Obituaries

Doyse L. Wright

Doyse Lavon Wright, 72, of Esto died Aug. 14 at Doctors Memorial Hospital in Bonifay. He was born May 8, 1935, in Geneva, Ala., to the late Jessie Lee and Josephine Blount Wright.

Survivors include his wife, Minnie Adams Wright of Esto; a brother and sister-in-law, Jessie James and Linda Wright of Jamestown, Tenn.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lucille and Quillan Tindell of Frostproof, Joyce and Gene Miller of Leesburg; two sisters-in-law, Ouida Gilmore of Hartford, Ala., Mary Paul and husband, Julian, of Esto; brother-in-law, R.B. Adams of Esto; and three special great-great-nephews.

Funeral was Aug. 18 at Bethany Baptist Church with the Revs. Edward Barley and Erly D. Skipper offriciating.

Burial was in Esto Community Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home of Bonifay directing.

Timiethy

Shackelford

Timiethy Shackelford, 42 of Bonifay, died August 19 at Doctors Memorial Hospital in Bonifay. He was a native of Washington County, of the Baptist faith and attended public school in Washington County. Survivors include his wife Shelly Shackelford of Bonifay; children, Sonora, Macie, and Cassie Shackelford all of Chipley; step-children, Alexa Everett, Madison Everett and Treion Chancey; brothers and sisters, Kenneth Roulhac and wife Cynthia of Tallahassee, Regina McKnight and husband Oscar, James Shackelford, Perry Shackelford and wife Patricia, all of Chipley, Fredrick Shackelford and wife Valeria of Tallahassee, Rose Everett and husband Alton of Sarasota, Allie Sims of Chicago, Ill. Yvonne and Reginald Shackelford of Winter Garden, two grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was held August 25 at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Chipley with Rev. Price Wilson, officiating. Interment followed in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Chipley with Cooper Funeral Home directing.

Millie J. Pittman

Millie J. Pittman, 71 Jacob City, died August 16 at Bonifay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, after an extended illness. She was born June 22, 1936, to the late Flavours L. and Willie Jamaker Gray Pittman. She was a faithful member of St. Mary Baptist Church in Jacob City, having served as a choir member, usher and during her more active years. She was also affiliated with the community prayer band. Pittman also served many years as reporter of the Jacob News, Graceville News and the Jacobian. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by eight children and their spouses: Jamaker and Charles Sorey of Jacob City, Jaffice and Danice Donaldson and Delaney Pittman all of Tampa, Flavious and Jackie Pittman, Kyrel and Melvin Roulhac all of Marianna, Rachel Pittman of Dallas, Texas, Pamela Smith of Duquense, Penn. SSG Coretta Majors of Ft. Hood, Killeen, Texas; Three brothers; King S. Pittman, David Pittman and wife Christoria, all of Jacob City and Eugene Pittman and wife Hazel of Marianna; brother-in-law Willie C. Baldwin of Jacob City, like a son Obadiah White and wife Terry of Chipley; 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; devoted cousin Earnestine Pittman of Atlanta, Ga and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held August 25 at the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Jacob City with the Revs. George Bowers, Riley Henderson, Samuel Maxwell and Obadiah White officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with McKinnie Funeral Home of Campbellton directing.

Mary (Methvin) Cox Harrell

Mary (Methvin) Cox Harrell, age 80 of Fort Walton Beach, died August 20. She was born in Dawson, Ga., on February 24, 1927. She graduated from Bainbridge High School and attended Valdosta State University. Harrell worked for the civil service, retiring in July 1987, after 15 years at Eglin Air Force Base. She was a life long member of the Methodist Church and has been a member of the Shalimar United Methodist Church since 1994. While living in Chipley, Harrell was active in the Chipley Garden Club, serving as president and winning numerous awards for her innovative flower arrangements.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her aunt, Vella Newton, of Bonifay and her first husband, Winton Frazier (“Tubby”) Cox, of Chipley.

Survivors include her husband, Jim Harrell, of Fort Walton Beach; a sister, Bonnie Proctor, of Chula Vista, Calif.; and her children, Carol Cox Berk, of Miami, Terry Cox Emley, of Fairhope, Ala. and Alan Frazier Cox, of Niceville; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held August 24 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, with Pastor Dr. Larry Bryars officiating. Burial followed at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice of West Florida or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.

