By Staff
Dorothy Johnson Gibson
May 26, 2003
Mrs. Dorothy Johnson Gibson, 62, of McCullough, AL, died Monday, May 26 at Mobile Infirmary Hospital. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 31 at First Baptist Church, McCullough, Al.
Dorothy Johnson was bom May 4, 1940 in McCullough, AL. She was the ninth child of the late Scott Johnson and Alice Bell Johnson.
Dorothy accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at First Baptist Church in McCullough under the late Rev. Walter Bradley.
Dorothy and her siblings were reared up in sets of threes, and she was the oldest of her set. As teenagers she and her sisters, Emma and Frances were active in school sports and would travel to New York for the summers. In 1960 she graduated from Escambia County Training School. On May 21,1960 they, took that last summer venture to New York to begin her career.
On July 3 1, 1960 she was united in marriage to Verdell. Johnson, to that union two sons were born, Vandell and Ray Pierre.
In 1967 she and her family move to California, where. she united with the Evergreen Mission Baptist Church under the Leadership of the late Rev. J. L. Richard. She was a faithful member and sang in the young adult choir.
In 1979 Dorothy met and married Edward Gibson of Alameda, CA.
Dorothy was employed by Orthopedic Technical, Inc., Tracy, CA for twenty years, and retired as a supervisor in 2000. In September 2001 she, her sister Emma and brother-in-law "My Dog" (as they affectionately referred to one another) Clifford, return to their roots on the family homestead in McCullough. Dorothy's dream to own her home in Alabama, became a reality, when she purchased her retirement home. She reunited with First Baptist and was an active member. She attended Bible class, Sunday school and was president of the choir. She loved her church and while visiting her family in California 2002, she spoke of her church often and expressed how much she missed them.
Dorothy (Dot) was a great lover of gospel music, some might even say shewas a walking encyclopedia of gospel music, Volumes 1,2,3 … One of her favorite songs that encouraged her daily, "I've learned to lean and depend on Jesus" was always played in her car. She loved gospel music so much that it inspired her to take up electric guitar lessons but the love of having beautiflil long nails inspired her to end the lessons. She was a woman that took pride in appearance and personal possessions. Her children and grandchildren were the Joy of her life. Dorothy loved each of her family members; whenever referring to them she always used her favorite word "MY".
Dorothy had Three sisters (Mary Rhoden, Mattie Scott and Baby Alice Johnson) and Three brothers (Leroy, Charles and Baby George Johnson) that proceeded her in death.
Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Vandell Johnson and Sgt. Ray Pierre Johnson all of Fairfield, CA. Two daughters-in-law Candice Johnson, Therris Richardson- Johnson. Three grandchildren Keyana, Vandell II, and Sarai ~11 of Fairfield, CA. Three brothers, SJ Johnson Of Fernley, NV., Wade Johnson, and Richard Elmore Johnson both of Atmore, AL. Two sisters Emma Thomas of Atmore, AL.and Frances Clarke of Chambria Heights, NY. Two aunts, Mollie Brower of Atmore and Louise Johnson of Morena Valley, CA. one Sister-in-law Juanita Johnson Hartford, CT. one Brother-in-law Clifford Thomas, very special friend Staphine Sanders of Oakland, CA., and a great host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.
Flowerbearers and pallbearers were friends of the family.
Sara Annis Bell
May 26, 2003
Mrs. Sara Annis Bell, 93, died Monday, May 26, 2003 in Jacksonville, FL. She was retired from Escambia County Middle School as the Cafeteria Manger. Mrs. Bell was born in Elba, AL on December 8, 1909 to the late Francis Marion and Lela Pierce Farris.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Winfred Alvin Bell, Sr.
Mrs. Bell is survived by two sons, Winfred Alvin Bell, Jr. of Round Rock, TX, and John Marty Bell of Jacksonville, FL; one daughter, Sarah Frances Bell Kirby of Gainesville, FL; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services for Mrs. Bell were held May 30, 2003 at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Grindle officiating. Interment followed at Oak Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Farrar Barnett, Raymond Kimmons, Audrey Till, Joe Brantley, Jimmy Coker, and Leonard Stanley.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of all arrangements.
Ralph Raymond Johnson
May 26, 2003
Rev. Ralph Raymond Johnson, 87, of Halls Fork, AL passed away May 26, 2003 at Atmore Nursing Care Center. He was born October 16, 1915 at Brady, AL to Andrew Jackson (Jack) and Grace Duck Johnson. He was raised in Atmore, but lived most of his adult life at Halls Fork.
