By Staff
Chris VanRee
ATMORE - Mr. Chris VanRee, 21, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 at a Pensacola hospital. Mr. VanRee was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore, an employee of Nicholas Insulation Services of Mobile and soloed for his Pilot’s license. His favorite quote was, “Why look at something from down here, when you can see it all from above.”
Survivors include, his parents, Sheila and Tim VanRee of Poarch; four brothers, David VanRee, Nicholas VanRee, John VanRee and Joshua VanRee all of Poarch; his sister, Maggie VanRee of Poarch; his grandparents, Juanita Odom of Poarch and George Roberson of Atmore and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Adam Armstrong officiating. Visitation was held from 12:30 p.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Pallbearers were James Henderson, Tim VanRee, David VanRee, Nicholas VanRee, Buddy Roberson and Samuel Roberson.
In lieu of flowers, contribution can be made to the Christopher VanRee Memorial Fund at United Bank.
Thelma Louise Welch
ARKANSAS - Mrs. Thelma Louise Welch, 89, of Arkansas died on Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. Mrs. Welch was a native of Flomaton since 1945 and was a member of Flomaton First Baptist Church. Born July 25, 1918 to Joel and Ella Morris Morgan in Milan, Tenn.
Her husband, Bennie Welch, preceded her in death. Survivors include, one brother, Milton Lee Morgan of Mountainburg, Ark.; two sisters Virginia Parish Parrish of Huntington, Tenn. and Rachel House of West Memphis, Ark. and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Keese officiating. Burial followed in the Flomaton cemetery.
Visitation was from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service time at the funeral home. Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
Annie Lou “Boo Boo” Sims
McDAVID, Fla. - Annie Lou “Boo Boo” Sims went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the age of 91. Annie Lou was a lifelong resident of McDavid, Fla. She believed that staying busy was her secret to a long life and she proved that be her unselfish devotion to others. A wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, she found great joy in meeting the needs of her family and the children that she cared for in her home for more than 30 years. She was a longtime member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Century.
Her husband, Alton T. (Buck) Sims; her parents, Corbett and Norma McClammy; her brother, W. C. McClammy and two sisters, Doris Wiggins and Vivian Fillingim all preceded her in death. Survivors include, her sons, Billy (Dorothy) Sims, Eugene “Gene” (Carol) Sims and Ronnie (Ann) Sims; grandchildren, Wayne Sims, Greg Sims, Tina Therrell, Josh Sims, Wes Sims, Randy Sims, Sandra Kerkhove and Kelly Davidson; 22 great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 at Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 with Pastor Dervin Spears officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Wayne Sims, Greg Sims, Josh Sims, Wes Sims, Randy Sims and Greg Therrell. Honorary pallbearers were Winston Brown, Steve Brown and Chris Croley. The family would like to thank the staff of the Century Care Center, Dr. David Smith and the Covenant Hospice for the special care they gave Annie Lou.
Eastside Chapel was in charge of all arrangements.
Thelma Frances Gilmore
BRATT, Fla. - Thelma Frances Gilmore, 73, of Bratt, Fla. went to be with her loved ones in heaven on Jan. 29, 2008 in Atmore.
She was owner of Gilmore Mobile Home Movers, born in Clay County on Nov. 3, 1934 to the late Jiles and Nora Mizell Mitchell. She was a retiree of Monsanto and also a member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. A loving grandmother, she loved her two special grandsons Wayne and Ken Roberson. Her husband, Earnest Gilmore; a son, James Ronald Milstead and a sister, Grace Knowles all preceded her in death. Survivors include, one son, Robert Atwell of Century, Fla.; one step son, Gordon Gilmore of Phonic City; one daughter, Debby Hopkins of Pensacola, Fla.; two step daughters, Karen Hardy and Cindy Chandler both of Bratt, Fla.; one sister, Claudia Botts of Pace Fla.; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008 at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church with Bro. Phil Enfinger officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were, Danny Stedham, Jeff Stedham, David Stedham, Jeffrey Stedham, Wayne Roberson and Ken Roberson. Honorary pallbearer is Bill Malone. Family received friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. A special thanks to Mary Ann of Comfort Care, Gwen of Tender Loving Care Home Care and Ester Rhea a special thanks.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc was in charge of all arrangements.
