Mervyn LeRoy Simmons Jr.
November 30, 2021
Mervyn LeRoy Simmons Jr, 67 a native of Pensacola, FL passed away on Saturday November 27, 2021,
surrounded by loved ones. “Merv” or “Roy” (depending on who you were) was one of the nicest, caring
people you could ever meet with a great sense of humor. He was always looking for a laugh and once it
got started it would roll on until your sides were hurting. Roy was a very private person and if you were
in his circle, you knew it.
Mervyn graduated from Tate High School in 1972, he played trumpet in Tate’s Showband of the South.
He worked with Fluor-Daniels as a Pipe Fitter in the early 70’s and was there for 16 years. From there he
opened Nine Mile Paint & Body where he restored vehicles, his favorites being antiques and hot rods.
Anything that had wheels on it he was attracted to, he could ride a unicycle like nobody’s business. In
the mid 90’s he worked as an Estimator for CharCo General Contractors in Brewton, Alabama for 8 years
and when left from there he managed Lake Stone Campground for about 5 years. He moved back to
Pensacola in 2012 to settle into retirement with his wife Ann. He spent a great deal of time on his boat,
“Makin’ Memories” at the Bahia Mar marina. His boat was his getaway to think and a thinker he was. He
was once referred to as the “Mayor of Bahia Mar” always lending a hand when he could.
Mervyn is preceded in death by his father and best friend, Mervyn LeRoy Simmons Sr and his brother,
Curtis Simmons. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Ann Simmons, Mother, Dorothy Griffith,
Stepfather, Don Griffith, sister, Rhonda (Tony) Mathews, sons, Lyle (Amanda) Simmons and Jason
Fillingim and daughter, Julie Simmons. Stepbrother, Keith Griffith, stepsister Gay Burdick, stepdaughters
Heather (Steve) Gonzalez and J.B. Owens. Granddaughters, Lyla, Bentley, Lola, and Bailey and grandson
Hunter. Aunts, Janice Bricker, Sally Cline and Uncles, Carl Bricker, Jim Burnette, and Larry Burnette.
Many cousins, nieces, nephews and countless close friends from over the years.
The last 9 months have flown by for the family, and we are so thankful for the supportive staff of Dr Jafri
of Baptist Oncology, Mervyn’s Primary Dr, Lance Raney and Covenant Hospice. The care and
professionalism they have shown us during this time does not go unnoticed.
Pallbearers will be John Connell, Lyle Simmons, Tony Castille, Steve Gonzalez, Tony Mathews and Phil
Mathews. Honorary Pallbearers will be Clint Culpepper, Bobby Vangilder, Joe Steele and Neal Roe.
Graveside services will be Monday, December 6 th at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, 3:00.
Ruby Mason Lundy
November 27, 2021
Mrs. Ruby Mason Lundy, age 75, passed away, Friday, November 19, 2021 in Fairhope, AL. She has resided most of her life in Atmore, AL. She was a member of New Beginnings Ministries Church. She owned and operated Hall’s Tax Service for fifty plus years.
Mrs. Lundy valued the time she spent with her family and going out to eat. She enjoyed traveling to the beach and the mountains. She enjoyed singing and listening to music. She was an avid ‘Alabama Football Fan” and she loved her dog “Duke”.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orville (Quilla Jay) Mason.
She is survived by her son, Dakota Lundy, of Atmore, AL; two daughters, Melanie (Jamerson) Nelson, of Excel, AL; Shala (Matt) Canning, of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Gayle (Thurl) Pearson, of Atmore, AL; two grandchildren, Judd Arnold, Jacob Nelson, special nieces and nephews, cousin, David Wellington, special friends, Marie Williams, and Polly Harrison.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.
Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 23, 2021 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC
Pallbearers will be Jay Nichols, Eric Strehl, Jakob Higdon, Buddy Strehl, Daniel Higdon, and Jim Reynolds.
Arthur Glennon Gunn
November 26, 2021
Mr. Arthur Glennon Gunn, age 74, passed away, Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Fairhope, AL. He was born in Bratt, FL; and has resided most of his life in Walnut Hill, FL. He was a member of Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Atmore Branch and Mobile, AL. State. He was employed with Escambia County Florida Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. He served in the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War.
Mr. Gunn valued the time he got to spend with his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, cooking and attending church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. AR (Janice Godwin) Gunn, one brother, Jerry Gunn, step-father, Richard Sirmon.
