Dr. John D. Crawford

Dr. John D. Crawford, United States Navy Capt., retired, 86, of Huntsville, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

Crawford was born in Atmore. He was the son of Dr. Charles Crawford and Vida Sanders Crawford. John served as an enlisted Marine, and U.S. Navy sailor, prior to attending college. He was a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Alabama dental school. In 1974, he completed a fellowship in oral surgery at the Naval Region Medical Center in Charleston, S.C. John was stationed throughout the United States and overseas as a dental officer, and was the commanding officer of several Naval dental clinics. His combined service to our country was 27 years.

His Christian faith began at a young age and continued throughout his life. Currently, he was an active member of Whitesburg Baptist Church. Throughout the years, he enjoyed singing in the church choirs and teaching adult Bible study.

He was a faithful and devoted husband to his wife of 64 years, Dorothy “Dot” Daniel Crawford, often lovingly referring to her as his “Bride.” He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and traveling across the country with his “Bride” in their Airstream. In his younger years, John took pleasure in running 5K and 10K races in various parts of the southeast region with his two sons. Members of his family will always remember his favorite saying, “All days are good, some just better than others!”

Dr. Crawford is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his sister, Eleanor Crawford Sterne of Birmingham; his children, John F. Crawford (Zan), of Huntsville, Thomas D. Crawford of Charleston and Vida Crawford Walls (Ken) of Huntsville; daughter-in-law, Christine Crawford; seven grandchildren, Dustin, Danielle, Leslie, Lorie, Ryan, Blake and Hannah; and four great-grandchildren.

Many thanks to the nurses of the third floor of Crestwood Hospital and to Hospice of North Alabama for providing excellent care and support.

A memorial service was held on Oct. 27, 2015, at Whitesburg Baptist Church Chapel with Carey Green serving as officiate. Interment was held at the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whitesburg Baptist Church missions, Downtown Rescue Mission, or Big Oak Ranch.

Antonio Demetrius “Scrap” Hill

Antonio Demetrius “Scrap” Hill was born on Feb. 5, 1989, at Monroe County Hospital.

He is the son of Neva Hill, and the grandson of Mary (Walter) English and the late Dave Gardner Sr. He was a member of Grove Hill Missionary Baptist church and graduated from J.U. Blacksher High School. He enjoyed playing basketball and being with family and friends. He also leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted companion, Danyell Betts; three step children, Ke’Nijah Kyles, Ja’Daylen Lambert and Amiyah Betts; three siblings, Derrick (Chanika) Hill, Jatarius Jenkins and Maebellann Jenkins.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 14, 2015, at the Grove Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Eliska with the Rev. T.L. Douglas officiating. Interment will be held in the churchyard cemetery. His remains will lie instate on Fri., Nov. 13, from noon until 8 p.m. at Mayberry Funeral Home.

Glen Shannon Taylor

Glen Shannon Taylor, 50, of Atmore, passed away on Sun., Nov. 2, 2015, in Walnut Hill, Fla.

He was a mechanic with Offshore Oil Industry, born in Atmore on Feb. 23, 1965, to Albert Austin and Patricia McBride Taylor.

He is preceded in death by his father, Albert Austin Taylor.

Survivors are his mother, and step-father, Patricia Taylor (Feldman) Frymire of Atmore; two sons, Anthony Austin Taylor of Pensacola, Fla. and Nolan Cole Taylor of Indianapolis, Ind.; two daughters, Lachlan Taylor of Bay Minette and Kelsey Taylor of Flomaton; one sister, Alissa Taylor of Redondo Beach, Calif.; and seven grandchildren, Brandon, Aaron, Jacob, Jaxin, Easton, Kiley, Callen.

Services were held on Nov. 5, 2015, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Earl Harrison serving as officiate. Interment followed in McCullough Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Feldman Frymire, Jason Taylor, Anthony Taylor, Nolan Taylor, Will Taylor and Sammy Lee.

Family received friends on Nov. 5, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of all arrangements.

Otis Graham

Master Sgt. Otis Graham, United States Air Force, Ret., was born on Sept. 25, 1930, in Wardville, Fla.

The youngest child of Fred and Harriot Graham, he spent his youth running the fields of Walnut Hill, Fla., picking cotton for 5 cents a row, swiping watermelons and walking to school uphill both ways, barefoot, in the snow.

