Obits for Wed., Aug. 19 edition

Published 6:04 am Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Louise Culliver Middleton
Brewton

Louise Culliver Middleton was born on April 1, 1949 in Escambia County to the late Willis and Angie Mae Culliver.
She worked at Judy Bond for 15 years and then worked at Westgate Village as a Dietary Aide for 12 years until her health failed her.
She was an active member of Christ Kingdom Ministry Center. She was energetic, full of life and full of laughter. She was a loving mother, granny, sister and aunt.
She leaves to cherish her memories to her two children, Reginald Benjamin and Rhonda Benjamin, both of Brewton; one grandson, Travion Benjamin; and one granddaughter, Jada Bradley, both of Brewton; one sister, Doris Johnson of Brewton; two brothers, Willie James (Jackie) Culliver and Walter Earl Culliver, both of Brewton; two best friends, Amy Lane of Brewton and Louise Siggers of Cleveland, Ohio; one favorite cousin, Mary Lou Bradley of Brewton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services were held Sat., Aug. 15, at 2:30 p.m. at Christ Kingdom Ministries Center in Brewton with Bishop Herman Bradley, pastor, officiating.
Interment followed at Little Brooklyn Church Cemetery in Brewton with Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors directing.
The family of the late Louise Culliver Middleton, would like to thank each and everyone for your prayers, love, calls, visits and your kindness shown during our time of bereavement. A very special thank you is extended to Dr. Ronnie Wiles, Covenant Hospice and North Mobile Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Aveynell Hammac Watson
Mobile

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Aveynell Hammac Watson, 84, passed away Fri., Aug. 14, 2015, in at Grand Bay nursing facility.
She was born in Brewton, and had been living in Grand Bay for three years. She had been a resident of Mobile since 1961. During her working years, she was a waitress. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Watson; a sister, Voncile Smith; and a daughter, Carolyn Hicks.
She is survived by two sons, John Watson and Charles Watson, both of Mobile; one daughter, Sheila Hicks of Grand Bay; 12 grandchildren; and numerous great, and great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wed., Aug. 19, from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Caylor officiating. Interment will follow in Damascus Cemetery.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Richard Thomas ‘R.T.’ Smith
Pensacola, Fla.

Richard Thomas “R.T.” Smith, 49, of Deerfield Road in Pensacola, Fla., passed away July 31, 2015, at his residence.
He was born in Mobile and was the son of Richard A. Smith and Voncile “Bonnie” Smith. He worked at the NAS Pensacola Complex for 25 years and was an avid University of Alabama fan.
He is survived by a brother, Donald Wayne Hartung Sr.; a nephew, Donald Wayne Hartung Jr.; and a great-niece, Angela Rose Hartung.
Funeral services were held Fri., Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home. Interment followed in Damascus Cemetery.
A scholarship is being set up in Richard and John’s names at the University of Alabama: The University of Alabama Office of University Advancement, P.O. Box 870101, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

John William ‘Big John’ Smith
Pensacola, Fla.

John William “Big John” Smith, 47, of Deerfield Road in Pensacola, Fla., passed away July 31, 2015, at his residence.
He was born in Jacksonville, Fla., and was the son of Richard A. Smith and Voncile Smith. He was a 25-year employee of Walmart and was an avid University of Alabama fan.
He is survived by a brother, Donald Wayne Hartung Sr.; a nephew, Donald Wayne Hartung Jr.; and a great-niece, Angela Rose Hartung.
Funeral services were held on Fri., Aug. 14, from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home. Interment followed in Damascus Cemetery.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Voncile ‘Bonnie’ Hammac Smith
Pensacola, Fla.

Voncile “Bonnie” Hammac Smith, 78, of Deerfield Road in Pensacola, Fla., passed away at her residence July 31, 2015.
She was born in Brewton, and had been a resident of Pensacola since 1986. She was a homemaker who enjoyed making homemade pins, and was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Richard A. Smith.
She is survived by a son, Donald Wayne Hartung Sr.; a grandson, Donald Wayne Hartung Jr.; and a great-granddaughter, Angela Rose Hartung.
Funeral services were held Fri., Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home. Interment followed in Damascus Cemetery.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Gregory ‘Greg’ Eugene Haag
East Brewton

Gregory “Greg” Eugene Haag, 42, of East Brewton, passed away Thurs., August 13, 2015, in a Hattiesburg, Miss., hospital after a brief illness. He was a native and long time resident of Brewton.
He was of the Baptist faith, attended T.R. Miller High School, and was a truck driver in the transportation industry.
He is survived by his mother, Gayle Haag, of Brewton; wife, Keri Burkett Haag, of Hattiesburg, Miss.; three sons, Levi Haag of Hattiesburg, Miss., Billy Haag of Buda, Texas, Rusty Haag of Buda, Texas; special young lady, Rebecca Kilpatrick of Uriah; and two brothers, Keith Haag and Steven Broxson, both of Brewton.
He was preceded in death by his father, Allan Eugene Haag; and grandparents, Nina and Herman Haag and Dee and Bill Kutz.
Funeral services were held Mon., Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Russ McDonald officiating.
Interment followed in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton, with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

