Robert Greg Evers
August 26, 2017
Senator Robert G. “Greg” Evers, of Baker, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Evers served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010 and in the Florida Senate from 2010 to 2016. He was known for being an unwavering Second Amendment advocate, supporter of smaller government and a legislative champion for law enforcement, first responders and veterans. His distinguished legislative career was marked by his common sense and “get it done” approach.
A fifth-generation northwest Floridian, Greg’s roots ran deep in north Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties. He was born in Milton on June 16, 1955, to high school sweethearts John Robert Evers and Rhanalda Jequita Holley Evers. He grew up on the family farm in Munson. Greg graduated from Jay High School in 1973, where he lettered in multiple sports and served as a statewide Vice-President for the Future Farmers of America; he later attended Pensacola Junior College. He was a lifelong member of Beaver Creek Baptist Church and a long-time member of the Beaver Creek Masonic Lodge No. 230.
Evers’ primary career was as a farmer, growing cotton, peanuts, soybeans and wheat. He also took over the Baker Farm Center upon his parents retirement and moved it to its current location. In 1991, Greg decided he wanted to learn to grow strawberries and Akers of Strawberries was born. He quickly nurtured his strawberry business from a shed to the largest u-pick strawberry patch north of Plant City. The flourishing of this enterprise became the highlight of his farming career; Greg absolutely loved watching families pick his berries and enjoy frozen yogurt and his “almost famous” strawberry shortcake.
Evers was known for his infectious smile, southern charm and perfect strawberries. His vast knowledge of agriculture combined with his steady demeanor and signature use of “sugar” as a greeting with his friends made him a magnetic force.
Evers loved his community and consistently found opportunities to contribute. He served as a member of the Milton Rotary Club, Crestview Lion’s Club, Okaloosa County Farm Service Agency, President of the Okaloosa County Farm Bureau, and Chairman of the Yellow River Soil & Water Conservation District.
Evers is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Leonard and Clyde Peaden Evers, his maternal grandparents William Thomas and Thelma Renfroe Holley, and his brother Thomas Jeffrey Evers.
Evers is survived by his parents, John and Jequita Evers; wife, Lori Weems Evers; children, Stephanie (Anthony) Barlow, Jennifer (Kendal) Wallace, and Robert (Marley) Evers; grandchildren, Alli, Rex, and Reece; brother, Eric (Michelle) Evers; sister, Kay (Tom) Dawson; nephews, Kyle (Lindi) and Christopher and niece, Kaylee; and great-nephew, Grayson.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 28, 2017, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Milton. Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Milton on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, beginning at 1 p.m. Evers will be laid to rest at Beaver Creek Baptist Church.
Greg’s deepest wish was that his legacy of service continue for future generations. In honor of this wish, the Evers family asks that,in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Greg Evers Florida’s Heroes Memorial Fund at www.eversmemorialfund.com. The fund is used to provide education scholarships to the children of Florida law enforcement and fire rescue personnel who have fallen in the line of duty.
Robert O. Sawtell
August 26, 2017
Robert “Bob” O. Sawtell, 66, of Pensacola, Florida, unexpectedly died early in the morning, Friday, August 25, 2017, at his home. Bob was born in Manhattan, NY to Edward and Ana Sawtell on March 3, 1951. He traveled the world as he worked aboard a Tramp Steamer. Upon his return to New York he attended and graduated from Columbia University. He was recently retired from his successful career as a constructional engineer. Bob was a generous man who donated monthly to local charities. Bob was a member of The Lanier Sailing Club for 17 years, and loved to sail any chance he had. He also like to cook, do yard work, and play with the family pets. We will always carry the memories of him in our hearts.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ana Sawtell.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Sondra of 34 years; son, Rob Sawtell; daughter, Charlotte (Brandon) Steed; stepson, Sean (Nancy) Knickman; grandsons, Joshua Knickman and Bradley Robert Steed; sister, Nancy Freiler; brother, Edward (Paula) Sawtell and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 30, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 10 a.m. Pastor Doug Moesta will be officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with the arrangements.
Howard Vero Southard
August 23, 2017
Howard Vero Southard, 84, of Pensacola, entered Heaven Friday morning, August 18, 2017.
He was born Nov. 30, 1932 to Pearl Parnell Southard and Tom Martin Southard in Norfork, Arkansas. After attending school in Norfork, Howard and family moved to Mountain Home where after high school, he graduated from Wichita University in 1955 and then entered Naval Officer Candidate School. During his naval career, he flew as a Naval Flight Officer. One flight activity was with Photo Squadron (VAP-62) conducting monthly mapping updates of Cuba for two years prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served as the first Executive Officer of VAW-115, an airborne control squadron deployed on board the USS Ranger (CV61) to set up air control in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam in 1968. He later served as Executive Officer at Naval Air Station Dallas. He retired from the Navy in 1981 while serving as Executive Officer as NAS Atlanta. Following his naval career, he worked in the Civil Service at Saufley Field for 25 years.
On December 31, 1960, he married Lanara Stewart, and was blessed with three children, Celeste, Mark and Scott. Our children have been obedient to God’s Word in honoring their parents, especially while Howard has been sick. Celeste was there almost night and day when her Dad was in the hospital even though she worked. The Southard family moved to Pensacola in 1982 and joined Olive Baptist church. That was one of the best decisions we ever made. He was a deacon at Olive. What a devoted and humble man he was to God and family. Even when he was only capable of making 5 or 6 steps, he wanted to be in church. Bob Hill would come by the house, load up the electric wheel chair and take him to make sure his wishes were met. Nothing was more important to him than his Savior, wife, children and grandchildren. Howard worked hard, but always gave himself time to be with his children. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and especially golf. He loved his golfing friends who helped him in every way possible to play as long as he could.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his seven brothers and sisters and their spouses, Clara (Hershel) Perry, Opal (Walter) Gorrell, Lela Southard, Clifton (Verna) Southard, Nola (Manford) Edens, Hugh (Wanda) Southard, and Betty (Delbert) Peters; sister-in-law, Margaret Campbell; and brother-in-law, Lorenzo Stewart.
He is survived by his wife of 57 wonderful years, Lanara Southard; and by his children and grandchildren, Celeste Southard of Milton, Mark (Joyce) Southard, and their children Nolan and Mia of Pace, Scott (Joanna) Southard and their children Molly and Kleet of Huntsville, Alabama; a special friend, Amy Miller has been by our side every step of the way. He is also survived by brothers-in law and sisters-in-law, Glen Campbell of Chumuckla, Millie and Jack Hare of Milton, Ruthie and Edmond Fortune of Pace, Mavis and Bill Morris of Huntsville, AL, Lorandal and Beth Stewart of LaGrange, GA, Jeannie Stewart of Pensacola; and numerous nieces and nephews.
As our 7 year old granddaughter wrote in a letter to her granddad: “The whole world loves you”, she spoke truth. He served a mighty God and left a legacy for all of us. He was respected by all who met him for his kindness, grace, humbleness and his strong faith in Jesus. This precious man was an example for all to live by. One of the last things he said to his wife, “do all you can to see that the children and grandchildren meet me in heaven one day.”
Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at Olive Baptist Church with Pastor Ted Traylor and Jerry Passmore officiating.
Interment was at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Jewell P. Watley Sport Hogg
August 23, 2017
Jewell P. Watley Sport Hogg of Cantonment, Florida, passed away August 21, 2017, at Covenant Hospice surrounded by her loving family. She was 96 years, 1 month and 22 days old and was very proud of her age. She was born in Rose Hill, Alabama, June 30, 1921, to Homer and Ealon Watley, both deceased. She had three brothers, Sammy, Dearril, and Joe Watley, all deceased.
She is preceded in death by two husbands, Thomas Sport and Everitt Hogg.