Brother Johnson was saved and called to the ministry in 1948. He held credentials with the Pentecostal Holiness Church for four years and then with the Assemblies of God Church for the last 47 years. During his ministry he served as pastor of several churches in the Atmore area: Pineville Pentecostal Holiness Church, Dry Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church, Enon Pentecostal Holiness Church, Dry Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church, Oak Grove Assembly of God (Monroe County, AL) Bratt Assembly of God, Dyas Assembly of God, Orchard Assembly of God (Mobile, AL), Halls Fork Assembly of God, Bay Springs Full Gospel Church, Antioch Free Will Baptist Church, and Nokomis Holiness Church. He is known locally for the many funerals he preached-his record book indicates some 500.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Gertrude Howell Johnson, and two sons, Rodrick Johnson and Darrell Johnson.
He is survived by four daughters, Doris Barnhill of Molino, FL, Lois Johnson of Spanish Fort, AL, Mollie Bailey of Nokomis, AL, and Becky Melton of Frisco City, AL; three sons, Dale Johnson of Molino, FL, Jerry Johnson of Meridian, MS, Kenneth Johnson of Molino, FL; two sisters, Mable Roley of Atmore, AL and Edith Hudson of Bay Minette, AL; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren..
Funeral services for Rev. Johnson will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 4 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Rev. Thursia Long, Rev. Jerry Johnson, and rev. Kenneth Johnson officiating. Pall-bearers will be his grandsons. Burial will be at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary Ella Willis
May 27, 2003
Mrs. Mary Ella Willis, 95, of Atmore, died Tuesday, May 27, at Atmore community Hospital. She was a native of Camden, in Wilcox County, Al and a resident of Atmore for many years. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Willis attended school in Wilcox County.
Mrs. Willis is survived by one daughter, Alberta and husband Reuben Harris of Atmore; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 2 at 10 a.m. at Second Mt. triumph Baptist Church in Atmore. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastor J. L. Hayes and Pastor Quillas Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at Stallworth Cemetery in Atmore. Pallbearers will be friends of the family.
Turner Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Melvin Ray Thompson
May 28, 2003
Mr. Melvin Ray Thompson, 49, of Perdido, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at his residence. He was a farmer, born in Atmore, Al on August 1, 1953 to the late Johnny Thomas and Etta Bell Harrison Thompson.
He is survived by five brothers, Charles Edward Smith of Montrose Bay, Al; Johnnie O'Dell Thompson and wife Ann of Walnut hill, FL; Donald Wayne Thompson and wife Marie of Houston, TX, Rufus Alfred Thompson and wife Linda of Bay Minette, AL; two sisters, Ruth Morris of Atlanta, GA and Stella Mace and husband Phillip of Perdido, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. William Rolin officiating. Interment will follow at Sardis Baptist Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of all arrangements.
Thelma Jackson Whidbee
May 28, 2003
Mrs. Thelma Jackson Whidbee, 85, of Atmore, died Wednesday, Amy 28, 2003, at her residence. She was a retired seamstress for the Vanity Fair Mills.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melzie B. Whidbee, Sr. and three children, Bennie Jean Whidbee, Donald James Whidbee, and Melzie B. Whidbee, Jr.
She is survived by one son, Billy and wife Lynn Whidbee of Mobile, Al; one daughter, Geraldine Bell of Lottie, AL; two grandchildren, Shantel Whidbee and John Bell III; four great-grandchildren, Braxton Bell, Jackson Bell, John Griffin Bell, and Peyton Bell.
Services for Mrs. Whidbee were held Friday, May 30 at 3 p.m. from the Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Sister Thursia Long and Rev. Angelo Thomley officiating. Interment followed at the Lottie Methodist Cemetery.
Atmore Memorial Chapel was in charge of all arrangements.
Willie Edd Cole, Sr.
May 29, 2003
Mr. Willie Edd Cole, Sr., 67, of Atmore, died Thursday, May 29, 2003 at his residence. He was retired from Harold Allen Mobile Home as a salesman and was born in Monroe County, Al on March 28, 1936 to the late Willard C. and Maebell Johnson Cole. Mr. Cole was a graduate of Excel High School, Faulkner State Community College, and attended Troy State University. He was also a past employee of Monsanto and Staff Chevrolet, former member of the city council, past president of Atmore Little League and the Rotary Club, a 32nd degree Mason, and former owner of Cole Bus Line and Edd Cole Motor Co.
He is preceded in death by one brother, Kennon Cole and one sister, Faye Elizabeth Cole.
Mr. Cole is survived by two sons, Willie Edd "Eddie" Cole, Jr. and Greg Cole, both of Atmore, AL; one daughter, Susan C. Speir and husband Bill of Daphne; one brother, David M. Cole and wife Francis Carol of Excel, AL; two grandchildren Will Speir and Lena Cole Speir, both of Daphne, AL.
Services for Mr. Cole were held Saturday, Amy 31 at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Johnson (Uncle) and Rev. Freddie Lindsey officiating. Graveside services followed at Excel Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.