Willie Hamilton Jones
January 31, 2021
Willie Hamilton Jones, 95, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 27, 2021,
with his wife, Donna, by his side.
Willie was born on November 10, 1925, in Hartford, Alabama, to Ira and Dora (nee Godwin)
Jones.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Ford, Langford, and Bob, his loving
sisters, Martha Gavin and Myrtle Allen, and his grandson, Alonzo Lee Kent, III. In addition to
being survived by his wife, Donna (nee McNary), to whom he was married for thirty-seven
years, Willie is survived by his sons Jerry (Cathy), Jimmy (Becky) and Joe (Cathy), and his
daughters, Janice (Alonzo “Lonnie”), Kimberly (Tom) and Tammy, as well as his eleven (11)
grandchildren, thirteen (13) great-grandchildren, and his loyal companion, Princess.
Willie served in the United States Merchant Marines traveling around the world providing
support to Allied troops toward the end of World War II. Willie remembered details from each
port of call and enjoyed sharing stories from his adventures across the globe.
Willie is recognized as being a pioneer in the farming community. He farmed cotton, peanuts,
corn and soybeans across Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama. In addition to his crops, his
operations, among others, included Turkey Trot Ranch in Monroeville, Alabama, and Jones
Flying Service, in Jay, Florida.
Willie loved feeding things (two- and four-legged alike), bringing home orphaned animals, and
had a habit of buying the craziest heifer at the livestock auction. A twinkle in his eye meant a
horse had a new home at Willie Way. And there was rarely a muddy hole in which he didn’t find
himself stuck.
Willie had a nickname for everyone, each as endearing as the next. He was kind, generous, hard-
working, and genuinely interested in the lives of others and nurturing the land. He believed in a
second chance and lending a hand. He was full of wisdom that he earned the Willie Way.
He was, indeed, a Gentle Giant. To love him made you stronger and to be loved by him was
home.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton is handling arrangements.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021, 1:00 p.m., at Pine Level Baptist
Church, 3300 Pine Level Church Road, Jay, FL.
Pallbearers are Lyonel Kent (Knoxville, TN); Stephen Jones (Jay, FL); Jerod Jones (Jay, FL);
Ryan Siyufy (Pace, FL); Ryan Williams (Monroeville, AL); Tom Maners (Decaturville, TN);
Christopher Payne (Scotts Hill, TN); and Travis Johnson (Flomaton, AL). Honorary Pallbearers
are Roy “Bo” Allen (Jay, FL); Aubrey Adams (Brewton, AL); James E. “Jimmy” Jones
(Chumuckla, FL); and John Jones (Paris, TN).
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Willie H. Jones Future Farmers
Scholarship Fund which will be awarded annually to a graduating
senior who has shown a commitment to farming. #WillieWay
Donald “Duck” Phillips
January 28, 2021
Mr. Donald “Duck” Phillips, age 76, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2020 at his home in Uriah, Alabama.
Mr. Phillips was a native of Little River, AL, former resident of Baldwin County, AL and had resided in Uriah, AL for the past 55 years. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, fishing, hunting and telling duck tails. He was a retired Forrester with Swift Lumber Company with 20 years of service and worked with Charles Gantt Gravel Company. He was a handyman, a “Mr. Fixit”. He is preceded in death by his parents, Drew and Maggie Phillips; twin brother, Ronald Phillips and brothers, Charles Phillips, Murray Phillips and Bill Phillips and daughter-in-law, Linda Johnson Phillips.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Doris Phillips of Uriah, AL; two sons, Chris Phillips of Uriah, AL and Shannon (Katrina) Gregson of Uriah, AL; one daughter, Tammy Gunn of Uriah, AL; three brothers, Jerry (Faye) Phillips of Cullman, AL, Jimmy (Carolyn) Phillips of Uriah, AL and Frank Phillips of Biloxi, MS; three sisters, Judy (Jamie) Peak of Pine Grove, AL, Myrtle Daszczuk of Foley, AL and Earnestine Owens of Uriah, AL; nine grandchildren, Amanda (James) Akins, Corey Phillips, Catelyn Phillips, Taylor Gunn, Shanna Gregson, Stormy Gregson, Nicole Phillips, Caleb Gregson and Tylan Gregson; five great grandchildren, Easton, Gracelyn, Zoey, Jaelyn and Ariella and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Cornelius Phillips officiating.
Burial will follow at the Poplar Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 29, 2021 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
James David “Jimmy” Cunningham
January 27, 2021
James David “Jimmy” Cunningham, a resident of Molino, went to his heavenly home on January 22, 2021. He was born in Clio, AL, on January 31, 1938, to James and Bernice Cunningham.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Dorothy Coln Cunningham; his parents, Bernice Tillman Cunningham and James Edward Cunningham and an infant son.
He is survived by his sons Lewe (Chip) Cunningham (Beth) and Scott Cunningham (Tiffany); four grandchildren, Amanda (Andrew) Antonio, Jessie (Justin) Self, Donald Cunningham and Tyler Simmons; two great-grandchildren, Jace and Jansen Self; and a brother, Jacky (Sharon) Cunningham.
