Rhonda Melissa Lester Cotten
Jackson’s Gap, Ala.

Rhonda Melissa Lester Cotten, 57, formerly of Brewton passed away Mon., Aug. 24, 2015, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla. She was surrounded by her beloved family and the very dear nurses of Sacred Heart.
She was born July 22, 1958, at D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
She was a graduate of T.R. Miller class of 1976 and went on to Auburn University where she earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in education.
While working as an educator she went on to earn a masters in education and specialist in education from Columbus State University in Columbus, Ga.
Her love for teaching others led her to further her education by pursuing a doctorate in education.
Throughout her years of service to the school systems and students of Alabama, she earne several accolades including a commendation from the Governor of Alabama upon her recent retirement from the Baldwin County Board of Education where she was the dropout prevention supervisor.
She was also chosen along with other Alabama educators to attend a conference for Early Warning Systems, held at the George Bush Institute in Dallas, Texas. where she met with the former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
She was preceded in death by her infant son, Riley Hinton Cotten, and her father, Hubert Lester.
She is survived by her husband, Kelly Cotten; two daughters, Megan Cotten and Caitlin Sampson (Stephen); her mother Jean White Messer (Bill); her sisters, Debi Pugh (Randall), and Linda Williamson (Todd) and several dear nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children.
The Alabama Association of Prevention and Support Services has also established the “Be the Change” award in her memory of Rhonda Cotten and in recognition of the many contributions from her work in facilitating successful opportunities for the students of Alabama.
Contributions to support this annual award may be sent to: AAPASS – c/o The Rhonda Cotten “Be the Change” Award, 217 Westchester Road Madison, AL 35758
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com

Carl ‘Doug’ Martin
Bratt, Fla

Carl “Doug” Martin, 64, passed away Mon., Aug. 24, 2015, in Pensacola, Fla.
He was a life long resident of Bratt, Fla.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a hard worker.
He loved gardening and fishing and his 9-month-old granddaughter was the light of his life.
He was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Nettie Martin; three brothers, Robert, Shirley and Barnard Ray Martin, and one sister, Lilly Goldman.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sharon Bailey Martin of Bratt; a son, Adam Martin of Bratt; a daughter, Audra Martin of Bratt; a brother, Carol (Joy) Martin of Atmore; a sister, Shelby (Jake) Hatcher of Atmore, and a grandchild, Layla Martin.
Graveside services were held Thurs., Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. at Godwin Cemetery with the Rev. Henry Wilson officiating.
Pallbearers were Benjamin Martin, Michael Chavers, Andrew Redden, Tommy Redden, Blake Young and Jacob Bailey.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in Atmore was in charge of all arrangements.

Roy Hayward Nelson
Brewton

Roy Hayward Nelson, 80, of McGougin Road, passed away Thurs., Aug. 27, 2015, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after a brief illness.
He was a native of Brewton, and a former resident of Chicago, Ill., before moving back to Brewton in 1974.
He was a member of the Calvary Mennonite Church, attended school in Escambia County, and a retired welder from the steel mill industry.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener.
Funeral services were held Sun., Aug. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Mennonite Church with Pastor Mark Regehr and Bro. John Gehman officiating.
Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Pollard Nelson; brothers, James Nelson and Andrew Nelson; and sisters, Bernice Johnson, Kitty Blackman and Catherine Richburg
He is survived by a son, Charles (Janet) Nelson of Cairo, Ga.; a daughter. Susie Nelson of Brewton; four brothers, Adolph (Wanda) Nelson of Savannah, Ga., Jr. (Leverne) Nelson of Houston, Johnny (Nancy) Nelson of Gaylesville, Ala., and Jerry Nelson of Brewton; two sisters-in-law, Linda Pennington of Homosassa, Fla. and Mildred Nelson of Gayesville; three grandchildren, Hannah Nelson, Kaylee Nelson and Emma Nelson; and several nieces and nephews.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries read at williamsmemorialchapel.com

Frederick Leon Fleming
Castleberry

Frederick Leon Fleming, 36, of Castleberry, passed away Fri.. Aug. 28, 2015, at his residence.
He was a native of Brewton and a long time resident of Castleberry.
He attended New Haven Holiness Church; had attended Conecuh County Jr. High and Hill Crest High School, and was a machine operator at Castleberry Wood Products.
Funeral services will be held todau at 10 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Skipper officiating.
Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Castleberry with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wilmer Leon Fleming Cannie and Dedie Coleman, and a brother, Randall Kyil Coleman.
He is survived by his parents, Roger and Ruby Fleming Coleman; his wife, Patty Stacey; two daughters, Layla Marie Fleming, and Zoey Michaelle Fleming; a son, Dustin Gage Watts and his maternal grandmother, Iva Dell Fleming, all of Castleberry.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com

