Obituaries for Wed., April 5, 2017, edition
Published 6:51 pm Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Dr. Cleatus Aaron Dozier
Brewton
Dr. Cleatus Aaron Dozier, 96, died on Sat., March 25, 2017, in Pensacola, Fla.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton with the Rev. John Finklea officiating. Interment followed in Fort Crawford Cemetery in East Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one’s favorite charity.
He was a longtime resident of Brewton and received his early education in Brewton. After graduation from T.R. Miller High School in 1938, he attended Auburn University and Atlanta Dental College (Emory University).
While in dental school, he joined the U.S. Navy Reserves and was called to active duty in January 1944. He volunteered to serve with the U.S. Marine Corp, 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Amphibious Corp, in the Pacific Theatre of Operations in World War II in the Medical Corp. He was awarded the World War II Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Service and China Occupation medals during his service.
Returning to Brewton in 1946, he joined his father in dental practice and married Edith Cain in August of the same year. He started a dental health clinic for children with the Escambia County Health Department in 1956.
With caring hands, competence and skill, he continued treating patients until retiring from his practice in 1990. During that time, he served as president of the Fourth District Alabama Dental Association and in several officer capacities with the Alabama Dental Association.
He was president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1953 and a member of the American Legion for 69 years.
An avid fisherman and hunter, he shared his love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren. He was a farmer at heart and worked tirelessly raising all manner of vegetables, fruits and animals, including Tennessee Walker horses that he showed with great pride.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. B.D. Dozier; mother, Virginia Olive Dozier; sister, Annie Laura Shirah; and son, William Daniel Dozier.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Edith Cain Dozier; three children, Joe Cain (Beverly) Dozier, Judy Dozier (Charles) Drysdale and Donna Dozier (Whitney) Bush; 10 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.
Charles Norman Land
Brewton
Charles Norman Land, 58, of Brewton, passed away on Tues., March 28, 2017, at his home.
Graveside services were held on Sat., April 1, at Green Acres Cemetery in at 10 a.m. with Minister Roger Rodgers and Speaker Rick Wilson officiating and Craver’s Funeral Home directing.
He was born in Brewton and spent his lifetime there where he was a graduate of the Class of 1977 of T.R. Miller High School. He worked as a journeyman in the pattern department for Brewton Iron Works. He was a member of the Brewton Church of Christ and was preceded in death by his father, Charles Edward Land Jr.
He is survived by his mother, Jouette White Land; son, Charles Tyler Land; daughters, Rachel Land, all of Brewton, and Ashley (Ali) Zagday of Aldie, Va.; sister, Carolyn Barnes of Brewton; grandson, Brayden Blackburn; and niece, Caitlin Barnes of Florence.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.
Sarah Melissa Chavers Carden
Pollard
Sarah Melissa Chavers Carden, 94, passed away on March 24, 2017 – 41 days short of her 95th birthday.
Funeral services were held on Sat., April 1, at 2 p.m. at Cravers Funeral Home in Brewton. Interment followed at the Pollard Cemetery.
Pallbearers were her grandson and great grandsons. Speakers at her service were her son, the Rev. Kenneth Carden, and grandson, the Rev. Nathan Carden.
She was born in Pollard to John Columbus Chavers and Eugenia Byrd Chavers. She was the youngest of five children.
She was preceded in death by her two sisters. Ruby Chavers Powell, and Sylvia Chavers Simmons; and two brothers, Bud Chavers, and J.C. Chavers. Her parents each had two children from first marriages and all nine older half-brothers and half sisters also preceded her in death.
In 1939, at the age of 17, she married Lester Marques Carden. They eloped because they were afraid her father would be angry, but three days later they told him. The couple remained married for 57 years until his death in October 1996. They had four children. In 1989 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with all of their children and extended family members.
She spent her life caring for the needs of their home and children. She was an excellent Southern cook and especially made good skillet cornbread, homemade chicken and dumplings, and fried apple turnover tarts. Food was always on the table at her house. She was a faithful member of the Madison Church of Nazarene in Nashville, Tenn.
She is survived by two children; one daughter, Carol Diane Carden (Steve) Proffitt, and their children, Melissa Proffitt (Matt) Nicholson, Shelley Proffittt (Brian) Eagan, and Stuart Carden (Kasey) Carden; and a son, Kenneth (Penney) Carden and their children, Brian Carden, Nathan (Kameron) Carden, Stephen (Tanya) Carden, Jenny Carden Robinson and Kerri Carden (Zach) Warrick.
