Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during March 2002, Randolph, Alabama
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April 2002
The Randolph Leader
March 6, 2002
___________________
OBITUARIES:
Lucille Forrester Myhand
(LANETT) Lucille F. Myhand, 86, of Lanett died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at Beverly
Health Care, Lanett.
Mrs. Myhand was born in Troup County, Ga., on Oct. 13, 1915, daughter of the late
Nettie Jane Wyatt Forrester and the late Richard C. Forrester. She was a retired employee
of George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital where she was an EKG technician. She had
previously worked at Gadsden Hospital and in the Towel Department of West Point
Pepperell's Fairfax Mill. She was a member of Lanett First United Methodist Church and
the Rebecca Circle.
Surviving are a daughter, Marie Folmar of Lumberton, N.C.; sons, Bobby Myhand of
Covington, Ga., and Joe Myhand of Huntsville; a brother, Marion Forrester of Valley; a
sister-in-law, Virginia Moore of Roanoke; brother-in-law, William H. Myhand of
Nashville, Tenn.; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Charles B. Myhand.
Services were at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley at 4 p.m. on
Friday, Mar. 1, with burial in Hopewell Cemetery. Dr. Brian Wyatt and the Rev. Donnie
Erwin-Brown officiated.
The family asks that memorial donations be made to Lanett First United Methodist
Church or to the Leukemia Association.
Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley.
__________
Edward P. Drake Jr.
(ROANOKE) Edward P. Drake Jr., 33, of Roanoke died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, in
Roanoke as the result of an automobile accident.
Services were Saturday, Mar. 2, at 2 p.m. at Christian Memorial Baptist Church, with
the Rev. Burnett Jackson officiating. Burial was in Skyview Memorial Gardens, Welch.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Terill Drake of Roanoke; his parents, Edward and Rosie
Drake of Roanoke; a sister, Ms. Tammy Lisa Drake of Roanoke; a brother, Kerry M.
Drake of Roanoke; and his in-laws, Mary Ann and Cleveland Battle. He was preceded in
death by a sister, Ronita LaShun Drake.
Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
__________
Martha Jane Briscoe
(LAFAYETTE) Martha Jane Briscoe, 91, of LaFayette died Friday, Mar. 2, 2002, at
Wesley Terrace Retirement Center, Auburn.
Services were at LaFayette First United Methodist Church on Sunday, Mar. 3, at 2 p.m.,
with interment in LaFayette City Cemetery. The Rev. Joyce Woodstuff officiated.
Surviving are a son, Dr. Joseph M. Briscoe Jr. of Birmingham; two grandchildren; and
seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Janet Barr.
Mrs. Briscoe was born in Senoia, Ga., on Sept. 10, 1910. She sang in the choir and was
a member of LaFayette First United Methodist Church for 65 years. She was a graduate
of LaGrange College, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and was employed with the
Department of Human Resources for 22 years.
Pallbearers were Frank Walton, Alex Walton, Jim Abney, Owen Waites, the Rev.
Al Ruggles and Harold Pittman.
Arrangements were by Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette.
__________
Quill Buddy Sheppard
(GRAND BAY) Graveside services for Quill Buddy Sheppard, 60, of Grand Bay were
at Valley Grove Cemetery at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2002, with the Rev. David Reaves
officiating.
Mr. Sheppard died Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Knowllwood Hospital in Mobile.
Mr. Sheppard was a native of Randolph County, born Nov. 21, 1941, son of Clifford
William Sheppard and Grace Letha Mulkey Sheppard. He had worked in the metal and
salvage yard industries.
Mr. Sheppard is survived by a daughter, Shirley Ann Bosarge of Grand Bay; a son, Lee
Sheppard of Mobile; a stepdaughter, Peggy Rylu of Theodore; two stepsons, Charlie
Whitney and William Whitney of Theodore; two grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren;
two sisters, Letha Mae Sheppard and Clara Rush of Cragford; and four brothers, Clarence
Sheppard of Opelika, Andy Sheppard of Anniston, and James and Amos Sheppard of
Roanoke.
Family members served as pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
Stacey Carol Bailey Sheppard
(ROANOKE) Services for Stacey Carol Bailey Sheppard, 46, of Roanoke were
Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Gerald
Sheppard, Mr. Michael Cummings and the Rev. Shannon Mapp officiating.
Ms. Sheppard died Sunday, Mar. 3, at East Alabama Medical Center.
A Randolph County native, Ms. Sheppard was born Mar. 3, 1956, daughter of John T.
Bailey Jr. and Sara Frances Bassett Bailey. She was a member of First Baptist Church and
had been employed with Private Line in Franklin.
Survivors include her husband, Nicky Jeter of Roanoke; two daughters, Carmen
Michelle Sheppard of Atlanta and Chyna McKenzie Jeter of Roanoke; two sisters, Karen
Cummings and Gail Mapp of Roanoke; and a special aunt, Jenny Crabb of Watsonville,
Calif.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Maggie B. Shockley
(DECATUR) Services for Maggie B. Shockley, 92, of Decatur, formerly of Wadley, will
be Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev.
James Duke officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Shockley died Monday, Mar. 4, at Summerford Nursing Home in Decatur.
A Tallapoosa County native, Mrs. Shockley was born Feb. 4, 1910, daughter of Joe and
Odessa Tucker Davis. She was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Hill Methodist
Church. Her husband, Ira B. Shockley, preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Lala Newman of Hartselle; two sons, Don Shockley of
Brentwood, Tenn., and Ira Douglas Shockley of Birmingham; one sister, Sara Newsome
of Piedmont; two brothers, G. W. Davis of Wadley and Gordon Davis of Talladega; nine
grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, from noon to
2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Fannie Mae Moody
(ROANOKE) Fannie Mae Moody, 82, of Roanoke died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, at
LaFayette Extended Care, LaFayette.
