Obituaries for Wed., Jan. 27, 2016
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Jack Thomas Dial
Jack Thomas Dial, 69, of Baton Rouge and formerly of Atmore, died on Mon., Jan. 18, 2016.
Jack was a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans and served the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. He most enjoyed fly fishing and spending time with his children.
He is survived by his wife, Tammeryn; his two children, Jonathan and Elizabeth; his brother, James Dial of Kenner, La.; his sister Mary Ann Dial Svetlik of Katy, Texas; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
His parents, Frank and Lillian Dial, and his beloved older brother, Frank Dial Jr., preceded him in death.
A funeral mass was held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Baton Rouge on Fri., Jan. 22.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Henry Earl “Main” Freeman
Mr. Henry Earl “Main” Freeman, Sr., 63, of Atmore, entered into eternal rest on Thurs., Jan. 14, 2016, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
A native of Atmore, Mr. Freeman attended Escambia County Training School and had worked for Atmore Utility Company for over 25 years. He enjoyed watching westerns and had a love for horses.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Freeman.
Those left to cherish his life are his children, Henry Earl (Allie) Freeman Jr., Natalie (Kendreall) Finklea, LaKesha (Joe) America and Brent Simpson (Amelia Betts), all of Atmore; two sisters, Linda (Isaac) Rice and Patricia (Lee) Rothchild-Frank, all of Atmore; four brothers, Ira Joe (Margaret) Freeman of Clarksville, Tenn., Michael Angelo (Vanessa) Rothchild, Timothy (Mary) Moody, both of Atmore, and James (Katie) Owens of LaPlace, La.; 14 grandchildren; one great- aunt, Rosie Wallace; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held on Sat., Jan. 23, 2016, at Empowerment Tabernacle Christian Center with Overseer Darryl North, pastor, officiating. Inhumation was in Stallworth Cemetery with Turner Funeral Chapel LLC. directing.
Katherine Louise Marshall Valree
Katherine Louise Marshall Valree, 59, departed this life on Jan. 15, 2016, due to an untimely event in Dallas, Ga.
She was born on April 11, 1956, in Bay Minette, to the late Edgar Lee Sr. and Elizabeth Hamshire Marshall. She spent her early years in Little River. She spent her primary schooling years at Stockton, where she excelled academically. Later, she moved to Baldwin County, where she graduated in 1975 and met and later married her lifelong love, Roosevelt Valree. She graduated from Mobile College in 1977, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her career extended for over 30 years in healthcare. Her favorite pastimes included antiquing, dancing and interior design. She was baptized at her home church, Tate Creek Baptist Church, as a child and attended there regularly while growing up. She began a radio ministry, and was first lady to several churches from 1986-1997.
She is preceded in death by her loving mother and father; older brothers, Alexander Hampshire and Edgar Lee Marshall Jr.; and neice, Trilena Dortch.
She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and deeply devoted husband of 45 years, Pastor Roosevelt Valree; beloved children, Orlando (Jonetta) Valree I, Sherita (Martell) Valree-Johnson and Kristina Valree; three adoring grandchildren, Orlando Valree II, Malayna Valree and Jayce Johnson; her precious grandpups, Valentino Baxley and Kulai; her uncle, Thomas “Buck” Preston; siblings and in laws, Russell (Jackie) Cannon, Betty (Eddie) Ballard, Helen Marshall, James (Emma) Marshall, John (Carolyn) Marshall, Albert (Deloris) Marshall, Robert (Monica) Marshall, Calvin (Antinella) Marshall and Emma Marshall; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held on Sat., Jan. 23, 2016, from Tate Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Little River with Pastor Jimmie L. Bennett, officiating.
Pallbearers were Ralph Wine, Kunte’ Marshall, Tone’ Castillo, Martell Johnson, Orlando Valree II, Cornelius Marshall, Rodney Stewart and Otis French Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Russell Cannon, Robert Marshall, Calvin Marshall, Willie H. Marshall, Albert Marshall, Willie J. Marshall, Thomas “Buck” Preston and John Marshall.
Flowerbearers were friends of the family.
Arrangements were entrusted by Mayberry Funeral Home of Atmore.
Lisa Jane Flowers
Lisa Jane Flowers of Oak Grove, Fla., passed away on Mon., Jan. 18, 2016, in Pensacola, Fla.
She was born in Atmore to Clayton and Anita Kendrick Flowers. She was a member of Annie Jones United Methodist Church in Walnut Hill, Fla., and was a loving, giving, caring person with a servant’s heart. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and was a great witness. She loved horses, swimming, art, riding her bicycle, walking and her family.
She was an organ and tissue donor, and by doing that, she has helped over a hundred people.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Wilma Cooper Brooks and Gay and Grace Flowers; her aunt, Jane Kendrick; a step brother; and Jamie Hall.
Survivors include her parents, Anita (James Earl) Hall of Oak Grove and Clayton (Janice) Flowers of Nokomis; one brother, Scotty (Karen) Flowers of Nokomis; one step-brother, Rusty (Traci) Hall of Waycross, Ga.; two sisters, Cyndi McGhee of Spanish Fort and Amanda (Tripp) Dawson of Nokomis; 16 nieces and nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.
Services were held on Sat., Jan. 22, 2016, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with the Rev. Lee Baterman officiating. Interment followed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore.
Pallbearers were Adam McGhee, Cameron McGhee, Bradley Flowers, Nick Flowers, Josh Turner, Tripp Dawson and Brian Huskey.
Honorary pallbearers were all of her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
All her life has prepared her for this moment. It’s all too wondrous, too glorious and too wonderful. She’s home at last, radiantly healthy and gloriously loved. Heaven rejoices, angels dance and the Father smiles.