She leaves behind two daughters, Martha McLaughlin (Charles, deceased) and Sue Graham (J W); four grandchildren, Kim Pyle (Tim), Wendy Clarke (Walt), Tommy Graham (Mendy) and Robin Kent (Robbie); nine great-grandchildren, Logan Clarke, Tyler Clarke, Garrett Clarke, Sam Pyle and Ealon Pyle , J R Graham, Cole Graham, Mackenzie Kent and Cameron Kent; one niece, Norma Williams (Mack); and two sisters-in-law, Edna P. Watley and Mattie P. Sport.
Interment will be at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Mary Greshan Portwood
August 23, 2017
Mrs. Mary Gresham “Sis” Portwood, 74, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017, in Flomaton, Alabama.
Mrs. Portwood was a native and lifelong resident of Flomaton, AL. Mrs. Portwood was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She worked at Vanity Fair for 27 years and she was of the Holiness faith. She is preceded in death by a son, Darrell James Howington; her parents and five brothers.
She is survived by her two sons, James A. Howington, Jr. of Nevada and Michael Todd Howington of Milton, FL; one daughter, Brenda Lee Tobey of Saco, Maine; two brothers, Huey Cleveland Gresham of Georgia and Ronald Wayne Gresham of Mississippi; four sisters, Marie Peebles of Flomaton, AL, Caroyln Smith of Byrneville, FL, Rosa Lee Lambeth of Flomaton, AL and Frances Louise Warren of Kerns, TX; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 24, 2017, at 12 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Donnis Bowman officiating.
Burial will follow at the Traveler’s Rest Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, 2017 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will Wade Pittman, Dan Bruan, Dwayne Gresham, Luke Peebles, Brian Peebles, B.J. Thompson and Donald Gresham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diabetes Foundation.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Ouida Burkett
August 23, 2017
Ouida Burkett, age 61, of Berrydale, Florida, passed away August 21, 2017. She was a lifelong resident of the Jay area. Ouida was a homemaker most of her life. She devoted her whole life to her family. She did have a few jobs to help out along the way, like at the Munson Nursery, Vanity Fair, substitute school bus driver, and working at Joan’s Cricket Farm. She loved the outdoors. Most days she could be found out in her yard, planting flowers, cutting grass, or sitting under the oak tree watching the animals feed. She also loved to paint and go fishing and use to love to go fox hunting with Pops. She liked to watch Nascar; her favorite driver was Casey Kahne.
Ouida was born on January 31, 1956. She is preceeded in death by her parents, Robert (Boots) Edeker and Dorothy Fay Mound Edeker; sister, Janet Edeker Crawley; brother, Royce Edeker; and brother in law, Danny Cumbie.
She is survived by her husband of forty-two years, Jack Burkett; daughters, Heather Hightower, and Angie (Brent) Jackson; and son, Wendell Burkett; 10 grandchildren, Ali (Brenan) Dykes, Sissy Jackson (Matthew), Brandy Jackson (Colby), Madeline Ates, Laci Burkett, Blake Hightower, Emma Burkett, Peyton Hightower, Alan Jackson, and Jax Burkett; one great-grandchild, Jace Jackson; brothers, Darren Edeker, Mickey Edeker (Brenda), and Joshua Edeker; sisters, Joyce (David) Ellis and Tracie Cumbie; father and mother-in-law, Buddy and Bernice Burkett; sisters-in-law, Jackie (Justin) Acree, TrishAnn Driver (Mike); brother-in-law, Greg (Kelly) Kimmins; special friend, Lynn Betterton; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 24, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Jay Funeral Home, followed by funeral services at 3 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Nelson officiating services.
Burial will follow at Sullivan Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dylan Cumbie, Jordan Jackson, Brenan Dykes, Richie Kerns, Jeremy Raught, and Joshua Edeker.
Joe E. Estes, Jr.
August 23, 2017
Joe E. Estes Jr., 73, went home August 19, 2017, to be with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Joe was the oldest of three children born to Joe and Ruth Estes. He was born in Sarasota, Florida. He served in the United States Army, stationed at Ft. Benning, GA for three years. Joe married his high school sweetheart, Brenda Turner on April 6, 1962. After his military service, he worked for various construction companies in Florida and Louisiana. He retired as Operations Manager of Gulf Atlantic Constructors in June 2009.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Jana Jo and a granddaughter, Alexa Nichole Leckenby.
