Jan Newcome
February 2, 2013
Jan Newcome met her Savior on January 31, 2013, her mother’s 87th birthday. She was born on July 24, 1955 in Pensacola, Florida.
After graduating from U. W. F., she taught at Century Elementary, Lincoln Park Elementary and Pine Meadow Elementary. She taught for 33 years before she retired in October, 2012. She was a dedicated educator who inspired her colleagues to “do what was good and right for little children”. She inspired countless children to always do their best to be life-long learners. The fruit from the seeds she planted will continue to grow.
She was preceded in death by her father, James A. Newcome, II and her nephews Ryan and Jeremy Huggins.
Survivors include her mother, Claire B. Newcome;her sister, Lynn Brown (Danny); her brother James Newcome III (Kim);her great-nephews Hayden Huggins, her Punky Dumpling, Dillan Hall (Darian); her great-great niece Raelynn, and her angel on earth Peggy Jordan.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 4, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.
Jan has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House.
“…and the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13
Rose Marie Weathers Arnold
February 2, 2013
Rose Marie Weathers Arnold, age 70, departed this life on January 26, 2013. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Jullette Weathers.
Rose was united in holy matrimony to her cherished husband, Henry L. Arnold, on March 6, 1965 and to this beautiful union two children were born (Taffany Maria and Prince Terrell). In 2012, Henry and Rose celebrated their 47th Year Anniversary.
Rose was educated in the public schools of Escambia County. After attending Booker T. Washington High School, she attended Washington Junior College and she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Bethune Cookman College (Daytona Beach, FL) and her Master of Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU-Tallahassee, FL).
She believed in education and her professional career spoke volumes to the career she pursued as an educator in the Escambia County school system. Rose contributed to the educational advancement of many children as a teacher in several local schools including: Ransom High School, Wedgewood Middle School, Carver High School (Century, FL) and Washington Adult High School. Rose retired as the Chairman of the Mathematics Department at Booker T. Washington High School in 2001.
Rose was a faithful member of Englewood Missionary Baptist Church. In 1998, her husband became the Pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (Cantonment, FL) and Rose dutifully assisted him in the ministry.
Rose touched many lives and all who knew her will surely miss her presence. She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory, love and legacy, her loving and devoted husband, Henry L. Arnold; one daughter, Taffany Shipp; one son, Prince T. (April) Arnold; two grand-daughters, Jordan LaRose Shipp and Parker Rwizi; four grandsons, Prince Isaiah Arnold and Deuce Rwizi of Milton, FL, Theo and Cassio Shipp, both of Kansas City, MO; godmother, Marion Cotton; god-daughter, Marjorae Ball of Kenner, LA; two sisters, Guerlean (Thomas) Allison of Kannapolis, NC and Jannette Neal of Pensacola, FL; two brothers, David (Christine) Weathers of Milton, FL and Nathaniel (Jacqueline) Weathers of Pensacola, FL; three brother-in-laws, Prince Arnold, Jr. and Alphonse (Joyce) Arnold, both of Pensacola, FL and David (Ruth) Savage of Cleveland, OH; two sister-in-laws, Isabell (Joe) Thomas of Century, FL and Prince Ann (Calvin) Cooley of Cleveland, OH and a host of nieces, nephews, loving relatives and friends.
Homegoing services will be on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:00p.m. at Englewood Baptist Church with Pastor Larry C. Watson, Sr., officiating.
Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Mary “Marie” Wilson Booth
February 1, 2013
Mary “Marie” Wilson Booth, 52 of Atmore, passed away Thursday, January31, 2013, in Mobile. She owned and operated Richard’s Trucking Company and was a CNA with Century Care Center, born on February 14, 1960, to Aubren and Jessie Seals Wilson.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard D. Booth.
She is survived by one son, Kenneth S. Morrow and one daughter, Sandy M. Booth, both of Atmore; mother, Jessie Swindle of Atmore; three brothers, Edward Wilson of Crestview, Bennie Wilson of Milton, and Dudley Wilson of Freeport; two sisters, Jeanete Quick of Bratt and Muriel Philyaw of Atmore; and two grandchildren, Serenity Tru Conway Booth and Richard Wyatt Orion Booth both of Atmore.
Services will be Sunday, February 3, 2013, at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Earl Green Officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Joe Odom, Mike Reynolds, Kevin Jimenez, Ben Jimenez, Dudley Flowers, David Morrow, Andy Davis and Floyd Seals.
Family will receive friends, Sunday, February 03, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home one hour prior to service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc., is in charge of all arrangements.
Gary Kitchens
January 30, 2013
Mr. Gary Kitchens, 68, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Monroeville.
Mr. Kitchens was a native of Waynesboro, MS, a former resident of Flomaton, and has resided in Monroeville for the past 10 years. Mr. Kitchens was an employee at Little Hawk Mining Co and he loved to fish. His son, Michael Kitchens and his parents, Henry Horace and Sallie Kitchens precede him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Kitchens of Monroeville; one daughter, Tammy Davis of Pensacola; one sister, Betty Inez Fizer of Crestview; a special niece, Hootie of Monroeville; and many other special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Dunn and Rev. Robert Knowles officiating.
Visitation will be Friday, February 1, 2013, from 6 until 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Katie “Eloise” (Warren) Simmons
January 29, 2013
Katie “Eloise” (Warren) Simmons, age 73, of Jay, was relieved of all her earthly pains and cares and was called home to her Heavenly Father on January 28, 2013. Eloise was a great cook and artist. She enjoyed sewing, fishing, and gardening. She was a loving wife, sister, and friend. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Frank Warren and Mary Cooper Warren; nephew, Ronald Craig Locklin and her beloved dog, Josie.
Eloise is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 52 years, Doug Simmons; two brothers, Frank Warren of Sneads, FL and Jerry (Pam) Warren of Conway, SC; three sisters, Janice Faye Locklin, Maxine (Mike) Pace of Brewton, and Kemp (David) Soule of Pensacola; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Cora Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 1, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Cora Baptist Church with Rev. LaDon Hall, Rev. Earle Greene, and Rev. Matthew Dobson officiating services. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be the deacons of Cora Baptist Church, Mickey Diamond, Roger Dobson, Merlin Edwards, Leon Jackson, Jerry McGee, Frank Rowell and Dr. David Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Jay Fire Department Station #27.
The family would like to thank Dr. C. David Smith, Jay Fire Department Station 27, Baptist Home Healthcare, and Betty from Covenant Hospice of Pace. The family would like to give a special thanks to the pastor, deacons, and members of Cora Baptist Church for all the prayers, food, and support given to the family during our time of need.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gary Arthur Whiting
January 29, 2013
Mr. Gary Arthur Whiting, 58, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Pensacola.
Mr. Whiting was a native of Rochester, NY and a resident of Walnut Hill for the past 23 years. Mr. Whiting was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His mother, Vivian Whiting, precedes him in death.
Survivors include his father, Newell Whiting of Rochester, NY; wife, Dana Whiting of Walnut Hill; three sons, Anthony Sones of Williamsport, PA, Nicholas Whiting of Walnut Hill and Justin Whiting of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Angela Steadham and Leslie Whiting both of Atmore; three brothers, Larry Whiting and Terry Whiting both of Rochester, NY and Jerry Whiting of Daytona, FL and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Burial will follow at the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, February 1, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be James Steadham, Nicholas Whiting, Justin Whiting, Rico Padilla, Anthony Sones, Tim Lambert and Jacob Bradley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of arrangements.
Susan Deloras Merritt
January 28, 2013
Our Angel, Susan Merritt, 62, passed away peacefully surrounded by all those who loved her on January 25, 2013. Susan Deloras Merritt was born to the late William and Ruby Johnson in Pensacola on April 27, 1950. Susan was a lifetime resident of Pensacola and Molino where she raised her six children. She was a loving, devoted, selfless, strong, and sacrificial wife and mother. Susan taught her children that family is our most valuable treasure. She was a fierce protector and defender of her children whom she covered in prayer.
