Anne Bell Peterson
January 4, 2024
Anne Bell Peterson, age 83, of Century, Florida passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
She was preceded in death by her brother, William C. Bell. She is survived by her son, Jason B. Cook (Stacey); daughter, Jenice C. Jones (Kenny); grandsons Brandon Jones, Justin Cook; and granddaughter, Brianna Cook.
Anne was a long-time member of the Atmore Assembly of God Church. She loved God and her church. There she also found a passion for teaching Sunday School and working with the youth at the church.
Anne also had a life-long passion for horses. She rode and showed horses in her youth, and this passion led her to 4-H. She worked many tireless years as a 4-H volunteer leader, always with enthusiasm and a smile.
Her most recent volunteer work was leading the Escambia County 4-H Horse Club teaching the youth about horse care, horsemanship and the overall joy of working with horses.
She will be greatly missed by everyone. She truly was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with in her life.
A visitation for Anne will be held Monday, January 8, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 p.m. at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway, Pensacola, Florida, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m.
Bobbie Jean Godwin Gunn
January 4, 2024
Bobbie Jean Godwin Gunn, age 88, of Atmore, AL passed away on January 2, 2024. She was born on September 7, 1935 in Flomaton, AL to Perry and Essie Lee Barrow Godwin. She was a Supervisor with Vanity Fair Corporation retiring with over 46 years of service. Bobbie was a lifelong member of Sardis Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Howard Gunn and her siblings, Robert Earl Godwin, Bennie William Godwin, Sr. and Mary Francis Richburg.
She is survived by her sons, David (Suzan) Amos of Atmore, AL, Neal Amos of Jensen Beach, FL and Ben Godwin of Atmore, AL; her daughters, Brenda (David) Moss of West Palm Beach, FL and Jennifer Stanley of Atmore, AL; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Wawbeek, AL with Bro. Larry Wayne Bonds officiating. Interment will follow in Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Shawn Amos, Brandon Amos, Kelby Amos J.R. Godwin, John Richburg and Michael Cox.
Tammy D. Ketterman
January 4, 2024
Tammy D. Ketterman 60, of Magnolia, Delaware gained her wings December 6, 2023 after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family at home. Tammy was born August 2, 1963 in Pensacola, Florida to Floyd Cornett (deceased) and Gloria White Cornett.
Tammy graduated from Pine Forest High School, Class of 1981. Following high school, she served in the United States Air Force from 1983 to 1992. She was employed by the Dewey Beach Police Department as a dispatcher. She found a love for serving the community and became a 911 dispatcher for the Rehoboth Beach Police Department in February of 2004. She served as the supervisor of the Communications Center since 2013. She was the 2019 Rehoboth Beach Police Department Civilian of the Year and past recipient of numerous departmental awards, including the Lifesaving Award, the Chief’s Citation, and the Exceptional Performance Award. She retired from the Rehoboth Beach Police Department in August of 2023. She became a member of the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, Station 55, of Magnolia, Delaware from 2003 until present. In her time with the Fire Company, she became a Nationally Registered E.M.T. She also held the position of secretary, EMS chairperson for the paid staff in her tenure as a volunteer. She was awarded her lifetime membership from her peers at the Fire Company in November of 2023 before her passing.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, James Craig Ketterman; her son, Charles (Chuckie) Ketterman; daughter-in-law, Heather Jones Ketterman; sister, Donna Durden; niece, Tiffany Durden; nephew, Alex Durden and his wife, Rebecca and their children, Alaska, Ellis and Riven; cousins, Charlie Cornett, John White and Jamie White; her adopted sister and family at heart, Lori Buff and her husband, Timothy Buff, their sons, Timothy Conrad and wife Beth, son Aiden, daughter, Amber Moorhead and her husband, Austin and their daughter, Rylan; William Buff, his wife, Brittany and their children, Wyatt and Everly, Ryan Buff, his wife, Breanna and their children Tristan and Benjamin.
A Service of Remembrance will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, 2 North Main Street Magnolia, Delaware 19962. Services will begin at 12:00 noon, and family and friends may call at 10:00 AM.
