Northview High Names Veterans Of Foreign Wars Essay Contest Winners
October 27, 2019
Winners of Northview High School’s Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contest were first place Jesse Hughes, second place Tereasia Burt and third place Lakyn Bodiford. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Autry Lee Tucker
October 27, 2019
Mr. Autry Lee Tucker, age 86, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at his home in Atmore, Alabama.
Mr. Tucker was a native of Monroe County, AL and had resided in Atmore, AL for most of his life. Bro. Tucker was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the Atmore Apostolic Church, and a former groundskeeper with the tribe until his health forced him to retire. He played the drums at the Atmore Apostolic Church, was one of the hardest working men you will ever know and loved giving candy kisses to everyone he came in contact with. He is preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Ara and Taft Sagers.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lillie Bell Tucker of Atmore, AL; one son, Jereme Waylon (Thresa) Tucker of Atmore, AL; one daughter, Wanda Joyce (John) Byrne of Atmore, AL; eight grandchildren, Hope, Jereme, Paisley, Heather, Megan, Daphne, Tyler and Andrew; three great-grandchildren, Arianna, Mikey and Aubrey; one brother-in-law, Jerry (Thelma) Williamson of Uriah, AL; two sister-in-laws, Mary McGhee of Atmore, AL and Faye Thomas of Atmore, AL and special nephew, Robert Harold Rolin.
Funeral services were held Friday, October 25, 2019, at the Atmore Apostolic Church with Rev. Tim James officiating.
Burial was at the New Home Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Billy Rice, Jerry Williamson, Roger Miller, Ronnie Baggett, Scott Schubring, Juston Stabler, Tony Schubring, Steven Schubring and Reese McNair.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.
Robert Lee Gates, Jr.
October 27, 2019
Mr. Robert Lee Gates, Jr., age 74, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2019, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mr. Gates was a native of Robinsonville, AL, former resident of Atmore, AL and had resided in Walnut Hill, FL for the past 40 years. Captain Gates was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict where he was wounded and received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. He was a Tug Boat Captain for 50 years where he was accident free for the those 50 years and was a member and former deacon at the Antioch Freewill Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Alice Ruth Gates; parents; Robert Sr. and Vonnie Gates; three brothers, Charles Gates, Floyd Gates and Glennard “Buddy” Gates; baby sister, Ruth Augustine Gates; son, Martin Russell Lassiter and special friend, Wayne Burkette.
He is survived by his two daughters, Linda Lassiter-Hamilton of Panama City Beach, FL and Rebel Gates Howard of McDavid, FL; one brother, Bobby Ray Gates of Freemanville, AL; two sisters, Bonnie Williams of Atmore, AL and Wilerneese Cole of Atmore, AL; seven grandchildren, Russell, Tosha, Tabitha, Lauren, Hannah, Haden and Martina; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, October 26, 2019, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Minister Brad Sullivan officiating.
Burial was at the Antioch Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Salvador B. Perez, Johnny Robb, Richard Burkette, Mark Burkette, Joe Clay Howard and Floyd Geary Gates.
Honorary pallbearers will be Coach Burkette and Chadwick Cook.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Six ECSO Deputies Escort Daughter Of Late Officer In Tate High Homecoming Court
October 26, 2019
Payton Simmons didn’t have to worry about who would escort her Friday night during the homecoming court presentation at Tate High School.
The senior was escorted by six uniformed Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies, standing in proudly for her father. Payton’s dad, Lt. Ray Simmons of Oak Grove, passed away on November 24, 2007, at the age of 39.
He had been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years, and had served with the Pensacola Police Department and the Gulf Breeze Police Department.
For Friday night game photos and more from the homecoming court, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Century Baptist Celebrating 115 Years, Highland Baptist Marking 100 Years On Sunday
October 26, 2019
Two Baptist churches in North Escambia are celebrating a combined 215 years on Sunday.
The First Baptist Church of Century will celebrate 115 years at their homecoming on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will celebrate 100 years at their homecoming on Sunday at 10:45 a.m.
Histories of both churches are below (scroll down below photos).
First Baptist Church Century est. 1904
First Baptist Church Century was founded with 25 charter members in 1904 on land donated by the Alger Sullivan Lumber Company, which sold the church lumber at a discounted price for their first building. The church joined the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association in September, 1914.
In the beginning, services were held just twice per month on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. In 1947, under the leadership of Rev. B.A. Hawkins, the church went full time.
The First Baptist Church Century building on Church Street received minor damage when a devastating EF-3 tornado severely damaged much of the surrounding area.
Since 1905, the church has been led by 33 pastors, including currently by Pastor David Boyd.
