Sgt. Ray Dykes II
December 15, 2020
Sgt. Ray Dykes II, age 43, passed away on December 9, 2020.
Ray Dykes is survived by his wife, Jennifer Dykes; children, Margi (Wesley) Cummings, Tyler Fuqua, Keaton Fuqua, Payton Fuqua; parents, Ray Dykes Sr., Peggy (Bill) Stephens. His sisters Candace Freeman and Tiffany Allen and many nieces and nephews also survive him.
Mr. Dykes was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen Smith Jr; grandparents Clifton (Louise) Dykes and James (Myrtle) English.
He was a graduate of J.M. Tate High School, 1995, where he played football and wrestled through his high school career. After attending college, Ray decided to dedicate his life to Law Enforcement. Ray served with the Escambia County Sheriff Office as a Corrections officer before he joined the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department. Through his time with the Sheriff’s office, he was part of many heroic departments. He served with the GPS Special Operations Team, Property Crimes, Narcotics, Patrol, SWAT and U.S. Marshals. He loved his brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement and loved serving people.
When Ray was not at work, he was with his family doing what he loved. Whether it was hunting, fishing, hiking, or building stuff, you could see a smile on his face and hear his heart felt laugh . He loved his Runnamucka Ranch that he and Jennifer created with their kids. His time spent with family brought him great joy and he would do anything for them and all of the cows and chickens and dogs; but especially his dog Bandit.
The celebration of Ray’s life will be Wednesday, December 16th from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. at Faith Chapel North. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 17th at 11:00a.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church with an additional visitation from 10:00a.m. until 11:00a.m. Interment will follow at Bayview Cemetery.
On behalf of Sgt. Dykes, to all officers past and present, with Santa Rosa County SO and US Marshals…Til Valhalla
Active pallbearers will be the Santa Rosa County Sheriff Department Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to End of Watch Foundation. https://www.eowf.org/donate.
Jerry N. Kelly
December 15, 2020
Jerry N. Kelly
November 2, 1946 – November 23, 2020
Jerry N. Kelly, 74, of Gonzales passed away November 23, 2020 in Pensacola, FL with his son and family by his side. Jerry was born on November 2, 1946 in Clanton Alabama. Jerry’s family moved to Pensacola where his father, Hubert Kelly, began work at Chemstrand later know as Monsanto.
Jerry attended Tate High School where he graduated in 1965. After graduating high school Jerry enlisted in the Army National Guard. Jerry then began his long career as a lab technician at Monsanto. Jerry and his brother Mike both worked as lab technicians in the 707 lab.
During Jerry’s long career at Monsanto he developed a special talent for the game of golf. Jerry developed his golf skills at the Monsanto golf course and other local courses throughout the Pensacola area. Jerry was humble about his golfing talent. But the truth is that Jerry was an outstanding golfer who won many tournaments throughout the years. His house is filled with numerous golf bags full of drivers and putters and thousands of new golf balls all of which is only a portion of the proceeds of his many tournament wins.
Jerry also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He spent many days in the woods deer hunting with his brother Mike and other friends. He and Mike also enjoyed fishing in the Gulf for Snapper and Cobia on their boat “Gotcha”. Their fishing trips supplied many fish fries enjoyed by friends and family. Jerry also loved to have a fish fry whenever his beloved Auburn Tigers were playing. Jerry and Mike were die hard Auburn Fans!
Jerry LOVED Tate! Working with Tate’s ball programs was one of Jerry’s biggest passions. To Jerry EVERYONE at Tate was his extended family. Jerry was 100% committed to helping in any and every way he could. From the coaches to the players to the playing field, Jerry’s heart was in them all! Jerry volunteered his time to the Tate ball programs for many years because he truly loved being part of the Tate Family.
I know if Jerry could he would thank everyone at Tate for allowing him to be part of their sports program for so many years. Being part of the Tate family brought Jerry much happiness and fulfillment.
Jerry is proceeded in death by his parents, Hubert Quentin and Mary Lou Kelly and brother, Michael Edward Kelly.
Jerry leaves to cherish his memories: son, Randall W. Kelly; sister Lisa (Randy) Ard; sister-in-law, Sylvia Kelly; niece, Tina Kelly, nephew Pat Kelly; niece Kari (Anthony) Rowland and Kelli Ard; nephew Chris (Hannah) Ard and many other nieces and nephews; long time girlfriend Pam Perry; and extended Tate Aggie Family and Friends.
