By Staff
Rev. Moses Julius Clark Sr.
ATMORE - Our father, Rev. Moses Julius Clark Sr., devoted servant of God, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle finished his race on June 30, 2008.
Dad was born July 4, 1924 to the late Madison and Lola (Furnish) Clark in Catherine. The family eventually moved to Longmire, where they joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Camden. For his formative years of school he attended Camden Academy and, from there, joined the United States Army. He served his country until he received an honorable medical discharge. His seminary studies began and were completed at Immanuel Seminary in Greensboro, N.C. and ordination followed in 1955 at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in Midway. In 1956 he married Lucile Dale. From their union came six children. He devoted over 50 years of service as a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The churches he served include St. Matthew in Arlington, St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lamison, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in Midway, St. Paul in Oak Hill, Christ Lutheran Church in Rosebud, Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hamburg, St. Luke Lutheran Church in Acherille, Augustana Lutheran Church in Alexandria, La., St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mansura, La. and Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Atmore. Ebenezer Lutheran Church is where he served his congregation faithfully for 35 years until his retirement.
During his many years of service in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, he was a devoted pastor, educator and administrator. He worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone who wanted education to be part of their personal growth has an opportunity to receive it. He was instrumental in assisting many of the members of Ebenezer, including all six of his children, with attending Concordia College in Selma and beyond if it was their aspirations. He did not isolate this effort to just his congregation, but to anyone in his community and the surrounding areas. He worked to establish extension courses at Ebenezer from Concordia and when classes were moved back to campus, Rev. Clark and his wife would often take the bus with the students from Monroeville in support of them. When necessary, they would drive students from Atmore to Selma so that they would not miss their classes. He was a proud and supportive member of the Atmore Alumni Chapter of Concordia College of Selma. Pastor Perry McCullam, Mrs. Ruth Harris, Helen Purnell and Dr. Julius Jenkins are fruits of his labor.
Rev. Clark will truly be missed by his family, friends and his community. His loving and devoted wife, Lucile, four bothers and four sisters preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his passing, six children, Miriam (Jeffery) Cox of Stone Mountain, Ga., Moses (Clara) Clark, Jr. of Selma, Lydia Clark of Austell, Ga., Cynthia (Calvin) Coker of Tucson, Ariz., David (Mary) Clark of Gadsden and Rachel Clark of Atmore; six sisters, Mrs. Betty Cox of Mobile, Mrs. Rebecca Jenkins and Mrs. Ida Mae Clancy of Camden, Mrs. Lucille Hill of Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Estelle Pointer of Tuskegee and Centennial (Joe) of Pensacola, Fla.; four sister-in-laws, Dorothy (David) Murray of Laurelton, N.Y., Mablelean Scott, Eunice (Lemon) Clancy and Velma (Andrew) Jackson all of Mobile; four brother-in-laws, Joseph Dale, John (Nellie) Dale, Paul (Clara) Dale all of Montrose and Erskine Dale of Philadelphia, Pa.; 20 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and an extensive loving host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Services were held Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church with Rev. Benjamin Stallworth officiating. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Jibreel Young, Moses Clark, III, Micah Clark, Nathan Coker, Jeffrey Cox, Derrick Coker, David Clark, Daniel Clark, Lester Boykin, Michael Clark (honorary) and Ian McCrary (honorary). Flower bearers were his granddaughter and great-granddaughters, Jennifer Cox, Jessica Clark, Adrienne McCrary, Sydney McCrary, Melody Young, Fiyin McCrary, Ashley Coker, Mckenzie Clark, Alexia Willis and Jamya Young.
Interment was held at Fairview Cemetery.
Final arrangements were entrusted to Christian Memorial Funeral Home.
Christine Taylor
RABUN - Mrs. Christine Taylor, 66, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 in Rabun.
Mrs. Taylor was a native of Perdido, a resident of Rabun and attended the New Providence Baptist Church. Her husband, John William Taylor, a son, John Michael Taylor and an infant daughter, Barbara Ann Taylor preceded her in death.