Services were Friday, March 1, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Roanoke, with
the Rev. R. L. Heflin officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Beautie Moody White and Tommie L. Watts of
Cleveland, Ohio; and two sisters, Jimmie Lou Heard and Grace Ferrell of Roanoke.
Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
______________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
March 13, 2002
___________________
OBITUARIES:
Mary Will Alexander
(ROANOKE) Services for Mary Will Alexander, 88, of Roanoke were Thursday, Mar.
7, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Larry McDaniel and Ricky
Cummings officiating. Burial was at Forrester's Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Alexander died Wednesday, Mar. 6, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A resident of Wadley most of her life, Mrs. Alexander was a Randolph County native,
born June 21, 1913, daughter of Eli and Roxie Parker Hester. She was a homemaker and
a member of Corinth Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Zack
Frank Alexander, and a daughter, Polly Ann Cannon.
Survivors include two daughters, Ethel B. Burke of Roanoke and Lillian Irene Ward of
Dadeville; two sons, Sam Hester of Roanoke and Grover Alexander of Wadley and Ida
Mae Mitchell of Portland, Oregon; one brother, Bud Hester of Valley; nine grandchildren,
12 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
[Note: Possibly should read, "one sister, Ida Mae Mitchell"]
__________
Annie Bassett Gunsallus
(TYBEE ISLAND, Ga.) Graveside services for Annie Bassett Gunsallus, 86, of Tybee
Island, Ga., formerly of Roanoke, were Friday, Mar. 8, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove
Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Gunsallus died Wednesday, Mar. 6, at Oceanside Nursing Home.
A native and lifelong Roanoke resident, Mrs. Gunsallus was a former member of
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and a member of Gold Star Wives.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Ann Gunsallus of Tybee Island;
four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Carl Jackson Bartlett
(ROANOKE) Services for Carl Jackson Bartlett, 87, of Roanoke were Saturday, Mar.
9, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Roanoke First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Tex Ergle
officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mr. Bartlett died Thursday, March 7, 2002, at Florence Hand Home, LaGrange.
A lifelong Roanoke resident, Mr. Bartlett was born Jan. 8, 1915, son of James Hester
and Carrie Bell Pittman Bartlett. He was a World War II Army veteran and a member of
Roanoke First United Methodist Church, the American Legion, V.F.W. and Roanoke
Kiwanis Club. He had been a mail carrier with the Roanoke post office.
Survivors include his wife, Myrtice Hudson Bartlett of Roanoke; one daughter, Martha
Stamps of Marietta, Ga.; one son, Carl J. Bartlett Jr. of Montgomery; one sister, Lucy
Nell Keeble of LaGrange; one brother, Blake Bartlett of Woodland, Ga.; and four
grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jerrell May, Tommy Hill, Clifford Burns, Sam Wylie, Roy Reaves and
Bud Bailey. Members of the Men's Bible Class at First Methodist served as honorary
pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church
Family Life Center (P.O. Box 40, Roanoke, AL 36274).
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Dorsey Charlie Yarbrough
(ROANOKE) Services for Dorsey Charlie Yarbrough, 88, of Roanoke were Sunday,
Mar. 10, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Roanoke Church of Christ, with Bro. Gerald Romine, Bro.
Tim Taylor and Sam Carpenter officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Yarbrough died Saturday, Mar. 9, at Traylor Nursing Home.
A Roanoke resident since 1946, Mr. Yarbrough was born May 1, 1913, son of Will H.
and Ida T. Smith Yarbrough. He was a World War II Army veteran, a member of
Roanoke Church of Christ and was owner and operator of a dry cleaning business.
Survivors include his wife, Nonnie Ruth Shaw Yarbrough of Roanoke; two daughters,
Cupidene Bailey of Roanoke and Hildreth Dunson Schwiening of Opelika; one son,
Tommy Yarbrough of Roanoke; one sister, Bernice Yates of Ephesus, Ga.;
nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers, and elders of Roanoke Church of Christ served as
honorary pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Leila Mae Pool
(WADLEY) Services for Leila Mae Pool, 87, of Wadley were Sunday, Mar. 10, 2002,
at High Pine Baptist Church, with the Rev. Tommy Burke and the Rev. Gary Baugh
officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Pool died Saturday, Mar. 9, at Traylor Nursing Home.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Pool was born July 5, 1914, daughter of Marvin and
Cordelia Phillips Borders. She was a homemaker and a member of High Pine Baptist
Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Richard Pool.
Survivors include one daughter, Mary Ruth Caldwell of Wadley; one son, Larry Lamar
Pool of Huguley; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Manley Clack, Benny Satterwhite, Braxton Garrett, Jody Melton, Allen
Ramsey Jr. and Herbert Denham.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Luther Sims Cato Jr.
(ROANOKE) Services for Luther Sims Cato Jr., 73, of Roanoke were Sunday, Mar. 10,
2002, at 4 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Virginia Newton officiating.
Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Cato died Saturday, Mar. 9, at Hospice LaGrange.
A Manchester, Ga., native, Mr. Cato was born Dec. 1, 1928, son of Luther Cato Sr. and
Corrie Walters Cato. He was a member of Roanoke Church of the Nazarene and had been
employed with the City of Auburn Water Works.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Daniel Cato of Roanoke; one daughter, Teresa
Gorham of Opelika; two stepdaughters, Brenda Stroud of Lanett and Teresa Moore of
LaGrange, Ga.; a stepson, Leroy Smith Jr. of LaGrange; two sisters, Virginia Benefield
and Sue Taft, both of Roanoke; and eight grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Elmer Lolley, Mark Jordan, Randy Smith, Roger McClurg, Brian Poss
and Greg Stevens.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Sammie Key Moore
(LINCOLN) Sammie Key Moore, 53, of Lincoln died Friday, March 8, 2002.
