Rosalyn Slay
October 13, 2018
Ms. Rosalyn Slay, 65, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Daphne, Alabama.
Ms. Slay was a native of Bay Minette, AL and had resided in Baldwin County, AL most of her life. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Charles and Ruth Slay, Jr.
She is survived by her brother, Charles Edward Slay of Daphne, AL; sister, Martha C. Slay of Daphne, AL; nephew, Mark (Karen) Moore of Daphne, AL; two great nephews, Reilly Moore and Colston Moore both of Daphne, AL and one great niece, Kaylee Owens of Chatham, AL.
Visitation was held Friday, October 12, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 12 Noon at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary LaVonne LaCoste
October 13, 2018
Mary LaVonne “Vonnie” LaCoste, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on October 10, 2018 following a characteristically courageous and hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s. She was 82.
Born the sixth of seven children on April 9, 1936, in Jay, Florida to Andrew and Lilly Mae Dunsford, Vonnie had fond memories of her childhood where she helped pick cotton in her sharecropper father’s fields and learned to cook biscuits when she was so little she had to pull up a chair to stand on beside her mother. She was raised in both Jay and Century and attended Century High School, where she met the love of her life, Melvin LaCoste. At 16, she married Melvin and they shared 61 years of love, laughter, tears and joy before he passed away in 2014.
Melvin attended apprenticeship school and learned to be an electrician. The trade took the young couple from Pensacola to New York City in the early 1950s where a teenaged Vonnie who had never been to a city bigger than Pensacola learned to navigate Manhattan. Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, they made their home where work took them: Utah, Idaho, California, Texas and Birmingham, Ala. Vonnie never forgot the adventures their travels yielded, nor the friends they met along the way. But home for her was always Florida and she was never completely content until she was there.
Vonnie worked as a waitress as a young woman, and later at Monsanto, but her true calling was motherhood and she was never so happy as when she had a baby to tend to, whether it was one of her own four children, her many nieces and nephews, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Babies and small children gravitated to her; she could soothe the fussiest and calm the most temperamental. While adults might try her patience, she had an endless supply for children, and never seemed to tire when taking care of them.
Beautiful, feisty, smart, funny-Vonnie was an introvert in an extravert’s body. She was happy to be alone with her nose buried in a book, but could be the life of the party telling stories and jokes. She took pride in keeping an immaculate home, cooking Southern food that could rival any five-star chef, and providing common sense advice and a sympathetic ear in equal measure to her children. She and Melvin were dedicated members of Smyrna Baptist Church for more than four decades and their church family was a constant anchor in their life.
Vonnie enjoyed traveling with her husband and with her beloved late sister, Betty Fuller, and especially loved the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. She loved country music artists like George Jones, Johnny Horton, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn and sang their songs to generations of children as she rocked them to sleep. But to her no one sang as sweetly as her own Melvin and she could never reconcile herself to being separated from him, even if temporarily. Those who love her are rejoicing in their reunion.
Vonnie was a matriarch of a massive extended family, all with personal memories of how she touched their lives. She will be remembered for her beauty-both inside and out-her fierce loyalty, her strong faith, her tender heart, and her passionate love for her husband and family.
Vonnie is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Melvin LaCoste, Sr.; parents, Andrew and Lillie Mae Dunsford; sisters, Cammie Simmons and Betty Fuller; and brothers, Dewy, Rudolph, Cleon and A.T. Dunsford.
She is survived by her four children and 12 grandchildren, Skip LaCoste of Pensacola, wife Jean and children Kari LaCoste-Jones, Joshua and Sarah Emerich; Tim LaCoste of Slidell, La., wife Vickie and children Megan Gulledge, and Leanne and Chantry Huffman; Scott LaCoste of Chumuckla, wife Mitzi and children Wyatt and Cameron LaCoste and Alexis and Nate Gentry; and Jenny LaCoste Caputo of Austin, Tx., husband Anton and children Dante and Lexi. She also survived by nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are grandsons Joshua LaCoste, Dante Caputo, Wyatt LaCoste, Cameron LaCoste, and nephews Bryan LaCoste, Danny Fuller and Marc Fuller.
Funeral services were held Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Faith Chapel North, with interment at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Hwy., Pensacola.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas George Greenwell
October 6, 2018
Mr. Thomas “Tom” George Greenwell, Sr., age 83, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at his home in McDavid, Florida.
Mr. Greenwell was a native of Bogia, FL and had resided in McDavid, FL most of his life. He retired from Monsanto with 39 ½ years of service, was an avid outdoorsman and a member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Greenwell of McDavid, FL; two sons, Thomas George (Sandra) Greenwell, Jr. of Molino, FL and Mark Andrew (Cindy) Greenwell of Bluff Springs, FL; one daughter, Beth (Ken) Hayes of Molino, FL; one brother, Roger (Rhoda) Greenwell of Cantonment, FL; three sisters, Joyce Nelson of Cordell, GA, Barbara Johnson of Bluff Springs, FL and Sharon (Kenny) Rigby of Cantonment, FL; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, October 5, 2018, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Burial was at the Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Timothy Greenwell, Daniel Greenwell, Josh Greenwell, Jeremy Greenwell, Dakota Smith and Jordan Lee.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
James Hugh McDonald
October 6, 2018
The Reverend James “Hugh” McDonald, 93, of Pensacola, a tireless servant of the Lord for almost seven decades, died Monday, October 1, 2018, at Summer Vista Assisted Living Retirement Community.
