John Steven Watson
February 19, 2020
Mr. John Steven Watson, age 75, passed away Monday, February 17, 2020 in Pensacola, Florida.
Mr. Watson was a native and resident of Jay, FL and had spent most of his life in the Byrneville, FL community. He was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict serving with the U.S. Marine Corp. He was a retired truck driver, loved playing the guitar, loved horses and race cars. He was a member of the Byneville Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Vendell Watson and brother, Gary Watson.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Louise Levins Watson of Jay, FL; three sons, Keith (Keely) Watson of Chipley, FL, Kevin (Lindy) Watson of Dexter, GA and Brian (Dawn) Watson of Birmingham, AL; two brothers, Tommie Watson of Mobile, AL and Danny Watson of Mobile, AL; seventeen grandchildren; four great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services will be held Friday, February 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Byrneville Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Joshua Watson, Wyatt Watson, Bradley Watson, Brayden Watson, Kalib Watson, Breanna Watson and Wynter Watson.
Lucas Randall Courtney
February 11, 2020
Lucas Randall Courtney, 24, of Cantonment, FL, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020.
He was born in Pensacola, FL, attended Tate High School and was employed at the Boyd Plumbing Company as a service plumber.
Lucas enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors. He loved to sing karaoke and was happy to show off his singing talent from Pensacola all the way to Camden, AL. He was happiest when he was with friends and family. He loved being an uncle to Kash and was happy to teach him all sorts of bad habits.
He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Larry Strickland and Bill Courtney; uncle, Ernie Courtney and his special friend and mentor, Sheila Binion.
Lucas is survived by his parents, Luke and Marla Courtney; sister and brother-in-law, Ashton and Kasi Calvin and nephew, Kash Calvin all of Cantonment, FL; grandmothers, Cora Strickland, of Greenwood, FL and Elaine Lambeth, of Brewton, AL; grandfather, Tony Winget, of Ashford AL; aunts and uncles, Michael Courtney (Lou) and Janna Boyd, of Pensacola, FL, Tammy McCray (David), of Woodford, VA, Brenda Yaqub (Talha), of Chantilly, VA, Cindy Courtney of Brewton, AL, Phil Winget (Crystal), of Bascom, FL, Brad Winget (Chrissy), of Wasilla, AK, Jonathan Strickland (Kim), of Marianna FL, Jason Strickland (Dani), of Lynn Haven, FL; as well as, numerous cousins and special friends, Brett Johnson, Travis Poole, Caleb Girdner, Taylor Hughes and Ariel Holland.
A memorial visitation will be held 1:00pm until a memorial service begins at 2:00pm Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church with Pastor Gordon Godfrey officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Wild Turkey Federation, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC 29824-0530.
Terry Dennis Rigby
February 10, 2020
Terry Dennis Rigby, 60, of Oak Grove, FL. passed away February 10, 2020 in Pensacola, FL. He was born in Columbia, S.C. on March 28, 1959.
He attended Auburn University. He was a retired fleet maintenance supervisor for Escambia County Solid Waste with over 32 years of service. In 2018, he was honored by the Escambia County Commission for his long career. He served as a volunteer for the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, next month would have made 40 years and served as chief from 1988 to 1989. In 2012, he was named Officer of the Year and was honored for his decades of service to the department.
He is preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Doris Tichi Rigby.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years Sherri Clauss Rigby of Oak Grove, FL; two children Chad Rigby of Oak Grove, FL, and Kristi Rigby Hughes of Orlando, FL; two grandsons Devin and Dakota Hughes; brother Russell Young of South Carolina and numerous family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 14, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Kevin Flannigan officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Escambia Country Fire and Rescue Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Levon McKinley
February 9, 2020
Levon McKinley, age 75, went to join his loved ones in heaven on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
He struggled many years with heart problems and passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Levon McKinley was born on November 15, 1944, in Atmore, AL, to Bessie Mae Browning, age 40, and James Thomas McKinley, Sr, age 42. He had four brothers and four sisters, and spent his early years living in Atmore, AL. He was the first and only child to graduate from Escambia High School in 1962 and decided to join the military in 1964. He left on a bus for Mobile, AL. Although he didn’t qualify, he saw a lovely lady who was also looking to join the military. She dropped a dime, he picked it up, and the rest was history. He met his future wife, Carol Ann Latimer that day, and they married on April 10, 1964 in Bay Minette, AL. The new family settled in Gulfport, MS in 1965 and their first son, William James “Jimmy” McKinley was born in February 4, 1969. Then on January 15, 1977 Misty Kay McKinley was born. He traveled all over the country working as a truck driver. He was known for his love of good southern food, wearing his overalls, and cheering for his Alabama Crimson “Roll Tide!” He was happiest fishing at the beach front on the gulf coast, sitting in his recliner watching sports, or listening to church sermons on the radio.
Levon was preceded in death by Carol, his father, James, his mother, Bessie, his infant brother, his older sisters Pauline, Christine, Irene, and his older brothers Clarence “Bo,” James “Bud,” and Kenneth. He is survived by his two children, Jimmy McKinley and Misty Reyes, his sister Margie Wasson, his two grandchildren, Kayla and Khristian Reyes, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will celebrate his life from 12:30 – 1:30pm Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Petty Funeral Home.
Glenda Elizabeth Gulsby Hamilton
February 9, 2020
Glenda Elizabeth Hamilton passed peacefully on February 7, 2020 at the age of 79.
Glenda was born on April 29, 1940 to Aubrey Cecil (Peck) and Margaret Elizabeth (Pinky) Gulsby. She grew up in the Pensacola and Molino area and even spent some time in Mobile. In 1956, at the age of 16, she met and fell in love with a handsome young man in an Air Force uniform and later married him becoming Mrs. Charles Hamilton. After Charles became ordained to preach, Glenda served as Pastors wife for over 30 years. Over the years she became a mother to five children and then became Nana to 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Glenda loved music, especially anything by Elvis. Her favorite gospel song was “Turn Your Radio On” and her favorite big band song was “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller.
Glenda’s favorite color was purple and of course anything shiny or sparkly. She had a beautiful alto voice and loved to sing. I’m sure she is singing in heaven’s choir as we speak.
Glenda had been a resident at Specialty Health and Rehab on Pine Forest Road, where she was loved and cared for by the wonderful staff who became a part of our family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Charles Hamilton; parents, Aubrey Cecil Gulsby and Margaret Elizabeth White; and half- brother, Jerry Gulsby. Glenda will be greatly missed by her son, Craig Hamilton (Robin), daughter, Dorinda Nelson (Larry), daughter, Alicia Trevino (Ed), daughter, Regina Hamilton, son, Brian Hamilton (Barbie), and half-brothers, Steve Gulsby and Loy Gulsby; half-sister, Donna Watters; 15 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North from 10:00-11:00 AM. Funeral services will begin at 11:00, with Rev. Charles Mitchell officiating. Burial will be at Morgan Cemetery with Rev. Chip Barbas officiating.
Pallbearers are Nathan Gross, Justin Gross, Loy Gulsby, Kenneth Trevino, Bill Gulsby and Steve Gulsby.
Helen Stacey Houck Courtney
February 9, 2020
Helen Stacey Houck Courtney, 86 of Atmore, AL, passed away February 8, 2020, in Atmore. She was born on February 16, 1933, in Canoe, AL, to the late J.D. Curtis and Nettie Louise Smith Stacey. She worked most of her life as a certified nursing assistant. She was of the Baptist faith. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Lewis Houck, siblings Curtis Stacey, Eloise Ellis, Maedell Bartley.
She is survived by her son Larry (Betty) Houck and daughter Martha Floyd both of Atmore, AL; four brothers Elvin (Carolyn) Stacey of Pensacola, FL, Ronald (Lola) Stacey of North Carolina, John Stacey of Houston, TX, and Doyle (Bonnie) Stacey of Houston, TX; two sisters Vivian Faye Havers of Houston, TX, And Linda (Millard) Peacock of GA; grandchildren LaDonna (Mike) Dervin, Bridgette Houck and Craig (Katie) Kast and four great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at Atmore Nursing Home and Comfort Care Hospice for the special care that was given to their mother.
John Dawson Hendricks
February 9, 2020
John Dawson Hendricks, 84, of Jay, Florida, went to his heavenly home on February 5, 2020.
