In today’s edition, find obituaries for Marvin Crutchfield • Virginia Miller • Bonnie Smith • Kendra Dubose • Byrl Thompson • Frances Strickland • Sadie Jackson • Harry Wood • John William David • Helen Bowman • Dillard A. Bankston.

MARVIN CRUTCHFIELD

Brewton

Marvin Crutchfield, 89, passed away Tues., May 20, 2014, at his Brewton residence.

He was born in Range and had been a lifelong resident of the Brewton area. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Navy.  He was a manager with Dairy Fresh Corp. for many years.  He was of the Holiness faith.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Hammac Crutchfield of Brewton; one daughter, Nelda (Rickey) Elliott of Camden; three sisters, Ruby Hendricks of Pace, Fla., Cora Lee James of Brewton and Mary Lou Trawick of Montgomery; one granddaughter, Wendy Dolbear; and two great-grandchildren, Hannah Dolbear and Elliott Dolbear.

Funeral services were held on Fri., May 23, at 11 a.m., from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Rickey Elliott officiating.  Interment, with military honors, followed in Hanberry Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Rickey Elliott, Matt Dolbear, Elliott Dolbear, Jake Smith, Adam McCall and William Downs.

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

 

VIRGINIA EARL KERSH MILLER

Brewton

 

Virginia Earl Kersh Miller, a current resident of Destin, Fla., departed this life in Brewton on May 21, 2014 at the age of 93.

She was born on Jan. 26, 1921, in Monroe, La., and was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Virginia Parker Kersh and John Earl Kersh. She was their only child.  She was also preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, John Richard Miller Jr., who died on Jan. 26, 2014.

She is survived by her four children, Nancy Miller Melton (Billy) of Evergreen, John Richard (Carol) Miller III of Loxley, David Earl (Jane) Miller of Port St. Joe, Fla., and Jean Miller (Sandy) Stimpson of Mobile; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She received her early education in Monroe, La.  She attended the Mississippi State College for Women and from there, entered the University of Alabama at the age of 17.  She graduated from University of Alabama in 1941 and was awarded a bachelor of arts degree.  She majored in English.  She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. After graduation, she worked for Delta Airlines at their headquarters in Monroe, La.

At the University of Alabama, she met her husband, John Richard Miller Jr.  They were married at the Little Church of the Flowers in Glendale, Calif., on Oct. 23, 1943, after Mr. Miller was called to active duty.

She was a long time member of the First United Methodist of Brewton.

She will be remembered by family and friends as being the epitome of a loving wife and mother.  She had a lively and colorful sense of humor and a beautiful smile and never met a stranger.

A memorial service was held at First United Methodist Church in Brewton at 11:30 a.m. on Sat., May 24, with Dr. Ed Glaize and Dr. Lawson Bryan officiating and Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Methodist Children’s Home of Alabama and Northwest Florida, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL 36106.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit williamsmemorialchapel.com.

 

BONNIE SUE JOHNSON SMITH

Brewton

 

Bonnie Sue Johnson Smith, 67, of Appleton Road, Brewton, passed away Thurs., May 22, 2014, at her residence.

She was a native and life long resident of Escambia County, Ala., and a member of New Home Free Will Baptist Church, a 1964 graduate of Flomaton High School, and a former secretary with Allied Waste.

Survivors include her husband, Donnis Smith of Brewton; brother, Larry (Pat) Johnson of Brewton; two sisters, Juanita (Luther) Kyle of Surprise, Ariz., and Wanda (Randy) Roberson of Flomaton; sister-in-law, Barbara Ann (Phillip) Cheatham of Flowery Branch, Ga.; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins

Funeral services were held on Sat., May 24, at 2 p.m., at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Lay Speaker Buddy Bell officiating. Interment followed in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit williamsmemorialchapel.com.

 

KENDRA LOU ANN DUBOSE

Ozark

 

Kendra Lou Ann Dubose, 30, of Ozark, entered her eternal reward Wednesday evening, May 21, 2014.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Sat., May 24, from Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Ozark with the Rev. Jim Hill officiating. Interment followed in Dothan City Cemetery, with Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.

She was born Feb. 16, 1984, in Pensacola, Fla. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Ozark.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, J. D. and Lucille Amason of Mize, Miss.; special paternal grandparents, T. C. and Mamie Dubose of Brewton; and a special uncle, Nevielle Sutton.

