Lowouida (Lou) Floyd Duff
May 23, 2023
Lowouida (Lou) Floyd Duff, 90, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully on 29 April 2023.
She was born to parents Byron Floyd and Annie Marie Floyd, on 21 August 1932 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Lou graduated from Milby High School in Houston, Texas in 1949. Her sister introduced her to a co-worker’s brother-in-law Robert Duff, and they were married in February 1954. Together they raised 3 children: Robert (Bob) Jr, Richard (Rick), and Annette. Lou worked as an accounting clerk at Escambia County School Board Food Services for 17 years until she retired.
She embraced the challenges of being a Navy wife and successfully raised their 3 children. She enjoyed going across the country in the RV with her husband Bob and frequently their grandson Seth. They often would find excuses to spend time with her sisters in Texas whenever possible. Lou was very involved in helping raise her grandson Seth until he later became her driver, medical translator, and gopher.
Lou is survived by children Robert Duff Jr (Lorri), Richard Duff (Margarita), Annette Gray Bartush (Gary); grandchildren Jennifer Washington, Sandy Duff, Ryan Simoneaux, Bryan Duff, Katelyn Duff, Ceri Vest, Seth Gray, Travis Bartush, Taylor Duff and 11 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband Bob Duff, her sisters Bettye Hudgens, and Elizabeth (Liz) Gibson and her Parents.
A celebration of Lou’s life will take place at Faith Chapel North on Saturday, May 27. Visitation will be from 10-11 am and the service will begin at 11:00 am. Reverend Andy Blackmon will officiate the ceremony. Interment at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola will take place on a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider a memorial donation to the American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/ Breast Cancer Research Foundation https://www.bcrf.org/, or Covenant Hospice https://www.choosecovenant.org/donate/
Samuel Garth Branch
May 23, 2023
Mr. Samuel Garth Branch, age 98, was born November 20, 1924, and passed away, Sunday, May 21, 2023, very peacefully and surrounded by a number of his family with hands on him as he took his last breath. He was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church and a devout Christian, and served as a deacon for many years.
Mr. Branch, born in the roaring 20’s dropped out of school in the 7TH grade during the great depression to assist his father in clearing fields with a plow and mule to provide for their family. He was drafted into the Army, serving in the Philippine’s in 1945 as part of a bazooka team, clearing Japanese soldiers resisting in pill boxes, and snipers. He re-enlisted to serve in post WWII occupation of Japan as a Sargent and chief jailer for Sugamo Prison in Tokyo. The most famous person jailed under his section was Tokyo Rose. He met Hideki Tojo (Japan’s Prime Minister of War that was over the order to bomb Pearl Harbor) in his jail cell in a separate section of Sugamo Prison, and got his autograph on the back of a picture of Tojo being led to war crime trials. He held jobs such as parts delivery, auto mechanic, farmer, truck driver, oil rig, and finally settled into a career balancing helicopter rotors at Pensacola Navy Base. He was an avid reader and scholar of the Bible. When retiring in the mid 80’s traveling the continental US with his wife for the next 15 or so years, often convoying with other RV friends, in their Suburban, pulling their Airstream Travel Trailer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel William (Martha) Branch, and one daughter, Deborah Branch Singleton.
He is survived by his loving wife, of 74 years, that he met in 1949, Voncile Drew Branch, of Atmore, AL; one son, Dee (Donna) Branch, of Chireno, TX; four grandsons, Travis Branch, Michael Branch, Kris Singleton, Will Singleton, and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Tim Tew officiating.
Burial will follow at Serenity Garden Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Gary Hare, Joe Lane, Wesley Hughes, Rick Warren, John James, and Hugh Long.
McDavid Man Now Charged With Murder After Atmore Shooting Victim Dies
May 22, 2023
A McDavid man has now been charged with murder after the woman he allegedly shot last week in Atmore has died.
Luis Trevizo Becerra, 39, remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on the murder charge.
The Atmore Police Department said that the victim, Tara Ann Bryan, died Monday at the hospital.
The Atmore Police Department responded to the Southland Motel on East Louisville Avenue about 11:45 on May 17. They found Bryan suffering from gunshot wounds on the floor of a motel room. She was airlifted to the trauma center at an area hospital.
Once police developed Becerra as a suspect, a statewide alert was issued. Becerra was apprehended by Alabama Law Enforcement Agencies troopers along I-65 near Evergreen.
After Firing Smith, School Board Sets Special Meeting To Discuss Move To An Interim Superintendent
May 22, 2023
The Escambia County School Board has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, May 30 to plan their next steps after voting last week to terminate Superintendent Tim Smith.
The board voted 3-2, with Patty Hightower and Bill Slayton dissenting, to fire Smith with his final day set for May 31. They also named Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Keith Leonard as interim superintendent, presumably beginning June 1.
In the meeting, the board is set to determine how to transition to an interim superintendent and how to start the process of finding a permanent replacement. The details of moving Leonard into the interim role were not discussed last week. Leonard and Smith were two finalists for the position, with Smith chosen for the top spot.
The special meeting will take place at 1 p.m.May 30 at the J.E. Hall Center on Texar Drive.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.
Rain Chances Up To Begin The Week; Drier By The Weekend
May 22, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Bratt Elementary School Recognizes Students Of The Month
May 22, 2023
Bratt Elementary School recently recognized their Students of the Month with a pizza party and storytime. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
May 22, 2023
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for April. They are Lauren Watts and EJ Bryant, Jr.
Gas Prices Decline As AAA Says 2.1 Million Floridians Prep For Memorial Day Road Trip
May 22, 2023
Florida gas prices are still declining as nearly 2.4 million Floridians prepare to travel for Memorial Day weekend. According to AAA’s holiday travel forecast, more than 2.1 million Floridians will take a road trip.
Florida gas prices have declined 31 cents per gallon over the course of the past 30 days. During the past week alone, the state average declined 7 cents per gallon.
On Sunday, Florida drivers paid an average price of $3.41 per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average was one of the lowest in the state at $3.21. In North Escambia, a low price of $3.12 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, $2.91 was available at the warehouse clubs, and several other stations were below $3.
“It’s looking like Florida drivers will spend a dollar per gallon less for gasoline than they did last Memorial Day weekend,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The state average should trickle even lower this week. However, even if pump prices do suddenly rise this week, it’s unlikely it’d be by a large enough margin that Floridians would change their plans, since most travel plans have already been finalized by now.”
Tate High’s Jay Davis Signs With Coastal Alabama
May 22, 2023
Tate High School’s Jay Davis recently signed with Coastal Alabama East to continue his athletic and academic career. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Where Emergency Care Begins: It’s EMS Week In Escambia County
May 22, 2023
It’s Emergency Medical Services Week in Escambia County.
The county commission issued a proclamation designating the week recently. EMS Week was first established by President Gerald Ford in 1974 . This year, Escambia County will be celebrating EMS Week with the theme, “Where Emergency Care Begins.”
“Our team continues to meet the challenges of the ever-increasing demand placed on Emergency Medical Services,” said EMS Chief David Torsell III. “The tireless effort of our EMTs and Paramedics is a testament to the dedication they provide to the citizens of Escambia County every day.”
Last year, Escambia County EMS responded to 74,060 calls. That’s an average of about 8.5 calls per hour, 24 hours a day for 365 days.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.