The County Record

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,

Mr. Enoch Thomas, 103, passed away September 21, 2011, at St. Catherine Laboure Manor under the care of Community Hospice of Jacksonville, Florida.
He was born to the late Spencer and Fannie Thomas October 25, 1907, and raised in Blountstown, Florida. Mr. Thomas was the sixth of nine children; all are deceased but one. From the age of 12, he was a faithful member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Blountstown.
In 1997, when his health began to fail, he moved to Jacksonville to live with his daughter and son-in-law, Katrena Alexander and the late Eugene Alexander. After that move, in a few months his health improved and he was the Enoch that all knew. Mr. Thomas joined Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church as an associate member.
His favorite song to sing was “I Got Oil in My Vessel”. A few days before his passing, he sung “Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound” to those visiting with him. He truly was a witness for the Lord, that was his every day walk and talk.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Ruth Brown-Thomas. From this union they were blessed with 11 children, eight boys and three girls. Four of them are deceased. Mr. Thomas leaves to cherish his memory six children, Early Thomas (Florene) Blountstown, Martha Lewis, Katrena Alexander and Isaiah Thomas of Jacksonville, and Henry Thomas and Laura Byrd of Irvington, New Jersey. He has 31 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Mary Almon, of Jacksonville; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, Godchildren, extended Christian family and friends.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 11 A.M. at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 16076 East River Street, Blountstown, with Rev. Calvin Griffin, Senior Pastor, officiating. Visitation will be on Friday September 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Professional services provided by Vann Funeral Home, 4265 St. Andrews Street, Marianna, ph. 850-482-3300.

A Blountstown man wanted for allegedly stealing a four-wheeler is also facing meth charges following a traffic stop Friday afternoon.
Joshua Allen Savell, 24, has been charged with grand theft, burglary of a structure, attempting to manufacture meth, possession of listed chemicals, possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a prescription drug without a prescription.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Savell was named by witnesses in a stolen four-wheeler case earlier this month. The ATV was recovered at Savell’s ex-girlfriend’s home after being stolen from members of the Fannin Island Hunting Club back in May. Savell reportedly stated the four-wheeler had been given to him, but witnesses contradicted his claims. The owners advised they had broken down while on the hunting lease and returned a few days later to retrieve the ATV, but it was gone. The four-wheeler had been taken apart and painted white. A warrant was issued for Savell’s arrest.
Sgt. Jared Nichols spotted Savell in the passenger seat of a vehicle on Jim Godwin Road Friday afternoon and initiated a traffic stop. Maj. Roman Wood assisted. Savell was taken into custody on the grand theft charge. A search upon arrest turned up two packages of pseudoephedrine pills and a lithium battery, both ingredients in cooking meth, along with 52 Cyclobenzaprine pills and six Tylenol with Oxycodone in Savell’s pockets. Savell could not produce a prescription for the controlled substance. A Mojo container with meth residue was also located in his pocket. Savell said the container was not his and he did not know whose pants he was wearing.
Investigation revealed that Savell has purchased pseudoephedrine 25 times in the last six months. Savell said he had tried meth once, but denied using or making it. He admitted to buying pseudoephedrine for others manufacturing meth, but refused to provide names.
He was booked into the Calhoun County Jail and is being held on a $17,500 bond.

A Calhoun County Jail inmate being held for burglary and aggravated battery is now facing additional charges after allegedly attacking a fellow inmate and a guard over the weekend.
William Jason Mills, 38, has been charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and battery by a person being detained in jail.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Correctional Officer Andrew Godwin was reportedly making his evening meal rounds just before 5 p.m. when Mills told him he needed to move his cellmate, but referred to the cellmate with a racial slur. Ofc. Godwin asked the cellmate what the problem was and he replied that he didn’t have a problem. Mills was asked the same question and allegedly responded by hitting his cellmate’s food tray, then throwing the food and tray in his cellmate’s face. The cellmate reportedly fought back in defense, then stopped hitting Mills as Ofc. Godwin instructed. Mills continued yelling racial slurs and obscenities at his cellmate.
Mills was then relocated to another cell and began hitting the cell door. Ofc. Godwin told him to cease the behavior or he would be restrained to the bed. Mills reportedly threatened to beat up Ofc. Godwin, began calling him racial slurs, and continued hitting the cell door. Ofc. Godwin opened the door and instructed Mills to sit on the bed. Mills allegedly clinched his fist and told Ofc. Godwin he was going to knock him out. Ofc. Godwin grabbed Mills’ left arm as Mills tried to him him with his right hand and pushed Ofc. Godwin with his left arm. Three inmates then assisted Ofc. Godwin in restraining Mills.

A Bristol woman has been arrested on meth charges.
Wendee Walden, 37, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with manufacture of meth.
According to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Inv. Todd Wheetley went to Walden’s home on Old Post Road Thursday evening after a tip that meth activity was possibly occurring at the home. Walden consented to a search of her residence. Discovered in the master bedroom was a pipe and small plastic container with meth residue. Tin foil with burnt residue were recovered from a kitchen trash can. More foil with meth residue was found in the microwave. Muriatic acid and other items used to manufacture meth were also located, along with two reaction vessels.
Walden was booked into the Liberty County Jail and released Sunday after posting a $10,000 bond.

A Blountstown man was arrested Saturday for allegedly holding his ex-girlfriend captive against her will.
Charles Benjamin Barbee, Jr., 38, has been charged with domestic battery and false imprisonment.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Barbee’s ex-girlfriend contacted authorities around 2 p.m. Saturday and alleged Barbee attempted to rape her. The woman told Dep. John Scheetz she had dated Barbee for over a year, but recently ended the relationship. She said she called Barbee earlier that day and arranged to stop by the home they shared to retrieve some of her belongings. When the woman and her 10-year-old child went to the home, she said Barbee began to cry and begged her to stay. She told him it was over, then said he hugged her and told her he would miss her. Meanwhile, her child went outside to play and the woman said she finished rounding up her items. As she prepared to leave, she said she walked through Barbee’s bedroom to exit through a rear door. She told Dep. Scheetz, Barbee came into the bedroom, shoved her into a dresser, then locked the rear door, as well as the door to the bedroom, and told her she wasn’t leaving.
The woman alleged Barbee told her he was going to rape her, threw her on the bed, held down her arms, bit her face, then attempted to kiss her. The woman said he stated a specific sexual act he planned to do to her and made reference to sending her back to a new boyfriend “like that.” She alleged he whispered in her ear that he was “...going to put Satan” in her, then remarked, “But it’s okay, don’t cry.” The woman said Barbee suddenly seemed to “snap back” to the realization of what he was doing and began to cry. He eventually released her and told her to get out of his house. She took her child, fled, then called authorities. She stated Barbee never exposed his genitals during the incident.
Dep. Scheetz photographed the woman’s arms and noted redness on her wrists.
Barbee was interviewed and admitted he touched the woman’s hands, hugged and kissed her, and told her they were going to have sex, but said he was just kidding. He denied harming her in any way and said he never held her down on the bed and didn’t shove her against a dresser.
Due to the redness on her wrists, probable cause was found in the case, resulting in Barbee’s arrest. He was released from the Calhoun County Jail Sunday after posting a $10,000 bond.

A single vehicle crash early Thursday morning sent one man to the hospital.
Sources say Timothy Allen Rodgers, of Tallahassee, was behind the wheel of a 1994 Mitsubishi Expo headed westbound on SR 20. Just before 6 a.m., the vehicle lost traction about five miles west of Clarksville. The Mitsubishi traveled into the southbound ditch, struck several trees and came to rest on it's side. Volunteers with the Carr-Clarksville Fire Department responded and utilized the Jaws of Life to rescue the driver. Due to weather conditions, an emergency helicopter was unable to fly and Rodgers was taken by ambulance to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL MATTICE, PAUL'S WRECKER SERVICE

A Wewahitchka man was arrested in Calhoun County Tuesday for allegedly attacking two men with a baseball bat after a night of drinking.
Chad Edward Medley, 30, has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Dep. Gary McGhee, Dep. Bobby Sims and Sgt. Jared Nichols were dispatched to Hwy. 69 North just before 1 a.m. last Saturday in response to a roadside disturbance. James Anthony Reagan, 40, and James Randall Mitchell, 24, both of Altha, were found sitting in a ditch just north of John Redd Road. Reagan’s face and head were bleeding profusely, but he refused medical treatment and said he did not want to press charges. Mitchell said he did wish to prosecute his attacker.
Mitchell said he and Reagan had been drinking with Medley at the Swampy Tonk earlier that leaving. After leaving the bar, the trio stopped on the side of the road to urinate. While on the roadside, Medley and Reagan reportedly exchanged words, then Medley allegedly went to his truck, grabbed a small baseball bat or tire thumper and struck Reagan several times in the face and head. Mitchell said he tried to stop Medley, then Medley allegedly turned on Mitchell, struck him with the bat, and chased him down the road. Mitchell said he fled in fear of his life. Medley reportedly left the scene just prior to the deputies’ arrival.
A warrant was issued for Medley’s arrest and he was booked into the Calhoun County Jail Tuesday. He was given a conditional release on Thursday.

It was a showdown on the volleyball court Monday night in Altha when the Lady Wildcats hosted the BHS Lady Tigers. [Full Story »] 

The Blountstown Tigers are playing well enough on defense to win ball games, but are still struggling to put points on the scoreboard. [Full Story »] 

Officials of National Merit ScholarshipCorporation (NMSC) have announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The list includes Caitlyn Stewart, a senior at Blountstown High School. [Full Story »]