Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during March 1994, Randolph, Alabama
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February 2002
The Randolph Leader
March 2, 1994
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Henry Floy Lovvorn
(GRAHAM) Henry Floy Lovvorn, 89, of Graham died Friday, Feb. 18, 1994, in
Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton, Ga., following a brief illness.
He was born in Randolph County on Oct. 22, 1904, the son of the late John A. and
Anna Thomas Lovvorn. Mr. Lovvorn was a lifelong resident of this area, a member of
Shiloh Baptist Church, and a retired farmer and merchant.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Lanier Lovvorn, in 1991, and a son,
J. Wendell Lovvorn, in 1989.
Survivors include three sons, Thurman Lovvorn and Terry Lovvorn of Graham and
Guin Lovvorn of Douglasville, Ga.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Sunday, Feb. 20, at 3 p.m. EST at Shiloh Baptist Church, with
Rev. Ray Runyan and Rev. Winford Spruill officiating. Interment was in the church
cemetery.
Rainwater-West Funeral Home of Bowdon, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
__________
Jessie Milford Brown
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Jessie Milford Brown, 78, of Roanoke will be
Wednesday, March 2, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Rock Mills First United Methodist Church,
with Revs. David Holmes and Vernon Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel
Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Brown died Monday, Feb. 28, at Baptist Medical Center in Montgomery.
A Chambers County native, Mr. Brown was born Feb 5, 1916, son of Jessie Thomas
and Nettie Brooks Brown. He was an army veteran of WWII and a member of Rock Mills
First United Methodist Church. Mr. Brown owned and operated a grocery store in
Mableton, Ga., for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mattie Cumbee Brown of Roanoke; step-son, Maxie
Cumbie of Montgomery; three sisters, Mrs. Jimmie Ruth Bonner of Anniston and Mrs.
Rosolyn Brazell and Mrs. Reatha Richardson, both of LaFayette; a brother, Donald M.
Brown of Roanoke; and two step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
The body will lie in state at the church for one hour, beginning at 1 p.m. the day of
the funeral service, Wednesday, March 2.
Pallbearers will be Don Bonner, Charles Richardson, Rodney Adams, John Richardson,
Phil Richardson, Jerry Richardson, Gary Blackwell and Robert Sigle.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
__________
R. C. Wilson
(ROOPVILLE) R. C. Wilson, 61, of Roopville, Ga., formerly of Randolph County,
Ala., died Saturday, Feb. 26, 1994, at Bowdon Area Hospital, Bowdon, Ga.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, at Gray Hill Church of God,
with Rev. Dan Cook and Rev. Philip Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Marjorie Wilson of Roopville; two daughters, Mrs.
Brenda Shaw of California and Mrs. Sharon Young of Utah; two step-children, Richard
Files of Beule, Neb., and Dianne Stansbery of Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren and
seven step-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Jean Martin of Rockland, Calif, and
Betty Pontia of Detroit, Mich.; two brothers, Jim Wilson and Carrell Wilson, both of
Roopville.
Pallbearers will be James Wilson, Tim Bonds, Sam Gosdin, James Ray Gosdin, Kevin
Files, Joey Counts and Tommy Yates.
Mr. Wilson was a native of Randolph County. He had lived in Roopville for the past
fifteen years. His occupation was the raising of small animals.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, is in charge of arrangements.
__________
Rayford (Bonnie) Rushing
(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Rayford (Bonnie) Rushing, 58, of LaGrange, Ga., died Sunday,
Feb. 27, 1994, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, after a brief illness.
Mr. Rushing was born in Troup County, Ga., on June 13, 1935, son of Jim Thomas
Rushing and the late Daisy Pearl Freeman Rushing.
He retired from Stran Steel, was a member of Gray Hill Baptist Church, LaGrange, and
served in the U.S. Navy.
Funeral services will be at Gray Hill Baptist Church on Wednesday, Mar. 2, at 2 p.m.
(EST), with Rev. Lamar E. Womack and Rev. David Parmer officiating.
Interment will be at Highway First Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery in
Randolph County, Ala.
