James Irvin Kennedy

Brewton

James “Jay” Kennedy, 82, passed peacefully at home on Oct. 3, 2016, to be with his Lord and Savior and join his wife of nearly 60 years, Lois Johnson Kennedy.

Funeral services will be held at Lewis Funeral Home, 4777 W. Spencerfield Road, Pace, FL, on Sat., Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. with visitation beginning at noon.

Burial will follow at Serenity Gardens on Stewart Street in Milton.

He was born in Brewton on June 17, 1934, to Marvin and Sara Ruth Kennedy.  There, he attended T.R. Miller High School, worked as a delivery man for a local grocery and met the love of his life, Lois Johnson.  They were married on March 14, 1954 at Poplar Dell Baptist Church.

He worked as a floor mechanic in Mobile, before hiring on with Monsanto in 1955 where he worked until his retirement in 1991.

He enjoyed water skiing, fishing, golfing and hunting as well as many other outdoor activities. He was a true craftsman and handyman who was skilled in carpentry, mechanics, woodworking, and landscaping.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He is survived by his children and their spouses; Stephen and Sharon Kennedy, Nina and Maurice Radford, and Paul and Dorothy Kennedy.  His grandchildren include Amanda Bianchi, Jessica Harris, Megan Matson, Derek Kennedy, Morgan Radford and Ricky Page; along with 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved and cherished dearly.

He is also survived by his sisters Barbara Harvey, Sara Mantel and Linda Chandler.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin Kennedy, Jr.; and his sister, Elvis King.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.

John C. Sanders, Jr.

Brewton

John C. Sanders, Jr., a resident of 733 Liles Blvd in Brewton, passed away on Sept. 23, 2016.

Funeral services were held Sat., Oct. 1, at 11 a.m. at Apostolic Truth Tabernacle in Brewton with the Rev. Jason Shufford, Pastor, officiating and Presley-Fluker Directors directing.

Interment followed at St. Peters Burial Ground in Pollard.

He was born Feb. 10, 1931, in Brewton. He was united in matrimony to the late Fannie Riley Sanders and to this union four children were born.

“Lightin” as he was affectionately called, was a faithful member of the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle Church where he loved to play his harmonica and dance under anointing of the Holy Ghost. He also loved to sing. His favorite songs were, “Pray on my Child” and “Trouble in my Way.”

He had always had a word from the Lord to share with everyone. He loved his pastor and his church family and they loved him.

He enjoyed farming and collecting all different types of items. His favorite saying was, “I wasn’t propped up, I was brought up.” His motto kept him going each and every day.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Claudia Sanders; two sisters, Eunice Thomas and Ruby Watson; and three brothers, Clarence, Albert and Nathan Sanders.

He leaves to cherish his memories and legacy, a loving wife, Dorothy Sanders; his precious children, daughters, Claudia (Floyd) Williams of Pensacola, Fla., Tahirih Thomas of Kentucky; sons, Ernest (Zella) Sanders of Mobile, Orlando (Rhonda) Riley of Brewton, Dennis Riley of Pensacola, and Freeman Pinkney of Huntsville; seven grandchildren; several great grandchildren; one sister, Albert Brye of Detroit, Mich.; three brothers, Frank Sanders, Robert (Mary) Sanders of Pensacola, and Lavon Sanders of Detroit; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was blessed with several devoted friends: Joe Rudolph, Don Brown, Sugar Ray, Pastor Shufford and the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle church family.

Elizabeth Sue ‘Betty’ Horton

Santa Rosa County

Elizabeth Sue ‘Betty’ Horton, 67, of Santa Rosa County went to rest with her Lord and Savior on Sat., Oct. 1, 2016.

Funeral services were held Tues., Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. at Cornerstone Christian Church with Bro. Fredrick Barrow and Bro. Jeff Henley officiating.

Interment followed in BJ’s Family Cemetery in Jay.

Pallbearers were Tommy Maher, Steve Brown, Jerry Davis, Jr., Bill Gillis, Duane Riley and Jon Riley.

She was born in Brewton and was a lifelong member of Santa Rosa County where she was employed as a school bus driver for the Santa Rosa County School System.  She was a loving, caring mother, sister, aunt, wife and friend.

She was thoughtful, selfless and had a great love for her family and friends.  She never met a stranger and she will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her.  She was of the Christian faith and a member of Cornerstone Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Isabel and Mack Nelson; two brothers, Daniel Nelson and Lawrence Earl Nelson; and one sister, Mary Agnes Nelson.

She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Larry Wayne Horton of Jay, Fla.; brothers, Thomas (Katie) Nelson of Brewton, and Dewitt (Yongcha) Nelson of Pensacola; sister, Ruby Jean Davis of Cantonment, Fla.; son, Michael (Leigh) Horton of Jay; daughter, Melody Horton Helms of Jay; grandchildren, Bryan Helms, Amber Odom Munroe, Amanda Horton, Zachary Horton and Chance Horton; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family.

Share your memories and condolences with the family at flomatonfh.com.

Mae Jean Parker Wright

East Brewton

Mae Jean Parker Wright, 79, of Williamson Street in East Brewton passed away Tues., Sept.27, 2016, at her residence after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Fri., Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Greer officiating.

Interment followed in Catawba Springs Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

She was a native and life long resident of Brewton and East Brewton. She was of the Baptist faith, a 1954 graduate of W.S. Neal High School and a retired house keeper from West Gate Village Nursing Home where she served 13 years.