John D was a lifelong resident of Jay. He was a graduate of Jay High School, Class of 1954. After high school, he went to work for Chemstrand and Solutia during his 34 year tenure at Monsanto. When he wasn’t at Fort Morgan fishing, you could find him atop his John Deere tractor, or wielding a weed eater at Mount Carmel Methodist Church where he was a lifelong member and Trustee for many years.
John D is preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Mamie Hendricks; his former wife, Martha Hawsey Hendricks; a daughter, Ramona Hendricks Rhode; a daughter-in-law, Nell Hendricks; and his sisters, Mabel Campbell, Mildred Golden and Lula Belle Hendricks.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Susan Hendricks; a daughter, Melinda Madison (Paul); a son, Howard Hendricks; and step-daughter; Kristen Sorrells (Phillipp); grandsons, Eric Rhode, Stephen Rhode, Will Madison, Tristen Sorrells, and Tylen Sorrells; granddaughters, Mariah Rollins (Scott) and Brooklyn Sorrells; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Flora Cole, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Annie Lord (James) of Chumuckla; and three brothers, James (Mary Frances), Barnett (Mary Evelyn), Donald (Rachael) and Billy (Opal), all of Jay.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. Burial will follow services in the church cemetery with Lewis Funeral Home of Milton directing.
Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.
Active Pallbearers: Eric Rhode, Stephen Rhode, Scott Rollin, Tristen Sorrells, Tylen Sorrells, and Ivan Hendricks.
Honorary Pallbearers: Charlie and Elsie Kimbrell, Bill Patrick, Tony Payne, Dot Davis, and his Sunday School class members.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Debbie Godwin, Terry Shaner, Staff members at Terrace at Ivey Acres, Dr. David Smith and Jay Hospital Staff, Cassandra Staffer with Covenant Hospice, and many family and friends for their love and support.
Morris B. Stone
February 9, 2020
Morris B. Stone, age 49, died peacefully and entered God’s Kingdom called Heaven on Feb 5, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Morris was born on June 4, 1970 in Pensacola, FL to Marcus Stone and the late Gloria Stone.
Morris was a graduate of Tate High School and worked in management at Walmart until he medically retired in 2010. He loved the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Dallas Cowboys, fishing, bowling and a big dip of Copenhagen.
Morris is preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Stone; and his brother, Kenneth Morgan Stone.
He is survived by his father, Marcus Gene Stone; brothers, Mark (Wendy) Stone and Roy (Joan) Stone; sister, Susie (Dave) Hill; and also a big family that loved him dearly.
Morris passion for life started early for him when his preliminary checkup to start kindergarten revealed that he had a blood disease called leukemia. The fight was on and as he had done his whole life he fought bravely and courageously and after being in and out of remission for several years he was approved for a “experimental procedure” at the time called a bone marrow transplant. We moved our family 3,000 miles away from home to Seattle, Washington and with the odds stacked against him, Morris won his battle with leukemia and in a rare occasion with this deadly disease was diagnosed as cured. Unfortunately, out of the 12 beautiful children there at the same time battling this horrible disease, Morris was the only one to survive. Morris went on with life! Bound by the side-effects of years of chemo he persevered and touched many lives.
He played sports at the Cantonment ballpark, where many lifetime memories and friends were made. Morris went Tate High School where he never let his health become a obstacle in his joy of life and he shared that joy with many, many friends that he loved and who also loved him dearly. In high school Morris took up bowling and became an avid and very good bowler. He enjoyed competing in youth and adult leagues at Deluna lanes. He loved those weekend family bowling nights and especially the nights he got to school his big brothers and Yes, it was often!
Morris also invested in the lives of many young men through coaching football at Ensley ballpark for many years. There is no doubt he made a profound and positive difference in many of the young lives that God put in his path. Morris worked at Winn Dixie for a short time after high school before taking a job at Walmart where he worked his way up into management. After years of working with his Walmart family, who also loved him dearly, scars from the battle for life some 30 years in the past returned. The large amounts of chemo it took to save his life as a child had also caused his organs not to develop fully causing him to have a series of strokes in 2009 that left him unable to speak and paralyzed on his right side. Through all this Morris still never lost his grit and determination for life and he continued to touch the lives of those who loved him. In Oct. of 2016 Morris was diagnosed with colon cancer and stage 4 liver cancer and was giving 2 months to live.
