Frances Eloise Bailey
January 24, 2023
On January 18, 2023, Jesus embraced Frances Eloise Bailey and welcomed her into heaven. A great reunion began soon thereafter with her husband, Ralston Bailey, who had been helping find their new mansion in heaven. The reunion enlarged when Mercer Clustus and Essie Lou Wasden Vaughn, her mamma and daddy, her sisters Edwina Vaughn Waren and Ouida Vaughn, her brother, Ray Vaughn, and a nephew, Alan Waren, joined in the festivities of that glorious party in heaven. Born near her home in Walnut Hill, Florida, Jabbo, as many called her, graduated from Ernest Ward High School and soon fell in love and married her Navy Ensign flight student, a marriage that lasted 71 years before her love’s death in 2018.
Survived by son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Judy Bailey; grandchildren: Heather Bailey, Jennifer (Damien) French, Shannon (Bryan) Gott, Stephanie (Scott) Richards; great-grandchildren Bailey (Abhinav) Desai, Jamey Vaughn, Noah, Amelia and Simon French, Mason and Lila Nicholson, and Bankston Gott; neices and nephews: Greg (Cyndi) Vaughn, Susan Scarborough, Del (Jean) Butler, Ric (Alice) Butler, and Becky Stapletonp and a sister, Ruby Butler.
Mother (Frances, Granny) enjoyed the Navy officer’s wife social life and it carried on in later life as she welcomed so many people into whatever organization or neighborhood of which she was a part. Avid game (card and domino) player, national level square dancer, bowler, and RVer, she and Raleigh traveled to many locations before and after retirement, often with other RVer friends who shared their hobbies.
During her carrier days, after Raleigh retired from the Navy, mother was a management level accountant, at the then young, Holiday Inn Corporation in Memphis, and Budget Analyst for the Generals and Admirals associated with the building of the B-1 Bomber. In her ‘spare time’ she was also a Cub Scout den mother and a bowling instructor at a local bowling alley in between bridge clubs and other activities.
She loved life! She loved family! She loved moving and that was a good thing because we lived in or drove through all 48 contiguous states in the US. If it wasn’t from house to house as we transferred from city to city as a Navy family, it was moving furniture after her son went out on weekends during high school and college so he could not possibly reenter the house silently late at night as he came home from wherever he had been. I think she laughed each time I tripped over something and believe she is laughing about that still. Frances and Bob loved kidding with each other!
Family would like to thank staff of both Wesley Haven Villas and The Haven of Our Lady of Peace for incredible care and compassion.
Service will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32505 on Friday, January 27th. Visitation 10am, Service 11 am, and burial at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1 pm. If you desire to make memorial gifts, please make them to Lillian United Methodist Church, 12770 Perdido Street, Lillian, Al 36549 or to your favorite charity.
Amanda Grace Parker
January 24, 2023
Amanda Grace Parker, age 50, of Cantonment, Florida passed away Monday, January 23, 2023. She was born in Pensacola, Florida to Robert and Eileen Robinson. She was married to James Parker for 17 years. She was a stay-at-home wife and loved her fur baby, spending time with family and watching ghost hunters. She had a passion for helping others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Eileen Robinson; sister, Candace Robinson; dog, Marley Parker. She is survived by her husband, James Parker; daughters, Brooklyn Sorrells and Donielle DeVries; sons, Dominick and Michael Hughes; grandchildren, Jaiden, Jordan, Autumn, and Waverly and Sage. Brothers and sister, Sandi, Andy, and Randy; Mother-in-law, Pat Hepler; father-in-law, Charles Parker; aunt, Sue Byrne; sister-cousin, Leigh Dionisio.
Funeral service be Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 3:00pm at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Visitation will be prior to service from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Burial will be at Spruell Cemetery in Cantonment, Florida.
Charlotte Presley McGhee
January 24, 2023
Mrs. Charlotte Presley McGhee, 67 years of age, passed away, Saturday, January 21, 2023, in Pensacola, FL; with her family at her bedside. She was born November 5, 1955, in Atmore, AL; and has resided the last 22 years in Penscola, FL. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Mrs. McGhee enjoyed spending time with her family and taking care of her grandchildren. She loved going shopping, especially to thrift stores and yard sales. She was an avid New Orleans Saints Fan and she also enjoyed going to the beach. She loved her church family and served as a Greeter for 15 years.
