Obituaries for week of February 19, 2025

Published 3:08 pm Tuesday, February 18, 2025

John Sebastion Strength
East Brewton

Mr. John Sebastion Strength, 44, of Maddox Street in East Brewton, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025 in Dallas, Ga.
He was a native and long time resident of Brewton. Mr. Strength was of the Christian faith, he attended W.S. Neal High School and South Cobb High School in Georgia, and was a heavy equipment operator in the Construction industry. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by a son, Kaden Strength; a daughter, Kailee Strength; grandfather, Clifford Johnson; brother, Joseph Strength; sister, April Strength; uncle, Larry Johnson; nieces, Gabby Robinson and Sierra (Jay) Gantt; mother of his children, Traci Strength; mother-in-law, Donna Jones; and best friend, JJ (Jennifer) England.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Debora Johnson Robinson; his father, Terry “Rocky” Strength; brother, Dennis Ray Robinson; nephew, Nicholas Robinson.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian Church in Jay, Fla.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian Church in Jay, Fla., with the Rev. Chad Diamond officiating. Interment will follow at Berrydale Baptist Church Cemetery in Jay, Fla.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Margarat Ann Breland-Bradley
Brewton

Dr. Margarat Ann Breland – Bradley was born on September 19, 1947, to the late Milton Homer Breland and Ruby Clyde Preyer-Breland. She was also raised by Joseph Washington, Sr., who her mother was married to later on in life.
Dr. Bradley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charlie Bradley, Jr.; her mother: Ruby Clyde Preyer–Washington, her father, Milton Homer Breland; her step-father: Joseph Henry Washington, Sr.; and two brothers: Charles Washington and Dwayne Breland.
Dr. Bradley graduated from Southern Normal School in Brewton in 1965. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Queens College in 1971 as well as a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education specializing in Reading from Queens College in 1974.
Dr. Bradley also received an Educational Leadership, School District Administration degree from Queens College in 1977. Dr. Bradley earned her doctorate degree in Education (PhD) in Gifted Education from Columbia University in 1990. She was also the first appointed female and first African American to be appointed Superintendent of Schools at Escambia County, Alabama, Board of Education from 1998-2000. She was Chief Executive Officer at Alabama State University from 2002-2006. Dr. Bradley was also a proud lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (initiated in Queens Alumni Chapter) and Lily Chapter #592, Order of the Eastern Star.
Dr. Bradley was the eldest of five girls: JoAnne Washington-Hilton, Lynn Breland, Lisa Breland, Debra Ann Breland-Morrow, and Tamara Washington-Leach; and she was also the eldest of her two deceased brothers among seven boys total: Donald Washington, James Gregory Washington, Alvin Preyor, Sr., William Preyer, Sr., and Joseph Washington, Jr.
She also leaves behind to cherish her memory: her son: Charles Terrance Bradley and her daughter: Kwana Makeisha Bradley, both of Sylacauga, Al.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Baptist Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton, Al from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Baptist Hill Missionary Baptist Church, burial will follow immediately in Old Spring Hill Cemetery, Brewton, Al; Rev. Marius Beckham, Pastor/Officiant and Dr. Eric T. Andrews, Officiating.

Freddie D. Knotts
Flomaton

Mrs. Freddie D. Knotts of Flomaton, 91, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025 at her residence.
Mrs. Knotts was born in Brewton, and had been a lifelong resident of Escambia County Alabama. She enjoyed photography, birdwatching, traveling, crocheting, cooking and taking care of her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James Eugene Knotts; her parents, Ulis and Charlie Lee Dantzler; siblings, Billy Dantzler, Frances McGaha, Elizabeth Lawson, Jean Dantzler, Emma Lou Harrison, Charlyn Brandt; and her son, James E Knotts Jr.
She is survived by her son, Thomas (Karen) Knotts of Flomaton; daughters Cecilia (Donnie Ray) Jackson of Castleberry and Sandra Roberts of Pace, Fla.; a sister, Margie Dantzler; seven grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held Friday, February 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Green Acres Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on March 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at 323 Foshee Rd. in Brewton.
Craver’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Eunice Bell Stewart
East Brewton

Mrs. Mary Eunice Bell Stewart, 92, of Lottie Lane in East Brewton, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025 at her residence after a brief illness.
She was a native of Range and a long time resident of East Brewton. Mrs. Stewart was of the Protestant faith and a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, and growing flowers, especially roses.
She is survived by two sons, Wayne (Debbie) Stewart of Evergreen and Clarence Stewart of East Brewton; one daughter, Dianne (Mike) Parker of East Brewton; a brother, Choice Bell; six grandchidlren, Teri Parker, Lauren Parker, Jeff Stewart, Carrie Bell, Suzie Norton and Tina Morris; 11 great-grandchildren, Niki, Andrew, Ross, Tripp, Rhett, Will, Kenny Mac, Jayke, Tanner, CJ, and Jeremiah; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arvin and Minnie Lee Grant Bell; her husband, Richard Stewart; a sister, Alice Bell; a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Stewart; and a grandson, Richard Allen Stewart.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Bernie Raines officiating. Interment followed in Union Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Snyder Bates-Weaver
Brewton

Mrs. Patricia Snyder Bates-Weaver passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Weaver was born in Brewton. She was a graduate of T.R. Miller High School and a graduate of Troy State University with a Master’s Degree in Education. She was an educator for over 40 years.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jim Weaver of Sammamish, Washington state; daughters, Jennifer (Scott) Adolphsen of Cave Creek, Ariz., Dr. Mandy (John) Limberg of Chandler, Ariz. and Regina Weaver (Joe) Clark of Fairbanks, Alaska; a sister, Gail Snyder of Brewton; grandchildren Tristan Adolphsen, Trevor Adolphsen, Jake Limberg, Amelia Limberg; a nephew Steve (Sylvia) Baldwin of Brewton; nieces, Jenny Bates of Rome, Ga., and Sonya Lee of Okeechobee, Fla.; as well as many nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces and one great-grandbaby.
Funeral services for Mrs. Patricia Snyder Bates Weaver will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Catawba Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Jeff Edwards officiating. Interment to follow at Green Acres Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m.
Pallbearers will be Quenton Worrell, Philip Purnell, Duke Purnell, Steve Baldwin, Scott Adolphsen, John Limberg.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catawba Springs Baptist Church in Mrs. Patricia’s name.
Craver’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Lillian Conover Neese
Brewton

Mary Lillian Conover Neese passed away on January 20, 2025, at her residence in Brewton, after a brief illness at the age of 75.
She was born in Macon, Ga., and lived most of her life in Brewton, graduating from T.R. Miller in 1967 and from Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama in 1971 with a B.S. degree in Education.
She met her future husband Mitchell Neese in Brewton, and they were married January 30, 1971. They lived in Ft Benning, Ga., while a military couple, then moved to Auburn for Mitchell to continue his education, and then on to Birmingham where Mary had their first child, Julie. They returned to Brewton in 1974 where Mitchell soon joined the accounting firm McDowell and Neese. Mary taught 2nd grade at Flomaton Elementary and in 1977 had their second child, Tom. Mary did not return to teaching but worked with her husband Mitchell in his accounting business.
Mary was a member of the Church of Christ. She had a loving, generous heart and was always stepping up to help those in need with a helping hand or kind word. She supported medical research that was close to her heart because of loved ones or friends and also supported animal rescue. She loved animals, especially her cats, Piper and Zoey.
She had a sharp memory and enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and sudoku. She was pleased to learn through genealogy research that through her father she was related to “Doc” Holiday of the West. You were blessed if you knew her. If you knew her you loved her, and she loved you.
Mary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Tom and Dorothy Conover; her loving husband of 46 years, Jesse Mitchell Neese; her daughter, Julie Ann Neese Marsh; and her son, Thomas (Tom) Mitchell Neese.
She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Marie (Larry) Heaton of Brewton and Kathy (Bill) Cameron of Auburn; first cousins, Anne (Steve) Avera of Thomasville, Ga., Susan (Dan) Botts of Maitland, Fla., Reid (Laura) Hendrix of Dahlonega, Ga., Charlotte Hungerford of Pensacola, Fla., and Father Milton (Beth) Gibson of Fairhope, and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Union Cemetery with Minister Steve Parker and Father Milton Gibson officiating with Craver’s Funeral Home Directing.
Honorary Pallbearers are Brian Heaton, Michael Heaton, Bill Cameron, Peanut Beasley.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice.
Craver’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Amanda Thomas Bell
Brewton