After graduating from Earnest Ward School, he joined the Army for a couple of years before deciding he’d try something else. He ended up in Detroit, where he met a pretty lady. On their first date, he offered her a hamburger or a Coke as he couldn’t afford both. Realizing this wouldn’t work, he enlisted in the Air Force and he and the lady, Betty, married in San Antonio, Texas.

A year later, in Reno, N.V., his first daughter, Deborah (Debi) came along. Otis became part of the Air Force Search and Rescue community, moving up the ranks and around the world — Alabama, Germany, Ethiopia, Turkey, Arizona, Vietnam, Panama City, Florida (where daughter, Dana, joined the family) and the Panama Canal Zone. Among his many awards, Otis received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and the Air Medal.

Otis retired to Pensacola, Fla., in 1972 after 21 years in the military. He spent the next 20 years at NAS Pensacola and Pensacola Naval Hospital in public works.

Then he joined air design until he permanently retired in 2006.

After his first wife passed away, Otis met his new love, Peggy, and they have enjoyed driving the roads of the United States and living with wonderful friends in the Bob Hope Village in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.

Otis-Poppy-OO’s family is a mix of blood and heart members, and he loved them all the same. His loving wife, Peggy; daughters, Debi, Dana (Derrick) and Tracy (Kenny); the grandchildren he was so proud of, Glendae (Jim), Michael, Crystal, Pam, Colby (Kassie), Ciara (Carl), Cameron and AJ.

Meeting him in heaven will be a huge Graham clan, including Betty, Brenda, Darrell, Gary, Benny and Denise. Left to miss him are his “brothers,” Bo (Nina), Bud, Wayne and Rob; his sisters, Luverne and Sue (Charlie); his friends from Bob Hope/Teresa Villages and Central Baptist Church; and so many others know that he loved you all.

Visitation was held on Tues., Nov. 10, 2015, with the funeral service following an hour later at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with the Rev. Dr. James Qurollo officiating. Interment followed at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Pkwy was in charge of arrangements.

You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

Mary Ethel Morgan

Mary Ethel Morgan, 69, of Elberta, passed away on Fri., Nov. 6, 2015.

She was born in Atmore and was a resident of Elberta. Mary was a homemaker, loved to bake, loved to talk, garden and loved nap time. She was a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Elberta, and past member of the parish council.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Vera White; and a granddaughter, MaKenna Farrington.

She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, David A Morgan; sons, Charles (Lisa) Wallace and Stephen (Debbie) Wallace; daughter, Racheal (Terry) Farrington; sister, Sandra (Don) Hires; father and mother in law, John and Barbara Morgan; grandchildren, Courtney (Corey) Gregson, Chad Wallace, Taylor Hires, Dakota Henley, Noah Henley, Kameron Henley, Elijah Henley and Layla Farrington; great-granddaughter, Jaelyn Gregson.

Mary was a very generous and loving person who also loved her sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces and nephews and will be greatly missed by her family.

Visitation was held on Nov. 10, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Elberta, today, Wed., Nov. 11, 2015, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Fr. Paul Zaghby as celebrant.

Interment will follow at Prince of Peace Cemetery.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Pkwy., is entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

Nailah Hanifah Craft-Jones

Nailah Hanifah Craft-Jones departed this life on Nov. 4, 2015.

She is the daughter of the late Jimmy Jones and the late Betty Lewis Jones. She spent her adolescent years in Milwaukee, Wis., where she obtained her graduate diploma from Polaski High School. As time progressed, Nailah relocated to Atmore, where she met, fell in love and married, Quenton Earl (Tat) Craft on Feb. 14, 1995. From their union, four amazing children were born. She later then joined and became a faithful member of El Bethel Holiness Church, where she served on the El Bethel Dance Team, up under the leadership of Apostle Louis Banks, Sr.

Upon graduating from Polaski High, Nailah obtained three degrees. She attended Reid State Technical College of Evergreen, where she obtained two degrees. A few years later, she obtained her third. Nailah received her associate’s degrees in phlebotomy, the science of nursing and in medical billing and coding. She was a very diligent and hard worker. Her work experience includes, Zetel Communications of Atmore, Diamond Oil of Atmore, Masland Carpets of Atmore, William F. Green Veterans Home of Bay Minette and Corizon Health of Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore.