Survivors include, four sons, Justin and Diane Taylor of Mobile, Danny Ray and Flossie Taylor of Rabun, Jess Taylor of Rabun and Rex and Glenda P. Taylor of Mobile; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bradley Hadley of Perdido and Rev. Wendell Hadley of Perdido; and four sisters, Ann Rushing of Atmore, Lilly Mae Casey of Atmore Mable Bibb of Birmingham and Peggy Cadou of Mich.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 4, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sister Helen Stewart and Rev. Wendell Hadley officiating. Burial will follow at Dean’s Cemetery.
Visitation was held Thursday, July 3, 2008 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Chris Hadley, Junior Stacey, James Stacey, Andrew Hadley, Wayne Coleman and Curtis Joiner.
Ray Ellis
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Mr. Ray Ellis, age 82, died Friday, July 4, 2008 in Pensacola, Fla. He was born in Santa Rosa County on July 25, 1925 to John C. Ellis and Eva Diamond Ellis. Mr. Ellis was an Army veteran and a truck driver with Baker-Hughes. Wife, Eloise Ellis, and one son, James Russell Ellis, preceded him in death. Survivors include, his wife Fannie Ellis; two sons, Donald Ray (Beverly) Ellis of Atmore and Ralph Edward (Elizabeth) Ellis of Perdido; two brothers, C.L. Ellis and Herbert Ellis both of Pensacola, Fla; seven grandchildren, Amanda Pitcher, Donald Ellis, David Ellis, Ashley Ellis, Cliff Ellis, Randy Ellis, Jeremy Ellis and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services were Monday, July 7, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Ray Hudson officiating. Burial followed at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt. Family received friends at the Funeral Home from 12 p.m. until the 2 p.m. service time. Pallbearers were Donald Ellis, David Ellis, Cliff Ellis, Jeremy Ellis, Randy Ellis and Darrin Ellis. Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, LLC was in charge of arrangements.
Myrties W. Edges
WALNUT HILL, Fla. - Myrties W. Edges, 91, of Walnut Hill, Fla. dies Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at her residence. She was retired from the Cotton Mill as a spinner. She was born in Randolph County on April 19, 1917 to the late Wyatt and Captola Yates Mickle.
Her husband, Marion Edge, Sr., and one son, Richard W. Edge, precede her in death.
Survivors are, two sons, Don (Doris) Edge of Clayton and Marion (Brenda) Edge of Leesville, La.; one daughter, Joy (Robert) McDaniel of Walnut Hill, Fla; one brother, Charlie Mickle of Dadeville; one sister, Virginia Cavender of West Point, Ga. and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 11 a.m. in New Hope Church Cemetery of Abanda, Ala.
Family received friends Thursday evening, July 3, 2008 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. of Atmore was in charge of all arrangements.
Stephen James Kelley
PINEVIEW - Mr. Stephen James Kelley, 62, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2008 in Pineview.
Mr. Kelley was a native of Denver, Co., a former resident of Red Bay and Ocean Springs, Miss. and a resident of Pineview for the past seven years. He was a generous and giving person to those in need, retired from sales in the floral business, and attended the Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include, his wife Reather Emmons Kelley of Pineview; two sons, Sgt./1C, James Christopher and Crissy Kelley of Indianapolis, Ind. and retired, CPO Mark Stephen and Elizabeth Kelley of San Diego, Calif.; three stepsons, Wes Emmons, Scott and Sheila Emmons and Trace and Sandy Emmons, all of Pineview; his daughter, Michelle and Jesse Polk of Columbia, Miss.; his stepdaughter, Darlene Emmons of Stockton; 12 grandchildren and a brother, Jon Kelley of Illinois.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Sunday, July, 6, 2008 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Speaker Robert Barron officiating. Burial followed at Pineview cemetery. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until funeral time Sunday, July 6, 2008 at the Funeral Home. Pallbearers were, Christopher Kelley, Mark Kelley, Bryan Bays, Scott Emmons, Wes Emmons and Justin Emmons. Honorary pallbearers were Darlene Emmons and Sheila Emmons.
Hazel Verita Thomas
FLOMATON - Mrs. Hazel Verita Thomas, 64, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at D.W. McMillan Hospital.
Mrs. Thomas was a native and lifelong resident of Flomaton but spent her spare time as a resident of the Boat Yard community where she enjoyed fishing with her friends. Her working career consisted of managing a number of convenience stores. Mrs. Thomas was of the Baptist faith and was a member of the Moyeville Baptist Church.
