Betty Grace Sport
January 15, 2019
Betty Grace Sport, 76, died January 12, 2019, at Select Specialty Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in Savannah, GA, on May 8, 1942, Betty Grace grew up in Bainbridge, GA, and moved to Pensacola in 1971 with her husband and their three children.
Over the years, Betty Grace worked as a licensed practical nurse and furniture salesperson and, more recently, as a volunteer at West Florida Hospital for several years. She was an active member of Pinewoods Presbyterian Church, and her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known as a kind, generous, joyful, witty Nana who unconditionally loved her family and wholeheartedly served God.
Betty Grace is survived by her children, Mercer Sport (Jean) of Cantonment; Lewis Sport (Paula) of St. Augustine, FL, and Lisa Sport Herrington (Scott) of Molino; as well as grandchildren, Haleigh Sport of Nashville; Hunter Sport of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Heather Sport of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tanner and Tavi Sport of St. Augustine; and Amanda Jenkins and Tori Herrington of Molino, as well as two great-granddaughters, Alliana and Atalie Jenkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Lewis “Buddy” Sport; her parents, Mercer and Vivian Baggs; a sister, Penny Baggs Kwilecki; and two brothers, William and Robert Baggs.
The family will receive guests at a visitation on January 19 at 3 p.m. at Pinewoods Presbyterian Church in Cantonment, followed by a celebration of her life at 4 p.m.
Honorary pallbearers include the elders of Pinewoods Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, www.LLS.org, in honor of Betty Grace’s grandson, Tavi.
Raymond Frank Pierson
January 15, 2019
Raymond Frank Pierson passed away at home on Friday, January 11, 2019, at the age of 84.
He was born on December 6, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Pensacola, Florida when he was a young boy. A lot of people knew him as “Bum”, a nickname given to him by his father. He married the love of his life, Ruth “Jeanette” King, on June 18, 1955. They were together for 59 years until her death on August 29, 2014.
He worked in the Bleach Plant at International Paper in Cantonment, Florida for 47 years. He was a lifelong blood donor with over 35 gallons being recognized by the Blood Bank. After retirement he enjoyed wood working and crafting with his wife.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth “Jeanette” King Pierson; and father, Raymond Leslie Pierson.
He is survived by his children, Kenneth Ray (Shannon) Pierson, Sr., Brenda Eileen Pierson (Acie) Dickerson, and Barbara Grace Pierson; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; mother, Rose Eileen Meacham Pierson; brother and sisters, Don Leslie (Pam) Pierson, Cathy Pierson (Nestor) White, and Margie Pierson (David) Haygood.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Richard Phillips officiating.
Burial will follow in Cottage Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Billy Ray Ward
January 13, 2019
Billy Ray Ward, 81, of McDavid, died January 10, 2019 at his home in McDavid, FL. He was a member and deacon of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church and Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
Mr. Ward was born March 20, 1937 in McDavid, attended Century High School and joined the Air Force. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor’s Degree. He retired from the Air Force and Civil Service at NAS Pensacola.
He was preceded in death his wife of 57 years, Frances Nadine Carlisle Ward; parents, Thomas Jackson Ward and Clara Luticia Brunson Ward and siblings, Grady Leon, Eleanor Marie and Troy Eugene Ward.
Mr. Ward is survived by his daughter, Gloria Ward of Boone, NC; son, Donald Ward of McDavid, FL; grandsons, Derek Berry, Sean Ward and ZeZe Williams; siblings, Bonnie Voncile (Joe) Silcox of Crossville, TN, and Dewey Ronald Ward of Middleburg, FL and sister-in-law, Barbara Posey of McDavid, FL.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 15 at 2:00 PM at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Burial will follow at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Visitation will be held Monday, January 14, 2019 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Military Bodybearers.
Honorary Pallbearers will members of Ray’s Chapel Sr. Adult, Deacons of Ray’s Chapel and Highland’s Men’s Classes.