Walter A. Cekauskas

Walter Algimantas Cekauskas, 84, of Sunny Hills passed away on Sunday, August 12 at his home in Sunny Hills. Cekauskas had resided in Sunny Hills since 1986 coming from Michigan. He was a Catholic by faith and a member of the St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sunny Hills.

He is survived by his wife Isabella Cekauskas, Sunny Hills; a son: Raymond and wife Lise Ann Cekausks, Birmingham, Mich; two daughters: Ilona and Bryan Foley, San Diego, Calf., and Cynthia Dana and husband Randel Voelker, Savannah, Ga.; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Funeral services were held at the St. Theresa Catholic Church with the Monsignor Francis Szczykutowicz officiating. Interment followed in the Calvary Cemetery with Brown Funeral Home directing.

Marie Wilson Owens George

Marie Wilson Owens George, 89, of Chipley passed away on Tuesday, August 14 at her home.

Mrs. George was born on December 9, 1917, in Chipley to Johnny Franklin and Ella (Duncan) Wilson. She was of the Free Will Baptist Faith and member of the Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church, Chipley.

Survivors include a son: George Clayton Owens and wife Pat, Chipley; a daughter: Fay Owens Grant, Tallahassee; a step-son: Wayne George, Panama City; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 18 at the Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church with the Revs. Tim Owen and the Michael Orr officiating. Interment followed in the Piney Grove Cemetery with Brown Funeral Home directing.

Delaney Stoe

Delaney Stoe, 43 of Chipley died Wednesday, August 15 in Graceville at Southern Home Assisted Living following an extended illness.

He was born in Atlanta, Ga. on July 10, 1964. He was a 1982 graduate of Chipley High School and a veteran of the Florida National Guard, 124th Regiment. He worked with FDOC as a correctional officer for over 12 years and recently worked in sales. He was a member of Holmes Creek Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Lamar and Marie Elizabeth Sexton Stoe and a brother, Fred Lamar Stoe, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy Stoe; two daughters, Tiffany and Sierra Stoe all of Chipley; three brothers, Ben Stoe and wife Karen of Graceville; Victor Stoe of Chipley, Billy Stoe of Hiram, Ga.; sister, Patricia Stoe of Chipley and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 18 at the Chapel of James & Lipford Funeral Home with the Rev. Tim Steele officiating. Burial followed in Wachob-Forest Lawn Cemetery in Chipley with James & Lipford Funeral Home of Graceville directing.

John Paul Scott

John Paul Scott, 89, of Chipley died on Wednesday, August 15 at the Washington Rehab and Nursing Center in Chipley.

He was born on April 8, 1918 in Indiana to Chelsey R. and Garnet (Parker) Scott.

Survivors include his son Danny Scott and wife Rosalyn, Chipley; two daughters: Janice Morris, Chipley and Connie J. Scott, Panama City; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Friday, August 17 in the Chapel of Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. Rick Lovett officiating.

Memorialization was by cremation with Brown Funeral Home of Chipley directing.

Burris D. Coley

Burris D. Coley, Jr., 70, of Clearwater, formerly of Cottondale, passed away on Thursday, August 16 in Clearwater.

He was born on January 11, 1937 in Cottondale to David Burris and Loney Lorene (Melvin) Coley, Sr.

Survivors include his two daughters: Mary Jo Sheldon, Clearwater, and Deanna Muckle, Graceville; a son: Johnny Coley, Largo; four sisters: Helen Miller, Graceville, Mildred Penny, Panama City, Janice Melvin, Chipley and Sallie Whitaker, Lake Okeechobee; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 18 in the Chapel of Brown Funeral Home in Chipley. Interment followed in the Alford Cemetery in Alford with Brown Funeal Home directing.

Blondell T.

Gibson

Blondell Thompson Gibson, 58, of Dothan, Ala., died Aug. 12 at Henry County Health & Rehabilitation in Abbeville, Ala. She was born Nov. 12, 1948, in Graceville.

Gibson was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Ola Shipes Thompson, and her husband, Hubert “PeeWee” Alton Gibson.

Survivors include three daughters and a son-in-law, Pattie Ann Gibson and Jennifer Ann Gibson, both of Dothan, Lorie Ann and Scott Moreland of Newton, Ala.; a cousin, Tina Louise Eldridge of Caryville; two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter.

Services were held Aug. 17 in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain Charles Goldsmith and Speaker Jetta Bullock officiating.

Burial was in Black Community Cemetery in Black, Ala., with Peel Funeral Home Chapel of Bonifay directing.

