Selected Wilcox County Family Obituaries

Mrs. Lela Mae Steen was bron to the union of Mr. Jim Jenkins and Mrs. Liddie Benjamin Stallworth on August 17, 1936. She converted at an early age and was Baptized at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oak Hill, Alabama. In 1953 Lele met and married Lewis Steen, Sr. and to this union, two children were born. Upon moving to Pensacola, Mrs. Lele Steen united with Houser-Memorial A. M. E. Zion Church and she remained a faithful member until she was capacitated by a length of illness which ended in death, November 3, 1983. She leaves to mourn her loss; her husband, Lewis Steen, Sr., one son, Lewis Steen, Jr., one daugher, Alice Jenkins, her mother, Mr.s Liddie Benjamin Stallworth, her mother-in-law, Kattie B. Steen, two sisters, Lula L. Watson, Annie Jenkins and seven brothers, Frank Jenkins, John Jenkins, McKinley Jenkins of New York City, John Benjamin of New York City, Eligha Benjamin, James B. Stallworth, Cleveland Smith; four uncles, Sam Benjamin, Gilbert Benjamin, Enoch Benjamin, Earnest Benjamin; four brothers-in-law, David Watson, Park Steen, Gerald Steen, Manuel Steen; six sisters-in-law, Rosie L. Jenkins, Rachel L. Jenkins, Martha Steen, Annie L. Benjamin, Millie Steen, Lizzie Steen; a host of aunts, nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. Services, Monday November 7, 1983, 2:00 P. M., Houser Memorial A. M. E. Zion Church, 710 East Jordan, Pensacola, Florida. Rev. Matthew Nathan, Officiating. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery. Benboe Funeral Home, directing.

Mack Lee McBride, who had worked as a youth director and detoxification counselor for the state of California, died Monday at his home in Beatrice. He was 74. A native of Monroe County, was a member of the Cathedral of Faith Christian Center of Beatrice, serving as deacon. he was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include four sons, Mack Lee McBride, Jr., Randy Earl McBride, and Kevin McBride, all of Richmond, CA, and Jessie Tillis of Los Angeles; seven daughters, Helen Crowder, Alice Roberts, Maxine Valley, Renea Jones and Lidia Tillis, all of Richmond, CA, Barbara Lewis of Vallejo, CA, and Tamara Grove of Beatrice, AL; a brother, Elmore McBride of Beatrice, three sisters, Katie Lambert of Beatrice, Bama McBride of Boston, MA and Bernice Phillips of Oak Hill, AL; 47 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Services are set for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of Faith Christian Center; Burial will be at Morning Star Cemetery. JONES UNITY FUNERAL HOME of Monroeville is directing.

Ollie McConnico, of Pensacola, died Tuesday, August 8, 2000 in a local hospital following a lengthly illness. Born March 9, 1913, in Oak Hill, Wilcox County, Alabama, to the late Charlotte and Joel McConnico, who prededed him in death. Also preceding him in death were his siblings, George and Rebecca McConnico. Survivors include his children, Charlotte, Verinerd, Glen, Syrian McConnico, Bernice Lanier, Shirell Hawkins and Robert(Willo Dean) Benjamin, of Chicago, IL; and many grandchildren an other relatives. Services will be held at 11AM, Monday August 14, 2000 at Emanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Lewis officiating. JOE MORRIS AND SON FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.

Deacon Nathaniel Dale, a native of Camden, Alabama and a resident of Mexia, Alabama was born September 20, 1914 and passed Thursday, November 16, 2000. He was a member of New Chapel Baptist Church in Mexia where he served as a deacon. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #904 F&AM and a retired carpenter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Louise Fore Dale; four children, Miller N. Dale, Arthur L. Dale Sr., Alphonso Ramsey and Sallye Dale McNeely. He leaves to cherish his memory, one daughter, Ma ttie (Wilson) Bullard of Mexia, AL; one brother, Jimmy ``Uncle White'' (Gainsetta) Dale of Mobile, AL; 16 grandchildren, Glenda (Trent) Gantt and A. Faye Boykin of Brewton, AL, Daron ``Flip'' (Pam) Ray of Mobile, AL, Kim Dale of Houston, TX, Beverly (Michael) Williams of Brewton, Melissa (Anthony) Jackson of Frisco City, AL, Patricia (Corey) Richardson of Mexia, AL, Woodie (Josephine) Bullard of Frisco City, AL, Clifford (Teresa) Bullard of Claiborne, AL, Wayne (Dora) Bullard of Mexia, Michael Ramsey, Monica Ramsey, Margie Ramsey, Corey Ramsey and Lane ice Ramsey, all of New York, NY; 25 great grandchild ren and one great great granddaughter. 3 godsons, Matthew (Geraldine) Davis, Lorenzo Hollinger and ``Frick''. 2 special nieces, Gladys Gilmore and Inez Dale; 3 very special close friends, Mr. Ervin Lee, Charlie White and Otis Simpkins. He will be missed by a host of great nieces, nephews, relatives and friends whose lives he has touched. His remains will lie in state at Christian Benevolent Funeral Home Thursday, November 23, 2000 from 12:00 until 4:00 P.M. and after 8:00 A.M. Friday, November 24, 2000 at New Chapel Baptis t Church, 600 Snowden Rd., Mexia, AL. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. at which time Rev. J. O. Malone, Pastor, will conduct funeral service. Interment will follow in Monroe Chapel, Inc . Arrangements by CHRISTIAN BENEVOLENT FUNERAL HOME, 201 N. Hamilton St., Mobile, AL 36603.