Amanda Lucille Thomnas Bell, 84, passed away Jan. 31, 2025.
She was bornFeb. 18, 2941, the second of four children to the late Robert Lewis Thomas Sr and the late Earnestine Lane Thomas. Her sibling, Mattie Jean Thomas Davis, preceded her in death. Her other siblings are Mary Alice Thomas and Robert Lewis Thomas Jr.
Amanda married Charles Bell on June 13, 1961 and two children were born: Carla Elaine (Oscar) Bibb of Pensacola, Fla., and LaDon Bell (Lisa) Rohletter of Denver, Colo.; her third daughter, Tammie (Derry) Moten of Vallejo, Calif and an honorary daughter, Cindy (Greg) Fleming of Brewton. She is the grandmother to 12 grandchildren, Johnathon Bell, Joshua Bell-smith, Jeremy Johnson, Jalisa Johnson, Brett Benton, Blake Benton, Briley Rohletter, Elijah Rohletter, Derry Moten, Micalia Moten, May Moten-Flores; 17 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and god-children.
Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Baptist Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Lee officiating. Interment followed at Bergen Community Cemetery in Brewton.
Presley-Fluker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Gloria J. Marshall
Brewton

Gloria J. Marshall, 79, passed away Feb. 3, 2025.
Born Feb. 12, 1945, she was the seventh child of Sanford and Eula Mae Jackson.
Gloria attended Boykin Elementary School and in 1963 graduated from Southern Normal School. She continued her education at Bishop State Community College where she obtained a degree in accounting. She was honored in 2011 for 28 years of service as bookeeper at Southern Normal School.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 37 years, Hubert Marshall; daughters, Lakesha (Yancey) Pritchard of Fort Worth, Tex. and Carolyn Marshall of Brewton; seven grandchildren, Kameron, Kamari, Malachi, Khalil, Isacc, Kennedi and Journey; god-children, Tonya (Randy) Nicholson of Brewton, Reginald Marshall of Brandwine, MD; her sister, Jacqueline (James) Davis of Plainfield N.J; her in-laws, Ora Jackson of Brewton, Loretta Jackson and Delores Picket Jackson of Bridgeport, Ct., Betty Blount Jackson of Piscataway, N.J., Juanita Bron of Montgomery, Eunice Johnson, Grealy Marshall and Jerome (Mae) Marshall of Andalusia; beloved cousins, Rhuey (Sally) Jackson and Rae Helen Grice of Mobile, Rev. Jessie Grice of San Antonio, Tex., Gloria Ann Culliver (Lesley) Thoams of Piscataway, N.J., Charles King of Plantsville, Conn., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblins, Henry James Jackson, John “Ett” Jackson, Mary Louise Davis, Lavon Jackson, Sara Pearl Brooks, Ouida Teal, Sandford Jackson Jr. and Larry Jackson.
Funeral services were held Feb. 15, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church. Interment followed at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Brewton.
Presley-Fluker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jean Godbolt
Brewton

Betty Jean Godbolt, 74, passed away Feb. 11, 2025.
She was born Nov. 7, 1950 to the late Lille B. Godbolt as an only child. She was a member of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church.
Betty graduated from Southern Normal in 1968 and later attended Reid State, where she obtained her nursing degree in 1974. She worked until 2020 when she retired. She worked in her yard with her flowers and enjoyed cooking and baking.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, Ronald, Keith and Jonathan (Kim) Godbolt; grandchildren, Marquis Barksdale, Cortez mobley, Jeremy Nicholson, Aaliya Davis, Arianna Jones, Antwan Jones, Atalya Jones, KaDarrius Rogers, Jada Godbolt, Makylee White, Alaya Watkins, JaKalia Samuel, Saniyah Godbolt; as well as several great-grandchildren; a devoted, special friend, Elijah Thomas; an aunt, Mary Nearer; a devoted cousin, Eunice Godbolt; Matthew Godbolt as a bonus grandson; Pamela Rogers, daughter-in-love; and several other family and friends.
Funeral services were held Feb. 17, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church. Interment followed at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery.
Presley-Fluker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.