Obituaries for the week of Oct. 24, 2018

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Billy Joe Griffin
Brewton
Mr. Billy Joe Griffin, age 87 of Juniper Creek Drive in Brewton, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 after a brief illness. Mr. Griffin was a native of Fort Payne, Alabama and a former resident of Bay Minette before moving to Brewton in 1962. He served as the administrator for D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital from 1962 until he retired in 1994. Mr. Griffin was a retired colonel in the United States Army, served in the Army Reserves, and in the Alabama National Guard as well. During his time of military service, he was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal. He was a 1949 graduate of Baldwin County High school, and was later inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He served on the board of the Brewton City School System for a number of years. He was a long time member of the Brewton Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was voted Brewton “Citizen of the Year” in 1978. Honored with the Gold Medal of Excellence by the Alabama Hospital Association. Served on the Board of Trustees of Southern Normal High School, a Baptist Health Care board member, and a board member of Trustmark Bank (formerly First National Bank). Mr. Griffin loved Alabama “Crimson Tide” football, enjoyed woodworking even taking classes at the local Vo-Tech in Evergreen. He was a “scratch golfer” and thoroughly enjoyed “games of chance” with his friends. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brewton.
He is survived by his son, Chris (Robin) Griffin of Brewton; three daughters, Gwenda (Steve) Faulk of Brewton, Karen (Mark) Eastman of Austin, Texas, Sondra (Jimmy) Wacker of Mobile; two step-sons, Butch (Diane) Stokes of Fairhope, Joe (Donna Kay) McCurdy of Jay; eight grandchildren, Tim Faulk, Joseph Faulk, Kaitlyn Jones, Christopher Griffin, Zachary Griffin, Emily Eastman, Griffin Wacker, Dylan Wacker; step-grandchildren, Heath Stokes, Laura Bird, Madison McCurdy; great-grandchilden, Charlotte Griffin, Zane McRee; step great-grandchild, Ava Grace Bird.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Zollie Bruce and Inez Cullpepper Griffin; wife, Gwendolyn Watts Griffin; wife, Josephine “Jo” Griffin; two brothers, Leon Griffin, Denver Griffin; sisters, Imogene Miller, Iona Quinley, Ginger Merrill.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 from 1 p.m. until 3 P.M. service time at First Baptist Church of Brewton.

Funeral services for Mr. Billy Joe Griffin will be held Sunday Sept. 30, 2018 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Brewton with Bro. John Finklea officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Bay Minette Cemetery in Bay Minette at 5:30 p.m. with Bro. Jack Fitts officiating.
Active Pallbearers: Christopher Griffin, Zac Griffin, Joseph Faulk, Griffin Wacker, David Stokes, Randell Little, Pat Poole, Joey Turner.
Honorary Pallbearers: Bobby Petro, George Aust, Billy Whittle, Joe Terrell, Phillip Parker, John Downing, John Bagwell, James Walker, Winston Rushing, Ted Jennings, Floyd Grice, Bobby Bardwell, Jim Shirley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: D.W. McMillan Health Care Foundation c/o D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital P. O. Box 908 Brewton, Ala. 36427

Wyvonnie stuckey
Evergreen
Mrs. Wyvonnie McCurdy (Como) Stuckey of Evergreen passed away Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 at a local hospital. She was 92. She was one of ten children, “Boots” as she was known to her family, was the last remaining sibling born to Ruben and Ruby McCurdy. She was called Bonnie by all of friends in Evergreen.
Born to Ruby Inez Jones McCurdy and Ruben McCurdy on October 25, 1925. Some of her favorite songs, Sweet Hour of Prayer, I come to the Garden Alone, Will the Circle be Unbroken and OH How I love Jesus. Wyvonnie Stuckey was a faithful attending member of Evergreen United Methodist Church as an adult. As a child she attended Mt Carmel United Methodist Church in Mt Carmel, Fla. community. She loved her church and took great joy in attending. In her later years when her hearing was impaired, she still attended with a big smile and joyous greeting for those with whom she worshipped. In addition to go to church she enjoyed the time she spent supervising Rotary Club Dinners at church. Fishing, (and taking others with her) working in her yard, and cooking for others brought her great joy.
Survivors include, her son, Lewis Como (Cathy) of Castleberry; daughter, Rogene Martin (David) of Brewton; grandchildren, Bryan (Claudia) Como, Michelle and Mike, Stephanie (James) Hewett of Bossier City LA, Stephen (Alisha) Martin, Rebekah (Kervin) Martin of Flomaton. She was blessed with nine great grandchildren who called her “great Mama”
She was preceded in death by her husband Willie W. Stuckey and all nine siblings.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 at Cope-Keahey Chapel with Rev. Edward Robinson and Rev. Bill Messer officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church Cemetery with Cope Keahey Funeral Home of Evergreen directing. The family will receive friends one out prior to services at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be, James Hewett, Stephen Martin, Kevin Powel, David Ward, and Mike Brooks.