Funeral services will be held at Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Molino, Florida, Saturday, January 6, 2024. The family will receive friends for visitation at 10:00 AM followed by funeral services at 11:00 AM. Tammy will be laid to rest at Little Flock Cemetery.
Those who wish to remember Tammy in a special way may make gifts in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. (more information and forms for donation by check or credit card can be found on the St. Jude website). This has been something that has been close to her heart for many years.
Reverend James Andrew Martin, Sr.
January 4, 2024
Reverend James Andrew Martin, Sr. (Jim), age 71, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on December 30th, 2023. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on January 28th, 1952, to Joseph David Martin and Grace Marie Maglolio Martin. Grace, his biological mother passed away 12 days before his 7th birthday. His father met and married Doris Wise in Pensacola, Florida in 1961. Grandma, ‘Doris’ would be his loving ‘mother’ for the rest of her life.
He was married to Charlene R. Martin for 32 years. Everyone knew him as Dad, Paw Paw, ‘Brother Martin’, ‘Mr. Jim’ as well as our most adored, self-proclaimed title, ‘The Silver Fox’. He became an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God on May 11th, 1982, and spent his entire life dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, ministering as an Associate Pastor at Pace Assembly of God in Pace, Florida, as well as First Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. In true Southern Camp Meeting style, He would minister to congregations in churches all over the Southeastern United States; however, his passion was visiting the sick, shut-ins, and residents of nursing homes and hospitals to let these souls know they were loved, and not forgotten in the Kingdom of God.
In his last years, Daddy attended Pine Forest Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. Daddy had a passion for helping anyone. He also enjoyed photography, history with an emphasis on the Civil War. He loved music. He was especially fond of Southern Gospel as well as the music of Andre Rieu, Andrea Bocelli, Elvis Presley, and a plethora of Country music. He loved walking the beach in prayer while looking for seashells, watching his grandchildren grow in life, and all the events of their youth. He would spend hours at Fort Barrancas in deep thought, sitting on the wall of the Fort staring out over Pensacola Pass. He loved being on the boat with his boys. Even after his marriage ended to Charlene, they remained friends, and he continued to take care of Granny and Pawpaw Rushing, meeting their daily needs until they passed away. He never stopped being a friend and caretaker to Uncle Charles until he was no longer physically able assist him. You could always lift daddy’s spirits by bringing him a bacon pizza from Dominos pizza or a #1 combo from Whataburger with light lettuce, light mustard, extra onions, pickles, and tomato.
Daddy was preceded in death by his father, Joseph David Martin; his mother, Doris Wise Martin; his biological mother, Grace Marie Maglolio Martin; his father-in-law, Charles W. Rushing II; his mother-in-law, Anne L. Rushing.
Daddy is survived by his sons, James A. Martin Jr., (Kimberly), Joseph D. Martin II (Emma) and Jonathan M. Martin (Denise); grandchildren, Grayson Martin (Madison), Mackenzie Watson (Dylan), Sydney Martin, Dakota Martin, Alexis Martin, Gavin Martin; great grandchildren, Emory Martin, Bindi Martin, and Isla Martin; former spouse, Charlene R. Martin, as they remained close to the end of his life; brother-in-law and friend, Charles Rushing III
Sister: Carol Rudd (Children: Michelle, Jeff, Robbie); brother, Mac McDermott (Dawn); and his sisters, Frances McClellan and Patricia Kelley.
A public viewing will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North (1000 S. Highway 29 Pensacola, Florida) Friday, January 5th, 2024 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Honorary Pallbearers will include his sons, James Martin Jr., Joseph Martin II, Jonathan Martin, and his grandsons, Grayson Martin, Gavin Martin, and Dakota Martin.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Man Killed In Deputy-Involved Crash In Escambia County
January 3, 2024
A 56-year-old Escambia County man is dead and a deputy is seriously injured after a crash early Wednesday morning.
The crash happened about 2:40 a.m. at the intersection of Beverly Parkway and W Street.
