Annie Beatrice Lewis Thomas
Brewton

Annie Beatrice Lewis Thomas was born on Aug. 23, 1911, in Brewton.
Her biological parents were the late Jane Longmire and Warren “Simon” Alford. After the death of her mother, she was adopted by her aunt and uncle, the late Sylvester “Sill” and Rebecca “Witt” Longmire Lewis. She also gained four more siblings, three of whom preceded her in death along with her biological siblings. Together they were Hattie Cunningham, Willie “Goat” Longmire, Willie James Cunningham, Lottie Rowlin, Maggie Longmire, Elsie Patterson, James Taylor, Mr. William “Bill” Lewis (infant twin of George Lewis), Mose Lewis and Mrs. Emma “Sister” M. Lewis Mitchell.
At a very young age, she worked at the C.W. Church and the Second St. Siloam Church. “Ms. Annie B.”, as she was affectionately called, also worked as a custodian at the Bank of Brewton. Later she embarked upon the nursing field where she was employed at the Holly Hospital and D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
She started her early years of formal school training at the Mamie Potter School in the Pea Ridge Community where she walked from Rodgers Street to Pea Ridge approximately five miles. To her, she said, “It was nothing.”
She later attended the Brewton City School, Evergreen District and Southern Normal where she graduated. She graduated from SNS under the school mastership of the late James Dooley Sr., who was the founder of Southern Normal School, Brewton, in 1911.
As a young girl, she moved to Omaha, Neb. to help care for her sick aunt, the late Emma Mozelle Longmire Carr.
She returned home to continue her work with her church and her family. It was here in Brewton that she met her one true love, George Watson Thomas Sr. They were married on Nov. 3, 1938, in Brewton. She remained in love and devoted until his untimely death in 2008.
Her service to God was always first place in her life. She joined Second St. Siloam Baptist Church in 1918 where she remained faithful until she fell asleep in death on Oct. 10, 2014, in the early morning.
During her life as a worker in her church she was a sponsor of the Sunbeam programs and the Red Circle. She was also the director of the youth department for many years.
In the 1970s, she was the director of the inspirational choir numbering more than 100. The choir’s musician was the late Jerry Calhoun. She served as a deaconess alongside her husband who was a Deacon of the church. She was a matron and a member of the Order of Eastern Star Olive Chapter No. 153. She was also a member of the Benevolent Society.
She and Deacon Watson were proud parents of four children of whom the oldest three preceded her in death: Peggy Hicks, George W. Thomas Jr., Rebecca Thomas and Bernard Thomas of Brewton.
She leaves to cherish the memories of her life one beloved son, Bernard (Brenda) Thomas of Brewton; a step-son, James (Val) Walter of San Diego, Calif.; one devoted son-in-law, Earl Hicks of New York; grandchildren, Tia L. Hicks, Anthony E. Hicks, Bernard Thomas, Tishira Thomas, Terry Hardy and Tanika Wootson; great grandchildren, Sanjnah Hicks, Lalayla Hicks, Amira Hicks and Amaia Noel; great-great grandchildren, Alex Noel, Kayson Hardy and Bacion Hardy; one sister, Lillie S Lewis Dove of Brewton; one brother, Joe (Mary) Lewis of Eufaula; one god-daughter, Pamela Farrish (Gary) Plummer; two sisters-in-law, Mabel H. Thomas of Mobile, and Dr. Doris Lewis of Charleston, S.C., and a devoted grand nephew, Blakely Conn (Marti) Barton of Brewton.
Other survivors include four grand nieces, Ruby Jefferson of Augusta, Ga., Patty Cunningham of Philadelphia, Pa. and Katherine Cunningham of Baltimore, Md.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to mention by name.
Services were held on Sat., Oct. 18, at Second Saint Siloam Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Willie J. Blue officiating. Interment followed at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Brewton.

Annie Lee Weaver
Jupiter, Fla.

