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Roy Allen Couch, Sr.

East Brewton

Dr. Roy Allen Couch, Sr., 95 of Forrest Avenue in East Brewton, passed away Friday, September 18, 2020,  in a local nursing facility after a brief illness. 

Born in Union Grove and raised in Weaver, he took up residence in East Brewton where he started his practice on December 7, 1950.  He served the community for 65 years before he retired in 2015 at age 90. During his time in East Brewton, Dr. Couch served on the Escambia County School Board for 12 years where he served as Chairman of the Board from 1965-1966 and again from 1970-1971 before stepping down from the Board in 1974. He was also an active member of the Civitan Club, serving in several leadership positions through the years.  A member of the First Baptist Church of East Brewton, Dr. Couch served as Sunday School Director and taught the youth training union class alongside his wife, Helen. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty Brooks Couch of East Brewton; one son, Allen (Sharon) Couch Jr. of Brewton; three daughters, Ann Couch (Larry) Crosby of Brewton; Nancy Brooks Peevy and Susan Brooks Bryant; fourteen grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Thomas and Martha Vera Rhodes Couch; his first wife and mother of their children, Helen Reid Couch; and a son, Greg Brooks.

Graveside services were held Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Green Acres Cemetery. Interment immediately followed.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Hermine Melton Downing

Brewton

Mrs. Hermine Melton Downing, 86, of Escambia Avenue in Brewton, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020 in a Pensacola, Fla., health care facility. 

Mrs. Downing was a native of Mobile and moved to Brewton at an early age. She graduated from T.R. Miller High School, Huntington College with a Bachelors of Art and was a graduate of The University of Alabama receiving her Master Of Arts. She taught Theatre Arts, speech and dance at Jefferson Davis Community College and served as sponsor for the Jefferson Davis Cheerleaders. She also served as administrator of the Patterson Auditorium and directed many Jefferson Davis theater  productions. Mrs. Downing was instrumental in forming the Brewton Arts Council and was a life-long member.  She served as Worship Chairman for many years at Brewton First United Methodist Church where she was a member.

She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Rhonda Holzborn of Spanish Fort; a sister, Caroline Skinner; two grandchildren, Ann Raines Holzborn and Clay Holzborn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Lee Downing; and a son, Travis Holzborn.
Due to the impact of Hurricane Sally, Mrs. Downing’s graveside funeral service will held at Union Cemetery on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Bobby Ellisor officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First United Methodist Church, Brewton Arts Council or charity of ones choosing.

Craver’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charles Gabriel Minchew

Brewton

Mr. Charles Gabriel Minchew passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at his residence after a brief illness. He was a native and life-long resident of Brewton.

Mr. Minchew was a member of the East Brewton United Methodist Church, a graduate of W.S. Neal High School, served in the U.S. Army and National Guard, and a retired digester cook from Container Corporation with 36 years of service. He enjoyed RVing, camping, and fishing.

He is survived by one daughter, Linda Minchew (Ronald Edward) Whiddon of Pensacola, Fla.; one son, Richard Donald (Tammy Butts) Minchew of Brewton; one sister, Mary Francis Minchew Hammond of Baton Rouge, La.; two brothers, Caylop Minchew of Brewton and Henry Hartward Minchew of Baton Rouge, La.; three grandchildren, Julia Minchew, Bonnie Minchew and Edmund (Brenda Pellegrino) Minchew; three great-grandchildren, Ian Jones, Micha Jones and Haven Jones; a special friend, Pat McArthur; a daughter –in-law, Sheila Tolbert, Minchew.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Catherin Minchew; a son, Michael Charles Minchew; a sister, Maybelle Singleton; and two brothers, Howard Minchew and Mason Minchew.

Funeral services were held Monday, September 21, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Bernie Raines and the Rev. Mike Brasher officiating. Interment followed in Fort Crawford Cemetery in East Brewton.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Evelyn

Weaver Rowland

Range

Mrs. Virginia Evelyn Weaver Rowland, 76 of Brushy Creek Road in Range, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020 at her residence after a brief illness.

She was a native of Charity Chapel, a former resident of Mobile before moving to Range. She was a member of the Appleton Assembly of God Church, attended Citronelle High School, and was a retired warehouse manager from Akzo Nobel chemical plant. She enjoyed spending time with family, cooking, traveling, and growing flowers. 

She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Vernon Rowland of Range; three daughters,  Michelle (Danny) Fell of Skipperville, Amanda (David) Hammac of Semmes, Marilyn (Eastman) Weaver of Satsuma; two sons, Chase Rowland of Ozark, Lowell (Garilyn) Rowland of Pensacola, Fla.; one brother, Roy Weaver of Semmes; three sisters, Leatha Little of California, Ida Garner and Etta Reynolds; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Johnston and other family members.

Funeral Services were held Friday, September 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral home with the Rev. Dwight Weaver officiating. Interment followed in Range Cemetery.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home wasin charge of arrangements.

Margaret Walker Graves

Brewton

Mrs. Margaret Walker Graves, 80, of Cedar Tree Road in Brewton passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at her residence. 

Margaret Walker Graves was born January 23, 1940 in Rock Springs, Wyo., to Donald and Jane Walker.  She attended school in Rock Springs, graduating with the class of 1958. She was a member of the civil air patrol discharged with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. She met her husband in Rock Springs, Wyo., and they later moved to Pineview. She went to Reid State Technical School’s nursing program and became an LPN.  She worked at D.W. McMillan for 26 years. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Buford Graves; infant daughter; parents, Donald and Jane Walker, and her grandfather William McMillan who helped to raise her after her father was killed in a coal mine accident days before she was born, and two brothers preceded her as well. 

Mrs. Graves was a member of Liberty Baptist Church.  She loved to cross-stitch and enjoyed to watch western shows, riding the golfcart and loved red cardinals very much.

She is survived by a son, William (Vanita) Walker of Laurel Hill, Fla.; 3 daughters, Jamie (Michael) Mitchell of Opp, Julie (Donnie) Grissett of Brewton and Roylene (Shawn) Emmons of Brewton; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; special friends, Margaret Brown of Tennessee, Charlotte Hendricksen of Wyoming, John Lopez of Utah, and Lynn Baxter of Flomaton.

Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Walker Graves were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2020 from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Brother Tony Richburg officiating.  Interment followed in Pineview Cemetery in the Pineview community.

Pallbearers were  Roy Brown, Gage Hagen, Chandler Hagen, Matt Schrock, Michael Stump, Nathan Stump, Howard Hoomes, Tristen Pace, and Danny Ray Wilson.

Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Nelmer Jean Rogers

Brewton

Mrs. Nelmer Jean “Nell” Hawthorne Rogers, 78, of Fleming Lane in Brewton, passed away Thursday morning September 17, 2020 at her Brewton residence.

Mrs. Rogers was a native of Jay, Fla., and a former resident of Spring, Texas and Pollard.  She was a nurse’s assistant in home health care and was a certified EMT and had assisted transporting patients on many life-flights. She was of the Christian faith.

She is survived by 2 sons, Timothy (Debra) Wiggins of Spring, Texas, Ricky (Ruth) Enfinger of Chumuckla, Fla.; daughter, Sharon Holmes of Spring, Texas; three grandchildren, Lilli Wiggins, Nola Wiggins, Branwyn Flaws; one great-grandson, Robert Flaws.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Lizzie Kate Hawthorne; husband, Robert Wiggins and many siblings.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 9 a.m.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 10 a.m. from the Chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Beulah Chapel Cemetery in the Byrneville, Fla., community.

Craver’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Sasser Langham

Brewton

Carolyn Sasser Langham died peacefully at home on September 19th, one month short of her 89th birthday. 

She was born in Brantley on October 17th, 1931 to Willie Mae and Foster Gilliard Sasser. Graduating from Brantley High School, she then studied at Troy University where she earned her teaching degree. She met her husband of 64 years, Ray, while at Troy. The two married in Brantley in 1955 and moved to Brewton where she began her teaching career. She was a beloved and cherished teacher for nearly 30 years and leaves behind scores of students who hold her in high esteem. 

She was a member of the Brewton Civic League, Garden Club of Brewton and First United Methodist Church. She was a devoted wife and mother with a wide circle of friends. 

She is survived by her two children, Nancy Langham Lewis (Terry) of Birmingham, Richard Keith Langham of New York City and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Tuesday, September 22 at First United Methodist Church in Brewton from 5 to 7 p.m. A private burial service was held at Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church.

Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.