Lt. Col. Robert K. Goforth

Lt. Col. Robert K. Goforth, United States Marine Corps (Ret.) of Walnut Hill, Fla., passed away on Jan. 15, 2018.

He was born in Snow, Okla., in 1936 and lived in Clayton, Okla. until he attended Oklahoma State University. He joined the USMC in 1956 as an aviation cadet.

He served in Vietnam from 1966-1967, as an air operations officer on the USS Guam, was squadron commander of HMM 264 and also worked at headquarters Marines before retiring from NTC Orlando in 1978. He received many awards and commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star.

Upon retiring, he worked as an independent consultant before joining Southwest Research Institute as a project manager before retiring in 2003. He was an active member of his community, he enjoyed mentoring, canning, cooking, hunting and the great outdoors. Fall he said was his favorite time of year, and he could not wait to go into the woods. He was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served as senior warden.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Marguerite (Maggie) Newton Goforth; his parents, Guy Charles and Eura Bell Goforth; and his brother, United States Air Force Capt. Oscar L. Goforth.

He is survived by his son, Brian L. Goforth of Pensacola, Fla.; daughter, Mary M. Goforth Shontz and son in law, Ed Shontz; granddaughter, Mariah C. Shontz of Pensacola; brother and sister in law, Arlie and Marilyn Goforth of Perry, Okla.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Viewing was held Jan. 19, 2018, at Harper- Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd, Pensacola, FL. A Celebration of his life was held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Atmore AL, with the Rev. John Phillips presiding. A reception was held followed by a funeral service in the church. Burial was at Berryhill, Milton Historic Cemetery with full military honors.

Pall bearers were Bill Jones, Jerry Sansom, Officer Candidate USN Bryson Goforth, Edward Newbill, Offie Macks and Devin Altenhofen.

Honorary pall bearers were Brian Goforth, Ed Shontz and James Shontz.

Carlie T. James

Mrs. Carlie T. James, 98, passed away on Tues., Jan. 16, 2018, in Atmore.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. She was a member of the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Earl James Sr.; two sons, William Earl James Jr. and Clifton E. James; and two daughters in law, Jackie James and Pat James.

Survivors include her sister, Cliffie Mae Hanks of Pensacola, Fla.; five grandchildren, Cheryl James (Warren) Fenner of Atmore, Jonathan Earl (Christy) James of Atmore, Julie James (Michael Branch) of Atmore, William Earl (Lisa) James III of Webster, Fla. and Claude James of Atmore; eight great-grandchildren, Ashley Harris Sharp, Blake (Courtney) Harris, Joanna James, Marianna (Nykia) Rolin, Lily Woods, Travis James, Brayden James and Melissa James; and three great-great grandchildren, Hannah Boothe, Chayton Rolin and Nyla Rolin.

Graveside services were held Jan. 21, 2018 from the Pine Level Cemetery with Elder Kevin Fralick officiating.

Visitation was held Jan. 21 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Jonathan James, Travis James, Phillip James, Blake Harris and Warren Fenner.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes LLC was in charge of all arrangements.

 

Curtis (Clark) Hale Sr.

Curtis (Clark) Hale Sr., 82, of McComb, Miss. passed away on Jan. 10, 2018, at his home.

Clark was born Aug. 31, 1935 in Atmore, the son of the Late Novy Lee and Myrtle (Cook) Hale.

Mr. Hale is survived by his wife of 31 years Sylvia Dianne Hale; three daughters, Corinne (Eugene Jr.) Broxson, of Leesville, La., Alison Hale of Princeville, Hi., Kelly (Bill) Morse of Ballwin, Mo.; a son, Clark Jr. (Melanie) Hale of Round Rock, Texas; and step-son, Ronnie (Michelle) Norwood of Zachary, La.

He is also survived by six granddaughters, Sarah Broxson (Robert Jr.) Ellis of Jasper, Texas, Emily Morse of Falls Church, Va., Maggie Morse of Ballwin, Brooke Hale of Round Rock, Caitlin Norwood of Zachary and Berkeley Baudouin of Zachary; five grandsons, Preston Broxson of Leesville, La., Jordan Hale and Cody Hale, both of Round Rock, James Morse of Ballwin and Colby (Stephanie Norwood) of Camp Pendleton, Calif.; and one great-grandson, Owen Ellis.

Mr. Hale is also survived by three sisters, Linda (Bernard) Peacock of Stockton, Sandra O’Brien of Alaska and Sue Duncan of Florida; brothers, Douglas (Mary) Hale of Atmore and Rodney (Dena) Hale of Clearwater, Fla.; sisters in law, Louise Beasley of Atmore, Carolyn (Joey) Liles of Pensacola, Fla. and Sue Dailey of Fairhope; an aunt, Bonnie Cook Holland of Pensacola and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Clark was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Donald Beasley, all of Atmore; sister in law, Laura Dailey Hataway; and brothers in law, Wilton Hataway and James Marvin Dailey.