Survivors include her parents, George and Deborah Dubose of Ozark; brother, Nick Dubose of Dothan; sister, Suzanne (Eric) Reynolds of Dothan; special aunt, Lazette Sutton; special uncle, Terry and Mary Dubose of Meridian, Miss.; four nephews, John Reynolds, Brewer Dubose, Jackson Reynolds and Jacob Dubose; niece, Quinn Dubose of Dothan (They were her heart and she considered them as her children.); cousins, Phillip Dubose of Jackson, Miss., and Katie and Matt Roberts  and their daughter, Kaylen Roberts, of Meridian, Miss.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

For complete information visit HolmanFuneral-Home.com.

 

BYRL THOMPSON

Brewton

 

Byrl Thompson, 83, died Thurs., May 22, 2014, in a Bay Minette health care facility.

He was a native and lifelong resident of the Brewton area. He was a member of the Flomaton High School Class of 1949 and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He had worked as a telephone installer with AT&T for 20 years.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, James Thompson and Phillip Thompson; and a sister, Frances Turberville.

He is survived by two brothers, Ed (Pat) Thompson of Matthews, N.C., and William Thompson of Brewton; three sisters, Esther Ruth Brannan of Brewton, Bety J. Duncan of Marietta, Ga., and Patricia (Bill) Thompson Baker of Roswell, Ga.; and a number of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral services were held on Mon., May 26, at 11 a.m., from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Dr. Greg Thompson and Mr. Eddie Thompson officiating.  Interment, with military honors, followed in Catawba Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jimmy Turberville, Eddie Thompson, Billy Baker, David Baker, Bill Baker and Willis Elbert Thompson.

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

 

FRANCES DELORES STRICKLAND

Jay, Fla.

 

Frances Delores Strickland, 68, of Golden Church Road, Jay, Fla., passed away Thurs., May 22, 2014, at her residence after a brief illness.

She was a life long resident of Jay, Fla., and a member of the Golden Memorial Holiness Church, a graduate of Jay High School, and a retired school teacher from the Santa Rosa County (Fla.) School System with 30 plus years of service.

Survivors include her two daughters, Desha (Jason) Lashley and Davina (Brandon) Carroll of Jay, Fla.; and six grandchildren, Travis Allen, Carly Sanders, Christa Sanders, Hope Lashley, Cadee Carroll and Cathleen Carroll.

Funeral services were held on Sun., May 25, at 2 p.m., at the Golden Memorial Holiness Church in Jay, Fla., with the Rev. G.W. Birdsong and Speaker Stephen Wolfe officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit williamsmemorialchapel.com.

 

SADIE LOUSIE

JACKSON

Brewton

 

Sadie Louise Jackson went to be with the Lord on Wed., May 14, 2014, at the age of 98.

Funeral services were held on Sat., May 24, at 2 p.m., at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Brewton with Elder George Foster officiating. Interment followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Brewton.

She was born on Dec. 26, 1915, in Brewton, to the late Thomas Willis Lewis and the late Rosie (Packer) Lewis.

She was preceded in death by her sibilings, Robert Haley, Nettie Alma Lewis Werline, Frances Lewis, Thomas Willis Lewis and Charlie Lewis.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior at an early age. She was a longtime member of Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God In Christ and a willing worker as county mother, church treasurer and adult Sunday school teacher. Later, after becoming an ordained minister, she was the pastor at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God In Christ in River Falls for a number of years.

She was a very active member in the Eastern Stars and in the cooking club.

She married George Chappell on Sept. 23, 1938, and unto this union one child – Barbara – was born. She was later married to Aaron Jackson until the time of his death.

She worked for more than 50 years for the Lee M. Otis family as domestic housekeeper. She was blessed with the love and support of the entire family, with special love for her four “special daughters,” Harriett (Michael) Godwin, Frances (Frank) Maxwell, Elizabeth Sutton and Mary Lee (Joseph) Watson. They were her heart and her daughters to love and cherish as a “second family.”

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Chappelle Stallworth and Harriet Godwin, Mary Lee Watson, Frances Maxwell and Elizabeth Sutton, all whom she considered her daughters; grandchildren, Charmin, Jessica, Brittney and Gerald, all of Gary, Ind.; two brothers, Samuel (Rose Marie) Lewis and Albert Lewis; four sisters, Jimmie Lee Miler, Ella Ruth Young, Lillian (Richard) Jasper and Doris Christine Crewell; special cousins, Annie Mae Lewis, Betty Watson and Annie Laura Hardy; special friends, Sister Rosetta Crawford and Pastor Cora Bailey; special niece, Shirley Ann Bynum; and a host of other nieces and nephews.