Mr. Moore was an avid aviator for over 30 years and a designer, builder and flyer of
numerous airplanes. He was a member of the Pell City Elks, Birmingham Fraternal
Council, and a member of Overton Baptist Church. He was the owner of Sammie's Touch
N Go Restaurant at the Pell City airport where he enjoyed talking with airport friends and
local families and taking everyone for breezy rides.
Services were Monday, Mar. 11, at 2 p.m. at Eden Westside Baptist Church, Pell City,
with the Rev. Jacky Connell officiating. Burial was in Valley Hill Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila Moore of Lincoln; two daughters, Diane Moore Pruett
and Michelle Clawson Frickey; a son, Ricky D. Moore; four sisters, Wilma Christian,
Joyce Kraus, Jan Siggers and Gaye Nann Carter; six brothers, R. V. Moore, Joel Moore,
Phillip Moore, Terry Moore, Charlie Moore and Danny Moore; and three grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Kilgroe Funeral Home, Pell City.
__________
Ethel Cofield Herren
(WOODLAND) Services for Ethel Cofield Herren, 86, of Woodland were Thursday,
Mar. 7, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Harmony Congregational Methodist Church, with Bro. W. C.
Cofield and the Rev. Anthony Herren officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Herren died Wednesday, Mar. 6, at Randolph Medical Center in Roanoke.
A Randolph County native and lifelong resident, Mrs. Herren was born July 14, 1915,
daughter of Ben and Sara Rice Cofield. She was a homemaker and a member of Ephesus
Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lucious H. Herren, and a
daughter, Mary Lean Herren.
Survivors include six sons, Edward K. Herren, Ridley J. Herren, W. Quinton Herren,
Merlin Jr. Herren and T. Jerry Herren all of Woodland, and C. Rushel Herren of Anniston;
one sister, Martha Cathart of Marietta, Ga.; a brother, Alais Cofield of Roanoke;
18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
Dennis Wayne Lancaster
(OPELIKA) Services for Dennis Wayne Lancaster, 46, of Opelika were Friday, Mar. 8,
2002, at 2 p.m. at Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church, with the Rev. Billy East
officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Lancaster died Wednesday, Mar. 6, at Bethany House Hospice in Auburn.
Mr. Lancaster was born in Carroll County, Ga., son of Thomas Junior and Essie
Franklin Lancaster. He worked as a painter. Mr. Lancaster was preceded in death by his
father and a brother, Barry Neal Lancaster.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Johnson Lancaster of Opelika; one daughter, Monica
Lancaster of Chicago, Ill.; two sons, Joseph Lancaster of Chicago and Sammy Lancaster
of Norfolk, Va.; and his mother and stepfather, Essie and Charles Gentle of Wedowee.
Pallbearers were Leslie Watson, Joey Bridges, Allen Tate, Tim Clifton, Anthony Clifton
and Terry Richardson.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
William Boyd Forman
(HEFLIN) Graveside services for William Boyd Forman, 74, of Heflin were Friday,
Mar. 8, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim's Rest cemetery, with the Rev. Leron Murphy
officiating.
Mr. Forman died Wednesday, Mar. 6, at his home.
Born Oct. 17, 1927, at Moody in St. Clair County, Mr. Forman was the son of Burse
and Rhoda Patterson Forman. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and had been
employed with Trintex.
Survivors include his wife, Jetty Teague Forman of Heflin; four sons, Mike Forman of
Roanoke, Ricky Forman of Wedowee, Dewey Forman of Cartersville, Ga., and Jamie
Forman of Heflin; two sisters, Ophelia Hoag of Oregon and Dema Joe Sparks of Dothan;
two brothers, David Forman of Newell and Edward Forman of Florida;
seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jonathan Hallmark, Vernon Murphy, and grandsons Daniel Forman,
Dennis Forman, Kevin Forman and Adam Forman.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
Izetta Mathews Evans
(NEWELL) Services for Izetta Mathews Evans, 86, of Newell were Friday, Mar. 8,
2002, at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, with the Revs. Brian Smith and Ray Runyan
officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Evans died Thursday, Mar. 7, at Randolph Medical Center in Roanoke.
A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mrs. Evans was born Feb. 15, 1916, daughter of
Marion W. and Lucy Davis Mathews. She was a member of Union Baptist Church and
had been employed with Bremen-B5owdon Investment Company. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Johnny Evans, and a grandson.
Mrs. Evans is survived by a daughter, Venita Goode of Newell.
Pallbearers were Hollis Hall, Junior Wortham, Barry Daniel, Greg Daniel, Tracy Lipham
and Scott Johnson.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
Charlie Lee Johnson
(ROANOKE) Services for Charlie Lee Johnson, 71, of Roanoke were Monday, Mar.
11, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Richard Baldwin and
Barry Harlin officiating. Burial was in Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Johnson died Saturday, Mar. 9, at McGuffey Health Care, Gadsden.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Johnson was born Jan. 26, 1931.
Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Kirby Johnson; one daughter, Sandra Brooks; and a
brother, Curtis Johnson, all of Roanoke.
Pallbearers were Matthew Mitchell, Wayne Edmondson, John Gurley, Tony Burks,
Marty Ivery and Jeff Estes.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Thomas Harold Taylor
(ROANOKE) Services for Thomas Harold Taylor, 54, of Roanoke were Tuesday, Mar.
12, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Rock Stand Congregational Christian Church, with the Revs.
Kenneth Johnson and Hugh Vines officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Taylor died Sunday, Mar. 10, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center,
Anniston.
