Obituaries for week of March 10

Published 10:19 am Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Rondal ‘Rondell’ Brooks Jackson
Brewton

Mr. Rondal “Rondell” Brooks Jackson, 69, of Crossley Lane in Brewton passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after an extended illness.
He was a native and lifelong resident of Brewton and a 1975 graduate of Flomaton High School. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church.
Rondal, or as most know him “Rondell”, was born December 7, 1955, to Brooks “Bunk” Jackson and Vera Pettis Jackson. He married the love of his life, Dolores Crossley Jackson, in 1977 to which they had four children, William, Jeremy, Chasity, and Bianca.
In his teenage years, he worked for Daulphin’s Grocery. He went on to become assistant manager for Winn-Dixie where he worked for 14 years. He worked for Skinner’s Furniture for 5 years as a route salesman and Hainje’s Furniture as a route salesman for a total of 19 years, where he retired. He never met a stranger and was always laughing and carrying on with someone whether he knew them or not. He had an infectious laugh that will surely be missed.
He loved the Lord; you could always find him enjoying a preacher on TV in his quiet time. He loved his family and pets dearly. He enjoyed fishing, going to the races, feeding the horses with his grandchildren, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Brooks Jackson and Vera Jackson Watson.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dolores Jackson. Two sons, William (Jamie) Jackson and Jeremy (Leslie) Jackson; two daughters, Chasity Jackson and Bianca Jackson; two granddaughters Anna Grace Jackson and Addison Jackson, all of Brewton.
Visitation will be held Wednesday morning March 12, 2025 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Parker Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Green Acres Cemetery in Brewton.
Pallbearers for Rondal are Gene Parkinson, Johnny Lisenby, Sammy Nelson, Mike Layton, Will Chavers, David Scott, Mark Godwin, and Charles Jackson.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Travis Eugene Clark
Pace, Fla.

Dr. Travis Eugene Clark, 89, of Pace, Fla., left this world and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Travis was born in Baldwin, Florida on June 26, 1935, to Sheldon Haywood Clark and Ruth Nancy Mills Clark. He graduated from Baldwin High School, enlisted and served 18 months in the United States Army, and then started his collegiate education, receiving a BS at Livingston State College and a MA and Doctorate of Education from the University of Alabama. He spent the majority of his career as a dedicated professor at the University of West Florida in Pensacola.
In 1962, he married Anna Arlona Smith, and together they had three children, Gina Long (Bo), Stacey Clem (Ted), and Meredith Record (Mike).
Travis displayed the character of our Father God by loving his girls and family unconditionally. A gentle, kind, and generous man with a good-natured, upbeat spirit, he found joy in helping others and living an active lifestyle. Throughout his life, he remained young at heart, freely giving away winks and smiles to the end.
Travis is preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 58 years (d. 2020) and his two sisters and three brothers. He is survived by his younger sister Janice Clark Pike, three daughters, their husbands, and five grandchildren – Annalise Clem Walker (Aaron), Alaina Grace Massey (James), Andrew Clem, and Evan and Emma Record; three great-grandsons – David Dawson and Carter Shepherd Walker, Samuel James Massey; one great-granddaughter, Eden Clemmie Walker.
The celebration of his life will be at 11 am on Friday, March 14, at Smithtown Baptist Church in Eight Mile.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Chester Bennett Snider
Brewton

Mr. Chester Bennett Snider, 72, of Snider Road in Brewton, passed away Monday, March 3, 2025 in a Mobile hospital after a brief illness.
He was a native of Milton, Fla., and a life long resident of Brewton. Mr. Snider was a member of the Brewton Community of Christ Church, graduated from Flomaton High School, owned and operated Snider Electric Company for many years, and enjoyed farming. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them and his lap dog Susie.
He is survived by his mother, Helen Carty of Mobile; his wife, Bobbie Crutchfield Snider of Brewton; two sons, Johnny (Lisa) Snider of Brewton, and Roy (Angel) Pettis of Atmore; two daughters, Leslie (Marlin) Franklin of Brewton, and Michelle (Eddie) Hurley; two sisters, Pat (Cecil) Carter of Brewton and Beth (Brian) Johnston of Mobile; four grandchildren, Travis Snider, Tristan Snider, Matt (Samantha) Franklin, Lily Franklin; and two great-grandchildren, Aubree Franklin and Nash Franklin.
He was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Arvin Snider; paternal father, Chester Smith; step-father, Joe Carty; and a brother, Gill Snider.
Memorial services were held Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Brewton Community of Christ Church with Wake Inabinette, Wayne Morris, and Beth Johnston officiating.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Charles Alva Normand
Brewton

Mr. Charles Alva Normand, 88, of Wildfork Road in Brewton, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025 at his residence after a brief illness.
He was born in Mobile and raised in Wildfork. He graduated from W.S. Neal High School in 1956, he served in the United States Army and worked as a conductor for L&N and CSX railroad for the majority of his adult life. He served the Lord through singing at the First Baptist Church Brewton. He enjoyed gardening and the great outdoors. For 63 of his 88 years he was married to the bride of his youth Lois Fink Norwood.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois Fink Normand; two sons, Carle (Maribe) Normand and Van (Theresa) Normand; three sisters, Opeal Hearon, Patricia Coffee and Susie (Jimmy) Adkisson; eight grandchildren, Clay (Kristen) Normand, Coley (Jim) Simmons, Brianna Normand, Levi Normand, Grayton Normand, Allie (Wes) Ratcliffe, Paige (Steven) Evans, Jill (Matt) Kierstead; seven great-grandchildren, Maelee Simmons, Ava Simmons, Nolen Simmons, Xander Ghattas, Sadie Ratcliffe, Scottie Ratcliffe, and Seven Normand.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elliott and Estelle Morris Normand; two brothers, Buddy (Jeanie) Normand and Leo (Judy) Normand; two sisters, Frogene Normand and Rowena Gibson.
Funeral services were Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church Brewton with Minister Steven Evans and the Rev. Cavin Cawthon officiating. Interment followed in Green Acres Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Ann Pugh Slater
Pensacola, Fla.