Louise McNabb
Brewton

Louise McNabb was born April 12, 1924, in Brewton to the union of the late Phillip and Hannah Floyd.
She was one of eight children; all were raised to care for each other when needed.
She put herself into her family and assisted with the care of her parents and siblings.
Her parents and five siblings preceded her in death.
She accepted Christ at an early age and joined Second Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
There she served diligently as a dynamic Sunday School teacher, Missionary Society member and instructor.
She was also a faithful member of the Snowden Chapter No. 846 Order of the Eastern Star, Heroines of Jericho and the Charitable Aide Association.
She read the Word daily for countless years even throughout her sickness. To know her was to love her.
She was a very sweet and loving person that would give you a smile that would instantly melt your heart; at the same time, she would let you know when you were wrong.
She was joined in holy matrimony to the late Lamar McNabb Sr. To this union, five children were born and raised.
One, Winston Lamar McNabb, preceded her in death.
She was an avid fisherwoman who thoroughly enjoyed rising early gathering her gear and buddies to spend hours by the banks catching fish and greatly enjoying each other’s company.
She would contact her children, siblings, etc. to enjoy her catch of the day.
On Aug. 23, 2015 she stretched out her arms, answered her Master’s call and took her wings after enduring her brief illness.
She is now somewhere around God’s throne to be carefree and enjoy those hobbies and loved ones whom have gone before her infinitely.
She leaves to mourn and cherish her memories, her four loving and devoted children, Etta M. Gray of Pensacola, Fla., Ella L. Watson (Kenneth), David Williams (Brenda) and Jane E. Williams (Sylvester), all of Brewton; two grandchildren of whom she raised as she did her biological children, Roderick K. Williams of Pensacola and LaTasha Fantroy of Huntsville; one sister, Dorothy Lovelace (John) of Brewton; one brother, Phillip Floyd Jr. of Theodore, and a host of other grandchildren, great grandchildren, great,great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services were held Sat., Aug. 29, 11 a.m. at Second Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Rodney Lindsey, officiating pastor.
Internment followed at Second Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.

Mattie Lee Coleman
Brewton

Mattie Lee Coleman was born on July 7, 1913, to the late Charlotte and Elbert Thomas in Wilcox County, Alabama.
She accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oak Hill, Alabama.
She later relocated to Brewton, where she joined Baptist Hill Missionary Baptist Church where the Reverend Bryant was the pastor.
She later changed her membership.
She departed this life on Sun., Aug. 24, 2015.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlotte and Elbert Thomas and all of her siblings.
Her cherished memories are left with a devoted husband and caregiver for many, many years, Willie J. Ellis; Mattie had six children (none of her own), two adopted children, Porsha Pleasant (Jevon), Dorothy Henderson, Willie R. Thomas, Emma Taite (Marvin) and Jerome Ellis; a devoted friend and sister, Luete Ellis; one niece, Mattie Powell; one devoted, special great-great niece, Datasha Watts Askew; one nephew, Tommy Lee Thomas; grandchildren, Darius Webb, Jaylin Ellis, Jordan Ellis, Jachori Ellis, Kejuan Inman, Jachai Thomas and Willie Thomas Jr. and a host of special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was a lovable, joyful, and quick witted person that has touched many lives in the 102 years that she was blessed to live. She will be missed by many.
Services were held Sat, Aug. 29, at 2:30 p.m. at Baptist Hill Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Paul Lee officiating.
Internment followed in Piney Grove Cemetery in Brewton with Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors, directing

David Tyler Palmer
Milton, Fla.

David Tyler Palmer, 17, of Milton, Fla., passed away Sun., Aug. 30, 2015, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
He was born in Pensacola, Fla., and wa a resident of Milton. He was a senior at Jay High School who loved to hunt and fish and was an avid Alabama fan.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Joseph Carl Palmer.
He is survived by his parents, Shannon and Denise Palmer of Milton; a brother, Johnathan Palmer of Milton; paternal grandmother, Betty Palmer of Milton; maternal grandparents, Wayne and Marie Johnson of Baker, Fla.; maternal great grandmother, Margie Johnson of Century, Fla.; his girlfriend, Alaina Smith of Jay; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held at True Worship Assembly of God in Berrydale, Fla, tonight from 5 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Thurs., Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at True Worship Assembly of God with the Rev. Adam Peterson and the Rev. Mike Adams officiating.
Interment will follow in Bradley Cemetery with Cravers Funeral Home directing.
Pallbearers will be Kolton Caraway, Ashton Wilson, Colton Morris, Alan Mitchem, Jordan Morris, Gage Holland and Austin Martin.
To share your memories and condolences with the family, visit craversfh.com.

George Junior Ball
Castleberry

George Junior Ball, 83, of County Road 23, Castleberry, passed away Mon., Aug. 31, 2015, at a family member’s residence after a brief illness.
He was a native of the Roberts Community and was a long time resident of Castleberry.
He was a member of the Elim Baptist Church, a U.S. Army veteran, and a retired security guard. He was an avid race fan, baseball fan and softball fan.
He is survived by a son, David (Denise Taylor) Ball of Castleberry; three daughters, Renee Quigley and
Michell Ann (Bryan) Allen, both of Brewton and Sabrina Joy (Greg) Oliver of Castleberry; three sisters, Delois Clifton of Van Cleve of Mississippi; Carolyn Overstreet and Annette Davison, both of Brewton; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Louise Ball; a brother, Buddy Ball and a sister, Evelyn Thompson.
Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rock Hill Assembly of God Church in Brewton.
Funeral services will be held Thurs., Sept. 3, at 2 p.m. at Rock Hill Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Donnie Lindsey and the Rev. Andy Peevy officiating. Interment will follow in Rock Hill Assembly of God Church Cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries read williamsmemorialchapel.com

Joel Arlan Davis
East Brewton

Joel Arlen Davis, 59, of Johns Road in East Brewton, passed away Fri., Aug. 28, 2015, in a local hospital after a brief illness.
He was a native and long time resident of Pensacola, Fla., before moving to Brewton, eight years ago.
He was of the Baptist faith, and a former welder/iron worker in the construction industry. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved drag racing.
Memorial services are scheduled for Thurs., Sept. 3, at 6 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.