Susan is preceded in death by William Johnson (father), Ruby Johnson (mother), Patsy Stacey (sister), and William “Willie” Patrick Merritt (son). She is survived by her husband, Raymond Merritt Sr. (Buck) of 47 years who she loves dearly; her daughters, Teresa Allen (Clay), Kim Vaughn, Maggie Lafferty (David). Her son’s Raymond Merritt Jr. (Dee Dee), James Merritt (Susan). Best friend and sister’s Catrine Pippin and Gertrude Merritt. Her siblings, Cindy Leonard, Willie Johnson, Pat Johnson and Rusty Johnson. Numerous spoiled grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Susan retired from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Tuesday January 29, 2013. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday January 30, 2013, at St. Jude’s Thaddeus Catholic Church in Cantonment.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Covenant Hospice who took such wonderful care of our mother.
Pall bearers will be her six grandsons Christopher Echele, A.J. Echele, Jonathan Echele, Lil Robert Vaughn, Shane Merritt and Hunter Allen.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
William Samuel Stapleton, Sr.
January 28, 2013
Mr. William Samuel Stapleton, Sr., age 68 of Brewton passed away on Friday, January 25, 2013, at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Stapleton was born in Florida and had been a resident of Brewton since 2005 coming from Jay. He worked as a roofer in the construction industry.
He is survived by his sons, Rusty (Jamie) Stapleton of Brewton and William S. Stapleton, Jr. of Berrydale; sisters, Mae Stapleton of South Florida and Aline Stapleton of PA; step-grandchildren, Christopher Captenter, Caitlyn Carpenter and Joseph Carpenter.
A memorial service will be announced at a later time, Craver’s Funeral Home directing.
Martha Verge Edwards
January 28, 2013
Martha Verge Edwards, age 64, a resident of Pensacola, formerly of Douglass, Kansas, passed away on January 25, 2013, at the Specialty Center of Pensacola. She was born on November 6, 1948, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the daughter of William and Helen Verge. The family moved to Independence, Kansas, when she was a toddler. She attended school in that town, graduating from Independence High School in 1966.
For several years she was a home health care provider for Mercy Hospital of Independence, Kansas. In January of 2000, Martha was united in marriage to Dennis Brent (Butch) Edwards of Douglass, Kansas, where she resided until she moved to Pensacola after her husband’s death.
Martha was a member of and served as office clerk at Beulah Baptist Church in Pensacola.
Martha is survived by her mother, Helen Verge of Independence, Kansas; her brother Richard Verge and wife Carolyn, also of Independence; a brother Willis Verge and wife Georganna of Rogers, Arkansas; brother Thomas Verge and wife Vera of Pensacola; sister-in-law Martha Jo Verge of Bethany, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father William Verge of Independence, her husband, Butch, and one brother Alfred Verge of Bethany, Oklahoma.
A memorial service will be held at Beulah Baptist Church, Pensacola at a later date. Graveside services will be held at the Harrisonville Cemetery, Wayside, Kansas, on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.
Mildred Louise (Davis) Ward
January 25, 2013
Mildred Louise (Davis) Ward, 88, passed peacefully into God’s keeping on Sunday, January 20, 2013, with her son and daughter-in-law at her side.
Mildred was born on October 22, 1924 in Atmore, to the union of Nathaniel Edward Davis and Vera Hall. She graduated from Atmore High School in 1943 and upon his return from WWII she married her devoted husband, Cary Carlson Ward, Sr. on November 24, 1944, in Pensacola. She followed her husband’s military career until his retirement in 1976 after 35 years. She was a dedicated and loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother her entire life.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Aubrey and son, SSGT Cary C. Ward, Jr., US Special Forces.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 68 years; her son, Daniel Marcus Ward (Debbie); sister, Virginia Comer; grandson, Zachary Carlson Ward (Melissa); granddaughter, Angela Kathryn Ward Bell (Glynn) and four beautiful great-granddaughters.
She was the center of our family and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.
Graveside service for family and close friends will be held 11:45 a.m. Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Barrancas National Cemetery.