Upon graduation from Escambia County High School, Mr. Hale moved to Washington D.C. to work for the FBI under then Director J. Edgar Hoover. During his FBI career, he served in Washington, Puerto Rico and Montgomery in several capacities. In 1955, he married Anne Dailey of Atmore with whom he had four children. After leaving the FBI, he moved to Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, where he served as a Military Intelligence specialist for the U.S. Army. After his military service he moved to Jackson for a job opportunity with Vanity Fair. In the 1960s, Clark accepted a position with Kellwood Manufacturing and the family moved to McComb, Miss. After leaving Kellwood, he had an interesting variety of entrepreneurial endeavors, co-founder of Eden Manufacturing in Liberty, Miss., owner of Utility Rural Water Management Company, Oil and Gas leasing, and he also worked for Croft Metals.

A chess player and avid reader, Clark was a unique man with an inquisitive mind, a thinker with a  philosophical attitude always finding a topic to intensely study. If he was interested in a topic he would study until he felt he had mastered it. In turn, he passed his love of reading on to his children and grandchildren to foster the same thirst for knowledge and education he had.  He was immensely proud of all of them for their accomplishments.

In the early 1980s, Clark became known as Smoky Hale in the competition BBQ world. As Smoky Hale, he later published two barbecue cookbooks and a barbecue instructional video. After a number of years competing on the barbecue circuit, he began traveling the country as a barbecue judge on the Kansas City Barbeque Society and Memphis in May circuits. He earned his Ph.B. (Doctor of BBQ Philosophy) from KCBS in 1989. In 2017, he received the prestigious Jack Daniels Pioneer Award from the ranks of very select few to be honored. As Smoky, he enjoyed sharing his love of the barbecue cooking sport with others and many are grateful. He was a true barbecue Legend who shared his passion for barbecue with many.

Following his wishes, there will be no funeral service. A private family gathering will be held later in Alabama. His wife and family want to thank VA Medical Centers in Jackson and McComb for assisting with his care. We also thank Kindred Home Health and Compassus Hospice for their recent help and concern.

 

Clifford Ray Seale

Mr. Clifford Ray Seale, 73, passed away on Wed., Jan. 17, 2018, at his residence in Wawbeek.

He was a native of Wallace and resided in Wawbeek for most of his life. He was a member of the Canoe Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wiley and Marguerite Seale; and sisters, Lucille Butt and Mary McClain.

Survivors include his three brothers, Lee Verne Seale of Atmore, Murlon (Margaret) Seale of Atmore and Floyd (Bettye) Seale of Wawbeek; and four sisters, Nancy Nelson of Foley, Dottie (Charles) West of Ozark, Jessie (Muriel) Swindle of Wawbeek and Lois (Loyd) Creamer of Byrneville, Fla.

Funeral services were held Jan. 20, 2018, from the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Johnny Foxx and Bro. Sonny Steele officiating.

Burial followed at the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation was held Jan. 20 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Stacy Seale, Christopher Seale, Tracy McClain, Kenneth McClain, Edward Wilson and Dudley Wilson.

Honorary pallbearers were Charles West, Willie McClain and Mike Smith.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes LLC was in charge of all arrangements.

 

Adam D. Gantt

Adam D. Gantt of Atmore passed away Fri., Jan. 12, 2018 in Atmore.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Thurs., Jan. 25, 2018 at Christian Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home will be directing.

Diane Rabb

Diane Rabb of Atmore passed away on Sat., Jan. 20, 2018 at her residence.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

Linda Culliver

Linda Culliver of Brewton passed away on Tues., Jan. 16, 2018 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Wed., Jan. 24, 2018, from St. John Baptist Church.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home will be directing.

Annie Pearl Grimes

Funeral service for Miss Annie Pearl Grimes, 68, of Atmore will be held this Sat., Jan. 27, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Liberty Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Isaac Bradley, pastor, and Minister Betty Cox, eulogist. Inhumation will be in Fairview Cemetery with TURNER FUNERAL CHAPEL LLC directing.

Marcelete Hollis Harris

Marcelete Hollis Harris, a native of Atmore and a resident of Houston, Texas, passed away on Mon., Jan. 22, 2018, in Missouri City, Texas.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home will be directing.

Ollie James Strength

Ollie James Strength, 96, of Atmore, passed away on Jan. 14, 2018, in Atmore.

He was born on March 9, 1921 to the late Cary Merritt and Mary Ellen Hall Strength in Atmore.

He served in the United States Army during World War II, Korean War and later retired from the Army National Guard. He was a member of the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He also served with the Atmore Police Department Auxiliary and was retired from St. Regis Paper Co. He was married to the late Allie Belle King Strength on Feb. 6, 1942.

His parents, his wife and brother, Leon Strength, preceded him in death.

Survivors are one daughter, Ollie Jean Strength of Atmore and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Services were held Jan.17, 2018. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Robert Heard officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Russell Braswell, James Braswell, Don Moye, Jed Dukes, Rodney Ball and Timothy Ball.