Surviving family members include his wife, Mrs. Patricia Rushing of LaGrange; four
daughters, Mrs. Nita Starnes of Glenn, Ga., Mrs. Teresa Crockett of Woodland, Mrs. Pam
Halsey of Rock Mills, and Mrs. Samantha Burke of Woodland; two sons, Mike Rushing
and Joel T. Rushing of Woodland; six step-children; his father, Jim Thomas Rushing of
LaGrange; three sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Maze of LaGrange, Mrs. Anna Rene Nelson of
Auburn, Wash., and Mrs. Frances Green of Blanchard, Okla.; one brother, Jim Tommy
Rushing of Blanchard, Okla.; 12 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; and several nieces
and nephews.
Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home of LaGrange is in charge of arrangements.
__________
Loyd D. Calhoun
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Loyd D. Calhoun, 86, of Roanoke, were Tuesday,
March 1, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Revs. Frank Sledge and
E. G. Clark officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Calhoun died Sunday, Feb. 27, 1994, at Randolph County Hospital in Roanoke.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Calhoun was born June 1, 1907, son of Charlie Will
and George Ann Smith Calhoun. He had been employed by Handley Mills and was a
member of Trinity Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence Calhoun.
Survivors include his wife, Willie Butler Calhoun of Roanoke; a daughter, Mrs. Mary
Lynn Taylor of Roanoke; a daughter-in-law, Ms. Gloria Calhoun, also of Roanoke; a
brother, Emmett Calhoun of Lanett; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Randy Hall, Hubert Hall, Tim Whaley, Rickey McKinley, Hulett
Hester, Bobby Kirby and Herbert McKinley.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Salimey Rice Thrower
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Salimey Rice Thrower, 81, of Roanoke were
Sunday, Feb. 27, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Bart
Bowlin officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Thrower died Thursday, Feb. 24, at her home on Randolph Street.
A lifelong resident of Roanoke, Mrs. Thrower was a native of Troup County, Ga.,
born June 29, 1912, daughter of John M. and Ella Morgan Rice. She had worked at
Handley Mills and was a member of Lowell United Methodist Church. Her husband,
Grady Thrower, preceded her in death.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Betty Ussery and Mrs. Barbara Ann Maddux,
both of Roanoke; two sons, Ralph M. Thrower and Richard M. Thrower, both of Opelika;
a sister, Mrs. Sadie Barker of Valley; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bobby Perry, Lamar Bonner, John Wheelis, Wendell McLain, Jamie
Walker and Quinton Robinson.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
James Homer Morris
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for James Homer Morris, 90, of Roanoke, formerly of
LaGrange, Ga., were Monday, Feb. 28, 1994, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Christian Church, with
Rev. Harold Bonner officiating.
Mr. Morris died Friday, Feb. 25, at Randolph County Hospital in Roanoke.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Morris was born Nov. 16, 1903, son of Wyatt
Crawford and Della Itson Morris. He was a retired employee of Callaway Mills and a
member of Mt. Zion Christian Church. His wife, Bessie Morris, and a son, Fred Morris,
preceded him in death.
Survivors include three sons, Oliver Morris of LaGrange, Willmer Morris of El Paso,
Texas, and Jessie W. Morris of Roanoke; two sisters, Mrs. Lucile Potts of Roanoke and
Mrs. Verna Bennett of Wadley; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were nephews of Mr. Morris.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
John Ester Watts
(CLEVELAND, Oh.) Services for John Ester Watts, 61, of Cleveland were at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20, 1994, at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, with the
pastor, Rev. W. L. Boykins Sr., officiating. Interment was in Highland Park Cemetery.
Mr. Watts died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 13.
He was born Aug. 1, 1932, in Roanoke, Ala., son of Frank and Claudie Dorsey Watts,
and was educated in the Randolph County school system. After moving to Cleveland in
1953, he entered the U.S. armed forces in that year and served for two years during the
Korean Conflict. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Cleveland after 34 years of
service.
Survivors include his wife, Tommie L. Watts of Cleveland; two sons, T.Sgt Felix
Jeffrey Watts of the United States Air Force and Frederick Lionell Watts of St. Louis,
Mo.; one daughter, Marvetta Morman of Cleveland; his father, Frank Watts of Roanoke;
three brothers, Willie Frank Watts of Cleveland, Rev. Curtis Watts of Roanoke and Rev.
Lawrence Watts of Hopson City, Ala.; two sisters, Catherine Morris of Cleveland and
Hazel Scott of Lanett, Ala.; and six granddaughters.