Annie Lee Weaver, 83, passed away Tues., Oct. 14, 2014, in a Jupiter, Fla., health care facility.
She was born in Brewton and was a long time resident of Jupiter, Fla. She was an avid reader, and loved flowers and Hank Williams music. She was a member of L-Pond Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther B. Weaver.
She is survived by a son, James (Patricia) Weaver of Sammamish, Wash.; daughter, Gloria Weaver of Hobe Sound, Fla.; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held on Sun., Oct. 19, from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Minister Steve Parker officiating. Interment followed in L-Pond Church of Christ Cemetery.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Mary Edna Douglas
Bradley

Mary Edna Douglas passed away Tues., Oct. 14, 2014, in a Crestview, Fla. hospital.
She was born in Damascus and had lived in Bradley for most of her life. She was a homemaker and was a member of Bradley Assembly of God.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Lee Douglas.
She is survived by three sons, Mike (Tina) Douglas of Zephyrhills, Fla., Alex (Willie) Douglas of Roberts, and Wayne (Crissy) Douglas; five daughters, Brenda (Tommy) McCurley of Crestview, Fla., Barbara (Earl) McCurley of Wing, Debra (Wally) Downs of Atmore, Kathy (Keith) Cook of Bradley, and Sandra (Scott) Cook of Escambia Farms, Fla.; 23 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sat., Oct. 18, from the Chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronnie Sells, pastor of Red Oak Baptist Church in Baker, Fla., officiating. Interment followed in Old Bradley Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Lucas Douglas, Justin Cook, Kevin McCurley, Phillip Clark, Jason McCurley, and Tommy McCurley.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at www.craversfh.com.

Margaret Bell Monroe
Pensacola, Fla.

Margaret Bell Monroe, 86, passed away on Fri., Oct. 17, 2014, in Pensacola, Fla.
She is now at peace and reunited with Jim, her husband of 57 years.
She was born in Brewton. After graduation from T.R. Miller High School, she attended Auburn University.
She was a former resident of Mobile and Fairhope and taught in the Alabama Public School System, primarily at W.C. Griggs Elementary School for 33 years.
After retirement, she continued to teach at St. Dominic’s Catholic School for 10 years.
She was a dedicated educator and had a positive influence on shaping countless young lives. She was a long time member of Springhill Avenue United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Edward Bell and Lillian Bell Watson, and her husband, James Armstead Monroe.
She had a kind and sweet soul and was loved by all who knew her. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her son, USN Capt. (retired) James Todd (Denise) Monroe of Eagle, Idaho; her sister, Claire (Joe) Cobb of San Antonio, Texas; her grandchildren, Hannah Monroe and Brandon Monroe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Tues., Oct. 21. Interment followed at Union Cemetery in Brewton.
In lieu of flowers, send donations in her name to the Wyakin Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 9924, Boise, Idaho, 83707 (wyakin.org), a nonprofit dedicated to education and career placement for the most severely wounded and injured post Sept. 11 veterans; or a charity of your choice.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Janet Sowell Harp
Pensacola, Fla.

Janet Sowell Harp, 85, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away on Thurs., Oct. 16, 2014. She was born on December 14, 1928 in Brewton, the daughter of Joseph A. Sowell Sr. and Ethel Garvin Sowell.
She met her future husband, Orland Charles Harp, while he was stationed with the U.S. Navy at Whiting Field, and they were married on Dec. 27, 1951. O
The couple resided in Brewton for many years until his death on Oct. 21, 2009. She was a homemaker and of the Episcopal faith.
She is survived by her sons, Steven and Charles, along with a nephew, Joseph A. Sowell III.
Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m., on Mon., Oct. 27, at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel of Pensacola is in charge of arrangements.

Alfred Breedlove Brown
East Brewton

Alfred Breedlove Brown, 79, of Dailey Street East Brewton, passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 16, 2014 in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after a brief illness.
He was a native and life long resident of Escambia County, Ala., and was a retired tool pusher from the oil fields with 30-plus years of service and a retired truck driver from Herrington’s Logging.
He is survived by his wife, Imojean Jackson of East Brewton; two sons, Jimmy (Betty) Brown of East Brewton and Charles (Beth) Brown of Milton, Fla.; two daughters, Cindy Brown of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Kim Brown of Thomaston; two step-sons, Gary Dewayne (Denise) Donovan of Brewton and Philip (Sarah) Donovan of Trenton, Maine; two brothers, Joe Brown of East Brewton and Burl (Charlene) Brown of Jay, Fla.; and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held on Sat., Oct. 18, at 2 p.m,. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Greer officiating. Interment followed in Brown Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.