By Staff
Obituaries for April 18, 2004 edition of the Atmore Advance
Franklin Sylvester "Sly" Blanton
Dr. Franklin Sylvester "Syl" Blanton, 101, of Gainesville died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at his home.
Dr. Blanton was born in Jones Mill, Ala. and moved to Gainesville from New York in 1956. He was a retired medical entomologist and professor emeritus at the University of Florida. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. He is preceded in death by a son, Franklin Thomas Blanton.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Audrey Q. Blanton of Gainesville; daughters, Virginia Griffin of Hendersonville, N.C. and Martha Tisdale of Gainesville; sister, Hazel Jones of Atmore; ten grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 1 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Chapel with Rev. Steve McCollum conducting the service. Burial will be private at Memorial Park East, Gainesville. In lieu of flowers to Hospice of North Central Florida, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, Fl 32605.
Williams-Thomas Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Minnie Lou Booze
Mrs. Minnie Lou Booze, 89, died Thursday, April 8, 2004 in Ocala Health Rehabilitation Center.
She was a native of Stockton and a resident of Ocala for one year. She worked as a private housekeeper. She is preceded in death by her father, James Wesley Hall and mother, Arttie Missie Hall.
She is survived by two sisters, Arttie M. Bell of Ocala and Jimmie L. Thomas of Penny Farms, Fla.
Funeral services will be Monday, April 19, 2004 at 11 a.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Stockton with Pastor W. Figures officiating. Burial will follow at Robinson Cemetery in Stockton. Her body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services.
Turner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
David Bright
David Bright, 55, of Century died Wednesday, April 14, 2004 as his residency. Services will be Monday, April 19, 2004 at 1 p.m. at St. Luke Baptist Church on Buck Wood Road in Century. Body will lie in state from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the church.
Robinson Christian Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Benjamin L. "B.L." Hendrix
Mr. Benjamin L. "B.L." Hendrix, Jr., 80, died Wednesday, April 14, 2004 at a Pensacola hospital.
Mr. Hendrix was a native of Mexia and a resident of Atmore for the past 41 years. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police, Alabama State Police Association, and a retired Field Agent for ABC. He attended the Protestant Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Emmons Hendrix.
He was survived by four brothers, Charles Rayford Hendrix of Prattville, Alfred Douglas Hendrix of Monroeville, Alvin C. Hendrix of Brewton, and Richard J. Hendrix of Crestview; sister, Kate Hendrix Abbott of Monroeville; numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 10 a.m. at Mexia Cemetery with Rev. John Finklea officiating and Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers were his brothers and nephews.
Eastside Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Earline Wiggins Strickland
Mrs. Gladys Earline Wiggins Strickland, 91, of Walnut Hill died Thursday, April 15, 2004. She was a retired bus driver with Escambia County, Fla. School System. She was born on February 22, 1913 in Escambia County, Fla. to the late George J. and Ida Leadkins Wiggins.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Walker Elliott Stickland; daughter, Mary Lou Faircloth Wiggins; four brothers; two sisters.
She is survived by one son, Donald Elliott and Willie Marie Stickland of Walnut Hill; three daughters, Louise and Charles Bryan, Marilyn S. and Royce Ward all of Walnut Hill, Sharee and Edward Godwin of Oak Grove, Fla.; one son-in-law, Leonard Wiggins; former son-in-law, Robert Faircloth; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; special friends, Johnny and Norma Eubanks; special niece, Georgia Avery.
Services were Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 2 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home chapel with Bro. James Boyd and Rev. Roy Chewning officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers were his grandsons: Chuck Bryan, Gary Bryan, George Strickland, Bill Strickland, Rob Faircloth, Brett Ward, Horace Ward, Keith Cauley, Kiley Godwin, and Scott Ward. Honorary pallbearers are: Howard Shell, Lawrence Grimes, Billy Ward, Gene Bryan, Curtis Amerson, LeRoy Wiggins, Lindy Phillips, and Bill McArthur.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. in charge of all arrangements.
Clarence R. Walker
Clarence R. Walker, 95, of Oak Grove died Monday, March 29, 2004.
He was the son of the late James E. (Bud) and Alice Walker. He was a member of Oak Grove Church of Christ. He was active in the development and care of the Oak Grove Community Center and care of the cemetery for 23 years. He was a charter member and helped out the R.E.A. and served on the board for 12 years. He was a charter member of the Escambia County Farm Bureau and served as president and office manager about 15 years. He helped obtain the first gymnasium and first stadium seats for Ernest Ward High School.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Willis Walker, his son James R. (Sonny) Walker; one brother, Cephas Walker; and two sisters, Margaret Walker and Lucille McCall.
He is survived by two daughters, Wilma and Gladen Gibson and Janis and Everette O'Farrell of Oak Groves; one daughter-in-law, Marian Walker of Molino; one brother, J.B. and Gladys Walker of Oak Grove; one sister-in-law, Rosa Walker of Pensacola; ten grandchildren, Daryl and Ruth O'Farrell, Paula and Terry Miller, Dennis O'Farrell, Randy and Judy Baker, John and Janet Gibson, Bryan and Lynn Gibson, Laura Gibson, Melanie and Marc Hinds, Mary Wise, and James Edward and Linda Walker; 22 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 1 at 10 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Billy Randolph and grandsons, John and Bryan Gibson officiating. Eulogy by Leroy Wiggins. Burial was at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of all arrangements.