By Staff
Click link for 9-2-05 Obits
Walter Dempsey Hicks
BAY MINETTE – Mr. Walter Dempsey Hicks, 82, born in Atmore, AL and a resident of Perdido. AL died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2005 at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center. He was a retired welder with Alabama Dry Docks and Ship Building.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Viola (Heathcock) Hicks, Perdido, AL; five sons: Wayne Hicks and wife Dorothy , Montgomery, AL, Randy Hicks and wife Belinda, , Darrell Hicks and wife Jean, Bobby Hicks and wife Doris, Bo Hicks and wife Carolyn, all of Perdido, AL; two brothers: W.D. Hicks, Theodore, AL, Julius Hicks, Grand Bay, AL and three sisters: Goldie Hall, Grand Bay, AL, Ruby Flowers, and Eva Dyson, both of Saraland, AL; eleven grandchildren; Darian (Danyell) Hicks, Perdido,AL, Cindy (Brandon) Dortch, Walnut Hill, FL, Brian (Kellie) Hicks, Stapleton, AL, Cathy (Matt) Robinson, Perdido, AL, Johnathon (Courtney) Hicks, Montgomery, AL, Troy (Terri) Hicks, Montgomery, AL, Daphne Hicks, Perdido,AL, Bridgette (Jeremy) Russell, Kenner, LA, Brent Hicks, Patrick Hicks, and Brad Hicks all of Perdido, AL; fourteen great-grandchildren: Devin Hicks, Dalton Hicks, Payton Hicks, Logan Hicks, Madison Hicks, Caitlyn Hicks, Pate Robinson, Parker Robinson, Jackson Dortch, Caleb Russell, Caden Russell, Tayler Drinkard, Ty Drinkard and Jalen Hicks and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Betty Jean Hicks; a grandson, Cecil Dewayne Hicks; three brothers and one sister.
Funeral Services were held Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005 at the Calvary Tabernacle with Rev. Richard Shorter, Rev. Perry Pace, Rev. Charles Shearer, and Rev. David Cooper. Interment followed at Perdido Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were: Tolbert Rogers, Joey Eady, James Heathcock, Mark Heathcock, Ricky Gerald and Mike Plotniak. Honorary Pallbearers were: Kendall Gordan, D.C. Harville, Ricky Hicks and Donnie Hicks. Funeral arrangements are by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette, AL.
Merchant Ephriam Singleton
GEORGIA – Mr. Merchant Ephriam Singleton, 87, formerly of Atmore passed away Aug. 27, 2005 in Virginia Gardens Personal Care Home of Fort Valley, GA. Mr. Merchant was a member of Saint Peter A.M.E. Church. He graduated from Escambia County training in Atmore, AL in 1938. He received his Bachelor and Master degrees from North Carolina A&T State University. He was a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, the Georgia Retired Teacher's Association, FFA Alumni Association, Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&A.M of Alabama, Good Hope Lodge No. 152 of Atmore, Phi Omega Fraternity, Evening Optimist, VP of the Board of Directors of Peach Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. and NAACP. Singleton was Assistant Instructor in the Department of Agriculture Engineering at A&T State University, and Assistant Professor of Agriculture Engineering at Fort Valley State College, supervisor for 12 years. Mr. Singleton was enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years during World War II. He was awarded six medals. Singleton ran as a torchbearer in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay Team.
Josie Mae Singleton, his wife, precedes him in death. Survivors include: two daughters, Dr. Crystal L. and Ruben Brown of Fort Valley, GA, Del Charlene and Eric Simmons of Reynoldsburg, OH and four grandchildren.
Graveside services were held on Friday, Sept. 2, 2005 at Stallworth Cemetery in Atmore, AL. Turner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Annie L. "Amy" Smith
ATMORE – Mrs. Annie L. "Amy" Smith, 76, died Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005 at Atmore Community Hospital. Mrs. Smith was a native of Clark County, AL and a resident of Atmore, AL.
Mrs. Smith, attended school in Clark County and was a homemaker.
Her mother, Annie Bell Clemons, her father, Alfred Peoples and three sisters, Georgianna French, Rosie Jackson and Willie Benjamin and a brother Clarence Peoples, preceded her in death.
