Raleigh Hayden Gafford
September 4, 2021
Raleigh Hayden Gafford, 69, of Cantonment, Florida, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 2, 2021. Raleigh graduated from Woodham High School, Pensacola, Florida, Class of 1970. Before retirement, Raleigh was employed as a Control Room Operator at Solutia Performance Material. Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing, hunting, snow skiing, and many trips with friends to the Gator Nationals. As a result of being raised in a Christian home, Raleigh trusted Jesus as his savior at a young age.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Ward Gafford, father, Robert Rand Gafford and brother-in-law, Jeff Bates. Mr. Gafford is survived by his sisters, Ramona Gafford Wright and Regena Gafford Bates; nephew, Jason (Angie) Wright; nieces Amber (Chad) Wright Faulk, Kelsey Ann Bates, Kaitlyn Joy Bates; and many great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
September 7, 2021 followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Billy Boles, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.
For the safety of all, the family appreciates the wearing of masks.
John Kenneth Mathis
September 4, 2021
Mr. John Kenneth Mathis, age 80, passed away, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 in Atmore, AL.
Mr. Mathis lived in the Century, FL. and Flomaton, AL until moving to Atmore, AL. in 2000. Mr. Mathis enjoyed studying the “Word”. He loved spreading the “Word of God” and working in his vegetable garden.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Noah (Ruby) Mathis, his wife of 43 years, Luverne G. Mathis, three brothers, Tom Mathis, Noah Mathis Jr; James O Pete Mathis, one sister, Ida Mae Welch.
Mr. Mathis is survived by his one daughter, Laura Perryman, of Pensacola, FL; dear friend, Linda Bryant, of Atmore, AL; sister-in-law, Chiquita Mathis, of Century, FL; three grandchildren, Terrence Wogan II, Christopher Wogan, Jonathan Wogan, six great- grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday, September 6, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Bro. Thurl Pearson and Sis. Carolyn Bankes officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 6, 2021 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Chris Bryant, Jonathan Wogan, and Tony James.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements
Grover Franklin Hall
September 4, 2021
Grover Franklin Hall, 78, died August 30, 2021, at his home in Bratt, FL. He was born March 1, 1942, in Bay Springs, FL, the son of Charlie and Amanda (Smith) Hall.
Grover attended Ernest Ward High School until he entered the United States Army. He served in the U.S. Army for 26 years during the Panama Conflict, Cuban Conflict, Korean War, and Vietnam. He retired from the Army as an E-8 in 1981. After retirement, he married his wife, Twila Lewis, and they eventually settled in Bratt, FL. They celebrated 39 years of marriage. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints serving many years as a leader and co-founder of Jay Branch.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by four of his children, Jason Wayne Hall of Las Vegas, NV, Sharon Annette Hall of Sylacauga, AL, Carol Ann Ragoopath of Pittsburgh, PA, Clay Allen Hall of Pittsburgh, PA; siblings Ernest Hall of Atmore, AL, Burt Hall of Pensacola, FL.
He is survived by his wife, Twila Hall of Bratt, FL; children John (Myra) Hall of Lucedale, MS, Christine Hall of Houston, TX, Roland (Jessica) Hall of Century, FL, and Eric Hall of Molino, FL; siblings, Annette (Joe) Bellew of Bay Springs, FL, B.C. (Mary) Hall of Milton, FL, Robert “Cotton” (Mary) Hall of McDavid, FL; 14 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.
Services for Grover Franklin Hall were held at Petty Funeral Home in Atmore on Sunday, September 5, 2021.
Interment will be at his home in Bratt, FL.
Dewey Ronald Ward
September 4, 2021
Dewey Ronald Ward ,82, was born in McDavid, FL on March 11, 1939 to Clara Leticia Brunson and Thomas Jackson Ward. He was a 1956 Graduate of Century High School and joined the United States Navy in 1956. He passed away July 19, 2021 at his home in Alpine, TN.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Grady, Marie, Troy and Billy Ward and Diane, Joe and Gene Rigby Dewey Ronald Ward (82) was born in McDavid, FL on March 11, 1939 to Clara Leticia Brunson and Thomas Jackson Ward. He was a 1956 Graduate of Century High School and joined the United States Navy in 1956. He passed away July 19, 2021 at his home in Alpine, TN.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Grady, Marie, Troy and Billy Ward and Diane, Joe and Gene Rigby. He is survived by his children Keith (Valerie) Ward, Donna (Bob) Warner and Nicholas (Becki) Ward, six grandchildren Brandon (Tonya) Warner, Nikole Ward, Cameron (Caitlin) Warner, Nicholas Jr (Breanna) Ward, Shannon (Ryan) Crowley and Laina Ward as well as four great-grandchildren Ethan Warner, Kaylee Smallwood, Chloe Warner and Harleen Ward.
A celebration of his life, with military honors, was held at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, McDavid, FL on September 4, 2021. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Flags of Honor which is an educational scholarship for military families.
Carol D. Daniel
September 4, 2021
Mrs. Carol D. Daniel, age 68, passed away, August 27, 2021 in Mineola, AL. She was born in Foley, AL; but has lived most of her life in Mineola, AL. She was a member of the Mineola Baptist Church.
Mrs. Daniel loved her grandchildren and her rose garden.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Aubrey (Annie) Resmonda. two brothers in laws, Otis Stoker, and Sherwood Porter.
She is survived by her loving husband of forty-four years, Aubrey Ray Daniel, of Uriah, AL; one son, Todd Aubrey (Shelly) Daniel, of Greer, SC; one daughter, Amber Nicole (Eric) Bradford, of Uriah, AL; two sisters, Minnie Porter, of Summerdale, AL; Margaret Stoker, of Summerdale, AL; five grandchildren, Hallie, Kilee, Ty, Chase, Anna, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Celebration of life was held Friday, September 3, 2021, at Petty -Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tony McMillian and Rev. Jesse Bohannon officiating.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Milton Darrell Sells
September 4, 2021
Mr. Milton Darrell Sells, age 63, passed away, Monday August 30, 2021 in Brewton, AL. He was a lifelong resident of McCullough, AL. He was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and active member, of the McCullough Fire Department for twenty-five plus years.
Mr. Sells was a loving grandfather, to the “Dirty Dozen”. He was an avid Alabama Football Fan, fisherman, and hunter.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Milton (Anna Lucile) Sells, two brothers, Melvin James Sells, Van Ike Sells, two nephews, Eric Leon Rolin, Ethan David Warden and other relatives.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Mary Sells, of McCullough, AL; two sons, John Milton (Candace) Sells, of McCullough, AL; David Allen (Lanie) Sells, of McKenzie, AL; two daughters, Mary Elaine (Daniel) of Poarch, AL; Viola Renee (Joshua) Brown of Poarch, AL; one brother, Billy (Betty) Sells, of Cantonment, FL; four sisters, Hattie Louise Knowles, of Poarch, AL; Vicky (Doug) Burns, of Atmore, AL; Pandora (Frank) Andrews of Atmore, AL; Tera (Frankie) Coon, of McCullough, AL; twelve grandchildren, Tyler Sells, Jayce Sells, Talan Daughtry, Jayla and Landon Brown, Seth and Trey Sheets, Trayce and Harley Sells, Peyton Rolin, Cason Sells, Shelby Sells, host of nieces, nephews, a host of hunting and fishing buddies, several lifetime friends, A.D. French, Wade Johnson both of Atmore, AL; Papa Earl Gunn, Paul Cody, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Bro. Chris Pruitt officiating.
Burial will follow at New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 12:00 PM until service time at 1:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Sells, Jayce Sells, Talan Daughtry, Seth Sheets, Trey Sheets, Trayce Sells.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jayla Brown, Landon Brown, Harley Sells, Peyton Rolin, Cason Sells, Shelby Sells. David Matthew Banks.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Louedna Plant Bass
September 4, 2021
Mrs. Louedna Plant Bass, age 67, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021, in Atmore. Ala. She was born in Atmore, Ala. and has resided in Bratt, Fla. her entire life.
Louedna was a wonderful mother and grandmother. “Granny’ as she was affectionally known was happiest when playing games and laughing with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed music, playing the piano and autoharp, gardening, crocheting, fishing on the Pensacola pier and her cats. Louedna valued education greatly, overseeing her boys schooling in their early years. She was so proud of Joe and Jeremy as they grew into the successful men they are today.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pellar and Beatrice Plant.
Louedna is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Donnie Bass; two sons, Joe (Tess) Bass of Shalimar, Fla. and Jeremy (Sarah) Bass of Spanish Fort, Ala; six grandchildren, Sam, Hunter, Hurley, Carver, Ansley and Riley; one sister, Lois (Leon) Chavers, Davisville, Fla; two brothers, Pete Plant, Bratt, Fla. and Mike (Wanda) Plant, Dunnellon, Fla; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sheldon Harigel, Dr. Shane Harigel and Brent Yoder, CRNP, along with the nurses and staff of the Atmore Community Hospital for their special care during her brief illness.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 1, 2021, Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC, with Pastor Josh Long officiating.
Burial was at the Godwin Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Sam Bass, Hunter Bass, Eric Plant, Steve Bennett, Ronnie Schneider and Greg Schneider.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.
Molino Tom Thumb Closed Due To Staffing Issues, Set To Reopen With Limited Weekend Hours
September 3, 2021
Customers were greeted with closure signs Thursday at the Molino Tom Thumb, and the store remained closed Friday. But company officials said the store is expected to reopen Saturday with limited weekend hours.
“It’s simply a staffing issue,” Sean Hennessey, a spokesperson for Tom Thumb, told NorthEscambia.com on Friday.
Hennessey said the store at Highway 29 and Highway 97 will reopen with revised hours of 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and will return to normal operating hours on Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Censures Doug Underhill For Threats Against County Attorney
September 3, 2021
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to formally censure Commissioner Doug Underhill for his alleged conduct and threats against County Attorney Alison Rogers.
The vote was 4-1, with Underhill against the action. A censure is an official statement of disapproval, condemning a person for misconduct.
The county attorney and the county administrator are the only two employees in the county that work directly for the commission as a whole.
“You are my employer and I have been very lucky for many years to have never felt the need to come to you with an employment problem or complaint. I have certainly had my share of very challenging conversations with my bosses, some of them more challenging than others, but I have never felt the need to come to you with a complaint,” Rogers said after distributing a written letter to the board.
“However, unfortunately, last week, I was threatened in a manner by Commissioner Underhill, which you as (my) employer need to be made aware of. On two occasions, I was threatened that he is going to ‘bash my reputation until the day I resign.’ And he has clearly exhibited the ability to do that and carry it out. The most heartbreaking thing about this is that he’s mad at me for doing my job. He’s mad at me for requesting an advisory opinion from the Commission on Ethics, which is part of my job. I’ve even gotten one for him before. We only made the trip to Tallahassee at the specific request of the executive director and assistant general council to the Commission on Ethics in part because the question was more complex than normal.
“I can assure you, I far would have preferred to have been here, getting my work done,” Rogers said, her voice audibly breaking with emotion.
“If it had been any of the rest of the four of you who had asked me to get an advisory opinion, I would have done the same including from Mr. Underhill. This is not the way an employer should treat their employee and I feel it is egregious I want it memorialized,” Rogers said, asking the commission not to take any specific action other than to place her letter into the minutes of the meeting.
Underhill strongly denied the claims made by Rogers.
“I will say that categorically the words quoted here did not ever escape my lips, nor did they do it twice,” Underhill said. “I did say that it is that the attorney’s conduct has brought shame on this board. And I did state that I think that by the time all of this is said and done, it will be very surprising if you do not escape consequences for those things. That is well within my duties and my responsibilities for the oversight of one of the two full time employees that we have as commissioners.”
“The verbiage is changed a little bit. When I said she states here knows that I have the votes to retain remain my position what I actually said was, you know, you obviously, you are very safe in your position because the displeasure that I have with the attorney for her actions is not something that is mutually agreed upon by this board.”
“Certainly Madam Attorney nothing that I said, was intended to be a threat. Nothing that I was intended to be anything other than my oversight of your job, which is my duty.” Underhill continued. “Certainly there was nothing about bashing a reputation and there was nothing about bashing your reputation. Until the day I resigned, obviously you and I are going to disagree about that. But you know, that is simply the facts as I know them today.”
“I just want to say as another one of Madam Counsel’s employers, the quotes attributed to the colleague are very concerning. I mean, it’s a very concerning…any of us would talk that way to any of our employees. So that’s concerning,” Commissioner Steven Barry said.
“Madam Attorney, not one of us individually has the right to treat you that way,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “If it was me, if it was any one of us in particular that said anything like that to you, I would simply say…you should have showed that individual the door. This board is your employer and not individual members of the board. If Doug said this to you, he’s way out of bounds by doing it.”
“Doug, I mean, are you saying you didn’t threaten to wreck her reputation until she resigned? Is that what you are saying here?”
“I’m absolutely saying that. Yes, commissioner,” Underhill replied.
Bergosh replied, “you’re saying she put this in writing and lied?”
“Yes, commissioner, that’s what I’m saying” Underhill replied.
“I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you,” Bergosh responded. “I believe her. ”
“You don’t have the right to say anything to her. This board is her boss, not you. You don’t have that right,” Bergosh said. “It’s so upsetting me along with a lot of other crap I’m seeing online from you, I think it’s about time this board took some action. You run us down constantly. Your help from the office runs us down constantly. You are a source of consternation on this board that is unnecessary. And I’m just about fed up with it.”
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Fish Fry, Bake Sale Saturday At Berrydale Fire Department
September 3, 2021
The Berrydale Fire Department in northern Santa Rosa County will hold a fish fry and bake sale Saturday.
Fish plates will be $8 each with mullet, coleslaw, baked beans, hush puppies, and unlimited sweet tea or water. Desserts will be available in individuals serving or to take home.
There will be live music from The Southern Rose Band.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The Berrydale Fire Department is at 13000 North Highway 87, near the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 87 east of Jay.