Vivian Louise Lyons Patten

Mrs. Vivian Louise Lyons Patten, 83, of Port St. Joe, Fla., formerly of Atmore, fell asleep in the Arms of Jesus on Wed., May 30, 2018, at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf in Port St. Joe.

A native of Atmore, Ms. Patten was a graduate of Escambia County Training School and she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Alabama State University-Montgomery.

She taught school in Greenville, Miss. and Atmore, before relocating to Port St. Joe in 1968. She taught school for 47 years before retiring in 2004. She started one of the first African American tutorial programs in the North St. Joe Community. She was a member of the Gulf-Franklin Retired Teachers’ Association.

In her early years, she grew up at Second Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Atmore, and when she moved to Port St. Joe, she was a Member of Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church before joining New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. She served faithfully as the church clerk, Sunday school secretary, a member of the senior choir, missionary department, and usher’s board. She also served as recording secretary for the Progressive M&E State Congress, Senior Women’s Auxiliary under the Gulf Coast Association, president of the Northwest Florida Usher’s Union, recording secretary of the Concerned Christian Society, secretary of the City Wide Mission And Port St. Joe Ministerial Alliance.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Patten; her parents, Chester Sr. and Gussie Lyons; her sisters, Mable (U.D.) Parker and Bertha McMillian; brothers, Willie Arthur and Carney Lyons; in laws, Sue Beachum, Leroy Patten and Willola Wright; and god-children, Davida and Damien Byrd.

Those left to cherish beautiful memories of her life are her three daughters, Sonja (Charles) Maddox of Clinton, Md., Bonita (Samuel) Smith of Panama City, Fla. and Ashley Robinson of Port St. Joe; a son, Ashton Larry of Panama City; a sister, Joyce (C.J.) Lamar of Atmore; one brother, Chester Lyons Jr. of Atmore; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Public viewing will be held tomorrow, Thurs., June 7, 2018, from 1-5 p.m. at Turner Funeral Chapel in Atmore. A family hour will be held this Fri., June 8, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. EST at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 208 North Park Dr., Port St. Joe, FL.

A celebration of life service will be Sat., June 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. EST at The Body of Christ Jesus Church, 106 Harbor Street, Port St. Joe, FL with the Rev. Carle Bailey, pastor, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Port St. Joe, eulogist and the Rev. Wilhelmina Williams, host pastor. Inhumation will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Port St. Joe, FL. Her remains will lie instate at the church one hour prior to the funeral service with Turner Funeral Chapel LLC, 83 Westbrook Lane, Atmore, AL directing.

 

Lula Lee Grimes

Ms. Lula “Laura” Lee Grimes, 93, of Atmore, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus while at her daughter’s home in Montgomery.

A native of Camden, Miss., Grimes has been a longtime resident of Atmore. She attended school in Wilcox County and was a farmer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, some of her children and siblings.

Those left to cherish memories of her life are five daughters, Martha Johnson of California, Ruth Ford of Montgomery, Della Cooper and Laura Ann Pettway, both of Atmore, and Linda Pettway of Stockbridge, Ga.; three sons, Willie (Pearlie) Pettway and Tony (Stephanie) Pettway, both of Atlanta, Ga., and Jesse (Anne) Pettway of Mobile; one sister, Lorine Pettway of Sylvia Springs, Ga.; a brother, Sandy Pettway of Camden; a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held this Sat., June 9, 2018 at noon at Empowerment Tabernacle Christian Center- Atmore with Apostle Tony McAroy, officiating and Bishop Darryl North as host pastor. Retirement of her remains will be in Stallworth Cemetery. Public viewing will be Friday from 2-7 p.m. at the funeral home and her body will lie in repose at the church for one hour prior to the funeral service with TURNER FUNERAL CHAPEL LLC directing.

 

Carolyn Eloise Embley

Mrs. Carolyn Eloise Embley, 70, passed away on Fri., June 1, 2018, in Mobile.

She was a native of Mobile and has resided in Chickasaw most of her adult life. She was active in the Celebrate Recovery with the Wilmer First Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Lonie Embley; one brother, Anthony Gene Embley Sr.; and one sister, Anita Embley.

She is survived by her three nephews, Benjamin (Ginger) Godwin of Wilmer, Doyle Johnson of Atmore and Anthony Gene (Jennie) Embley Jr. of Atmore; two nieces, Anita Catherine (Joey) Stephens of Wewahitchka, Fla. and Lacy Pope of Wilmer; nine great-nieces; four great-nephews; one great-great niece; one great-great nephew; and other family and many friends.

Memorial services were held June 5, 2018 from the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. J.P. Lambeth officiating.