A Randolph County native and lifelong resident, Mr. Taylor was born April 26, 1947,
son of Charlie B. and Doris Pope Taylor. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War; a
member of Rock Stand Congregational Christian Church; and had been employed with
Amoco Fabrics and Fibers.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Brown Taylor of Roanoke; three daughters, Jenaya
Duke and Stacey Taylor of McDonough, Ga., and Heather Mauldin of Roanoke; three
sons, Steven Caldwell of Lineville, Jonathan Caldwell of Roanoke and Josh Caldwell of
Ranburne; his mother, Doris Taylor of Roanoke; one brother, Rod Taylor of Roanoke;
and eight grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Smith, Ronnie Kirby, Waugh Exum, John Harmon, Kirby
Windsor, James Jackson, Richard Henderson and Elon Pope.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer
Society, 1599 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Ann Killerbrew Turner
(BLAKELY, Ga.) Ann Killerbrew Turner, 59, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at her
home. Services were Friday, Feb. 22, at 2:30 p.m. at the chapel of Manry-Jordan-Hodges
Funeral Home, with the Rev. Henry Bass officiating.
Ms. Turner was born on Mar. 28, 1942, daughter of Wilma Killerbrew Smith and the
late Albert Roy Killerbrew.
She was a Baptist and a sales clerk at CVS Pharmacy in Blakely. She was former
resident of Wedowee and worked for many years at the Bank of Wedowee.
Survivors include her mother, Wilma K. Smith of Blakely; two daughters, Pam White of
Roanoke and Vickie Clark of Columbus, Ga.; two sons, David "Butch" Turner of Midland
City and Russell Turner of Dothan; a brother, James Killerbrew of Blakely;
nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Ray Preston, Dwight Evans, Jessie Murkerson, Curtis Clark, Bill White
and Stevie Bolt Jr.
__________
E. Austin Gay
(AUBURN) Services for E. Austin Gay, 78, of Auburn will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday,
Mar. 14, 2002, at Frederick's Funeral Home, Opelika, with the Rev. Charles Cummings
officiating. Burial will follow in Big Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Randolph
County at 1:30 p.m.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 13, at Frederick's Funeral Home.
Mr. Gay, who died Monday, Mar. 11, at East Alabama Medical Center, was born Aug.
25, 1923, in Randolph County. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the
European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge. After being discharged, he
graduated from Jacksonville State University. While a student at Jacksonville State, he
served as editor of the school newspaper. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a
second lieutenant in the Army Reserves from which he retired as a lieutenant colonel.
After college he worked as a journeyman linotype operator for several area newspapers,
including the Auburn Bulletin, The Randolph Leader and the Citronelle Call where he met
his late wife, Marian Johnson Gay. Mr. Gay worked at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville for
10 years as an engineering technical writer after which he was called to active duty in the
Army, serving as an area advisor in Montgomery. In 1971, Mr. Gay went to Sanford
Middle School in Beauregard as an eighth grade English teacher and assistant principal.
Survivors include a son, Dr. William J. Gay of Auburn; two daughters, Hope Butler of
Auburn and Lynn G. Burt of Athens, Ga.; three grandchildren; one sister, Marie Bolt of
Valley; and one brother, William Fred Gay of Sharon, S.C.
Arrangements are by Frederick's Funeral Home, Opelika.
__________
Robert G. Bolt
(HEFLIN) Services for Robert G. Bolt, 72, of Heflin will be Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2002,
at 2 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Charlie Bolt officiating. Burial will
follow at Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Newell.
Mr. Bolt died Monday, Mar. 11, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in
Anniston.
A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mr. Bolt was born May 30, 1929, son of Lane and
Roxie Clark Bolt. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and had been employed
with M&W Trucking, Bowdon, Ga.
Survivors include his wife, Bertha E. Bolt; four daughters, Roxie Muse and Juanita
Glagola of Villa Rica, Ga., Jane Holland of Heflin and Mary Merritts of Douglasville, Ga.;
two sons, Robert Grover Bolt II of Villa Rica and James Allen Bolt of Carrollton, Ga.;
one sister, Lois Turley of Oxford; and 17 grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Arthur Swords, Robert Swords, William Glagola, Clifford Upchurch,
Timothy Muse, Todd Merritts and Paul Rudifel.
Arrangements are by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
Dan Beckworth
(LAFAYETTE) Dan Beckworth, 81, of LaFayette died Sunday, Mar. 10, 2002, at East
Alabama Medical Center, Opelika.
Services will be at LaFayette Church of Christ on Wednesday, Mar. 13, at 2 p.m. with
interment in LaFayette City Cemetery. Minister Gerald Romine will officiate.
Mr. Beckworth was born Dec. 17, 1920, in Georgia. He was a member of LaFayette
Church of Christ and a Master Mason with Lodge 132 in Roanoke. He received his
50-year pin in 2000. He was retired from the logging business.
Mr. Beckworth is survived by a sister, Elkie Proctor of Soperton, Ga. He was preceded
in death by his wife, Dora Beckworth.
Arrangements were by Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette.
__________
Margie Opal Stroud-Dickinson
(ROANOKE) Margie Opal Stroud-Dickinson of Roanoke, formerly of College Park,
Ga., died Thursday, Mar. 7, 2002.
She is survived by a daughter, Virginia Inez Jones of Roanoke; a son, Henry Tom
Stroud Jr. of Jonesboro, Ga.; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren;
one great-great-grandchild; and one great-great-great-grandchild.
Services were Saturday, Mar. 9, with the Rev. Mike Daniel officiating. Interment was at
Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, College Park, Ga.
Arrangements were by Ford-Stewart Funeral Home, Jonesboro/Stockbridge.
__________
Mattie Lou Vowell Nix
(FIVE POINTS) Services for Mattie Lou Vowell Nix, 85, of Five Points will be
Thursday, Mar. 14, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs.
Tommy Gene Young and Claude Bennett officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant
Baptist Church cemetery, Wedowee.
Mrs. Nix died Tuesday, Mar. 12, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A lifelong resident of Chambers and Randolph counties, Mrs. Nix was born May 22,
1916, daughter of Wayne and Lottie Cummings Vowell. She was a homemaker and a
member of Welcome Home Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents;
husband, Henry Nix; three children, Doris Smith, Grady Nix and Wayne Nix; one sister,
Velma Kent; and two brothers, Joe Tom Vowell and Lomie Vowell.
Survivors include three sons, John Nix of LaFayette, Ray Nix of Roanoke and Harlin
Nix of Five Points; two sisters, L. V. Parker of Roanoke and Jewell Watts of Hamilton;
15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Quattlebaum Funeral Home from 6 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday.
Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Elizabeth Cottle Chase
(ROANOKE) Services for Elizabeth Cottle Chase, 83, of Roanoke will be Thursday,
Mar. 14, 2002, at 2 p.m. at North Main Congregational Christian Church, with Dr. Frank
McCook officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Chase died Monday, Mar. 11, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mrs. Chase was born Jan. 6, 1919, daughter of
Eddie H. and Laura Waldrep Cottle. She was a long-time member of North Main
Congregational Christian Church and served as North Main's first woman deaconess. She
also served many years as a Randolph County Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Chase was a
charter member of the Lowell Study Club. She was a World War II war widow of Theo
Chase. She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Danny Michael Chase.
Survivors include two daughters, Sheila Chase of Roanoke and Lana Chase Bucci of
Weham, Mass.; one son, Wayne Chase of Dadeville; two sisters, Lonita Hallman of
Roanoke and Faye Towler of Rock Mills; one brother Charlie Ford Cottle of Oxford;
eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family will be receiving friends at Quattlebaum Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday. Mrs. Chase will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to services on
Thursday.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
March 20, 2002
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OBITUARIES:
Rosalyn Louise Saunders
(ALEXANDER CITY) Services for Rosalyn Louise Saunders, 17, of Alexander City
were Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2002, at 3 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church. Father Marshall
Carver and Father Al Perkins officiated. Burial was in Dark-Maxwell Cemetery.
Miss Saunders died Sunday, Mar. 17, in Dekalb County. She was born Sept. 18, 1984,
in Alexander City to Thomas Byron and Rosalyn Lane McMurray Sanders [sic]. She was
a freshman at Snead State Community College in Boaz, a member of St. James Episcopal
Church, an avid poet and writer, and was a certified Red Cross lifeguard and swimming
instructor with the Alexander City Recreation Department.
Mrs.[sic] Saunders is survived by her parents, Thomas Byron Sr. and Lane Sanders[sic]
of Alexander City; two brothers Thomas Byron Saunders Jr. and Stewart McMurray
Saunders of Alexander City; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in
death by her grandparents Stewart and Louise Dark Saunders of Alexander City and
Jimmy and Rosalyn Lane McMurray of Roanoke.
Memorial donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 347 S. Central
Avenue, Alexander City 35010.
Arrangements were by Radney Funeral Home, Alexander City.
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Myra Fincher Robinson
(ROANOKE) Services for Myra Fincher Robinson, 71, of Roanoke were Thursday,
March 14, 2002, at 4 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Charlie Rowland
officiating.
Mrs. Robinson died Tuesday, March 12, at Randolph Medical Center.
A lifelong Roanoke resident, Mrs. Robinson was born Sept. 2, 1930, daughter of
Augost and Margaret Swann Fincher. She had been employed with Handley Mills.
Survivors include her husband, Chess Robinson of Roanoke; one son, Terrell Robinson
Jr. of Roanoke; one sister Peggy Sherman of Roanoke; two brothers, Howard M. Fincher
of Gadsden and James W. Fincher of Saks; and a granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that all memorials be made to Randolph Medical
Center I.C.U.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Mary Kathryn Slaughter
(ROANOKE) Mary Kathryn Slaughter, 56, of Roanoke died Monday, March 11, 2002,
at Wedowee Hospital, Wedowee.
Services were Saturday, March 16, at 1 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Wadley,
with the Rev. Cornelius Reese and the Rev. James Carlisle officiating. Interment was in
the church cemetery.
Survivors included her husband, Beotha Slaughter of Roanoke; five sons, the Rev.
Myron Buchanan of Alex City, Darryl Slaughter of Roanoke and Jarvis Slaughter, Jarryl
Slaughter and Beotha Slaughter Jr. of Dayton, Ohio; three daughters, Ora Michelle
Slaughter and Cassandra Slaughter of Roanoke and Misty Slaughter of LaFayette; her
mother, Ms. Thelma Delarnette; six brothers, James Anderson of Bowie, Md., Charles
Anderson, Eldridge Knight and Wayne Anderson of Valley, Alvin Anderson of Valley, and
Eric Anderson of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters, Sandra Delarnette of Wadley and Linda
Garrett of Lineville; and 16 grandchildren.
Mrs. Slaughter was born May 30, 1945, in Randolph County, daughter of the late James
Anderson and Thelma Delarnette. She was a lifelong member of White Chapel C.M.E.
Church in Wadley. She was most noted as the lead singer for "The Christian Travelers," a
gospel quartet group led by her uncle, Charlie Smith of Wadley. She sang with the
Christian Travelers for 22 years. She also performed on local radio every Sunday morning
until her health failed.
Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
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Jerome Trammell
(ROANOKE) Jerome Trammell, 48, of Roanoke died Saturday, Mar. 16, 2002, at
Randolph Medical Center, Roanoke.
Mr. Trammell was a member of Faith, Hope and Charity Baptist Church of Roanoke.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Clara Trammell of Roanoke; six daughters, Mrs.
