Matthew Avant

LaGrange, Ga.

Matthew Avant, of LaGrange, passed away Fri. Jan. 13, 2017, at WellStar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange.

The Celebration of Life Service will be Fri., Jan. 20, at noon at Warren Temple U. M. Church. Pastor Carl V. Epps will officiate. Burial will follow at Meadoway Gardens Cemetery.

The family will be at their home at 716 Pyracantha Drive and will receive friends in the Chapel of Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home on Thurs., Jan. 19, from 6 to 7 p.m.

He was born June 3, 1942, to Janie Mae Bradley Avant and the late,Calvin Avant Sr. in Brewton.

He confessed Christ at an early age and joined Baptist Hill Baptist Church in Brewton, only to later unite with Old Mount Olive Baptist Church in LaGrange, where he served as an active member and Chairman of the Deacon Board for several years.

He graduated in 1960 from Southern Normal School. He continued his education after receiving an academic scholarship to Central College in Pella, Iowa.

After a car accident, he transferred and graduated from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa in 1965 with a bachelor’s of art degree in English.

He moved to LaGrange, where he taught at Mount Pleasant Elementary School in Mountville, Ga., for two years. He then worked for Community Action for Improvement in LaGrange. He ultimately accepted an appointment to the Georgia Department of Labor where he retired as field manager with 34  years of service.

He was united in holy matrimony to Jan Flowers Avant for 50 years, and to this union one daughter was born.

He was a charter member of the 100 Black Men of West Georgia. He served on several boards including: Maidee Smith Day Care, LaGrange Housing Authority, West Georgia Technical College, and LaGrange Downtown Development Authority.

His hobbies and interests were music, specifically the blues; playing basketball, and University of Alabama Football – “Roll Tide.”

Those left to cherish his wonderful memories are a loving and devoted wife, Jan Avant; daughter, Tesa (Larry) Evans of Columbus, Georgia; two grandsons, Alex and Tyler Evans; mother, Janie Avant of Brewton; three brothers, Herman (Laura) Avant of Jersey City, New Jersey; Dave (Lynnette) Avant and Calvin Avant Jr. both of Brewton; sister, Bobbie (H.K.) Matthews, also of Brewton; two aunts, Ruth Moton of Pollard and Arine Jackson of Brewton; in-laws, Elvin Adams of Atlanta; Tommie (Ozzie) Barham of Silver Springs, Maryland; Tom Flowers, Carnell Flowers, and Horace (Patricia) Flowers all of LaGrange, Ga.; Louis (Cynthia) Flowers of Fayetteville, Ga.; Diane Flowers of Atlanta; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and lifelong friends.

Express your condolences in the guest book by visiting lakesdunsonrobertson.com.

The family would like to express their gratitude for his excellent care provided by Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home.

Julia Ann Wallace Ingalls

Verbana

Julia Ann Wallace Ingalls, 76, of Verbena died Tues., Jan. 10, 2017, at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery.

Funeral services were held Fri., Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at Martin Chapel with the Rev. Travis Marler officiating and Martin Funeral Home directing.

Interment followed in Cedar Tree Cemetery in Hackleburg.

She was born on Sun., March 10, 1940, in Hackleburg. She was the daughter of the late Cecil C. Wallace and the late Era Clay Wallace.

She was a paralegal.

She is survived by her husband, William E. “Bill” Ingalls, Sr., USA, MSgt., Ret. of Verbena; sons, David Goodman (Linda) of Coden, Ken Goodman (Vera) of Lafayette, Bill Ingalls, Jr. (Margaret) of Montgomery, and Wallace Ingalls of Vallejo, Calif.; daughters, LeAnne Iacampo (Bob), Marcy Bomboy, both of Napa, Calif., and Andrea Gooden (J.R.) of Scott Air Force Base, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Era Wallace; son, Tracy Scott Goodman; and brother, Jimmy Wallace.

In lieu of flowers, donate to Alabama Campers on Mission, Attn: Bill Foster, 34106 U.S. Hwy. 431, Roanoke, AL 36274.

Family and friends may leave online condolences for the family on the guest registry at martinfuneralhomeinc.com.

John Jasper Baker

Evergreen

John Jasper Baker, 83, of Evergreen, passed away Tues., Jan. 10, 2017, in a Milton, Fla., nursing gacility after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Sat., Jan. 14, at 11 a.m. at London Baptist Church. Interment followed in London Cemetery in Castleberry, Alabama with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

He was a native and life long resident of Conecuh County. He attended London Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and was a retired truck driver having drove for Poole, Evergreen Transportation, and Price Trucking.

He is survived by a son, Mitchell Baker of Evergreen; daughter, Beverly Baker (Sean Bacon) Griggers of Cantonment, Fla.; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorine Pettis Baker; and three sisters, Ollie Mae Bartlett, Ora Dell Janes and Pauline Shell.