Dorothy Sue Lamb
January 8, 2019
Dorothy Sue Lamb, 99, of Century, FL, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019.
She was born on June 1, 1919, in Century, a daughter of the late William and Sallie McCurdy.
She was a graduate of Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University), a lifelong educator in numerous schools across Florida, and a member of Century United Methodist Church. She enjoyed journeying to the local library or site of the Bookmobile, reading, gardening, needlework, traveling, and hosting her family, friends, and her many former students, in whose lives her legacy will live on.
Sue was preceded in death by five brothers, Francis Marion McCurdy, William Barclay McCurdy, Cameron Mervin McCurdy, Harold Hayes McCurdy and Robert Edwin “Billy” McCurdy; and four sisters, Viola Jane Quigley, Mary Agnes Crafton, Ella Nora Gilpin, and Edith Harriet Clark.
Sue is survived by two daughters, Sallie Sue Lamb Arnold of Pensacola and Martha Louise Lamb Anderson of Flomaton; one grandson, Barrie Craig Arnold of Pensacola; two granddaughters, Angela Suzanne Anderson Capers (Billy) of Flomaton and Rebecca Sue Arnold Anderson (Drew) of Fayetteville; two great grandsons, Billy Ray Capers, Jr. and Zachary Scott Capers; and three great granddaughters, Alexis Nikole Barrow, Eleanor Sue Anderson, and Abigail Jules Anderson.
Please join us in celebrating her life at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Flomaton Funeral Home, 1811 West State Line Road, Flomaton, AL 36441.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sue’s memory to either Emerald Coast Hospice of Pensacola c/o Kindred Hospice Foundation or West Florida Public Libraries.
Luvirn G. Mathis
January 8, 2019
Mrs. Luvirn G. Mathis, age 83, passed away Monday, January 7, 2019 in Atmore, Alabama.
Mrs. Mathis was a native of Atmore, AL, former resident of Flomaton, AL and had resided in Atmore, AL for most of her life. She retired from Monsanto with 25 years of service and was a member of Marranatha Ministries where she served as Vice President. She is preceded in death by her parents, Sherill and Gladys Goodwin; father of her children, Carlton Shivers and brother, Leonard S. “Buddy” Goodwin.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Bro. John K. Mathis of Atmore, AL; two daughters, Margaret (Gene) Van Hoosen of Flomaton, AL and Elizabeth Lambeth of Flomaton, AL; one step-daughter, Laura Perryman of Pensacola, FL; one sister, Christeen Black of Century, FL; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 12:00 Noon at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Thurl Pearson, Sis. Carolyn Bankes and Bro. Jessie Richardson officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 11:00 AM until service time at 12:00 Noon at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Austin Lambeth, Garrett Harper, Dylan Cook, Carl Lambeth, Ricky Van Hoosen, Ed Cook and Tucker Lambeth.
Joseph Earl Mathis
January 7, 2019
Joseph Earl Mathis, age 44 of Milton, FL., passed away January 6, 2019. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts.
Known by Joe to many, and Joe-Joe to family, everyone who knew Joe was blessed by his fun spirit and great sense of humor. Joe was particularly fond of theme parks and roller coasters and loved the Great Smokey Mountains. He was an avid Florida Gator and Chicago Bears fan.
Joe worked for Republic National Distributing Company for many years as a delivery driver and later in management. He loved his co-workers and people on his route.
Of all the things Joe loved, his family was always first to him. While he loved everyone, he particularly loved his nephew Dakota, and Nieces Kayla, Cierra, and Lacy. He always provided a hand when possible to his sisters and would never miss a Christmas with the kids. Uncle had a special way of spoiling and it always came back to love. He supported the kids in everything from Cosplay to Gaming and was always present at any performance or ball game they had.
The family wishes to give special appreciation to Faith Chapel Funeral Home, Brittany from the Heart Failure Clinic, Dr. Amin and staff at Sacred Heart Hospital, and R.N. Lisa with Covenant Hospice.
