Obituaries - D Surnames

New Hope

Our whole community was saddened by the death of Mrs. J. E. Dancy, which occurred Monday of last week. Mrs. Dancy was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Owens, and was a member of the Baptist church at New Hope for many years.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay, Florida, Saturday, July 13, 1912
Transcribed by Mona Spears

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Mysterious Murder Solved.

Jackson county Officials Find Clue, Which leads to Arrest of White Couple.

(From Pensacola Journal)

Marianna, Aug. 25 - Through the untiring efforts and splendid detective work of sheriff H. A. Bowles and State Attorney Rivers H. Buford, the mystery of the dead body discovered near Marianna a week ago has been cleared up and the alleged perpetrators of the crime are now in the toils of the law.

By the aid of some small scraps of paper sound near the body of the dead man Mr. Buford established a clue which led to the identity of the deceased. Piecing the scraps together he made out a grocery store order on a store in Columbus, Ga. Taking the matter up with the chief of police of that city her ascertained that the order had been filled by a clerk in Starkie's grocery store and the groceries sent to the home of a negro by the name of Jeff Davis, living at No. 532 Second avenue, and accepted by the wife of the negro.

Going to Columbus, Sheriff Bowles and Sate Attorney Buford ascertained by inquiry that the wife of the negro had died some weeks ago and that since her death the man had appeared partially demented. That on July 8th he left Columbus in company with Walter and Milly Barrentine, white, with a horse and buggy belonging to the negro and traveled through the country as gypsies, telling fortunes. It was understood that the couple had induced the negro to leave his home and accompany then for the purpose of learning fortune telling and other occult mysteries in which the woman professed to be proficient.

Following the trail of the company the officers found that they had crossed the Chattahoochee river at Fort Gaines and that on July 28th in Henry county, Alabama, the couple had in some way obtained a bill of sale to the house and buggy for an alleged consideration of $250 in cash. On July 31st the party reached Jackson county, Florida, and went to the Double Hole west of natural Bridge on the Chipola river ostensibly for the purpose of fishing. Only the white man and woman returned from the fishing trip and spent the night at the house of Sam Speight, a negro living half mile from the double Hole. On Sunday, August the 1st, the couple left in the direction of Cottondale, and on August 2nd, Monday, they came to Marianna to the home of the woman's sister, Samantha O'Connor. There they claimed to have won the horse and buggy from the negro in a crap game and to have left the negro in Alabama from where he was to return home on the railroad. They later claimed that the negro left them at the home of Charlie White, colored, but maintains that neither the negro nor anyone else accompanied them to the Double Hole.

Having obtained the chain of evidence against the white man and woman they were trailed eastward from Marianna towards Tallahassee where on Sunday they were apprehended by Abner Denham of this city, accompanied by a deputy sheriff of Leon county, and brought back to Marianna and lodged in jail. State Attorney Buford states the is in possession of evidence to further identify the body of the negro, and also to prove that he bore the reputation of a peaceful, law abiding man.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay, Florida, Friday, Aug. 27, 1915
Transcribed by Mona Spears, March 1999

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Mrs Mary Ellen Davis, age 82 of Ponce de Leon, passed away Tuesday, Jan 5, 1999 in Panama City.

She was born on Feb 1, 1916 in Black, Alabama and was the daughter of the late Charlie and Fannie Dell Thomas McDonald. Mrs Davis had resided in the Ponce de Leon area for the past 56 years. She was a member of Otter Creek Methodist Church where she also taught Sunday School. She was a member of Order of Eastern Star, DeFuniak Springs Chapter. She will be remembered as a grand supporter of Ponce de Leon High School and was also very active in her community. Mr and Mrs Davis recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan 8 in the Comande Funeral Home Chapel in DeFuniak Springs with the Rev C W Stevensen officiating. Burial followed in the Sandy Creek Cemetery.

Mrs Davis is survived by her husband: Leslie Davis of Ponce de Leon; three daughters: Martha and husband Zalma Chitty of Mobile, Alabama; June and her husband Joseph E Riddle of Baymonet, Alabama; and Molly Ann and husband Robert Rutan of DeFuniak Springs; sister: O-Ferrel Harold of Tallahassee; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser/Washington County Post, Wednesday, January 13, 1999, page 19

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Gladys Mae Davis, age 74 of Decatur, Alabama died on Monday, Feb 22, 1999 at Decatur General Hospital in Decatur, Alabama.

Funeral services were held on Feb 25 at the Bethel Baptist Church with Minister Don Davis, Jr, officiating. Burial followed in the Bethel Cemetery with Sims Funeral Home directing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, the late Leon and Lena Jones of Graceville.

Survivors include her husband Minister Donald Hugh Davis of Decatur, Alabama; son Minister Don Davis, Jr, of Decatur, Alabama; daughters Rachel Wilson of Rockmart, Georgia and Rebecca Deason, both of Decatur, Alabama; brothers John Ed Jones of Esto, James Leon Jones of Empire, Alabama, Julius Earl Jones and Kenneth Wayne Jones, both of Slocomb, Alabama; sisters Jean Smith of Slocomb, Alabama, Martha Lee Owens of Graceville, Lille Carmichael of Esto, Christine Butler and Emmaline Welch, both of Hartford, Alabama; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser, 3 March 1999, Page 21

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Mr Roy Clinton Denton, Sr, age 66 of Panama City, died Thursday, Feb 11, 1999 at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Panama City. He was of the Pentecostal Faith and a member of the New Life Church.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb 14 at the Lakeview Methodist Church with the Rev Billy Joe Denton officiating. Burial followed in the Lakeview Cemetery with Brown Funeral Home directing.

Asked to serve as Pallbearers were Sam Brady, Eugene Wilson, R C Denton, Tony Gay, B J Clark and Bobby Cannon.

Survivors include his wife Sara Denton of Panama City; sons Roy Denton, II, and wife Kathy; Robert Gay Denton, and wife Janie; and the Rev Gordon Denton and wife Hazel, all of Panama City; daughters Naomi Fox and husband Mickey; Patricia Mace and husband Donald of Southport; Dottie Gay of Southport; Cindy Carr and husband Mike of Bayou George; and Robin Rivers of Southport; grandchildren Dona and R C Denton, Tony and Melissa Gay, Eugene and Cheryl Denton, Sam Brady and wife Paula, Bobby and Anna Cannon, and Melissa Mace, Nathan, Ian, Sarma and Sean Scurlock, and Joey Rivers; brothers Henry Denton and wife Sandy of Pascagoula, Mississippi; Lynwood Denton and wife Linda Jo of Panama City; and the Rev Billy Joe Denton and wife Pat of West Point, Mississippi; sisters Mable Knight of Panama City; the Rev Sue Nelson and husband Gordon of Panama City. Also surviving are a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser, 24 February 1999, Page 21

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James DeVane Passes Away.

After an illness of short duration, James P. Devane, aged 21 passed away at the home of his parents in this city last Friday evening at 7:00 o'clock, the immediate cause of his death being kidney and liver complications.

Jim, as he was known by most people, had been sick for several days, but his condition only became serious on Wednesday before his death Friday, consequently his demise was not only a great shock to his parents and others relatives, but to his friends as well, most of whom were not aware of his illness until the sad news of his death spread over the city.

Funeral services were held at the home at two o'clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. Blitch, pastor of the Baptist church, conducted the services and spoke in words of tenderest sympathy and comfort, of Christian hope and promise. The choir sang with peculiar beauty and sweetness several appropriate selections. At the conclusion of the services s long procession followed the remains to the city cemetery where the interment was made.

Deceased was a young man of quiet habits, peaceful, sober and industrious and his untimely death is deeply regretted by a large circle of friends, To the heartbroken father, mother, brother and sisters, who sit in sorrow where his footsteps shall never again find echo, we extend the sympathy of one who lived him as a brother. When they have drained the cup may the peace that passeth all understanding come to them from One who cares for each little sparrow that falls.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay, Florida, Friday, April 23, 1915
Transcribed by Mona Spears, March 1999

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Loriene Hazel Dilmore of Highland Home, Alabama, formerly of Cottondale, passed away Thursday, Feb 11, 1999 at Chipola Nursing Pavilion after a lengthy illness.

Graveside services were held Feb 13 at Piney Grove Cemetery with Brown Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include her husband of 40 years, William Dilmore of Highland Home, also formerly of Cottondale; son: Bobby Merchant and wife Susan of Miami; daughter: Jeanie Sangaree and husband Steve of Marianna; brothers: John Pitts and wife Kay of Georgetown, Florida and Bill Pitts and wife Mary Lou of Miami; sister: Louvenia Austin of Bonifay; grandsons: Bobby Merchant, Jr and wife Debbie of Miami, Michael Sangaree of Marianna, and Daniel Sangaree of Marianna; granddaughter: Lori Baker and husband Ronald of Miami; and great-grandchildren: Ashley Alexander and Bryce Merchant.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser/Washington County Post, February 17, 1999, Page 19

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On late Thursday night, the 6th inst Bro W M Dinkins, of Caryville departed this life, leaving behind a devoted wife and several children to mourn her irreparable loss. Bro Dinkins was a good citizen, a consistent member of the M E Church and a most affectionate and devoted husband and parent. On Friday evening, the remains were carried to the city cemetery followed by a sympathizing procession of citizens, and under the ministrations of his pastor, Bro Bird, the last sad rite for the departed were performed and the moral remains were laid to rest in the silent tomb until the resurrection morn.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay FL, Friday 18, 1902

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Mrs Bertha Weeks Dye, age 80, of Enterprise, Alabama, died Jan 15, 1999 in Wiregrass Medical Center following a short illness. She was born Oct 22, 1918 in Geneva County Alabama the daughter of the late Bass and Mary Dannley Weeks. She was a homemaker.

Funeral services were Jan 18, from the Chapel of Pittman Funeral Home in Geneva, Alabama with the Rev William Aplin officiating. Burial followed in the Natural Bridge Cemetery in Walton County Florida with Pittman Funeral Home of Geneva, Alabama directing.

She was preceded in death by two husbands: Grady Williams and Walter Dye.

Survivors include her daughter: Sylvia Johnson of Tallahassee; sisters: Clara Hancock of Westville and Pallie W Moore of Elba, Alabama; one niece and four nephews; Waunda Taylor (Carl) of Florala, Alabama, James Sipper (Doris) of Enterprise, Alabama, Wayne McDuffie (Elizabeth), Dale McDuffie (DeAnn), Ge McDuffie (Elizabeth), all of Westville, Florida.

Source: Holmes County Advertiser/Washington County Post, Wednesday, January 20, 1999; Page 19

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