The House of Wills was in charge of arrangements.
__________
John W. O'Neal Sr.
(ROANOKE) John W. O'Neal Sr., 71, of Roanoke died Saturday, Feb. 26, 1994, at
East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
The graveside funeral was at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Parkhill Cemetery in
Columbus, Ga.
Mr. O'Neal was born May 5, 1922, in Gay, Ga., son of Tollison Kirby and Lizzie Mae
Jones O'Neal. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech and a member of Pi Psi fraternity. He
was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He retired as plant manager of
Handley Mills in Roanoke.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy O'Neal of Roanoke; two sons, John O'Neal Jr. of
Columbus and Timothy Kirby O'Neal of Rome, Ga.; two sisters, Mary Hamilton of
Hogansville, Ga. and Virginia Lunsford of LaGrange, Ga.; four grandchildren and
two step-grandchildren.
Striffler-Hamby Mortuary of Columbus was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Ruth Yates
(WOODLAND) Ruth Yates, 90, of Rt. 2, Woodland, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 1994, at
her residence after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at Rocky Branch Baptist Church,
with Rev. David Daniel and Rev. Lendon Fields officiating. Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mrs. Yates is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Josie L. Wright of Wedowee; one son,
Olen K. Yates of Smiths; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; eight great-great-
grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Willie Waldrep, and one brother, Roy Heard, both of
Lineville.
Pallbearers were Harry Sheppard, Melvin Gross, Lloyd Stewart, Russell Huddleston,
Jim Tom Willingham and William Smith.
Mrs. Yates was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. She was preceded
in death by her husband, Leon Yates. She was the daughter of the late William Heard and
Leola Young. She was a homemaker and a member of Rocky Branch Baptist Church.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Annie Mae Marchman
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Annie Mae Marchman, 78, of Roanoke, formerly
of LaGrange, Ga., were Saturday, Feb. 26, 1994, at 10 a.m. from Shadowlawn Cemetery
in LaGrange, with Revs. Roger Florence and E. G. Clark officiating.
Mrs. Marchman died Thursday, Feb. 24, at her residence.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Marchman was born Sept. 8, 1915, daughter of
John Will and Vida Sulesder Landers Collier. She resided in LaGrange from 1960 until her
return to Randolph County two years ago. She had worked as a weaver with Hillside Mills
in LaGrange. Her husband, James Samson Marchman, preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Sharon Frank of LaGrange; a son, Heflin Carden of
Roanoke; and three grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
Pallbearers were James Frank, Russell Carden, Al Bushey and Les Abernathy.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
March 9, 1994
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Gladys Beverly Pinckard
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Gladys Beverly Pinckard, 85, of Roanoke were held
Tuesday, March 8, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Revs. Wallace
Roberts and David Holmes officiating. Burial was at White's Chapel United Methodist
Church.
Mrs. Pinckard died Sunday, March 6, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A lifelong resident of the Rock Stand community, Mrs. Pinckard was born Aug. 3,
1908, daughter of Robert E. Lee and Dona Ann Rainey Beverly. She had worked as a
seamstress with Palm Beach and was a member of White's Chapel United Methodist
Church. Her husband, William Oscar Pinckard, preceded her in death.
Survivors include two granddaughters, Cynthia Johnson of Spring Valley, Calif., and
Beverly White of Portsmouth, Va.; two grandsons, Robert Pinckard of Cartersville, Ga.,
and Lee Pinckard or Maitland, Fla.; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Deane Pinckard of
Alexandria, Va.; two sisters, Miss Bernice Beverly and Mrs. Ella Mae Stephens, both of
Roanoke; three brothers, Wilson Beverly and Durwood Beverly of Rock Stand and
Charlie Beverly of Roanoke.
Pallbearers were Bobby Pinckard, Lee Pinckard, Joel Pinckard, Ron Kramer,
Don Quick and Reed Adcock.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Mary Emma Starnes
(ROANOKE) Mary Emma Starnes, 84, of Roanoke, formerly of Valley, died Monday,
March 7, 1994, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
Mrs. Starnes was born in Roanoke on May 12, 1909. She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include a daughter, Gloria Jean Bilboy of Greenville, Ga.; a son, Terry Earl
Starnes of Stockton, Calif.; seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and
two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services for Mrs. Starnes were at 11 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 9, at Johnson
Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley, with interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in
Lanett.
Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service, Valley.
__________
Inez Burnett Campbell
(VALLEY) Inez Burnett Campbell, 83, of Valley died Friday, March 4, 1994, at Bay
Medical Center, Panama City, Fla.
A native of Phenix City, Mrs. Campbell lived in the Valley area most of her life. She
was a homemaker and had been very active in Shawmut First Baptist Church, where she
was a member.
Mrs. Campbell is survived by a daughter, Patricia Campbell Cantrell of Roanoke,
three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley at
11 a.m. on Monday, March 7, with burial in Johnson Memorial Gardens. Dr. Jerome King
officiated.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Sara McManus
(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Sara McManus, 61, of LaGrange, Ga., died Monday, March 7,
1994, at 11:05 p.m. at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, after several months of
illness.
Mrs. McManus was born in Randolph County, Ala., on Aug. 4, 1932, daughter of Mrs.
Vernice Parmer of Woodland and the late Hoyt Parmer. She was a former employee of
Elm City Plant of Milliken and Company and Stanley Home Products. She was a member
of Gray Hill Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel, LaGrange, on Wednesday,
March 9, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Lamar Womack and Rev. Max McCord officiating. Burial
will be in Restlawn Memory Gardens, LaGrange.
Surviving are her husband, Burns McManus of LaGrange; one son, Larry B. McManus
of LaGrange; her mother, Mrs. Vernice Parmer of Woodland; three sisters, Mrs. Losette
Spradlin of Woodland, Mrs. Margaret Traylor of Bowdon, Ga., and Mrs. Linda Brown of
Woodland; one brother, Ridley Parmer of Woodland; two grandchildren, Nicole McManus
of LaGrange and Chad McManus of Woodbridge, Va.; one great-grandchild, Tyler
McManus of Woodbridge; and several nieces and nephews.
Those desiring may contribute to Gray Hill Baptist Church in memory of Mrs.
McManus.
Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home of LaGrange is in charge of arrangements.
__________
Billy Clyde Thomas
(CLEWISTON, Fla.) Funeral services for Billy Clyde Thomas, 54, of Clewiston, Fla.,
formerly of Roanoke, were Tuesday, March 8, 1994, at 11 a.m. from Handley Avenue
Church of God, Roanoke, with Revs. John Franklin, Bernard Browne and Gary Baugh
officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mr. Thomas died Saturday, March 5, at Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, Fla.
A native of Randolph County, he was born April 26, 1939, son of J. L. and Ada
Rochester Thomas. He worked as a scrap metal dealer.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Betty Lou Thomas of Clewiston; three daughters,
Mrs. Betty Carol Webster of Cross City, Fla., Mrs. Teresa Ann Butzer of Tamarac, Fla.,
and Mrs. Gloria Denise McGee of Clewiston; three sons, Johnny Thomas of Tallahassee,
Fla., and Chris Thomas and Allen Thomas, both of Clewiston; nine sisters, Mrs. Kattie
Baldwin and Mrs. Grace Scott of Lanett, Mrs. Frances Bowles of Lawrenceburg, Ind.,
Mrs. Mary Lou Nichols of Whitesburg, Ga., Mrs. Ada Smith and Mrs. Peggy Anglin of
Lakeland, Fla., Mrs. Hazel Franklin of Hartsville, Mrs. Darie Hodges of Roanoke and
Mrs. Ruth Teague of White Springs, Fla; two brothers, A. J. Thomas and B. J. Thomas,
both of Lakeland; and ten grandchildren.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
March 16, 1994
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Mary Elizabeth Bess' Head
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Mary Elizabeth Bess Head, 89, of Roanoke
were Tuesday, Mar. 15, 1994, at 3 p.m. from Cedarwood Cemetery, with Dr. Douglas
Turner officiating.
Miss Head died Saturday, Mar. 12, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
She was a native of Randolph County, a homemaker and a member of First Baptist
Church of Roanoke.
Survivors include a niece, Mrs. Nancy Head Vickery of Stone Mountain, Ga.;
a nephew, Richard Phillip Head of San Antonio, Texas; six great-nephews and
two great-nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist
Church of Roanoke.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Frank Watts
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Frank Watts, 92, Roanoke, Route 1 (Broughton
community), were Saturday, Mar. 12, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Bethel United Methodist
Church, with Rev. Hollis Boykin officiating. Burial was in the Rocky Mount United
Methodist Church Cemetery, Roanoke.
Mr. Watts died Tuesday, Mar. 8 at Randolph County Hospital following an extended
illness and confinement.
He was a native Randolph Countian who spent his life working as a self-employed
farmer and blacksmith. From an early age he was a loyal member of the Rocky Mount
United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Gaudie Dorsey, and four of his sons;
Jesse Rufus, James Grady, Melvin Eugene, and John Ester.
Survivors include three sons, Willie Frank Watts of Cleveland, Ohio, Rev. Curtis Watts
of Roanoke and Rev. Lawrence Watts of Hobson City; two daughters, Mrs. Catherine
Morris of Cleveland and Mrs. Hazel Scott of Lanett; 34 grandchildren,
51 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were grandsons, honorary pallbearers were great-nephews, and flower
attendants were members of United Methodist Women.
Services were arranged by Clark Memorial Funeral Service.
__________
DeMae Ragsdale
(NEWELL) DeMae Ragsdale, 91, of Rt. 1, Newell, died Sunday, Mar. 13, 1994, at
Traylor Nursing Home, Roanoke, after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 15, at Jordan's Chapel Southern
Congregational Methodist Church, with Rev. Julian Murphy and Rev. Leron Murphy
officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Ragsdale is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Vivian Lipham, Miss Ola Jo
Ragsdale and Mrs. Sue Barker of Newell and Mrs. Willa Nichols of Rex, Ga.;
five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Scott Smith, Loveless Cofield, Billy Cofield, Darson Waters, Junior
Gosdin, Todd Freeman and Jessie Reynolds.
Mrs. Ragsdale was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. She was a
homemaker and a member of Jordan's Chapel Methodist Church. She was preceded in
death by her husband, James R. Ragsdale, and one son, Jerrell P. Ragsdale.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of the arrangements.
__________
Mary Alice Jacobs
(RANBURNE) Mary Alice Jacobs, 80, of Ranburne, died Saturday, Mar. 12, 1994,
following a lengthy illness.
She was born in Cleburne County July 17, 1913, daughter of the late Robert and Lyda
Hyatt Pullen. Mrs. Jacobs was a lifelong resident of this area, a member of Ranburne First
Baptist Church, a retired school teacher with the Cleburne County Board of Education,
and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Milford Pullen, and a sister, Edna Ruth
Buchanan.
Survivors include three sons, John Jacobs of Woodland, Dan Jacobs of Chattanooga,
Tenn., and Bobby Jacobs of Bessemer; a daughter, Mrs. Jo Alice Mospan of Helena,
Mont.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wilford Pullen of
Ranburne and R. J. Pullen of Sylacauga; three sisters, Mrs. Mirrill Holmes of Bowdon,
Ga., Mrs. Joann Yates of Oxford and Mrs. Maurene Buford of Section; and nieces and
nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Mar. 15, 1994, at 11 a.m. at Ranburne First Baptist
Church, with the Rev. Gus Young and Rev. Jerry Cobb officiating. Music was furnished
by Gene McGukin. Interment was in the Ranburne Cemetery.
Rainwater-West Funeral Home of Bowdon, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
__________
Phillip Wade Morris
(VALLEY) Funeral services for Phillip Wade Morris, 19, of Valley, formerly of
Roanoke and Atlanta, were Thursday, March 10, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum
Funeral Chapel, with Revs. Hershal O'Dell Bryant and Tim Whaley officiating. Burial
was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Morris died Tuesday, March 8, at Randolph County Hospital as a result of injuries
sustained in an automobile accident.
A native of Clayton County, Ga., Mr. Morris was born Nov. 28, 1974. He attended
Riverdale Junior High School and graduated from Valley High. He lived in Atlanta
14 years and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Ga. He had resided in
Valley, Chambers County, Ala. for the past three and one-half years and was employed
by Piggly Wiggly.
Survivors include his mother and step-father, Pam and Randy Turner of Valley; father,
John Wade Morris of Ft. Worth, Tex.; step-father, Gary Jack Climer of Atlanta;
grandparents, Tom and Kathryn Vinson of Roanoke; great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.
James P. Mitchell of Roanoke; two sisters, Mrs. Tabitha Hendrix of Roanoke and Mrs.