Yolunda Griffin and Miss Jeanetta Trammell of Opelika, Ms. Anita Trammell and Miss
LaShondra Trammell of Roanoke, Mrs. Sandy Holloway of LaFayette, and Mrs. Gloria
Holloway of Jacksonville, N.C.; three sons, Jerome Story of LaFayette and Marcus
Trammell and Montavious Trammell of Roanoke; his mother, Mrs. Wessie Trammell of
Opelika; grandmothers Mrs. Ella Vester Barker of Chicago and Mrs. Julia Cobb of
Opelika; 15 grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Julia Threat of Opelika, Miss Eltanger
Trammell of Atlanta and Mrs. Vanessa Oliver of Roanoke; one brother, Ricky Trammell
of LaFayette; a special friend, Willie Hooks of Roanoke; and other nieces, nephews,
relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Lewis Trammell; and
a brother, David Trammell.
Services for Mr. Trammell will be Wednesday, Mar. 20, at 1 p.m. at Faith, Hope and
Charity Baptist Church, with Pastor George Silmon officiating. Interment will be in
Skyview Memorial Gardens, Welch.
Arrangements are by Silmon Mortuary, Roanoke.
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Eunice Gertrude Clark
(ROANOKE) Services for Eunice Gertrude Clark, 82, of Roanoke were Thursday,
March 14, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Highway Methodist Church, with the Rev. Vernon Willis
officiating. Burial was at Rock Mills[sic] Springs Christian Church cemetery.
Mrs. Clark died Monday, March 11, at her home.
A lifelong Roanoke resident, Mrs. Clark was born Nov. 11, 1919, in Clay County,
daughter of Ben and Annie Clegg Elliott. She was a member of Highway First
Congregational Methodist Church and had been employed with Candlewick Yarns.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Clark.
Survivors include twin daughters, Ressa Carden and Resa McDaniel of Roanoke; a son
James David Clark of Steele; a brother, Ullas Elliott of Hogansville, Ga.;
seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
[Note: Burial site is Rock Springs Congregational Christian Church Cemetery, Randolph
County, Alabama.]
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Arvil C. Farrington
(LAFAYETTE) Arvil C. Farrington, 87, of LaFayette died Monday, March 11, 2002, at
Columbus Hospice, Columbus Ga., following a lengthy illness.
Prior to retirement, Mr. Farrington was employed as service manager for automobile
dealerships in LaFayette. He was born Sept. 1, 1914, in Blount County, son of William H.
and Sally Neel Farrington. He moved to Chambers County in 1935, where for many years
he was active in community and civic affairs. He served as coroner for Chambers County
from 1954 until 1982 and was a Chambers County commissioner from 1983 to 1987. He
was a long-time member of the Alabama Sheriff's Association, Fraternal Order of Police
and the Kiwanis Club of LaFayette. He served on the board of the Chambers County
Library and as a member of the Housing Authority. Mr. Farrington was a member of First
United Methodist Church of LaFayette, where he served in numerous positions of
leadership. He was also employed at Jeff Jones Funeral Home.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Mary Jim Andrew Farrington; three daughters,
Carol Ann Upton of Cedartown, Ga., and Kay Frost and Claire Beil of Columbus;
six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one brother, Emmett Farrington of
Heflin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of
LaFayette or Columbus Hospice.
Services were Thursday, March 14, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, with
burial in LaFayette City Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette.
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Barbara Ann Baldwin
(ROANOKE) Services for Barbara Ann Baldwin, 60, of Roanoke were Tuesday, Mar.
19, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Woodland Church of God, with the Rev. Carolyn Hanner and the
Rev. David Daniel officiating. Burial was in Potash Cemetery.
Mrs. Baldwin died at Wedowee Hospital on Sunday, Mar. 17, following an extended
illness.
Mrs. Baldwin was a native of Randolph County, born July 19, 1941, daughter of Harve
Mitchell and Maggie Smith Mitchell. She was a member of Woodland Church of God and
had worked at Plantation Patterns before becoming disabled.
Mrs. Baldwin is survived by her husband, Grover Clinton Baldwin of Roanoke; three
daughters, Belinda Henderson of Woodland, and Rebecca Baldwin and Cindy Lambert of
Roanoke; one son, Clint Baldwin of Wedowee; her mother, Mrs. Maggie Smith Mitchell
of Summerville, Ga.; two sisters, Linda York and Shirley Austin of Summerville; one
brother, Gene Mitchell of Summerville; one grandson and two step-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jamie Benefield, Gene Benefield, Clark Benefield, Jason Mitchell,
Keith Roulane and Jimmy Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers were her nephews.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
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Ruby Hester Brown
(ROANOKE) Services for Ruby Hester Brown, 96, of Roanoke were Monday, Mar.
18, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Fitz Brown officiating.
Burial was at Potash Cemetery.
Mrs. Brown died Sunday, Mar. 17, at Brian Center Nursing Care in LaGrange, Ga.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Brown was born Aug. 12, 1905, daughter of William
Lant and Ella Costley Hester. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church and had been
employed with Handley Mills. She was preceded in death by her husband, James L.
Brown.
Survivors include one daughter, Joyce Henry of Roanoke; a sister, Mary Bryan of
LaGrange; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Stoney Hale, Tyler Worthey, Calvin Worthey, Brandon Hammett,
Mike Taylor and Larry McVey.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Kenneth Owen Triplett
(ANNISTON) Services for Kenneth Owen Triplett, 76, of Anniston, were at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, March 19, 2001, at the First United Methodist Church of Anniston in the Acker
Chapel with Revs. Woodfin Groove and Bill Brown officiating. Burial was in Forestlawn
Gardens with Gray Brown-Service Mortuary and Crematory in charge.
Mr. Triplett died Saturday, March 16, at Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include a son, Jim Triplett of Graham; a daughter, Susan Ellis of Gadsden;
three grandchildren; and a special friend, Jean Pearly.
Pallbearers were Dan Brown, David Boozer, Wheeler Hardy, Van Hamilton, Bob
Couch, and Les Pair. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Carre Sunday School
Class of the Firt United Methodist Church.