Jimmy was a graduate of Tate High School and attended the University of Florida. He worked at Solutia and retired after 43 years of service. He spent his lifetime as a farmer and rancher and was a co-owner of Cunningham Farms.
He was a member of 4-H and an active leader as an adult. He was active with many organizations including 35 years as a board member with Florida Farm Bureau. Jimmy was also a founding member of Gulf Coast Agricultural & Natural Resource Youth Organization (GCA-NRYO) and the Northwest Florida Cattleman’s Association. He was very active in helping youth learn about agriculture and livestock and was active in helping acquire 4-H members acquire facilities for a livestock center.
Visitation with be held at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29 in Cantonment on Sunday January 31, 2021, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Funeral services will also by held at Faith Chapel North on February 1, 2021, from 10:30 to 11:30 am. with Brother Brian Calhoun serving as officiant.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: GCA-NRYO, P.O. Box 653,Cantonment, FL 32533.
Clarence Earl Akins
January 27, 2021
Clarence Earl Akins, 89, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, in Robertsdale, Alabama. He was known for his love of family, church, country, baseball, and hard work. Clarence was a good Samaritan at heart and had a smile like no other. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He enjoyed owning and operating Service Auto Supply in Atmore, AL since 1964 and also owned businesses in Mobile, Bay Minette, and Cantonment, FL. He was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church of Atmore, Escambia County for many years before retiring to Baldwin County where he attended First Baptist Church of Foley.
Clarence was born on a small family farm in Bonneville, AL, on April 26th, 1931. He was the second son of Harry and Annie Clyde Still Akins. Clarence is preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Mary Zelm, Jack Akins, Leon Akins, Paul Akins, Bruce Akins and Peggy Helton.
Clarence is survived by his loving wife, Bobbie J. Murphy and his three children; Jan Houser (Morty), Micky Akins, and John Murphy Akins (Anna Talton). He was blessed with 2 grandchildren: Grant Carlton (Kristin Byrne) and Aaren Wasieleski (Ryan) and 4 great-grandchildren: Kaela, Thai, Anton, and Cash. He also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews who meant the world to him.
Family, friends and others whose lives Clarence touched are invited to Pine Rest Funeral Home and Memorial Park LLC, 16541 U.S. 98, Foley, AL 36535, on Friday, January 29, 2021. The wake will be held from 9:30 A.M. to 10:59 A.M. Service and Interment will immediately follow at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home Family Ministries, Mobile, AL, or the Samaritan’s Purse. Donations can be made online at alabamachild.org or samaritanspurse.org.
Barbara Jean (Steadham) Levins
January 26, 2021
Barbara Jean (Steadham) Levins was born on February 11, 1937, in McCullough Alabama. She was the third oldest of ten children and the second oldest daughter born to Henry Clyde and Lucille (Enfinger) Steadham. Her lifelong mission began at the age of eight, when she stood on a pot in front of the stove to cook for her family the first time. She often spoke of the wonderful childhood she had growing up on a farm in Santa Rosa County with her siblings. She was a member of the 1956 graduating class of Chumuckla High School. She began working for Chemstrand shortly after graduation and worked until her daughter was born in 1963, at which time she took on the name and role she would proudly fill the rest of her life, “Momma” and later “Mamaw”. She married the love of her life, Hubert on December 23, 1960 at Chumuckla Methodist Church. She invested her entire adult life loving, nurturing, and protecting her family. Her main goal in life was to make sure everyone left her home filled with love and a wonderful meal. The greatest joy of her life was to have all of her family especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered around her sharing love, laughs, and food. True to her calling, her last moments on earth were filled with concern for her family; she was determined to make sure, before she left, everyone was safe and had everything they needed.
She was a member of United Methodist Church most of her life and actively worked in many volunteer positions well up into her seventies, she was well known and loved by each church she attended.
One January 25, 2021 she went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to meet her eldest son, who was stillborn, for the very first time.
She was preceded in death by her oldest son, both of her parents Henry Clyde (Bub) and Lucille Steadham, a sister Virginia McKelvin, and two brothers Clyde Steadham and Winston Steadham.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Hubert Wilson Levins, one daughter Deborah (Thomas) Carmichael, two sons: Douglas (Cheryl) Levins, Donald (Valarie) Levins, nine grandchildren: Caleb (Katie Benford) Levins, Benjamin Carmichael, Joshua (Kristina) Levins, Seth (Brittany) Levins, Jacob (Ahnen) Levins, Mark Carmichael, Chloe Levins, Connor Levins, and Olivia Levins; Siblings, Charles (Myria) Steadham, Carl Steadham, Dorothy (Tommy) Owens, Annie Ruth (Tink) Kelley, Lillian (Roy) Ward, Amelia Steadham as well as three great-grandchildren, and a large number of relatives and friends.
Visitation will take place at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Tuesday, January 29, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Jimmy Cook will serve as officiant.
Interment will take place immediately following at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery.
Ruth Ellen McCurdy Johnson
January 26, 2021
Ruth Ellen McCurdy Johnson, 86, of Pensacola, Florida passed away Monday, January 25, 2021.
Ruth loved her piano and singing. If she wasn’t singing with the “McCurdy Trio” then she was singing with her band “The Starlettes”. She also liked playing her bingo and was a first-rate bingo pro. She loved her family and friends. Her door was always open to anyone who needed a bite to eat or a place to talk. She always thought about other people and would sacrifice what she needed to help them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Leon McCurdy and Bama Lee Linzy McCurdy.
She is survived by her daughters, Sharon B. Belser, Pamela B. LaBerge and Renee Bailey; extended children, Brian Johnson and Doug Johnson; grandchildren, Keerstin Blankenbeck, Jonathan Blankenbeck, Melissa Leal, J.R. Munson, Derenda Carr, Tiffany Duncan, Brianna Bailey and many great grandchildren and a few great great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel North, 1000 S Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL Friday, January 29, 2021, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. with a graveside service to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Jay, Florida at 3:00 p.m.
Dennis Edgar Meadors
January 26, 2021
Dennis Edgar Meadors was born October 5, 1948 in Hamilton, Ohio to Edgar and Eilene Meadors. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1966 and then enlisted in the Navy in October of 1966. He
served with the United States Navy until retirement in March 1997. He retired with the rank of Commander and was the Officer in Charge at NAMTRAGRU in Pensacola from April 1995 until August 1996. Deployments included Vietnam, Korea and the Gulf War. He served aboard the USS JOHN F KENNEDY, USS EISENHOWER, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and USS SARATOGA. Upon retirement he enjoyed restoring antique John Deere tractors and spending time at his farm in Kentucky.
He is preceded in death by his sisters Pam Huffer, Connie McIntosh, and Donna Sue Monceaux, along with his mother Eilene Meadors and father Edgar Meadors.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years Jean Meadors, son Daniel Meadors, daughter Barbara Herring (Rick) and six grandchildren. Brant Herring, Xander Meadors, Caitlyn Meadors, Robyn Meadors, Audrey Herring, and Jackson Herring along with his brothers John and Mike Meadors.
Visitation will be Monday, February 1, 2021, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. The Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.
Patricia Ann Weekley
January 25, 2021
Mrs. Patricia Ann Weekley, 58, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Weekley was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. She was proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, where she served on the Tribal Council for one term and was the HR Director. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her dog, Cuddle Bears. She enjoyed swimming and going to the beach, creek, and Alabama Football. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Voncille Rolin and brother, Randy Rolin.
She is survived by her husband of 11 years, William Weekley of Atmore, AL; one son, Lance Hodges of Atmore, AL; one step-son, Lee Weekley of Perdido, AL. one daughter, Mandy Hodges of Atmore, AL; one step-daughter, Tabitha Weekley (Carroll) Fulgham of Maben, MS; one sister, JoAnn Heibert of Atmore, AL; five grandchildren, Hunter, Cody, Alaina, Lakota and Brooke; nine step-grandchildren, Jacob, Venessa, Ruthie, Emily, Alyssa, John Asher, Isaiah, Faith and Stone; four great grandchildren, Emerlynn, Koehn, Hudson and Harper and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Ray Ward officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 27, 2021 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Hunter Edwards, Cody Edwards, Curtis Jackson, Jacob Sells, Lee Weekley and Steven McKenzie.
Patricia Ann Weekley
January 25, 2021
Mrs. Patricia Ann Weekley, 58, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Weekley was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. She was proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, where she served on the Tribal Council for one term and was the HR Director. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her dog, Cuddle Bears. She enjoyed swimming and going to the beach, creek, and Alabama Football. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Voncille Rolin and brother, Randy Rolin.
She is survived by her husband of 11 years, William Weekley of Atmore, AL; one son, Lance Hodges of Atmore, AL; one step-son, Lee Weekley of Perdido, AL. one daughter, Mandy Hodges of Atmore, AL; one step-daughter, Tabitha Weekley (Carroll) Fulgham of Maben, MS; one sister, JoAnn Heibert of Atmore, AL; five grandchildren, Hunter, Cody, Alaina, Lakota and Brooke; nine step-grandchildren, Jacob, Venessa, Ruthie, Emily, Alyssa, John Asher, Isaiah, Faith and Stone; four great grandchildren, Emerlynn, Koehn, Hudson and Harper and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Ray Ward officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 27, 2021 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Hunter Edwards, Cody Edwards, Curtis Jackson, Jacob Sells, Lee Weekley and Steven McKenzie.
Martin Sellers
January 25, 2021
Martin Sellers, 81, of Pensacola, FL passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in Pensacola. Mr. Sellers was born August 16, 1939 in Bagdad, FL. He loved camping, traveling, going to and
viewing Dirt Track and Nascar Racing. He was skilled as a mechanic, in welding and loved semitrucks.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Myrtie Marie Sellers and a son, Martin Randall Sellers.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his sons, Arnold Johnson, James Johnson and Amos Sellers; his daughter, Deborah Taylor (Thomas); and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will take place at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Rev. Frank Sellers officiating. Interment will follow immediately in Sellersville Cemetery, McClellan, FL. The family will receive friends Monday, January 25, 2021 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.