By Staff
Click link for 8-28-05 Obits
Juanita S. Brown
MERIDIAN, Miss. – Juanita S. Brown was born Oct. 5, 1926 at her home in Robinsonville and died August 21, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital in Meridian. A local memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2005 at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church. Inurnment and memorial services will be held Saturday, September 6, 2005 at the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Local arrangements are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel.
Nita was the youngest of five children born to William "Houston" and Kathern "Katie" (Taylor) Stanton. She grew up on a farm during the depression. She lost a brother, William, when she was 9 months old and William was 9 due to tetanus. She was the last child at home when WWII started. Houston and Katie moved to Mobile to work in the war industry and Nita went to live with her oldest sister in Pensacola where she held her first job as the Sugar Ration Girl in a local market. She returned to Robinsonville to finish her high school years living with her family. She graduated from Escambia County High School in 1944 and joined her parents in Mobile. It was there she met the love of her life, a young pilot named Frank Bradley Brown in December of 1944. They were married in Hobbs, New Mexico on March 10, 1945 with her Aunt Sue Taylor as her attendant. She became an Air Force wife and traveled extensively with Frank. Her first child, Richard Bradley (Rick), was born February 13, 1948 in Spokane, Washington. Her second child, Anita (Nini), was born June 25, 1954 in Rome, New York. She enjoyed her role as an Air Force wife and was capable of enduring the frequent long-term absences of her husband. She was a businesswoman owning a Merle Norman studio when they were stationed in Newport News, Virginia and All Stretch Fabric Shop after Frank retired in Montgomery, Alabama. Frank died February 28, 1973 in Wetumpka, Alabama and so did a large piece of mom's heart. She moved to Copperas Cove, Texas later that year and worked for a credit union before venturing into business again owning Pat Walker Salon. Then in 1979, she and her sister started A&L Florist in Copperas, Texas. She retired and moved back to Atmore, Alabama in 1992 to be near her mother, brother Gerald, and sister Ruby. She moved back to Temple, Texas in 1995 and to Boise in 2000.
A word to describe Nita is active. She enjoyed outdoors, traveling, and visiting her friends. She tore her shoulder using a pick ax to break ground for roses in Meridian at the age of 68, because she could do it better than anyone else. She enjoyed spontaneous trips that she, Nini, and Andrew would take during the summer. They went 5 days with one change of clothes and visited Carlsbad Caverns and the Grand Canyon. This was supposed to be a one-day trip to San Angelo. She traveled to Germany, East and West, with her close friend, Thea Wasiak. The highlight of her trips was when she, Nini, and Andrew spent 30 days in her motor home traveling from Texas to Alaska and back on the 50th anniversary of the ALCAN.
She had been a member of the Heart of Texas Business and Professional Women and was a member of the Copperas Cove Chapter of Eastern Star. She had been an active member of the Episcopal Church since 1970 and was a Republican since 1968. She supported many charities especially those involving children and animals. She adored her grandson. Though she had stopped smoking many times she quit for good the day he was diagnosed with asthma.
Unfortunately she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's three years ago and rapidly lost her independence, but never her desire to help. She had a catastrophic stroke upon waking August 19, 2005 and though was expected to live only hours; she died fighting to the end on the early morning of August 21, 2005. Nini was by her side as she breathed her last.
Nita is survived by her daughter Anita (Nini) and David Wallinger of Meridian; grandson Andrew and Sara Wallinger of Aurora, Colorado; sister Ruby and Bob Dixon of Canoe, Alabama; favorite nephew William (Bill) and Mary Hattaway of Kempner, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews residing in Texas, Alabama, and Florida. Her son Richard Brown and granddaughter Fanchon also survive her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Bradley Brown, parents William and Kathern Stanton, and sister Louise Hattaway.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Paramount Parks Alzheimer's Unit for their loving care. The family also thanks the staff at St. Luke's Meridian ER and 5th floor for their care and concern.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to All Saints Episcopal Church.
James Emmanuel "Joe" Black
McDAVID – Joe Emmanuel Black, 39, passed away suddenly August 20 at his home.
He was born December 19, 1965 in Century to Diane Black and the late Rupert Black.