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

James Clayton Kirkland

Brewton

James “Jimmy” Clayton Kirkland, 75, of Old Bay Road in Brewton, passed away Wed., Jan. 11, 2017, in a local hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Sat., Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Minister Richard Rogers and Minister Steve Parker officiating. Interment with military honors followed in Union Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

He was a native of Castleberry, and a life long resident of Brewton. He was a member of the L Pond Church of Christ and the Brewton Church of Christ, a graduate of Conecuh County High School, a U.S. Army Veteran, and a retired digester cook from Jefferson Smurfitt with 42 and half years of service. He enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Sharron O’Bannon Kirkland of Brewton; three sons, Rodney (Angie) Kirkland of Beaufort, N.C., Ronald (Karen) Kirkland and Jeffery (Heather) Kirkland, both of Brewton; daughters, Diana (Shaun) Blake of Brewton; two sisters, Gail (Billy) Warren of Castleberry, and Barbra Jean (Jim) Page of Pensacola, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Katie, Cam, Kelli, Madison, Logan, Clay, Maegan, Matthew and Ashlyn; uncle, Bobby (Burt) Bowers Kalma, Wash.; and first cousin, Cathy Adams of Holt, Fla.

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

Dennis Wade Maddox

Brewton

Dennis “Wade” Maddox Sr., 54, of Brewton, passed away Wed., Jan. 11, 2017, in a local hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Fri., Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Lee Cadenhead officiating. Interment followed in Ridge Road Baptist Church Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

He was a native of Pensacola, Fla., and a life long resident of Brewton. He was of the Baptist faith, attended W.S. Neal High School, and was employed as a painter and welder at Lucas Tire and Welding.

He is survived by his daughter, Denise (Tim) Blosser; two sons, Dennis Maddox Jr., and Jonathon (Victoria) Maddox; two grandchildren, Melody Blosser, and James Maddox; two nephews, Doug Maddox and Benny (Alisha) Maddox; three great nieces; and one great nephew, all of Brewton.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Maddox; mother, Evelyn Maddox; and brother, Douglas Maddox.

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

William Price

Flomaton

William Price, 86, of Flomaton, passed away on Sun., Jan. 15, at D.W. McMillian Memorial Hospital in Brewton.

Visitation will be held on Thurs., Jan. 19, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 until 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Fri., Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. at Little Escambia Baptist Church with Dr. Larry Patterson and the Rev. Bobby Carnley officiating and Flomaton Funeral Home directing.

Interment will follow in Little Escambia Cemetery in Flomaton.

Pallbearers will be Joe Heinz, Will Heinz, Mark Bagley, Brad Conner, Jeremy Roberts and Levi Findley.

He was born in Hurricane and had been a member of the Flomaton community for 42 years coming from Pensacola, Fla. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was retired from CSX Railroad as a conductor.

He was an active member of Little Escambia Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his son, Warren ‘BoBo’ Burkett; parents, James and Johnny Price; and brothers, Rudolph, Jack, and Donald Price.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Price of Flomaton; son, Jonathan Price of Pensacola; daughters, Nancy (Joe) Heinz of Denver, Colo., Neva (Jeff) McQuarrie of Dumfries, Va., Ruby (Mark) Bagley of Jay, Fla.; brother, Dan Price of Valparaiso, Fla.; sister, Betty June Ehler of Minnesota; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

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

Edward Earl  King Sr.

Cantonment, Fla.

Edward Earl King Sr., 80, of West Roberts Road in Cantonment, Fla., passed away Tues., Jan., 10, 2017, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Wed., Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, with Pastor Glenn Daniel officiating. Interment followed in Elim Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

He was a native and long time resident of Brewton before moving to Cantonment. He attended Elim Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and was retired from Monsanto with 37 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing poker, dominos and Alabama football.

He is survived by his wife, Sara Frances Blair King of Cantonment; four sons, Edward King, Jr. of Baton Rouge, La., Marlin King of LaPlace, La., and Donald King and Glenn Eugene King, both of Cantonment; four daughters, Patricia Parker of Pensacola, Donna Lee Qualls of Milton, Fla., Sara Elizabeth Sapp of Pensacola, and Carla Marie King of Cantonment; two brothers, Bill King of Brewton, Ralph King of Allentown, Fla.; 15 grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.

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

Edward Sadler Seward

Brewton

Edward Sadler Seward, 96, passed away Mon., Jan. 9, 2017, in the Brewton hospital.

Funeral services were held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Thurs., Jan. 12, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Michael King officiating. Interment with full military honors followed in Weaver Cemetery.

He was born in Gatesville, Texas. He had been a resident of East Brewton for 36 years prior to moving to Helena, Ga., in 2010.  He and his wife returned to live in Brewton a short time ago. He was a nearly 30-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  n active member of the community, he was past president of the Escambia County Historical Society, oversaw the publication of the book “Heritage of Escambia County,” was a radio announcer with WEBJ for a long while and for WKNU for a short while. He was also a member of North Brewton Baptist Church. 

