Elizabeth Yonker Wilson
January 5, 2021
Elizabeth Yonker Wilson, age 78, a native of Pensacola, Florida, and a resident of Molino, Florida, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2020, after a brief illness.
She was a faithful servant as a member of the First Pentecostal Church where she worshipped her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, she enjoyed being a door greeter to welcome fellow worshippers and visitors. She also loved participating in the Lady Bugs and attending ladies’ prayer groups. Elizabeth loved her role as Nannie to her three grandchildren who brought her great joy and happiness. She doted on them while instilling them with her Christian values, and it was with great joy she was anticipating the birth of her first great-grandchild in May.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest L. Yonker, and Mae Frances Hart, sisters, Frances Hart and Tamara Sublett and brothers, Ernie Yonker and Craig Yonker.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Bill Wilson, son, Ben Wilson (Lisa), one grandson, Gage, and two granddaughters Leigha (Daniel) Nielsen and Ellysia. She is survived by siblings Eddiemae (Bobby) Mason, Keith Yonker, Roger (Patsy) Hart, and Grady Hart and step-father, Roger E Hart.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 8, 2020, at 11 a.m., at the First Pentecostal Church, 6500 W Street, Pensacola, Florida.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Dewayne Williams
January 5, 2021
Dewayne was the first-born of the four children of Mavin and Brenda. He grew up mostly in and around the area of Pensacola, FL. He was an active
member of Dogwood Park Baptist Church. During his time in Dothan, AL, he was a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce, contributing in so
many ways to the community there.
Dewayne’s greatest loves were his Lord, who he served so well and faithfully, and his beautiful family. He adored his loving wife, Janice, and his
children and grandchildren. He was known for his great compassion for others. Not one single soul would want for comfort and love if Dewayne had
anything to do with it. Dewayne showed up for others whether they were going though a hard time or in order to celebrate them. You could always
depend on Dewayne, and you still can because he passed on these wonderful qualities to his own children.
Dewayne loved spending time with extended family, and especially delighted in playing with his grandchildren. He was known for singing Christmas carols all year long with that beautiful voice and loved playing games and selling tractors. He was an incredible asset to his employers throughout his life including his current employer, Smith Tractor Company in Atmore. Every stranger Dewayne met soon became a friend, including his customers. Dewayne’s great laugh could fill a room and did fill many hearts.
Dewayne, we will miss your presence here on earth. We are sure by now you have met most of the people in heaven who are now calling you their
friend.
Dewayne was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Willams, father, Mavin Williams, sister, Cindy Williams, father-in-law, Robert Cutler, and brother-in-law, Dennis.
Dewayne will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Janice; son, Eric; daughters, Kristen Kite (Brad) and Katelyn Williams; grandchildren, Annie
and Brayden Kite; mother, Brenda Williams Fowler (Roger); brothers, Troy Williams (Debbie) and Chad Williams (Beth); nieces, Brittany Turner (Josh), Autumn Williams, and Skyler Williams; mother-in-law, Virginia Cutler; sisters-in-law, Florence Cutler, Gail Hicks (Ken), Joni Boykin (Greg), Sherry Norton (Dennis); brothers-in-law, Bobby Cutler (Debbie), Eddie Cutler (Pam), and many, many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Stanley B. Quimby
January 5, 2021
Stanley B. Quimby, age 69, of Brewton, AL, passed away on January 3, 2021. He was born on November 21, 1951, in Donaldsonville, GA to the late Walter and Ruby Burke Quimby.
He was a retired Assistant Principal with Escambia County Middle School and a member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sandra Lovelace Quimby.
He is survived by his wife, Pam Hambrick Quimby of Brewton, AL; his children, Ben Quimby (Brett Floyd) of Atmore, AL, Jon (Heidi) Quimby of Alexandria, VA, David Quimby of Atmore, AL, Joey Quimby of Atmore, AL, Matthew Quimby (Ambre Kelly) of Mobile, AL and Kaitlyn Hambrick of Rome, GA; his sister, Peggy (Donald Ray) Weaver of Atmore, AL; his grandchildren, Jonathan and Brooke Quimby and several nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A private family graveside service will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at McCullough Cemetery with Rev. Jeff Edwards officiating.
Flowers will be accepted but donations can be made to The Gideon’s International.
For the safety of you and others, we strongly encouraged social distancing and a facial mask.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Ruth Harrell
January 5, 2021
Mrs. Ruth Harrell, age 81, of Flomaton, AL, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2020, at her home.
Mrs. Harrell was a native of Owassa, AL, and a lifelong member of the Flomaton community. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, Nana and nurse for 60 years. She had a servants heart and was community minded. Mrs. Harrell was a member of the Flomaton Lion’s Club, Escambia County Health Care Authority, Nursing Hall of Fame at the University of Alabama, and was on D.W. McMillan’s Hospital Board. She had been the Director of Alabama Public Health for Nursing in Montgomery, AL. Mrs. Harrell received numerous state, local, and national awards for her service to her community and caring for others. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Atmore, AL, and was preceded in death by her son, Marcus Jackson O’Gwynn.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Johnny Harrell of Flomaton, AL; brother, Bob Traweek of Houston, TX; sister, Joe (David) Nolin of Flomaton, AL; niece, JoLynn Gordon Godwin of Atmore, AL; nephew, Dave (Regina) Nolin of Flomaton, AL; great nephew, Nolin Godwin of Atmore, AL.
Services will be held by Mrs. Harrell’s family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Harrell’s memory to the Flomaton Lion’s Club for a nursing scholarship to be awarded to a Leo, Flomaton High School Senior, at Flomaton Lion’s Club P.O. Box 194 Flomaton, AL 36441.
Gregory Lee Wiggins
January 5, 2021
Gregory Lee Wiggins, age 63, of Atmore, AL passed away on January 1, 2021. He was born on March 4, 1957, in Atmore, AL to the late Oliver “A.C.” and Carolyn Steele Wiggins. He was a retired Chemical Engineer and a member of Mennonite Christian Fellowship.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nok Wiggins and his brother, Michael Wiggins.
He is survived by his daughter, Narisa Wiggins (Casey) Freeman of Atmore, AL and his sisters, Olivia (Franklin “Runt”) Bryan of Atmore, AL, Beth (Bob) Berry of TX, Peggy (Freddie) Hobbs of Atmore, AL, Jane (Holly) Bell of Atmore, AL and Sue (Jerry “Buck”) Sells of Poarch, AL.
No formal services will be held.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Gary Gordon Diamond
January 5, 2021
Gary Gordon Diamond, walked the stairway to heaven into the presence of our Lord, on December 26, 2020. He was born, March 27, 1964, to Joseph Thomas “Tommy” Diamond and Frances Fulford. He was married to Cynthia J Edmondson, his high school sweetheart, for 38 years and resided in Molino, Florida, where they both grew up.
He was preceded in death by his father, “Tommy”, his grandmother, Lucille Diamond Stewart and his grandfather, Gordon Diamond, Aunt Faye Macks, uncles, Curtis, Louie and Billy Ray Diamond.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy, daughters, Erica Robbins,(Will) and Katelyn Diamond; and son, Joseph(Joey) Diamond; nine grand-children, Joseph,(JT ) Caleb, AliMae, David, Iyianna, Addyson, Bentley, Kali and Kynlee; aunts, Carol and Kathryn Diamond, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gary and Cindy were childhood friends who fell in love and got married in 1982. Soon after, he completed his military obligation with the U.S. Army, he began his amazing life with her. Cindy was his world. He was loving, caring and had a giving heart. As his children and grandchildren came, one by one his world grew bigger!
