Cliffton ‘Cliff’
Howard Hammac
Brewton

Cliffton “Cliff” Howard Hammac, 71, of Stallworth Street in Brewton, passed away Wed., June 10, 2015, in a Pensacola, Fla., medical facility after a brief illness.
He was a native and life long resident of Brewton.
He was a member of the East Brewton Church of Christ, a U.S. Army veteran, a former pipeline welder and former truck driver for Poole Trucking with five years of service.
He retired from Ed Reid Technical College where he was the truck driving instructor. He loved NASCAR and football.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ellie McNorton Hammac; daughter, Kristie Hammac (Boone) McGhee; son, Grayson Hammac; sister, Marie Faircloth, all of Brewton; two grandchildren, Josh (Lindsy) Hammac and Kayleigh Hammac and five great-grandchildren, Konnor Hammac, Kohl Hammac, Graycie Hammac, Micah Nichols, and Joshua Hammac Jr.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Eva Clifton Hammac; son, Dwayne Hammac; two brothers, David Hammac and Hubert Hammac; and one sister, Christine Mathews.
Funeral services were held Sat., June 13, at 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Seventy Wayne Ellis, Elder Benny Snider and Homer Lyons officiating.
Interment followed in Green Acres Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Emanuel Preyer
Brewton

Emanuel Preyer was the sixth and final son of the late Clinton and Susie Preyer. He was born July 22, 1936, in Brewton. He earned the endearing title of “Mama’s Baby” which he wore proudly.
He received his primary education at Oak Grove School and later graduated from Southern Normal High School where he was very active in athletics, playing every sport offered to the students.
Upon graduation, he attended Kentucky State College on a four-year athletic scholarship. During his tenure there, he answered the call of patriotism and joined the United States Navy where served his country for four years.
After earning an honorable discharge from the Navy, he chose to reside in San Francisco, Calif. While there, he played AAA Baseball for the San Francisco Scavengers. He suffered a career ending injury, which shattered his dreams of being a professional baseball player.
In 1965, he returned to his hometown of Brewton, where he obtained employment with Container Corporation of America. He also continued to play softball at O’Bannon and the Sportsmen Club Parks.
He retired from Container Corporation of America in August 2001, after 32 years of continuous service. He faithfully served as a Deacon at Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church and was an active member of the Brewton Sportsman Club.
His favorite projects were the scholarship program, which aided local high school graduates to attend college and the Christmas Project, that afforded school age children the opportunity to shop for their own Christmas presents.
His motto for life was, “The clock is always ticking and life is not always fair, but if you can hang on to a willingness to serve and be faithful to God, He will always carry you through life’s obstacles.”
He departed this life on May 31, at 12:30 a.m. In his last moments, he smiled the biggest smile as he was welcomed to heaven by his mom.
He leaves a legacy of warm and precious memories to his loving and devoted wife of 30 years Vallerese “Val” Preyer; his children, Jacqueline Preyer, Emanuel Preyer II, Michael (Elizabeth) Preyer and Patricia (Steven) Preyer-Thompson, all of whom reside in California and his daughter, Erika Preyer McCalpine, of Tuscaloosa.
Two sons preceded him in death, Steven Preyer (California) and Timothy Edward Preyer (Brewton).
The family gives special recognition to his devoted friend and confidant, Albert Lewis.
He is also survived by a host of in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
Presley-Fluker Funeral directors directed the service.

Will Steverson
Brewton

Will Steverson was born April 1, 1925, was the first of four sons born to Will and Mary Ellen Steverson of Beatrice.
The family moved to Brooklyn when he was nine months old and resided there until December 28, 1928, at which time they relocated to Brewton.
He graduated from Southern Normal High School and later attended Alabama A&M College. In 1943, at the age of 18, he was drafted in the U.S. Army.
He served abroad until 1946. Following his military service, he found employment with Chrysler Automotive in Detroit, Mich., where he worked until his retirement in 1980. In 1984, he returned to his home in Brewton where he lived until he departed this life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Mary Ellen Steverson; two brothers, Robert and Ruben Steverson, and one nephew, Michael Steverson of Arlington, Va.
He leaves to cherish his memory one brother, Devon (Jerelene) Steverson; one niece, Valerie (James) Long; four nephews, Darryl and Carlos Stevenson, all of Brewton, and Delano and Phineas Stevenson of Arlington, Va.; cousins, Saundra Adams of New Orleans, La. and Brenda DeVoroux of Washington, DC.
Presley-Fluker Funeral directors directed the service.

Auston ‘Charles’ Thompson
Pensacola, Fla.