He is survived by: eight daughters, Lula Mae Evans of Pensacola, FL; Annie English of Hawthorne, CA; Eliza Louise French of Los Angeles, CA; Mary Diane Smith and Catherine (Randal) Benjamin both of Atmore, AL; Willie Lorraine (Sammie) Walker of Los Angeles; Dorothy Jean Smith of Pensacola, FL, and Christina (Seek) Jones of Van Nuys, CA; three sons, William Smith, Jr. of Somerville, NJ, Alfred Eugene (Wanda) Smith of Atlanta, GA and Curtis Daniel Smith of Plainfield, NJ; forty-three grandchildren, eighty great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005 at Pleasant Hill Full Gospel Church in Atmore, AL. Burial followed at the Fairview Cemetery in Atmore with the Rev. Freddie Banks officiating. Turner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Estelle Louise Hamilton
ATMORE – Mrs. Estelle Louise Hamilton, 88, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005 at Montrose Bay Health Center. Mrs. Hamilton was a native and resident of Atmore. She graduated from Escambia County Training School in Atmore, AL and worked as a cook.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Hamilton; father, Charlie Gandy; mother, Josie Gandy and daughter, Aubrey E. McDonald. Her stepdaughter, Mary Hamilton Scott of Pensacola, survives Mrs. Hamilton FL. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005 at Gaines Chapel AME Church in Atmore, AL. Burial followed at Lucious Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Agnes Lucille Rigdon Pearson
ATMORE – Mrs. Agnes Lucille Rigdon Pearson, 78, passed away Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005 in Atmore, AL.
Mrs. Pearson was a native of Monroeville, AL and a resident of Atmore for the past fifty-three years. She attended the New Beginning Church and was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Clyde Pearson.
Survivors include: her husband of sixty-one years, James Pearson of Atmore; two sons, Ollie James Pearson of Mobile and Thurl and Gayle Pearson of Atmore; two daughters, Lillian and Kenneth Nix of Brewton and Frances and Al Brown of Evergreen; twelve grandchildren, fifty great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren and her sister, Aline and Ken Didricksen of Seattle, WA.
Funeral Services were held Friday, Sept. 2,2005 at the Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Britt officiating. Burial followed at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were: Michael Pearson, Junior Pearson, Jeff Pearson, Joe Pearson, Anthony Pearson and Tim Pearson.
Valena Robinson
CALIFORNIA – Mrs. Valena Robinson, 62, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at her home. Mrs. Robinson was born to the late Mr. Frank and Mrs. Josie Robinson of Atmore, AL on Sept. 5, 1942.
Mrs. Robinson was a retired nurse's aide. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Selma Hall, Jr. on February 14,1974. To this union was born two lovely daughters and one son.
Her parents and her son, Carlton Eugene Washington, precede her in death. Valena leaves to cherish her memory and rejoice in her home going, two devoted daughters, Ms. Rena Robinson, Atmore, AL and Ms. Semeira Hall of Baldwin Hills, CA; one sister, Hilda Franklin, Baldwin Hills, CA; one daughter-in-law, Thursday Compton, CA; Markief Wright and Aldriene Washington, Atmore, AL; two granddaughters, Carlise Washington, Atmore, AL and Janessa Stevenson, CA; nephews, Adolph and Onyo Prince, CA; and several great nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends, one godson, Michael Arnold of Atmore, AL.
Funeral Services were held at the Holy Community Center, Atmore, AL, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2005 with Dr. Blanche Cunningham and Bishop Jimmy C. Wilson officiating.
Robinson Christian Memorial Funeral Home directed.
John L. Dixon
BREWTON – Funeral services for Mr. John Lloyd Dixon were held on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 at the Peace and Good Will Baptist Church in East Brewton, AL. Burial followed at Springhill Cemetery in Brewton. Willie Frank Osby officiated.
Mr. Dixon was a native and lifelong resident of Brewton, AL. He was born to the late Raymond and Martha Dixon of Brewton, AL December 30, 1934.
His sister Mary Wilfery, his mother Martha Dixon and father Raymond Dixon, preceded him in death.
He united with Peace and Goodwill Missionary Church at a young age, he served as trustee, usher and was a member of the choir.
He retired from Escambia County Road Department. Dixon was also a dedicated Volunteer for senior citizens.
He leaves to cherish his memories one niece, Shirley Godbolt and a host of friends, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Neomia Osby
BREWTON – Mrs. Neomia Osby, 74, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.