OBITUARY NOTICE - Fillingim

Gail Fillingim, 95, of Walnut Hill, Florida, died Thursday, September 22, 2011, in Pensacola, Florida.
She was a retired teacher, born in Nettleboro, Alabama, on July 23, 1916, to the late Joseph and Corrie Lambert Morris. Mrs. Fillingim lived in Clark Co., AL until she was three years old, then moved with her family to Mobile, AL. At age 15, her family moved to Bay Springs, FL, where they ran a community store. After graduating from Ernest Ward High School in 1934, she attended Florida State College for Women (FSU), and the University of Florida. She returned to Escambia County and began her teaching career that spanned 40 years. She also taught part of that time in Liberty County, FL, she loved to teach and was proud to know that she was in some small way making a difference in children’s lives. She helped mentor and shape the futures of many of the area’s students, many of whom are now leaders in our community. She was a member of the Latter Day Saints Church and was a Relief Society teacher for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, R.T. “Tommie” Fillingim; and two sisters, Mildred Morris and Hortense Huffmaster.
Survivors are one daughter, Susan Purvis, and husband, Gary, of Atmore, AL; two grandchildren, Gary Wayne Purvis and wife, Monica, of Blountstown, FL, and Sharon Delmar and husband, Mark, of Atmore, AL; three great-grandchildren, Nick Delmar, Brandon Purvis and Colton Purvis; a special niece, Mitzi (James) Windham; special nephews, Don (Mary) Huffmaster and Eric Fillingim; and a host of cousins.
Services were held Sunday, September 25, at 2:30 PM from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Reese and Bro. Lloyd Albritton officiating. Interment followed in Enon Baptist Church Cemetery, Enon, FL. Active pallbearers were Chester “Butch” Watson, Wendell Hall, Wayne “Sambo” Garrett, James Windham, Rodney Fillingim and Wayne Fillingim. Honorary Pallbearers were Joe Belleu, Bernice Robbins, Yvonne Obren, Elaine Levan, Mary Lee Garrett, Phil Lucas, Ellen Settle and Dave Fillingim.
The family would like to thank Sabal House Assisted Living Facility for their compassionate care. Flowers will be accepted, but donations can be made to Covenant Hospice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. of Atmore, AL, was in charge of all arrangements,