William Clyde Leslie Pendergrass
Geneva

William Clyde Leslie Pendergrass, of Geneva, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wed., Aug. 12, 2015. He was 81.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Sat., Aug. 15, at Trinity Church with the Rev. Gene Hauser and Allen Marsh officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory of Geneva directing.
He was born March 20, 1934, in Marshall County (Preston Community) to the late Esther Mae Dennis and Ernel Robert Pendergrass.
He attended Jackson County High School and then entered the military (Army) in May of 1952. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Regiment, Company D, 81 Mortar Platoon in Korea from October 1952 until September 1953. He received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, The United Nations Service Medal and The National Defense Service Medal. He was discharged in 1955 with the rank of Sergeant.
He then attended Jacksonville State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor in education. While at Jacksonville State University he was a Phi Beta Kappa and a Phi Kappa Phi.
He graduated the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in political science and history. While at the University of Southern Mississippi he taught on a graduate fellowship.
He also attended the University of Alabama and received a master’s degree in educational administration and finance and attended Auburn University where he received an education specialist degree.
He retired in Brewton in 1992, after 37 years in the educational field.
He was an active member of Trinity Church in Geneva. He loved the church and all who attended, but he especially loved all the children. He also loved his Sunday School Class taught by Max Padgett.
He was a lifelong Republican and never missed a single time voting. His love of God, family, friends and country was evident in his life.
In addition to his parents, two brothers, Glen and Leon Pendergrass, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Daphne Hornbuckle Pendergrass of Geneva; daughter, Sandra (David) Arnold of Geneva; sons: Brad (Brenda) Pendergrass of Brewton and Greg (Becky) Pendergrass of Dothan; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren with two more on the way; brother, Raymond (Lois) Pendergrass; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved dearly. He was a direct descendent of Bogue and Weejer.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions be made to Trinity Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 787, Geneva, Alabama 36340.

Mitzi Ann Rabon Jackson
Castleberry

Mitzi Ann Rabon Jackson, 34, passed away Thurs., Aug. 6, 2015, at her Castleberry residence.
She was born in Brewton and had been a life-long resident of Castleberry and Franklin. She was a homemaker and was a former member of the Escambia County Rescue Squad. She attended Divine Temple church.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Charles T. Watson, and paternal grandparents, R.J. and Ruby Rabon.
She is survived by her husband, James “Tank” Jackson of Castleberry; her mother, Charlotte (Donnie) Green of East Brewton; her father Lester (Susan) Rabon of East Brewton; maternal grandmother, Ruby Watson of Brewton; four sons, Blake (Alie) Addison of East Brewton, Anthony Taylor Acreman of East Brewton, Johnathan Logan Acreman of Franklin, and Ethan Cole Acreman of Franklin; one daughter, Haley Breana Acreman of Excel; one brother, Lester Austin Rabon of East Brewton; two sisters, Brooke Elizabeth Rabon of East Brewton, Victoria Madison Rabon of East Brewton; five step-sisters, Christy Marie Sawyer of Brewton, Samantha LeAnn Cain of Evergreen, Valerie Susan Adkins of East Brewton, Christina Hope Green of Brewton, and Cassandra Faith Green of Brewton; one grandson, Gabrielle Kennedy; the fathers of her children, Daniel Addison, John Acreman.
Funeral services were held Wed., Aug. 12, 2015 at 10 a.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Greer and the Rev. Al Dyess officiating. Interment followed in Buffington Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Bufford Varner, Austin Rabon, Blake Addison, Taylor Acreman, Darroll Rabon, and Justin Baker
Honorary pallbearers were Ethan Acreman, Logan Acreman, Amber Cutts, and Karl Kast.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

William Ray Lee Jr.
Brewton

William Ray Lee Jr., 53, of Hwy. 41 Brewton, passed away Tues., Aug. 11, 2015, in a Monroeville Medical facility after a brief illness.
He was a native and life long resident of Brewton. He was a heavy equipment operator that was formerly employed at Odom Forestry Service and was a former employee of Knud Nielsen.
He is survived by his mother, Euince Hart Lee, of Brewton; brother, Carlton Lee of Brewton; sister, Brenda Jackson, of Brewton; uncle, Lavaughn Lee; nephew, Justin Jackson; niece, Samantha Jackon and great nephew, Conner Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Ray Lee Sr. and his sister, Carolyn Lee.
Funeral services were held Thurs., Aug. 13, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Boatwright officiating.
Interment followed in Zion Hill Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Cynthia LaGayle Salter Grissett
Brewton

Cynthia LaGayle Salter Grissett, 59, of Jean Drive in Brewton, passed away Mon., Aug. 17, 2015, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after a brief illness. She was a native and former resident of Pensacola, Fla., before moving to Brewton 10 years ago.
She was a member of Cannan Free Will Baptist Church, worked with the Escambia County, Fla., school system as a special needs aide on the school bus.
She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Grissett of Brewton; two daughters, Mandy (Mike) Stansberry of Biloxi, Miss., and Candi (Jeff) Lee of Pollard; one brother, Cecil Allen Salter of Pensacola, Fla.; five grandchildren, Makela, Anna, Jacob, Breanna and Chloe; mother-in-law, Quida Grissett of Brewton; and two brother-in-laws, Johnny Grissett and Donnie Grissett of Brewton.
Visitation will be held Wed., Aug. 19, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 20, at 11 a.m. at the Cannan Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Waylon Stuckey and the Rev. Wayne Butts officiating.
Interment will follow in Cannan Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

About Adam Robinson

My name is Adam Robinson and I have been the Sports Editor of the Brewton Standard since September 2007. I cover all the local sports in the Brewton area. I am a 2007 graduate of Troy University with a degree in Print Journalism with a contract in Sports Information. I married Shari Lynn in June of 2007 and we welcomed our first child, Hatlee, in April of 2010.

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