By Staff
Eugene McNeil Jr.
ATMORE – Eugene McNeil Jr. was born Nov. 26, 1950 in Atmore to the late Ollie and Eugene McNeil Sr.
On June 17, 2007 the Lord called him home to rest from his labors.
Brother Eugene was a graduate of Escambia Country Training School. Also a graduate of Jefferson Davis Community College. Some of his special interests were participating in arm wrestling, weight lifting and power walking.
He was well known in the Atmore community. His favorite place was the city library, where he shared his collectible and antique items. During his working years, he was employed at the Pepsi-Cola Bottled Company in Atmore.
He leaves to cherish his memories: a grandmother, Laura McNeil; four sisters, Minnie (John) Baliem of Fort Myers, Fla., Edna (Thomas) Robinson of Atmore, Beverly (Hillary) Rose of Boston, Mass., Eunice (Charles) of Atmore; one brother, James (JoAngelyn) McNeil of Atmore; one step-brother, Jesse (Cheryl) Orange of Napleville, Ill.; a host of uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. with Minister Walter L. Williams officiating.
Interment followed in Stallworth Cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers were family and friends.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Lee Autrey
ATMORE – Mrs. Thelma Lee Autrey, 76, of Atmore died Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at West Florida Hospital.
She was a native of Owasso (Conecuh County) and a longtime resident of Atmore. She was a graduate of Conecuh County Training School and had attended Alabama State College. She was a member of Second Mt. Triumph Baptist Church where she was in the Gospel Chorus, member of the Missionary Society, Sunday school, a Matron and the past director of the Youth Dept. She was a member of Atmore Marathon Choir and the Ladies of Leisure.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Lee Autrey Sr., her parents, Jim Brown and Elizabeth Brown Pugh, sisters, Lula Lewis and Alice Mason; and brothers, Sterling Brown, Nathaniel Brown, Augusta Brown and Willie Brown.
She is survived by: five daughters, Jacquelyn Autrey and Deborah Carter, both of Lansing, Mich., Elishia Autrey of Mobile, Rhonda (Wayne) Johnson and Paulette (William) German, both of Atmore; five sons, Eddie Autrey Jr. and Broderick (Keisha) Autrey of Lansing, Mich., Vincent Autrey of Mobile, Barry Autrey and Bradford Autrey, both of Atmore; two adopted sons, Broderick Autrey Jr. of Atmore and Fitzgerald (Rochelle) Autrey of Lansing, Mich.; two brothers, Leroy Brown Sr. of St. Louis, Mo., and Alphonse Brown of Oakland, Calif.; 31 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Second Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Atmore with the Rev. Joe L. Hayes, Pastor, officiating. Interment followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Atmore. Her body lied instate at the church one hour prior to the funeral service with Turner Funeral Chapel of Atmore directing.
Deacon Walter Franklin McNeil
MONROEVILLE – Deacon Walter Franklin McNeil passed away Saturday, June 16, 2007 at the home of his daughter, Bernice Millender in Frisco City. Deacon McNeil was born in Repton to Henry McNeil and Rosa Hetherington. At an early age he moved to Perdue Hill and later to Walnut Hill, Fla. where he resided until he became ill and was placed in Englewood Nursing Home in Monroeville for a short period of time. His daughter, Bernice, brought him home to live with her and her husband until his death.
Deacon McNeil served in past years as a Sunday school superintendent and a deacon at New St. Paul Baptist Church in Walnut Hill, Fla. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Atmore.
Deacon McNeil leaves to mourn: a daughter and a son, Bernice (Harvey Lee) Millender of Frisco City, Franklin (Margaret) McNeil of Montgomery; a sister, Virginia Hixon and a brother, who preceded him in death, Pleas Coston; a goddaughter, Sierra Moorer of Walnut Hill, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, two whom preceded him in death; a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, June 22, 2007 at 11 a.m. at New St. Paul Baptist Church in Walnut Hill, Fla. with the Rev. Willie E. White officiating pastor.
Interment followed in New St. Paul Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Annie Pearl Caraway
WALNUT HILL, Fla. – Mrs. Annie Pearl Caraway Thompson, 65, of Walnut Hill, Fla. died Wednesday, June 20, 2007 in Pensacola, Fla. She was a homemaker born in Escambia County, Fla. on Oct. 8, 1941 to the late Corner and Ida Bell Franklin Caraway.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Willard Thompson.
Survivors are: one son, Wendell Thompson of Walnut Hill, Fla.; one daughter, Joyce Jay and husband, Randall of Monroeville; one brother, Donald "Gus" Caraway of Mobile; five grandchildren, Anna Jaye, Michael Jaye, Stephen Jaye, Alex Jaye, and Drew Odom.
Graveside services was held Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 10 a.m. in Pine Barren Cemetery with the Rev. Bubba Rolin officiating. Family received friends Friday evening, June 22, 2007 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.