God had a different plan! Morris blessed the lives of family and friends for another 3 yrs. This is the reason his cancer doctor simply called him “Miracle Morris”. Morris fought to the end with the same passion and love for life that he did in the beginning. The strength and resilience that he showed in every battle that life put in his path made him a inspiration to all who knew him. Morris, with his contagious smile and big warm heart that could knock the chill out of the coldest of rooms, will surely be missed by us all.
Funeral services will be held at 4PM on Sun., Feb. 9, 2020 with visitation beginning at 2PM prior to services.
Burial will be held at 11AM on Mon., Feb. 10 at the Andalusia Memorial Cemetery in Andalusia Al. Pastor Wes Alvarez will officiate.
Sara “Tiny” Waters
February 8, 2020
Mrs. Sara “Tiny” Waters, age 66, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020 in Atmore, Alabama.
Mrs. Waters was a native of Atmore, AL and had resided in the Century and Flomaton area for most of her life. She was a member of the Gospel Light Temple Church. She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, James Earl Waters; parents, Thomas and Jewell Hanks; daughter, Kim Sims; two brothers, Thomas Hanks and Kenneth Hanks and two sisters, Genene Baggett and Mary Griffis.
She is survived by one son, Jamie Waters of Flomaton, AL; one daughter, Ashley Lee of Flomaton, AL; two sisters, Glenda Averett of Atmore, AL and Elizabeth Johnson of Atmore, AL; numerous grandchildren, two special grandsons, Ryder Lee and Brayden Lee and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Bobby Carnley officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Dak Sims, Wade Harris, Jamie Waters, Johnny Griffis, Jon Jon Griffis and Sammy Portwood.
Honorary Pallbearer will be Travis Moye.
Robert N. Fournier
February 8, 2020
Robert N. Fournier went home to be with his Heavenly Father Jesus Christ Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully with his wife at his bedside at their resident in Cantonment, FL.
Bob was born January 10, 1936, in St. Petersburg, FL.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Nelson and Iris Fournier; grandmother, Ina Lingle who he loved dearly; brother; Richard E. Fournier; son, Bobby; and stepson, Terry Snelson.
Bob is survived by his wife, Fran, of 33+ years; step daughter, Teresa Kelly; eight grandchildren, Jesse Snelson (Austina), Janna Rubbert (Dan), Johanna Clark (Cayleb), and Jared and Jamie Snelson, Nick Snelson (Bailie), Lukas Snelson (Michelle), Sydney Spears (Jessie), and Nathan Phillips; four great grandchildren, Lauren Snelson, Gioia and Anthony Snelson, and Aeliana Spears; and sister-in-law, Joann Reeves.
Bob joined the Navy in 1954 serving his Country proudly for 20 years. After retiring from the Navy he worked for the Navy through Civil Service stationed at Whiting Field, Saufley Field and Barren Field.
He was an avid Ham Radio (WA4UTP) Operator, sending messages to missionaries around the world. During his stay in Morocco, he worked at missionaries’ Pig Farms on the weekends. Wherever Bob was stationed he got involved in a local church or helped start a church.
Bob loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was very devoted to his daily prayer time and daily bible study. He served his Lord faithfully. He was a very godly and giving man.
Pallbearers are Jesse Snelson, Lukas Snelson, Warren Duncan, Ronnie Golloher, Dennis Norton, Nathan Phillips, and Nicholas Snelson.
Visitation will be Friday, February 7, 2020 at 4PM at Faith Chapel North. A Celebration of Bob’s life will follow at 5PM with Reverend Mike Faircloth officiating. Burial will be Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 2PM at Pensacola Memorial Gardens with Military Honors with Mr. Bill Lewis officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Care Hospice, 5041 North 12th. Ave., Pensacola, FL.
A very special thanks to family, friends and Covenant Care Staff, employees and volunteers you were there when I needed you. Marty, Samantha, Lori, Jan, Bill, Chaplains, Jose’ and Dean.