He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Seward.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Hooks Seward of Brewton; four daughters, Barbara Dugie and Catherine Elizabeth O’Neil, both of San Antonio, Texas, and Rebecca Seward and Mary Kay Sherman, both of Warner Robins, Ga.; two sons, Joseph Warren McCarter of Helena, Ga., and Steve McCarter of Byron, Ga.; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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

John Henry Morris Sr.

Navarre, Fla.

John Henry Morris, Sr., 95, of Navarre, passed away on Sat., Jan. 7, 2017 in a Pensacola, Fla., nursing home.

Funeral services were held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Wed., Jan. 11, at  noon with the Rev. James Peacock officiating. Interment followed at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in the Wild Fork Community.

He was born in Brewton. Growing up, he worked on the family farm and joined the Three Cs camp in Baldwin County as a cook. He then went to work in the shipyards in Mobile and Pascagoula, Miss. Following his retirement, he moved to Navarre.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Florence Morris; four brothers; and five sisters.

He is survived by three children, John Morris Jr.; two daughters, Deborah and Michelle; one sister, Christine Strength; brother, Ronald Morris; his caretaker, Carolyn Doll of Navarre; and a number of nieces and nephews.

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

Alex Luker Jr.

Brewton

Alex Luker Jr., 96, of Mayo Street East Brewton, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 13, 2017, at his residence after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Mon., Jan. 16, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Cliff Mitchem and the Rev. Larry Watts officiating. Interment with military honors followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Walnut Hill, Fla., with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

He was a native of Oak Grove, Fla., a former resident of Cleveland, Tenn., and a long time resident of East Brewton. He was a member and deacon of the East Brewton First Baptist Church. He attended schools in Oak Grove and Bratt, Fla. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, and a retired recovery operator from Jefferson Smurfit with 26 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Cozette Mitchem Luker of East Brewton; son, Stephen Alex (Roxann) Luker of Thomasville; daughter, Peggy Ann (Jack) Luker Merchant of Milton, Fla.; brother, Edwin Luker of Mobile; sister, Janice Shelton of Mobile; five grandchildren; and four great grand children.

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

James Alden Pugh Jr.

Brewton

James Alden Pugh, Jr., 56, of McGougin Road in Brewton passed away Wed.,  Jan. 11, 2017, in a Mobile hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Mon., Jan.16, at 10 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Pendleton officiating. Interment followed in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

He was a native and life long resident of Brewton. He was of the Holiness faith and a former truck driver and roofer.

He is survived by his second mother, Marcelle McGougin; son, James L. (Melissa) Pugh; three daughters, Sandy (Russell) Clausell, Lisa Pugh and Marcie Pugh; four brothers, Robert Pugh, Donald Pugh and Jason Pugh, all of Brewton, and Zolyn Pugh of Castleberry; two sisters, Ramona Sawyer and Tracey Ryals, both of Brewton; 16 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by parents, James William and Elizabeth Ann Steele Pugh, and granddaughter, Alexis Pugh.

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

Nelda Ann Bell

Cumming, Ga.

Nelda Ann Bell, age 77, passed away Sat., Jan. 14, 2017, in a Cumming hospital.

Funeral services were held on Tues., Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. at Brewton First Baptist Church with the Rev. John Finklea officiating.

She was born in Luverne, and had been a resident of Cumming, for the past 15 years, coming from Brewton.  She worked as a driver’s license examiner for the State of Alabama during her working years.  She was a former member of Brewton First Baptist Church and was a current member of Cumming Baptist Church.

She is survived by two sons, David (Cheryl) Bell of Roswell, Ga., and Doug (Sarah) Bell of Atlanta, Ga.; one daughter, Debbie (Alan) Arena of Cumming; one sister, Hazel Moore of Cumming; and 10 grandchildren, Austin, Anthony, Michael, Lauren, Emily, Audrey, Kaitlyn, Meredith, Charlie and Jennifer.

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

Luther Darrell Mitchell

Castleberry

Luther Darrell Mitchell, 67, passed away Mon., Jan. 16, 2017, at his Castleberry residence.

Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home today, from 11 a.m. until service time at noon.

Funeral services will be held today, Jan. 18, at noon at Craver’s Funeral Home with Minister Steve Parker officiating.  Interment will follow in Cooper Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tony Hawthorne, Dwight Blair, Mike Hawthorne, Richard Hawthorne, Greg Hawthorne and John Allen

He was born in San Augustine, Texas, and had been a resident of Century, Fla., prior to moving to Castleberry 47 years ago.  He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Vietnam War, and worked as a machinist at Brewton Iron Works for a number of years. 

He was a member of L Pond Church of Christ. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Earline Mitchell; and a brother, Harold Mitchell.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ruthie Blair Mitchell of Castleberry; two sons, Luke (Lacinda) Mitchell of Flomaton, and William (Kelly) Mitchell of Brewton; five grandchildren, Logan, Lindsey, Lainey, Madison and Ace; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.

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