Mrs. Rebecca Ann Pugh Slater, 60, of North Pointe Parkway in Pensacola, Fla., passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at her residence after a brief illness.
She was a native and former resident of Brewton, before moving to Pensacola. Mrs. Slater was of the Holiness faith, she attended Flomaton School System, and was a homemaker. She enjoyed painting and drawing.
She is survived by her mother, Shirley Owens of Holt, Fla.; her son, Jesse Stanton of Milton, Fla.; two dauthers Pricilla Sullivan of Citronelle and Amy Lacy of Century, Fla.; a brother, Tim Pugh of Holt, Fla.; and 13 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father, George Slater.
Graveside services were held Friday afternoon March 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill – Wildfork Cemetery. Interment immediately followed.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Jeanette Nettles Wagner
Brewton

Mrs. Mary Jeanette Nettles Wagner, 87, of Thomas Avenue in Brewton, passed away Monday, February 24, 2024 in a Century, Fla., nursing facility after a brief illness.
She was a native and former of Florida before moving to Brewton. Mrs. Wagner was a member of the First Methodist Church of Brewton and a homemaker. She enjoyed knitting.
She is survived by two sons, Randall (Teresa) Wagner and John Wagner Jr.; two brothers, George Maurice Nettles and Troy Addison Nettles; one sister, Margaret Aletha Shepley; three grandchildren, John Wagner, III, Rebecca Polturak and Timothy Wagner; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Ouida Addison Nettles; her husband, John Wagner Sr.; two brothers, William Billy Nettles and John Olan Nettles; and a sister, Verna Latrelle Nettles.
Vistation services were held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mattie McCants Gantt
Brewton

Our dearly beloved Mattie McCants “MaDear” Gantt was the eleventh of twelve children born in Conecuh County, to the late Charlie and Mollie Rackard McCants on April 11, 1926.
On February 28, 2025, the Lord called His faithful servant, Mattie Gantt, home.
Mattie Gantt joined Belleville Missionary Baptist Church when she married S.T. Gantt. She remained a dedicated and faithful member for over 75 years. She was a Sunday school teacher, Deaconess, choir member, and a pianist in the choir. One of her greatest joys was serving the Lord. She was a humble Christian who touched the lives of those who knew her.
Mattie received her early education from Lime Hill in Conecuh County. She graduated from Southern Normal in Escambia County. She earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Alabama State “Teacher” College. She later attended the University of South Alabama where she majored in Special Education. MaDear touched the lives of many through her occupation as an educator.
In 1946, she met and fell in love with Samuel Trenholm “S.T.” Gantt Sr. On April 14, 1949, she and S.T. were united in Holy Matrimony. To this blessed union, five sons and four daughters were born. She was predeceased by Kim Gantt (son), Sonja Gantt Grace (daughter), Keith Gantt Sr. (son), Darnell (grandson), Tiffany (granddaughter), Star (granddaughter), and Malik and Ezekiel (twin great-grandsons). MaDear was a devoted spouse, parent, grandparent, and her family was the center of her world.
Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She leaves to lovingly celebrate her life six children, Yolandra Gantt, Tren (Glenda) Gantt Jr., Kearnest (Patricia) Gantt Sr., Dr. Gheta (Ralph) Grace, Roderick (Deborah) Gantt, and Dr. Anita Gantt; one son-in-law, Johnny Grace Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Connie Gantt; chosen daughter, Mashelle Watson Stevenson; 24 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church members and friends. MaDear’s spirit will remain in our hearts. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Funeral service for Mrs. Gantt was held on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Belleville Missionary Baptist Church in Repton with its Pastor, Dr. Daniel Thompson IV, officiating. Interment immediately followed at Belleville Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Professional services and final arrangements were entrusted to Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors.

Shelby Jean Seale White
Brewton

Mrs. Shelby Jean Seale White, 87, of Stallworth Street in Brewton, passed away Friday, February 28, 2025 in a Century, Fla., nursing facility after a brief illness.
She was a native of Wallace, a former resident of Chickasaw and Huxford, before moving to Brewton. She was a 1955 graduate of T.R. Miller High School. Mrs. White was a member of the First Baptist Church of Brewton where she served as a girls auxiliary leader, Sunday school teacher and a member of the church choir. Jean enjoyed volunteering with the Girl Scouts, American Red Cross and being a member of the Brewton Civic League. Jean was a homemaker and later in life worked at T.R. Miller High School as a library assistant where she was in charge of the after school tutoring program. She enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, baking, and crocheting.
She is survived by a son, Steven R. White of Defuniak Springs, Fla.; daughters, Bevery (Bo) Haveard of Brewton and Allyson (Tony) Chandler of Brewton; a brother, Bobby Seale; a sister, Mary Thornburg; grandchildren, Shon (Valerie) Haveard, Bart Haveard, Molly (Michael) Crump, Micah (Ridge) Martin, C.J. (Sydney) Nowling; great-grandchildren, Landon Haveard, Kara Haveard, Chloe Haveard, Riley Crump, Rosie Crump, Grady Nowling, Jordan Nowling; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Norvelle and Ethel Mason Seale; her husband, Riley White; a sister, Debbie Casey; and two brothers, Don Seale and Billy Seale.
Funeral Services were held Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Brewton with the Rev. Cavin Cawthon officiating. Interment followed in Union Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.