She is survived by two sons, Eddie (Vickie) Wright of Brewton, and Jim (Candace) Wright of East Brewton; daughter, Martha Jean Cooper of East Brewton; four brothers, Samuel Parker of Virginia, David Parker of Damascus, Dennis Ray Parker of Dixie, and Wayne Parker of Bradley; sister, Betty Lou Douglas; eight grandsons; and 10 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Shirley Ann Wright; two granddaughters,  Tracey Michelle McCall, and Shannon Nicole McCall; and grandson, Terry Bryant McCall.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Genevia Annie Mae Merritt

Castleberry

Genevia Annie Mae Merritt, 62, of Merritt Road in Castleberry passed away Tues., Sept. 27, 2016, in a local hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Sat., Oct. 1, at 1 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Marvin Merritt and nephew Darrel Coleman officiating.

Interment followed in New Hopewell Cemetery in Castleberry with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

She was a native of Brewton and a life long resident of Castleberry. She was of the Holiness faith.

She is survived by her brother, Marvin Merritt of East Brewton; sister, Esther Coleman of Castleberry; special friend, Gary Corsette; 12 nieces and nephews; and a number of great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Jackson and Annie Kent Merritt; and sister, Ruthie Mae Coleman.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Laurie Colleen Wedell

Brewton

Laurie Colleen Wedell, 85, of Dixon Nursery Road in Brewton, passed away Sat. Oct. 1, 2016, in a Greenville nursing facility after a brief illness.

Graveside services were held Tues., Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery with Speaker Jeremy Dixon officiating.

Interment followed in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

She was a native of Roy, N.M., a former resident of Winslow, Ariz., a former resident of Grants, N.M. before moving to Brewton. She was a member of the Brewton Church of Christ and a 1949 graduate of Winslow High School. She started Cradle Roll for Children Religious Teachings.

She retired from the State of Alabama DHR office with 17 and a half years of service. She enjoyed making Bible class material.

She is survived by her husband, Roy Wedell of Brewton; son, Roy (Sharon) Wedell, III of Van Alstyne, Texas; two daughters, Rhonda (James) Smith of Brewton, and Darlene (George) Lamoureux of Burlington, Conn.; brother, Wesley Pearson; nine grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Mary Frances Franklin Dodgens

Spring Hill, Fla.

Mary Frances Franklin Dodgens, 84, Spring Hill, began her new life in Heaven Sept. 27, 2016.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 1, at Bradley Assembly of God Church.  Services were presided over by Pastor Byrnes Pitts. Interment followed at  Bradley Assembly of God Cemetery in Bradley.

Pallbearers were  Thomas Gearen, Robert Griffith, Scott Gearen, Hunter Griffith, Zachary Griffith and Justin Volkers.

Honorary Pallbearers were Daniel Franklin, David Franklin, Gerald Franklin and Morris Franklin.

She is survived by children, Teresa A. (Shannon) Gearen Long of Lutz, Fla., Thomas T. (Pamela A.) Gearen, Jr. of Brandon, Fla., Pamela L. (Robert Cliff) Gearen Griffith, of Homosassa, Fla.; stepdaugher. Jacqueline (Gary) Dodgens Phillips of  Zephyrhills, Fla.; four brothers, Daniel Franklin of Huntsville; David Franklin of Mobile; Gerald Franklin and Morris Franklin, both of Brewton; 10 grandchildren, Sean Long, Scotty Gearen, Rebecca Gearen, Kelsi Griffith Volkers, Hunter Griffith, Zachary Griffith, Aaron Dodgens, Kara Dodgens, David Phillips, Jason Phillips; and four great-grandchildren, Brittin Long, Logan Long, Ella Long and Jamie Isaac.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy O. Dodgens; parents, Henry Grady and Lillie Arizona Franklin; brother, Vernon Franklin; stepsons, Jimmy Lee Dodgens, William Billy Dodgens; and extended family and many friends.

She will rest peacefully in her birthplace of Bradley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HPH Hospice Care Center, 2939 West Gulf to Lake Highway, Lecanto, FL 34461.

Pincrest Funeral Home in Spring Hill, Fla., and Craver’s Funeral Home in Brewton, AL were charge of arrangements.

Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Robert ‘Bobby’ Gray Cole Jr.

Brewton

Robert “Bobby” Gray Cole Jr., 68, of the Damascus community passed away Mon., Oct. 3, 2016, in a Pensacola, Fla., medical facility after a brief illness.

Visitation will be held today, Oct. 5, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Thurs., Oct. 6, at 11 a.m., at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor John Hodoh officiating. Interment will follow in Damascus Cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

He was a native and life long resident of Brewton. He attended Damascus Assembly of God Church, was a 1966 graduate of W.S. Neal High School, and was a retired crane operator from Container Corporation/Georgia Pacific of America with 40 years of service. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, farming, dirt track racing, and was an avid animal lover.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pat Cole of Brewton; two sons, Wade (SuAnn) Cole and Trent (Susan) Cole, both of Brewton; a daughter, Beverly Norton of Marietta, Ga.; two brothers, Mike Cole of Boaz, and Tommy (Beckie) Cole of Brewton; a sister, Phyllis (David) Parker of Brewton; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Michelle Cole.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.