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Mattie Bell Lynch
East Brewton
Mrs. Mattie Bell Hodge Lynch, age 96 of Victory Street in East Brewton, passed away Thursday Sept. 27, 2018 at her residence after a brief illness. Mrs. Lynch was a native of Conecuh County, Alabama and was a retired caregiver. She was of the Protestant faith.
She is survived by her son, Gene Lynch of East Brewton; daughter, Polly (Mitch) Pace of Brewton; two brothers, Lavon (Sue) Hodge of Brewton, Lamar (Linda) Hodge of Brewton; six grandchildren, Melinda Davis, Tammy Davis, Tina Clayton, Paula Webber, Rodney Pace, Terry Thomas Kennedy. great grandchildren; Erika Davis, William Brantley, Marissa Mealer, Chad Baggett, Payton Neal, Rodney Pace Jr, Gabriella Grace Pace, Reagan Kennedy, Tristan Kennedy, Kylee Kennedy. great-great-grandchildren, Alex Brantley, Damian Brantley, Emmett Mealer; Fur Baby, Cosmo “Doggy”
She is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel & Jessie Clark Hodge; her husband of 38 years, Collis Lynch; son; Tommy Lynch; brothers; Buddy Hodge, Hamp Hodge, Jimmy Hodge; sisters, Edna Powell, Evelyn Bates.
Visitation will be held Sunday evening Sept. 30, 2018 from 6 until 8 P.M. at Craver’s Funeral Home Inc.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mattie Bell Hodge Lynch are scheduled for Monday morning Oct. 1, 2018 at 11 A.M. from the Chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home Inc. with Brother Don Cox and Brother Robert Knowles officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Crawford Cemetery with Craver’s Funeral Home Inc. of Brewton directing.
Pallbearers: Rodney Pace, Bill Davis, Chris Clayton, Tim Hodge, Jake Hodge, Daniel Hodge

Charles Bowles
Flomaton
Mr. Charles Bowles, age 84, of Flomaton, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 at his home following a lengthy illness.
He leaves his wife of 61 years, Mary Frances (Hendricks) Bowles; his son, Michael Bowles, and wife, Alison of Jonesboro,Ga.; his daughter, Ann Rawlinson, and her husband, Jimmy of Cantonment, Fla.; his brother, Bob, and his wife, Betty of Madison, AL; nephew, Bradley Bowles of Dallas, Tx.; his granddaughters, Ashley Steel, and her husband, Jeffery of Cantonment, Fla., and Jamie Nisewonger, and her husband, Timothy John, of Opelika; two great-grandchildren, Holliegh, and Olivia, and many friends.
Mr. Bowles was born, and raised in Decatur, and was the son of Grady and Kathleen Richards Bowles. In his early years, he would deliver newspapers. After graduating from Decatur High School in 1951, he attended Auburn University where he graduated in 1956 from the school of pharmacy. He met his wife, Mary Frances while she was at Huntington College, and they were married at Flomaton United Methodist Church. He later joined the Alabama National Guard.
After serving with the National Guard, Mr. Bowles had the opportunity to become the president of Flomaton Wholesale. He not only took pride in his business, but he also truly relished the friends he made during this time. Over the years, his education would lead him back to pharmacy, and he worked as a pharmacist at several local establishments.
Mr. Bowles had a passion for community, and was an active member in the Lion’s Club. For over sixty years, he would attend meetings and participate in activities.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 10 a.m. to an 11 a.m. service with Rev. Kathy McKinley officiating.
Interment will follow in the Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be members of the Flomaton Lions Club.
Please share your memories and condolences with the family at www.flomatonfh.com.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.