Frances Hart Watson

Brewton

 

Frances Hart Watson passed peacefully into the afterlife on the Tues., June 7, 2016, in Birmingham.

Funeral services were held Sat., June 11, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Brewton. A graveside burial followed at Union Cemetery with the Rev. Anthony McCullough and Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

Selfless and caring, she spent her 89 years devoted to the well being of others. She possessed an innate ability to unconditionally love, and she touched the hearts of many through her infectious smile and joyous spirit. Her devotion to her family and her steadfast belief in God supported her through her final days.

She is survived by her three children, Celeste Rosenau, Joe Watson (Mary Lee) and Jim Watson (Linda); four grandchildren, Joseph Watson, Kate Watson Roy (Mike), Maggie Watson, and Andrew Watson, to whom she was known as “Grandmama”; and one great-grandchild, Patrick Roy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Henry Hart and Alma Gillis Hart; husband, Cornelius “Neely” Watson; and three beloved sisters, Marjorie Haigler, Jeanette Lynn and Catherine Ponder.

The family would like to send special gratitude to the gifted and affectionate caregivers of the Meadows in Brewton and St. Martin’s in the Pines in Birmingham.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to First United Methodist Church of Brewton.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

 

Elizabeth Ann Toler Blackmon

Range

 

Elizabeth Ann Toler Blackmon,  85, of Range passed away Monday morning, June 13, 2016, in a local nursing facility after a brief illness.

Funeral Services are scheduled for today, June 15, at 10 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Barbara Green officiating and the Rev. Helen Stewart assisting.

Interment will follow in Hartwood Cemetery in Range with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

She was a native and life long resident of Escambia County. She was a member of the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Range. She was a retired examiner from Vanity Fair and a homemaker.

She is survived by her three sons, Tommy (Lawanda) Blackmon and Mike (Bobbie Jean) Blackmon, both of Lenox, and Tim (Darlene) Blackmon of Range; two daughters, Brenda (Ricky) Chavers of Brewton, and Pat (Jackie) Branch of Grandridge, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

She is preceded  in death by her husband, Mack Blackmon.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

 

Gwendolyn ‘Gwen’ Jones

Brewton

 

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Jones died peacefully on June 6, 2016, in Pensacola, Fla., at the age of 69.

Funeral services were held Sat., June 11, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton with the Rev. Barrett Coachman, Pastor, officiating and Pastor Robert McWilliams delivering the word of comfort.

Internment followed at Oak Grove Cemetery in Brewton with Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors directing.

She was born on March 1, 1947, in Brewton. She was the 13th child of Leslie and Georgia Jones. She was raised in The Spirtual True Church of God and Christ where she accepted Christ at an early age and remained a faithful member until her death.

She graduated from Southern Normal High School. She then moved to New Jersey where she worked several jobs before moving to St. Louis, Mo. She finally settled back in Brewton in 1980 to take care of her mom and raise children.

She went on to further her education and earned her arts and science degree from Jefferson Davis College in 1993.  She enjoyed art and went on to sell several paintings in the Brewton area. She spent the remainder of her years being a devoted mother and grandmother.

Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by five brothers, Johnny, RJ, Willie, Leslie Jr. and Boise Joe Jones; and one sister, Sarah Paul.

She is survived by three loving children, Marc, Daymond and Marla Jones; 13 grandchildren, Jessine, Marc II, Dayvon, Shakiya, Dayshon, Ilynn, Faybian, Adrienne, Haley, Dayonna, Caleb, Nevach and Malachi; one great grandson, Preston; four sisters and two brothers, Frances Bennett of St. Louis, James Jones of Alton, Ill., Ernestine Isaiah of St. Louis, Inell (Yoland) Walton of Gouldsboro, Pa., Lonzie Jones of St. Louis; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and one devoted friend, Francis Lewis of Brewton.

 

Mildred Payne

Brewton

 

Mildred Payne passed away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 71.

Funeral services were held Sat., June 11, at 11 a.m. at Second Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton with the Rev. Rodney Lindsey, pastor, officiating.

Internment followed at Second Shady Grove Cemetery with Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors directing.

She was born on June 24, 1944, in Brewton to the union of the late Early and Sylvia Harrison. She was one of seven children and was the youngest of her siblings. Along with her parents, one brother, Sylvester Floyd, preceded her in death.

At an early age she accepted Jesus Christ at Second Shady Grove Baptist Church. She was a faithful member until her health started failing.

In May of 1963, she graduated from Southern Normal High School in Brewton. She attended Dillard University in New Orleans, La.; Alabama State in Montgomery, and the University of South Alabama in Mobile. She worked at Alatex in Andalusia and Boykin Head Start, where she worked until she retired.

She was a servant to everyone who was in need. Whatever your needs were she did it without complaining—even if she didn’t feel well. She had some favorite sayings, “You ain’t lying;” “hush now” and “get out of here.”

She was a faithful member of Snowden Chapter No. 846, Heroines of Jericho, president of The Pilgrim Travelers for 43 years, secretary of the senior choir, secretary of Second Shady Grove Sunday School, member of Charitable Aid Society, member of Second Shady Grove Missionary Society and was active with the Evergreen District Association of Evergreen.

She leaves to cherish her memories two loving and devoted sons, Jerome Harrison and Tyrone (Aljewel) Harrison, both of Brewton; three grandchildren, Shanika Riker, Ashantee Stanley and Endevous Harrison; her sisters, Viola Justice, Tina Craddock, Mattie Harrison Lunstall, all of Richmond, Va., and Minister Betty Woods of Brewton; her brother, the Rev. Ruel (Martha Jean) Floyd of Brewton; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

William E. Paul (Little Junior)

Brewton

Oldest son of the late Claude and Louise Paul of West End, will be held Sat., June 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Zion Fountain AME Zion Church located on 505 Sowell Road. The Rev. Dr. H.K. Matthews, Pastor