Tara Climer of Valley; and two step-grandmothers, Mrs. Reba Clark of Atlanta and Mrs.
Edna Turner of Valley.
Pallbearers were Michael Puckett, Frank Wilkerson, Bryan Sellers, Chris Hendrix,
Chuck Yarbrough and Brad Stagg.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Everett Baker
(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Everett Baker, 64, of LaGrange, Ga., died Saturday, March 5,
1994, at West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange.
The funeral service was conducted Monday afternoon, March 7, in the chapel of
Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville, Ga. The Rev. Sidney
Shelnutt officiated. Interment was in Randolph Memory Gardens near Roanoke.
Pallbearers were Worth Freeman, Joe Williams, Huey Shelnutt, Donnie Levens,
Billy Whitten, Gerald Barnes and Bill Tatum.
Mr. Baker was born Oct. 14, 1929, in LaGrange, son of the late Claude and Maybell
Carruth Baker. He lived in LaGrange most of his life, was a member of Callaway Baptist
Church, and retired as a supervisor for Daniel Construction Company in LaGrange.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Era Cantrell Baker of LaGrange; one daughter, Mrs.
Janet Lashley of LaGrange; one son, Mack Baker of Roanoke; two sisters, Mrs. Henrietta
Smith of LaGrange and Mrs. Lilla Mae Mills of Fairburn, Ga.; two brothers, Virgil Baker
of LaGrange and Ernest Baker of Covington, Ga.; and one granddaughter, Mrs. Tracy
Heath of LaGrange.
Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home of Hogansville was in charge of
arrangements.
__________
Vinion Robinson
(EDGEFIELD) Vinion L. Robinson, 70, of Route 2, Edgefield, S.C., died Monday,
Feb. 14, 1994, at his residence.
Mr. Robinson, a native of Randolph County, Ala., had retired as a superintendent at
Satterfield Construction Co. He was an army veteran of World War II and a member of
Edgefield First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Walker Robinson; three sons, C. H. Robinson of
Edgefield, Robbie Robinson of Marietta, S.C., and Sammy Robinson of Greenville, S.C.;
three brothers, Gerson Robinson and Allious Robinson, both of LaGrange, Ga., and
Fetner Robinson of Florida; two sisters, Rudell Smith of Augusta and Lena Conway of
Hogansville, Ga.; and three grandchildren.
The funeral was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, at Edgefield First Baptist Church,
with Dr. Tony Castleberry officiating. Burial was in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
March 23, 1994
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Carrie Heard Arrington
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Carrie Heard Arrington, 92, of Roanoke were
Sunday, Mar. 20, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Revs. Wayne
Cowhick and Johnny Young officiating. Burial was at Ridgeway Methodist Church
cemetery in Glenn, Ga.
Mrs. Arrington died Saturday, Mar. 19, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A resident of Roanoke for the past 50 years, Mrs. Arrington was a native of Heard
County, Ga., born March 23, 1901, daughter of Joseph L. and Mary V. Webb Heard. She
was a homemaker and a member of Ridgeway Methodist Church. Her husband, James
Nolen Arrington, preceded her in death.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Obelee Hood and Mrs. Lucrete Smith, both of
Roanoke; a son, Gilbert E. Arrington of Inman, S.C.; two sisters, Mrs. Eucal Gore and
Mrs. Velma Johnson, both of LaGrange; a brother, Jim Heard of Atlanta;
22 grandchildren; and several great- and great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were grandsons of Mrs. Arrington.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Janie Brinnis McManus Wright
(DANIELSVILLE, Ga.) Janie Brinnis McManus Wright, 95, of Danielsville, died
Tuesday, March 15, 1994.
A native of Randolph County Ala., she was the daughter of the late William Bill and
Mahala Lancaster McManus. She was a member of Bluestone Baptist Church and a
homemaker. Her husband, James Guy Wright, and one son, Posie Wright, preceded her in
death.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Bluestone Baptist Church. The
Revs. Ray Jenkins and James Brock officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Deacons of the church served as pallbearers.
Mrs. Wright is survived by one daughter, Irene Davis of Danielsville; one brother,
Jim Bob McManus of Woodland, Ala.; one sister, Ina Bell Crouch of Oxford, Ala.;
five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Arrangements were by Brown's Funeral Home of Danielsville.
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Cleveland Dean Hicks
(LEEDS) Cleveland Dean Hicks, 56, died suddenly in Leeds on March 14, 1994. He
was preceded in death by his father and mother, Grover and Annie Rae Hicks; a brother,
Bud Hicks; and a sister, Edith Pounds, all of Rock Mills.
Survivors include two sons, Rusty Hicks and David Hicks of Leeds; a brother, Kline
Hicks of Rock Mills; and a sister, Mrs. Betty Gasaway of Roopville, Ga.
Graveside services were at 2 p.m. March 16 at Forest Crest Cemetery.
Kilgore Funeral Home, Leeds, was in charge of arrangements.
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Darlena Hines
(ROANOKE) Darlena Hines, 78, of Roanoke died Saturday, Mar. 5, 1994, at Roanoke
Health Center.
Mrs. Hines is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Annie Lois Wright and Mrs. Jimmie Grier
of Roanoke and Mrs. Ida Houston of Manhattan, N.Y.; two brothers, Rev. R. L. Heflin of
Roanoke and Tom Luther Heflin of Philadelphia, Pa.; and eight grandchildren and
11 great-grandchildren.
Services were Thursday, Mar. 10, at 2 p.m. from East Roanoke Church of God, with
Bishop Wade Wright officiating. Interment was at Skyview Memorial Garden.
Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary, Roanoke.
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The Randolph Leader
March 30, 1994
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OBITUARIES:
JoAnn Roberts Taft
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Ms. JoAnn Roberts Taft, 47, of Route 2, Roanoke
were Sunday, March 27, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Lowell United Methodist Church, with Rev.
Bart Bowlin officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Ms. Taft died Friday, Mar. 25, 1994, at West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange.
A Randolph County native, Ms. Taft was born Dec. 29, 1946, daughter of Raymond
and Hazel Barnes Roberts. She had worked at Candlewick Yarns and was a member of
Lowell United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Vicky Hogan and Ms. Angela Taft, both of
Roanoke; her parents, Raymond and Hazel Roberts, also of Roanoke; three brothers,
Jason Roberts and Ted Roberts of Carrollton, Ga., and Wayne Roberts of Valley; and
two granddaughters.
Pallbearers were Jason Roberts, Wayne Roberts, Ted Roberts, Hoyt Bowen, Danny
Bowen and Lee Roy Cofield.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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Jimmy Ray Allen
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Jimmy Ray Allen, 55, of Roanoke, were Monday,
Mar. 28, 1994, at 3 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Revs. Tim Teague and
Ernest McCollough officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mr. Allen died Saturday, Mar. 26, at University Hospital in Birmingham.
A native of Atlanta, he was born Sept. 20, 1938, son of Joseph Hodges and Callie
Fannie Harper Allen. A former resident of Fredonia, he had lived in Roanoke for the past
30 years and was a member of First Church of God. He was employed by Southwire
Company.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Shirley Clark Allen of Roanoke; two daughters, Mrs.
LeJuan Mitchell of Roanoke and Mrs. Delisha Craven of Fredonia; two sons, Jeffery Allen
and Chris Allen of Roanoke; three sisters, Mrs. Judy Holliday of Roanoke, Mrs. Linda
Boone of Fayette and Mrs. Jeanette Anglin of Valley; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Ronnie Harper, Buford Harper, Denver Smith, Randy Holliday,
Michael Anglin and Tony Boone.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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Sophia Reginia Staples
(WADLEY) Sophia Reginia Staples, 21, of Wadley died Friday, Mar. 25, 1994, at
University of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham, following an extended illness.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Mar. 29, at 2 p.m. from Cogar Hill C.M.E. Church,
Davidston, with Rev. Samuel Johnson officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Ms. Staples was a native of Randolph County and a graduate of Wadley High School.
She had been employed for several months at B & A Productions in Wadley. She became
stricken with illness during the summer of 1993.
Survivors include a son, Andrew Lamar Staples of Wadley; her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Billy Joe and Mary Lee Staples of Wadley; a grandmother, Mrs. Ethel Buchanan of
Wadley; a grandfather, Roy Staples of Wadley; two sisters, Ms. Gloria Staples and Ms.