Auston “Charles” Thompson, 71, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away on June 5, 2015. He was born December 3, 1943, in Brewton.
He was raised by his devoted grandmother, the late Minnie Carroll aka “Mom-ma.” Starting at the age of 16, he worked at the Fair Store in Brewton, before opening Thompson’s Fashions for Men in 1973. He owned and operated the store for 17 years before retiring from Belk (formerly McRae’s) after 22 years there. He was a 25-year member of Stonebrook Golf Club, playing the game on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11 a.m., with approximately 25 golfing buddies.
He was preceded in death by his father, Auston Thompson, whom he never met due to his death in action in WWII, and his grandmother Minnie Carroll.
He is survived by his cherished wife Marcia Prestwood Thompson aka “the wife”; his two loving daughters Carol Tolbert aka “Carol Lee,” of Atlantic Beach and Susan Golding aka “Suzie Q” of Fernandina Beach; six grandchildren, Mack Tolbert and Bret Tolbert, Keegan Golding aka “KFC”, Aaron Golding “Big’un”, Auston Golding aka “Namesake” and Logan Golding “Little-Bit”.
Two children he loved as his own, Lewis Watson aka “No. 1 Son” (Alyson), from Lincoln,; Samantha Bluhm aka “Small Sad Sam”, (Patrick), Bend, Ore.; and six other grandchildren, Jacob Watson aka “Jacob’s Ladder”, Shaley Watson aka “Shake”, Drew Watson aka “My Little Red Rooster”, Addie Ruth Bluhm aka “Budget”, Ruby Inez Bluhm aka “Rib” and Trey Watson Bluhm aka “Junior”.
He also had many, many cousins, all of whom he loved dearly. He liked and could talk to everyone he ever met even briefly, never forgot a face and knew them forever. He was very much a gentle man and loved all people.
Pallbearers were Billy Barrow, Richard Carroll, Sonny Chavers, Charles Fountain, Terry Jernigan, Terry Langham, Buford Lowery, and Gordon Smith.
Honorary pallbearers were Larry Carroll, Dorothy Kingsland, Ouida Moye, and George Prestwood.
Funeral services were Wed., June 10, at 11 a.m., at Faith Chapel North. Interment followed at Odom Cemetery in Brewton.

Master Sergeant Paul James McCants Jr.
Charlotte, N.C.

Master Sergeant Paul James McCants, Jr., of Charlotte, N.C., passed away Thurs., May 21, 2015, at his residence
He was born in Atmore on May 18, 1943, to the late Rev. Paul James McCants Sr., and the late Ruby Holmes McCants. He was a member of the 1961 graduating class of Academy Street High School in Troy. He was also a graduate of Piedmont Community College. He served 20 years with the U.S. Army before retiring as a recruiter on May 1, 1982.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Johnnie Will McCants, on June 29, 2014. They were married Sept. 27, 1963. His sister, Louise, also preceded him in death.
He is survived by his daughter, Angela McCants Strother, and her husband, Darryl, of Rocky Mount, N.C.; son, Paul J. McCants III, of Summerville, S.C.; four grandchildren, David Strother, William Strother, Britney McCants and Paul J. McCants IV; three siblings, Urla (Frank) Boggan, David (Regina) McCants of Atmore and Betty Bradley of Brewton; one brother-in-law, Strauter Collier Jr., of Pine Hill; a very caring and devoted aunt, Louise (L.G.) McCants of Atmore; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service with full military honors will be held in Atmore on June 20, at 1 p.m., at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Joseph Williams, pastor, officiating.

Hubert Etheridge Sr.
Evergreen

Hubert Etheridge, Sr., was born on Dec. 6, 1933, to the late John Etheridge and Daphnia Oliver Etheridge, in Conecuh County. He attended and graduated from Conecuh County School Systems. He departed this life at his home on June 8, 2015.
On July 9, 1954, he married the woman of his dreams, Gazell Johnson Etheridge. They were married for nearly 60 years. To this union, three children were born, with all coming in the month of August.
He accepted Christ at an early age and in the footsteps of his wife, he was saved, sanctified and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He served as a senior deacon at Johnsonville Memorial Church of God in Christ.
He worked for many years at Steven Roberts before joining the Alabama State Trooper Post in Evergreen. He served and retired as supervisor of communications after more than 20 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his son, Hubert Etheridge Jr.
Sharing in his memories are his loving wife, Gazell Etheridge of Evergreen; children, Henry (Martha) Etheridge of Evergreen, and Linda (Marvin) Johnson of Brewton; sisters, Annie Ruth Etheridge of Century, Fla., and Irene Williams of Brewton; grandchildren, Alisha Etheridge of Birmingham, Brian Etheridge of Atlanta, Dominique (Tangia) Etheridge of Youngstown, Ohio, DeAndria Etheridge of Panama City, Fla., Kyndra Johnson of Montgomery and Tiffany Etheridge of Huntsville; great-grandchildren, Khalil Wallace, Marvin Kiser Jr., Myles Hubert James Kiser and Mia Gazell Kiser, all of Brewton, and Sumarri Brown of Huntsville; sisters-in-law, Annie Lois Etheridge of Evergreen and Emma Jean House of Pensacola, Fla.; brothers-in-law, Clausell Johnson of Toledo, Ohio, and Ed Neal Johnson and Andrew Lee, both of Pensacola, Fla.
Services were held Fri., June 12, at 11 a.m. at Johnsonville Memorial Church of God in Christ in Castleberry (Johnsonville Community) with Superintendent Pastor W.R. Hughes, officiating.
Internment followed at Sandy Grove Church Cemetery in Castleberry with Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors directing.