Family received friends Jan. 17, 2018 from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home

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

 

Otha Douglas Morgan

On Jan. 19, 2018, Otha Douglas Morgan was transported to heaven at 93.

He was born in McKenzie on Dec. 4, 1924, to the late Albert Orie and Maude Jenkins Morgan. He married the love of his life, Christeen Glover Morgan on Dec. 5, 1953, and they spent 64 years together.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Evada Steffler, Lorene Graham, Mavis Parnell and Veneta Sims; and two brothers, Clinton and Cleveland.

He is survived by his loving wife, Christeen; his daughters, Cynthia (Randy) Peters and Fay (Glenn) Faircloth; grandsons, Jason (Jamie) Peters and Brandon Peters; great-grandchildren, Zach, Scott, Emily and Michael; one brother, Dalton (Carolyn) Morgan; numerous nieces and nephews; and one special next door “son,” Joey Brown.

Funeral services were Jan. 23, 2018, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kevin Flannagin and Bro. Doug Odom officiating. Interment followed in Bratt-Godwin Cemetery.

Visitation was held Jan. 23, 2018 from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Shane Harigel and staff at Atmore Community Hospital, Dr. Aron Morgan and everyone who cared for him at D.W. McMillian Memorial Hospital.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Roy Allen Williams

Mr. Roy Allen Williams, 64, passed away on Sat., Jan. 20, 2018, in Mobile.

He was a native of Washington, D.C., former resident of Clarksdale, Miss. and has resided in Atmore for the past 32 years. He was a retired road master with CSX Railroad with 39 years of service. He was an avid outdoorsman, loved to fish and hunt. He was a member of the ABT Messengers Singers and the Atmore Baptist Temple.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jerry R. and Betty Jo Williams; brother, Jimmy Ray Williams; and granddaughter, Macey Amerson.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Cathy P. Williams of Atmore; three daughters, Megan Williams Amerson (Ed) of Atmore, Stacey Williams Plant (Eric) of Bratt, Fla. and Lauren Williams Beasley (Jace) of Atmore; one sister, Alecia Williams Green of Clarksdale; and 10 grandchildren, Madison Amerson Rolin, Molleigh Amerson, Tanner Plant, Madelyn Plant, Andrew Plant, Luke Plant, Elli Macyn Plant, Kendal Beasley, Kate Beasley and Klaire Beasley.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Wed., Jan. 24, 2018, from the Petty-Eastside Chapel with Bro. Doug Odom officiating.

Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. service time today, Jan. 24, 2018 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Ed Amerson, Eric Plant, Jace Beasley, Tanner Plant, Mike Prewitte and Mark Lawrence.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry McElhaney, Alvin Brown, Kenny Stuckey, Joe Chandler, Freddie Fails, Cooper Quinn and Kevin Odom.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes LLC is in charge of all arrangements.

 

Vernon L. Nyce

Vernon L. Nyce, 73, died on Tues., Jan. 18, 2018.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 52 years – Linda (Stover) Nyce; children, Darren Nyce and his wife Rhoda Valpatice Nyce, Leann Stover Nyce; four grandchildren, Lauren and Isabel Ballester and Gabrielle and Josiah Nyce.; brother, Ronald Nyce and his wife, Blanche; sister, Grace Nyce Hunt; and her husband, John along with several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Grace Nyce; and his sister Ruth Ann (Nyce) Frederick.

A celebration of his was held on Jan. 20 in Atmore and there will be a memorial service in the summer in Romulus N.Y. at Seneca Community Church, where he was a co-founder.

Vern loved his wife, Jesus and studying God’s word. He grew up in Bucks County, Pa. and met the love of his life while ice skating on a local lake.

Turns out lakes were going to be prominent in his life for some time. After marrying Linda on the lawn of Christopher Dock High School, and living in several places in the area – Bedminster, the “mouse house,” Perkasie. In 1973 Vern moved his family to upstate New York in the Finger Lakes region. His dream of being a farmer was becoming a reality. He called the area God’s Country. He and a few other fellow searchers started a church – Seneca Community Church. This church was a second home. Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night you could find Vern there ministering or teaching or learning. Some of his dearest friendships were forged there. Over time he would grow his farm to over a thousand acres, have pigs, cattle, chickens and even sheep. Even after he moved away, he would still consider it home.

Growing tired of cold, he decided to try Alabama where he could grow three crops in two years. There he grew cotton, soybeans, wheat and corn. He enjoyed spending time at Escambia Seed and would love when his family would visit.

In 2000, he moved back to Pennsylvania to help care for his aging parents after they died in 2008, he and Linda moved back to Alabama, while keeping his hands in the dirt in Pennsylvania. He lived out the rest of his days battling his heart, loving his wife, studying the Bible, and looking forward to seeing Jesus.

Graveside services were held Jan. 20 in the Freemanville Community Cemetery. A memorial service followed from Mennonite Christian Fellowship with Bro. Jim Weber and Bro. Anthony Swartzendruber officiating.

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