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The ghosts of our not so distant past haunt us every day. Not in the sense of apparitions and spirits floating through the air necessarily but the haunting is to be found off the roadsides and the backwoods where old homesites, cemeteries and memories collide in a crescendo of the past following down the river of time into the sea of eternity. It's my speculation that these people of the past want to be remembered for the places where they lived, worshipped, loved and died and they want their...
This column is part book review, part remembrances of my hometown, part discovery of things I didn't know about my hometown, and part admiration of a friend's excellent writing and research. I've just re-read If Perfectly Agreeable by Anne Stanton Sims, subtitled “A love story and life in the 1880's and 1890's in Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama.” If you live in this area and like history, find and read this book. It is the story of a young couple, Frances Rebecca “Fannie” McDavid and Joseph Parmer “Joe” Harrison, as told mostly through...
Sunday afternoons were for playing and sharing time with friends that lived within walking distance to us Smiths. After church and after the dishes were washed, we usually headed out to spend quality time at the house of whomever was on our radar for a good time of playing, or have some over to play at our house. We enjoyed playing at others’ houses because things were more interesting and less restrictive away from home. Buddy and I shared a brother and sister pair that lived south of us. The Murphys lived on a dirt road behind the Allen Smith...
In the summer of 1973, as a student intern in Washington far from my home in Mobile, I got a firsthand view as the Senate held its Watergate hearings. For a young person, it was an amazing introduction to politics, and I was fascinated by what I saw. I followed the subsequent impeachment proceedings in 1974 carefully. Unfortunately, as the facts came out, it was clear President Nixon couldn’t continue in office. During the Clinton impeachment drama, I was a busy father, attorney, and part time state school board member. I could not pay as c...
The second year of the reign of Governor Kay Ivey may give her a second major accomplishment in the first two years of her term as governor. In her first year, she spearheaded the measure to increase the state’s gasoline tax in order to allow Alabama to proceed with a much-needed massive infrastructure program labeled Rebuild Alabama. It is my belief that she and the legislature will resolve the state’s looming prison problems. It was first thought and actually assumed that a Special Session would be called in late October. However, it now app...
Absolutely nothing matters and that means nothing including lack of actual wrong doing. Who needs evidence when hearsay or whatever Congressman Adam Schiff makes up in his so called “parody” convinces the media impeachment is justified. Actually, the fact President Trump is president is the only reason the “Democrat Media Complex” needs to impeach him. Nothing matters except taking down Trump, so ANY means justifies the ends. Still bitter and bruised over the 2016 election, Democrats are still aching to undo the results, but they are joined...
Thank you for the opportunity to be a guest columnist with the Tri-City Ledger. I was asked to take this on now that Ms. Carolyn Bivins, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Regional Extension Agent, is retired after 45 years of service to Escambia County and the surrounding counties. Ms. Carolyn was a blessing to our region and she has more than earned the time to invest in whatever projects and opportunities that she wants to pursue. As a guest columnist, I will be bringing some information and articles about what 4-H is doing here locally...
Edith Margie Lee Lassiter Baggett, 97, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at Atmore Nursing Home. Mrs. Baggett was born in Conecuh County, Ala. and was a long-time resident of Castleberry. She worked as a seamstress at Vanity Fair for several years and was a member of London Baptist Church. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at London Baptist Church with Rev. Jason Blackwell officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery with Craver's Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Baggett is survived by two daughters, Gaye B. (Bob) Evans and...
Clarence “The Cowboy” Brown, 79, died Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. Mr. Brown was born Jan. 12, 1940, to Ervin and Gertrude Brown in Baldwin County, Ala. He attended the Pleasant Hill School and Escambia County Training School in Atmore. Retiring from Scott Construction Company, he was a member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and was affectionately known to friends and family as “The Cowboy”. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at Empowerment Tabernacle Christian Church with Apostle Charlie Etheridge, Overseer Catadro...
Charles Henderson Caraway, 86, of McCullough, Ala., died Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. Mr. Caraway was born May 31, 1933, to James William and Sandie Armenty Cararway in McCullough. He worked on jet engines at Brookley Field for 17 years and then farmed for more than 50 years in his home town of McCullough. The funeral was held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 30, at McCullough Christian Center with Rev. Jeremy Jones officiating. Burial followed at Judson Cemetery with Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home directing. Mr. Caraway is survived by his wife, Bobbie...
Kenton Lee Classen, 70, of Atmore, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. Mr. Classen was born May 3, 1949 to Willie F. and Elizabeth Lowen Classen in Fowler, Kan. A farmer most of his life, he had worked for John Deere and also had a starter alternator business. He was a member of the Mennonite Christian Fellowship. The funeral was held at 10 a.m., Tuesday Oct. 8, at Mennonite Christian Fellowship with Bro. Blaine Copenhaver officiating.s Burial followed at Freemanville Community Cemetery with Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home directing. Mr. Classen is survived...
Clarence Allen Dewberry, 71, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at the Evergreen Nursing Home. Mr. Dewberry was a native and lifelong resident of Conecuh County, Ala. He worked as a self-employed painter in the construction industry and attended Oak Grove Holiness Church. The funeral was held at 12 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at the chapel of Craver's Funeral Home with Sis. Barbara Green officiating. Burial followed at Buffington Cemetery with Craver's Funeral Home directing. Mr. Dewberry is survived by one brother, Lawrence Dewberry of Castleberry; four...
Jamarreo Tyrone Lykes, 29, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, as a result of a house fire. Mr. Lykes was a native of Atmore and had resided in Tuscaloosa for most of his life. A 2009 Holt High School graduate, he was employed with Wendy's restaurant for 12 years, where he had worked is way up from crew member to manager and finally to General Manager. He had also worked with Circle K stores in Tuscaloosa. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at Gaines Chapel AME Church in Atmore with Rev. Amos Smith...
Allie Mae Wearren Sexton, 87, died Friday, Sept. 27, 2019 in Century, Fla. Mrs. Sexton was born April 7, 1932, and married Jim Sexton, in the U.S. Air Force, in 1952. The couple was stationed in several places during his service career, including Anchorage, Alaska during the 1964 earthquake. When Jim retired in 1967, the family moved back to Bratt, Fla. She worked several jobs as a bookkeeper, tax preparer and secretary. The couple owned Bratt Trucking for several years. The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at Petty-Eastside Chapel...
William Etheridge Smith, 80, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 following and extended illness. Mr. Smith was born Sept. 12, 1939, to William Robert and Bertha Etheridge Smith in Crenshaw County, Ala. A 1957 graduate of Dozier High School, he went to work for A and P in Andalusia and transferred to Brewton in 1958. He left the A and P in 1963 and went to work with Liberty National Insurance, retiring in 1999 after 37 years of service. A former member of the Brewton Kiwanis Club and Habitat for Humanity, he served as a volunteer with T.R. Miller High...
Gilbert Williams, Sr., 85, died Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Mr. Williams was born March 11, 1934, to John Burley and Brunetta Williams in Pennsylvania. Raised in Monroe County, Ala. He worked for the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years in Waukegan, Ill. And attended services at Gideon Baptist Church. Upon retirement, he and his family moved to Jonesboro Ga., where he attended Shiloh Baptist Church. The funeral was held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at Christian Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Sydney Grant officiating. Burial followed at Rabb...
Minnie Luker Nordstrom Woodson, 99, of Atmore, died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 in Pensacola. Mrs. Woodson was born Nov. 1, 1919 to Fred and Cora Luker in Atmore. A graduate of Escambia Cunty High School, she was owner and operator of a Cafe 1950's in Atmore and then later worked at the Ribbon Mill and Vanity Fair until she retired in 1984. The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 7, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Pam Avery officiating. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery with Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Woodso...
Residents in the Jay area joined the rest of the voters across Santa Rosa County in voting no Tuesday on a proposed 1-cent sales tax that was proposed to generate money to address capital improvements and infrastructure needs throughout the county with 67 percent of county residents against the tax. Countywide, Santa Rosa County residents voted 8,581 in favor of the tax and 17,529 voted no. In the Jay precinct, the sales tax proposal was defeated 217 to 74. Across Santa Rosa County, voter...
An East Brewton man found asleep behind the wheel of his running pickup truck was arrested after an Escambia County Sheriff's Office deputy found methamphetamine and marijuana in his possession. Melton Wayne Mitchell, Jr., 29, 104 Hart St., was arrested Sept. 24 and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (meth), unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. According to sheriff's office reports, Sgt. Claude Cosey was driving on Foshee Road...
While there were plenty of peanuts fresh roasted corn was also the treat this past Saturday and Sunday at the annual Jay Peanut Festival in Jay with plenty of arts, crafts, food and entertainment. For more see Page 1B....
At a young age Chance Thompson said he wanted to do something in his life to help other people. That journey has taken him from an emergency medical technician to volunteer fireman and police officer. Officially at 12 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, Thompson became Flomaton's new police chief. The Flomaton Town Council voted Sept. 25 to name Thompson as the new chief following the resignation of Chief Bryan Davis, who accepted a new job. At the age of 25, Thompson is the youngest police chief ever...
When Bill Blair was a teenager growing up in East Brewton his father was a bee keeper. Blair said he wasn't interested in the hobby because he was too busy doing 'teenager things'. But the seed his father planted many years ago has grown with the 65-year old Blair now Escambia County, Alabama's only Master Beekeeper with not only a love of the trade, but a desire to get others involved. A 1972 graduate of W.S. Neal High School, Blair received his bachelor's and master's degree in criminal justic...
The voters in Santa Rosa County (I actually thought about putting residents instead of voters of Santa Rosa County until I realized that the majority of residents don't care), along with the voters in Jay sent a powerful message Tuesday by not only saying 'No' to a new 1-cent sales tax but a big 'Hell' no with 67 percent of those who voted casting a no vote. A whopping 18.83 percent of the registered voters in Santa Rosa County went to the polls. In Jay, the percentage was higher with 75...
We've discussed honey bees before. Flomaton resident John Sansom invited us to a few meetings to get a better understanding of the importance of bees. This past week we talked with Bill Blair, Escambia County's only Master Beekeeper, not only about his honey business but the importance of bees. Granted, most people are scared of bees. We think too many people compare them to yellow jackets and wasps. But Blair gave us something we all need to think about. “Humans could not continue to live on this planet if all our bees are dead,” he said. Thi...
The Century Council approved a recommendation from Interim City manager Buz Eddy to allow Escambia County (Fla.) to replace 10 commercial gas meters through a mutual aid response at a cost of $17,171 to help the town. Eddy told the council that Pensacola Energy has agreed, at Mayor Grover Robinson's direction to make the repairs at cost right away. “We were concerned if we did not do an RFP with the complexity of a gas meter like the one at the prison,” said Eddy. “It's very complex work and the...