Joe Bill Galloway

Joe Bill Galloway, 61, of the New Hope community in Westville died Aug. 20 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born Feb. 19, 1946, in Geneva County, Ala., to the late H.W. “Bill” and Isabel Kirkland Galloway.

Galloway was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

He retired from the U.S. Army with 22 years of service. He was a member of Etna Masonic Ledge and the Gideons.

Joe was actively involved in various activities in the New Hope community. He was instrumental in organizing the New Hope Neighborhood Crime Watch. Holmes County and the New Hope community were honored to have Galloway as auxiliary deputy.

Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Pat Thomas Galloway of Westville; one son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Carolyn Galloway of Westville; a daughter and son-in-law, Kellie and James Bishop of Enterprise, Ala.; a brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Anna Galloway of Geneva; five sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Phillip Peters of Auburn, Ga., Linda and Henry Mixon, Kathy and Randy Barnes, all of Geneva, Libby and Billy German, Janet and Junior Ellenburg, all of Westville; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral was held Aug. 23 at Carmel Assembly of God in Holmes County with the Revs. Tommy Moore and Eddie Eaton officiating.

Burial, with full military honors, was in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva directing.

Memorials may be made to the Lonnie Lindsey Scholarship Fund, c/o Bank of Bonifay, 224 N. Waukesha Street, Bonifay, FL 32425, or New Hope Baptist Church, 1954 Highway 2, Westville, FL 32464.

Mary Alice Gillis

Mary Alice (Sasnett) Gillis, age 68, of Westville died Thursday, August 23 at Doctors Memorial Hospital in Bonifay.

She was the daughter of the late Matthew Sasnett and the late Epsie (Cody) Sasnett.

She is survived by her five daughters, Kathy Curry of Ponce de Leon, Merlene Simmons of Ponce de Leon, Pat Bailey of Westville, Margaret (Gillis) Birge of Bonifay, and Connie Nobles of Westville; a son, James Williams of Westville; a sister,Vera Mae Thomas of Westville; six brothers, Max Sasnett of Ponce de Leon, Bobby Sasnett of Westville, Paul Sasnett of Westville, John Sasnett of Westville, Elmer Sasnett of Westville and J. G. Sasnett of Westville; nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren.

Funeral service was at the Westville First UPC Church on Sunday, August 26, with the Revs. David Davis and the Jason Campbell officiating.

Interment was at Westville Cemetery with Sims Funeral Home of Bonifay directing.

Willie Jean Smith

Willie Jean Smith, 77, of Slocomb, Ala. (Fadette Community) died Thursday, Aug. 23, at her residence following an extended illness.

Smith was born in Holmes County on May 23, 1930 to the late James Leon and Lena Holland Jones. She was a homemaker and a member of Victory Baptist Church.

Smith was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Cathy Sue Smith, brother, John Ed Jones and sister, Gladys Davis.

Surviving are her loving husband of 53 years, Harvey Smith; four children, Larry Smith, Belinda Smith and Pedro Trejo, Bobby Smith all of Slocomb; David and Debbie Smith of Dothan; three brothers, James and Dianne Jones of Malvern, Ala., Julius and Beverly Jones, Kenneth Jones, all of Slocomb; four sisters, Martha Lee Owens of Slocomb, Mildred Carmichael of Esto; Christine and Howard Butler, Emmalene and Wayne Welch, all of Hartford, Ala.; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 27 at Bethel Baptist Church with the Revs. Dennis Berry and Donald Davis, Jr. officiating. followed in church cemetery with James & Lipford Funeral Home directing.

Wilber M.

Callahan

Wilber Manning Callahan age 83, of Bonifay died August 19 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala.

He is the son of the late Willis Callahan and Esther Manning Callahan. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Leona Pearl Kirkland Callahan, a son Rickey D. Callahan, a daughter, Judy C. Powell and her husband Wayne, and son-in-law Luther (Buddy) Curry, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Gail Curry.

He was an avid outdoorsman and sports fan. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and various competitive sporting events. He was especially fond of the Holmes County High School Blue Devils, the Florida State University Seminoles, and the Atlanta Braves.

He was a veteran of World War II and received the Purple heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and EAME Ribbon with 5 Bronze Service Stars. He was inducted in the Army infantry on October 16, 1943 and was discharged on November 10, 1945.

He was an active member of the Westville Baptist Church, a Master Mason and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Bonifay Chapter No. 325. Callahan was retired from the United States Postal Service and was a former member of the Westville City Council.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 22 at the Westville Baptist Church, with the Revs. Harry Collins and Gary Taylor officiating. His son, Rickey Callahan, gave the eulogy.

Interment was at the Bonifay City Cemetery with Sims Funeral Home directing.

Faye Harris

Faye Harris, 72 of Cottondale, died Thursday, August 23, 2007 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan.

Harris was born in Alton, IL on July 11, 1935 to the late Anton and Willie Mae Dunn Gusel.

She was licensing director for Florida State University for over 10 years. Mrs. Harris was associated with Collegiate Licensing in Atlanta.

She was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Harris affectionately known as “Big Granny” loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband T.Z. Harris; daughter-in-law, Andrea Lynn Harris and brother John Gusel.

Surviving are her children, Toni Morris and husband Steve of Cottondale, Thomas Z. Harris, III of Crawfordville, Angela Harris Sharpless of Tallahassee, Alan Harris and wife Linda of Tallahassee, Gary Russell Harris of Crawfordville, Gail Wilkes and husband Leonard of Tallahassee; four sisters Phyllis Neave and husband David of Clovis, N.M., Carol Madden and husband Tom of Vista, Calif., Jeanette Kerr and husband Jimmy of Boise, Ark., Jill Rose and husband Robert of Atlanta, Ga., 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 25, at the chapel of James & Lipford Funeral Home with Chaplain Willie Parker officiating. Burial followed in Salem FWB Church Cemetery with James & Lipford Funeral Home directing.

Frankie Lee Corbin

Frankie Lee Corbin, age 83, died Friday, August 17 at Northwest Florida Community Hospital.

She was born in Jackson County on November 16, 1923 to Bob Benefield and Pansey Wadsworth.

Mrs. Corbin was a life-long resident here and a member of Sapp Church. She is survived by three sons: Samuel Homer Corbin and his wife Shirley, Travis Modell Corbin and wife Rhonda, and Charles Randolph Corbin and wife Cynthia all of Cottondale; three step-children: Lenzy Corbin and wife Lou of Chipley, Macon Corbin and wife Ira Bell of Cottondale, and Odein Gamble of Cottondale; two brothers: Tom Benefield of Southport and Oscar Benefield of Texas; two sisters: Gracie Ivey of Georgia and Allene Rogers of Panama City; 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 20 at Brown Funeral Home Brickyard Road Chapel with the Rev. James Vickery, Revs. Robert Simmons, and Chubby Watson officiating.

Interment followed in the Sapp Church Cemetery with Brown Funeral Home directing.

Charles Proctor

Charles “Chuck” Proctor, 60 of Graceville died Saturday August 18, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan.

He was born in Grand Ridge on May 26, 1947. He was a 1964 graduate of Grand Ridge High School. Before his disability, Proctor worked with Golden Peanut Corporation and Register’s Dairy.

He was preceded in death by his father, V.G. “Bubba” Proctor.

Surviving are his wife, Annie Proctor of Graceville; his mother, Lillie Mae Proctor of Zephyrhills; three children, Mark Holifield, Matthew Proctor and wife Christy, and Crystal Proctor all of Graceville; three brothers, Richard Proctor of Columbus, Ga., Allen Proctor of Zephyrhills and Joe Proctor of Marianna; a sister, Sallie Bevis of Zephyrhills; two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 22 at the chapel of James & Lipford Funeral Home with the Rev. Raymond O’Quinn officiating. Burial followed in Shady Grove Community Cemetery near Grand Ridge with James & Lipford Funeral Home of Graceville directing.

Jerry Lee Carter

Jerry Lee Carter, 57, died Wednesday, August 15 at this home. Carter was native of Ironton, Ohio and a resident of Theodore, Ala.

He was preceded in death by parents, Raymond Carter, Sr. and Ruth Di’Negro Cater and one brother, Richard Carter.

He was survived by his wife Betty “Liz” Billiot Carter of Theodore, one daughter Season (Tracy) Johnson of Lynchburg, S.C., a brother Raymond Carter, Jr. of Chipley; a sister, Rita Ann Thomas of Wausau and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 20, Chapel of Brown Funeral Home, Chipley, with the Rev. Mike Swingle officiating. Interment was in the Wausau Memorial Gardens, Wausau, with Brown Funeral Home directing.