Mary Stephanie Kotich Shullaw
Pensacola, Fla.

Mary Stephanie Kotich Shullaw, 49, of Pensacola, Fla., surrounded by her family, passed away after an extended illness on Thurs., July 30, 2015.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment, Fla.
A graveside service followed at 4 pm at Green Acres Memorial Gardens in Brewton, with speaker Charles Jackson officiating, with Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in charge of arrangements and Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
She was born on December 28, 1965, in Pensacola, to George and Madeline Kotich, the final addition to the family of seven. She called Pensacola her lifelong home.
She was preceded in death by both her parents and is survived by her husband of 23 years, Thomas Shullaw of Pensacola; her two brothers, Stephen Kotich of Pensacola and Joseph Kotich of Brewton; her two sisters, Cindy Jackson (Charles) of Brewton and Sookie Wyse (Larry) of Pensacola; several nieces and nephews and special friend Billy Holley.
To express your condolences online, visit www.fcfhs.com.

Rosette
Bradley-Benjamin
Brewton

Sister Rosette Bradley-Benjamin, 63, was called home by the Lord on July 22, 2015.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 30, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Second Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Cortez Hall officiating.
Burial followed at Second Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.
She was born May 7, 1952, and was loved and respected by all who knew her.
She left a legacy of love and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Robert Benjamin; her children, Anita Bradley, David (April) Bradley, Sarah Bradley, Jenifer (Keith) Square; three grandchildren, Tiana Smith, Ariel Smith and Camron L. Johnson; a brother-in-law, Ernest Benjamin; sister-in-law, Eula Mae Goldsmith, Elizabeth Benjamin; an aunt, Lola Mae Bradley and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Vernell Grice; a sister, Ranice Benjamin; a sister-in-law, Edna Williams; a brother-in-law, Willie James Benjamin; a nephew, Robert Benjamin; a great-nephew, Ronnie L. Smith, Jr. and a great-great niece, Jakeela N. Palmer.

Thomas
Drakeford, Sr.
Brewton

Mr. Thomas Drakeford Sr., 72, died July 23, 2015, in Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Fla. after a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Baptist Hill Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Eric T. Andrews officiating.
Burial followed at Baptist Hill Cemetery with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.
He was born Aug. 19, 1942, to the union of Eddie “Rub” and Stella Mae Drakeford in Brewton.
He received his formal education through the Alabama public school system.
He spent his early years in Jersey City, N.J. before moving to Markham, Ill. He was employed by Thrall Railroad in Chicago Heights, Ill., as a welder, where he served diligently for 30 years before retiring and returning back to his home town of Brewton.
In his leisure time he enjoyed building authentic vintage Model-T cars, trucks, guitars, grills and homes.
He also enjoyed fishing, the outdoors, the blues and other crafts He was blessed with multiple gifts and talents.
He confessed Christ at an early age and served as a member of Baptist Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He truly loved the Lord. During his last days the Gospel was the message and the Word of God became his personal love and friend.
He touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity. He was a devoted father and husband.
He was loyal to his family and to a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; a truly blessed man.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Osborne Duncan and Randoff Drakeford; his loving wife, Sharon K. Drakeford; out of this union, a son, Sheldon D. Drakeford of Brewton was born; from a previous union with Catherine Drakeford, he leaves to morn five children, Karla (Sylvester) Fair, Rodrick (Leslie) Drakeford, both of Plainfield, N.J.; Alisa Drakeford of Raleigh, N.C.; Thomas I. Drakeford, Jr. of Summerset, N.J.; and S. Dewayne (Genine) Drakeford of Columbus, Ga.
He also leaves a beloved sister, Hattie Mae Boykin of Newark, N.J.; sister-in-laws, Tonya Durr of Atlanta, Ga.; Deborah Durr of Richton Park, Ill.; Betty Garrett of Matteson, Ill.; Sandra Durr of Robbins, Ill.; and Geraldine Duncan of Markham, Ill.; 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.