Reverend McDonald led United Methodist Church congregations in Florida and Alabama for many years, retiring in 1989 after serving six years at Ensley (Fla) United Methodist Church. He previously served Florida congregations in Molino, Gonzalez and Jay, and pastored at a number of Alabama churches, including Mobile, Brewton, Selma and Robertsdale.
Reverend McDonald was born September 5, 1925, in Geneva County, AL, to John Barton and Clara Bell (McLaney) McDonald. A veteran of World War II, he began serving in the U. S. Army at age 17. He was a member of Company 1, 29th Infantry Regiment and discharged as a Sergeant First Class. After returning home from the war, McDonald graduated from Geneva County (Ala.) High School in 1947 and received his divinity degree from Asbury University (Wilmore, Ky.) in 1951. He also studied at Emory University.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Clay; and sisters, Miriam Berry, Mary Johnson and Mellijo Helms.
Reverend McDonald is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Margaret Lenora (Woodham) McDonald. She was his partner in Christ for 66 years. They married July 2, 1952.
Other survivors include his son, John Bentley McDonald of Pensacola; daughters, Margaret Ann (Keith) Pyron of Daphne, Ala., and Mary Elizabeth (Bill) Zimmerman of Ridgeland, Miss.; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly. Grandchildren Michael (Kyna) McDonald of Atmore, Ala., Matt (Dara) McDonald of Cleveland, Tenn., Melanie McDonald of Birmingham, Ala., Jason (Stephanie) Zimmerman of Brandon, Miss., Michelle (Stephen) Fitzsimmons of Brookhaven, Miss., Jenny (Ross) Black of Gulf Breeze, Leah Pyron of Atlanta, Ga., and Laurel Pyron (Jay) Boulton of Palm Beach. Great-grandchildren Landon and Addison Zimmerman, Gigi Fitzsimmons, Draco and Maddox McDonald, Morgann McDonald and Emma, Allie and Isaac Black.
Pallbearers were grandsons, Michael and Matthew McDonald, Jason Zimmerman and grandsons-in-law, Ross Black of Gulf Breeze, Jay Boulton of Palm Beach and Stephen Fitzsimmons of Brookhaven, Miss.
Honorary pallbearers were retired Methodist ministers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Reverend McDonald’s name to the Stegall Seminary Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 241661, Montgomery, Ala. 36124.
Throughout his ministry, Reverend McDonald strived to win souls for Jesus Christ, stressing family unity and answering a never-ending call to witness for the Lord. He served as Mission’s Secretary for the Pensacola District for more than 10 years, leading crews and building churches in Belize, Guatemala, Panama, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Mexico, helping to spread God’s word.
Funeral services were held Friday, October 5, 2018, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino with the Rev. Jimmy Cook, pastor of Aldersgate Church and Rev. Alan Ganzhorn, superintendent of the Demopolis (Ala.) United Methodist District and former pastor of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, officiating.
Burial was in Aldersgate Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Florence Janette Martin Beck
October 5, 2018
Florence Janette Martin Beck, 77, of Atmore, AL, passed away on Sunday, September 30, 2018, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Beck was born on December 13, 1940, in Poarch, AL and had resided in McCullough, AL for most of her life. She was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and attended the Poarch Community Church.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Elsie Martin Holland; father, Willis McGhee; son, Randall Martin; grandson, Wayne Murphy Jr.; sisters, Velma Amos and Helen Price; and brothers, Otha Martin and Levan Martin.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Kenneth Beck of McCullough, AL; son, Keith (Rochel) Martin of McCullough, AL; daughter, Anita Martin (Wayne) Murphy of Pensacola, FL; three sisters, Jean Ardis of Lottie, AL, Mary Jane (Eddie) Tullis of Poarch, AL and Nancy (Eddie) Lowrey of Atmore, AL; six brothers, Douglas Martin of Atmore, AL, JT Holland of Poarch, AL, Kent (Tracey) McGhee of Poarch, AL, Terry (Yvonne) McGhee of Poarch, AL, George (Sharon) McGhee of Atmore, AL and Danny McGhee of Poarch, AL; eight grandchildren, Melinda Martin, Marcus Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Samantha (Jonathan) Rolin, Jessica (Cody) Black, Rachel Martin, Scarlet Martin and Dawsen Martin; 13 great grandchildren, Justin Martin, Alexis Monroe, Ella Murphy, Mackenzie Murphy, Colton Murphy, Hadlea Murphy, Jacob Murphy, Jackson Rolin, Lily Rolin, Jacen Rolin, Amelia Kate Black, Manning Black and Brantley Sharpless; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, October 4, 2018, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Chris Pruitt and Bro. Joe White officiating.
