Obituaries for week of June 1, 2025

Published 1:23 pm Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Grant Ivory Hill Jr. – Brewton

Mr. Grant Ivory Hill Jr., 71, passed away at his residence on May 20, 2025, after a brief illness.
Mr. Hill was born in Wayne County, Mich. He has lived in the Brewton area for 26 years coming from Detroit, Mich. He loved jazz music and enjoyed working in his yard. Mr. Hill, “Papa”, adored and loved his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant Sr. and Ola Mae Hill; father-in-law, James Salter; brothers, Charlie Hill, Fred Hill, Charlie Stevens and Robert Stevens; and sisters,Shirley and Diane.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Robin Hill; son, Eric (Kelly) Chavers of Brewton; sister, Valeria Hill of Detroit, Mich.; brother, Michael Hill of Virginia; brothers-in-law, Keith (Rosa) Salter of Castleberry and Chris (Erica) Salter of Virginia; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Danny) Ledbetter of Citronelle, Trish Lodge of Gulf Shores and Rita Monk of Castleberry; three grandchildren, Alex Chavers, Asher Chavers and Audrey Chavers; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Daisy Ellen Cain Black – Repton

Mrs. Daisy Ellen Cain Black, 93, of Repton, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at a local hospital.
Mrs. Black was a native of Brewton and former resident of Camden before moving to Repton 15 years ago. She was a homemaker and was of the Free Will Baptist Faith.
She is survived by a son, Ray (Carol) Dewberry of Repton; two grandchildren, Josh (Jennifer) Dewberry of Atlanta, Ga., Jimmy (Antoinette) Varnadore of Montgomery; two great-grandchildren, Jill Dewberry and Hannah Work.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eli and Mamie Smith Cain; her husbands, James Dewberry and Glennon Black; daughter, Delores Dewberry; brothers, L.V. Cain, Roy Cain, Coy Lee Cain; sisters, Shirley Cain, Lennie Mae Barnes, Ruthie Moye, Dottie Faye Blair, Mearlene Powell and Pearl Cain Coleman Hale.
Funeral services for Mrs. Daisy Ellen Cain Black were held Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11am from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Brother Buddy Williams officiating. Interment followed in the Springhill Methodist Church Cemetery in Lenox.
Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Ann Halford Knott – Lillian

Margaret Ann Knott, 70, of Lillian, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Margaret was born in Brewton, Alabama Dec. 8, 1954. She was the daughter of Oben Halford and Laura Halford. Margaret attended W. S. Neal in East Brewton Alabama, graduating with her loved Class of 1973.
Margaret and John were married Oct. 24, 1974. They celebrated their 50th anniversary this past October 24 with a love and bond that was strong and everlasting. Margaret and John had a life of experiencing adventure and travel and enjoying life with each other. Margaret and John moved to Lillian this past February. They moved to be close to the water that she so loved and be able to travel and share experiences in life in their retirement. She was so happy and had planned all year for their anniversary Alaskan cruise which she was so excited about. But that was not in God‘s plan.
Margaret was a member of First Baptist Church of East Brewton and loved her church community with all of her heart. Margaret’s faith was always strong and it shined in her loving spirit.
Growing up she always worked hard and was dedicated to her dream of becoming a teacher. She earned her bachelors degree and teaching credentials at the University of West Florida. She continued her education earning her masters degree, and then her educational specialist degree at Troy University. She achieved her dream and fulfilled her career as a teacher for 27 years at W. S. Neal elementary school. She loved all of her colleagues, students, families, friends, and the community is a hole.
She is survived by her husband and love her of her life of over 50 years, John Knott; sisters, Deborah Carroll and Sandy Greenert; a number nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and countless family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton with Bro. Macon Phillips officiating. Interment followed at Catawba Springs Cemetery in Brewton.
Pall bearers were Charles Jackson, Micheal Carroll, Matt Castilow, Gray Vallentine, Matthew Vallentine and Joel Dene McGoey.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn June Wiggins – East Brewton

Mrs. Carolyn June Wiggins, 75, passed away on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 in Pensacola, Fla., after an extended illness.
Carolyn was born on Aug. 19, 1949 in Escambia County. She grew up in the Damascus Community and was a longtime resident of East Brewton. Carolyn was the matriarch of the Wiggins family. Her biggest accomplishment was her kids and nothing made her beam with pride more than bragging on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a homemaker and for many years acted as a secretary for the family business. Carolyn was a devout Christian. The only thing she loved more than her family was the Lord.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Roger Wiggins. The couple married Dec. 21, 1968 and together the two shared 4 kids; a daughter, Melissa Kendall; and three sons Chuck (Rhonda) Wiggins, Brian (Dixie) Wiggins, Brandon (Michelle) Wiggins all of Brewton.
She had six grandchildren: Hillary (Kevin) Durden of Brewton, Josh (Hannah) Kendall of Brewton, Allie (Clayton) Long of Diamondhead, Miss., Rylee Wiggins, Mason and Asa Wiggins of Brewton. She had five great-grandchildren, Keagan, Charleigh, Elouise, Oliver and Marshall. She also leaves behind two sisters, Elizabeth (Mack) Stone and Sharon (Edward) Castleberry; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Allie Mae Lucas King, and one sister, Debbie Steffer.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May, 31, 2025 at First Baptist Church in East Brewton with Bro. Macon Phillips and Justin Morse officiating. Interment followed at Damascus Cemetery in Brewton.
Pall bearers were Kevin Durden, Mike Stone, Mark Stone, Dewayne King, Glen Coleman and Tim Blosser.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Evelyn Gafford Duke – Greenville

Evelyn Gafford Duke, a resident of Greenville, (formerly of Brewton) passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the age of 88.
Evelyn was born on Dec. 15, 1936, to her parents William Zed Gafford Sr. and Emma Lee McIntyre Gafford of Greenville.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Walnut Street Church of Christ with Brother Charles Box officiating and Dunklin Funeral Home directing. Burial followed at Sunrise Cemetery.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Wayne Duke; her parents, William Zed Gafford Sr. and Emma Lee McIntyre Gafford; her brother, William Zed Gafford Jr.; and son-in-law, Warren Ronald Shaver.
Evelyn is survived by her two children, Karen Shaver and Lori (Chris) Jordan; her sister, Helen (Melvin) Russell; three grandchildren, Gaston Bozeman, Kelsey Woodard and Kinley Woodard; two step-grandchildren, Kristian Jordan and Taylor Jordan; along with many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
Evelyn was a devoted Christian whose faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She was a long-time, faithful member of Walnut Street Church of Christ, where she found strength, purpose, and community. In her later years, Evelyn was a cherished resident at Country Place Senior Living. She formed close bonds with fellow residents and staff, participating enthusiastically in daily activities. She especially enjoyed playing dominoes, bingo, and other games that brought people together. Her warm personality and kind spirit made her a beloved figure within the community. Director Alaina Norman and the entire staff held her in high regard, as did many of the residents who considered her a dear friend. Above all, Evelyn treasured the time spent with her family. Whether sharing stories, laughter, or quiet moments, those connections brought her immense joy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Evelyn’s memory to Country Place Senior Living in Greenville, with contributions directed specifically toward resident activities. These donations will help support the games, events, and social gatherings that brought Evelyn and her fellow residents so much joy.