She was preceded in death by Lamar Carden, father of a daughter, Kristy Carden; (Tim) Shaffer and a son, Mark Carden; and Lester Carden, father of a daughter, Angela Carden (Jerry) Barnes. She is survived by 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Those wishing to donate in her memory can give a gift to your local animal shelter or to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. NCM helps people around the world affected by natural disasters, giving 100 percent of donations to those in need of emergency aid. The address is 503 Lanier Drive, Madison, TN 37122.
Billie Nell Cooper
Jay, Fla.
Billie Nell Cooper, 84, of Jay, Fla., passed away on Thurs., March 30, 2017, in Century, Fla.
Visitation was held on Sun., April 2, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. until a 3 p.m. service time with the Rev. Robert Gandy and the Rev. Mitch Herring officiating and Flomaton Funeral Home directing. Interment followed in Poplar Dell Cemetery in Century.
Pallbearers were Dave Davis, Rick McKinley, Carl Gandy, Tony Moody, George Chavers and Judson Carden.
She was a native of White Flat, Texas, and had been a member of the Century community since 1977 coming from Fort Walton Beach, Fla. During her working years, she worked as a bookkeeper at Lackland Air Force Base. She was a member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Claude “Bo” Cooper.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Gene) Findley; granddaughter, McKayla McConathy, both of Byrneville, Fla.; brother, Myron (Francis) Winstead of San Antonio, Texas; sister, Jewel (Huddy) Hudson of Ft Clark, Texas; sisters-in-laws, Polly (Carl) Gandy of Gandyville, Fla., and Bonnie (Sonny) Davis of York, S.C.; numerous nieces, nephews and friends; granddaughter, Heather (Aubrey) Freeman of Birmingham; grandsons, Cameron and Hayden of Pensacola, Fla.; special family, Dave and Danielle Davis, Paige and Joshua; special friend, Melinda Black and the family of Angie Jackson.
Special thanks to The Terrace of Jay for making the last few years of her life full and independent, as well as to Emerald Coast Hospice and Century Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at flomatonfh.com.
Gary Trimble
Brewton
Gary Trimble, 77, of Brewton passed away Wed., March 29, 2017, at D.W. McMillian Hospital.
A celebration of his life was held on Mon., April 3, at the First United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
He was born on May 12, 1939, in Cullman.
He predeceases his wife; Carolyn Trimble; sons, Scott Trimble (Carole) of Helena and Pat Trimble (Kim) of Dickson, Tenn.; and daughter, Alicelyn Hudson (Ames) of Destin, Fla. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Caroline Hudson, Kelsey Trimble, and Matthew, Andrew, David, Aaron, Nathan Trimble, Andy Hudson and Audrey Garris.
He moved to Brewton in 1966 to work for Container Corporation of America. He enjoyed many positions throughout his 32-year career with Container and was vice president and resident manager when he retired in 1998. Prior to moving to Brewton, he had worked for Beloit Corporation in Beloit, Wis.
He graduated from Auburn University and Jones Valley High School in Birmingham. He was the son of Woodrow and Lila Trimble; and the brother of Nancy (Billy) Trimble Agerton. He was a charter member of the Brewton Jaycees and served on (and in) many other boards and committees and clubs during his 51 years in Brewton including Rotary Club and Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Brewton Planning Commission and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Brewton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.
Charles Franklin Sawyer
Castleberry
Charles Franklin Sawyer, 78, of Castleberry passed away on Thurs., March 30, 2017, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after a brief illness.
Funeral services were held on Sun., April 2, at 2:30 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton with the Rev. Jacob Morgan and the Rev. Buddy Williams officiating. Interment followed in the London Cemetery in Castleberry with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
He was a native and long time resident of Conecuh County and was a founding member and elder at Vine and Branches Church, He was a retired school bus driver from the Conecuh County School System with 30 years of service and was retired from the U.S. Military with 14 years of service having served in the Army and the National Guard.
Survivors include his wife, Sarah Sirmon Sawyer; five daughters, Peggy Sue Sawyer, both of Castleberry, Sue Jane Schimit of Mobile, Sherry Bercaw of Robertsdale, Dyan Watson of Kaufman, Texas, and Patsy Brewer of Uriah; son, Steven Eggers of Owassa; brother, Donald Sawyer of Montgomery, Texas; four sisters, Joyce Gleaves of Spanish Fort, Eleanor Lambert of Dozier, Sylvia Browing of Spanish Fort and Marilyn Vonderau of Gantt; 16 grandchildren, Karen Luttrell, Jennifer Lambeth, Zac Davis, Anthony Weaver, Brian Thornton, Brandon Thornton, Joey Street, Vickey Street, Robert Street, Chris Eggers, Kimberly Williams, Tyler Eggers, Cassey Becker, Carrie Kilgo, Edward Brewer and Daniel Brewer; and a number of great grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.
Margaret A. Brown
Brewton
Margaret A. Brown, 77, of Brewton, died on March 25, 2017, after an extended illness.
Funeral services were held on Sat., April 1, at 11 a.m. at Second St. Siloam Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Willie J. Blue officiating. Interment followed in Bergen Memorial Cemetery in Brewton with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.
She was born on March 12, 1940, to the late Sammie Lee and Mattie Anderson in Conecuh County.
She worked for many years at Judy Bond before becoming ill. She was a gifted and talented seamstress who made beautiful articles of clothing for herself and others. Her humor and vivaciousness will be woven into her family’s memories for years to come.
She was preceded in death by three children, Vera Mae Bradley, Herman Levon Bradley Jr. and Jacqueline Michelle Bradley; her first husband, Herman Levon Bradley Sr.; her second husband, Claud Brown; brothers, Robert Lee Anderson, Joe Lee Anderson, Walter C. Anderson and Olester Anders; and sisters, Quintella Patrick, Eloise Woods and Dorothy Davis.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Anthony) Green of Okinawa, Japan; sons, Danny (Julia) Bradley and Scotty Bradley, both of Brewton; grandson, Demoris (Barbie) Bradley of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two brothers, Willie Anderson of Summerdale and Eugene Anderson of Brewton; two sisters, Novella Richardson of Repton and Minnie Prime of Brewton; eight additional grandchildren; five great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Autry Vernon Jackson
East Brewton
Autry Vernon Jackson, 92, of Shoffner Street, East Brewton, passed away Sat., April 1, 2017, at his residence after a brief illness.
Funeral services were held on Tues., April 4, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton with the Rev. Steve Pugh officiating and interment following in Damascus Cemetery.
He was a native and life long resident of Brewton and of the Baptist faith. He was a former employee at Precision Manufacturing and was a retired equipment operator from the Escambia County, Ala., Road Department. He enjoyed fishing.
He is survived by his son, Kenny (Sandra) Jackson of Brewton; three grandchildren, Jamie Jackson, Trina (Richard) Blackburn and Tasha Stokes; and seven great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Addie Belle, Kendall Jackson and Bertie Fleming Jackson.
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.
Elton Edward Cardwell
Castleberry
Elton Edward Cardwell, 82, of Castleberry, passed away on Fri., March 31, 2017, at his home.
Funeral services were held on Tues., April 4, at 11 a.m., with Craver’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Gam Graves and Bro. J. Heath Wilson officiating. Interment followed in Weaver Cemetery.
He was born in Century, Fla., and had been a resident of Castleberry for 23 years, coming from Brewton. He worked as a machine operator at T.R. Miller Mill. He was of the Pentecostal faith and was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Dora Cardwell; brother, Buddy Cardwell; and sisters, Helen Spence and Mary Dixon.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eugenia Bobbie Durden Cardwell; sons, Randy (Devon) Cardwell and Tim (Felicia) Cardwell, all of Castleberry; daughters, Janet (Hal) Whitman of Brewton and Lorrie (Dan) Evans of Jacksonville, Fla.; brothers, Johnny (Barbara) Cardwell of Brewton and Wiley “W.C .” (Laura) Cardwell of Dixonville; grandchildren, Amanda Kelley, Daniel Cardwell, Cassie Whitman, Emily Cardwell, Ethan Cardwell, Zack Herrington; and great grand-children; Kailyn Bell, Aiden Whitman, Cash Kelley, Kipton Kelly, Kiefer Cardwell.
Pallbearers were Daniel Cardwell, Ethan Cardwell, Zack Herrington, Jamie Martin, Hal Whitman and Jeff Cardwell.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.
Elva Odell Ward
Brewton
Elva Odell Ward, 93, of Brewton, passed away on Wed., March 22, 2017, at her home.
Funeral services were held on Sun., March 26, at 2 p.m. at Craver’s Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Waylon Stuckey officiating.
She was born in the Pineview Community where she was a lifelong member and a homemaker. She was a member of Hall’s Creek Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her son, Wayne Ward, and husband, Vernon Ward.
She is survived by her daughter, Doris Jean (Howard) Hoomes of Pineview; daughter-in-law, Sarah Ward of Brewton; grandchildren, Chris (Arlene) Hoomes, John Hoomes, Stacy (Tim) Williams, Lance (Holly) Ward, Scott Ward and Josh Ward; great-grandchildren, Michelle Parker, Wesley Hoomes, Haley Hoomes and Megan Parker; great-great-grandchildren, Shyla Bell, Jep Parker, Jackson Parker; and nieces, nephews and other family members.
Pallbearers were Chris Hoomes, John Hoomes, Wesley Hoomes, Scott Ward, Josh Ward and Lance Ward. Honorary pallbearer was Tim Williams.
Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.