Mr. Triplett was a native of Talladega County and lived in Calhoun County where he
was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was active in the Carre Sunday
School Class as well as the Calhoun County Meals on Wheels program. Mr. Triplett
served as president of the Saks High School Band Boosters and the Saks High School
PTA. He graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in
business administration. He served in the Army during World War II. He was preceded in
death by his wife Geraldine Triplett.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to the First United Methodist
Church of Anniston, 1400 Noble St., Anniston, AL 36201.
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Kentario DaShun Thompson (Infant)
(ROANOKE) Kentario DaShun Thompson, age 4 months, of Roanoke died Monday,
Mar. 11, 2002,at UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
Survivors include his mother, Santwania Thompson of Roanoke; his father, Jeremy
Rachel of Roanoke; sister, Takema Thomas of Roanoke; grandparents, Jackie and Brenda
Johnson of Roanoke; great-grandparents, Rufus and Doris Thompson of Roanoke; and a
host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.
Services were Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m. at Rocky Mount United Methodist
Church, Roanoke, with the Rev. Hollis Boykin officiating. Interment was in the church
cemetery.
Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary, Roanoke.
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The Randolph Leader
March 27, 2002
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OBITUARIES:
Mattie Walker Sheppard, 104
(WADLEY) Services for Mattie Walker Sheppard, 104, of Wadley were Friday, Mar.
22, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. James Duke
officiating. Burial was at Hillview Cemetery in Alexander City.
Mrs. Sheppard died Tuesday, Mar. 19, at Chapman Nursing Home in Alexander City.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Sheppard was born Aug. 14, 1897, daughter of George
W. and Alice Veazey Walker. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church,
Eastern Star, AEA and NEA. She was a first-grade teacher, beginning her teaching career
at Clay County. She also taught in Macon County and retired from Marion County. She
was the widow of Ralph Sheppard.
Survivors include a sister, Elizabeth Screws of Wadley; five nieces, Irene Bark of
Madison, Ivora Marker of Fairhope, Mary Sue Rogers of Valley, Nelda Bishop of
Wedowee and Vicky Barrows of Atlanta; two nephews, Charles Wilkins of Wadley and
George Walker of Huntsville; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Douglas Lamar Phillips Jr.
(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Douglas Lamar Phillips Jr., 28, of LaGrange, Ga., died Wednesday
morning, March 20, 2002, at Randolph Medical Center.
Mr. Phillips was born in LaGrange on April 15, 1973. He graduated in 1992 from
Handley High School in Roanoke and attended West Georgia Technical School. He was a
welder by trade until three years ago when he retired on medical disability. Mr. Phillips
was a former employee of Midsouth Mechanical.
Survivors include his mother, Lucy Prather of LaGrange; his father, Douglas L. Phillips
Sr. of LaGrange; a sister Theresa Marlboro of Houma, La.; two brothers, Richard Phillips
of LaGrange and Joseph Phillips of Houma; two grandmothers, Mrs. Mary Overton and
Mrs. Juanita Parmer of LaGrange; and several uncles and aunts.
Services were Friday, Mar. 22, at 2 p.m. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary's LaGrange
Chapel, with Pastor Jody Overton officiating. Burial was in Shadowlawn Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange.
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Jessie Walton
(ANNISTON) Services for Jessie Walton, 62, of Anniston, formerly of Randolph
County, were Saturday, March 23, 2002, at noon at Anniston Funeral Service with the
Rev. A. C. McCoy officiating. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery in Barfield.
Mr. Walton died Wednesday, March 20, at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include a daughter, Willie Jean Walton of Atlanta; a sister, Minnie Walton of
Atlanta; three brothers, Willie B. Walton of Anniston, Willie T. Walton of Columbiana and
Jimmy Walton of Jacksonville; and a grandchild.
Pallbearers will be friends of the family.
Mr. Walton was retired from Union Foundry and was a member of New Hope Baptist
Church in Barfield. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
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Ethel Lorean Harper
(JACKSONVILLE) Services for Ethel Lorean Harper, 85, of Jacksonville, formerly of
Roanoke, were Saturday, Mar. 23, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with
the Rev. James Harper officiating. Burial was at Wehadkee Cemetery.
Mrs. Harper died Thursday, Mar. 21, at Jacksonville Health & Rehab.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Harper was born Aug. 16, 1916, daughter of Mancel
Franklin and Emily Leila Rice Lester. She was a homemaker and a member of First
United Congregational Holiness Church, Roanoke. She was preceded in death by her
husband, George Clinton Harper.
Survivors include two daughters, Ida Johnson and Forest Park, Ga., and Judy Brewer of
Jacksonville; two sons, Curtis Harper of Jacksonville and Cecil Harper of Mauk, Ga.;
one sister, Faye Hall of Newman, Ga.; one brother, James Lester of Carrollton, Ga.;
12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Onward Patrick Holloway
(NEWELL) Services for Onward Patrick Holloway, 76, of Newell were Tuesday, Mar.
26, 2002, at 2 p.m. Benefield Funeral Chapel, Wedowee, with the Rev. Douglas Haynes
officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Holloway died Saturday, Mar. 23, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Holloway was born Feb. 17, 1926, son of Pleasant
Mann and Myrtle Bailey Holloway. He was a farmer and a World War II Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by two wives, Lottie Traylor Holloway and Mavis McDaniel
Holloway; and a son, Michael Holloway.
Survivors include two sisters, Cordell Adamson of Wedowee and Reatha Daniel of
Roanoke, three brothers, Esul Holloway of Newell, J.D. Holloway of Bowdon, Ga., and
Doyle Holloway of Wedowee; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Larry Woody, Henry Caldwell, Billy Edwards, Buddy Holloway,
Marion Holloway and Gary Holloway.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
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Norma Willis
(ASHLAND) Services for Norma Willis, 89, of Ashland were Monday, March 25, 2002,
2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Ashland with the Rev. Ben Rosser officiating. Burial
followed at the Ashland City Cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home of Ashland in
charge.
