By Staff
David Brooks
ATMORE – Mr. David Brooks, age 80, passed away Tuesday, February 8 at Atmore Community Hospital. He was a native of Monroeville and a resident of Atmore for many years. He was a farmer by trade, and served in the 1328th Army Air Force Base Unit during World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Amelia Brooks of Atmore; six daughters, Donnell Brooks of Atmore, Carolyn Carpenter and Lakeitsha Brooks of Detroit, Mich., Dorothy Brooks and Shirley Brooks of Uriah, and Annie Laura Bass of Pensacola.; six sons, Jeffrey Brooks, Derrick Brooks, David Brooks, Jr., Robert White, and Sam Grant, all of Atmore, and Williard Brooks of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; three sisters, Dorothy Brazzell, Mattie Bynum, and Callie Thames, all of Atmore; one brother, Wilbert Brooks of Perdue Hill, Ala.; 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 12 at Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Atmore, with the Rev. Willie Hawthorne and the Pastor/Bishop Donice Brown officiating. Graveside services followed in Fairview cemetery in Atmore.
Turner Funeral Chapel in charge of all arrangements.
Willie F. Classen
Atmore – Mr. Willie F. Classen, age 85, passed away at his home on January 31 following a lengthy illness. He was a native of Meade, Kan.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Classen; five children, Marianne Classen, Roy Classen, and Steve Classen, all of Walnut Hill, and Ken Classen of Atmore and Beverly Classen of Sarasota, Fla; eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one brother, George Classen of Sturgis, Miss.; and other relatives and friends.
Willie accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized on June 20, 1937, when he became a member of the Mennonite Christian Fellowship. He married Elizabeth Loewen on February 15, 1942. They lacked fifteen days of being married 63 years.
Although a farmer by trade, his first love was serving the Lord. This was evident by his involvement in church and community. For most of his adult life he taught a Sunday School class. He also functioned as choir director, Sunday School superintendent, Bible School teacher, usher, church council member, elder, and Mennonite disaster service coordinator. He had a deep concern for the salvation of his family. Besides his church involvement he served as a board member of FHA, Walnut Hill grain elevator, and Escambia county extension.
He enjoyed numerous hobbies and interests. He had a unique sense of humor and loved people. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 4 at Atmore Memorial Chapel with Minister Brian Bruley and Minister Anthony Swartzendruber officiating. Graveside services followed at the Freemanville Cemetery. The family received friends Thursday, February 3 at Atmore Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Atmore Christian School at 245 Tennant Dr., Atmore, Ala. 36502.
Active pallbearers were Kevin Classen, Rodney Classen, Keith Classen, Greg Classen, Ryan Classen, and Randy Classen.
Atmore Memorial Chapel in charge of all arrangements.
Amanda Dailey
Atmore – Amanda Dailey, age 93, passed away Monday, February 7 at Atmore Community Hospital.
She was a native of Camden, Ala., and attended Camden Academy. She later graduated from Mobile Beauty Culture School . She owned and managed Dailey's Beauty Shop for many years. She was a faithful member of Gaines Chapel A.M.E, Church and held many offices. She organized the day care school at the church and president of the senior choir. She was a civil rights activist for a number of years and president and treasurer of the NAACP. Amanda was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Atmore.
She is survived by one sister, Ida Mae Singleton,; one brother-in-law, Thomas Robinson; three adopted daughters, Lashaunda Wilson, Emma Sessions, and Ann Williams; and one adopted son, Harvey Wilmer.
Viewing was held Friday, February 11 at Robinson Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 12 at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Curtis Harris
Atmore – Curtis Bell Harris, age 88, passed away Sunday, February 6 at his residence.
He was a native of Atlanta, Ga., and moved at an early age to Chicago, Ill. He completed his secondary education at DuSable High School, where he played in the marching band with the late Nat King Cole. Recognizing the importance of a Christ-centered life, Curtis also became a member of Liberty Baptist Church.
After finishing high school, Curtis received a four-year music scholarship to Alabama State University. While there, he completed requirements for his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mathematics Education, and was a member of the Alabama State Collegians Orchestra and the Bama State Marching Band. Upon graduation he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country for three and a half years with the 186th Army Ground Forces Band overseas and at home.
He was an outstanding educator at Escambia County Training School, Escambia County High School, and Faulkner Junior College. He was a member of numerous civic and social organizations. He was a charter and life member of the Atmore Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; charter member of the Progressive Civic and Recreation Club (PCRC); and Atmore City Councilman for twelve years. He was also a member of the Alabama Retired Teacher's Association and; Lions Club of Atmore; Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife, Marcelete Hollis Harris; one son, Steven Curtis; two daughters, Patricia Lynn Luckett and Rosiland Regina Thomas; six grandchildren, Steven Douglas, Chad Jabari Harris, Warren Braxton, Brandon Curtis Luckett, Kirbi Marcelete, and Earl Thomas; a brother-in-law, Steven T. Hollis; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and associates.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 11 at Greater Mt. Mary Lillian Purvis Smith, 94, joined her Lord on Thursday evening about 11:15 PM, in Huntsville, Alabama. She was a resident at the Windsor House Nursing Home. After suffering a major stroke in late 1997, she moved to Huntsville to be near her daughter. Barbara. She had lived in Atmore most of her life.
In her early years after graduating from High School in Atmore she attended Nurses Training at Moody's Hospital in Dothan, AL. She worked as a Nurse in the Atmore General Hospital under DR J.O. Lisenby for a number of years. She was a life long member of First Baptist Church of Atmore and was an active Sunday School participant. In her later years she was active in the Atmore Senior Citizens Program.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Alex Monroe "Neighbor" Smith, two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Northrop and Mrs. Blanche Mize, and two brothers, Harvey Purvis, and Raymond Purvis.
She is survived by: her daughter Barbara Arnold and son-in-law Bill Arnold of Huntsville; a sister Mrs. Maybelle Nall of Chickasaw, AL, and two brothers, Dolphia Purvis of Pensacola and Curtis Purvis of Atmore; three grandchildren, Doug Arnold of Clarksdale, MS, Mrs. Betty Vardaman of Alexander City, AL, and Mrs. Gwyn Knight Alexander of Muscle Shoals, AL; Eleven Great Grandchildren and Three Great-Great Grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of the Johnson Quimby Funeral Home on Monday the 14th, at 2:00 PM. The Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00PM. Internment will follow the service in Oak Hill Cemetery.In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice.
Dennis Wayne Lloyd, Jr.
Theodore – Mr. Dennis Wayne Lloyd, Jr., age 42, passed away Wednesday, February 9 at a Mobile hospital.
Mr. Lloyd was a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, a former resident of Grants Pass, Ore. between 1967 and 1996, and a resident of Theodore for the past three years. He attended the Protestant Church, and was an avid fisherman and traveler. He had a cheerful attitude and made friends with all he met.
He is survived by his parents, Dennis and Dorothy Lloyd of Thoeodore; two sisters, Cathy McLean of Grants Pass, Ore., and Carol West of Portland, Ore.; his grandfather, Robert Loveless of Grants Pass, Ore.; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 11 at the Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. W.C. Wiggins officiating.
Graveside services followed at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, Fla.
Visitation was held Friday, February 11 at the Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Bill Hostetler, Jim Staff, Eric Wiggins, Buford Wiggins, Howard Stewart, and Bill Wiggins.
Jerry Capers Davis
CRESCENT CITY, CALIF. – Jerry Capers Davis, age 57, passed away February 4 in Crescent City.
He was born and raised in Pensacola, Fla., and was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.
He is survived by three daughters, Sarina Cogburn of Lithia Springs, Ga., Chrystal Tran of Dothan, Ala., and Jerri Lynn Davis of Klamath, Calif.; two sisters, Barbara Reyes of Klamath, Calif. and Nell Terry of Panama City, Fla.; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home on Saturday, February 12. Graveside services will be held Sunday, February 13 at the Mothershed Cemetery in Freemanville, Ala. at 2 p.m.
The family requests donations be made to the American Heart and Lung Association, in lieu of flowers.
Tydarius Bright
ATMORE – The infant Tydarius Bright, age six months, passed away Wednesday, February 9 at South Alabama's Women and Children Hospital in Mobile.
He is survived by his mother, Chandra Bright of Atmore, and his grandparents, Angelia and Willie Bright of Atmore.
Graveside services were held Saturday, February 12 at Uriah Cemetery with Deacon Leroy Brown officiating.
Turner Funeral Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.
Lilian Purvis Smith
HUNTSVILLE – Mary Lillian Purvis Smith, 94, joined her Lord on Thursday evening about 11:15 p.m., in Huntsville, Alabama. She was a resident at the Windsor House Nursing Home.
After suffering a major stroke in late 1997, she moved to Huntsville to be near her daughter. Barbara. She had lived in Atmore most of her life.
In her early years after graduating from High School in Atmore she attended Nurses Training at Moody's Hospital in Dothan, AL. She worked as a Nurse in the Atmore General Hospital under DR J.O. Lisenby for a number of years.
She was a life long member of First Baptist Church of Atmore and was an active Sunday School participant. In her later years she was active in the Atmore Senior Citizens Program.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Alex Monroe "Neighbor" Smith, two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Northrop and Mrs. Blanche Mize, and two brothers, Harvey Purvis, and Raymond Purvis.
She is survived by: her daughter Barbara Arnold and son-in-law Bill Arnold of Huntsville; a sister Mrs. Maybelle Nall of Chickasaw, AL, and two brothers, Dolphia Purvis of Pensacola and Curtis Purvis of Atmore; three grandchildren, Doug Arnold of Clarksdale, MS, Mrs. Betty Vardaman of Alexander City, AL, and Mrs. Gwyn Knight Alexander of Muscle Shoals, AL; Eleven Great Grandchildren and Three Great-Great Grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of the Johnson Quimby Funeral Home on Monday the 14th, at 2:00 PM.
The Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00PM. Internment will follow the service in Oak Hill Cemetery.In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice.