By Staff
Click link for 11-13-05 Obits
Dr. Benjamin C. Maxwell
ATMORE – Dr. Benjamin C. Maxwell, 80, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, at Atmore Community Hospital.
Dr. Maxwell, a native of Atmore, graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, after doing undergraduate work at Auburn University and the University of Alabama.
He was a pioneer in family medical practice, which he began in his hometown of Atmore in 1953 and continued until his retirement in 1998.
He was a WWII veteran of the United States Navy and was the founding member of Physicians Associates of Atmore, P.A.
Dr. Maxwell was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Atmore, where for many years he taught a Sunday school class for high school seniors.
In 1994, he was named Citizen of the Year at the annual Atmore Chamber of Commerce banquet. Dr. Maxwell was an avid golfer and excelled in that sport.
The affable doctor was renowned for the degree of interest, patience and compassion for his patients, as well as for the expertise in his chosen family practice field that he developed over decades of hands-on experience and continuing education.
Preceding Dr. Maxwell in death was his daughter, Martha Ann Allen, who died June 14 of this year and is survived by her husband, Earl Vandon Allen, and by her children, Ashley and Hunter; two brothers, W. Randolph Maxwell and George Talmadge Maxwell. Dr. Maxwell was the son of William Randolph “Dolphie” Maxwell and Mary Talmadge Maxwell of Atmore.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean Hunter Stallworth Maxwell, of Atmore; one daughter, Mary Lynn (Ronnie) Shirley of Peachtree City, Ga., and one son, Benjamin C. “Bo” Maxwell, Jr., of Atmore; four grandchildren, Mary Ashley Allen, Hunter O’Neill Allen, Mary Allison Shirley, and Lindsey Elizabeth Shirley; and two brothers, Joseph W. Maxwell of Fairhope and Robert H. Maxwell of Atmore.
Funeral Services were held at First United Methodist Church in Atmore, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, with Dr. Douglas Newton officiating. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore.
Pallbearers were: Richard K. Maxwell, Dr. David H. Maxwell, Thomas K. King, Jr., Christopher S. King, M. Myles King, and B. Dale Ballard. Honorary pallbearers were Felix Nicholas, Bill Hendrix, P.D. Pollard, Bill Chapman, Fred Zuiderhoek, Dr. Jon Yoder, Dr. Harry Moore and members of the Methodist Men’s Club.
In lieu of flowers the family has suggested that donations be made to United Methodist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 830, Selma, Ala. 36702-9900 or to Atmore Community Hospital, 401 Medical Park Drive, Atmore, Ala. 36502.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc., was in charge of all arrangements.
Margaret A. Smeltzer
CENTURY – Mrs. Margaret A. Smeltzer, 92, of Century, Fla., died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005 in Pensacola, Fla. She was a clerk in the drug store. She was born in North Star, Mich. on Oct. 13, 1913 to the late George R. and Libby Adamack Clark.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul W. Smeltzer, a son, James Clark Smeltzer, and a granddaughter, Margaret Roseanna Benner.
Survivors are: a daughter, Sandra Benner and husband, Dick of Century, Fla., four grandchildren, Thomas Scott Benner and wife, Ann of Atmore, Tracy Richard Benner and wife Kirsty of Okolona, Miss., Nathan Benner and wife, Rachel of Century, Fla., Paula Jean Benner of Atmore; six great grandchildren, Holly Benner, Krystal Benner, Richard Benner, Alex Benner, Christian Heritage and Angelina Heritage. Memorial Services have not yet been announced. Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Helen Buckhault White
BAY MINETTE – Mrs. Helen Buckhault White, 74, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005 at a Baldwin County Hospital.
Mrs. White was a native of Barnett Crossroads, a former resident of Robertsdale, and a resident of Bay Minette for the past 26 years. She was a loving mother and especially loved her grandchildren and family. She attended the Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include: two sons, Clifton Eugene “Gene” (Sherry) Buckhault of Little Rock, and Billy Ray (Cheryl) Buckhault of Robertsdale; her daughter, Jeral Dean (Hubert) Reed of Bay Minette; eight grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; five brothers, William Harrison of Robertsdale, Paul Harrison of Summerdale, Thomas Ray Harrison of Robertsdale, Johnny Harrison of Loxley, and Jimmy Harrison of Daphne; two sisters, Margaret Lowery of Repton and Mary Evelyn Parson of Barnwell.
Funeral Services were held on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 at 11 a.m. at the Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. George Nall officiating. Burial followed at Miller Cemetery.
Pallbearers were: Alvin Harrison, Ricky Parson, Randy Parson, Mark Harrison, Blake Harrison and Donny Harrison.
Eugene Etheridge Jones
OHIO – Eugene Etheridge Jones, 71, passed away recently in Dayton, Ohio where he lived. Mr. Jones was one of eight children born to the late Harold and Clara Jones on May 17, 1934 in Atmore.
He graduated from Escambia County Training School and then attended Tennessee State University, where he joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and earned a B.S. degree in mathematics. In addition to academic awards, Jones garnered a number of ROTC awards and after leaving TSU; he enlisted in the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. He became a navigator and a pilot, flying missions in the Vietnam conflict. After 20 years of service, he retired from the military as a Colonel.
Jones received his Master’s degree and his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. He was an instructor at Wright’s Patterson Air Force Base and also taught at Wilberforce College and the University of Dayton. He also managed his own consulting firm in which he served as Consultant to the Tennessee State University and specialized in mathematical modeling and analysis in educational finance and engineering.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Hazel, his son, Michael Anthony, his brother William, and his sisters, Adelle Stephens, Crease Dailey, Mary Stroman, Gloria Jones and Brunetta Lee.
His children, Valerie Nyalda and Anthony Cornelius; his sister, Artelia Brown; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and close friends survive him.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 at the Maranatha Christian Fellowship, in Dayton, Ohio. Interment with military honors followed at the Woodland Cemetery.