Winnon Howard

Brewton

Winnon Howard passed away on Friday, Feb. 9 surrounded by his children and wife.

Howard was born to Beryl and Nellie Howard in Stapleton on June 8, 1941, and spent his childhood and early adult years in Brewton.

Howard was a graduate of W.S. Neal High School and was a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving in Munich and Berlin, Germany. His military service was truly unique. He was in Berlin shortly after the Berlin Wall was constructed and also served as a guard at Spandau Prison. He loved history and embraced the opportunity to witness it firsthand.

Over his life, Howard quietly taught his children and the many others who knew him the meaning of commitment to family, service to others, and love of country.  In addition to his Army service, Howard served in the Florida National Guard. He retired from Monsanto in the mid 1990s after more than 35 years of service. During his career, Howard worked in all kinds of weather and all times of day to provide for the family he built and the many friends who loved him. While at Monsanto, Howard was also a longtime member of the Monsanto Fire Brigade, attaining the rank of Captain, an Emergency Medical Technician, and an avid bowler with the plant’s league.

Howard is preceded in his passing by his father and mother, as well as his brother. Howard is survived by Kay Howard, his wife of 49 years and his children, Carrie (Timothy) Rackard, Matthew Howard, Edwin (Kristen) Howard, John (Kristy) Howard and Elizabeth (Bryan) Hall. Howard also leaves a legacy of love with his 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and a very special aunt.

Howard was a modest man who generously spent his time on this Earth serving others and doing those things that make the world a brighter and better place for friend and stranger alike. He loved his gardens and pets and was kind to the smallest of creatures.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Tracy Morton Memorial Chapel. Formal services are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Naval Aviation Museum or other worthwhile charity.

Howard quietly believed and practiced his Christian faith. To those of us who know and love him so much, Howard’s life echoes the words of Matthew: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.”

 

Leland Page Grace

Brewton

Leland Page Grace, 70, passed away Feb. 14 peacefully at his home in Brewton after 19 months of battling cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Fuqua Grace of Brewton; two sisters, Catherine Roundtree of Florida, and Lana Jo (Don) Winn of Tennessee; one daughter, Christy White Skinner of Brewton; one grandson, Ryan Skinner of Evergreen; two nieces and six nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Sue Wiggins and his mother, Fannie Mae Grace and father, Glen Grace.

He served his country in Vietnam where he received a purple heart for his outstanding bravery and service. Grace retired from CSX Railroad after 35 years of dedication.

Grace can best be remembered by his larger than life outlook on life and all circumstances surrounding him. His laughter will remain in our thoughts and hearts always. As so many have said, his laughter was contagious and he could light up any room.

His love for ice cream, cheese nips, coconut cake, milkshakes and all things sweet were a detrimental part of his life and, of course, his eggnog during the holiday seasons.

His love to socialize ensured he never met a stranger. If he engaged you in a conversation, there was never a doubt that he would bring a smile to your face. He could get the most un-talkative person to strike up a conversation with him. Sometimes you would catch him talking to himself and his favorite response was “Well, I have to talk to someone with some sense!”

He loved his NASCAR and Alabama football. Those were two things that were guaranteed to have his full attention. He talked about taking his boat out and going fishing right up to the very end. He loved to be on the river with a line dropped in just waiting on those fish to bite.

Grace’s love for his wife Joyce (of nearly 40 years) was unconditional. There’s no doubt she was the light of his life. He always said “the best way to get the last word in during a disagreement was ‘yes dear!’”

His love for his family and friends was unconditional and unfailing. He had a heart of gold and would gladly give the shirt off his back to any one that was in need. Its few and far between that you meet a fun loving, heartwarming, all around great man like Grace.

We like to think Grace was given the gift of life to uplift so many others with his sense of humor and smile. He was a blessed man that lived his life to the fullest and we were all blessed to have him and for this we are grateful. When he found out he had a terminal cancer he decided to be joyful and take one day at a time, rather than being sad about having to leave us. Amazingly, this outlook worked for him and we were blessed to have him many more months than expected. He accepted what he could not change and found peace with that and his Lord and Savior. He leaves us with the richest and fondest of memories.

Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. John Kemp officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Bethel Cemetery Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

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

 

John Ivey Roberson

Brewton

John Ivey Roberson, 66, of Brewton passed away Tuesday, Feb. 13 at his residence after a brief illness. He was a native and long-time resident of Brewton. Roberson was a member of the Calvary Mennonite Church and a retired Oil Rigger.
He is survived by his son, John Scott (Christy) Burnett of Calera; daughter, Shannon (Clay) Hough of Axis; sisters, Lona (Bill) Kendrick of Owassa and Beth (Jimmy) Jenkins of East Brewton; four grandchildren, Karsyn, Kathryn, Lily Grace and Connor; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Horace Langley and Edna Faye Nelson Roberson Blackmon; and sister, Wanda Roberson.

Funeral services were scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Regehr officiating. Interment followed in Calvary Mennonite Church Cemetery Brewton, with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

 

Erline Coburn Phillips

Evergreen

It is with great sorrow that the family of Erline Coburn Phillips announces her passing on Saturday, Feb. 17 at the age of 85.  She was born and raised in Evergreen, continuing to live there until 2006 when she became a resident of Andalusia.  She was a graduate of Evergreen High School, and a member of Evergreen Baptist Church.  She retired from Poole Truck Line after 26 years as a fuel tax clerk.
She is survived by three children, Robert Otis Phillips, Charles Mark Phillips of Andalusia and daughter, Charlotte Aleta (Al) Holley of Brewton; six grandchildren, Elizabeth (Brent) Enzor, Holly (Daniel) Williams, Camille Holley, Allie Phillips, Thomas Phillips and Nicholas Holley; three great-grandchildren, Hunner, Paisley, and Skylar; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister, Sharon Ard (Herbert) Russell and brother, Edward (Betty) Coburn both of Baldwin County.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Alice Wallace (Sam) Ard and James Otis (Lillie Mae) Coburn; sister, Joyce Celeste Coburn (Marlon) Brewer; and brother, Eldon Newton Ard.
Funeral services were scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at Carolina Baptist Church in Andalusia. Officiating was Bro. Kermit George and Bro. Keith Tankersly with Williams Memorial Chapel directing.

 

Paul Eugene Hicks

Brewton

Paul Eugene Hicks, 73, of Brewton passed away Friday, Feb. 16 at his residence after a brief illness. He was a native of Tampa, Florida, a former resident of Plant City, Florida, and a long-time resident of Brewton. Hicks was a member of the Elim Baptist Church, a U.S. Army Veteran having served in Vietnam, and the former owner/operator of Paul Hicks Welding and Maintenance.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Smith Hicks of Brewton; son, Bart Hicks of St. Petersburg, Florida; four daughters, Deborah Tucker of Plant City, Florida, Lisa Hicks of Buffalo, New York, Michelle Hicks of Atlanta, and LaRae Boyd of Brewton; brother, Jack Hicks of Michigan; sister, Ruth Hicks of Plant City, Florida; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Funeral services were scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. at the Elim Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Headley officiating. Interment followed in Elim Baptist Church Cemetery Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

 

William Henry Brantley

Andalusia

William “Buddy” Henry Brantley, Jr., 78, of Andalusia passed away Friday, Feb. 16 at his residence after a brief illness. He was a native and former resident of Brewton before moving to Andalusia. Brantley was of the Protestant Faith, a 1957 graduate of W.S. Neal High School, a U.S. Navy Veteran, a member of the American Legion Post 79, and retired from the timber industry.

He is survived by his wife, Bessie Kent Brantley of Brooklyn; step-son, Donald (Karen) Smith of Pace; two daughters, Troyce (Michael) Sneary of Brooklyn; Luree (Geoffrey) Hubbard of Ozark; eight grandchildren, Jessica Brantley, Zane Hubbard, Rory Hubbard, Ashelynn Hubbard, Elena Rendell, Jason Rendell, William Coursey, and Joshua Coursey; and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, William Brantley III; daughter, Breyce Sonja Brantley; brothers, Johnson Daniel Brantley and Alexander Brantley; sister, Olivia Brantley; granddaughter, Christina Sneary; and great grandchild, Justin Rendell.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Regehr officiating. Interment will follow in Dixonville Cemetery, Dixonville with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

 

Ruby Jean Long Wheeler

Brewton

Ruby Jean Long Wheeler, 87, of Brewton passed away Saturday, Feb. 17 in a Pensacola hospital after a brief illness. She was a native and lifetime resident of Brewton. Wheeler was a member of the North Brewton Baptist Church, a 1949 graduate of T.R. Miller High School, a member of the Twin Creek Cloggers, and a retired clerk from the Medical Center.

She is survived by her sons, Tommy (Kathy) Maddox of Brewton, Jerry Maddox of Texas, and Jeffrey Maddox of Illinois; brothers, Billy (Mary Katherine) Long of Tallahassee and Rex (Sherrill) Long of Hiawassee, Georgia; grandchildren, Samantha (David) Maddox Adams and Jason (Stacy) Maddox; and three great grandchildren, Cadan Gantt, Tristan Sexton, and Angel Adams.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. at North Brewton Baptist Church with Rev. Jason Lindsey officiating. Interment will follow in Green Acres Cemetery Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

 

Sherry Owens Kelley

Flomaton

Sherry Owens Kelley, 59, passed away Thursday, Feb. 15. A celebration of her life was held on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will be in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Paul Dziadul officiating. The family will greet friends on Sunday from 1 p.m. to the time of service at the funeral home. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 804 Cherry St., Macon, Georgia 31201.

Kelley was born in Flomaton to the late Semeon David Owens and Marie Benton Owens. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Earl Kelley. Kelley attended T.R. Miller High School and Jefferson Davis Jr. College in Brewton. She was employed as a patient account representative with Navicent Medical Center for 15 years. Kelley was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, mimi, sister and aunt.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Richard E. Kelley of Macon, Georgia; daughter, April Michelle (Roy) Pelt of Jones, Colorado; mother, Marie Owens of Brewton; grandchildren, Abby Pelt, Brden Pelt, Hannah Pelt, Emma Pelt and Grayson Pelt; sister, Diane Owens of Brewton; mother-in-law, Clara Mae Kelley of Opp; sister-in-law, Jane (Keith) Norris of Florala; and several nieces and nephews.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences. Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of the arrangements.