Minnie Bell Bowens
Miss Minnie Bell Bowens, 81, of Atmore, accepted the Master’s Call on Fri., Jan. 15, 2016, at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope.
A native of Greenville (Butler Co.), Miss Bowens was a retired hospital dietary aide. She enjoyed playing solitaire and doing crossword puzzles.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert Sr. and Myra Bowens; three brothers, Robert Lee (her twin), Alfred and Jimmy Lee Bowens.
She is survived by five sisters, Annie E. Bowens and Lee Ella Brown, both of Atmore, Elsenia Waller of Greenville, Lena P. Coney of Huntsville and Katie Lue Bowens of Indianapolis, Ind.; four brothers, Elbert Jr. and William Bowens, both of Atmore, John Albert Bowens of Indianapolis and Robert George Bowens of Nashville, Tenn.; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held on Sat., Jan. 23, 2016, at 2 p.m. from Second Mt. Triumph Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe L. Hayes, pastor, officiating. Retirement of her remains was in Mt. Shiloh Cemetery in Nokomis with Turner Funeral Home Chapel LLC directing.
Raymond Earl Conway
Raymond Earl Conway, 74, of Bon Secour, passed away on Sat., Jan. 16, 2016, in Foley.
He was retired from Alabama Power Co. as a truck driver with over 27 years of service, and was born on Nov. 4, 1941, in Canoe, to the late Buford and Alma Lee Marshall Conway. He was a member of Oyster Bay Baptist Church.
Survivors are his wife, Carolyn Holland Conway; one son, Chris (Stephanie) Conway, all of Bon Secour; one daughter, Cindy (Keith) Welch of Foley; and two grandchildren, Payton and Garrett.
Graveside services were held Wed., Jan. 20, 2016, in Canoe Freewill Cemetery with Bro. Jerry Peebles officiating. Interment will followed in Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home INC. was in charge of all arrangements.
Thomas Little Jr.
The Rev. Thomas Little, Jr., 78, of Jay, Fla., died Jan. 23, 2016, at his home. Mr. Little was born Dec. 12, 1937, in Mosquito Flats on the outskirts of Century, to Thomas Little, Sr., and Susie Nelson of Century, Fla. Mr. Little graduated from Century High School in 1956.
Mr. Little accepted Christ in his home Aug. 1, 1955, and made a public profession the same night at Cora Baptist Church in Jay. In October 1955, Thomas felt called to preach, but did not surrender until August 1969, while working at Monsanto.
In 1971, Mr. Little moved to Graceville, Fla., to begin his education to enter the ministry at Baptist Bible Institute, where he earned a diploma in theology in 1974. In the fall of 1974, he enrolled in Louisiana College in Pineville, La., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in theology in 1976. In 1979, he earned a master of divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
While earning his education, Mr. Little served as pastor at two Louisiana churches – the first, Lincecum Baptist Church in Georgetown, La., from 1974-1977 and Hillsdale Baptist Church in Amite, La., from 1979-1980. He would complete his service as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bratt in Florida, beginning in 1980 and serving for 10 years. Rev. Little suffered a massive heart attack causing him to retire. He and his wife then settled in Jay, where they have lived for the past 26 years.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m., today, Wed., Jan. 27, at Cora Baptist Church in Jay with the Rev. Landon Hall and Rev. Delbert Redditt officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Jay Funeral Home directing.
Rev. Little is survived by two sons, Gilbert (Deb) Little of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Jeffrey Little of Pensacola; one daughter, Janet Little Cooper of Jay; one sister, Betty (Lamar) White of Atmore; three grandchildren, Meredith Little of Dallas, Texas, Austin Cooper and Bryant Cooper, both of Jay.
Rev. Little was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 55 years, Joyce Carnley Little; and granddaughter, Reagan Reid Little.
The family would like to thank Summer Stuckey with Covenant Hospice for the compassionate care of their father for the last year of his life, and Sharon Murrell for her love and care for their father since their mother’s death.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Go Fund Me account of Mr. Little’s grandson, Bryant Cooper, who is currently battling cancer – Standing with Coop; or by mail to 2653 Nelsontown Road, Jay, FL 32565.
William Earl Gulley
William Earl Gulley was born on Apr. 8, 1947, to the late Walter Byron and Allie Blackmon Gulley in Robinsonville.
He was a graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a longtime carpenter with the local union in Pensacola, Fla.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Nancy Yvonne Gulley.
He is survived by his brothers, Walter Winston Gulley, Joseph Calvin Gulley, James LeByron Gulley and Thomas Alford Gulley; his two nephews, Walter Scott Gulley and Mark Allan Gulley; and one niece, Melissa Karel Gulley.
The family would like to thank the administration and staff at William H. Green V.A. Nursing Home in Bay Minette, for their compassionate care since September 2013, and a special thanks to Veterans Service Officer Mike Hanks.
The family owes an enduring debt to Gary and Sandra Hare for the many visitations, support with V.A. appointments, business and personal matters. This couple has demonstrated Christian love over and over again. The family sincerely appreciates this love.
Funeral services were held on Tues., Jan. 19, 2016, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert Heard.
Harriette P. Weaver
Harriette P. Weaver, a native of Stockton, lived Sept. 13, 1944 to Jan. 24, 2016.
Harriette worked at Headstart School for many years.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of six children, 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Harriette touched many lives and will be missed by all. She leaves behind a brother and sister.
She was proceeded in death by many other loved ones.
Funeral Services will be held on Sat., Jan. 30, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Union Baptist Church in Stockton. Repast will be held at Fresh Revelation Church in Stockton.
Services provided by Mayberry Funeral Home.