She is preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Jones; mother, Betty Lewis Jones and daughter, Diamond Craft.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Quenton Earl (Tat) Craft; three sons, JaQuenton (Snoop) Craft, Tyrese (Rizzle) Craft and Khanye (Yade) Craft; five godchildren, Autajajadrick White, Yadarius McNeal, Naja Shavers, Khiazhia Jones and Kadence Mitchell; two brothers, Kevin McCormick of New Haven, Conn. and Rome Anthony Jones of Milwaukee, Wis.; sisters, Kercia Scott of Milwaukee, Wis. and Kysha (Patrick) Craft of Atmore; four brothers in law, James (Yolonda) Craft, Joe (Keisha) Craft and John (Cassandra) Craft; two sisters in law, Veronica (Clifton) Dixon of Atmore and Teresa Perez of Monroeville; adoptive sisters and brothers, Tara Jones, Carjetta (Cary) Flavors, Stephanie (Donovan) Mosely, Emily Jones, Annette Myers Mason, Alisa Sims, Yvonna Lemieux, Natalie, Ericka and Jennifer Nemoure, Nathaniel Fite, Charles Fite and Nikko Fite, Maurice Clemmons, Lamont Brooks, Shelton Brooks, De’Antonio (Amber) Jones and Neko’s (Jalonda) Jones; aunts, Nealdra Lewis of Milwaukee, Wis., Margaret Burney of New Haven, Conn. Hazel Jones, Annie Ruth Huff, Rachel Jones Smith and Helen Smith, all of New Haven, Mary Howard of South Carolina; great aunts, Mildred McCaster and Mary Andrews; aunts in law, Mary Alice Craft, Dorothy Craft, Linda (Tony) Issac and Minnie Bradley, all of Pensacola, Fla., Cindy Hartley of Atmore, Jessie Moorer of Birmingham, Carrie Williams of New Orleans, La., Viola Johnson of Atmore and Lucille King of Daphne; uncles, John Lewis and Theodore Lewis of New Haven; uncles in law, Tyrone (Sheneila) Hartley and Steve Banks, both of Atmore; nieces, Kyla Scott of Milwaukee, Andrea and Elizabeth Ojeda, Ashley Lykes, Nakeidra Brown, Carmen Morisette, Catronya Watson, Cortina James, Jodeci Craft, Doris James, Gabrielle Craft, Haley Craft, Jabrea Craft, Precious Craft, Savannah Craft, Shardae Craft, Sheronica Finklea, Teresa Craft, Trilaney Rodgers and Valaneisha Lykes; nephews, Andre (Lupe) Ojeda, Dominic Jones, Cordoral Craft, James Craft III, Ja’Vontae Craft, Jimmy Craft, Justin Jefferson, Kaleb Craft, Kingston Craft, Ladainian Craft, La’Ketrick Craft and Ricky Craft; special cousins, Dominique Covington, Trayton Covington, Susan Brown, Timothy Myers, Greg and Chris Burney, Connie Sanders (Timothy) Craft; and a host of great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special friends that hold a dear place in her heart include Shaquanda Kyles, Kimberly (Shen) Johnson, Roslanda (Michael) Henderson, Jennifer (Tim) Pearson, Courtney Wright, Sandra Lett, Otis Locke and Torisha Fantroy. She also leaves to mourn her spiritual parents, Apostle Louis Banks Sr. and First Lady Teresa Banks, along with the entire El Bethel Church family.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 14, 2015, at Empowerment Tabernacle. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Quenton Craft, Jr., Tyrese Craft, Derrick Williams, Donovan Mosley, Terrell Hardy and Jimmy Lykes.

Arrangements are entrusted to Mayberry Funeral Home of Atmore.

Peter Hubert Miller

Peter Hubert Miller, 65, of Atmore, passed away on Fri., Nov. 6, 2015, in Mobile.

He worked in quality control for many years. He was born in Garmisch, Germany, on Aug. 14, 1950, to the late Hubert and Mary Louise Genoble Miller. He served in the United States Marine Corps during Vietnam. He was a member of Perdido Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Donald Miller.

Survivors are one son, Tom (Nichole) Miller of Zeeland, Mich.; one daughter, Emily (James) Huizenga of Dorr, Mich.; three step-daughters, Faith Baumann of Tallahassee, Fla., Debbie (Randy) McKinley of Atmore and Lisa (Alan) Gunn of Eight Mile; one sister, Ursula (Russ) Mylenbusch of Crestview, Fla.; three grandchildren, Kaelyn, Dylan and Mason; eight step-grandchildren; and 12 step great-grandchildren.

Services will be held today, Wed., Nov.11, 2015, at 11 a.m. from the Perdido Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Klotz officiating. Internment will follow at a later date.

Family will receive friends today, Nov. 11, at the Perdido Baptist church from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.