 

HENRY LARRY WOOD

Brewton

 

Henry Larry Wood, 60, of Old Castleberry Road, Brewton, passed away Tues., May 13, 2014, at his residence.

Funeral services were held Sat., May 22, at 2 p.m., at the Full Gospel Community Church in Dixonville, Fla., with the Rev. Bill Thompson and the Rev. Earnie Calhoun officiating and Williams Memorial Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

He was a native of Jay, Fla., and a longtime resident of Brewton. He was of the Christian faith and was a former custodian from the Jay City School System.

He is survived by his two brothers, Richard Earl Sims of Loxley and Donald Ray Wood of Monroeville; and two sisters, Betty Fay Smith of Tennessee and Sharon Diane Gilliland of Brewton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Junior Wood and Opal Linzy Wood, and brother, John William Wood.

To send online condolences to the family, visit williamsmemorialchapel.com.

 

 

JOHN WILLIAM ‘J.D.’ DAVIS

 

Most know him as “JD,” and most know that his life was a myriad of cities, careers, cars and boats and most of all stories never tired of telling.

From hiking, hunting guide, ice climber, rescue skier, pilot, crop duster, bartender, stockbroker, consultant, sailor, his golf business, Hang 5, his backpack business, Kletterwerks, and his trucking business, Double Diamond Transport, there were too many to count.

He was born in Ware Shoals, S.C., and spent most of his school years in Brewton. He graduated from T. R. Miller High School and attended the University of Alabama.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Thomas (Bill) Davis and Violet Marie Davis; his brother, Timothy Davis; and stepson, Todd Rodgers.

He is survived by his brother, Hank Davis; sisters, Pam (David) Satores and Toni (Martin) Coe; his wife, Karen; his stepson, Jay Myers; his granddaughters, Amy Clark, Samantha Rodgers and Kelsey Rodgers; and great-granddaughter, Devyn Anne Clark.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Sacred Heart Cancer facility for the purchase of snacks and beverages for all the chemotherapy patients they serve.

A memorial service will be held on Sat., May 31, at Pine Terrace Baptist Church, 6212 Pine Blossom Road, Milton, Fla., with Dr. Michael Wiggins officiating and Williams Funeral Home Chapel directing. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m., with the service starting at 4 p.m.

To send online condolences to the family, visit williamsmemorialchapel.com.

 

HELEN ELIZABETH WILLETT BOWMAN

Century, Fla.

 

Helen Elizabeth Willett Bowman, 81, of Century, Fla., passed away on Tues., May 20, 2014, in Greenville, S.C.

She was a native and longtime member of the Century Community before she moved to Greenville three years ago. She retired from AT&T Telephone Co., where she worked as an operator. She was a member of Faith Bible Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Bowman.

She is survived by her sons, Parker (Sue) Bowman of Nesbit, Miss., and the Rev. Vance (Janie) Bowman of Greenville, S.C.; sister, Carolyn Councell of Milton, Fla.; grandchildren, Bronwyn Stamps, Vance Bowman Jr., Constance Young and Bethany Craig; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Sun., May 25, at 10 a.m., at Flomaton Cemetery with the Rev. Vance Bowman officiating with Cravers Funeral Home directing.

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

 

DILLARD A. BANKSTON

Century, Fla.

 

Dillard A. Bankston was a native of Haleyville and a resident of Century, Fla., for 60 years.

During his working years, he was an owner and operator truck driver. He was a member of Bratt First Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his parents, James Albert and Carrie Gilbreath Bankston; his son, Darryl Bankston; and granddaughter, Stephanie Macks.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Rochelle Burkett Bankston; sons, William Macks, Danny Macks and Samuel (Cheryl) Macks, all of Century, Fla.; daughters, Lajuana  (Keith) Reid of Byrneville, Fla., Sheila (Terry) Bryan of Bratt, Fla., and Robbie (Bubba) Hammac of Century, Fla.; brother, Willard Bankston of Century, Fla.; sister, Jean Miller of Rogers, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Sat., May 24, at Craver’s Funeral Home Chapel beginning with a 1 p.m. visitation and followed by a 2 p.m. service time with the Rev. Delbert Redditt and the Rev. Mitch Herring officiating. Interment followed in Moyeville Cemetery in Brewton.

Pallbearers were Heath Bryan, Miles Hammac, Skyler Macks, Michael Jacobs, Lane Macks, Jeffrey Laborde, Adam Dudney, Levi Peters and KK Knowles.

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