Earl Elec Johnson
Brewton

Earl Elec Johnson, 83, died unexpectedly on Mon., June 15, 2015.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Bettie Lee Johnson; his son, Michael Dewitt Godwin (Harriett); his daughter Marilyn Johnson (Baxley) Raines; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Godwin (John) Wilson, Ashlee Owens (Ethan) Bush, Michael Otts (Allison) Godwin, Mary Godwin (Radcliff) Menge and Baxley Johnson Raines; five great-grandchildren, Alivialee Owens Bush, Riley Earl Godwin, Mary Pace Otts Godwin, Currey Elizabeth Lee Godwin and Lee Riggle Wilson; a brother, Melvin Johnson; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his son, Moody S. “Skip” Godwin III; his granddaughter, Jessica Lee Owens; his parents, Jim and Verla Johnson; one sister, Margarite Johnson Harold; and his brothers, Clyde Johnson and Bobby Johnson.
He was born on July 29, 1931, in Century, Fla. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War. He was the owner of Pace Sand & Gravel Company, Inc., and Earl Johnson Trucking for 56 years when he retired in 2010. He attended First Baptist Church of Brewton and was an avid fisherman.
Funeral arrangements will be held at Williams Memorial Chapel in Brewton with visitation today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. with internment at Union Cemetery.

Wilton Theron Hataway
Atmore

Wilton Theron Hataway, 82, affectionately known as “Moose,” passed away unexpectedly on Thurs., June 11, 2015, after suffering a stroke.
He was born on October 27, 1932, near Atmore to Theron and Louise (Wearren) Hataway.
He leaves a legacy of service to his country, to his family and to the many friends he made along he way. He enjoyed genealogy and anything to do with history and politics.
He retired in 2003 after 47 years of civil service with the United States Air Force. Most recently, he served as a supervisor electronic engineer at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. His prior military experience also included the United States Army and the Alabama Army National Guard. A loyal Tiger fan, he graduated from Auburn University in 1958, received his certification as a professional engineer in 1968, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Laura Dailey Hataway. They attended high school together in Atmore, where he was a member of the Barnes Boys football team, earning the nickname “Moose” for the fierce determination he showed on and off the field.
Married at the tender age of 18, he and Laura never left each other’s side through good times and bad. Together they had seven children while building a stable home life during several military transfers. He was the patriarch of son, George (Debbie) Hataway of Gulfport, Miss.; son, Joel (Susan) Hataway of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; daughter, Laura Anne (Joe) Smith of Bowling Green, Mo.; daughter, Leah (Bill) Gleason of Elmhurst, Ill.; daughter, Linda (Dan) Findley of Destin, Fla.; daughter, Lise Hataway of Windermere, Fla.; and son, John (Aisha) Hataway of Shiloh, Ill.
A loving and doting grandfather, he never held a baby who didn’t melt in his arms. “Pappa Moosey” will be dearly missed by Jacob, Bella and Maya Hataway; Jamie, Lucie, and Alana Gleason; Allison Hataway, Andrew Hataway, Katherine (Nick) Becchina, Wesley Shumack, Jennifer Hataway and Cassie (Scott) Zingery.
Graveside funeral services, with military honors, will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Pollard, today at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Floyd Dyal officiating and Craver’s Funeral Home directing.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Kristina ‘Kristy’ Kay Dyal Freeman
Jay, Fla.

Kristina “Kristy” Kay Dyal Freeman, 38, of Iva Road Jay, Fla., passed away Mon., June 15, 2015, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospice facility after an extended illness. She was a native of Milton, Fla., and a life long resident of Jay, Fla. She was of the holiness faith, a 1995 graduate of Jay High School and a teacher of special needs children at Capstone Academy in Milton, Fla.
She is survived by her father, Bobby (Teresa) Dyal of Jay, Fla.; her mother, Teresa (Darrell) Campbell of Jay, Fla.; husband, Jamie Freeman of Jay, Fla.; two sons, Trystin Layne Dyal, Cameron Freeman; three daughters, Hayleigh Madison Dyal, Kersten Freeman and Brittni Freeman; three brothers, Oscar, Charles, Darrell Jr.; four sisters, Chandra, Krystal, Pamela, Jessica; two grandchildren; and her mother-in-law, Diana Freeman.
Visitation will be held Thurs., June 18, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton.
Funeral services are scheduled for Fri., June 19, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Alan Isaacson officiating. Interment will follow in Dixonville Cemetery in the Dixonville Community of Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.