She is preceded in death by her parents, David Franklin Presley and Margaret English Peavy, and one special niece, Brandy Morris.
She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Jack Allen McGhee, of Pensacola, FL; two daughters, Venus (James) Prince, of Pensacola, FL; Taris (Chris) Wickizer, of Pensacola, FL; three sisters, Shelia (Jerry) Johnson, of Nokomis, AL; Sherry Lovell, of Atmore, AL; Jackie (Rodney) Stewart, of Perdido, AL; four grandchildren, Alexus(Wilmer) Nunez, Layne Wickizer, Aya Prince, Amara Prince, two great-grandchildren, Halle Nunez, Daniela Nunez, two nieces, Shelli Doremus, Geri (Olan) Albritton, and children.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Jim Locke officiating.
Burial will follow at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 27, 2023, from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Odell McGhee, Marion McGhee, Robert McGhee, Daniel McGhee, Robert English, and Phillip Presley.
Perdido May Join Pensacola And Century As Escambia County’s Municipalities
January 24, 2023
Right now there are just two municipalities in Escambia County — the city of Pensacola and the town of Century.
But that could change in the not so distant future with the addition of the city of Perdido.
Those hoping to officially incorporate Perdido as a city held a public information meeting Monday night.
Proponents say Perdido generates an estimated $60 million a year in revenue for Escambia County, holds 16% of the county’s taxable real estate value and produces 20% of the tourist development tax.
Over the coming months, Perdido’s citizens will work together to propose boundaries and guide the creation of a feasibility study, a five-year projected budget, and a proposed city charter. The results will be submitted to the local legislative delegation to be considered as a local bill by the Florida House and Senate. If it passes the legislature, citizens in the proposed city of Perdido will vote on incorporation in 2024.
The proposed Perdido municipality has about 19,400 residents. As proposed, it would include Perdido Key and the inland area to the north.
Glenda Penton Campbell
January 24, 2023
Glenda Penton Campbell, 71, of Jay went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 22, 2023 after a brief illness.
She was born May 31, 1951, in Century, Florida to Joe Ivey and Marlene Salter. Glenda was a lifelong resident of Jay and a member of Berrydale Baptist Church. She graduated from Jay High School, Class of 1969, and Pensacola Junior College. She was a devoted nurse and caregiver.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Campbell; parents, Joe Ivey and Marlene Salter; infant brother, Stanley Salter; maternal grandparents, George and Leona Ivey; and paternal grandparents, Cuyler and Emma Salter.
Glenda is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Bradley (Paul) of Jay, Florida; grandsons, Dalton and Dylan Bradley, of Jay, Florida; sister, Joan Salter Shell, of Pensacola; nephews, Jason Shell and Logan Shell, of Pensacola, Florida; great- nephew, Jordan Shell (Heather), of Dawsonville, Georgia; special aunt and uncle, Charles and Grace Carnley, of Jay, Florida; stepsons, Hugh Campbell (Jerusha) of Pensacola, Florida and Jason Campbell (Debra), of Jay, Florida and their families; and special friends, Kathy and Salinda.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 1:00- 2:00 PM at Cora Baptist Church, 12953 Chumuckla Highway Jay, Florida 32565, with funeral service to start at 2:00pm. Pastor Bobby Carnley and Pastor Frederick Barrow officiating. Interment will follow at Cora Baptist Cemetery with Lewis Funeral Home directing.
Active pallbearers will be Dalton Bradley, Dylan Bradley, Marcus Wallace, Nick Pittman, Jordan Kent, and Kaleb Lowe. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Shell, Logan Shell, Buddy Bradley, Truss Shell, Frank Lowry, Michael Rowell, and the JHS class of 1969.
The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the staff at The Terrace, Dr. David Smith, the doctors at Baptist Hospital for the great care given during her illness, and the MICU nurses for their compassionate and amazing care. We are forever grateful.
Per Glenda’s request, if you have something red, please wear it in celebration of her home going.
Alonzo Dillard Hutchinson
January 24, 2023
Alonzo Dillard Hutchinson was born September 11, 1937, in Columbia, TN, to the late Luvenia and James Hutchinson. He transitioned on January 18, 2023. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Octavia Joy Frey on June 7, 1957. To this union – one daughter, Barretta J. Alonzo was mostly known as “Pappy”, “Mr. Hut”, “Godfather”, and “One Putt”. Ms. Joy takes the privilege of calling him her “3-T’s” (Tall, Tan and Terrific). Another point of interest was to see the birth of his grandson, Clinton Bernard Keene.