A celebration of life will be held for Jerry Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the Trahan Family Funeral Home on Industrial Blvd. Visitation at 6 p.m. Services at 7 p.m.
Mary Frances Turk
December 15, 2020
Mrs. Mary Frances Turk, age 72, passed away Sunday evening, Dec. 13, 2020, in Panama City Beach, Florida. She was a native of McDavid, Florida, and a longtime resident of Flomaton, Alabama. A retired bus driver with the Escambia County, Alabama School System, she was Baptist by faith.
Mrs. Turk is survived by two daughters, Chasity (Mike) Pettis of Brewton, Alabama, and Debra (Tony) Simmons of Panama City Beach, Florida; two brothers, Leroy Jernigan of Brewton, Alabama, and Troy Jernigan of Louisiana; one sister, Peggy Morris of Mobile, Alabama; son-in-law, Robby McCann; eight grandchildren, Nathan Simmons, Jessica Myers, Haley Fore, Ashlyn Pettis, Jennifer Zisa, Kimberly McCann, Megan McCann, and Leslie McCann; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clint Turk, and her daughter, Tammy McCann.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home of Brewton, Alabama, with Pastor Rob Woodrum officiating. Graveside service and interment will follow in the Flomaton Cemetery with Craver’s Funeral Home of Brewton directing. Pallbearers will be Tony Simmons, Nathan Simmons, Mike Pettis, and Robby McCann.
*Masks are required.
Everett Larue Mason
December 15, 2020
Everett Larue Mason
February 6, 1929 – December 12, 2020
Everett was born to Vernon and Eva Lee Mason on February 6, 1929 in Walnut Hill, FL. He was preceded in death, by his loving wife of 64 years, Betty; his son, Michael; and grandsons, Cory John, and Robert; brother, Howard; and sister, Annie Joyce.
Everett is survived by two daughters, Patricia Mason Ballard (Roy), and Peggy Mason Brown. He is further survived by five grandchildren, Betty Bowen, Pamela Brown, Kellee Dee Bullington, Timothy Mason, and April King; five great grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren; other survivors include sister, Verna Lee (Clayton), Besford Mason (Billie Jean), and Jerry Mason (Betty).
Pop was a simple man and appreciated the simpler things in life. His joy, and reason for living, was his family and any chance he might have to wet a hook! He retired as a printer from St. Regis/Stone Container in 1991 to enjoy his hard earned and well-deserved retirement.
Anyone that knew Pop knows full retirement was never in his plans. Having always worked two jobs to sustain his family and assure that mom was able to be a full-time mom, he always maintained extra jobs to supplement his income. That carried over into his retirement where he ran and operated Pop’s Lawn Service for 25 years until failing health no longer permitted.
Pop has earned his Angel wings and now flies high with no more pain. But dad was living proof that Angels DO walk among us on this wicked earth.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 3:30 pm on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Parkview Baptist Church, 119 Rosalyn Way, Pensacola (Brentwood Park) with Rev. Cecil Chancery officiating.
Marshall Elwood Welford
December 14, 2020
Marshall Elwood Welford passed away on December 12, 2020 at home surrounded by family. He was born in Lucedale, MS in 1932.
He joined the United States Navy in 1951. He served on USS BAIROKO. He participated in Operation Castle which, conducted atomic testing. He serve 32 years civil service as an aircraft mechanic with both the Air Force and Navy.
He was a talented carpenter and enjoyed building furniture for family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Marcus, Welford,Sr., Ola Mae Eubanks Welford and one brother Marcus Welford, Jr. He has survived by his wife of 65 years, Delores McDonald Welford; his children Ann Chappell (Robert) , Harold Welford(Shelly), Glenn Welford(Tammy), and Keith Welford (Sherri); eleven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A visitation for friends will be on Monday, December 14, 2020 from 5-7 pm at Faith Chapel North. A ceremony will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 10 am with Reverend Roy Chewning officiating. Those wishing to attend the graveside service will need to meet at Olive Baptist Church Campus of Warrington at 9:15 am. Pallbearers are Deric Welford, Dustin Welford, Brad Welford, Cameron Welford, Peyton Robinson, and Devin Canan.
The family thanks Emerald Coast Hospice especially Amanda and Evelyn for their kindness and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Emerald Coast Hospice or Gonzalez Baptist Church.
