Obituaries Published in The Randolph Leader for May 2004, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/200405L.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> ============================================= May 2004 The Randolph Leader April 7, 2004 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Luther Rice (WEDOWEE) Services for Luther Rice, 92, of Wedowee will be Thursday, April 8, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, with the Revs. Gordon Taylor and Chris Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Mr. Rice will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to services on Thursday. Mr. Rice died Monday, April 5, at his home. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Laska White Rice of Wedowee; two daughters, Helen Stanley and Janice Flournoy of Wedowee; two sons, Harold Rice Sr. and Jerry Rice of Wedowee; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Harold Rice Jr., Keith Stanley, Tim Stanley, Todd Stanley, Chuck Rice and Herbert Kimble. Honorary pallbearers will be Clay County Hospice, Nancy Morrison, Ray Holt and Lee Vonia Boyd. A Randolph County native, Mr. Rice was born Feb. 18, 1912, son of Dock and Lettie Craven Rice. He was a 1932 graduate of Randolph County High School and was a retired dairy farmer. He was a member of Wesley Chapel Christian Church and an honorary member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, where he served as cemetery treasurer. He was a member of the Keenagers Club and several civic groups in the county, including the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, and he was a co-sponsor of the annual Kid's Fishing Derby. Mr. Rice also helped organize and was a strong supporter of the Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association. He was the recipient of the first Treasure Forest designation awarded in Randolph County. Mr. Rice was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; two brothers, Blake Rice and Grover Rice, and two sisters, Lula McDonald and Mae Nix. Arrangements are by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Chloette Osborn (CARTERSVILLE, Ga.) Chloette Osborn, 49, of Cartersville, Ga., died Saturday, April 3, 2004, at Cartersville Medical Center. Graveside services will be Wednesday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Memory Gardens with the Rev. Milford McClain officiating. Mrs. Osborn is survived by her husband, Johnny Osborn of Cartersville; three daughters, Stephanie Salas of Roanoke, Rhonda Corley of Carrollton, Ga., and Tira Freeman of Pensacola, Fla.; a son, Chip Osborn of Dallas, Ga.; a brother, the Rev. Milford McClain of Lanett; two sisters, Kathy McClellan of Valley and Shelia Harris of New Orleans; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Born in Langdale June 29, 1954, Mrs. Osborn was the daughter of the late Willard Milford McClain and the late Pearl Jane Lucille Patterson. She attended Valley High School and was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Osborn was a member of the American Legion and Carl Boyd Post 42 Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by two children, Pamela Joan Hawkins and Amy Lynn Hawkins. Join Mrs. Osborn's family in honoring her life by visiting www.mem.com to share memories and past tributes. Arrangements are by Parnick Jennings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Cartersville. __________ Harold Lee Cunningham (FOREST Park, Ga.) Graveside services for Harold Lee Cunningham, 62, of Forest Park, Ga., were Saturday, April 3, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Joel Stewart officiating and Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke in charge of arrangements. Mr. Cunningham died Wednesday, March 31, at Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, Ga. Survivors include his wife, Judy Bassett Cunningham of Forest Park; one daughter, Vicky Holmes of McDonough, Ga.; one son, Mark Cunningham of Roanoke; his mother, Vivian Cunningham of Roanoke; and four grandchildren. Pallbearers were Mark Cunningham, Shelby Homes, Ernie Bassett, Lynn Varnadoe, Jacob Varnadoe, Kip Holmes and Chase Holmes. A Troup County native, Mr. Cunningham was born July 15, 1941, son of Harold C. and Vivian Key Cunningham. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and had retired from Delta Airlines. __________ Earnest Melvin Tidwell (WADLEY) Services for Earnest Melvin Tidwell, 73, of Wadley will be Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at 4 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Home Chapel in Lineville with the Rev. Richie Farrow officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Mount Olive South Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Tidwelll [sic] died Monday, April 5, at his home. Survivors include his wife, Mamie Tidwell; two daughters, Angie Gordon of Barfield and Bonita Tidwell of Cragford; two sons-in-law; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be military. Mr. Tidwell, a Clay County native and lifelong resident, was a member of Mount Olive South Baptist Church. He was a Korean War and Vietnam War Army veteran. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Stacy Ann Hamlet. __________ Alice L. Harry (WEDOWEE) Services for Alice L. Harry, 92, of Wedowee were Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Wedowee, with the Rev. Gary Henderson and the Rev. Earl Gordon officiating. Burial was in Wedowee City Cemetery. The family suggests donations in her memory be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund. Mrs. Harry died Sunday, April 4, at Lineville Nursing Facility. Survivors include two daughters, Edyth H. Payne of Powder Springs, Ga., and Evelyn Rollins of Wedowee; a sister, Kate Kelley of Crystal Lake, Ill.; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers were John Lee, Tom Burnside, Jeff Sentell, Jeff Payne, Alon Payne and Don Pallas. Mrs. Harry was a native of Randolph County, born Dec. 4, 1911, daughter of Robert E. Lee and Carrie Hodge Lee. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Wedowee, The Eastern Star, U.M.C. Women's Club, and the Wedowee Garden Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Otis Harry, and a grandson, Mark Rollins. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Emory O'Neal Mapp (WEDOWEE) Services for Emory O'Neal Mapp, 77, of Wedowee were Saturday, April 3, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church with the Rev. Lendon Fields and the Rev. Alan Hurst officiating. Burial followed at the adjoining cemetery with Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mr. Mapp died Thursday, April 1, at UAB. Survivors include his wife, Thelma Brinkley Mapp of Wedowee; two daughters, Brenda Hurst and Beth Puckett of Roanoke; five sons, Kenneth Mapp of Five Points, Gene Mapp of Tuscaloosa, Larry Wilson of Roanoke, Mike Toland of Fairfax and Charles Toland of Conyers, Ga.; three sisters, Letha Mae Howard, Hazel Owens and Marie Gray, all of Roanoke; four brothers, Benny Mapp, Billy Mapp and Joe Mapp, all of Roanoke, and Jerry Mapp of Wadley; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Tommy Toland, Chris Toland, Steven Mapp, Allen Mapp, Chad Mapp, Shannon Mapp, Jason Ussery, James Royster and Dewayne Toland. A long-time Randolph County resident, Mr. Mapp wa[s] born Nov. 26, 1926, in Troup County, Ga., the son of Emory Austin and Rosa Lee Fincher Mapp. He was a World War II Army veteran and served in the National Guard. He had been a member of Fellowship Baptist Church since 1947 and had been a salesman with Skinner Furniture. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ernest Mapp and Richard Mapp; and a sister, Sara Norred. __________ Richard 'Dick' James (ROANOKE) Services for Richard "Dick" James, 78, of Roanoke were Friday, April 2, 2004, at 2:30 EST at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Chapel Hill Harvester Church in Decatur, Ga., with Archbishop Earl P. Paulk and Pastor James E. Powers officiating. Graveside services were Saturday, April 3, at 2 p.m. EST at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y. Mr. James died Sunday, March 28, in Anniston. Survivors include a son, Gregory James of Atlanta; a sister, Dorothy James Orr and her husband, Dr. Alfonso Orr of North White Plains, N.Y; and a great-grandnephew, Gray James. Pallbearers were Gregory James, Dr. Philip Nowlin, Alexander Nowlin, David Thomas, Rebecca Nowlin, Andrea Orr, Nina Hepburn and Postell Johnson. Mr. James, a Pennsylvania native, retired to Wedowee. A World War II veteran, he served as vice president of economic development of The Milus L. Hicks Corporation and was involved in real estate development. He was a major contributor to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Chapel Hill Harvester Church in Atlanta and served as the chair of the Covenant Enterprise Scholarship Fund Inc. Arrangements were by Brown & Kughn Memory Chapel, Anniston. __________ Offie Marion Akins (GRAHAM) Services for Mr. Offie Marion Akins, 91, of Graham were Friday, April 2, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Monroe Wiggins, Rev. A. M. Ballenger, Rev. David Daniel and Rev. Bobby Garner officiating. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Akins died Wednesday, March 31, at Wedowee Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Mary Louise Akins of Graham; two daughters, Agatha Huddleston and Nelda Smith of Graham; two stepdaughters, Frances Nolen and Barbara Whitley of Heflin; four sons, Benny Akins and Elton Akins of Graham, Herman Akins of Heflin and Doris Akins of Woodland, three stepsons, Jerry Wayne Whitley of Graham, Willie Ballenger of Wedowee and Jimmy Wayne Ballenger of Alexandria; a brother, Daniel Akins of Franklin, Ga.; 29 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren,; one great-step-granddaughter; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Clayton Akins, Wayne Akins, Steve Akins, Timothy Akins, Greg East, Randy Akins, Brad Yarbrough and Clint Roundtree. Mr. Akins was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, born June 15, 1912, the son of John Akins and Tiny Heptinstall Akins. He was a member of Gold Ridge Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lettie Akins; a daughter, Joy Yarbrough; and two sons, T. J. and Kenneth Akins; a grandson, Byron Akins; two sisters and four brothers. __________ Daniel Calvin Handling Sr. (ROANOKE) Graveside services for Daniel Calvin Handling Sr., 72, of Roanoke, formerly of West Palm Beach, Fla., were Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Randolph Memory Gardens with Roanoke Masonic Lodge #132 officiating. Mr. Handling died Friday, April 2, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. Survivors include his wife, Betty E. Hilliard Handling of Roanoke; one daughter, Gerry Lynn Mann of Roanoke; one son, Daniel Calvin Handling Jr. of Roanoke; three grandchildren; two sisters, Geraldine Ketchum of Virginia and Wanda Mungel of California; and a brother, Lawrence Ray Handling of West Palm Beach. A Roanoke resident since 1975, Mr. Handling was born July 20, 1931, son of Lawrence and Fannie Ester Cope Handling. He was Baptist by faith and a member of Roanoke Masonic Lodge #132. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and had worked as a heavy equipment mechanic with Harmon & Mann Construction. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Dianne Fullwood. __________ Lunora Watts Bell (ROANOKE) Lunora Watts Bell, 79, of Roanoke died Friday, April 2, 2004, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange. Services will be at Deliverance Temple Church of the Living God, Roanoke, on Wednesday, April 7, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Goss officiating. Interment will be in Rocky Mount Cemetery, Roanoke. Born Oct. 17, 1924, Mrs. Bell was a native of Randolph County. Her religious training began at Rocky Mount Methodist Church, Roanoke. She later moved to Newark, N.J., where she started her own ministry. She founded Fire Baptized Believers Holiness Church, where she was the pastor for over ten years. She later returned to her native home and for the next 20 years was the pastor of Fire Baptized Believers Holiness Church, Roanoke. Surviving are two daughters, Mary Bell Bass and Rebecca Jones of Roanoke; two sons, Johnny Bell and Rev. James Emory Bell of Roanoke; three sisters-in-law, Clemmie Bell and Ora D. Gould of Atlanta and Zera Bell of Roanoke; two brothers-in-law, John C. Bell of Roanoke and Richard Wynn of Cleveland, Ohio; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Arrangements are by Vines Funeral Home Inc., LaFayette. __________ Robert Lee Kelley (NEWELL) Graveside services for Robert Lee Kelley, 56, of Newell, were Friday, April 2, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Stewart Family Cemetery with the Rev. Roy Wysner officiating and Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge. Mr. Kelley died Wednesday, March 31, at University Hospital in Birmingham. Survivors include his wife, Rita Stewart Kelley of Newell; two daughters, Tammy L. Cross of Wedowee and Melissa A. Kelley of Anniston; his parents, Henry Lee and Mildred Kelley of Anniston; four grandchildren; a sister, Bonita Naugher of Oxford; and three brothers, Dave Kelley of Oxford, Steve Kelley of Anniston and Tim Kelley of Selma. Pallbearers were Larry Williams, Steve Williams, Donald Williams, Gary Stewart, Bill Cofield and Billy Edwards. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. A long-time Randolph County resident, Mr. Kelley was a Calhoun County native, born March 6, 1948, son of Henry Lee and Mildred I. Nullelley Kelley. He was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and had been employed with the Anniston Army Depot. He was a member of Corinth Baptist Church at Bowdon, Ga. __________ Crawford O. Runyan (ATLANTA) Crawford O. Runyan, 76, of Atlanta died Sunday, April 4, 2004. Mr. Runyan is survived by his children, Sammy Runyan, Mark Runyan and Wanda Spivey; beloved friend Ruth Stubbs; four grandchildren; and brothers and sisters Glenda Simpson, Alfred Runyan, Ray Runyan and Kittie Luick. Mr. Runyan was retired from the U.S. Army after 26 years and from Crania Inc. Services were Tuesday, April 6, at 6 p.m. at Wages & Sons Chapel, Stone Mountain, Ga., with the Rev. J. B. Reese officiating and will also be held Wednesday, April 7, at noon at Camp Ground Methodist Church in Graham. The family will receive friends from 10 until 12 at the church in Graham. Burial will be in the Camp Ground Methodist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are by Wages & Sons Funeral Home, Stone Mountain. __________ Ceborn Jethro 'Jack' Ford (ROANOKE) Services for Ceborn Jethro "Jack" Ford, 88, of Roaonke [sic], will be Thursday, April 8, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Johnny Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Mr. Ford died Tuesday, April 6, at LaFayette Extended Care Nursing Home. Survivors include one son, Gene Ford of Valley; one sister, Flossie Whaley of Winder, Ga.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. A Randolph County native, Mr. Ford was born Jan. 13, 1916, son of James William and Mary Ida Prescott Ford. He was a member of El Bethel Baptist Church, had been employed with Handley Mills and was preceded in death by his wife, Jeppie Lee Smith Ford. Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader April 14, 2004 ___________________ OBITUARIES: David Winford Pollard (RANBURNE) Services for David Winford Pollard, 41, of Ranburne were Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at Rainwater Funeral Home in Bowdon, Ga., with the Rev. Couch Whitley officiating. Burial was in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Ranburne. Mr. Pollard died March 22 at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Ga. Mr. Pollard was born March 4, 1963. A Carroll County, Ga., native, he was a machine operator. He was preceded in death by his mother, Faye Nell Norton Pollard; and a brother, Dwight "Jo Jack" Pollard. Survivors include two sons, Blu Pollard of Temple, Ga., and Jamie Pollard of Ranburne; his wife, Vicky Pollard of Woodland; his father, Winford Pollard of Ranburne; five brothers, Brandon Pollard of Heflin, and Chris Pollard, Ray Pollard, Rocky Pollard and Ted Pollard, all of Ranburne; and his grandparents, Buford and Clara Pollard. Pallbearers were Rocky Pollard, Ted Pollard, Chris Pollard, Ray Pollard, Brandon Pollard and Marty Pollard. Arrangements were by Rainwater-West, Bowdon. __________ Laura Bethany Yates (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Services for Laura Bethany Yates, 79, of LaGrange, Ga., will be Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Quattlebaum Chapel in Roanoke, with Elder Ben Keeble officiating. Burial will follow at Wehadkee Primitive Baptist Cemetery. Mrs. Yates died Sunday, April 11, at her home. Survivors include her husband, Lawrence Yates of LaGrange; two daughters, Jane Gustavson of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Wynette Bryant of LaGrange; a sister, Faye Wesson of Roanoke; two brothers, Archie Pike of Rock Mills and Roy Pike of Valley; and four grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Nathan Gustavson, Adam Gustavson, Cody Bryant, Joshua Bryant, Roy Pike and Mike Wesson. A Randolph County native, Mrs. Yates was born May 20, 1924, daughter of Edd W. Pike and Millie Pearl Folsom Pike. She was a member of Wehadkee Primitive Baptist Church and had been employed with K-Mart. Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Eva Dean Shelnutt (SENOIA, Ga.) Eva Dean Shelnutt of Senoia died April 9, 2004. Mrs. Shelnutt was preceded in death by her husband, William O. Shelnutt; and a daughter, Margaret Shepard. She is survived by a daughter, Debra Hernandez of Douglasville, Ga.; four sons, Donnie Shelnutt and James Shelnutt of Senoia, Wayne Shelnutt of Palmetto, Ga., and Ronnie Shelnutt of Madison, Ga.; three sisters, Clovis Stephens, Ruby Burgoon and Eugene Bonner of LaGrange, Ga.; 14 grandchildren and 22 great- grandchildren. Services were Monday, April 12, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Parrott Funeral Home, Fairburn, Ga., with Pastor Joe Mauthe officiating. Interment was in Oak Grove Church of Christ Cemetery at Napoleon in Randolph County at 1:30 (CDT). Those desiring may sign the on-line guest registry at www.parrottfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were by Parrott Funeral Home, Fairburn. __________ Grover C. Edmondson (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Grover C. Edmondson, 77, of LaGrange, Ga., died Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at Emory University Hospital. Mr. Edmondson was born Dec. 18, 1926, in Randolph County, son of the late John and Hattie Lula Smith Edmondson. He was a Baptist by faith and retired from Kleentex Inc. He was a United States Army Veteran. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mrs. Mary Noles Edmondson; three sons, Lawrence Edmondson, Harold Edmondson and Daniel Edmondson; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and five sisters, Pallie Noles, Clara Floyd, OraLee Tumlin, Pauline Clark and Betty Shaw. He was preceded in death by five sisters and six brothers. Funeral services were Friday, April 9, 2004, at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with the Rev. Jim McMillian officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memory Gardens. Donations may be made to LaGrange Blue Sox Baseball, CB&T, P.O. Box 250, LaGrange, GA 30241-0250. Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange. __________ Betty Jean Johnson (ROANOKE) Services for Betty Jean Johnson, 57, of Roanoke were Thursday, April 8, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Don Quick, the Rev. Stoney Halsey and Skip Kelley officiating. Burial was at White's Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Johnson died Tuesday, April 6, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. Survivors include her husband, Greg Johnson of Roanoke; one son, Kristopher Johnson of Selma; a brother, Bobby Bassett of Decaturville, Tenn.; and a half- sister, Virginia Crabb of Watsonville, Calif. Pallbearers were Mike Sheppard, Phil Sheppard, Joey Anglin, Dewayne Satterwhite, Jim Kirby, Gilbert Marshall and Daniel Bozeman. A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mrs. Johnson was born March 19, 1947, daughter of Robert Jackson and Myrtle Louise Truitt Bassett. She was a member of Rock Mills First Baptist Church and was a department manager at Wal-Mart. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Margaret O. Nation (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Margaret O. Nation, 77, of LaGrange, Ga., died at her home on Palm Sunday, April 4, 2004. She was born in Roanoke to the late Bud and Bela Cummings on Feb. 13, 1927. She was married to the late Jack Nation, who preceded her in death in 1989. Mrs. Nation worked in the textile industry, was a homemaker and later in life a businesswoman. Mrs. Nation had overcome many obstacles with her spiritual faith giving her great courage and strength. She had a zest for learning and took pride in her everyday life. Mrs. Nation leaves behind her loving daughter, Dr. Rosalind Nation of Atlanta; son, Phillip Nation of LaGrange; brothers, Calvin, Buddy and Wilson Cummings; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2004, in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with the Rev. Anthony Hovey officiating. Burial was in Shadowlawn Cemetery. Donations may be sent to Shoal Creek Baptist Church, 1032 Young's Mill Rd., LaGrange, GA 30241. Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange. __________ Lillian Carter Willingham (VALLEY) Lillian Carter Willingham, 89, of Valley died Monday, April 12, 2004, at Lanier Memorial Nursing Home in Valley. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Shawmut with Dr. Jerome King officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Cemetery. Mrs. Willingham is survived by one daughter, Wilma Thompson; one son, Randy Byrd Willingham; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and nieces and nephews. Born Dec. 12, 1914, in Randolph County, Mrs. Willingham married Byrd Willingham Nov. 26, 1931, and remained married to him until his death in 1982. She was an active member of Shawmut First Baptist Church, which she joined around 1942. She loved her church and church family, especially gospel music and the Brown Brothers. Mrs. Willingham was a retired employee of WestPoint Pepperell, having started work at the Fairfax Mill Towel Department in 1942. She later transferred to Shawmut Mill as a cloth inspector, retiring with more than 40 years of service. She was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Emma Hunt Carter. Memorials may be made to the Challenge to Build at First Baptist Church of Shawmut, Furnishing Committee, in her memory. Arrangements are by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley. __________ Avis Dunson (RUSKIN, Fla.) Services for Avis Dunson, 90, of Ruskin, Fla., formerly of Roanoke, will be Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Dr. Jim Henley and the Rev. Harold Bonner officiating. Eulogy will be delivered by Lucy Ozley and Cheryl Dunson, daughter and daughter-in-law, respectively, of Mrs. Dunson. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Mrs. Dunson died Monday, April 12, at her residence in Ruskin. Survivors include two daughters, Sara Anderson of Ruskin and Lucy Ozley of Phoenix, Ariz.; four sons, Jim Dunson of Fortson, Ga., Sammy Dunson of St. Petersburg, Fla., Charles Dunson of Cleveland, Tenn., and John Dunson of St. Petersburg, Fla.; one sister, Thelma Norred of Opelika; 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers will be grandsons Terry Anderson, Chuck Dunson, Phillip Dunson, Maurice Hontz and Justin Anderson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a favorite charity. A Randolph County native, Mrs. Dunson was born March 28, 1914, daughter of Henry Grady and Mabelle Bailey Bassett. She was a member of Sun City Christian, Sun City, Fla. While a resident of Roanoke, she was employed by Palm Beach Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Dunson. Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Arneta Elayne Heard (ROANOKE) Arneta Elayne Heard, 42, of Roanoke died April 12, 2004, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Services will be Thursday, April 15, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Riley Street, Roanoke, with the Rev. Gilbert E. Staples officaiting [sic]. Burial will be in Rock Mills Baptist Church Cemetery. Survivors include her father, Douglas Heard of Newnan, Ga.; her mother, Janice Dunson Rosser of Roanoke; a son, Christopher Heard of Roanoke; a brother, Michael Kilpatrick of Roanoke; and five sisters, Deiatra Phillips of Anniston, Kim Weaver of Columbus, Ga., Michelle Heard and Tyronica Dunson of Roanoke and Tedra Carlisle of Five Points. Public viewing will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The body will be placed in the church one hour before services. Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Susie Mae Hodnett (DADEVILLE) Graveside services for Susie Mae Hodnett, 93, of Dadeville, formerly of Valley, were Friday, April 9, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Concord Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Randolph County, with the Rev. Gordon Taylor officiating. Mrs. Hodnett died Wednesday, April 7, at Lake Martin Hospital in Dadeville. Mrs. Hodnett is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Hodnett was born Feb. 19, 1911, daughter of Algie O. and Mary E. Cole Williamson. She was a member of Concord Primitive Baptist Church, a homemaker and the widow of Cecil Hodnett. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Brooksie Stephens (ATLANTA) Services for Brooksie Stephens of Atlanta, formerly of Anniston, will be Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 1 p.m. CDT at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church in Woodland with the Rev. William Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Thornton Mortuary of Atlanta in charge. Ms. Stephens died Thursday, April 8, in Atlanta. Survivors include a daughter, Zelema Carter; a son, Melvin Stephens; three sisters, Mattie Wood, Bessie Joiner and Sarah Richardson; three brothers, William Stephens, Robert Stephens and Lee Roy Stephens; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader April 21, 2004 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Aurelia Mackey (LAFAYETTE) Aurelia Mackey, 69, of LaFayette, died Thursday, April 15, 2004, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 20, at 2 p.m. CDT at Greater Poplar Spring Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerone Fannin, pastor, officiating. Mrs. Mackey is survived by her husband of 48 years, Roosevelt Mackey; three sons, Willie Mackey of Stockton, Calif., and Richard Lewis Mackey and Reginal Jerome Mackey of LaFayette; five daughters, Mattie Elaine Brown of Woodland and Debra Tolandra Roberts, Rosa Brooks, Marcia Ray and Sharon LaRuth Williams, all of LaFayette; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one godson; two goddaughters; two sisters, Carrie Rowe of Tallassee and Alice Taylor of Albion, Mich.; and one brother, John Will Smith of Atmore. Mrs. Mackey was a member of Greater Poplar Spring Baptist Church in LaFayette, where she served as superintendent of Sunday school, a Sunday school teacher, on the usher board, and as chairperson of the Usher Board of the United Baptist Association of Alabama. She attended Theology Seminary and was a member of Five Points Prayer Band. Arrangements were by Silmon/Seroyer Funeral Home, LaFayette. __________ Nelson 'Nip' Smith Sr. (LAFAYETTE) Nelson (Nip) Smith Sr., 73, of LaFayette died Thursday, April 15, 2004. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 20, at noon CDT at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in LaFayette with the Revs. Calvin Marshall, pastor, and Justin Freeman officiating. Mr. Smith is survived by a devoted and special friend, Helen Pitts of LaFayette; one son, Nelson Smith Jr. of Camp Hill; one daughter, Jennifer Pitts; two stepdaughters, Rebecca Allen of Wadley and Melinda Thomas of Valley; and 14 grandchildren. Arrangements were by Silmon/Seroyer Funeral Home, LaFayette. __________ Bessie Mae Williamson (SUNSET, Utah) Bessie Mae Williamson, 88, of Sunset, Utah, formerly of the Valley area, died Thursday, April 15, 2004, at her residence in Sunset. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 20, at 2 p.m. at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with the Rev. Mark McGee officiating. Burial followed in Resthaven Cemetery. Mrs. Williamson is survived by one brother, Dr. Earl Potts of Birmingham; one son, Terry Williamson of West Point, Ga.; three grandsons and five granddaughters; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Born Dec. 19, 1915, in Randolph County, Mrs. Williamson was a veteran of World War II, where she served in the Civil Service at Brookley Field near Mobile. She had lived in the Valley area most of her life and had been a resident of Utah for the past two-and-a-half years. She had been employed with the Sears Roebuck Co. in West Point as an accountant for 30 years prior to her retirement. She was of the Southern Baptist faith and was a member of the West Point Pilot Club. Mrs. Williamson was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Williamson; her sister , Fannie Ferrell; her son, Ted Williamson; her brother, James Potts; and her grandson, James Williamson. She was the daughter of the late Nettie White Potts and Clarence Joel Potts. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of West Point in her memory. Arrangements were by Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley. __________ Okley Lin Kirby (LANETT) Okley Lin Kirby, 81, of Lanett died Saturday, April 17, 2004, at his residence. Graveside services were Monday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Lanett with the Revs. Gordon Harris and Ken Griffith officiating. Mr. Kirby is survived by one daughter, Rhonda L. Sanders of Five Points; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren. Born Dec. 11, 1922, in Randolph County, Mr. Kirby was retired from the former Lanett Bleachery and Dye Works, Lanett, with 38 years service. He was an avid gardener and loved bluegrass music. He was preceded in death by his wife, Covella "Cricket" Kirby. He was the son of the late Birdie Burdette Kirby and Robert Kirby. Arrangements were by McCarthy Funeral Home, West Point, Ga. __________ Victoria Wynette Spurlin Edwards (RANDOLPH COUNTY) Victoria Wynette Spurlin Edwards, 35, of Randolph County died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at her residence. Services were Friday, April 16, at 2 p.m. at Brown & Kughn Memory Chapel, Anniston, with Jack Jackson and Thurman Ragan officiating. Burial was in Forestlawn Gardens. Mrs. Edwards was a native of Calhoun County and lived the past five years in Randolph County. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jessie and Cassie Spurlin and Helen and Ervin Lindsey. Survivors include her parents, Tula Ann Deese and Jimmy Wayne Deese of Anniston; a daughter, Debra Ann Spurlin of Anniston; sons, Joshua Wayne Wright and Robert Adam Shepherd of Anniston; a sister, Veronica Ann Major of, Cleburne County; a brother, William Lee Spurlin of Cleburne County; two nieces and two nephews. Pallbearers were Don Allen, Terry McCormick, Paul Schneider, Larry Sprinkle Jr., John Nelson and Michael Scarborough. Arrangements were by Brown & Kughn Memory Chapel, Anniston. __________ Dalton F. Karr (ASHLAND) Services for Dalton F. Karr, 67, of Ashland were Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Liberty United Methodist Church with the Revs. Zenus Windsor and Richard East officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Karr died Monday at Baptist Montclair Medical Center in Birmingham. Survivors include his wife, Glenda F. Karr; four daughters, Deborah Siggers and Janet Grogan, both of Cragford, Cindy Keel of Wilsonville and Rita Gunning of Ashland; three sons, Jimmy Karr of Wadley, Andy Karr of Ashland and Tommy Karr of Goodwater; two sisters, Alice Webb of Dothan and Patty Livingston of Eustis, Fla.; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Richard Gortney, Danny Paul Browning, Robert Earl Bailey, Greg Denney, Robert Hilier and Raymond A. Faulkner. Mr. Karr, a Clay County native and lifelong resident, was a member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church. An Army veteran, he retired from the Army National Guard 1208th Quarter Master Unit of Goodwater. He retired from Kimberly Clark as a timber buyer. He was preceded in death by a son, Marty Karr. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Lineville. __________ Herbert Wilson Wiggins (GRAHAM) Herbert Wilson Wiggins, 77, of Graham died Monday, April 19, 2004, at his residence. He was born in Randolph County July 1, 1926, son of the late Ucal Monroe and Annie Mae Jordan Wiggins. He was a member of Bethlehem Campground United Methodist Church, a farmer and an Army veteran of World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Wilma Spruell and Josie Wysner and brothers Aaron Wiggins, Curtis Wiggins, Lee Otis, Lewis Wiggins and George Wiggins. Survivors include his wife, Vernette Helton Wiggins of Graham; sons Jerry Wiggins of Bowdon, Ga., and Steve Wiggins of Graham; daughters Linda Brookins of Graham and Brenda Jordan of Ranburne; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; a brother, Rev. Monroe Wiggins of Bowdon; sisters Mary Moore of Bremen, Ga., Videra Brown of Bowdon and Margaret Rampy of Woodland; and special friend Kim Vickers. Services will be Wednesday, April 21, at 11 a.m. EDT at Bethlehem Campground United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jimmy Holmes, the Rev. Monroe Wiggins and the Rev. Jerry Wiggins officiating. Music will be by Alan and Geraldine McDaniel and the church choir. Pallbearers will be Chris Wiggins, Mark Wiggins, Chad Wiggins, Ron Wiggins, Mike Brown and Dean Wysner. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements are by Rainwater Funeral Home, Bowdon. __________ Davis H. Cosper (LINEVILLE) Funeral services for Davis H. Cosper, 93, of Lineville, formerly of Wedowee, were Sunday, April 18, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Leron Murphy officiating. Burial followed at Jordan's Chapel Cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of arrangements. Mr. Cosper died Thursday, April 15, at Lineville Nursing Facility. Survivors include three sons, Ray Cosper of Heflin, Jerry Cosper of Anniston and Gary Cosper of Lawrenceville, Ga.; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Kenny Cosper, Gary Cosper, Stephen Cosper, Bradley Cosper, Scotty Hudgins, Justin Hudgins and T. J. Bass. A Randolph County native, Mr. Cosper was born June 10, 1910, son of Cleve and Lola Loveless Cosper. He had been employed with Sewell Manufacturing Company and was preceded in death by his wife, Velma Thompson Cosper. __________ Ernest Heard Jr. (ROANOKE) Services for Ernest Heard Jr., 83, of Roanoke were Saturday, April 17, 2004, at 12 p.m. at Wehadkee Missionary Baptist Church, Roanoke, with the Rev. Elijah Jackson Jr. officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Heard died Tuesday, April 13, at Clay County Hospital & Nursing Home, Ashland. Survivors include his daughter, Mattie Heard Saffold of Roanoke; a special aunt, Ruth Watkins of Roanoke; a special cousin, Vance Heard of Dublin, Ga.; and a sister-in-law, Lois Heard of Tuskegee. He was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Freddie Heard. Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ James E. Rowland (HOBSON CITY) Services for James E. Rowland, 82, of Hobson City, formerly of Roanoke, were Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Goodson Funeral Home chapel with Minister Bobby Forbes officiating. Burial was in Hobson City Cemetery. Mr. Rowland died Sunday, April 11, at Regional Medical Center in Anniston. Survivors include his wife, Lena Pearl Rowland; two daughters, Eleanor Simpson of Los Angeles and Debbie Barsh of Roanoke; a sister, Mildred Newell of Dayton, Ohio; two brothers, Charlie Rowland and Will Rowland, both of Dayton; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were friends of the family. Mr. Rowland was a member of 17th Street Baptist Church. A World War II veteran, he received the Good Conduct Medal as a medic in the Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, Milland and Willie Rowland; a son, James E. A. Rowland; and eight siblings. __________ Thelma Bassett Norred (OPELIKA) Funeral services for Thelma B. Norred, 91, of Opelika were Friday, April 16, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Gerald Sykes and the Rev. Bufford Senn officiating. Burial followed at Center Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Norred died Wednesday, April 14, at the Care Center of Opelika. Survivors include a daughter, Roseann Fuller of Conley, Ga.; two sons, Gerald Norred of Opelika and Ambers Norred of Phenix City; 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Adam Fuller, Jamie Norred, Shane Jones, Rick Norred, Randy Norred and David Norred. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Dunson, Buck Norred, Harvey Townley, Roger Arnett, Maxie Norred and Larry Joe Norred. A Randolph County native, Mrs. Norred was born Nov. 1, 1912, daughter of Henry Grady and Maybell Bailey Bassett. She had been employed with Palm Beach Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Amburs Norred, and four sons, J. D., Harold, Edgar Lee and Wayne Norred. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader April 28, 2004 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Joyce Christine Huff Worley (ROANOKE) Services for Joyce Christine Huff Worley, 70, of Roanoke were Friday, April 23, 2004, at 2 p.m., at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Steve Dean officiating. Burial was in Cedarwood Cemetery. Mrs. Worley died Wednesday, April 21, at her home. Survivors include three daughters, Billy Kay Lasseter and Sherry Bell White of Roanoke and Laura Jean Dunlap of Five Points; one son, David Dunlap of New York; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Worley was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Worley. A Randolph County resident, Mrs. Worley was born Sept. 12, 1933, daughter of Jim and Georgia Bell Huff. She was formerly the owner and operator of Worley Foods. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Robert Louis Whitaker (VALLEY) Robert Louis Whitaker, 66, of Valley died Monday, April 19, 2004, at George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital in Valley. Funeral services were Saturday, April 24, at 2 p.m. EDT at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church with the Revs. Louis Upshaw, Charles Jackson, Donald Lancaster, Eugene Cooks and Arthur Jackson officiating. Mr. Whitaker is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jennifer Whitaker of Valley; his mother, Mrs. Ada Lucille Winston Johnson of Lanett; one son, Jerome Davidson of Montgomery; two daughters, Mrs. Roberta Marti and Ms. Cathy Whitaker, both of Detroit, Mich.; one sister, Ms. Doris Whitaker of Atlanta; three step-sisters, Mrs. Rose L. Brown of Buford, Ga., Mrs. Priscilla Busbee of Valley and Mrs. Isabella Alford of Phenix City; two step-brothers, the Rev. L. Z. Johnson and Elbert Johnson, both of Valley; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Born Jan. 15, 1938, in Chambers County, Mr. Whitaker was a product of the Chambers County Public Schools and a 1956 graduate of Lanier High School in Lanett. He attended Cal State University in Los Angeles and the L.A. County School of Allied Health in Los Angeles. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps with four years of service before receiving an honorable discharge. He retired from Randolph County Hospital in Roanoke. He was a member of Zion Rest Baptist Church in Valley. Mr. Whitaker was very involved in the community where he served in various capacities including: first black patrolman with the Valley Police Department; city councilman for District 6, serving from 1992-1999; founder of the Chambers County Veterans Association of which he received grants to purchase a van for veterans to have transportation to the VA Hospital in Tuskegee; past worshipful master, Shawmut Lodge No. 165; past member of the executive board of Valley Branch of NAACP; member of the Alabama Democratic Conference and the National Association of Surgical Technologists Inc. Arrangements were by Silmon/Seroyer Funeral Home, LaFayette. __________ Pearlie May 'Dot' Edmondson Robertson (WEST POINT, Ga.) Pearlie May "Dot" Edmondson Robertson, 92, of West Point, Ga., died Friday, April 23, 2004. Funeral services were Monday, April 26, at 2 p.m. EDT at McCarthy Funeral Home in West Point with the Rev. Eugene Striblin. Burial followed at 4 p.m. EDT in Wedowee Masonic Cemetery in Wedowee. Mrs. Robertson is survived by six daughters, Barbara Prestridge of Macon, Ga., "Frankie" Roberts and Vicki Hanna of Huguley, Betty Bailey of Carrollton, Ga., Peggy Hamby of Valley and Glenda Benefield of LaGrange, Ga.; two sons, James Robertson of Blanton and Johnny Robertson of West Point; 24 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Born May 18, 1911, in Randolph County, Mrs. Robertson was a very kind, loving mother and grandmother. She was of the Methodist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sanders D. Robertson; three sons, Harold Robertson, Wendell Robertson and Bobby Wayne Robertson; one granddaughter, Dianne Cleveland; one great-granddaughter, Mindy Prestridge; five sisters and one brother. She was the daughter of the late Arbie Lee May Edmondson and David Edmondson. Arrangements were by McCarthy Funeral Home, West Point. __________ Mary Lee Henderson White (WOODLAND) Mary Lee Henderson White, 84, of Woodland died Sunday, April 25, 2004. Mrs. White was born in Rand[o]lph County Dec. 10, 1919, daughter of the late Coy and Roshie Smith Henderson. She was a member of Bethel East Baptist Church and was a retired employee of Randolph County Board of Education and Bremen-Bowdon Investment Co. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sons Lawrence Joel, Rodney Earl and Gary Lee White; brothers Dumas, Curtis, Milford and Leroy Henderson; and sisters Ruby Redden, Opal Hughes and Bessie Huddleston. Survivors include her husband, Joel White of Woodland; a daughter, Susan Kay White of Woodland; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four brothers, Jack Henderson of Carrollton, Ga., Wilford Henderson of Bowdon, Ga., Alton Henderson of Heflin, and Jerry Henderson of Woodland; and a sister, Betty Jo Parmer of Woodland. Services will be Wednesday, April 28, at 2 p.m. CDT at Bethel East Baptist Church, with the Rev. Stiles Akin, the Rev. Brad Horton and the Rev. Ridley Parmer officiating. The church choir will furnish music. Pallbearers will be Lloyd Clark, Shane White, Brian Henderson, Tim Henderson Jr. and Ken Henderson. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in state at the church from 1 to 2. Arrangements are by Rainwater Funeral Home, Bowdon. Those who wish may leave condolences at www.timeformemory/rainwater. __________ Virgil Ball (CENTRE) Graveside services for Virgil Ball, 84, of Centre were Saturday, April 24, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Cherokee Memory, Gardens with the Rev. Jimmy C. Yarbrough officiating and Smith-Perry Funeral Home in charge. Mr. Ball died Thursday, April 22, at Cherokee County Nursing Home. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Alma Foster Ball; a son, Christopher Ray Ball of Centre; two daughters, Heather Ann Molina of Phoenix, Ariz., and Donna Sue Ball of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; three sisters, Martha Lula Lindley of Lineville, Maudene Jordan of Wedowee and Christene Yarbrough of Delta; three grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Pallbearers were Steve Knight, Mark Seleman, Keith Sprayberry, Kenneth Brooks, Thomas Hill and Brandon Knight. Mr. Ball, a Wedowee native, was a member of The House of Peace. He was a World War II veteran. The family requests no food or flowers. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega. __________ Ruth Hornsby Outland (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Ruth Outland, 77, of LaGrange, Ga., died Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at Hospice LaGrange. Mrs. Outland was born March 22, 1927, in Randolph County, Ala., the daughter of the late Nathan and Mary Elizabeth Smith Hornsby. She had lived in LaGrange most of her life and was a member of Unity Baptist Church. Mrs. Outland was retired from West Georgia Medical Center, where she worked in the central supply. She was preceded in death by her husband, D. V. Outland. Mrs. Outland is survived by two sons, Larry Outland of Memphis, Tenn., and Jimmy Outland of LaGrange; a granddaughter; a brother, Calvin Hornsby of Roanoke; three sisters, Christine Stitt of LaGrange, Ann Johnson of Augusta, Ga., and Jackie Anglin of LaGrange; a step-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were Thursday, April 22, at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary's LaGrange Chapel with the Rev. Mark Eichelberger officiating. Burial was in Shadowlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice LaGrange in memory of Mrs. Outland. Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange. __________ Icylean W. Harmon (ORLANDO, Fla.) Icylean W, Harmon, 88, of Orlando, Fla., died Friday, April 23, 2004, at Rio Pinar Health Care in Orlando. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with Dr. Kenneth Overby officiating. Burial followed in Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett. Mrs. Harmon is survived by one daughter, Runell Kirkland of Orlando; one son, Jimmy Shockley of Orlando; one son-in-law, James Clark of Lanett; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Born May 23, 1915, in Randolph County, Mrs. Harmon loved her family and loved to travel. She was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Peggy S. Clark. She was the daughter of the late Nancy and Milton Wood. Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley. __________ Jason William Knight (ROANOKE) Services for Jason William Knight, 2, of Roanoke were Monday, April 26, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Keith Benefield and the Rev. Don Johnson officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens. Jason died at Randolph Medical Center, Roanoke, on Saturday, April 24. Survivors include his parents, Randle and Amanda Knight of Roanoke; one sister, Kamala Knight of Roanoke; one brother, Tristan Luke of Roanoke; his paternal grandparents, Andy and Kathy Knight of Roanoke; his maternal grandparents, Ronnie Rice and Mary Boggs of Roanoke; paternal great-grandparents Clifford and Clemen Knight of Roanoke and Maggie Olsen of Roanoke; and maternal great-grandparents William and Louise Daniel of Lanett, Bruce Akins of Five Points, Avis Rice of Roanoke and Joyce Robinson of Missouri. A Randolph County native, Jason was born Dec. 12, 2001. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ T. D. Culver (ROANOKE) T.D. Culver, 79, of Roanoke died Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at Randolph Medical Center, Roanoke. Services were Monday, April 26, at 1 p.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church, Dozier, with Evangelist Lewis Mathews, Rev. Joe Edwards, Rev. J. P. Rogers and Minister Jeffery Henderson officiating. Burial was in Springfield Cemetery, Troy. Mr. Culver was born Dec. 24, 1926, in Dozier in Covington County, son of Tom and Carrie Culver. He was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church. In 2000 he moved to Roanoke under the care of his niece. He attended Randolph County Learning Center, where he helped raise money for the annual Bike Hike. Mr. Culver was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Susie Mathews and Mamie Billips. Surviving are two brothers, Isaac Culver of Gary, Ind., and Willie E. Elder of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; four sisters, Louis Blissett, Tommy Lee King, Loula B. Elder and Versia L. Davis, all of Niagara Falls; an aunt; 11 nephews; seven nieces plus a special niece, Jerline Burnett of Roanoke; and caretakers and friends from Randolph County Learning Center. Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Winifred Gray Tullis (WADLEY) Services for Winifred Gray Tullis, 84, of Wadley were Sunday, April 25, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Hope Memorial Christian Church, with the Rev. Bobby Burroughs and the Rev. Gordan Taylor officiating. Burial was at Forrester's Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Tullis died Friday, April 23, at Randolph Medical Center, Roanoke, following an extended illness. Survivors include one stepdaughter, Susan Dilly of Jackson, Miss.; two stepsons, Bryan Tullis of San Francisco, Calif., and Kenwin Tullis of Gadsden; four sisters, Frankie Taylor and Ethel Carson of Wadley and Ruth Taylor and Joyce Maddox of Valley; a brother, Leon Gray of Valley; and four grandchildren. A Randolph County native, Mrs. Tullis was born Oct. 22, 1919, daughter of Thomas L. and Frances Phillips Gray. She was a homemaker and a member of Hope Memorial Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Tullis. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Wilma Earle Gross Bishop (FAIRFIELD) Wilma Earle Gross Bishop, 85, died Wednesday, April 21, 2004. Mrs. Bishop was born in 1918 in Wedowee, one of 13 children of the late John and Molly Gross. She was retired from the A&P Tea Company, where she worked for over 30 years. A member of Fairfield Baptist Church, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Holly Bishop Jr. Mrs. Bishop left a legacy of hard work, dedication to family and caring for others. Services were Friday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at Ridout's Southern Heritage, with burial in Southern Heritage Cemetery, the Rev. Frank Posey officiating. Survivors include three sons, Brad Bishop of Indian Springs, Mike Bishop of Homewood, and John Bishop of Roanoke; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by Ridout's Southern Heritage Chapel, Birmingham. ______________________________________________________