Alonzo was an Army Veteran serving in artillery squad, 1955-1958, spending most of his military time in Germany.
He was employed with Monsanto Chemical Co., Columbia, TN and held the position of Chemical Analyst. In addition, he became a Department Supervisor in TN and Soda Springs, ID. He retired after 35 years’ service. He was an avid sportsman-Monsanto Bowling League (Columbia, Tennessee and the region). He also enjoyed tennis and ping-pong but his love was “Golf”. He was a member of the Ambassador Golf Club- Tennessee, Oregon Trail Golf Club- Idaho, Idaho State Senior Golf Association. They moved to Pensacola, Florida to become members at Monsanto Golf Course (Cypress Lakes Golf Course), Cantonment, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luvenia and James Hutchinson; brothers, James Hutchinson, and Lewis Hutchinson; sisters, Dorothy Smith and Gladys Jones.
He is survived by his loving wife, Octavia Joy Hutchinson; daughter, Barretta (Clinton L.) Keene; grandson, Clinton B. (Emily) Keene; sister-in-law, Norma Hutchinson; aunt, Emily (Robert Lee) Osborne; Godsons Edward Hamlett, Richie Conner, John Conner, Calvin Conner, Rodney Williams and Scott Taylor. Special nieces, Gloria Duke, Deborah Smith; special nephew, Terry Hutchinson. Extended families- Lewis Conner Family, Briggs/Turner Family, Helen Pigg Family, Thaggett Polk Family, Armstrong Family, Shelly Ortega Family, Dooley/Parks Family, Anita Jackson Family, Gloria Taylor Family, Sylvia Smith Owens Family, Doris Hayden Family.
Devoted cousins, Harold Osborne, Pamela (Gray) Francis and Michael (Robin) Osborne. “Our Girls”, Wanda Ward Dunn, Linda Fleming and Christinetta Shelton and so many others, nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers Clinton L. Keene, Clinton B. Keene, Louis Conner, Richie Conner, John Conner and Gregory Pigg.
Honorary Pallbearers Willie Morgan, Hugh Mitchell, Lewis Nicholson, Enoch George, Otis Ray, Charles Tanner, Pee Wee Johnson, Mike Morrow, Kelly Bolingbrook, Monsanto Employees, American Legion, Ambassador Golf Club, Greater True Vine Church, Deluna Rehab Center, Sacred Heart Covenant Care.
In Lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Greater True Vine Missionary Baptist Church.
Graveside service will be Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 4: 00p.m to 6:00p.m. at Greater True Vine Missionary Baptist Church.
The repass will be at the Greater True Vine Multi-Purpose Center following graveside service.
Donald W. Reid
January 24, 2023
Donald W. Reid (Bob) was called home on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Bob is a native of Byrneville, Florida where he has lived all his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald (Totsie) Reid, his beautiful wife of 54 years, Katherine Reid, sister-in law, Pearl McCurdy, three brother-in laws, Jerry Johnson, Wilson Johnson, Clayton Armstrong, and one nephew, Dwayne McCurdy.
He is survived by his son, Keith (LaJuana) Reid of Byrneville, FL; four grandchildren, Tori (Joe) Brown, of Jay, FL; Blake (Morgan) Reid, of Jay, FL; Michael (Elizabeth) Jacobs, of Wiley, TX; Melissa (Cody) Warrick, of Gun Barrell City, TX; one great-grandson, Asher Brown, four brothers- in law, Donnie (Linda) Johnson, of Flomaton, AL; Charlie (Biscuit) Johnson, of Flomaton, AL; Ronnie (Brenda) Johnson, of Flomaton, AL; sister-in law, Bettie Armstrong, of Pace, FL; and countless other family members, and friends.
The family would like to give a very special thanks, to Ms. Irene Graves for her unconditional love and support over the past year. She has been such a blessing to our entire family and we are eternally grateful that God lead us to her. We couldn’t have picked another “Ms. Irene” even if Kat were to have picked her for us! Also, a very special thanks to Vitas Hospice and Wanda and Staff at The Terrace.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Pastor, Paul Armstrong and Michael Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow at Byrneville Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Steven Johnson, Bart Johnson, Travis Johnson, Danny Dixon, Cory Johnson, and Steve Turner.