Rachel Staples of Wadley; one brother, Frankie Staples of Wadley; and two half-brothers,
Bryant O'Neal Tucker and Phillip Allen of LaFayette; and a special friend, Melvin
Robinson of Roanoke; six uncles and six aunts.
Services were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service in Roanoke.
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Leon C. Taylor
(LINEVILLE) Funeral services for Leon C. Taylor of Lineville were Saturday, Mar.
26, 1994, at 2 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Chapel of Lineville, with Rev. Jesse Steele, Rev.
Jerry Colquett and Rev. Wayne Adams officiating. Burial was in Lineville City Cemetery.
Mr. Taylor died at Clay County Hospital on Thursday, March 24. He was a native and
lifelong resident of Clay County, served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, and was
a retired building inspector and a member of Lineville Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Lela H. Taylor of Lineville; two brothers, William Taylor of
Homosassa, Fla., and Floyd Taylor of Birmingham; and four nieces.
Pallbearers were David Proctor, C. E. Perry, Jerry Alexander, Dugan Taylor, Robert
Ingram and Hugh Hendrix.
Honorary pallbearers were friends and neighbors.
Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville was in charge of arrangements.
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D. B. Dock' Washington
(CARROLLTON, Ga.) D. B. Dock Washington, 82, of Carrollton, died Friday,
March 18, 1994, at Tanner Medical Center.
A native of Randolph County, Ala., Mr. Washington was the son of the late George
Burrell Washington and Lula Bailey Washington.
He was a member and former deacon of Carrollton First Christian Church and attended
the Crusaders Sunday school class. Mr. Washington was a member of Carroll Masonic
Lodge No. 69 F&AM.
He had retired after many years as owner and operator of Washington Used Cars.
Survivors include his wife, the former Ruth Bradley; his son and daughter-in-law, Don
and Rosalind Washington, and his granddaughter, Suzanne Washington, all of Carrollton;
two sisters, Lois Daniel of Carrollton and Oleta Sudduth of Roanoke, Ala. A son, five
brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the chapel of Almon Funeral
Home, with Minister Fred Skinner and Minister Marvin Horsley officiating.
Music was by Anita Craven and Martha Kay Williamson. Pallbearers were nephews.
Interment was in the Rocky Branch Baptist Church Cemetery in Randolph County,
Ala.
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Myrtice Opal Williamson
(BOWDON, Ga.) Myrtice Opal Williamson, 67, of Woodbridge Apartments, Bowdon,
Ga., died Sunday, March 27, 1994, in Bowdon Area Hospital following a brief illness.
Mrs. Williamson was born in Randolph County, Ala., Dec. 6, 1926, daughter of the
late Wiley and Rosie Daniel Rice. Mrs. Williamson was a lifelong resident of this area, a
member of Harmony Congregational Methodist Church, and a retired employee of
Bremen-Bowdon Investment Co.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ethridge Williamson, on Aug. 19, 1974.
Survivors include a son, Jerry Williamson, of Bowdon; a daughter, Judy Browning, of
Bowdon; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Flora Williams of
Bowdon and Florence Pool of Oxford, Ala.
Funeral services were Tuesday, March 29, at 2 p.m. CST from Harmony
Congregational Methodist Church, with Rev. H. T. Henderson and Rev. Julian Murphy
officiating. Music was by the church choir. Interment services were in Valley Grove
Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ryan Browning, Doug Browning, David Williamson, Mike Rogers,
Larry Duberick, Fred Williamson and Lamar Williams.
Rainwater-West Funeral Home of Bowdon was in charge of arrangements.
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Lyvester Hollis Mitchell
(AUBURN) Lyvester Hollis Mitchell, 67, of Auburn, died Saturday, Mar. 24, 1994, at
East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 29, at White's Chapel Church in
Roanoke, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. The Rev. Bill Bryan officiated.
Mr. Mitchell was born February 12, 1927. He was of the Assembly of God faith.
Survivors include three nieces, Barbara Gayle O'Hara, Bonnie O'Hara and Susan
Farrulla, all of Opelika; four nephews, Rayford Mitchell of Roanoke, Randy Pennington of
Jackson Gap, Marrell Ward of Dadeville, and Walter Credle of Opelika; 24 great-nieces
and nephews; and 17 great-great-nieces and nephews.
Frederick's Funeral Home of Opelika was in charge of arrangements.
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