Bobbie Jean Thornton

Bobbie (Bobby) Jean Thornton was born on March 12, 1941, in Evergreen, to the late Anderson and Annie Mae (Nared) Thornton, and passed away on March 12, 2018.

She received her certificate of certified professional childcare from Reid State Technical College. In 2016, she completed the Lay Speaker Certificate for the United Methodist Church.

She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of New Beulah Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. C.W. Lewis. She was the church musician, sang in the choir, Sunday School teacher, matron and a proud member of Eastern Star Organization. In her later years, she joined Sparta Hill United Methodist Church, where she continued to work for the Lord as a Sunday School teacher and musician. Her true passion was singing, playing the piano, teaching Gods word and spending time with her family. From 1967-1984, she worked at Steven Roberts/Max Khan as a Pleater and later continued her aspiration to direct and own Bobbie and Guy daycare.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Willie Mae Davis, Ola C. Woods and Georgia M. Thornton; granddaughter, Jamekia Wiley; father in law, Alex Roache Sr.; three sisters in law, Lillie Mae Danzy, Juanita Roache and Deloris Roache; and one brother in law, Alex Roache.

In 1962, she met and married the love of her life, Guy Roche. With their union was five children, Netter (Jason) Wiley, Vanessa (Fred) Drakeford, Regina Bryant (Marvin) all of Evergreen, James Roche of Titus and CoSandra (Jerome) Dent of Marietta, Ga.; and one god child, Monica (Mario) Rankins of Riverdale, Ga.

She leaves to cherish her memories, three sisters, Velma Roche of Brewton, Louise Thornton and Ernestine (Arthur) Wilson of Buffalo, N.Y.; three sisters in law, Gayle Hudley and Shirley Roche of Brewton and Pam Violet of Connecticut; grandchildren, Jason Wiley Jr., Blake Bryant, James Roche Jr., Haley Drakeford, Tyler Brant (serving in the U.S. Marine Corps), Raven Bryant, Ryan Roche, Lori Drakeford, Javan Wiley, Bailey and Bradley Dent; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; two godsons, Kenny Ward and Lonnie Richardson; and friends, David and Freda Murphy.

Funeral services were held on March 17, 2018, from Greater Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Evergreen with the Rev. Eric Johnson, pastor, and the Rev. Joe Hayes, eulogist. Interment was held in Sparta Hill United Methodist Church cemetery.

Pallbearers were nephews and friends and flower bearers were nieces and friends.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of services.

Christeen Morgan

On March 13, 2018, Christeen Morgan moved to her Heavenly Home.

She was born in Uriah on Nov. 12, 1928, to the late Leonard and Ethel Ardis Glover.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Otha Douglas Morgan; sisters, Olean Emmons and Ruth Cabiness; and brothers Eugene, Troy and Junior Glover.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Cynthia (Randy) Peters and Fay (Glenn) Faircloth; grandchildren, Jason (Jamie) Peters and Brandon Peters; great-grandchildren, Emily, Michael, Zach and Scott; one brother, Clark (Marie) Glover; step-grandson, Andy (Stephani) Faircloth; step-great grandchildren, Sydney and Matthew; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special next door “son,” Joey Brown.

Her home going celebration was held March 16, 2018 from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kevin Flannagin and the Rev. Doug Odom officiating. Interment followed in Bratt Godwin Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Jimmy McElhaney, Jerry McElahney, Josh McElhaney, Chris McElhaney, Roy Ward and Kevin Odom.

Honorary pallbearers were Scott Lee, Alvin Brown, James Bolton, John McCall, Ronnie Boone, Willie Peebles, David Johnson, Mike McCall and Wayne Faircloth.

Family received friends March 16, 2018, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

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

John Alwin Vanlandingham

Dr. John Alwin Vanlandingham, 79, of Flomaton, passed away on Wed., March 14, 2018, at D.W. McMillian Memorial Hospital in Brewton.
Dr. Vanlandingham was a native of Marianna, Fla. and had been a member of the Flomaton community since 1974, coming from Ann Arbor, Mich.

He was a graduate of the 1956 Class of Milton High School, a 1960 graduate of Asbury College and a 1970 graduate of the University Of Michigan School Of Medicine.

Dr. Vanlandingham was a physician for 46 years. In his search for “eternal studies,” he enjoyed reading books on theoretical physics and mathematics, playing the piano, mechanics and photographing wildflowers in their natural environment. Dr. Vanlandingham enjoyed traveling on the many motorcycles that he owned. He was of the Methodist and Baptist faiths and was a member of First Baptist Church of Flomaton.

He is preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. A.H. and Ernestine Chapman Vanlandingham.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Wanda Hart Vanlandingham of Flomaton; sons, Joshua (Ivy) Vanlandingham of Molino, Fla. and Jared (Partner, Andres) Vanlandingham of Brooklyn, N.Y.; brothers, Charles (Marcheta) Vanlandingham of Milton and Frank (Genia) Vanlandingham of Geneva.

Visitation was held March 17, 2018, at First Baptist Church of Flomaton with Dr. Tim Tew officiating.
Interment followed in Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Joshua Vanlandingham, Jared Vanlandingham, Damon Vanlandingham, Grant Vanlandingham, Terry Stanford and Wayne Washburn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abernathy Park Fund P.O. Box 632 Flomaton, AL 36441.
Please share your memories and condolences with the family at www.flomatonfh.com.
Flomaton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Henry Harris

Mr. Henry “Bryant” Harris, 76, passed away on Sun., March 11, 2018, in Atmore.

He was a native of Uriah and resided in Atmore. He was of the Christian Faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland and Gertrude Harris.

Survivors include his two sons, James (Jessica) Harris and Travis (Cheryl) Harris of Atmore; one daughter, Melissa (Rickey) Lindsey of Bay Minette; two brothers, Gene Harris of Loxley and Billy Harris of Perdido; one sister, Faye Jones of Loxley; and five grandchildren.

Burial was held at the Oak Hill Cemetery.

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

 

Hollie Wayne Thrower

Mr. Hollie Wayne Thrower, 88, passed away on Mon., March 12, 2018, in Atmore.

He was a native of Trenton and has resided in Atmore for the past 70 years. He was a Veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and was of the Methodist Faith.

He is survived by his son, A.L. “Snake” Thrower of Atmore; daughter, Sharon Thrower of Dayton, Texas; brother, Robert Glenn Thrower of Walnut Hill, Fla.; and five grandchildren.

Burial was held at the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.

Thanks to Atmore Nursing Care Center that cared for Mr. Thrower, hospice for help and their prayers.

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

 

Ida Lee English Frye

Ms. Ida Lee English Frye, 71, of Atmore, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus on Tues., March 13, 2018, at her residence.

A native of Barth, Fla., she was reared in Walnut Hill, Fla. and attended school in Cantonment, Fla. and graduated from Ransom High School in 1964. She also attended Troy State University, where she received her degree in business administration.

She was a devoted member of Gaines Chapel AME Church, where she served as a trustee. She was one of leading beauticians in Atmore as the owner and operator of Fancy Fingers Salon and Boutique.

She was preceded in death by a son, Benny Frye Jr.; parents, Forest and Clara English; brother, Timothy English; the father of her sons, Benny Frye Sr.; and sister in law, Lillie English.

Those left to cherish the beautiful memories of her life are her sons, Shacy (Lynn Hume) Frye of Atlanta, Ga., Shelton Frye of Atmore; special companion, Tommy Thomas; three sisters, Alice (Russell) Bates of Stone Mountain, Ga., Judith (Alex) Johnson of Houston, Texas and Linda (Terry) Means of Pensacola, Fla.; six brothers, Ned English, Forest (Diane) English, Otis (Natalie) English, Benell (Jeanette) English, all of Pensacola, Fla., Thomas (Helen) English of Charleston and Burnel (Diane) English of South Hampton, Ma.; four grandchildren; two aunts; one uncle; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held on March 19, 2018, from Gaines Chapel AME Church with the Rev. Amos Smith, pastor, officiating. Inhumation was in Stallworth Cemetery with Turner Funeral Chapel LLC directing.

 

Jimmy Cunningham Sr.

Funeral service for Mr. Jimmy Cunningham Sr., 51, of Atmore, will be announced by Turner Funeral Chapel LLC.

Mr. Cunningham died on Thurs., March 15, 2018.

 

Mary Margaret Etheridge

Mrs. Mary Margaret Etheridge, 81, passed away on Thurs., March 15, 2018, in Huxford.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Huxford. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was retired from Vanity Fair with 40 plus years of service and was a member of the Huxford Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Eubie Etheridge; and one sister, Sarah Abernathy.

Survivors include her two sons, Barry (Rebecca) Etheridge of Huxford and Kevin (Janet) Etheridge of Ft. Worth, Texas; one brother, Jimmy (Deanie) Booker of Huxford; five grandchildren, Caleb Etheridge, Adam Etheridge, Loren Etheridge, Madlyn Etheridge and Clennon Daniel; and close friend, Estelle Shumpert of Huxford.

Funeral services were held March 17, 2018, from the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. James Boyd officiating.

Burial followed at the Huxford Baptist Cemetery.

Visitation was held March 17, 2018 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Albert Williams, Jacob Williams, Randy Lucas, Eddie Booker, Todd Booker and Jamie Booker.

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

Paula Kaye Bankster

Ms. Paula Kaye Bankster, 41, went to her heavenly home on Mon., March 12, 2018.

She was a native of Bay Minette and resided in Mobile.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Bankster and Carrie McMillian; and two half-brothers, Myron Bankster and Timothy Bankster.

She is survived by her two sons, Duston French of Mobile and Derrick Harris of Mobile; one daughter, Tamara Bankster of Mobile; one half-brother, Ken Bankster of Stapleton; two sisters, Carrie Monette (Darrell) Baker of Stapleton and Karen Elizabeth (Steve) Biggs of Robertsdale; one half-sister, Vanessa Porter of Mobile; two grandchildren; and step-father, Ed McMillian of Pine Grove.

Graveside services were held March 15, 2018, from the John White Cemetery (Whitehouse Fork, Alabama) with Sister Bonnie Howard officiating.

Pallbearers were Blake Biggs, Brandon Johnson, Dylan Vinson, Jonathan Baker, Eddie Harris and Carlteze Harris.

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

 

Scotty Ray Hardy

Scotty Ray Hardy “Unk” was born on Aug. 23, 1950, to the late Jody Harris and Annie Hardy-Woods in Brewton. He passed away on Sun., March 11, 2018.

He graduated from Souythen Normal High School in 1969. He then moved to Jersey City, N.J. He worked at Frys Metals Inc. until he retired in 2007. In 2008, he moved back to Brewton, where he started working for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior and joined Second Saint Siloam Missionary Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Stacey Hardy.

He leaves to cherish his memory, one daughter, Stacey Dickens of Jersey City; one son, Terry Hardy of Brewton; six grandchildren, Nykeem Barton, Nakiya Hardy, Neisha Hardy, Destiny Dickens, Janiya Harvey and Elisha Hardy; two great-grandchildren; four sisters, Sylvia Riley, Frankie (Samson) Chatham of Brewton and Francine Harris and Lillie Ruth Harris of Texas; two brothers, Michael Hardy of Brewton and Wayne Harris of Texas; one aunt, Doris McConnico; one uncle, Leonard (Hattie) McConnoci, both of Brewton; one beloved God child, Maliyah Spears; devoted and special friend, Ms. Jessie Hodges; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins family and friends, and a very special great-great nephew, BJ.

Funeral services were held March 16, 2018, at Second Saint Siloam Baptist church in Brewton with Pastor Willie J. Blue officiating. Interment was held in Baptist Hill Cemetery in Brewton.

Pallbearers were his nephew and cousins, and flower bearers were his granddaughters and nieces.

Christian Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.