Obituaries for Wed., Nov. 11, 2015, edition
Published 5:29 pm Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Douglas ‘Doug’ Coleman Bagwell
Brewton
Douglas Coleman Bagwell, 78, of Foshee Road, Brewton, passed away Wed., Oct. 28, 2015, at his residence after a brief illness.
Funeral services were held Sat., Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bishop Leon Stewart and the Rev. Billy Gordon officiating. Interment followed in Pineview Cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
He was a native and life long resident of Escambia County, Ala. He was of the Pentecostal faith, a 1955 graduate of Flomaton High School, a U.S. Marine Veteran, a member of the Escambia County Cattleman’s Association and a retired paper machine supervisor from Jefferson Smurfitt with more than 40 years of service.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Jackson Bagwell of Brewton; four sons, Jeff (Michelle) Bagwell of Pineapple, Steve (Tammie) Bagwell of Pineview, Randy (Rebecca) Bagwell of Flomaton, and James Bagwell of Brewton; one daughter, Cindy (Barry) McLamb of Pensacola, Fla.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.
Dan Nelson Jr.
Brewton
Dan Nelson Jr., 73 of Bethel Road, Brewton, passed away Thurs., Nov. 5, 2015, at his residence.
Graveside services were held Mon., Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. at Whitfield Cemetery in Berrydale, Fla., with the Rev. Doug Greer officiating and Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
He was a native and life long resident of Brewton. He was formerly employed in the logging and construction industry.
He is survived by a daughter, Janet Ann Nelson of Brewton; a brother, Archie Nelson of Brewton; a sister, Ramona Duty of Milton, Fla. and a granddaughter, Lisa Nelson
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.
Gordon Lamar Evans
Brewton
Gordon Lamar Evans, 87, of Brewton, passed away Fri., Nov. 6, 2015, in Brewton.
Funeral services were held Mon., Nov. 9, at 2 p.m., at Craver’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Donnis Bowman, Bro. Jim Parkerson and Bro. Raymond Wiggins officiating.
Interment followed in Damascus Cemetery, Brewton, with Craver’s Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers were Frankie Bell, Randy Cardwell, Ethan Howell, Tommy Lee Johnson, Joe Pettis and Brian Richburg.
He was a native and lifetime member of the Brewton community where he worked as an electrician in construction. He was in the Merchant Marines and attended the Edendale Holiness Church.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth B. Evans of Brewton; two sons, Dwight Evans and Lamar Evans, both of Brewton; a daughter Lana Kay (Carl) Bartholomew of Brewton; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.
Cora Lee Coleman
Brewton
Cora Lee Coleman Ruber, 61, died Sun., Nov. 1, 2015, at her Brewton residence.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Fri., Nov. 13, from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
She was born in Brewton and had returned to the area five years ago from South Carolina. She had worked as a deli cook in a convenience store, and was of the Christian faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Curt and Flora Coleman; two brothers, Curtis Coleman and Charles Coleman; and three sisters, Vernell Nelson, Dicey Johnson, and Mamie Evans.
She is survived by a son, Chris (Misty) Merritt of Greenville, S.C.; daughter, Deborah (Robert) Bartlett of Brewton; three brothers, Paul Coleman of Greenville, SC, and Robert Coleman , and Roy Coleman, both of Brewton; two sisters, Pee Wee Nelson and Linda Thomas, both of Brewton; five grandchildren, Cory Bartlett, Cody Bartlett, Jeremy Coleman, Hunter Merritt, and Shon Merritt; and a great-grandchild, McKinley Bartlett.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to a charity or local hospice of your choice.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.
Willie Ervin ‘Bill’ Littles
Brewton
Willie Ervin “Bill” Littles, 65, was born in Brewton, Aug. 22, 1949, the eighth child of Hardy and Vora Littles. He passed away Tues., Nov. 3, 2015.
Memorial services were held Sat., Nov, 7, at 3:30 p.m. at Baptist Hill Baptist Church in Brewton, with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.
At an early age his parents, who were members of St. Palestine Baptist Church in the Brooklyn Community of Conecuh County, gave him to the Lord and had him baptized.
Educated in local public schools zoned for his community, he attended Sandy Grove Elementary School and Boykin Junior High School. With much anticipation he was happy to join the students at Southern Normal School where he completed high school and graduated in 1969.
He loved and excelled in basketball, and received an athletic basketball scholarship to Alabama State University beginning the summer of 1969 which was short-lived when his studies were interrupted and he was drafted into the United States Army.
Upon his discharge from active duty in the military, he returned to his hometown of Brewton and jump-started his education at Jefferson Davis Community College where he earned an associate of Science degree in 1973.
With a strong desire to learn about business, in 1975 he attended Larkin Business School and received a business certificate.
While at Southern Normal School, he met the love of his life, Wanda Regina Wilson (Gennie), who maintained a long distance relationship with him as she waited for him to return home from the military.
On May 17, 1974, he and Wanda were married, and thus began 41 marvelous years together, until his passing. Their union was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Tomeka (Toi) and Tinker. Each were nurtured with Bill and Wanda’s special brand of pride and joy.
He was employed for 38 years at the local paper industry, currently Georgia Pacific. He retired in 2012 and started his own business, Bill’s Janitorial Services, which provided custom and commercial cleaning service to meet the needs of his clients– commercial, institutional and industrial markets.
His hobby and interests included fishing and community service. He believed that community service helped to build a rich and supportive community.
He served on the Brewton City Board of Education for 10 years and also served on the Brewton YMCA Board. His service to the City of Brewton and community brought him enonnous satisfaction and pride.
