclude that she was at McShane’s vehicle at the time of the stabbing.
Collins is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
ECSO: Cantonment Man Hit Neighbor With Shovel In Fence Dispute
July 8, 2019
An dispute between Cantonment neighbors over a fence landed one of them in jail on a felony charge.
Starford Lee Jones, 75, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly striking his neighbor with a shovel.
The victim told deputies that he was preparing to work on the fence when Jones ran toward him with a shovel in his hand yelling “get away from the fence”. Jones then hit the fence with the shovel before hitting the victim in his upper arm and lower leg, according to arrest report. Deputies documented a small scratch on the victim’s lower leg.
A witness provided deputies with a cell phone video of the incident. Deputies were able to see Jones swing the shovel toward the victim and hit the fence, but they were unable to tell what happened in the physical altercation due to the cell phone video shaking.
Jones stated he saw the victim at the fence, ran toward him with the shovel and hit the fence with the shovel to scare him away, the report states. Jones said the victim hit him and knocked him to the ground.
Jones was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
No Injuries In Mobile Home Kitchen Fire In Century
July 8, 2019
Firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire in a Century mobile home Sunday evening.
The fire was reported minutes before 7 p.m. in 9500 block of Ivey Street. The cause of the fire was a pot on the stove, and any damage was confined mostly to the kitchen.
There were no injuries reported.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Jay Fire Department, Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the incident.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
