Obituaries Published in The Randolph Leader for May 1997, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/199705L.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of Randolph Publishing, Roanoke, Alabama. Randolph Publishing retains copyright but has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was transcribed by: Marilyn M. Girardi <MMGir@aol.com> ============================================= December 2003 The Randolph Leader May 7, 1997 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Essie Marie Livingston (ROANOKE) Mrs. Essie Marie Richardson, 73, of Roanoke died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Ga., following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Richardson was born in Randolph County on May 10, 1923, daughter of the late Lawson and Fannie Woodfin Rollins. She was a lifelong resident of this area, a member of Potash Church of God, and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. A.J. Richardson, in June 1981. Survivors include two sons, James Richardson of Lithia Springs, Ga., and Pete Richardson of Roanoke; one daughter, Marie Mann of Cusseta; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Harvey Rollins of Woodland; and one sister, Eva Alsobrooks of Huguley. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, May 1, at 3 p.m. EDT from the chapel of Rainwater-West Funeral Home, the Rev. Earl Rollins officiating. Interment services followed in the Potash Church of God Cemetery. Rainwater-West Funeral Home, Bowdon, Ga., was in charge of arrangements. __________ Noah Pike (ROANOKE) Graveside services for Noah Pike, 79, of Roanoke were Thursday, May 1, 1997, at 2 p.m. from Pike Cemetery, the Rev. Gary Baugh officiating. Mr. Pike died Tuesday, April 29, at the V.A. Medical Center in Tuskegee. A Randolph County native, he was born Jan. 8, 1918, son of Tom and Fannie Scott Pike. He was a World War II army veteran, a farmer and a member of Paran Baptist Church. Survivors include one sister, Willie Dakota of Wichita. Kan., and several nieces and nephews. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, was in charge of arrangements. __________ Mamie Mae Henry Huddleston (WOODLAND) Mamie Mae Henry Huddleston, 91, of Woodland died Saturday, May 3, 1997, at her residence. Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Monday, May 5, in Liberty Grove Congregational Methodist Church, with the Revs. Earnest Lipham and Bobby Jones officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Huddleston is survived by two daughters, Evelyn Brown and Nell Walden of Woodland; four sons, Artie M. Huddleston of Spartanburg, S.C., Raleigh Huddleston and Russell M. Huddleston of Roanoke and Wiley M. Huddleston of Mobile; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mattie Mae Rushing of Lanett, Emmie A. Elrod of Burlington, N.C., and Christine Workman of Lanett. Pallbearers were grandsons and great-grandsons. Mrs. Huddleston was born in Randolph County on Sept. 22, 1905, the daughter of Jess and Lizzie Cummings Henry. She was a homemaker and a member of Liberty Grove Congregational Methodist Church. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements. __________ Dorothy Jean Heard (ROANOKE) Dorothy Jean "Dot" Heard, 56, of Roanoke died Thursday, May 1, 1997, at her residence in the Bacon Level community. Funeral services will be Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Riley Street, Roanoke, with the Rev. Lathonia J. Wright officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Survivors include a son, James Edward Capers of Atlanta; two brothers, Dondrell Capers of Atlanta and Clarence Lamar Capers of Goodwater; a sister, Virginia Ann Atkinson of Roanoke; three grandsons; a stepdaughter, Samantha Drakes of Wedowee; and two aunts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Pauline Capers; her stepmother, Willie Geneva Capers; and her husband, Robert Lester Heard. Visitation will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke, on Thursday, May 8, from 10 until 8 p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m. that evening. The body will be placed in the church one hour before the funeral service. Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke was [sic - is] in charge of arrangements. __________ J. W. Hester (LAGRANGE, Ga.) J. W. Hester, 75, of LaGrange, Ga., died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, after a short illness. Mr. Hester was born in Randolph County, Ala., on Nov. 23, 1921, son of John Troy and Ruby Richardson Hester. A resident of LaGrange since 1968, he was a retired toolmaker for Douglas and Lomason Co. and a member of First Christian Church in LaGrange and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II. The funeral service was at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel in LaGrange on Thursday, May 1, at 4 p.m. EDT, with his pastor, David A. Kegel, and the Rev. Wayne Hester officiating. Interment was in Restlawn Memory Gardens in LaGrange. Survivors include his wife, Olene Hester of LaGrange; two daughters, Ronda Steeley of Pensacola, Fla., and Susan Harris of Franklin, Ga.; two sons, Tyre Hester of Lithonia, Ga., and Jerry Hester of LaGrange; five sisters, Eva Dean Shelnutt of Sharpsburg, Ga., Dorothy Messer of Hokes Bluff, Ala., and Clovis Stephens, Ruby Burgoon and Jean Boner, all of LaGrange; and 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Persons desiring may contribute to the American Lung Association in memory of Mr. Hester. Arrangements were by Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home. __________ Beatrice Bachman Lewis (MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.) Beatrice Bachman Lewis, 88, of Morehead City, N.C., died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at Carteret General Hospital. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the Rev. C. King Cole and the Rev. John H. Grayson officiating. Burial was in Bay View Cemetery, Morehead City. Survivors include her husband, William Henry Lewis; daughter, Anne Marie Nix of Wedowee, Ala.; a sister, Hazel M. Zinck of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; and two grandsons and one great-grandson. Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 2005 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557. Arrangements were by Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Morehead City. __________ Winnifred Nolen Hatfield (REDDING, CA) Winnifred Nolen Hatfield, 77, of Redding died April 29, 1997. Mrs. Hatfield was born in Roanoke, Ala., April 25, 1920. She was the daughter of the late Shelley T. and Ruth B. Nolen of Roanoke. She was a member of the Bonnie View Baptist Church of Redding. Survivors include her husband, John Hatfield of Redding; two sons, Blake Rutland of Redding and Richard Hatfield of Lee Summit, Mo.; one daughter, Nancy Hatfield of Lee Summit; one sister, Mrs. Ann Taylor of Millville, Calif.; one brother, Charles Nolen of Wadley, Ala.; and several grandchildren. Funeral services were May 2 at 11 a.m. at Lawncrest Memorial Park, Redding, the Rev. Dennis McGowan offic[i]ating. __________ Thomas Landers (LANETT) Thomas "Tom" Landers, 55, of Lanett died Sunday, May 4, 1997, at his residence after several months of illness. Mr. Landers was born in Chambers County on April 20, 1942, son of Corine and the late Elton B. Landers. He was employed at Knauf Fiberglass, Lanett, and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam era. He lived in LaGrange for 30 years and in Lanett since 1994. Funeral services were at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel, LaGrange, on Tuesday, May 6, at 4 p.m., with the Rev. Rusty Letson and Wayne Belcher officiating. Interment was in Restlawn Memory Gardens, LaGrange. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Christine Landers of Lanett; one daughter, Mrs. Hope Loraine Seymore of Dawson, Ga.; one son, Tim Landers of LaGrange, Ga.; his mother, Mrs. Corine Freeman of Roanoke; one sister, Mrs. Betty Kirby of Huguley; two grandchildren and two nephews. Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home of LaGrange was in charge of arrangements. __________ Lester Walker Jackson (WADLEY) Funeral services for Lester Walker Jackson, 85, of Wadley will be Wednesday, May 7, 1997, at 3 p.m. at Wadley First United Methodist Church, with the Revs. David Jones and Jack Womack officiating. Burial will follow at Wadley Cemetery. Mr. Jackson died Sunday, May 4, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika after a short illness. A Wadley resident since 1942, he was a Luthersville, Ga., native, born Nov. 7, 1911, son of Hugh Preston and Callie Jackson. He was a self employed carpenter and a member of Wadley First United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Maxine Powell Jackson of Wadley; one daughter, Sandra J. McKinnon of Columbus, Ga.; one son, Andrew H. Jackson of Jacksonville, Fla.; one sister, Dixie Hill of LaFayette; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Jackson will lie in state at the church for one hour beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Pallbearers will be Charles McKay, J. T. Edge, Dan Shaddix, Jimmy Holmes, Hugh Radney and Ray Jones. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Wadley First United Methodist Church or a favorite charity. Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements. __________ Darrell Pritchard (LANETT) Darrell Pritchard, 51, of Lanett died Friday, May 2, 1997, at his residence. Born in Alabama on Jan. 29, 1946, Mr. Pritchard was self-employed as a plumbing contractor in Lanett and was a member of Fredonia United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn M. Pritchard; a daughter, Lisa Fitch of Lanett; a son, Toby Pritchard of Lanett, two sisters, Camilla Lagley of Senoia, Ga., and Martha Hendry of LaGrange. Ga.; his stepmother, Gladys Pritchard of Dadeville and stepfather, Earl Cantrell of Roanoke. The funeral was at Fredonia United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 4, the Rev. Joyce Woodstuff and the Rev. J. H. King officiating. Burial was in Fredonia Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fredonia United Methodist Church in memory of Mr. Pritchard. Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service of Valley. __________ Brady 'Pete' William Traylor (WOODLAND) Brady "Pete" William Traylor, 67, of 1005 Co. Rd. 464, Woodland, died Saturday, May 3, 1997, in Wedowee Hospital. Funeral services were at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Max New officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Traylor is survived by his wife, Mrs. Hazel Traylor of Woodland; one daughter, Sylvia Traylor Stenbeck of Houston, Texas; two sons, Roy Traylor and Jesse Traylor of Woodland; five grandchildren; one sister, Retha Harmon of Wedowee; and one brother, Evan Traylor of Douglasville, Ga. Pallbearers were members of Zion Baptist Church. Mr. Traylor was born on April 26, 1930, son of Elbert Washie Traylor and Belah Henderson Traylor. He was retired from Randolph County Highway Department as a motor grader operator and was a deacon in Zion Baptist Church. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements. __________ James Zachery (FIVE POINTS) James Zachery, age 77, of Five Points died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Zachery was born Dec. 17, 1919, son of the late Mr. Willie Zachery and the late Mrs. Mamie Hutchinson Zachery. From an early age he was a member of Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church in Five Points. Survivors include a daughter Mrs. Mary Freeman of Opelika; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Hines of Atlanta and Mrs. Eva Ellison of Tuskegee; three brothers, Jimmie Lee Zachery and Eddie Zachery of Atlanta and Edward Zachery of Springfield, Mo; and a host of relatives and friends. Services for Mr. Zachery were Monday, May 5, at 1 p.m. from Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Chester Holloway officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Arrangements were by Vines Funeral Home, LaFayette. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader May 14, 1997 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Bobby Denney (ROOPVILLE, Ga.) Bobby Denney, 46, of Roopville, Ga., died Monday May 5, 1997. Mr. Denney was born in Carroll County, Ga., Dec. 24, 1950, son of Kermon Garvis and Marcella Gentry Denney. He had worked as a diesel mechanic, was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was Baptist by faith. Surviving are his daughter, Kristy Michelle McCormick of Franklin, Ga.; father, Kermon Garvis Denney of Bowdon, Ga.; mother and stepfather, Marcella and Hoke Smith of Roopville; sister, Kathy Leopard of Carrollton, Ga.; brother, Doyl Denney of Bowdon; stepsister, Nancy Goodin of Roopville; two stepbrothers, Joe and Paul Walski of Franklin; and three grandchildren. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 8, from Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel with the Rev. Steve Dempsey and the Rev. Glenn Braford officiating. Music was by the Victory Sounds. Interment was in Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery with American Legion Post 143 in charge of service. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel of Carrollton had charge of arrangements. ___________ Willie Frank Parker (WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Willie Frank Parker, 67, of Wedowee, who died Monday, May 5, 1997, at Wedowee Hospital, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, from Union Chapel United Methodist Church in Wedowee. Burial was in the church cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Ann Sims of Wedowee; four sons, Jerry Parker of Roanoke, Larry Parker of Atlanta, Ga., Ricky Parker of Lineville and Eric Parker of Wedowee; two brothers, Oscar Parker of Roanoke and Charlie William Parker of Wedowee; a foster brother, Junior Solon Clark of Wedowee; three sisters, Ruby Lee Andrews and Louise Gooden of Wedowee and Mary Harmon of Indianapolis, Ind.; four stepdaughters, Kathy Terrell of Wedowee, Angela Bailey of Roanoke, Viola Sims of Newnan, Ga., and Polly Ann Molden of Atlanta; a stepson, Darrell Bailey of Roanoke; and a live-in companion, Mary Harris of Carrollton, Ga. Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Parker; mother, Bessie Parker; wife, Mary Lee Parker; second wife, Ruth Bailey; daughter, Mary Parker; and sons, Tommy and Jessie Parker. Services were provided by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Mary Louise DeLee (LAFAYETTE) Mary Louise DeLee, 66, of LaFayette died Wednesday, May 7, 1997, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. Services for Mrs. DeLee were at Community Baptist Church in LaFayette at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, with interment in the church cemetery. Officiating were the Revs. Clifford DeLee, Donald DeLee and Arlie Wade. Survivors include her husband, Frank DeLee of LaFayette; three daughters, Rita Faye Sims of Opelika, Connie DeLee of LaFayette and Marilyn Daniel of Woodland; two sons, Jimmy Cox of LaFayette and Levon DeLee of Opelika; three sisters, Dorothy Denham of Roanoke, Faye Glass of LaFayette and Pauline Patton of Albany, Ga.; two brothers, Ralph Blackmon of Conyers, Ga., and Verlon Blackmon of Rock Mills; her father, James L. Blackmon of LaFayette; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. DeLee was born in Chambers County on Dec. 15, 1930. She was a member of Community Baptist Church and had been employed in the lunchroom at Southside Elementary School. Arrangements were by Sanders Funeral Home, LaFayette. __________ Margaret Holt Brown (ROANOKE) Margaret Holt Brown, 87, a native of Elmore County but a resident of Randolph County for the past 49 years, died Thursday, May 8, 1997. The funeral was at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Jeffcoat Funeral Home Chapel in Tallassee, the Rev. James Underwood officiating. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Jeffcoat Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers for Mrs. Brown were her grandsons. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Mary Zeigler of Tallassee and Mrs. Betty McManus of Roanoke; six sons, Earl Brown and Donald Brown of Forest Park, Ga., William Brown of Opelika, Thomas Brown of Roy, Utah, Ronald Brown of Carrollton, Tex., and James Brown of Athens; one brother, Joe Holt, and one sister, Mattie Mae Rogers, both of Tallassee; 20 grandchildren, 14 great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Brown was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Randolph County. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Terah Brown, and a daughter, Marlene Keifer. __________ Dessie S. Brown (VALLEY) Dessie S. Brown, 89, of Valley died Saturday, May 10, 1997, at Lanier Memorial Nursing Home. Mrs. Brown was born in Tallapoosa County August 27, 1907, the daughter of Lessie Mae and Jesse Lee Smith. She had retired from West Point Pepperell, where she had worked at the Shawmut and Lanett Mills, and had been a very active member of Huguley United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made to Huguley United Methodist Church or to one's favorite charity in her memory. She is survived by three daughters, Melba B. Ragland of Huguley and Lessie B. Beck and Melody B. Threadgill of Valley; four sons, Thelbert V. Brown and Walter Brown of Huguley, Billy C. Brown of LaFayette, and Shorty Brown of Valley; one brother, Archie Smith of Valley; one sister, Erma Gray of Clermont, Fla.; 21 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were at Huguley United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 12, with burial in Resthaven Cemetery. The Rev. Bart Bowlin officiated. Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley was in charge of arrangements. __________ Effie Hale (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Effie Hale, 88, of LaGrange, Ga., died Tuesday, May 13, 1997, in Brian Center Nursing Care, LaGrange, after a lengthy illness. A native of Randolph County, Ala., Mrs. Hale was born May 14, 1908, daughter of George William and Idella Partner Knott. She was retired from the Unity Plant of Milliken and Co. after 44 years of service and had lived in LaGrange since 1926. She was a member of Oakside Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel, LaGrange, on Thursday, May 15, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jay Knight officiating. Interment will be in Shadowlawn Cemetery, LaGrange. Surviving. are two daughters, Dorothy Washington of Newnan, Ga., and Ruth Eaton of LaGrange; one son, L. C. Hale of Pine Mountain, Ga.; one half-sister, Willodene Wilks of Lumber City, Ga.; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 7 until 9. Hunter-Allen Myhand Funeral Home of LaGrange is in charge of arrangements. __________ Mathis Houston (YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio) Mathis Houston, 77, of Youngstown, Ohio, died Saturday, May 10, 1997, at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, Youngstown. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 17, at I p.m. at Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church, Roanoke, with the Rev. Lonnie B. Houston and the Rev. Terry L. Magby officiating. Pallbearers will be nephews Willie Clyde Houston, John Frank Houston, Robert Joiner Jr., Thomas Watson Jr., Sanford Watson and Brad Watson. Survivors include four sons, Michael Houston, James Houston and Mark Houston of Youngstown and Danny Houston of Atlanta; three sisters, Lillian Watson and Eddie Mae Houston of Roanoke and Mary Ruth Magby of Syracuse.; and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Viola Houston; his wife, Willie Mae Houston; a son, William Houston; two brothers and three sisters. Visitation will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke, on Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The body will be placed in the church one hour before the funeral services. L.E. Black and Phillips Funeral Home, Youngstown, and Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke, are in charge of arrangements. __________ Herman Allen Hester (AUSTIN, Tex.) Funeral services for Herman Allen Hester, 64, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Randolph County, will be Wednesday, May 14, 1997, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, the Rev. Harold Bonner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Christian Church cemetery. Mr. Hester died suddenly on Saturday, May 10, at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin. A Randolph County native, he was born March 31, 1933, son of Herman W. and Eris Shaw Hester. He was an army veteran and a member of the VFW. Survivors include three daughters, Susan Cofield of Roanoke, Donna Hester of Austin and Cindy H. Clark of Roanoke; two grandchildren; his father, Herman Hester of Roanoke; five sisters, Beatrice Garrett and Helen Blankenship of Roanoke, Annis McKay and Juanita Burger of Macon, Ga., and Sara Steingraber of Woodstock, Ga.; one brother, Jimmy Hester of LaGrange, Ga.; and his ex-wife, Jackie Wilson Hester of Roanoke. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, is in charge of arrangements. __________ Paul C. Patterson (DECATUR) Paul C. Patterson, 56, of Decatur died Saturday, May 10, 1997, at a local hospital. The funeral was Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church, with the Revs. Randy Sims and Chuck Canterbury officiating. Burial was in Valhalla Cemetery. Mr. Patterson[,] a graduate of Huntsville High School, was employed by Chrysler Corporation for 20 years. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church of Decatur and a former deacon and member of Southside Baptist Church of Huntsville, and was active in work to Emmaus and Kairos Prison ministries. Survivors include his wife, Laura Stephens Patterson of Decatur, formerly of Roanoke; a son, Stanley Patterson of Huntsville; a daughter, Marianna Patterson of Huntsville; a stepson, Adam Boothe of Hazel Green; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Macon Patterson of Anderson; and a brother, Pat Patterson of Opelika. Memorial donations may be made to the Ukrainian ministry in care of Harvest Baptist Church, 8999 Wall Triana Highway, Harvest, AL 35749. Laughlin Service Funeral Home, Inc., of Decatur was in charge of arrangements. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader May 21, 1997 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Willie Clyde Richardson (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Willie Clyde Richardson, 60, of Roanoke, were Thursday, May 15, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Yancey Sanders and S. T. Janney officiating. Burial was at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Richardson died suddenly on Wednesday, May 14, at Randolph County Hospital. A former resident of Huntsville, he was a Randolph County native, born July 28, 1936, son of Chink and Ura Miles Richardson. He worked as the parts manager for Prestridge Ford. Survivors include his wife, Ann Kitchens Richardson of Roanoke; one daughter, Susan R. Huckabee of Roanoke; two grandchildren; three sisters, Lucille Morton and Frances Hamby, both of Roanoke, and Lois Brown of Honduras; and one brother, Herbert H. Richardson of Roanoke. Pallbearers were Craig Prestridge, Howard Bailey, Roger Florence, Randy Fincher, Manley Clack and Quillian Adamson. Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements. __________ Lewis Bell (ROANOKE) The Rev. Lewis Bell, 77, of Roanoke died Saturday, May 17, 1997, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 21, at 1 p.m. at Union Chapel United Methodist Church, Wedowee, with the Rev. Clyde M. Jones officiating. Burial will be in Macedonia Baptist Church cemetery, Roanoke. Survivors include his wife, Louise Bell of Roanoke; two sons, Johnny Lewis Bell and James Emory Bell of Roanoke; three daughters, Mary Walker Bass of Irvington, N.J., Rebecca Jones of Roanoke, and Tess Allaison of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a stepson, Alonzo Burton of Chattanooga; four brothers, E.S. Bell, M.C. Bell, John Ceroy Bell and Leroy Bell of Roanoke; two sisters, Ora D. Goode of Atlanta and Ruby Trammell of Roanoke; 22 grandchildren; and 17 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted William and Lizzie Bell; a brother, William H. Bell; and a sister, Lorenia Johnson. Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements. __________ Sidney Brady (ROANOKE) Sidney Brady, 84, of Roanoke died Thursday, May 15, 1997, at Wedowee Hospital. Funeral services were Monday, May 19, at 1 p.m. at Rehope Baptist Church, LaFayette, with the Rev. Harvey L. Jones officiating. Burial was in the Friendship Baptist Church cemetery, Wadley. Survivors include his wife, Nora Brady of Roanoke; a son, Simmie Brady of Carrollton, Ala.; a daughter, Sharon Whatley of Panama City, Fla.; three brothers, Simmie Brady and Linnie Brady of Warren, Ohio, and Adolphus Brady of Youngstown, Ohio; one half-sister; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several special cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Pearl Brady; one son, Jessie John Brady; one brother, Isaac Brady; and one half-sister. Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements. __________ Bonnie Jeanette Smith (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Bonnie Jeanette Smith, 65, of Roanoke were Monday, May 19, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Bethel East Baptist Church, with the Revs. Richard Baldwin and Bill Calhoun officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery. Mrs. Smith died Saturday, May 17, at her home after a short illness. A lifelong Roanoke resident, she was born June 28, 1931, daughter of Will and Lillie Norton Wright. She was a homemaker and a member of Rock Mills Church of God. Survivors include her husband, Frank J. Smith of Roanoke; three daughters, Diane Smith and Brenda Watson of Roanoke and Vicky Trimble of Waverly; one son, Steve Smith of Roanoke; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Fred Waldrep, Larry Waldrep, Michael Goss, Jimmy Watson, Eddie Joe Smith and Randy Smith. Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements. __________ Bessie Mae Pitts (VALLEY) Bessie Mae Pitts, 75, of Valley died at Lanier Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, May 14, 1997. Mrs. Pitts was born in Randolph County on March 7, 1997. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church in Valley and was a retired employee of West Point Pepperell's Fairfax Mill. Survivors include her husband, Marcus M. (Jack) Pitts; two sons, James H. Myhand of Lanett and Melvin A. Pitts of Valley; her mother, Laura Bell Martin of Valley; a sister, Gladys Jones of Valley; a brother, Herb Martin of Lanett; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley at 2 p.m. Friday, May 16 with burial in Resthaven Cemetery. The Rev. Bob Schoonhoven and the Rev. Wesley Dykes officiated. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Chattahoochee Hospice in memory of Mrs. Pitts. Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service/Valley. __________ Margaret Ann Shaw (JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.) Funeral services for Margaret Ann Shaw, 81, of Johnson City, formerly of Roanoke, were Tuesday, May 20, 1997, at 11 a.m. from Rock Mills Church of the Nazarene, the Revs. Frank Foster and Mike Whaley officiating. Burial was at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Lanett. Mrs. Shaw died Friday, May 16, at her home in Johnson City. She was an Elveton, Md. native, born July 23, 1915, daughter of William Thomas and Carrie Wingerd Johnson. She was a member of Sam & Sammies and Rock Mills Church of the Nazarene and was a former board member of the church. Survivors include three daughters, Gloria Ann White of Glen Birney, Md., Betty Lou Kraus of Atlanta and Margaret Sue Doss of Johnson City; one son, Clifton Thomas of Glen Birney; and several grandchildren. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, was in charge of arrangements. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader May 28, 1997 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Mary B. Lovvorn (BOWDON, Ga.) Mary B. Lovvorn, 75, of Bowdon, Ga., died Tuesday, May 20, 1997, in Bowdon Area Hospital, following an extended illness. She was born in Randolph County on May 11, 1922, daughter of the late R. T. and Bradly Steen Blanks. Mrs. Lovvorn was a lifelong resident of the area, a member of Pinehill Christian Church and a retired employee of LaMar Manufacturing Co. Survivors include her husband, W. H. Lovvorn of Bowdon; sons, Max Lovvorn and Richard Lovvorn of Bowdon and Frankie Lovvorn of Villa Rica, Ga.; daughter, Ann Golden Grizzard of Bremen, Ga.; seven grandchildren; brothers, Ertis Blanks of Ranburne, Rudolph Blanks of Woodland, John Blanks of Dadeville, Clyde Blanks of Perry, Ga., B. J. Blanks of Hartwell, Ga., Jimmy Blanks of Centralhatchee, Ga., Jessie Blanks of Wedowee and David Blanks of Waco, Ga.; and a sister, Enette Brown of Ft. Walton, Fla. Funeral services were Thursday, May 22, at 2 p.m. from Pinehill Christian Church with Minister Allen Howard officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Rainwater-West Funeral Home, Bowdon, was in charge of arrangements. __________ Frances Carlton Morton (VALLEY) Frances Carlton Morton, 72, of Valley died on Tuesday, May[20?] 1997, at the West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange from injuries incurred in an automobile wreck. William Irish Morton (husband) had preceded her in death. Survivors include one son, Bill Morton of Dutton; four daughters, Jane Peppers of Scottsboro, Carol Blair of Dallas, Ga., Betty Morgan of Franklin, Ga., and Janice Hatfield of Cartersville, Ga.; one sister, Leita Carlton Jones of Wadley; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services were at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley on Thursday, May 22. Burial was in Marseilles Cemetery in West Point, Ga. __________ Mary Virginia Crisler Nicholson (RICHMOND, Ky.) Mary Virginia Crisler Nicholson, 65, of Richmond, Ky., died from cancer Thursday, May 1, 1997, at home. She was the daughter of the late Charles B. and Mary Virginia Manning Crisler of Lineville, Ala. Mary and her brother Charles were raised by Mr. and Mrs. Byrd Pate Blake of Roanoke, Ala., after the untimely deaths of their parents. Mrs. Nicholson was an elementary teacher in Madison County, Ky., for the past 18 years. She received a B.S. degree from Queens College, Charlotte, N.C., and an M.S. degree