It’s No Secret: Century’s Mayor Says New Industry Will Jump-start Growth
January 23, 2023
It’s no secret that Century Mayor Ben Boutwell is excited about a new industry that promises a handful of new jobs this year, and he knows that will lead to future growth.
A 50-year old foreign company with established American customers is set to execute a lease for a long empty town-owmed industrial park building that’s been empty for about 15 years. The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes.
Serving the oil and gas industry, the domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility will start with about five jobs with a goal of 10 employees by the end of the year.
“We are getting someone in here, and it’s a start. It’s not sitting empty, and the town is not taking care of the utilities. It’s going to start taking care of itself. It’s been a long time coming.”
“You’ve got to get someone in here, and that’s going to bring more (jobs),” Boutwell said of the town’s 140 acre industrial park with some 30-plus empty parcels of about five acres each. “I keep emphasizing they’re running out of room in the south part of the county; it’s only heading north. I think this is one of many that should, that will come. I honestly feel that.”
An added bonus, he said, is Century’s proximity to both I-10 and I-65.
“That’s one thing that drew them in here. They already have customers here in the United States on the east coast and in the midwest. So we are right in the middle of it for them. We’re 12-14 miles from I-65 and 30 miles from I-10…and we have the rail that runs right through the town — that could help out with the port to our south.”
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Boutwell said the town will encourage the company to hire locally.
“This is machine work so people have got to be qualified. Some of it, they said “look if you can work at a grocery store, you’ll be able to work on some of these machines,”,” he said. “And then there’s the warehousing part. They’ll be able to teach you how to do the job.”
Salaries are expected to average $46,570 a year.
“The salaries that are coming in are Pensacola-priced for the town of Century, which is huge.”
The proposed lease with the company includes environmental restrictions, including prohibitions against potentially harmful air and water discharges.
“That’s not going to be an issue at all,” Boutwell said, explaining the company’s manufacturing process. “It’s just like having a waffle iron. You put your ingredients in there. You close it and seal it, and it heats up for a little bit. Whatever residual there is, they can reuse it. So it’s not like they’re going to throw it in a dumpster out back. They can reuse it.”
As for that other really big question — what’s the name of the company?
That’s a secret for now. And that’s not unusual.
Florida law allows economic development discussions to remain private until deals are finalized. That’s to prevent other locales from potentially stealing away businesses, and to keep business competitors in the dark on potential expansion plans.
The deal is being facilitated by the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance — the economic development organization for Escambia County.
A final building lease with the company is expected to be considered by the Century Town Council in early February.
For more photo, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fike, Duffy Promoted At International Paper
January 23, 2023
International Paper has made two key promotions at their local mill.
Whitney Fike has been promoted to regional communications manager, Containerboard, and Kyle Duffy has been promoted to operations manager, Pensacola Mill.
Whitney Fike
Fike will retain mill communications responsibilities at the Pensacola Mill while also providing strategic direction and people leadership at Containerboard mills in Orange, Texas, Springfield, Oregon, Maysville, Kentucky, and Newport, Indiana.
Fike joinned International Paper as a communications contractor in 2016, prior to joining full time as the mill communications manager in Pensacola in 2017. Prior to joining IP, she owned a public relations company and has worked in a variety of sectors including nonprofits, government, tourism, financial, entertainment and events throughout her career.
She is passionate about serving and volunteering in the community. Fike serves on several boards and committees, including vice-president of the University of West Florida Alumni Board of Directors, Pensacola Little Theatre, IMPACT 100, Escambia County 4-H Foundation, and Manna Food Bank. She is a proud alumna of Leadership Pensacola and Leadership Florida.
Kyle Duffy
As operations manager for the Pensacola Mill, Duffy will report to Scott Taylor, Pensacola Mill manager. Duffy will be responsible for leading safety and employee engagement, as well as driving deliberate and sustainable improvement and operational excellence to support facility, manufacturing and business objectives.
Duffy joined International Paper in 2011 as an environmental engineer in Memphis and has held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout operations and Environmental, Health and Safety. Since 2020, he has served as the Fibers Department manager at the Pensacola Mill.
Clear And Cold Tonight, Chance Of Severe Storms By Tuesday Night
January 23, 2023
Severe storms are possible Tuesday night into very early Wednesday morning. Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and tornadoes will be possible.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 9pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Temperature rising to around 67 by 2am. Windy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph becoming south 25 to 30 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 69.