Norma Lillian Kast Grimes
August 27, 2019
Norma Lillian Kast Grimes was born Mar. 4, 1937 and joined Heaven’s Choir singing hymns of praise to her precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Mon., Aug. 26, 2019.
Norma was well known in the Barrineau Park Community as a charter member of Berean Bible Assembly and charter member of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. She and Alton, her husband, started A & N Blueberry Farm in the early 80’s and enjoyed the company of the many people who came to pick by inviting them to sit in their large gazebo with its many swings. She is remembered lovingly by many children she babysat over 25 years.
Norma is remembered by her children as a devout Christian mother who loved her family and people, in general, especially children.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Alton J. Grimes; mother and father, Clayton and Lottie Kast; granddaughter, Laura D. Myrick; and brothers, Tharrel Kast and Dalton Kast.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Joyce (Ronald) Crutchfield; son, Gary (Jessica) Grimes; daughter, Margaret (Shelby) Nall; grandkids, April (Adam) Glass, Eli (Sarah) Miller, Richard Grimes, Eva Grimes, and Linsey Myrick; great grandkids, Anthony, Kyleigh, and Natalie Glass and John Parker, Ellison, and Lillian Miller; brother, Phillip (Juanita) Kast; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10AM, on Fri., Aug. 30, 2019 at Victory Assembly of God with Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Pugh’s Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5PM to 7PM on Thurs., Aug. 29, 2019 at the church.
Thank you to all the nursing staff and everyone who lovingly cared for her at Arcadia Health and Rehab. and Covenant Hospice.
Pallbearers will be Gary Grimes, Eli Miller, John Parker Miller, Adam Glass, Anthony Glass, Ronald Crutchfield, and Henry Heibert.
Phillip Kast and Shelby Nall will serve as honorary bearers.
Michael Edward Faircloth
August 27, 2019
Michael Edward Faircloth, 59, of Molino, FL passed away on Monday, August 26, 2019. He was born in Pensacola, FL on September 11, 1959 to the late Edward Faircloth and Betty Thurman Faircloth.
Michael loved fishing and spending time at the beach.
Michael is survived by his wife of 34 years, Frances King Faircloth; daughters, Danna and Jaime; son, Michael; grandchildren, Kambrie, Jordan, Jr., Jamarlyn, Jada, and Hayden; brother, Steve (Kristie); sister, Rennee (Eddy); nieces, Bridget and Christa; and nephews, Nick, Johnny, and Bobby.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Sam Bankester officiating.
Visitation will be held at 12:30 p.m. prior to services. Burial to follow in Dry Springs Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
Arthur Lamar ‘Bunkin’ Powell
August 27, 2019
Arthur Lamar “BUNKIN” Powell
1924 – 2019
He was born Arthur Lamar Powell, in Sulpher, Louisiana on January 28, 1924 to George Arthur and Mary Sue Powell. He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, James, Roy and Earl (Babe). Arthur went to work at St. Regis Paper Mill where he worked for 37 years before retiring in 1985. It was there he got the nicknames Bunkin and Red.
Bunkin loved the most: His family, friends, peanut butter and syrup on Louise’s warm biscuits, yearly fishing trips to Demopolis, AL with family and friends, hunting, his garden and 5 gallon buckets. Bunkin was very possessive of his buckets. If one had an “A.P.” written on it, it better not be at your house! These buckets were like his life. Always full. Always busy. In them might be peas he planted, grew, picked, shelled, then gave away, trot lines like the one he worked on last week, or deer guts, paper bags (for just in case), fertilizer, tools… Each one had a purpose. Each one gave him joy. Each one filled with his love.
Oh, the things he’s seen, historical events he’s witnessed and the stories he could tell. Each and every family member and friend has their favorite or two.
A perfect example of Bunkin’s longevity is “The Stainless Steel Bolt” story. He was at the bolt shop and was buying stainless steel bolts. The neighbor next door happened in and asked, “Why are you buying expensive stainless steel bolts? You won’t be around long enough to even see a cheap metal one rust.” Bunkin looked at him and said, “Maybe you won’t but I WILL!” Yep, that sums Bunkin up perfectly. Steadfast! Just like that stainless steel bolt.
So after 95 years, 6 months and 23 days, Arthur Lamar Powell with the Lord in his heart, left us and this earth on August 23, 2019. He will be missed but not forgotten!
He is survived by: wife, Louise Powell, children: Lamar (Bonnie) of Autaugaville, AL, Randy (Shelia) and Rickey (Fay) of Molino, FL, grandchildren: Tela (Brad) Wegner, Amanda (David) Kicker of Millbrook , AL, Clay (April) Powell, Cody Powell, Megan (Charlie) Driver, Amber (Robb) Whitfield, Casey Powell of Molino, FL, great- grandchildren: Chloe Wegner, Kinzey Powell, Lily, Ruby and Samuel Driver, Ethan and Emma Kicker, Aria Whitfield.
Pallbearers: Brad Wegner, David Kicker, Robb Whitfield, Clay Powell, Casey Powell, Cody Powell
Faith Chapel North
Visitation: 12 – 2pm
Funeral Service 2pm
Burial following Crabtree Church Cemetery
Barbara Lindsey Stokes
August 27, 2019
Mrs. Barbara Lindsey Stokes, age 84, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2019 in Jay, Florida.