Mrs. Willis died Friday, March 22, at Clay County Nursing Home.
Survivors include three daughters, Norma Ellen Jacobus of Chicago, Martha Jean Watts
of Lakewood, Wash., and Clara Lois Vecchio of Sarasota, Fla.; one son, Daniel A. Willis
of Chester, Va.; three sisters, Wilma Braxton of Bynum, Mildred Williamson of Ashland
and June Kratohvil of Huntsville; one brother, John Kirk of Redondo Beach, Calif; nine
grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces
and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Kirk Willis, Darrin Willis, Tommy Bradford, David Benefield and
Jimmy Williamson.
Mrs. Willis was a native of Randolph County and had been employed with the city of
Ashland as clerk for more than 32 years. She also served as clerk and treasurer for the
water and sewer board and was selected Woman of the Year by the Clay County Business
and Professional Women's Club, having also served as legislative chairman, president,
vice-president, secretary, treasurer and director of District VI clubs, and she was also a
charter member. She was a member and officer of the Modern Culture Club, a charter
member of the Municipal Clerks Association and the National Organization of Municipal
Treasurers. She was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding
Performance as Municipal Clerk in 1972. She was past president, vice-president and
secretary of the Alabama Association of Clerks and Administrators, and was secretary of
the Clay County chapter of the American Red Cross in the 1960s. She was a charter
member of the Clay County Historical Society and held a lifetime membership in the
Mackey Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an active member of the First
Baptist Church of Ashland where she served as church clerk and Sunday school secretary
for more than 52 years. She also was a choir member for several years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church
of Ashland's Keenagers Bus Fund.
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W.H. 'Shorty' Hall
(ROCK MILLS) Services for W. H. "Shorty" Hall, 74, of Rock Mills, formerly of
Hendersonville, Tenn., were Sunday, Mar. 24, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral
Chapel, with the Rev. Alan Hurst officiating. Burial was at Bethany Lime Congregational
Christian Church Cemetery.
Mr. Hall died suddenly on Thursday, Mar. 21, at his home.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Hall was born April 5, 1927, son of Walter Harrison
Hall Sr. and Alma Cora Head Hall. He lived in Los Angeles for 14 years and in Nashville
for 18 years. He was a singer and songwriter who played guitar with artists such as Wyn
Stewart, Johnny Paycheck and Lefty Frizzell and wrote songs recorded by a number of
artists. He wrote "Ain't No Big Thing," which was recorded by Elvis Presley and 32 other
artists, for which he continued to receive a royalty check.
The family suggests memorial contributions to be made to the American Diabetes
Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Barbara Jean Owen Key
(NEWELL) Services for Barbara Jean Owen Key, 62, of Newell were Saturday, Mar.
23, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Woodland Church of God, with the Rev. Carolyn Hanner and the
Rev. Chris Mitchell officiating. Burial was in Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church
Cemetery.
Mrs. Key died Thursday, Mar. 21, at Baptist Montclair Hospital in Birmingham.
Mrs. Key was a native of Cleburne County, born Sept. 21, 1939, daughter of the Rev.
Thomas Lee Owen and Lema Ferguson Owen. She had worked for the Randolph County
Board of Education and had attended Woodland Church of God. She was preceded in
death by her parents and a brother, Cecil Owen.
Mrs. Key is survived by her husband, Eldon Y. Key of Newell; two daughters, Shirley
Johnson of Newell and Shelia Taylor of Roanoke; a son, Steve Key of Newell; two sisters,
Claudene Nobley of Roanoke and Janice Bain of Heflin; three brothers, Robert Owen of
Bowdon, Ga., Ralph Owen of Newell and Mike Owen of Heflin; six grandsons; a
granddaughter; and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bobby Nobley, Jimmy Bain, Jeffery Owen, Kevin Owen, Daniel Owen,
Tony Owen and Terrell Lambert. Grandchildren served as pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
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Bessie M. Britt
(WADLEY) Services for Bessie M. Britt, 67, of Wadley were Monday, March 25,
2002, at 3 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland with the Rev. Jessie Taylor
officiating. Burial followed at Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Britt died Saturday, March 23, at Clay County Nursing Home.
Survivors include one son, Tommy Johnson of Aiken, S.C.; one step-daughter, Nanette
Britt of Belvedere, S.C.; one stepson, Ricky Britt of Warrenville, S.C.; one sister, Merle
Mitchum of South Carolina; one brother, Herman Mason of Georgia; and one
granddaughter.
Mrs. Britt was a native of Tift County, Ga.; and had lived in Clay County for the past 25
years. She was a retired registered nurse and supervisor with Clay County Hospital and a
member of the County Line Baptist Church.
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Doris Elvira Kirby Hurley
(WEDOWEE) Services for Doris Elvira Kirby Hurley, 93, of Wedowee will be
Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2002, at 10 a.m. at Green's Chapel United Methodist Church, with
the Revs. Preston Story and Cloyse Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mrs. Hurley died Sunday, Mar. 24, at Randolph Medical Center, Roanoke.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Hurley was born Jan. 17, 1909, daughter of Awbrey R.
and Hattie Willingham Kirby. She was a member of Green's Chapel U.M.C. and was a
math teacher with the Randolph County School System. She was preceded in death by
her husband, LeRoy Hurley, and two sons, Thomas Hurley and David Hurley.
Survivors include a daughter, H. Cynthia Hurley of Wedowee; four grandchildren;
one great-granddaughter; and two sisters, Nell K. Reagin of Lyons, Ga., and Hannie Williamson
of Wedowee.
Pallbearers will be Junior Benefield, "Boots" Wayne Heard, Billy Thornton and James
Green.
Arrangements are by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
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