He is survived by his one son, Sean (Stephanie) Gunn, of New Bern, NC; four daughters, Jennifer Gunn, of Virginia Beach, VA; Megan (Tray) Juarez, of Virginia Beach, VA; Jessica Gunn, of Pace, FL; Rebecca Gunn, of Foley, AL; a special niece, Bethany Merchant,, three brothers, Leamond (Judith) Gunn, of Penscola, FL; Marlin (Angie) Gunn, of Atmore, AL; Jim (Vicky) Reed, of Orange Beach, AL; three sisters, Joyce Coleman, of Ennon, FL; Shelia (Pete) Coon, of Atmore, AL; Patricia Gunn, of Decatur, AL; twelve grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 2:00 PM at petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Branch President: Tommy Jones at officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Martha Ann Weaver Sharpless
November 25, 2021
Martha Ann Weaver Sharpless, 83 years old, resided the past two years in Crossville, TN.
She was born in Booneville, AL to Audrey and Annie Mae Weaver. Martha graduated from Escambia County High School and Alverson-Draughon Business College. She and her husband, Johnny, were the owners of the Decorating Center in Atmore and Direct Carpets in Mobile before retiring in 2000 to Fairhope, AL. Martha loved flowers and gardening. She spent a lot of her time enjoying the outside.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Johnny E. Sharpless; her parents, Audrey and Annie Mae Weaver; her brother, O’Neal Weaver and her sister, June Weaver Luker.
She is survived by her daughter, Holley Sharpless Richter and her son-in-law, Dan Richter; her granddaughters, Danielle Richter Russell (Ryan) and Megan Richter; her sister, Virginia Weaver Sharpless; her brother, Jerry Weaver (Jeanette) along with many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel followed by a private burial.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 26, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Raymond L. Bolden
November 23, 2021
Raymond L. Bolden (Ray) left this world to join his dear wife Joyce on Thursday, November 18,
2O21. Ray was 90 years young and enjoyed a life full of family, friends, adventure, and mischief.
Ray was born September 9, 1931, to Lathey and Josie Bolden in Birmingham, Alabama. On April
15, 1955, Ray married the love of his life, Joyce Mae Busenlehner. Ray and Joyce enjoyed 64
years together before she went to be with God on June 20, 2019. Ray worked in banking his
entire career and moved with his family to Atmore in 1970 to take a job as President of United
Bank. Ray was very active his entire life in a variety of sports and activities. Prior to marrying
Joyce, Ray was a draft choice in baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and served in the Navy. Ray
enjoyed flying and owned and piloted several small panes, He especially liked flying friends and
family to events including Alabama football games. One of Ray’s last “bucket list” adventures was
realized when he went sky diving with his good friend, Mayor Jim Staff on his 9Oh birthday in
September. Ray was an avid golfer and a long-time member of the Atmore Country Club
where he spent cherished times playing with his golf buddies. Over the past few years, Ray
enjoyed meeting once a week for breakfast with his ROMEO friends (Retired Old Men Eating
Out) and flipping to see who paid for the meal and the tip. Ray lived a rich, full life and never met
a stranger. He was well known for his sense of humor and thoroughly enjoyed playing
pranks.
Ray leaves behind his son, Raymond “Randy” L. Bolden, Jr., daughters, Deborah “Debbie”
Bolden, Cynthia “Cindy” Bolden, adopted daughter, Amy Cabaniss, his furry side kick Nacho,
sister, Dina Sprouse, and many cherished in laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ray was
predeceased by his brothers Calvin, Dan, and Terry, and sisters Decima, Eva, and Joyce.
There will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at St. Robert Bellarmine
Catholic Church on Main Street in Atmore. Visitation with the family will be at 10:00 AM in the
church hall, and the Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 AM in the church with a reception
immediately following in the church hall. ln lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Shamim Gayle Powell
November 22, 2021
Shamim Gayle Powell, age 50, was born and raised in Pensacola, FL on January 30, 1971. She passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 12, 2021.
Shamim was fortunate enough to meet the love of her life and was married to Dwayne Powell on February 25, 1989. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and Mimi. A lover of the sun, sand, and ocean.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Elizabeth Workman.
Shamim is survived by her soulmate and husband, Dwayne Powell; her “one and only” son, Cecil Powell; her “joy in life” grandson, Chandler Powell; her father, Roger (Laura) Workman, her twin brother, Shannon (Tawana) Workman; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Trahan Family Funeral Home will oversee her cremation. Keeping to her love of the sand and water, Shamim will be laid to rest at Bayview Memorial
Park. Inurnment to take place at a later date. No services will be held.