Reception was held June 5 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

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

 

Terry Mark Shumack

Mr. Terry Mark Shumack, 53, of Excel, passed away on Thurs., May 31, 2018, at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Excel and co-owner of Roto-Rooter.

Mr. Shumack was a member of Excel Baptist Church. He was a great man and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mr. Shumack is survived by his wife, Lisa Shumack of Excel; parents, Benny and Lois Shumack of Excel; one son, Cris (Brittany) Shumack of Auburn; two daughters, Keri (Jose) Flores and Kassi (Blake) Haden, both of Excel; three step daughters, Laura Akens of Booneville, Kristen Johnson of Excel and McKenna Johnson of Excel; two sisters, Lynn Shumack (Al) Nall of Excel and Lisa S. (Al) Bowen of Excel; one grandson, Brooks Hadley of Booneville; and two granddaughters, Sophie Flores and Elena Flores of Excel.

Visitation was held on June 2, 2018, at Excel Baptist Church. Funeral services followed at Excel Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Johnson and the Rev. Shannon Moses officiating. Interment was at Excel Cemetery with Johnson Funeral Home directing. Visit our online registry at www.johnsonfh.org.

 

Russell Wayne White

Mr. Russell Wayne White, 70, passed away on Sat., June 2, 2018, at his home in Nokomis.

He was born in Atmore and has resided in Nokomis for most of his life. He was a Veteran of the Vietnam conflict serving with the U.S. Army. He was a retired crane operator and of the Baptist Faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Ruby White; and one brother, Paul White.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Patricia White of Nokomis; three daughters, Teresa (John) Booker of Perdido, Tina (Michael) McGhee of Nokomis and Tonya (Johnny) Rolin of Canoe; five brothers, Mike (Debra) White of Pensacola, Fla., Tony White of Atmore, Ricky White of Atmore, Wendall White of Atmore and Terry (Sherry) White of Atmore; five sisters, Francine (Norman) Wilson of Nokomis, Nancy (Joe) Pace of Atlanta, Ga., Marsha Wright of Pensacola, Connie (Joe) Gibson of Pensacola and Judy Godwin of Pensacola; nine grandchildren, Cameron McGhee, Austin McGhee, Taylor McGhee, Josh Booker, Alaina Rolin, Hannah Booker, Rebecca Booker, Tyler Rolin and Zane Rolin; one great-grandchild, Jaxon McGhee; and two great-great grandbabies, due in December.

Graveside services were held June 5, 2018 from the Sullivan Cemetery with the Rev. Don Davis officiating.

Burial was held at the Sullivan Cemetery.

Visitation was held June 5, 2018 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Steve White, Daniel White, Jonathan White, Ashley Dupree, Tony Wilson and Denny Carlton.

Honorary pallbearers were Thomas White, Chad White, Brad Wilson, Justin Godwin, Jake Godwin, Stoney Carlton and Derek Wilson.

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

 

Susan Fillingim Purvis

Susan Fillingim Purvis, 70, passed peacefully on May 30, 2018, after enduring a short illness and a 41-year battle with rheumatoid arthritis.

Born in Atmore, she grew up in the Bay Springs, Fla. community, where her family owned and operated Morris’ General Store. Susan married Gary Purvis on June 19, 1964, and together, they own and operate Sugarfoot Farms in Northwest Florida.

She loved nothing more than spending time with her family and friends and entertaining them in the home she and Gary built together. No one was a stranger in her home, everyone was always welcome.

Susan attended Ernest Ward High School and Pensacola Junior College. When she wasn’t home taking care of the household, she was out on the family farm.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert T. “Tommie” and Gail Morris Fillingim.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gary R. Purvis; a son, Gary Wayne Purvis (Monica) of Blountstown, Fla.; a daughter, Sharon Delmar (Mark) of Atmore; three grandsons, Nick Delmar of Pensacola, Fla., Brandon Purvis and Colton Purvis, both of Blountstown, Fla.; mother in law, Bernice Purvis of Bratt, Fla.; brother in law, Mike Purvis (Cathy) of Blountstown; nephew, Brad Purvis (Nicole); niece, Ashley Purvis, of Blountstown; and many special family and friends.

Pallbearers were Nick Delmar, Rodney Fillingim, Wayne Fillingim, Brad Purvis, Brandon Purvis and Colton Purvis.

Honorary pallbearers were Lloyd Albritton, Billy Bryan, Wendell Hall, Wendell Rigby, Merrill Traylor and Billy Ray Williams.

Visitation was held June 1, 2018, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

A celebration of life will was held June 2, 2018, from the First United Methodist Church, Atmore, and will be officiated by the Rev. Brennan Peacock.

Internment followed at Enon Baptist Church in Enon, Fla.

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