Mother Lizzie Angela Moore
BAY MINETTE - Mother Lizzie Angela Moore, a native of Wilcox County and a resident of Bay Minette, affectionately known as Momma, Maw Maw, Aunty, Aunt Lizzie and the Store Lady was born on Oct. 2, 1917 in Furman to the late Sonny and Carrie Lee. She was the fifth child of seven siblings born to this union, all preceded her in death. As a youth she was a member of St. Peter Methodist church under the guidance of her parents. She attended school in Furman. She was untied in Holy Matrimony to Henry Moore, to the union one child was born, he preceded her in death. They relocated to Bay Minette in the early 1940’s. She joined Trinity Chapel A.M.E. Church. She was involved in many church related activities. She was a loyal faithful member of the Stewardess Board, Pastor’s Aide Board and a member of the Senior Choir. She and other saw a need for a new Sanctuary, so a building fund was stated with twenty five cents. She organized a Gospel Chorus. She touched the life of everyone that she came in contact with telling them about the Lord. She served faithfully and tirelessly where ever she was called upon. She became an adopted parent in the 1950s-60s. In 1973 she joined Stone Deliverance Temple with her husband. She served faithfully along with for many years until his death. Her one and only son-in-law accepted the calling of God to preach. She was very supportive. God blessed him to Pastor church. Again, she was a loyal and faithful member.
She was the mother of the church at Faith Trinity Christian where she was loved and respected. Her husband of 63 years Mr. Henry Moore and one son, Leroy Moore preceded her in death.
Lizzie Moore retired from the county after many years of service in 1980. Lizzie Angela Moore departed this life Jan. 23, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. Lamenting her demise to forever cherish her memories a loving and devoted family, one son, James Anderson of Los Angeles, Calif.; one daughter, Patricia (Pastor Edgar) Jemison Sr. of Daphne; five grandchildren, two devoted Mary (Travis) Crum, Sr. of Daphne and Edgar Lee Jemison II of Daphne; four great grandchildren, three devoted Miriam Ariel, Travis Centel II, Tramarison Carnel and Omarjay of Daphne; a host of nieces, one devoted Deborah Ann, nephews; great nieces; great nephews; great-great nieces; one devoted Sherice and great-great nephews; three god daughters Chiquata Mac Arthur of New York, N.Y., Lakeshia (Roger) Pettway of Atmore and Loraine (John) Archer of Bay Minette; devoted friends Voncille Smith, Ruth Stevens, Ethel Mae Benett, Inez Grant, Chris Mason and Theresa Coleman. Special thanks to Ida (Roscoe Cheese) Inez, Tim (Luvenia) and Willie (Vinnie) Gulley all of Gardenia, Calif. and Mary E. Long of Palm Dale, Calif. for all your love shown and given during her stay in Calif. given to her by her son James Anderson. Thank you James for all your support and love shown, love is what love does. Thank you Community Hospice especially the Chaplain, Jessica, Melissa, Tobi and special friend Dr. Lisa Ash. Special Thanks to Dr. Trice, Dr. Armstrong, Dr Uddin and staff at Medical Arts and North Baldwin Hospital.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008 at Faith Trinity Christian Church in Daphne with Pastor E.L. Jemison Sr. officiating. Interment followed in Mutual Aid cemetery. Pallbearers were Edgar Lee Jemison II, Lester Stevens, David Moore, Gerald Gulley, Travis Adams, Tamarison Carnel Crum, Travis Centel Crum, Sr., Jeffery Moore, Willie Gulley, Jr., Marlo Stevens and Travis Centel Crum II. Flower bearers were nieces.
Charles Edward Payne
BREWTON - Mr. Charles Edward Payne was born Nov. 30, 1945 in Brewton to the late Ms. Velma Jewel Payne and Mr. Robert Charles Moore Sr. Two sisters, Agnes Payne Floyd and Melba Jean Payne and a brother John Payne preceded her in death. He leaves to cherish his memories, three brothers, James (Dorothy) Payne, Robert (Celestine) McCaskill and Robert Charles Moore Jr. all of Brewton and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Feb. 3, 2008 with the Rev. Walter Earl Coleman officiating. Interment followed in Spring Hill cemetery in East Brewton. Pallbearers are relatives and friends. Flower bearers are relatives and friends. Final arrangements are entrusted to Christian Memorial Funeral Home.
Alice Bryant
ATMORE - Ms. Alice Bryant, 71, of Atmore died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008 at her residence.
Services will be announced by Turner Funeral Chapel.
Willie James Knight
ATMORE - Mr. Willie James Knight, 49, of Atmore died Wed. Jan. 30, 2008 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, at Edward Point Christian Church in Century, Fla.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home will be directing.