Joseph is survived by his mother Katie Mathis: and his sisters Janet (Mike) Mashburn and Karen Griffin. His siblings Patricia Johnson, Earnest Johnson and Kimberly Munro and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation for family and friends will be at 10:00 AM with a Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 AM Saturday January, 12 at Gonzalez Baptist Church, 1590 Pauline St. Cantonment, Fl. 32533
Mary L. Rink
January 7, 2019
Mary L. Rink resident of Molino, FL passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the age of 74. She was born February 28, 1944 in Foley, Alabama to the late Douglas Lay Smith and Agnes Lee Jessie Merritt.
Mary worked in retail at Tandy Leather Co., J.C. Penney, and Linens -N- Things. She enjoyed bowling and bingo with her friends through the years. After her health limited her, she took up scrapbooking.
Mary very much enjoyed shopping and coffee dates with her daughters and her sister, Patsy.
Family gatherings always brought her great joy.
Mary and John were together for over 40 years. They cared for each other deeply.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Agnes Killen; her parents; brothers, Nolan Jones, William Smith, Thomas Smith, and Steven Merritt; and her sister, Lynda Faye Marrow.
Mary is survived by her husband, John Rink; daughter, Debbie Smith; sister, Patsy Pennington; brothers, Johnny Smith and Tom Jones; 5 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2019, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Burial will follow in Highland Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at noon, prior to services.
David McCaskill Jr.
January 6, 2019
David McCaskill Jr., age 58, of Cantonment, FL. went home to be with the Lord Thursday, January 3, 2019.
David was an athlete and graduate of Tate High School and took an early retirement from Solutia to pursue a career in Real Estate. Later in life he worked for the Escambia County School District. David enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, and anything outdoors. He was an avid Auburn fan and loved watching baseball. He coached his children in various sports throughout their childhoods. David was a member of Highland Baptist Church. He enjoyed listening to Christian music and watching Westerns and Civil War films on Television. His greatest joys in life were traveling and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dade and Ina Morrow McCaskill and G.V. and Emmer Seay Borders; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
David was survived by his wife of 35 years, Kristine Scott McCaskill; his children, Stephanie (Ahmed) McCaskill Elgamasy and Steven McCaskill; his parents David and Joan Borders McCaskill, Sr. ; and many other loved family members.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Berry, Matthew Berry, JJ Travis, John Smith, Trent Tipton, Josh Webb, Andrew Manning and Danny Houston.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Andy Scott and Pastor Brian Calhoun officiating. Interment will follow in Cottage Hill Community Cemetery.
Family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. prior to services.
Taylor James Kropenick
January 4, 2019
Taylor James Kropenick unexpectedly passed away at home in Pensacola, FL. He was born in Fort Walton Beach, FL on June 14, 1990.
Taylor is survived by his parents, Jay Kropenick and Lisa Blackmon Kropenick; his brother, Parker Kropenick; his grandmother, Becky Blackmon; and many aunts, uncles, cousins as well as his many friends.
Taylor graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, FL and attended Northwest Florida State College. Taylor worked in the A/V industry and during the last months of his life he was involved in the reconstruction efforts of Panama City and the surrounding areas following Hurricane Michael.
Taylor packed many passions into his time with us and excelled at all. He inherited his interest in firearms and the L.A. Rams football team from his father and his deep sense of compassion for others from his mother. He shared a passion for animals and all things fast with his brother. Taylor made friends easily and always considered himself fortunate when he was able to lend a hand or comfort others.
Arrangements are being made through Faith Chapel Funeral Home where the family will have a private service.
In lieu of floral contributions, the family requests donations to your favorite charity in honor of Taylor.
Mary Lou Smith Rink
January 4, 2019
Mary Lou Smith Rink passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019, in Pensacola.
Public visitation is from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. with funeral services immediately following.
Services will be conducted by Faith Chapel North.