Highland Baptist Church est. 1919
Highland Baptist Church was organized in 1919 after Miss Ruth Riddle, a local school teacher, began a Sunday School at Highland School on Molino Road, west of Highway 29. With a gift of $200 from the State Mission Board and the donation of some land by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Hastings, a building was erected in 1922 across the road from the school. The Molino Baptist Church, constituted in 1908 with twenty members, voted to join the fellowship of Highland. “Molino-Highland Day” was set aside as the two churches combined their congregations. The building materials from the Molino Church were used to enlarge the educational building.
In 1942, Highland, striving to be more centrally located in the community, purchased land with a gift of $75 from the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association. Under the leadership of Rev. E. E. Roberts, a lay pastor, the church began to grow; and on April 30, 1950, a new block building consisting of an auditorium and six classrooms was dedicated.
In 1953, the same year Rev. C. D. Fant became pastor, the church built a pastorium. This pastorium served as “home” for the next six pastors. After Bro. Tim Patrick was called as pastor of Highland, and living in the pastorium for a period of time, the church purchased and renovated a home on Firehouse Road that Bro. Tim and his family lived in. The pastorium was then turned into the church office, as it still is today.
On September 30, 1973, the two-story interim sanctuary and educational space was dedicated. So different from the past, of baptisms being held in rivers, swimming pools, creeks, or a baptistry in a sister church, for the first time, baptisms were held in the baptistry that was built in this interim sanctuary. The mortgage on this building was paid off several years early, with a note burning on April 25, 1982.
Started by Highland Baptist as a home bible study in 1983 under the leadership of Rev. J. W. Dubose, the Dogwood Park Mission was established. With ground breaking in 1985, during the time Bro. Rick Wolfe was pastor, and a sanctuary with classrooms being built, the mission was constituted as Dogwood Park Baptist Church in 1986.
The current sanctuary has a seating capacity of 500 and was dedicated on November 18, 1990.
For a more complete Highland Baptist Church History, including a list of pastors, click here.
Tate Aggies Fall To Chiles, Celebrate Senior Night And HOCO Part II (With Photo Gallery)
October 26, 2019
It was a night of many emotions Friday night for the Tate High School Aggies as they Tate High School Aggies celebrated Senior Night, Homecoming Part II, and worried about a player taken away by ambulance.
The Aggies fell to Tallahassee Chiles 45-7.
Tate’s lone score of the night came on a pass from senior Ethan George to junior Keishawn Qualls with a good extra point kick from Matthew Johnson.
The Homecoming Court, including Queen Tayler Mills, first runner-up Avery Young, and second runner-up Baylor Phillips, had a chance to walk across the field after the October 18 homecoming game was postponed by Tropical Storm Nestor. And one homecoming court member, Payton Simmons, was escorted by six Escambia County deputies [learn why by clicking here].
After taking a hard hit, Tate Aggie Jacori Simpkins was transported to the hospital for treatment. According to the Tate Quarterback Club early Saturday morning, Simpkins was in good spirits and was allowed visits from his teammates and coaches.
The Tate Aggies (1-8. 0-2) will wrap up their season next Friday night at West Florida (1-7, 1-2).
For more game abnd homecoming court photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Overturns When Driver Attempts To Dodge A Deer
October 26, 2019
A vehicle overturned Friday afternoon near the 4-H Center in Molino when the driver reportedly tried to dodge a deer.
The crash happened on South Highway 99 near Chalker Road about 4:15 p.m. There were no serious injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Partly Cloudy, 53 Tonight
October 26, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Calm wind.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Northview Beats Chipley 52-14
October 26, 2019
The Northview Chiefs cruised past the Chipley Tigers 52-14 Friday night in Chipley.
Jayden Jackson racked up four touchdowns for the Chiefs, while Ben Wilson added a couple of touchdowns.
The Northview Chiefs (6-2) will wrap up their regular season next Friday night at Jay (4-5). The Royals are coming off a 49-35 loss to Bozeman Friday night.
Prior to Friday night’s game, the Chiefs were ranked No. 3 in the District behind Baker and Vernon. Baker beat Port. St. Joe 27-21 Friday night, but Vernon lost to Blountstown 42-13. Updated rankings will be released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs following their 52-14 win at Chipley Friday night. Photo by Lexi Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 26, 2019
Here are Friday night’s high school football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 52, Chipley 14 [Details...]
- Chiles 45, Tate 7 [Details, photos...]
- Bozeman 49, Jay 35
- Escambia 50, Washington 7
- Arnold at Pine Forest 44. Arnold 0
- West Florida 19, Pensacola High 6
- Catholic 45, Choctaw 35
- Navarre 52, Crestview 14
- Mosley 32, Gulf Breeze 21
- Baker 27, Port St. Joe 21
- Blountstown 42, Vernon 13
- Pace 6, Milton 3 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Williamson 16, Escambia County 7
- Flomaton 20, T.R. Miller 12
- UMS-Wright 21, W.S. Neal 6
- Escambia Academy 41, Lowndes Academy 0 (Thursday)