Obituaries for week of October 7, 2020

Published 3:07 pm Tuesday, October 6, 2020

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Hayley A. Blackmon Crutchfield

Brewton

Mrs. Hayley A. Blackmon Crutchfield, 24, passed away at her home on Sunday, September 27, 2020.

Mrs. Crutchfield was born in Pensacola, Fla.; grew up in Century, Fla., and was a graduate of Northview High School. She had been a resident of Brewton for the past several years. She enjoyed mud riding, fishing and loved her babies. 

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Deborah Ann Brandenburg; and her maternal great-grandfather, Roscoe Franklin Johnson.

She is survived by her father, Malcolm Blackmon; her mother, Angela (Chris) Powell of Century, Fla.; her husband of eight years, Jackson Crutchfield of Brewton; a son, Bryson Crutchfield of Brewton; two daughters, Rileigh Crutchfield and Adelyn Crutchfield, both of Brewton; three sisters, Beverly Blackmon of Century, Fla., Ashley Taylor of Brewton, and Emily Taylor of Brewton; maternal grandfather, Ken F. Johnson of Brewton; maternal great-grandmother, Barbara Greenwell Johnson of Century, Fla.; maternal great-aunt, Sonya Johnson Sawyer of Monroeville; and maternal aunt, Tonya Johnson Frazier of Austin, Ariz.
Visitation was held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 from 10 a.m. until service time.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Bro. David Boyd officiating. Interment followed in Jay Cemetery in Jay, Fla.
Pallbearers were Paul Daw, Tyler Robinson, Austin Redash, Kenneth Conrad, Shane Thompson, and Blake Wiggins.

Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Eugene “Kenny” Steele, Sr.

Brewton

Mr. Kenneth Eugene “Kenny” Steele Sr., 66, of Dusty Lane in Brewton, passed away Thursday evening October 1, 2020 at his residence.

Mr. Steel was a native of Chicago, Ill., and a long-time resident of Brewton. Kenny was a member of the Jay High School Class of 1972. He was employed during his working years in the oil field industry and had previously worked for Grede as a forklift operator. He was a United States Army veteran, having served his country in Vietnam, and attended the Community of Christ Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and Alabama Crimson Tide Football.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Mrs. Gina Merchant Steele of Brewton; daughter, Cindy Steele of Clarksville, Tenn.; son, Kenneth Eugene Steele, Jr. of Clarksville, Tenn.; two Brothers, David Wayne Steele of Brewton, James Michael (Linda) Steele of Calvin, La.; and a number of grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Leonard and Verna Rae Stilson Steele.

Visitation was held Sunday, October 4, 2020 from 6 until 8 p.m.at Craver’s Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Monday, October 5, 2020 at 10: 30 a.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Brother Wayne Ellis officiating.  Interment followed at Union Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jeff Steele, Jordan Steele, Terry Gatwood, Ethan Gatwood, James Merchant and J.D. Long.
Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mitchell Todd Madden

Brewton

Mr. Mitchell Todd Madden, 59 of Lowery Landing Road in Brewton, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

He was a native and life long resident of Brewton. Mr. Madden was a member of the New Vision Church where he enjoyed many church activities, a 1979 graduate of W.S. Neal High School, and was a former machine operator at T.R. Miller Mill. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, playing his guitar and singing.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Tina Downing Madden of Brewton; one son, Ryan Madden of Brewton; three daughters, Lacey Michell Madden of Brewton; Makayla Alan of Andalusia and Amy Madden of Pollard; three brothers, Rodney (Florence) Madden of Brewton, Charlie Madden of Brewton and Malcolm (Shellie) Madden of Brewton; two sisters, Renee Madden (David) Schomaker of Molino, Fla., and Lacrecia Madden of Brewton; two grandchildren, Maddie Cardwell and Colton Cardwell.
He was preceded in death by a son, Matthew Aaron Madden; and his parents, Malcolm Mose and Betty Lou Wilson Madden.

Visitation was held Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. William Joyner officiating. Interment followed in Glory Hill Cemetery in Brewton.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lucille Jackson Wilks

Jay, Fla.

Mrs. Lucile Jackson Wilks, 97, of Daniel Griffis Road in Jay, Fla., passed away Thursday, October 1, 2020 in a Century, Fla., nursing facility after a brief illness.

She was a native and long-time resident of Jay, Fla. She was a member of the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church, a graduate of Jay High School, and a homemaker.

She is survived by a son, Michael R. Wilks of Hubert, N.C.; two cousins, Maxine Hooks and Etta Jean Alford.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Porter Wilks.

Visitation was held Monday, October 5, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Methodist Church in Jay, Fla.

Funeral services were held Monday, October 5, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Mt Carmel Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Barfield officiating. Interment followed in Mt. Carmel Methodist Church Cemetery in Jay, Fla.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bruce Ivan King Jr.

East Brewton

Mr. Bruce Ivan King, Jr., 43 of Palustris Street in East Brewton, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2020 at a local hospital.

He was a native and life -ong resident of Brewton and East Brewton. He was of the Pentecostal faith, attended W.S. Neal School System, and was an automobile mechanic. He enjoyed fishing and 4-wheeling.

He is survived by his paternal grandmother, Eunice Jackson of Brewton; two brothers, Jeremy (Diane) King of Greenville and Josh (Amber) King of Brewton; one sister, Andrea (Whitney) Qualls of Semmes; two uncles, Mackie Jackson and David Jackson, both of Brewton; an aunt, Terisa (Eddie) Ryals of Brewton; a special friend, Lisa Pate; and numerous aunts and cousins; and his father, Bruce Ivan King of Castleberry.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Renee Jackson; paternal grandfather, McCoy Jackson; maternal grandmother, Merle Tidwell King; maternal grandfather, Ivan King.

Visitation was held Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Funeral Services were held Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 3 p.m. at Williams memorial Chapel Funeral home with the Rev. Mike Farley officiating. Interment followed in Damascus Cemetery in Brewton.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Paul Kovash

Flomaton

Mr. Paul Kovash, 85 of Old Atmore Road in Flomaton, Alabama passed away September 3, 2020 at his residence after a brief illness.

He was a native of Nanty Glo, Penn., a former resident of California, and a long time resident of Flomaton.  Mr. Kovash was a member of the St. Maurice Catholic Church, he served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy and was retired from the post office with 50 years of service.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nora Williams Kovash of Flomaton; one daughter, Steffanie Kovash of Flomaton; one grandchild, Tabitha; two great-grandchildren, Nathan Kovash and Remington Kovash.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Vinshinki Kovash.

Memorial Services were held Saturday afternoon,  October 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Maurice Catholic Church in Brewton, Alabama with Father Patrick Madden officiating.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Edward L. Smith, Sr.

Evergreen

Mr. Edward L Smith, Sr. 100, of Evergreen, peacefully passed away on Oct. 4, 2020.

He was a long-time resident and civic leader of Evergreen. He loved and respected family members, friends and colleagues.

Mr Smith was Born in Enterprise, Alabama, on May 19, 1920. He was married to Dorothy Mae Wall for 61 years until her death.

He is survived by children; Dorothy Sharyn Nunn (David), Ed Smith, Jr. (Deena), Daniel Reggie Smith (Patricia).

He was known to his grandchildren as Papa Ed. Grandchildren are Stephen Tyron Nunn (Brett), Lincoln Edward Smith(Katrina), Elizabeth Sandlin Green (Taylor), Daniel Cory Smith ( Silvia), Louis Cody Smith (Kasie).  Great-grandchildren are Sawyer Smith, Ryland Nunn, Crowder Smith, Ella Claire Green, William Walker Green and the anticipated arrival of Ellianna Estelle Smith this month.

Mr. Smith moved to Brewton in 1938 with his father’s plumbing and electrical Company, D.H. Smith & Sons which installed plumbing in the newly created T. R. Miller School. In 1941 he joined Army Air Corps, Signal Corp during WWII. He was stationed in Puerto Rico, Cuba and Aleutian Islands. In Alaska he was part of forces to repel the entrenched Japanese troops. Mr Smith was a Tech Sgt. that headed up a wire line platoon that installed landline-wiring communications built for Krypto connection for Security Defense. He joined the Alabama National Guard unit in Brewton during Korean War, where he rose from Sgt. to 2nd Lieutenant. He served his country faithfully in the military with two Honorable Discharges.

Mr. Smith worked in the Natural Gas Distribution business for 40 years. His career in the gas industry started in the Propane Air Distribution systems in Brewton and Andalusia. He was Distribution Manager for Southeast Alabama Gas District then moved to General Manager of the Palatka Gas system in Florida. He came back to Alabama to become General Manager of Conecuh Monroe-Counties Gas District as it was being built in 1962 until his retirement in 1990. 

Mr. Smith business endeavors consisted of being a Charter Officer and Director for the Alabama Natural Gas Association, and Honorary and Distinguished member status. He was a Charter Officer and Director for the Florida Natural Gas Association. In 1983 was elected as President of the American Public Gas Association and recognized with a Distinguished Service award. In 1985 he was chosen by the Eisenhower Foundation to represent an exchange of ideas in energy with the Chinese Government in Beijing. He was able to tour various sectors of China.

His civic and community activities consisted of being a Rotarian for over 50 years where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award for service. He was a Shriner with Blue Lodge in Brewton. Mr. Smith performed various duties with Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Board. He was a Deacon of the Evergreen Baptist Church, where he was dedicated to the church and it’s members. Mr. Smith was committed to his community, cities in Conecuh, Monroe and Escambia Counties during his career. Papa Ed was an avid Alabama Fan. RTR. His influence and love, lives on in his family and friends.

The family will have a graveside service for the immediate family members. Cope-Keahey Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements. Because of concerns for everyone’s health the family will not have a Memorial Service  In lieu of flowers the family request that a contribution be made to the Evergreen Baptist Church, 107 Park Street, Evergreen, Al, 36401.

Jerry Edward Davis Sr.

Flomaton

Mr. Jerry Edward Davis, Sr., 77, of Upper Creek Road in Flomaton, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2020 in a Century, Fla., nursing facility after a brief illness.

He was a native McKenzie and a life-long resident of Flomaton. Mr. Davis was of the Baptist faith, a graduate of W.S. Neal High School, and a retired labor foreman from the oil fields. He was an avid Alabama fan and enjoyed fishing and bird watching.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Jean Nelson Davis of Cantonment, Fla., one son, Jerry (Lisa) Davis, Jr. of Castleberry; two daughters, Angela (Steven) Brown of McDavid, Fla., and Melissa (Tommy) Maher of Cantonment, Fla.; one sister, Elaine (Jimmy) Mullins of Brewton; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Davis.

Visitation will be held Wednesday morning, October 7, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton.

Graveside services are scheduled for Wednesday morning, October 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Catawba Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Johnny Cardwell officiating. Interment will follow in Catawba Springs Cemetery in Brewton.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.