Obituaries for week of June 23, 2025

Published 8:56 am Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Cathy Sue  Johnson Blackwell – Castleberry
Mrs. Cathy Sue Johnson Blackwell, 71, of Castleberry, Alabama passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025 at her residence after a brief illness.
She was a native of Grove Hill, and a life long resident of Castleberry. Mrs. Blackwell was of the Baptist faith and was a former employee at the Eastside Café and the customer service department at Piggly Wiggly. Cathy enjoyed working in her yard and cooking.
She is survived by her long-time companion, Lewis Como of Castleberry; one son, Bobby “Bobcat” (Robin) Wilson of East Brewton; two daughters, Connie Blackmon of East Brewton and Stacey (Aaron) Chavers of East Brewton; one step-son, Brad Blackwell of Brewton; two step-daughters, Jennifer Blackwell and Nickcollett Morect, both of Brewton; two brothers, Daniel (Christy) Johsnon and Robert (Taylor) Johnson, both of East Brewton; one sister, Tracey (JR) Blair of East Brewton; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
she was preceded in death by her parents, Maynard and Betty Crawford Johnson; a sister, Alice Hendrix; and a grandson, Jonathan Wilson.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton.
Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. James Peacock officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Castleberry.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jennifer Dawn Cunningham Fuqua – Brewton

Mrs. Jennifer Dawn Cunningham Fuqua, 56, of Damascus Road in Brewton, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025 in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after a brief illness.
She was a native and life long resident of Brewton. Mrs. Fuqua was of the Baptist faith, a 1986 graduate of W,S, Neal High School, a graduate from Jefferson Davis Community College’s nursing program, a former employee of D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital, and was currently employed at the Escambia County Health Department. Dawn enjoyed gardening and fishing.
She is survived by her parents, Johnny and Janet Findley Cunningham of Brewton; her husband, Jason Fuqua of Brewton; a son, James Adam Fuqua of Brewton; daughters, Taylor (Christian) Porter of Brewton and Mary Catherine Fuqua of Brewton; a brother, Rusy (Alisha) Cunningham of Brewton; five grandsons; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Jaime Cunningham.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of East Brewton. Interment followed in Damascus Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joe Clifford ‘Cliff’ Smedley – Florence

Mr. Joe Clifford “Cliff” Smedley, 97, of Hazelwood Drive in Florence, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025 at his residence after a brief illness.
He was a native of Ashland, Kent., a long time resident of Brewton, before moving to Florence. Mr. Smedley had a unique military career having served in the Army, Navy, and Army/Airforce and he was a retired instrumentation and calibration tech from the nuclear industry. Mr. Smedley was very musically talented and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry.
He is survived by his long-time friend and compaion, Mary Lois Steel Jackson of Florence; close friends, Melvin and Sherry Emmons of Florence.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.E. and Nora Smith Smedley and a sister.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Weaver Cemetery with Bro. Tommy Quick officiating. Interment followed in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Shane Philip Jordan – Brewton

Mr. Shane Philip Jordan, 52, of Brewton, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Wilcox County.
Mr. Jordan was a native of Houston, Tex., and a former resident of Austin Tex., before moving to Brewton in the mid 1990’s. He was employed with HES Facility at the Georgia Pacific plant in Brewton and was of the Lutheran faith. Mr. Jordan enjoyed music, was a Houston Texan football fan, formerly the Houston Oilers, loved basketball and hiking with his mother.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Gisela M. Jordan of Brewton; sisters, Christina Yarbrough of Seattle, Wash., Stefanie Jordan of Corpus Christi Tex.; friends, Lisa Byrd of McIntosh, and Fred Rudolph of Brewton,
He’s also remembered by his HES Facility supervisor, Ni-Tasha, his colleagues and friends at Georgia Pacific.
Funeral services were Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home Inc, with fhe Rev. Dr. Salem Saloom and fhe Rev. Dr. Carrie Wright officiating. A private committal service will be held in Amarillo, Tex., at a later date.
The family request smemorials be given to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Brewton and/or Pensacola Waterfront Mission.
Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangmenets.

Frances Eva Franklin Trawick – Brewton

Frances Eva Franklin Trawick, 93, passed away June 16, 2025, in Brewton.
A devoted wife and mother, Frances leaves behind a legacy of love and service to family, church and community. Frances was a member of First Baptist Church of Brewton.
Born on January 27, 1932, in Bainbridge, Ga., Frances was the daughter of Gaylord Hunter Franklin and Belle Suggs Franklin of Bainbridge Ga., the fifth-born child of her parents.
Frances had a deep commitment to her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by both her parents and her beloved husband of 55 years, Nelson Wayne Trawick and the recent passing of her eldest daughter, Teresa Trawick Brown (Eddie) and grandson, Ty Smith.
She is survived by two daughters, Cynthia Smith (Russ) and Judy Eddy (Jerry) and son-in-law Eddie Brown. Also surviving Frances are her six grandchildren, Alisa Thomas (Ricky), Michelle Walker (Jason), Trad Smith, Trisha Fus (Tim), Jennifer Edwards (Dave) and Julie VandeKamp (Will). She also leaves behind fifteen great-grandchildren and a brother W. W. “Bud” Franklin (Genevieve) of Riverview, Fla.
Frances was lauded for her excellent culinary skills as well as delicious baked creations for her family and friends.
Funeral services were held June 20, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Craver’s Funeral Home in Brewton. A private interment ceremony followed at Union Cemeter in Brewton.
Pallbearers were Jerry Eddy, Ed Brown, Russ Kinard, Ricky Thomas, Jason Walker and Trad Smith.
Craver’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Rev. Ruel David Floyd – Brewton

The Reverend Ruel David Floyd was born August 13, 1936 in Brewton, to the late John Lovelace and Sylvia Harrison. He answered God’s call on June 7, 2025.
At an early age Ruel Floyd accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at 2nd Shady Grove Baptist Church; he was a faithful member until his health started failing. In May of 1955, he graduated from Boykin High School in Brewton. He attended West Florida Baptist Bible College and E.L. White Theology in Mobile, receiving his Doctorate Degree of Theology (Th.D.)
Ruel Floyd married the love of his life, Martha Floyd. They shared 47 wonderful years together.
Ruel Floyd was the Pastor at the following churches: 1st Shady Grove in Brewton; Highway Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla.; and Saint James Baptist Church in Thomaston for 32 years.
He was always preaching the Word of God whether in church, to guys on the street corner, or in the grocery store. He was always preaching the Word…in season and out of season. He was a faithful member of the Charitable Aid Society.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Lovelace; mother, Sylvia Harrison; sons, Calvin Gray and Ozzie Thomas; daughter, Edwina Floyd; sisters, Mildred Payne, Tina Craddock, and Lucile Franklin; brothers, Sylvester Floyd, Charles Lovelace, Willie Green, and Leo Brye and cousins, Louvenia Kinion and Bessie Fields.
Ruel Floyd leaves to cherish his memories a devoted and dedicated wife, Martha Floyd of Brewton; children, Cynthia Cole of Pensacola, Fla., Otis (Darlene) Floyd of Brewton, and Jerry (Vickie) Thomas of Montgomery; grandchildren, Joddie McClain, Tobias Floyd, Christopher Floyd, Trina Samuel, and Nicole; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Viola Justice of Richmond, Va., Minister Betty Woods of Brewton, Mattie Lanstall of Richmond, Va., and Jean Harvey of Pensacola, Fla.; brothers, Ralph Lovelace and Norman Franklin; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services for the Reverend Ruel Floyd were held Saturday, June 14, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Second Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church (15401 Highway 29, Brewton, AL) where the Reverend Matthew Coleman is pastor with Dr. F.B. Lett, eulogist. Interment immediately followed at Second Bethlehem Church Cemetery.
Professional care and final arrangements were entrusted to Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors.