Mrs. Stokes was a native of Bay Minette, AL, former resident of Pensacola, FL until 1982 and had resided in Century, FL for the past 36 years. She was retired from Monsanto Corp. with 38 years of service, retiring as an Operations Leader. She was of the Methodist Faith. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Ruby Lindsey; husband, Otto Stokes, Jr. and two sons, Robert Earl Gafford and J.W. (Dubbs) Gafford.
She is survived by one son, Otto (Karen) Stokes, III of Pensacola, FL; two daughters, Barbara Ann Flowers of Pensacola, FL and Ruby Patricia Tolbert of Brewton, AL; fourteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at the Bay Minette Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 30, 2019 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Bank Drive-Thru Hit By Truck, Significantly Damaged
August 26, 2019
The drive-thru at a bank just off Nine Mile Road suffered significant structural damage when it was struck by a delivery truck late Monday morning.
The drive-thru clearance a the Beach Community Bank on Palafox Street was apparently too low for the truck. It appeared the driver attempted to drive around the end of the drive-thru when he struck the corner of the roof.
The collision caused obvious structural damage, with the entire drive-thru left leaning and damage to the roof.
There were no injuries, but the bank was evacuated after the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Wreck That Closed Eastbound Nine Mile Road
August 26, 2019
One person was injured in a crash that temporarily closed eastbound Nine Mile Road Monday morning.
An adult male was temporarily trapped in his pickup truck following the wreck on Nine Mile at Westside Drive near Pen Air credit union. Firefighters were able to extricate him quickly, and he was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The driver of a GMC Denali was not injured.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Update: Nine Mile Road Traffic Shift At Navy Federal Rescheduled For Tuesday Night
August 26, 2019
A traffic shift has been rescheduled for Tuesday night on the portion of Nine Mile Road near Navy Federal Credit Union. Rainy weather delayed plans to make the change Monday night.
East and westbound drivers on Nine Mile Road between Leisure Lakes RV Park and Eleven Mile Creek will be transitioned to the newly constructed eastbound roadway Tuesday night. The traffic shift will be in place while crews begin reconstruction on the eventual westbound travel lanes. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction.
All construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Stalking Of His Estranged Wife
August 26, 2019
A Cantonment man was charged with felony aggravated stalking for allegedly calling his estranged wife over 50 times, tailgating her to her mother’s house as a deputy watched and following her to a job interview.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the victim reporting that 43-year old Guy Maxwell Peters was continuously following her. A deputy arriving in the area observed Peters’ F150 tailgating the victim, some 1-3 inches away from her bumper. The deputy activated his blue lights, and both vehicles continued a short distance to the home of the victim’s mother in Cantonment.
The estranged wife told deputies Peters that she was living with her mother, and Peters had no right to be there. She said she was interviewing for a job on 9th Avenue, and Peters was waiting for her outside the building. When she returned for a second interview, Peters was once again outside waiting, an arrest report states.
Peters had become upset because she requested her half of the money after Peters sold a firearm, the victim said.
A statement Peters gave to deputies was redacted from his arrest report, with the exception of statement that he had given her $40 to “get back on her feet”, and he wanted his $40 back.
Peters was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond. A restraining order against him has since been issued.
More Rain Overnight Monday Into Tuesday
August 26, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Labor Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Thanking Those That Keep Your Power On For Lineworker Appreciation Day
August 26, 2019
Gulf Power lineworkers work all hours of the day and night and even through the weekend to help serve customers.
The company saluted its employees as Florida recognizes Lineworker Appreciation Day on Monday, Aug. 26. It’s an annual recognition that the Florida Legislature established in 2012.
Chris deGraaf is a service technician who works out of the Pensacola office. He’s among approximately 170 lineworkers across the company.
Service techs drive a small bucket truck and often work alone, responding to outage calls or setting up a new service for a customer.
deGraaf, who has been with Gulf Power for eight years, says he enjoys his job because there’s something different each day.
“I enjoy it. I’m a self-starter and you don’t stay in one spot for long,” he said. “You see all kinds of scenery and get to meet a lot of customers.”
A Pensacola native, deGraaf and his wife and young son moved out west in 2004. As an electrician, he led crews from 20 to 100 workers, while his wife worked in Arizona, taking water samples in the Colorado River.
They moved back in 2008 when the recession hit and he started working with Gulf Power.
“I wish I had started with Gulf Power when I was in my early 20s,” he said. “A lot of the older linemen teach you a lot of life lessons. I wish I had picked that up sooner to get more information.”
Like all lineworkers, deGraaf takes part in storm restoration. He worked in the Panama City area for two weeks last year following Hurricane Michael. And he’s been on storm restoration trips to south Florida following Hurricane Irma and to north Florida and Georgia after Hurricane Matthew.
He said one of the biggest misconceptions about lineworkers is often customers think they can also repair cable, phone, water and sewer lines.
“People always show gratitude to us,” he said. “And in turn, I’ve learned to appreciate everyone’s job, from the person who works at a fast food place that’s open 24 hours to law enforcement and firefighters. Everyone has a little part. I see everyone on equal footing and everyone contributes in their own way.”
deGraaf recently took part in a demonstration of different jobs at a local elementary school. He brought his Gulf Power truck. One dad was a Navy Seal, while another was a pilot with the Blue Angels flight demonstration team.
“The kids said I had the coolest presentation because I brought the Gulf Power truck,” he said. “It was hilarious, but it was kinda neat too.”