Millard ‘Mel’ Harris

Leesville, La.

Millard “Mel” Harris, 86, passed away Sept. 15, 2016, at his home in Leesville, La.

He will be inurned at Fort Crawford Cemetery on Sat., Nov. 26, at 11a.m.

Born and raised in Brewton, he was a graduate of W.S. Neal High School, then attended broadcasting school in Tennessee which sparked his lifelong love of journalism.

His soothing “radio voice” served him well over his lifetime as he hosted and promoted gospel programs (both on air and stage), and emceed countless pageants, school functions and community events. He only recently retired from KJAE Leesville in 2014 at the age of 84. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, S.C., during the Korean War as a stern but compassionate drill sergeant.

He also enjoyed many years in print journalism, starting with a printing press in Jay, Fla., and eventually starting his family-owned/operated Milton Times newspaper during the 1960s.

After moving his family to Louisiana in 1969 as an employee of West Brothers Department Stores, he carried on his ministry by working with his First Baptist Church families in both DeRidder and, later, in Leesville. He began televised Sunday school programming and church services that still air today, benefiting many unable to attend. He further aided his community by serving on the Leesville School Board for 11 years, retiring in 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Stella Thompson Harris of Brewton; and previous wife, Helen Jean Butts Harris, also of Brewton.

He is survived by sons, Johnny Harris of Brewton, and Rick (Debbie) Harris of Norwich, England; and daughters, Patsy Harris Lato of Spring, Texas, and Pamela Harris and Kaylee (Daryl) Evans of Leesville. He is also survived by his brother, Roy (Barbara) Harris of Brewton; and sisters, Betty (Rodger) Hoffman and Viola Harris of Keystone Heights, Fla. His  legacy includes 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

“Rest peacefully our patriarch, your job was marvelously done. “If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.” –George Macdonald

Terry Bernard Crawford

Brewton

Terry Bernard Crawford , 62, of Ridge Road in Brewton, passed away Mon., Nov. 7, 2016, in a local hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. John Sluder officiating. Interment followed in Ridge Road Baptist Church Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

He was a native of Columbus, Ga., and a long time resident of Brewton. He was of the Methodist faith and a 1972 graduate of W.S. Neal High School , where he played football and baseball. He was employed as a sales rep at Marvin’s Hardware Store.

He is survived by his wife, Elisha Lanier Crawford of Brewton; daughter, Marsha Crawford of Brewton; two step sons, Kyle Baker of Georgia, and Colten Jordan of Brewton; two step daughters, Sarah Jordan and Holly Jordan, both of Brewton; and one grandchild, Finlee Baker.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Crawford; stepfather, Gordon Crawford; mother, Jeanette Dawkins Crawford; brother, Gene Crawford; and sister, Janice Crawford.

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

Dorothy ‘Dot’ Nell Fuqua Padget

Brewton

Dorothy “Dot” Nell Fuqua Padget, 83, of Pine Ridge Lane Brewton, passed away Fri., Nov. 11, 2016, in a local hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Sun., Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. John Kemp officiating. Interment followed in Fuqua-Haveard Cemetery in Brewton, with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

She was a native and life-long resident of Brewton. She was a graduate of W. S. Neal High School, an employee at Monsanto as a machine operater for 20 years and a caregiver in the health industry. She attended Bethel Mennonite Church and  enjoyed cooking.

She is survived by her son, Russell ‘Rusty’ Padgett Jr. of Brewton; two brothers, John Leonard Fuqua of Canton, Ga., and Gary Fuqua of Brewton; sister, Christine Eiland of Brewton; grandchild, Terri Thomas; and four great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by daughter, Deborah P. Rowell; and two grandchildren, Kirk Thompson and Tracy Thompson Lee.

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

Myrtis Hobbs Baker

Castleberry

Myrtis Hobbs Baker, 64, passed away Mon., Nov. 7, 2016, at her Castleberry residence.

Funeral services were held on Thurs., Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Bro. Billy Hodges officiating. Interment followed in Buffington Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Tyler Baker, Justin Baker, Brian Burch, Michael Burch, Kevin Burch and Brandon Burch.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Castleberry.  She was a homemaker and was of the Holiness faith.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Billy Ray Hobbs.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, John David Baker of Castleberry; one son, Anthony D. Baker of Griffin, Ga.; two daughters, Kelly Baker of Castleberry, and Kimberly Stanford of Belleville; three sisters, Jean Patterson, Judy Partin of Castleberry and Loree Burch, all of Castleberry, AL; and 12 grandchildren.

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

Veda Mae Welsh

Brewton

Veda Mae Welch, 94, of Brewton, passed away on Fri., Nov. 11, 2016, in a Pensacola, Fla., health care facility.

Funeral services will be held on Mon., Nov. 14, at Flomaton Funeral Home at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Waylon Stuckey officiating and Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.

Interment will follow in Pineview Cemetery in Brewton.

Pallbearers were Robert Welch, Jake Garner, Shane Garner, Drew Welch, Danny Godwin and Ronnie Griffis.

She was a native of Jay, Fla., and had been a lifetime resident of the Brewton community where she was a homemaker and a member of Halls Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William D. Griffis and Annie Laura Ballard Griffis; her brothers, Ervin Griffis, Spence Griffis, Earl Griffis, J.D. Griffis and Glennis Griffis; two infant brothers; sisters, Amye Brantley and Della Godwin; one infant sister; husband, Robert Cyril Welch; son, Douglas Leon Welch Sr.; and daughter, Judy Diane Welch.

She is survived by her sons, Cyril Lenell (Amy) Welch of Brewton, and Tommy Raymond (Carol) Welch of Andalusia, AL; daughter, Nancy Jane Welch Johnson of Chula Vista, Calif.; sister, Annie Jean Clark of Bratt, Fla.; seven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and a special daughter-in-law, Aline Welch.

Michael Lawrence Duty

Brewton

Michael Lawrence Duty, 75, of Hwy. 31 in Brewton, passed away Sat., Nov. 12, 2016, at his residence after a brief illness.

Memorial services will be announced and held at a later date and time with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

He was a native of Indianapolis, Ind., and a long time resident of Alabama.

He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and was employed as an AB tankerman with Martin Transport.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ramona Nelson Duty of Brewton; and stepson, Donald Wayne Coffey of Brewton.

Lou Jena Haveard Baker

Brewton

Lou Jena Haveard Baker, 65, of McGougin Road in Brewton, passed away Sat., Nov. 12, 2016, at her residence after a brief illness.

Visitation will be held Fri., Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. James Aubrey Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Hill Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

She was a native of Virginia, a former resident of Missouri, and a long time resident of Brewton. She was a member of the Wallace Baptist Church and a former machine operator at Sheltex.

She is survived by her husband, William Butch O’Farrell of Brewton; son, Shane Glenn Baker of Alabama; stepson, Steve (Christie) Johnston of East Brewton; sisters, Ramona Smith of Brewton, and Sandra Haveard of Pensacola, Fla.; and two grandchildren, Collier Baker and Justin Johnston.

She is preceded in death by her father, Clifton Haveard; mother, Doris Wilson Haveard; and two brothers, Doug Haveard and Mike Haveard

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