Gary found his second love of his life, as a firefighter, with the Molino Fire Department and then with the Navarre Beach Fire Department, working his way up to becoming the Volunteer Fire Chief then Captain at Navarre Beach Fire Dept.
Fishing, spending time with family and friends, at home and at “the river”, working at the Fire Department were just a few of Gary’s passions. He was a “HERO” to many and will forever be remembered as the one who sacrificed all he had to protect his family. He was the epitome of what a family man should be, as well as a husband, father, grandfather, friend and servant. He was a servant of God’s in the many ways he gave to others and did for others. I know that when Gary met the Lord, it was with the words; “Welcome home My true and faithful servant. Your days are done and now you can rest in peace.
R.I.P. Gary Diamond and know you were loved beyond belief.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Olive Baptist Church at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at Highland Baptist Church.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Woman Crashes Into Wooded Area On Velor Road
January 4, 2021
One person was injured in a wreck near Oak Grove Monday afternoon.
An adult female driver lost control on Velor Road about 1.5 miles south of Highway 164 shortly after noon and crashed into a wooded area. The car plowed through a cedar tree and crashed into a pine tree. The car came to rest between three pine trees, make it difficult for the woman to exit the vehicle.
She was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Car Found Washed Away, Mostly Submerged In Big Escambia Creek (With Photo Gallery)
January 4, 2021
A car was found washed away and mostly submerged in Big Escambia Creek near Century Sunday. There was no one inside.
The car apparently entered the water from the creek bank directly adjacent to the Fannie Road bridge before it was moved by the current nearly two-tenths of a mile downstream from the bridge.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue reached the vehicle using a boat and searched for occupants with a negative result.
A man stating he was the owner of the vehicle later arrived on scene and told NorthEscambia.com and law enforcement that the car had been stolen from his yard overnight.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
A front end loader was used to expand an existing dirt path to allow a wrecker to reach a sandbar near the vehicle.
In addition to Century firefighters, Flomaton MedStar EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Flomaton Police Department and Flomaton Fire Department responded. The Fannie Road bridge over Big Escambia Creek is located just outside Century, about a mile south of the Alabama state line.
Pictured top: A car was found mostly submerged in Big Escambia Creek near Century Sunday. Pictured in order below: Firefighters in a boat use an axe to make access into the vehicle to check for a possible victim. The vehicle submerged in Big Escambia Creek. The spot next to the bridge were officials believe the vehicle entered the water. A view from the Fannie Road bridge looking toward the car in far distance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
500 Escambia County Seniors Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations In First Large Scale Event
January 4, 2021
The first members of the general population in Escambia County received the COVID-19 vaccine Sunday. Vaccinations were given to about 500 preselected underserved adults 65 and older at the Brownsville Community Center.
It was part of a pilot program from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to test the most efficient way to distribute the vaccine. The adults receiving the Modenra vaccine were chosen in advance by the FDOH, and they will return for a required second dose on Sunday, January 31.
Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore said Escambia County was chosen by the state to host a closed “point-of-distribution” known as a POD. That’s why residents were required to have a voucher to receive a vaccine Sunday. County leaders had six days to put their plan together and distribute the vouchers.
“It’s exciting that we were chosen to do this,” Gilmore said. “It’s a monumental task, but we were honored to be able to do this for the community and help the state of Florida out and show them if this is going to work.”
Florida residents age 65 and older are the first from the general public to receive the vaccine under and order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The health department in Escambia County has an online form for people age 65 and older to request an appointment to received the COVID-19 vaccine at a future time. For the appointment request form, click or tap here. Residents are asked not to call or walk into the health department for the COVID-19 vaccine. The form only asks for a name and phone number. The health department has not said when they will contact interested individuals 65 and older, or how an appointment can be requested without internet access.
Photos Rebekah Castor/WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 4, 2021
Ransom Middle School recently named their December Students of the Month. They are CeCe Campbell and Tristan Whitson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com. click to enlarge.