Sheriff Chip Simmons said deputy O’Brian Hill was responding with his emergency lights activated on a call to a vehicle theft in progress.
“He was traveling east on Beverly Parkway in the outside lane,” the Florida Highway Patrol said in a release. “As he entered the intersection, with a solid red light, he was struck on the driver’s side by [the van] that was traveling south in the outside lane of W Street.”
The driver of the van was unrestrained and ejected from his vehicle. Both were transported to the hospital where the van driver driver died. Hill was treated and released.
Hill, who has been a deputy for two years, is expected to make a complete recovery. He has been placeed on administrative leave during the investigation.
“We have an obligation to enter an intersection only when it is safe to do so,”Simmons said.. “That is the bottom line. We will cooperate with Florida Highway Patrol, who is conducting a crash investigation. This is a terrible tragedy and we are certainly sorry that it happened. Steps are being taken both internally and with the FHP in the hopes that it never happens again.”
Photos courtesy WEAR3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Secret Deal? Century Mayor to Negotiate No-Bid Anonymous Contract To Sell Town-Owned Land
January 3, 2024
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council approved the mayor’s request to allow him to negotiate an anonymous, no-bid sale of vacant residential land currently owned by the town to a private individual.
“The resident would like to make a no bid offer,” Gomez said, bringing up the item that did not appear in that agenda.
“The reason to put anonymity. It is if the property’s jacked up. It’s just tied up or the boundary lines or not clear. Is he don’t want his name out there,” the mayor said after declining to name the person or the location of the property.
“He don’t want his name out there,” he said again.
Gomez said he would work with the town attorney to draft a sale contract that will come back to the council for final approval. He said the contact, any title searches or subdivisions would take place at no cost to the town but did not identify the individual that would be responsible for the costs.
“Everything is above board with the attorney involved,” Gomez said.
“All that’s got to come back and be approved publicly by the council at a public meeting. You’ll have the name of that person. You’ll have all that information before you. The mayor can’t enter into any agreement without council approval,” interim town manager Howard Brown said.
The mayor’s request was approved 4-1 by the council, with Shelisa Abraham voting no.
Florida law allows anonymous negotiations with potential businesses for the purpose of economic development, but there’s no obvious provision to secretly negotiate with individuals for residential property.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Low Around Freezing Tonight
January 3, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers likely after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 59. East wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 50. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 54. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Cantonment Man Charged With Assault And Battery Of His Wife
January 3, 2024
A Cantonment man is accused of the assault and battery of his wife.
Dwight Wendel Boutwell, 60, was charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery by strangulation and violation of a domestic violence injunction.
Boutwell allegedly punched his wife of 21 years multiple times, hit her with an electronic extension cord, and grabbed her by the neck preventing her from breathing, according to an arrest report. He also allegedly held a kitchen knife against her neck while threatening to kill her.
Deputies noted the victim had injuries consistent with her allegations.
Boutwell remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $45,000.
Mary Holley-Lewis Named Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year
January 3, 2024
Mary Holley-Lewis has been named the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
“Mrs. Holly-Lewis has been a valued member of our school community for 25 years, and her dedication to her students has never wavered. Her positivity and love for teaching make her an invaluable asset to our JAE family,” the school said.
Holley-Lewis a third grade teacher at Jim Allen Elementary School.
NorthEscambia.com is welcoming 2024 honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Issues New Appeal For Witnesses In Fatal New Year’s Day Perdido Key Crash
January 3, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has issued a new appeal Tuesday for information in a New Year’s Day crash that killed a 56-year old Bay Minette man and seriously injured two 23-year olds near the Flora-Bama on Perdido Key.
The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on Perdido Key Drive about 500 feet from the Alabama state line.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 23-year old struck a raised pedestrian crosswalk, causing him to lose control and hit a concrete utility pole. The 23-year old driver and a 23-year old passenger were seriously injured. A 56-year old male passenger was pronounced deceased.
FHP said Tuesday they are asking any witnesses or anyone that may have assisted the occupants of the vehicle to call them at at *FHP or call Crime Stoppers.