Precious memories will be treasured by Brenda, his wife of 55 years; his son, Joe E. (Tonya) Estes III; his daughter, Beth Estes (William) Jernigan II; grandchildren, Mike (Nicole) Leckenby, Kiersten Leckenby, Joe Estes IV, Alyssa Jernigan, Jake Estes and Luke Estes; great-granddaughter, Emmerie Parente; his sisters, Luci (Tim) Robinson and Becky (Donny) Godwin; brother-in-law, Steve (Eva) Turner; sister-in-law, Lisa (Jeff) Mills; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Thursday, August 24, 2017, from 5 p.m until 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
James Larry Caraway
August 23, 2017
James Larry Caraway , 66, from Booneville, AL, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2017, in Mobile, AL.
He was owner/operator of Caraway Trucking Company. He was born on August 1, 1951 in Atmore, AL to James Hubert and Doris Linam Caraway. He was a member of McCullough Christian Center. He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris L. Caraway and son, Jason Caraway.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Tyree Caraway of Booneville, AL; father, James Hubert Caraway of McCullough, AL; three sons, Benny (Amber) Alaniz of Huxford, AL, Daniel (Stephanie) Alaniz of Uriah, AL, Terry (Angie) Hadley of PA; one daughter, Mandy (Mitchell) Murphy of Booneville, AL; daughter-in-law, Sharron Caraway Weekley of Excel, AL; one brother, Eugene (Kim) Caraway of McCullough, AL; grandchildren, Ashlianne Caraway, Cam Weekly, Guy Murphy and Luke Murphy.
Services were held Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at 3 p.m. from the McCullough Christian Center with Bro. Corneilus Phillips and Bro. Don McDonald officiating.
Interment was in McCullough Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Craig Sullivan, Shawn Linam, Don Crum, Tad McMullen, Johnny Moore, Mark Mack, Glendon Harrison and Osborn Linam.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Larry B. Anderson
August 23, 2017
Larry B. Anderson, 68, went home to his heavenly father Tuesday, August 22, 2017.
Larry married the love of his life, Carol Johnson, in 1968. He was a mechanic, machinist supervisor and management in his later years. Larry loved to scuba dive and was a certified master scuba diver. He loved motorcycles, fast cars and electronics. In his retirement years he traveled from Wisconsin (summers) to Florida in the winter. He loved spending time with all the grandkids.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Donald B. and Louise J. Anderson.
He is survived by his wife, Carol M. Anderson; daughter, Carrie L. Diemel (Dean); son, Steve M. Anderson; sister, Barb Anderson (Bob); brother, David Anderson; granddaughter, Olivia J. Diemel; and grandsons, Dylan D. Diemel, Steven M. Anderson, Jr. and Samuel S. Anderson.
Visitation will take place at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North Friday, August 25, 2017, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with a memorial service to begin at 11 a.m.
Pastor Bob Anderson will serve as officiant.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the National Autism Association.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Gordon Rousseau Black
August 22, 2017
Gordon passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at home surrounded by the love and care of his family.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Henrietta Bowman Black; father, Paul H. Black; and his son, Michael J. Black .
He is survived by his wife of forty years, Betty Jo “BJ” Black; daughters, Cyndi Black (Bruce Teed) of Columbia, TN and Heather Black of Pensacola, FL; one grandson, Kyle Teed; sister, Pauline Sizemore and brother, Henry Lamar Black both of Pensacola, FL; cousins; nieces; nephews; and many close friends.
Gordon loved his family and took great pride in their accomplishments. He enjoyed working outside in his garden and going on long bike rides with his dog Jackson by his side.
A private family service will be arranged by Faith Chapel Funeral Home South.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Gordon’s favorite charities, The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida Inc., 105 North S St., Pensacola, FL 32505.