Gladine Elizabeth McMillian
November 21, 2021
Gladine Elizabeth McMillian was born on April 21, 1941 and passed on November 18, 2021 at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thelton Lewis McMillian, Sr., and her parents, Marlvin and Elizabeth Boyd Gay. Gladine is survived by her five children, Cindy McMillian Haas (Billy), Karen Gundersen, Dwight McMillian (Terri), Kenneth Gundersen, and Thelton McMillian, Jr. (Christy); 13 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 22, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in the Florida Room at 2:00PM. The family will receive friends from 1:00PM to 2:00PM prior to the service. Burial will be held in Barrancas National Cemetery on Tuesday November 23, 2021 at 9:00AM. A procession will leave Olive Baptist Church Campus at Warrington at 8:30AM.
In lieu of flowers please donate to American Humane Society or your favorite dog charity.
Arthur Glennon Gunn
November 21, 2021
Mr. Arthur Glennon Gunn, age 74, passed away, Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Fairhope, AL. He was born in Bratt, FL; and has resided most of his life in Walnut Hill, FL. He was a member of Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Atmore Branch and Mobile, AL. State. He was employed with Escambia County Florida Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. He served in the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War.
Mr. Gunn valued the time he got to spend with his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, cooking and attending church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. AR (Janice Godwin) Gunn, one brother, Jerry Gunn, step-father, Richard Sirmon.
He is survived by his one son, Sean (Stephanie) Gunn, of New Bern, NC; four daughters, Jennifer Gunn, of Virginia Beach, VA; Megan (Tray) Juarez, of Virginia Beach, VA; Jessica Gunn, of Pace, FL; Rebecca Gunn, of Foley, AL; a special niece, Bethany Merchant,, three brothers, Leamond (Judith) Gunn, of Pensacola, FL; Marlin (Angie) Gunn, of Atmore, AL; Jim (Vicky) Reed, of Orange Beach, AL; three sisters, Joyce Coleman, of Enon, FL; Shelia (Pete) Coon, of Atmore, AL; Patricia Gunn, of Decatur, AL; twelve grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Branch President Tommy Jones at officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021, from 1 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
William T. Matlock, Sr., (Bill)
November 21, 2021
William T. Matlock, Sr., (Bill) age 75 of Flomaton AL went to be home with Our Lord Jesus on
November 11, 2021. He was of the Pentecostal faith.
Bill was born in Tennessee on October 2, 1946 to Walter and Lillian Matlock. As a young man
he joined the Coast Guard and was stationed on the Farallon Islands. He eventually settled in
Flomaton Alabama where he raised his family. Bill was a skilled mechanic and a truck driver
until retiring from Air Products in 1995. He was a loving father, grandfather and friend who
loved Alabama football (ROLL TIDE!) He spent his time working in his garage and helping to
care for his grandchildren, often entertaining them with stories from his trucking and Coast
Guard days. He also enjoyed discussing politics over coffee with the guys.
Bill is survived by his wife Dianne Boswell Matlock, stepdaughter Stevie Boswell and her
fiance’ Greg Vasquez. His sons Tom and Emily Matlock (Maryland), Matthew and Laurie
Matlock (Kansas), John and Alicia Matlock (Florida). Former daughters in law Beth Matlock
(Nevada) and Samantha Matlock Oates (Alabama). Grandchildren Michael and Denise
Matlock (Nevada), Jennifer and Nadab Bent (North Carolina), David Matlock (Kansas),
Phoenix Matlock (Alabama), Grant Matlock and Evin Matlock (Florida) and Marco Matlock
(Maryland).Great grandchildren Jacob Matlock and Elizabeth Matlock (Nevada). Special
family friends Danny Ray and Melissa Lambeth, “Peewee”, Michelle, Trayton and Bella
Boutwell, Michael, Amber, and Ana Cox , many family members from the Shelby County
Alabama area and many other friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Judy Mills Matlock, son Richard Matlock,
daughter in law Lorie Shivers Matlock, sister Aldena Milner and his parents Walter and Lillian
Matlock.
No formal memorial is planned at the request of the deceased.
The family would like to thank Dr. Videau and the MICU nurses at Baptist hospital.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Shamim Gayle Powel
November 21, 2021
Shamim Gayle Powell, age 50, was born and raised in Pensacola, FL on January 30, 1971. She passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 12, 2021.
Shamim was fortunate enough to meet the love of her life and was married to Dwayne Powell on February 25, 1989. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and Mimi. A lover of the sun, sand, and ocean.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Elizabeth Workman.
Shamim is survived by her soulmate and husband, Dwayne Powell; her “one and only” son, Cecil Powell; her “joy in life” grandson, Chandler Powell; her father, Roger (Laura) Workman, her twin brother, Shannon (Tawana) Workman; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Trahan Family Funeral Home will oversee her cremation.
Keeping to her love of the sand and water, Shamim will be laid to rest at Bayview Memorial Park. Inurnment to take place at a later date. No services will be held.