Burial was at the Judson Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Cody Black, Jonathan Rolin, Marcus Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Justin Martin and Dawsen Martin.
Honorary pallbearers were Gravis Sells, Tony Sells, Kent McGhee, Terry McGhee, Eddie Tullis and Lamar Martin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary Frances Qualls Alverson
October 5, 2018
Mary Frances Qualls Alverson left this world Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 8:25 p.m. She was born July 14, 1933. She was 85. She began her married life as a military wife, being transferred to various bases; Mr. Alverson was shipped out to Korea, Mrs. Alverson and child returned to Uriah. She then began her career with Vanity Fair. She is preceded in death by her husband, William G. Alverson; parents, A.E. (Jack Qualls) and Stella (Greer) Qualls; and a brother, Juby Qualls.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joyce (Billy) Lambert of Atmore, AL and Charles (Lenny) Alverson of Atmore, AL; grandchildren, Dennis (Janet) Jarrell of Atmore, AL, David Jarrell of Atlanta, GA, Sherry (Terry) White of Atmore, AL, Michael Alverson of Uriah, AL, Jamie Alverson of Uriah, AL and Ashley (Bryan) House of Excel, AL; 16 great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews, Cindy (John) Brown of Monroeville, AL, Melissa Ezella of Daphne, AL and Joey Qualls of Mobile, AL; and numerous, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorial services will be at a later date.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Viola Elizabeth Lambert Conn
October 5, 2018
Viola Elizabeth Lambert Conn, 74 of Atmore, AL, passed away Monday, October 1, 2018, in Mobile, AL. She was a manager for Diamond Oil.
She was born on October 9, 1943, to the late Angus and Emma Presley Lambert.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Jeff Whisenant; brother, Douglas Lambert; and sisters, Gaynell Vaughn and Helen Burkett.
She is survived by two sons, Brandon Conn of Atmore, AL and Jerame (Lydia) Conn of Poarch, AL; two daughters, Tammy Dotson of Atmore, AL, and Lisa (Carlos) Hernandez of Houston, TX; three brothers, Donald (Judy) Lambert of Flomaton, AL, John Earl Reed and James Reed, both of Texas; two sisters, Lagatha Lilly and Wanda (Carey) Vowels both of Texas and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday, October 4, 2018, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Matt Salter officiating.
Interment was in Serenity Gardens.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Richard Andrew Van Hoosen
October 1, 2018
Mr. Richard ‘Ricky’ Andrew Van Hoosen, age 42, of Century , FL, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2018 at USA Medical Center in Mobile, AL.
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Mr. Van Hoosen was born in Pensacola, FL, and had been a resident of Century for the past ten years coming from Flomaton, AL. He worked for Radford & Nix Construction Company, and he enjoyed fishing and riding motorcycles. Mr. Van Hoosen was preceded in death by his parents, Brenda Cain and Leon Andrew Sims; Granny & Pa Pa, Aunt Linda, and Aunt Jinxie.
He is survived by his brother, Chris Van Hoosen of Milton, FL; sister, Amy Cain of Freeport, FL; numerous nieces, and nephews, and children that he loved and raised as his own; fiancee’, Rebekah ‘Beka” Dixon of Century, FL.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 to 8 P.M.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 12 NOON with Bro. Jim Colley officiating.
Internment will follow in Traveler’s Rest Cemetery, Flomaton, AL.
Arthur Ray McKenzie
October 1, 2018
Arthur Ray McKenzie, 80 of Atmore, passed away Monday October 01, 2018, in Mobile. He was retired from the shipyard as a foreman, born in Mize, MS, on December 10, 1937, to the William Ernest and Thelma Byrd McKenzie. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Vickie Rena McKenzie Garrett.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Dorothy Hollingsworth McKenzie of Atmore; sister Mary Catherine Gardner of Columbus, MS ; three grandchildren Tyler (Hannah) Garrett of Augusta , GA, Jamie Garrett of Atmore,. Jennifer (Lee) Graves
of Grand Bay, AL; and great-grandchild Seth Graves of Grand Bay, AL.
Services will be Friday, October 5, 2018, at 1 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Jimmy Long officiating. Interment will follow in Antioch Cemetery at Nokomis, FL.
Family will receive friends, Thursday evening October 4, 2018, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.
Judson Scott Caraway
September 30, 2018
Infant Judson Scott Caraway passed away on September 25, 2018, in Brewton, Alabama.
Survivors include his parents, Anthony and Jessica Caraway; paternal grandparents, Tim and Tiwania Caraway; maternal grandparents, Ken and Andrea McCray; parental great grandparents, James and Judy Welch and Harold and Ruby Fretwell.
Graveside services were held Saturday, September 29, 2018, at the Bryars-McGill Cemetery with Rev. Justin Morse, Sister Helen Stewart and Rev. Junior Byrd officiating
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.