Carl Martin
December 13, 2020
Carl Martin
1955 – 2020
Carlton Eric Martin, 65 left this earth for his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior on Friday night, December 11, 2020. He was born on June 8, 1955 in Jacksonville, FL. He was the fourth son of seven children. He spent all his life living large in Milton and made his home in Chumuckla.
Carl was “Dukes of Hazzard” kind of guy, devoted to his wife Brenda of 42 years. They raised a loving family of three children: James, Chanda, and Linda. He loved being their daddy, but he also answered to Paw Paw from Hunter, Caleb, Caylee, Anna, James Michael and Waverly.
Spending time with his wife, “his girls”, James, grandchildren, family and friends brought out the best of Carl. With his rapid- fire laugh, we could always count on his ability to tell a colorful story about his pranks, leaving many in bouts of laughter. Carl could always be seen wearing a timeworn t-shirt, carrying a large glass of sweet tea or an ice-cold Bud Light in his hand with his infectious smile.
When Carl was not working shift work in the past 30 years at Reichold Chemicals, you would find him on various adventures with his family. When not on excursions he was out meeting the needs of others, with his God given talent he could fix anything. Carl was a real lifesaver, hero to many and a man of his word.
You can say Carl lived life in “full throttle” with his passion for golfing and fishing which he shared with his father, his friends and his grandson. He would beat you in a game and that is just the way it was, just ask his wife, his girls and the losers!
Carl was preceded in death by his parents: Cecil Earl Martin, Sr. and Lois Kennington Martin, sister; Sandra Martin Helms, and nieces; Kimberly Martin and Kasey Martin Myers DeAnda.
Carl is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Brenda Caudell Martin; a son, James Martin; his girls, Chanda (Chad) Pitman, and Linda (James) Balk; grandchildren: Hunter Martin, Caleb and Caylee Pitman, Anna, James Michael and Waverly Balk; sisters, Toni Martin New and Marsha (Neil) Wahrheit; brothers, Cecil “Buddy” (Nancy) Martin Jr, Charles “Chuck” (Kathi) Martin, Clifton “Cliff” (Kay) Martin; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm with visitation at 1:30 pm on Tuesday December 15, 2020 at Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton. Burial will follow at Memory Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Hunter Martin, Doyle Caudell Sr., Doyle Caudell Jr., Carlos Foss, Jeffrey Zahner II, and Kyle Copeland.
Joseph Madison “Joe” Nall
December 10, 2020
Joseph Madison “Joe” Nall, passed away on December 3, 2020. He was born June 3, 1944 in Century, FL to the late Leo Webb Nall and Elsie Earline Nall. He was a graduate of Escambia County High School, the University of Alabama, and Webster University. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel after a distinguished, 26-year flying and command career.
He is preceded in death by his parents and infant twin siblings, Graham Earl Nall and Doris Earline Nall.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dianne Mullen Nall; by his son Joseph Madison Nall, Jr, his wife Kathy, and their daughters Anna and Molly; and his son David Mark Nall, his wife, Marianne Kunkel, and their son, Arlo, and daughter, Zora. He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Webb (Frances) Nall, Robert “Bob” (Jan) Nall, Elsie (Walt) Butler, Merrill (Angela) Nall, and Polly (Doug) Watkins, and numerous, beloved nieces and nephews.
In consideration of COVID-19 guidance, a private family graveside service will be held Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Oak Hill Cemetery with Dr. Chip Starnes officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association (apdaparkison.org)
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Mable Stophel
December 10, 2020
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond (age 86) and Mable (age 88) Stophel, passed away together on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 in Pensacola, Florida. They were married for 62 years.
Mr. Stophel was born in Bristol, TN, former resident of Ruffin, NC and had resided in Jay, FL for the past 62 years. He loved his family, his church family, his Lord & Savior and Alabama Football. He was retired from Greer’s Supermarket with 40 years of service, a Veteran of the Korean Conflict serving with the U.S. Army and a member of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Stophel; brother, William Elkaine Stophel; two sisters, Margaret Ann Stophel and Gladys Draughn; two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law.
Mrs. Stophel was a native and lifelong resident of Jay, FL. She was a homemaker, loved her family, her church family, her Lord & Savior, gospel music, driving in the country, eating out and working in her yard. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Mary Oglesbee and sister and brother-in-law, Pearl and Carl Standifer.
They are survived by one son, Mickey (Kathy) Stophel of Flomaton, AL; one daughter, Linda Ann Stophel of Jay, FL; two grandchildren, Brandon (Allison) Stophel of Perdido, AL and Rebecca Stophel of Flomaton, AL and two great grandchildren, Taelon Stophel and James Redmon, Jr.