Carrie Mae McClain Jackson – Brewton

Carrie Mae McClain Jackson, one of God’s faithful servants, answered her call to eternal life on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at UAB around 11:45a.m.
Carrie Mae was born March 31, 1941 in Escambia County to Joe Sheppard and Ruby Lee McClain. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined First St. Siloam Baptist Church. There she served faithfully as a choir member, missionary board and on the mother board.
She attended school in Escambia County. She was a dietitian at D.W, McMillan Hospital until retirement. Later in life she married James Jackson Jr.
She enjoyed cooking, especially for her boys. She was a “Mother” figure to the Williams family. She loved and cared for them as her own.
She leaves cherished memories to her husband, James Jackson Jr.; her devoted “boys”, Raymond Lee Jackson, Jimmy Lee (Betty) Jackson, George Ricky (Loletta) Jackson, Phillip Ray (Tommeitra) Jackson, all of Brewton; grandchildren, Joseph Jackson of Columbus, Ga., Jonathan Jackson of Denver, Col., Chado McLamore of Flomaton, Braxton Banks, Javanta (Brianna) Jackson, Jakeymon (Lexi) Jackson, Philia Jackson, Kamari Marshall, Ryleigh Jackson, Kyleigh Jackson, Latrice Samuel, Michael Jackson, Ty (Katrina) Samuel, Ashley (Blake) Davis, Keydra (Kaderius) Lacey, Brandon Samuel, and Damien Jackson, all of Brewton; great-grandchildren, Jenesis Jackson, Zion Jackson, Mason Jackson, and a number of other great-grandchildren; a sister, Sonja (Ronnie) Grace of Brewton; the Williams Family; two close and special friends, Ms. Amy Lane and Ms. Mannie Riley; and a number of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. Carrie Jackson were held Saturday, June 21, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at First St. Siloam Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton where the Reverend Paul Lee is pastor and eulogist. Interment immediately followed at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Professional care and final arrangements were entrusted to Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors.

Marcus LaShune Straughn – Brewton

Marcus LaShune Straughn was born on June 28, 1974, to Walter and Katherine Straughn of Damascus, Alabama. He passed away on June 10, 2025. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Katherine Straughn.
Marcus attended Southern Normal High School, where he earned his diploma before entering the workforce. Throughout his life, he formed countless friendships and meaningful relationships with those around him. He enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, and lending a helping hand whenever he could. His quiet strength and warm spirit made a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Marcus dedicated himself to the Lord at an early age and was a faithful member of Johnsonville Memorial Church of God in Christ.
A proud supporter of youth development and community engagement, Marcus also served as a dedicated football coach for the Aggies, where he mentored and inspired many young athletes. His leadership on and off the field left a lasting impact on players, parents, and fellow coaches alike. His passion for the game was only matched by his love for the team and the community it brought.
Marcus is survived by his father, Walter Straughn of Damascus, Alabama; his brother, Marquis (Ahtrishia) Straughn of Evergreen, Alabama; and his sister, Kelly Nared of Pensacola, FL. He is also survived by his former wife, Chakana Straughn; his daughters, Mi’esha (Rickel) Samuel and Za’Keea Knight, both of Brewton, Alabama; nephew Xavion Straughn; and his beloved grandchildren, ZaKari Knight, Stella Samuel, and ZaKai Knight.
Marcus was a devoted godfather to MyDarius Trujillo, Alijah Fountain, and Azaria Benjamin. He is also remembered fondly by an army of cousins and friends who loved and cherished his memory.
Among them were two of his closest companions—Arthur Ingram III and Eric Gandy—who were more like brothers than friends and shared a bond with Marcus that spanned many years.
Funeral services for Mr. Straughn were held, Friday, June 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Johnsonville Memorial Church of God In Christ in Castleberry with its pastor, Elder W.R. Hughes, serving as officiant and eulogist. Interment immediately followed at Johnsonville Memorial Church of God In Christ Church Cemetery.
Professional care and final arrangements were entrusted to Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors.