2015 May : NorthEscambia.com

Study: Century Not Ready For Hotel Or Motel

May 19, 2015

Now is probably not a good time to open a hotel or motel in Century, according to a University of West Florida Haas Center study commissioned by the town council.

The town’s recently developed economic development plan from the UWF identified a lodging business might be needed for Century to capitalize on visitors that pass through the town on a daily basis — about 10,200 vehicles per day average on Highway 29.

The $12,500 study found that development of a hotel may need to wait for Century to grow a bit.

The hotel feasibility study included a neighborhood and market area analysis that considered interstate and CSX access, Century Correctional Institution, and local events and festivals. The study also looked at the influence of competing motels and hotels in Brewton and Atmore, a stagnant hotel market trend in southern Alabama and costs.

The study concluded that a 70-room budget or economy hotel my be feasible under “strict circumstances”, but the project costs might outweigh the overall economic value.

Pictured: Gas stations on Highway 29 already capitalize on a steady stream of traffic through Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Ludovico Ballesteros Alhambra

May 19, 2015

Ludovico Ballesteros Alhambra, 77, also known to many as “Dino”, died peacefully, surrounded by family, in his Pensacola home on May 11, 2015, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

Dino is survived by his wife, Lynn Sweetman; his children, Eva Secchiari of Las Vegas, NV, Leo Alhambra of Marysville, WA, Mary Chesnut of Gaylesville, AL, Michael Sweetman and Tiffany Sweetman of Pensacola; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Magdalena “Maggie” Alhambra, when she passed in 1999 in Pensacola.

Dino was a veteran with 31 years of service. He began his military career in 1958 and served his country in the US Navy in the Steward and Mess Specialist Ratings until his retirement with full honors in 1988. His 31 years of dedicated service included duty on an array of naval vessels, but it was his “Silent Service” as a Submariner that defined his naval career. After military retirement, Dino continued to dedicate himself to the Florida State Corrections Department as the Road Prison’s Food Service Manager and transitioned to the Corrections Academy and was promoted to Road Prison Corrections Officer until his retirement in 2000.

Dino’s sense of service was boundless and never ending. He was an active member of numerous community and civic organizations such as Filipino-American Association; the United Pangasinan; Republican Executive Committee; Chairperson of the Black Republican Club and Chief of Staff of the Minority Coalition Club. His volunteer work at the Department of Veteran’s Administration will not be forgotten.

Dino’s greatest of all his illustrious life accomplishments, was being bestowed the Honorary 33rd Degree as conferred by the Scottish Rite. It is an honorary degree bestowed on a member who has already received the Knight Commander Court. Since 1983, Dino remained committed and devoted to the Masons. His Masonic journey included many positions including Past Master of the Ensley Masonic Lodge and District Deputy Grand Master of his District. His time was also provided as a member of the Masonic Memorial Team, the York Rite Bodys and the Zellica Grotto.

Dino was kind and generous, and he always had time to answer a question no matter how small. His time was your time. He always sought out new faces in the crowd and ensured they felt welcome to the community. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his Creator.

Dino’s Vigil Service was held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home on Sunday May 17, 2015.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 18, 2015, at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola.

Dino was buried at Barrancas National Cemetary on Naval Air Station Pensacola beside his late wife, Magdalena.

The funeral arrangements and vigil are being coordinated through Faith Chapel Funeral Homes South.

Wahoos Win Over Braves

May 19, 2015

It took Little Heroes Night to help the Pensacola Blue Wahoos stop a two-game skid to the Mississippi Braves Monday.

Seth “Superman” Mejias-Brean (running faster than a speeding bullet, of course) scored the winning run, 4-3, for Pensacola when Juan “Superman” Silva doubled to left field just inside the chalk in the sixth inning in front of 3,604 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

Superman was, in fact, the top super hero pick of the Blue Wahoos players and Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly on the promotion at the ballpark Monday. Each player chose their top characters.

Mejias-Brean a three-sport star in high school in Tucson, Ariz., showed off his speed Monday. In the sixth, he reached first on an infield single to third and then ended up stealing second base on a hit-and-run. It was his second steal of the night after stealing just one base in his previous 100 games at Pensacola.

Kelly said Mejias-Brean has deceptive speed and called him one of the Blue Wahoos top base runners.

“He gets those size 16’s going and covers some ground,” Kelly said. “He’s a much better athlete than people give him credit for.”

Mejias-Brean was in a 3-36 slump hitting .083 before going 8-25 or .320 in his last seven games. After going 2-4 on two singles, he’s reached base in his last eight games. He laughed off his two stolen bases Monday.

“I’ve always had the green light to go,” he said. “I don’t show off (my speed) too often but it’s there.”

The “Supermans” bailed out Robert “The Hulk” Stephenson, who started the game for Pensacola and got his second win in a row. He left after six innings, having given up three earned runs on a home run blast by Kevin Ahrens in the third inning. Stephenson gave up six hits, two walks and struck out six.

Stephenson liked his Blue Wahoos graphic as “The Hulk,” except for his mustache. He’s shaved it off but was sporting it earlier in the season when team pictures were taken. Stephenson, the Cincinnati Reds top prospect the past two seasons and a 27th pick in the first round in 2011, said he’s come to rely on his non-Hulk like changeup, instead of his mid-90s fastball. He struck out four Mississippi batters with his changeup on Monday.

“I had that just one bad pitch,” Stephenson said. “Just being able to throw the fastball down in the zone and then show the change up after allows me to get some swings on it. I think our pitching has been outstanding.”

Pensacola got on the scoreboard first when Marquez Smith lined a grounder off of Mississippi pitcher Jake Brigham’s right leg. Second baseman Ryan Wright scored to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0, for the first time in three games against Mississippi. Meanwhile, Brigham walked off the field and was relieved by Mark Lamm.

The Blue Wahoos have won eight of their last 11 games, scoring five runs in half of those games, while throwing two shutouts and allowing just one run four times. Pensacola moved out of last place in the Southern League South Division at 16-22, one game ahead of the Jacksonville Suns.

Grant Murray Godwin

May 19, 2015

Grant Godwin passed away after an extended illness in Gainesville, Florida.

Grant was born and raised in Oak Grove. Growing up in Oak Grove, Grant was active in 4H Clubs and Future Farmers of America. In high school, Grant was rewarded with the prestigious ‘American Farmer’ award, one of three recipients in the State of Florida.

Grant graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Agriculture and worked for 4-H, IFAS at the University of Florida. Grant met his wife, Bronna while working as 4-H Staff members; Grant at the University of Florida and Bronna at Florida State University. They were married in Bartow, Florida on June 30, 1957. They have made their home in Gainesville since that date.

They have three children. Mark (Karen) who live on Lake Santa Fe in Alachua County; Jane (Randy) of Houston, Texas and have a son, Alex and Ann (Tom), of Naples, Florida, have a daughter, Lauren; and a son, Ryan (Lara) and Lauren has a son, Jesse.

Grant enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling. Grant and Bronna aimed to visit all national parks and historical sites. They enjoyed some parks so much, they continued to visit. They toured many European countries including Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal. They also enjoyed time in Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, and cruised regularly.

Grant enjoyed his Yorkie Annabel, a special companion in his later years.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 11 a.m. in The Piano Room at Oak Hammock with Rev. Esther Rodriguez officiating.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 22, 2015, at 11 a.m. in Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Grove.

Barbara E. Trawick

May 19, 2015

Barbara, 88, a native of Berrydale and resident of Pensacola, peacefully slipped into the arms of her Savior on May 12, 2015.

She was a member of the Community of Christ Church Pensacola.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Clarence E. Trawick; second husband, J. Russell Cassady; mother, Harriet Ellis; and father, William Jackson Allen.

Mrs. Trawick is survived by her daughter, Janice T. Howard; son, William E. (Jean) Trawick; granddaughter, Stacy Miles; grandsons, Teddy Howard and Christopher Trawick; great- granddaughters, Rebekah Miles, Kayla McIntosh, Ashley Davis, and Alexandra Howard; great-grandsons, Zayne Trawick and Hunter Howard; great-great-grandson, Luke McIntosh; sister, Charlotte Louise Cook; and former daughter-in-law, Brenda Trawick.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Evangelist Les Kelly, Reverend Ken Johnson, and Reverend Richard Altenbaugh officiating services.

Burial was in Whitfield Cemetery in Berrydale.

Pallbearers were Johnny Dunn, Woodrow Dunn, Wayne Cook, and Doug Dunn.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Daniel Currie Jones “Deacon”

May 19, 2015

Daniel was born in Muscogee, FL on April 30, 1926, to the late Tom and Inez Steagall Jones and passed away suddenly on May 15, 2015.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Roland, Edward “Sugerboy”, and Gene; and a sister, Helen Jones Harned.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Cofty Jones; his children, Daniel O. (Lynn), Arleen (Ronnie Keck), and Mark; his grandchildren, Lezlie Keck McLaughlan and Jason Keck; his great-grandchildren, Raeann and Tomas McLaughlan; and his sisters, Hilda Jones Ansley, Peggy Jones Odom, Judy Jones Rhodes, and Janie Jones Graves; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He served in the U.S. Navy as a CM3 during WWII in the South Pacific from 1944-1946 and returned to graduate from Tate High School. He continued on to graduate in the first class at Chipola Jr. College; and then to earn a B.S. Degree in Mathematics from Troy State University. While at Troy, he met the love of his life, Barbara Cofty of Colquitt GA. They married and made their home, for 63 years in Escambia County, where he worked as a millwright at St. Regis later Champion Paper from where he retired after 36 years.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling with his family. He loved and was very much loved by his friends and family.

We would like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice for all of the care that they provided.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Jimmy Cook, officiating.

Burial was in Rawls Cemetery in Coquitt, GA.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Walter “Bud” Sparshott

May 19, 2015

Walter “Bud” Sparshott, age 75, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015.

He served 32 years in the U.S. Navy retiring as a Command Master Chief. After retirement he owned and operated Century 21 Southern Homes Realty Inc. and Southern Homes Realty LLC for over 25 years. He was well respected in the community, having been a part of many organizations. He will be missed.

Bud is preceded in death by his parents; Walter Sparshott and Beula Sparshott; son, Kenneth Sparshott; and daughter, Gaile Ann Sparshott.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Nancy Sparshott; daughter, Scarlett (Dan) Tullos; grandson, Braden Shockley; and granddaughter, Athena Graves.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. The family will receive friends from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Interment will take place following the service at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Chester Field McGhee

May 19, 2015

Mr. Chester Field McGhee, 76, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015, in Mobile.

Mr. McGhee was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. He loved to fish and loved his family. He was of the Holiness faith. He is preceded in death by his mother, Pearlie Gertrude Rolin; father, James Mac McGhee; sisters, Leatha McGhee and Daisy Bell Rolin; and brothers, Fred Thomas McGhee and Edward Eugene Rolin.

He is survived by his three sons, Michael McGhee of Flomaton, Nathan McGhee of Flomaton and Andy McGhee of Pensacola; one daughter, Deborah (Earl) Weekley of Milton; nine grandchildren, Miranda Burgess, Payton McGhee, Katrina Aull, James McGhee Jr., Tiffany Candice Browning, Isabell McGhee, Ryan McGhee, Wyatt Kozell and Brooke Kozell; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the Friendly Holiness Church with the Rev. Ray Ward officiating.

Burial was in the New Home Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be James McGhee, Fred Wilson McGhee, David Rolin, Justin Davis, Jerry Sanchez and Wyatt Kozell.

Honorary pallbearer will be Eddie Tullis.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, is in charge of all arrangements.

Johnnie Mae (Mock) Lee

May 19, 2015

Johnnie Mae (Mock) Lee, 89, passed away at the Atmore Nursing Center on Sunday, May 17, 2015.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John Elbert and Ella Mock; husband, Warner Clifford Lee; brother, John Elbert Mock Jr.; daughter, Patricia Lee Young; and two sisters, Marie DeLucia, and Ella Lee Taylor.

She is survived by son-in-law, C. W. Young III; one grandson, Daniel Park Young; and two great-grandchildren, Ryan Aiden Young and Peyton Mae Young; a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.

She was a lifelong member of the Canoe United Methodist Church.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at Petty Funeral Homes East Side Chapel on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, with visitation from 1 p.m. until services at 2 p.m.

Interment will follow at Freewill Cemetery in Canoe.

Pallbearers will be Jack Johnson, Ed Johnson, Tony Gibbs, Bob Gibbs, Sammy Gibbs, Frankie Baggett and Tommy Young.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Canoe United Methodist Church Men’s Club.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canoe United Methodist Church at 155 South Canoe Road, Atmore, AL 36502.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.

Barbara L. Lewis

May 19, 2015

Barbara L. Lewis, age 80, our precious angel is flying high as of May 17, 2015. Barbara was born in Missouri on January 20, 1935, to Avery and Opal Oliver. In 1953, she married Donald F. Lewis Sr., her late husband of 55 years. In 1957 they moved to Florida where they raised their four children. Along with being a loving wife, mother, nanny and great nanny she worked for Escambia County School Board after 30 plus years of service and retired May 1, 2000. Her family was her life. She is deeply loved and treasured by family and friends and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Lewis Sr.; her father and mother, Avery Oliver and Opal Oliver Buffington; her step father, Jack Buffington; two brothers, Avery Oliver and Tommy Oliver; one sister, Alice Hobbs; two grandchildren, Kimberly and Little Joe Nezovich; a sister-in-law, Sharon Wells; and a brother-in-law, Orville Wells.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Donna (Joe) Nezovich, Dianna Bair, and Dena Lewis Oldfield; son, Donald (Christy) Lewis, Jr.; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; her brother, Jack Oliver; her sister, Stella (Jerry) Wall; numerous nieces and nephews; and a loving and devoted best friend of 30 years, Nancy (Mason) Millwood.

The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Services begin at 12 p.m. Following the service procession to Barrancas National Cemetery for graveside at 2:00 p.m., Pastor Wayne Blocker and wife Angie Blocker will be officiating.

Pallbearers will be Tim Marks, Donnie Lewis III, Jody Nezovich, Devan Kervin, Tavarus Bair and Mason Millwood Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Oliver, Jerry Wall, Joe Nezovich, Jason Oliver, Harry Bair and Jason Hammond.

The family would like to send out a special thank you to Doctor Thomas Tan, the Woodlands Infusion Center and staff at Covenant Hospice.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

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