Her husband, Jimmie Ray Thomas, and two sisters, Alma Lois Knowles and Doris Stewart preceded her in death.
Survivors include, a son, Richard (Robin) Thomas of the Moyeville community; 2 brothers, Huey (Gwin) Knowles of Flomaton and Delmas ‘Jack’ Knowles of the Stanley Cross Road Community; 2 sisters, Faye Cumbie of Flomaton and Beckie (Howard) Smith of Brewton and one grandson, Ethan Thomas.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. David Taylor officiating. Burial will be at Catawba Cemetery in Brewton.
Visitation was held Saturday, July 5, 2008 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers were Archie Dansby, Edwin Knowles, Scottie Stewart, Tony Thomas, Phillip Boutwell and Aubrey Roberson. Honorary Pallbearer is Tex Boutwell.
Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel directed.
Colon Harrison Berry
CENTURY, Fla. - Mr. Colon Harrison Berry, 73, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2008 in Century, Fla.
Mr. Berry was a native of Brundidge, a resident of Bratt, Fla. since 1953, retired from the Plastic Coated Papers after 13 years, a former longtime employee of St. Regis for 34 years, and attended the Oak Grove Church of Christ.
Survivors include, his wife, Gwnette W. Berry of Bratt, Fla.; four sons, Ervin Berry, Everett Berry and Travis Berry, all of Davisville, Fla. and Sammy Berry of Bratt Fla.; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two brothers, Norman Berry and Corky Berry, both of Pensacola, Fla. and a sister, Annie Wayne Cable of Milton, Fla.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today, July 9, 2008 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Minister Billy Randolph officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill cemetery. Visitation was held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Keith Berry, Craig Berry, Nolan Berry, Austin Berry, Ronnie Berry and Matt Berry.
Helen Ruth Lambert Burkett
JAY, Fla. - Helen Ruth Lambert Burkett, 68, of Jay, Fla., died Saturday, July 5, 2008 in Jay, Fla. She was a cashier for a convenience store. She was born in Fruitdale on April 23, 1940 to the late Angus Dellon and Emma Ida Presley Lambert. Her son, Donnie Joe Gipson preceded her in death.
Survivors are, he husband, Mose Burkett of Jay, Fla.; one son, Robert (Mary) Gipson of Atmore; three daughters, Debbie Ann (James) Maples of Frisco City, Brenda Lee (Scott) Godwin of Little River, and Shan Ruth (Mark) Ellis of Brewton; four brothers, Douglas Lambert of McCullough, Donald Lambert of Brewton, John Earl Reed of Crosby, Texas, and James Ray Reed of Romayor, Texas; four sisters, Gaynell Vaughn of Arab, Viola Conn of Atmore, Lagatha Lilly of New Caney, Texas and Wanda Vowels of Splendora, Texas; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Harvey Ellis, Sr. officiating. Interment followed in Serenity Gardens. Active pallbearers were Donald Elliotte Turner, David Aaron Lambert, Kenneth Marlin Ward, Brandon Richard Conn and Shay Jessie Gipson. Family received friends on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. of Atmore was in charge of all arrangements.
Gracie B. Bacon
BAY MINETTE - Mrs. Gracie B. Bacon, 77, passed away Monday, July 7, 2008 in Bay Minette.
Mrs. Bacon was a native of Perdido, a resident of Bay Minette for most of her life, and attended the Fretwell Tabernacle Holiness Church.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Charlie Alexander and Archie Bacon; a daughter, Sheila Diane Utt and a sister, Willie Mae Chancery.
Survivors include, two sons, Billy Joe and Luverne Hadley of Perdido and Charles Ray Alexander of Bay Minette; two grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Jr. and Winnie Bell Heathcock of Bay Minette and Robert and Lois Chancery of Perdido; a sister, Maxine and Henry Wilson of Perdido.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the Fretwell Tabernacle Holiness Church with Sister Helen Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at White House Fork cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until service time Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the Fretwell Tabernacle Holiness Church. Pallbearers will be Mike Dawson, Marty Wilson, James Presley, Wayne Coleman, Ben Harrison and Jerry Stewart.
Willie Pearl Thomas
CENTURY, Fla. - Mrs. Willie Pearl Thomas, 79, of Century died Saturday, July 5, 2008 at her residence.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 1st Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Century. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at Century cemetery.
Christian Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.