Joe lived in the McDavid area his whole life. He liked to work with flowers and his model trains. He was a member of Ray's Chapel Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rupert and Idell Black, and his father, Rupert Black, Jr. He is survived by his mother, Diane Black of Pensacola; two sisters, Gail Williamson and her husband, David, of Milton, and Rebecca Black and Jean Black, both of McDavid; a special friend, David H. Zhang of Gulf Breeze; two aunts, Joan Brooks and her husband, Ed, and Christine Truesdell and her husband, Raymond, all of McDavid; a nice and nephew, Ashlyn and Owen Williamson of Milton; and numerous cousins and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 25, at 10 a.m. at the Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Dexter Truesdell officiating. Graveside services will follow at Ray's Chapel Cemetery in Bogia, Fla. The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 24, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Andy Capps, David Williamson, Billy Williamson, Brad Brooks, John Brooks, and Scott Capps. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Williamson, D.C. Diamond, and David "Hong" Zhang.
Rebecca Spivey Pickens
COLLIRENE – Rebecca Spivey Pickens "Ma'am" died Thursday, August 25, 2005, at her home, in Collirene. She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Rex Pickens III. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Rex Pickens, Jr., of Collirene; her daughter, Elizabeth Pickens Nelson (Steve) of Brewton, and her son, Carrington Allen Pickens of Atmore. She is survived by five grandchildren and three faithful and beloved friends; Lucy Middleton, Annie Maxwell and Natalie Rush.
Becky was a descendant of early Alabama pioneers who settled in Lowndes county.
She will be affectionately remembered as the mistress of the Pickens' ancestral home, lovingly known as "The Hill". "The Hill" gained recognition throughout the Blackbelt due to Becky's love of Southern history, her beautiful meals, and her ability to tell a charming story.
Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. The body will lie in repose at the family's ancestral home one hour prior to the burial. Graveside services will follow at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2005 at the cemetery behind the home place. Travis Barnes, M.R. Bradley and Elwood Sims will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family asks the that memorials be made to Cahaba Hospice, 410 Church Street, Selma, Alabama, 36701, or Good Hope Presbyterian Church, Cemetery Fund, c/o 379 Washington Street, Tyler, AL, 36785.
Valena Frances Robinson
BALDWIN HILL, Calif. – Mrs. Valena Frances Robinson, 62, of Baldwin Hill (formerly of Atmore) passed away Wednesday, August 24, at her residence.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Turner Funeral Chapel.
Lionel Bright
ATMORE – Mr. Lionel "Tootsie Roll" Bright, 46, of Atmore passed away Wednesday, August 24, at Atmore Community Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Turner Funeral Chapel.
John Edward Lowery
ATMORE – Mr. John Edward Lowery, 74, passed away Wednesday, August 24, at a local hospital.
He was a native of Little Rock and a resident of Escambia County for most of his life and a resident of Atmore for the past two-and-one-half years. He attended the Protestant Church.
Mr. Lowery was preceded in death by his parents, Barney Lee and Bessie Lowery. He is survived by three brothers, Robert Lowery and his wife, Betty, of Portal, Ga., Charles A. Lowery and his wife, Reita, of Bratt, and Billy Ray Lowery of Jackson, Fla.; three sisters, Christine Hicks of Mobile, Louise Fore and her husband, Sonny, of Flomaton, and Bessie Ray Wiggins and her husband, Bill, of Pensacola; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, August 26, at Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Williams officiating. Graveside services followed at Sardis Cemetery. The family received friends Friday prior to service time at Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were his nephews, Alan Lowery, Bruce Lowery, Daryl Fore, Barney Lowery, John Lowery, and Jeremy Lowery.
Rev. Joseph
Franklin Horst
PENSACOLA – Rev. Joseph Franklin Horst, 67, passed away Thursday, August 25, at a Pensacola hospital.