Mr. Stophel is also survived by his two brothers, Harvey (Carolyn) Stophel of Ruffin, NC and Clarence Stophel of Clarksville, VA and one sister, Helen Montgomery of Ruffin, NC.
Mrs. Stophel is also survived by one brother, Willie (Bonnie) Oglesbee of Flomaton, AL.
Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Gordan Dillashaw and Bro. Joe Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow at the Walling Cemetery in Jay, Florida.
Visitation will be held Saturday, December 12, 2020 from 9:00 AM until service time at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Doug Peacock, Bobby Standifer, William Standifer, Steven Caraway, Jerry Nowling and R.G. Nowling.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Johnny Oglesbee and Billy Oglesbee.
Nathan Wayne Jackson
December 9, 2020
Mr. Nathan Wayne Jackson, age 62, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at his home in Flomaton, Alabama.
Mr. Jackson was a native of Stockton, CA, former resident of Griffin, GA (40 years) and had resided in Flomaton, AL for the past 8 years. He was an Industrial Painter, painting houses, and was a true professional in all he did. He loved fishing, being outdoors, dominoes and Georgia Football. He attended the Holy Ground Holiness Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and Evelyn Jackson and brother, Edward Myrick.
He is survived by two brothers, Roger Dale (Margaret) Jackson of Flomaton, AL and Stephen Jackson and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sis. Kathy Stophel officiating.
Burial will follow at the Ebenezer Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Gene Mayo Smith
December 8, 2020
March 7, 1938 — December 5, 2020
Gene was born in Jay, FL to Mayo and Margaret Smith. Gene spent most of his life living in Milton with the exception of a few years. He was truly blessed to have spent 54 years of marriage with the love of his life, Devola Broxson Smith. They were fortunate to have two sons, David Smith (who passed away at birth), and Gregory Dean Smith, Sr. (Donna Smith Lowery); two grandsons, Gregory Dean Smith, Jr., who gave him his great-granddaughter Shelby Paige Smith & Stephen Gene Smith (Tiffney Smith), who gave him his two great-grandsons, Stephen Gene Smith, Jr., and Bryant Jennest Smith, and always spoke of Michelle Kitchens as a daughter.
Gene worked hard his entire life. From running a dozer, driving log trucks, planting trees, working shutdown construction, flooring, and a list of other professions, to provide for his family for whom he sacrificed his time and health for.
Through the years, Gene’s accomplishments were not measured through his professional career, but through him being who he was. He was truly a good man. He earned the trust of everyone he came in contact with. He selflessly put everyone else’s needs and wants ahead of his own time and time again. Though life was not always easy, he met it head on and always did what needed to be done for the ones he loved and cared for.
Gene lost his wife, Devola, in 2015, but he carried on. Even though he never got over her passing, he continued being the head of the family, leading by example and wisdom right up until his passing.
Gene frequently spoke of times long gone and would reminisce of younger days of sneaking into the drive-in theater in East Milton or days when he and Devola would travel with Bob and Estelle Kitchens doing shutdown work, to which neighborhoods he cleared around Milton for houses to be built in, and to how he came by the C.B. Handle “Slowpoke”. He lived a long hard life that he greatly enjoyed.
2020 has been the year that no one has liked. With Gene’s passing, it only makes it that more unbearable. However, if there is anything that came away from this year that is enjoyable, it’s that Gene got to spend thanksgiving with his son, both grandsons, daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law, and all three great-grand kids all as a big family.
Christmas didn’t make it in time this year for him to enjoy, but thanks to the efforts of Marsha Daniel and April Galbreath, he was able to enjoy the Christmas spirit and was able to know that all his family would be together again, and that made him very happy (along with colored Christmas lights).
Gene has always, is, and will always be loved, respected, and held in the highest regards. He will forever be missed and has left a void that can never be filled nor replaced.
He leaves us all knowing that he loved every one of us.
Services will be held Wednesday December 9, 2020 at Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton. Visitation will be at 11:00 am for family and friends, with funeral services immediately following at 12pm.
Pallbearers being (active) Jamey Shelby, Mickey Northcutt, David Lowrey, Ronnie Russell, Bobby Kitchens, and John Ellis and
(honorary) Kenny Hall, William Faulk, Shawn Whittaker, and Mike Hall.