from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond. A lifetime member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Mary Virginia dedicated her professional career to the education of young children. Her personal teaching interests included reading, writing, whole language, the history of Native American Indians and preserving the environment. Immediate survivors include four children, Mary Virginia "Ginger" Lowe Rawe of Fort Mitchell, Ky., Sally Crisler Lowe Fortenberry of Fort Worth, Texas, and Richard "Bubba" Lowe and John "Jack" Nicholson of Richmond; and three granddaughters, Julie Rawe, Mary Virginia Fortenberry and Emily Lowe. A memorial service was held on Sunday, May 4, in Richmond at the Bennett House. The family requests that donations may be made to the Hospice of the Kentucky Rivers Inc., 210 St. George St., Richmond, KY 40475. __________ Robert Lee Brown (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Robert Lee Brown, 64, of Roanoke were Thursday, May 22, 1997, at 3 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Revs. S. T. Janney and Tommy Gene Young officiating. Burial was at Welcome Home Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Brown died Tuesday, May 20, at his home after an extended illness. A Randolph County resident most of his life, he was born Jan. 31, 1933, in Heard County, Ga., son of William Lee and Patsy Janie Brown. He had been employed as a mechanic with Milliken Mills in LaGrange. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James Brown; and a granddaughter, Barbara Brown. Survivors include his wife, Clyde Bradley Brown of Roanoke; two daughters, Patricia Mitchell of Wedowee and Patsey Pinkard of Rock Mills; three sons, Paul Brown and Ricky Brown of Roanoke and Jackie Brown of Franklin, Ga.; one sister, Jane Dodgen of LaGrange, Ga.; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Jimmy Williamson, Richard Williamson, James Robert Brown, Paul Brown Jr., Jimmy Bradley, David Bradley, Charlie Wayne Dodgen and Edward Shelnutt. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, was in charge of arrangements. __________ Elbert Edward Harris (BOWDON, Ga.) Elbert Edward Harris, 56, of Bowdon, Ga., died Sunday, May 25, 1997, in Crawford W. Long Hospital, Atlanta. He was born in Randolph County, Ala, Sept. 12, 1940, son of the late Marion B. and Evie Ann Wilson Harris. Mr. Harris was a lifelong resident of this area, a member of Big Springs Baptist Church, and a logger for Georgia Pulpwood Company. Survivors include two sons, Dwayne Harris and James Harris of Woodland; a daughter, Mrs. Sandra Shelton of Woodland; three grandchildren; two brothers, Junior Frank Harris of Roanoke and M. B. Harris of Bowdon; and two sisters, Mrs. Velma Smith of Bowdon and Mrs. Sara Hendley of Roanoke. Funeral services were Monday, May 26, at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Rainwater-West Funeral Home, with the Rev. Steve Dempsey officiating. Interment services followed in the Napoleon Church of Christ Cemetery. Rainwater-West Funeral Home of Bowdon was in charge of arrangements. __________ J. L. Langley (LANETT) J. L. Langley, 71, of Lanett died Saturday, May 24, 1997, at Lanier Memorial Hospital, Valley. A Randolph County native, Mr. Langley was a veteran of World War II, where he served with both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. He was employed with the Skinner Company in West Point as the store manager, where he had worked for 47 years. He was a member of Lanett First Baptist Church and was a Mason and Shriner. Mr. Langley was a member of Riverside Country Club, West Point Merchants Association and Georgia Retail Furniture Association, and was a board member of the Lanett Housing Authority. Mr. and Mrs. Langley had recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Alabama Boys and Girls Ranches or to the American Cancer Society in his memory. Survivors include his wife, Ethel Boone Langley of Lanett; a daughter, Neva Jane Langley Wood of Morrow, Ga.; two sisters, Ethel Fetner and Iona Carroll of Valley; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at Johnson Brown Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley, with the Rev. J. H. King officiating. Burial was in Johnson Memorial Gardens. Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley was in charge of arrangements. ______________________________________________________