Mr. Horst was a native of Dayton, Va., and a resident of Byrneville, Fla., since 1967. He was a Pastor for the Byrneville Mennonite Church, owner of Horst Paper Hanging Company, State Coordinator for the Mennonite Disaster Service, Treasurer for the Gulf Coast District of Mennonite Churches, enjoyed traveling, and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Horst. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Martha Horst of Byrneville; his father, Lloyd Horst of Dayton, Va.; two sons, Kenneth Horst and his wife, Ann, of Tuscaloosa and Stanley Horst and his wife, Debbie, of Lyndhurst, Va.; two daughters, Noreen Horst of Byrneville and Norma Halteman and her husband, Lyndon, of Walnut Hill; seven grandsons and two granddaughters; four brothers, James Horst of Weyers Cave, Va., Amos Horst of Harrisonburg, Va.; Enos Horst of Franklin, W.V., and Reuben Horst of Dayton, Va.; and two sisters, Rachel Schrodt of Dayton, Va., and Anna Miller of Middlebury, Tenn.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 28, at 2 p.m. at the Mennonite Christian Fellowship Church with Bishop J.D. Landis and Rev. James Weber officiating. Graveside services will follow at Byrneville Cemetery. The family received friends Saturday, August 27, at Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Brett Horst, Conrad Horst, Jeremy Halteman, Marvin Bender, Jesse Rheam, Jerry Duran, John Ray Duran, and Darriell Hughes. Honorary pallbearers will be James Comalander, David Comalander, Buddy Watson, and Paul Stevanus.
Elouise Chapman
MOBILE – Elouise Chapman, a native of Atmore and a resident of Mobile, passed away at a local hospital on Monday, August 22.
She was educated in the Escambia County (AL) and Mobile County School Systems. After high school graduation she continued her education at Bishop State Community College in the nursing program. She excelled as a registered nurse and a nursing instructor.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Prichard.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Walter Rostchild of Atmore and Mrs. Bertha Rostchild of Mobile. She is survived by a devoted husband, Robert Chapman of Mobile; three devoted sons, Harold Tolliver and his wife, Lori, of Atlanta, Ga., Ralph Chapman of Birmingham, and Robert Chapman of Mobile; one brother, Walter Rostchild of Tuscaloosa; one step-son, Cortez Chapman and his wife, Paulette, of Prichard; one half-sister, Patricia Grace of Walnut Hill; one half-brother, Angelo Rostchild and his wife, Vanessa, of Atmore; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; two aunts, Betty Adams and her husband, Edward, and Barbara Dukes and her husband, Willie, all of Atmore; three sister-in-laws, Daisy Burke of Cleveland, Ohio, Oretta Moore of Dallas, Texas, and Sally Brown of Sacramento, Calif.; extended family Banebia Morris and her four children and one grandchild of Mobile, a devoted cousin, Veola Watkins and her husband John and their family, of Atmore; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 27, at First Baptist Church of Prichard with Rev. Walter Bracy officiating. Graveside services followed in Lawn Haven Cemetery. Arrangements by Reese Funeral Home in Prichard. Local announcement courtesy of Turner Funeral Chapel.
John Burton Walker
BAY MINETTE – Mr. John Burton Walker, 86, of Atmore passed away Thursday, August 25.
He was an accountant with Texaco, born in North Carolina on January 30, 1919, to the late John B. and Olive Bell Walker.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Walker of Atmore; and two sisters, Luvena Marks and Collene Hastings, both of Atlanta, Ga.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 27, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services followed at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family received friends Saturday at the funeral home until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc., in charge of all arrangements.
Ervina Paulette Simmons
PENSACOLA – Mrs. Ervina Paulette Simmons, 38, of Century passed away Monday, August 22, at a Pensacola hospital.
She was a native of Pace and a resident of Century for most of her life. She was a loving caretaker for her mother and uncle and attended the Baptist Church.
Mrs. Simmons is survived by two daughters, Amanda Simmons and Nicole Simmons of Century; her mother, Mary Simmons of Century; her granddaughter, Mikayla Simmons of Century; three brothers, Ervin E. Simmons, Jr., of Flomaton, Robert L. Simmons of Santa Fe, Texas, and Donald W. Simmons of Pasadena, Texas; and a sister, Connie R. Whitworth of Pasadena, Texas.
Funeral services were held Thursday, August 25, at Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Chuck Day officiating. Graveside services followed at Strickland Cemetery. The family received friends Wednesday, August 24, at Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Robert Simmons, Joseph Simmons, Wesley Simmons, Ruben Whitworth, Jeffery Braggs, and Jerome Braggs.