He said, “When you commit your time and effort to an organization or a cause you feel strongly about, the feeling of fulfillment can be endless.” As an active member of the Brewton Sportsman Club until his illness, he was committed to its goal of raising funds to award deserving students scholarships.
He and Wanda also supported the club’s Christmas initiative of providing gifts for needy children. His love for the community and heartfelt desire to serve propelled him to run for Brewton City Councilman for District 3.
One of the happiest days of his life was the night he found out that he won the District 3 Council seat. He dedicated his life to making Brewton a better place. His service on the City Council was just one way he was able to help improve District 3 and the Brewton community.
His many years of service to the at-large Brewton community where he was respected and admired, served as a testament to his enormous capabilities and to the impact he had on those around him.
He was committed to his life’s work of service and was equally committed to his family and Baptist Hill Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mary Francies Littles Woods; two brothers: Thomas Charles Littles, and Humphrey Littles.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Wanda; daughters. Tomeka (Toi) Thiam of Greensboro, N.C. and Tinker (Draper) Rodgers of Gardendale; granddaughters: Zoe Zhane Rodgers and Piper Peyton Rodgers of Gardendale; three sisters, Lottie (Ulysses) Norris of Monticello, Ga., Delores (Charles) Stallworth of Mobile and Minnie (William) Stallworth of Brewton; three brothers. Hardy Littles Jr. and Herbert (Elizabeth) Littles, both of Brewton, and Dr. Douglas (Dr. Marcia) Littles of Mobile; mother-in-law, Minnie L. Wilson; father-in-law, Willie Wilson of Brewton; sister-in-law, Debra (Aubrey) Coleman of Birmingham; brother-in-law, Ryan (Kiram) Wilson of Houston, Texas; special niece, Michal
Stallworth of Brewton; special nephew, Wesley Stallworth of Daphne; special neighbor, Dave Avant of Brewton; special cousin-in-law, Dr. Margaret A. Breland Bradley; Wanda’s special classmate and friend, Cassandra Powell Culliver of Brewton; and a host of other friends and relatives.
Maurice Keyoung Samuel Jr.
Brewton
Maurice Keyoung Samuel Jr., 4, died Oct. 24, 2015.
Funeral services were held Sat., Nov. 7, at Christ Kingdom Ministry Center with Pastor Ellis Davis officiating. Burial followed at Baptist Hill Cemetery with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.
He was born Nov. 5, 2010, to Maurice Samuel Sr. and Ty’Eisha Brooks and was adopted by Darick Soto. He was in his first year of preschool at Broward Children’s Center.
He was a happy, cheerful child and loved to play with others and dance. He suffered a brain injury at the age of 15 months.
He was preceded in death by his great-great-grandmother, Eloise Smith; his great-grandfather, John Henry Blackmon Sr.; his great-grandmother, Annie Campbell; his godmother, Doris Jones and his great-aunts, Debra Campbell, Minnie Samuel and Jessie Farrish.
He is survived by his mother, Ty’Eisha Brooks; stepfather, Darick Soto and his brother, Darick Soto Jr. all of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; his father Samuel Sr and brother, Zachary Samuel, both of Killeen, Texas; his grandparents, Kenneth Campbell, Nikki Campbell and Kattie Samuel, of Brewton; Kevin Soto and La’Kieska Soto of Margate, Fla.; his great-grandmother, Annie Archer of Battle Creek, Mich.; Rachel Moore (Norman); his great-great-grandmother, Hazel Carter, all of Deerfield Beach; his aunts, LaNesha Jones, Radarius) of Birmingham, Kyerah Soto, Karess Soto, Kariyah Soto, all of Margate, and Zye Keria Samuel of Brewton; his uncles, Timothy Archer, Terrelle Brooks (Alexandria), Kenneth Fountain, Shawn Jones (Shandrinke), Michael Jones, Quenton Samuel, all of Brewton, Kevon Soto of Margate and a host of other family and friends.
Fannie Helen Culliver Farrish
Brewton
Fannie Helen Culliver Farrish, 79, died Mon., Nov. 2, 2015.
Funeral services were held Sat., Nov. 7, at Second Saint John Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. William J. Dailey officiating. Burial followed at Little Brooklyn Church Cemetery in the Boykin community with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.
She was born March 22, 1936, in the Little Brooklyn community to Large and Mattie Culliver. She was united with the Little Brooklyn Baptist Church at a young age, where she served faithfully.
In later years, she united with the Second St. John Baptist Church where she attended faithfully until her health began to fail. She worked for 20 years at Judy Bond Garment as a presser.
She was preceded in death by three daughters, one son, a brother and a sister, and both parents.
She is survived by three sons, William Charles Farrish, Dennis Earl (Rita) Folmar, Bernard (Ethel) Folmar, all of Brewton; four daughters, Mary Ann Farrish, Jane (T.S.) Ingraham, both of Brewton, Frankie Culliver Samuel of Pensacola, Fla., and Carmella (Marshall) Taylor of Montgomery; one brother, Large (Glennie) Culliver of Brewton; four grandchildren, Marcus Earl (Carmen) Folmar of Louisville, Ken., Frieda Folmar of Jacksonville, Fla., Tavin S. Ingraham of Tuscaloosa, and Olivia Thompson of Brewton; two great-grandchildren, Daivon and Trinity; a daughter-in-law, Edna Culliver; two brothers-in-law, Herman Farrish and Elbert Chambers; one sister-in-law, Pearlie Ruffin, all of Brewton and a host of other family and friends.