May The Life I Lived Speak For Me'' Born April 6, 1941 exchanged life for eternity on Friday, September 1, 2000 at a local hospital. A native of Monroe County, Al. and a resident of Mobile for over 40 years. Sallye accepted Christ at an early age and upon moving to Mobile in the early sixties, she united with the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully, full of zeal with love for the church and all people until her death. She worked in many capacities in the Church: President of the Willing Workers, Advisor to the Sunbeams, Treasurer of Mission Circle #1; member of the Board of Trustees and Youth A dvisors. She was Co-Chairman of the Trustees and Trustee's Wives an auxiliary of the Sunlight District Association. Sallye worked as a educator in the Mobile County Public School Systems for over 32 years until retirement in 1998. She received her Bachelor's of Science Degree from Alabama State University; Master's Degree from the University of South Alabama and ED.S. Degree from Mobile College. Sallye was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Dale; brothers, Miller N. Dale, Arthur Dale and Alphonso Ramsey. She leaves to cherish her memory, father, Nathaniel Dale of Monroe County, AL; devoted sister, Mattie (Wilson) Bullard of Monroe County, Al; two stepdaughters, Elaine McNeely and Donna Pettis both of Dallas, TX; one step grandchild, Brandi McNeely of Dallas, TX; devoted cousin, Gladys Gilmore (G.G.) of Mobile; two sisters-in-law, Fannie Dale of Mobile, AL and Barbara Dale of Frisco City, AL; one uncle, Jimmy (Gainsetta) Dale of Mobile; two devoted friends, John C. Battles of Oklahoma City, OK and Bobby Small of Mobile; nieces and nephews , Patricia (Corey) Richardson, Woodrow (Josephine) Bullard, III, Clifford (Teres a) Bullard, Wayne (Dora) Bullard, Toya (Roderick) McMillian, Matthew (Geraldine) Davis, Lorenzo Hollinger all of Monroe County, AL, Michael Ramsey, Margie Ramsey, Monica Ramsey, Al Ramsey, Jr., Corey Ramsey, Leneice Ramsey all of New York, NY, A. Faye Boykin, Glenda (Trent) Gantt, Beverly (Michael) Williams all of Brewton, AL, Melissa (Anthony) Jackson of Frisco City, AL, Kim Dale of Houston, TX , Daron Ray of Mobile, AL; two godmothers, Hattie Madison and Flora Richardson o f Mobile, AL; four godchildren, Angela (Mitchell) McCarroll, Brandi Davis, Brandon Roberson, Amber Joi Jackson all of Mobile, AL; God sister, Bennie Rigsby of Monroe County, AL; two God brothers, Dea. Palmo (Bernice) Dockery and Rev. Richard (Almeida) Dockery, Sr. of Mobile; her special and close friends, Clara Williams of Monroe County, AL, Geneva Smith, Rosie M. Davis, Feryne Henley, Geraldi ne Jackson, Dea. Earl (Lillian) Walker, Maime Coleman, Edrice Rivers, Dea. James (Carrie) Ruffin, Ethel Greene all of Mobile, AL; devoted neighbor, Mr. Frank Ponquinette and Family, Kool, a host of other relatives and friends, and many who were touched by the life o f such a sweet and gentle spirit. Visitation will be at Christian Benevolant Funeral Home , Friday, September 8, 2000 from 12 noon until 5 p.m. and after 9 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2000 at Corinthian Missionary Baptist C hurch, 451 Weinacker Ave, Mobile, AL 36604. The family will friends from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at which time Rev. Dr. Alvin A. Cleveland will officiate. Immediately following funeral service, the cortege will leave for viewing at the New Chapel Baptist Church, 600 Snowden Rd, Mexia, AL, Rev. J. O. Malone, Pastor. Interment will be at the Monroe Chapel, Inc. Funeral arrangements are by CHRISTIAN BENEVOLENT FUNERAL HOME, 201 N. Hamilton St, Mobile, AL 36603.

Mrs. Edna D. McMillian (Gram) -- Born May 2, 1917, departed this life on Friday, August 23, 2002 for Eternal life. She was born the eldest of nine children to the late Clarence and Catherine Dale in Wilcox County, AL. She served as a faithful member of Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church. She leaves to cherish her memories a loving and dedicated daughter, Edna L. Pugh; two loving sisters, Nancy Knight and Martha Labyzson, both of Mobile; one sister, Mary (Hilbert) Watson of Boston, MA; one brother, Junior (Rosemary) Dale of Mobile, AL; three grandchildren, Angela Johnson of Mobile, Terrell (Melissa) Pugh of Mt. Vernon, AL and Lyonell (Linda) Pugh, Jr. of Whistler, AL; five great-grandchildren, Leslie, Brittany, Brandon, Courtney and Corina; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, neighbors, other relative and friends. Visitation will be at the Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church, 1517 Kayte Street, Mobile, on Thursday, August 29, 2002 from 9:00 AM until the 11:00 AM funeral hour. Rev. George Patterson, Pastor and officiating minister. Interment will follow in the Gethsemane Cemetery, North, Eight Mile, AL. Arrangements are by REESE FUNERAL HOME, 925 Bessemer Ave, Prichard, AL 36610 251-456-2257