Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during February 1995, Randolph, Alabama
http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/199502L.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 contributed by:
William Fischer, Jr.
<wefjr7944@hotmail.com>
=============================================
May 2002
The Randolph Leader
February 1, 1995
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Clinton Ramsey
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Clinton Ramsey, 83, of Route 1, Roanoke, were
Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. from High Pine Baptist Church, with the Revs. Albert
Holcombe and Bobby Kirby officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Ramsey died Saturday, Jan. 28, at West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Ramsey was born Dec. 9, 1911, son of John and
Nancy Traylor Ramsey. He was a member of High Pine Baptist Church and had worked as
a carpenter.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Eva McCollum Ramsey; one daughter, Mrs. Joann
Mitchell of LaGrange, Ga.; two sons, Larry Ramsey of Richmond, Va., and Dennis
Ramsey of Albany, Ga.; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Leroy Adamson, R. Z. Harlin, Jimmy Ramsey, Felton McCollum,
Jimmy Courson and Doyle Nelson. Honorary pallbearers were Allen Ramsey, Benny
Satterwhite, I. B. Moore, Herbert Denham, Burl Fetner, Gilbert Moore, Lloyd Bolt and
Harry Green.
The family requests no flowers and suggests memorial contributions to High Pine
Baptist Church.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Ray Ison Sims
(DAVISTON) Graveside services for Ray Ison Sims, 74, of Daviston were Saturday,
January 28, at 11 a.m. from Sims Cemetery in Chambers County.
Mr. Sims died Thursday, Jan. 26, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
A Chambers County native, Mr. Sims was born March 10, 1920, son of Wood and
Cordie Jenkins Sims. He had retired after 40 years as a teacher at Appalachian High
School in Blount County. He was preceded in death by a son, Damon Ray Sims.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Stella Halsey Sims of Daviston; a son, Robert Gary
Sims of Selma; a sister, Mary Sims of Wadley; nine grandchildren and 17 great-
grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Billy Horton, Kenneth Reeves, Robert Sims, Audie Sims, Robert
Halsey and Frank Davis.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
James Howard Sears
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for James Howard Sears, 74, of Roanoke were
Thursday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. at Roanoke First Baptist Church, with Dr. Douglas Turner
and Mr. Bob Kuwick officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Sears died Tuesday, Jan. 24, at his home.
A Randolph County native and former resident of Woodland, Mr. Sears was born
July 12, 1920, son of Lonnie M. and Lola Waller Sears. He was a member of Roanoke
First Baptist Church and had worked as a mechanic with William Bonnell Aluminum
Company in Newnan, Ga.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Sara Mooney Sears of Roanoke; a daughter, Mrs.
Anna Kuwick of Columbus, Ga.; two sisters, Mrs. Eucal Prather of Roanoke and Mrs.
Myrtice Carson of Wadley; a brother, D'Armond Sears of Roanoke; and several nieces
and nephews.
Pallbearers were Earl Smith, James Fisher, Harl White, Jimmy McKinney, Paul Ellen
and Frank Phillips.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Minnie Rye Lyner
(HEFLIN) Funeral services for Minnie Rye Lyner, 80, of Heflin Route 1 were at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28, at Morrison Chapel Methodist Church, with the Revs. Jerry Bolt, Gus
Young and Steve Dempsey officiating. Burial was in Morrison Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Lyner died Thursday, Jan. 26, at her residence on U.S. highway 431 in northern
Randolph County.
Pallbearers were David Lyner, Brandon Roberts, Jeff Lyner, Chad Lyner, Corky Hicks,
Char Warren, Clark Benefield and Justin Whaley.
Mrs. Lyner was a native of Tennessee and a resident of Randolph County for most of
her life. She was a member of the Nazarene Church. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Tom Lyner.
Survivors include five sons, Jack Lyner of Tampa, Fla., John Lyner of Ranburne,
Dewey Lyner of Heflin, Emory Lyner of Heflin, and Charles Lyner of Birmingham; three
daughters, Nancy L. Roberts of Newell, Sarah White of Wedowee, and Katherine Hicks of
High Point, N.C.; one sister, Eula McClish of West Virginia; 18 grandchildren and
11 great-grandchildren.
Dryden Funeral Home of Heflin was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Ruth Hammett, 100
(WEDOWEE) Mrs. Ruth Hammett, 100, of Wedowee, died Friday, Jan. 27, 1995, in
Lee Manor Nursing Home, Opelika.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, in Benefield Funeral Home Chapel,
the Rev. Tom Roberts officiating. Burial was in Wedowee City Cemetery.
Mrs. Hammett is survived by one son, D. J. Hammett of Auburn; two grandsons,
Roger Hammett and Richard Hammett; and three great-grandchildren, Kanaan Hammett,
Adam Hammett and Joseph H. Hammett.
Pallbearers were members of Masonic Lodge No. 93, F&AM.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
February 8, 1995
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Howard Sikes
(WEDOWEE) Howard Sikes, 86, of Rt. 1, Wedowee died Friday, Feb. 3, 1995, in
Huntsville after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, at Ava United Methodist Church,
with the Rev. James Harper officiating and Kevin Flory giving the eulogy. Burial was in
the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Sikes is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Emilie Sikes Cofield of Huntsville; one
son, James Elliott Sikes of Tulsa, Okla.; three sisters, Montana Brooks of Lanett, Aline
Smith of LaFayette, and Katherine Parkerson of LaGrange, Ga.; five brothers, Frank
Sikes, Coleman Sikes and Stanley Sikes of Wedowee, Carey Sikes of Anniston, and Guy
Sikes of Oxford; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were nephews.
Mr. Sikes was born in Randolph County to Henry Edgar Sikes and Molly Davis Sikes.
He was a farmer. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Doris Sikes Warbritton; his
wife, Gladys Clemons Sikes; two sisters, Bertha Lee Sanders Holderfield and Jessie Mae
Littlefield Walker; three brothers, Charlie Davis Sikes, Quinton Sikes and Garvis Sikes;
and son-in-law, Bobby Cofield.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Ava United Methodist
Church Building Fund.
__________
Hugh Winston Overton
(SPANISH FORT) Hugh Winston Overton of Spanish Fort died Saturday,
Feb. 4, 1995, at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, with family present, after a short illness.
Mr. Overton was a retired deputy director of Regional Post Office, Memphis, Tenn.,
past Alabama State Commander and National Executive Committeeman of the American
Legion, and a member of the Roanoke American Legion, having been assigned to the U.S.
Corps of Combat Engineers in World War II. He graduated from Randolph County High
School and Auburn University, was the head football coach for an undefeated Wadley
football team, and was a roommate of the late Auburn football coach, Ralph Shug
Jordan. He was a past president of the Memphis Camelia Society.
Mr. Overton was the son of the late Judge John W. Overton and Bertha Weathers
Overton of Wedowee and brother of the late John W. Overton of Montgomery.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Clardy Overton of Westminster Village, Spanish Fort;
two sons, Ralph Shug Overton of Gulf Shores and Hugh Overton, Jr. of Foley; two
daughters, Rosemary Rowell of Pell City, and Sharon McKoon of Smiths; seven
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Feb. 7, at First Baptist Church in Wedowee at 2 p.m.
Interment was in City Cemetery, Wedowee.
Baldwin Funeral Home, Inc. of Gulf Shores was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Annie B. Brown
(WEDOWEE) Annie B. Brown, 94, of Wedowee died Monday, Feb. 6, 1995, in
Traylor Nursing Home, Roanoke, after an extended illness.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Levens Baptist Church, the
Revs. Monroe Wiggins, Gordon Taylor and Tim Whaley officiating. Burial will be in the
adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Brown was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, born Aug. 7,
1900, to Henry Bolt and Vicie Clark Bolt. She was a homemaker and a member of Levens
Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Robert L. Brown of Wedowee; three daughters, Mrs.
Mavis Calhoun of Wedowee, Mrs. Vera Luker of Lineville and Mrs. Ann Wilson of
Opelika; four sons, Willie Brown of LaGrange, Ga., Cecil Brown of Woodland, Robert L.
Brown Jr. of Woodland and Vernon Brown of Wedowee; one sister, Mrs. Hattie
Henderson of Newell; and 18 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and
seven great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
Mrs. Brown will lie in state at Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. The family will
receive friends until one hour prior to funeral services, after which she will lie in state at
the church.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, is in charge of arrangements.
__________
June Marie Garner
[(WOODLAND)] June Marie Garner, 42, of Rt. 2, Woodland died Wednesday,
Feb. 1, 1995, at her residence after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Providence Baptist Church, the Rev.
Cecil Halsey officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Garner was born in Hartselle, Ala., Morgan County. She was the daughter of
Karo Daniel and Onyce McDow Daniel and was a member of Providence Baptist Church.
She had lived in Randolph County and Marietta, Ga.
Survivors include her husband, John Garner of Woodland; two daughters, Stacey Hill
and Carol Cantrell, both of Carrollton, Ga.; one son, Scott Garner of Woodland; two
sisters, Patricia Vaughn of Carrollton, Ga., and Gail Hollingsworth of Mobile; three
brothers, Wayne Brown and Kenny Brown, both of Decatur, and Jerry Griffith of
Fairhope; two grandchildren, Cortney Hill and Matthew Hill[;] her mother, Onyce Daniel
of Woodland; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Johnny Morrison, Randy Cofield, Bonnie Wright, Stanley Allen,
Richard Bohm and Dennis Carroll.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Geneva Singleton Szekely
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Geneva Singleton Szekely, 69, of Roanoke were
Sunday, Feb. 5, 1995, at 3 p.m. at Rock Mills United Methodist Church, with the Revs.
David Holmes and Stanley Yarbrough officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory
Gardens.
Mrs. Szekely died Friday, Feb. 3, at her home.
A former resident of Rock Mills, Mrs. Szekely was a native of Stevens County, Ga.,
born Oct. 29, 1925, daughter of Lester R. and Eugenia Fitzgerald Singleton. She was a
member of Rock Mills United Methodist Church. She was the widow of Louis Mitchell
Szekely.
Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Euna Mae Saylors of Anderson, S.C., and Mrs.
Rosie Blackwell of Lavonia, Ga.; one brother, Arvel Singleton of Rock Mills; and several
nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were M. L. Burgess, Doris Wilford, Harold Hall, Bobby Kirby, Wayne
Adamson and Gerald Sheppard.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Osco Lenville' Massa
(FRANKLIN, Ga.) Osco Lenville Massa, 66, of Franklin, Ga., died Monday,
Feb. 6, 1995, at West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange after several months of
declining health.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. EST from the chapel of Tom
Stutts and Son Funeral Home in Franklin, the Rev. Bob Norton officiating. Interment will
be in Randolph Memory Gardens in Randolph County, Ala.
Mr. Massa was a native of Baxter, Tenn. He had lived in Franklin 31 years and had
worked as a die sawyer for Franklin Aluminum Company until his retirement. He was a
member of Boiling Spring Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Annette Massa of Franklin; one daughter, Stacy
Buttrill of Ephesus, Ga.; three sons, Tim Massa of Franklin, Ricky Massa of Sumner,
Wash., and Russell Massa of Douglasville, Ga.; four grandchildren; four sisters, Beatrice
Cole, Marie Massa and Anna Jewell Sherrell, all of Baxter, Tenn., and Roberta Shaw of
Florida; and one brother, Shelia Massa of Baxter, Tenn.
Tom Stutts and Son Funeral Home of Franklin is in charge of funeral arrangements.
__________
Rosalie Wright Lovvorn
(WEDOWEE) Rosalie Wright Lovvorn, 84, of Wedowee died Saturday, Feb. 4, 1995,
at her residence after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at First Baptist Church of Wedowee,
with the Rev. John Duncan and the Rev. Bob Karcher officiating. Burial was in Wedowee
City Cemetery.
Mrs. Lovvorn is survived by one sister, Mrs. John Robert (Frances) LeSueur of
Wedowee, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were deacons of First Baptist Church of Wedowee.
Mrs. Lovvorn was a native of Randolph County, born Aug. 23, 1910, to William
Samuel Wright and Minnie Lee Young Wright. She was retired as a teacher with the
Marietta (Georgia) and Randolph County school systems. She was preceded in death by
her husband, W. E. Lovvorn. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Wedowee,
where she served as the Adult Sunday School teacher. She was a charter member of
Wedowee Music Club, a member of Women's Study Club and a member of the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
February 15, 1995
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Alma Head Hall
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Alma Head Hall, 88, of Route 2, Roanoke, were
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 1995, at 2 p.m. at Rock Mills Methodist Church, with the Rev. David
Holmes officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Hall died Sunday, Feb. 12, at her home.
A native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, Mrs. Hall was born Oct. 12, 1906.
She was a member of Rock Mills United Methodist Church and had been employed by
Wehadkee Mills.
Survivors include a son, W. H. Hall, Jr. of Rock Mills; two sisters, Miss Louise Head
of Rock Mills and Mrs. Earnestine Kirby of York, S.C.; a brother, Mark Head of Rock
Mills; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Alan Hurst, Bill Head, Bynum Bailey, Jesse Caldwell, Hubert Hall and
Harold Hall.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Luverne Culpepper
(WADLEY) Luverne Culpepper, 73, of Wadley died Thursday, Feb. 2, 1995, as the
result of an automobile accident near Wedowee.
Miss Culpepper was born at Wadley on April 10, 1921, daughter of Dave and Ida
Smith Culpepper. She attended school in Randolph County, later studied at Tuskegee
Institute and Alabama A&M College, and for a number of years taught school in the
Randolph County system. She was an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church,
Wadley.
Survivors include one sister, Juanita Busbee; one brother, Thomas Culpepper of
Dayton, Ohio; one uncle, Willis Lee Houston; a special great-nephew, Nicholas Busbee II;
and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Services for Miss Culpepper were at one o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 8, at
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, the Rev. Cornelius Reese, pastor, officiating. Interment
was in the church cemetery.
Arrangements were by Vines Funeral Home of LaFayette.
__________
Zelma Bolt Fincher
(WOODLAND) Zelma Bolt Fincher, 86, of Rt. 2, Woodland, died Friday,
Feb. 10, 1995, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13, at Rocky Branch Baptist Church,
with the Revs. Johnny Bishop and Joe Rollins officiating. Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mrs. Fincher is survived by one half-sister, Mrs. Ester Brazeal of Washington state;
four grandchildren, Bob Fincher of Wedowee, Tom Fincher of Woodland, Ann Doss
Smith of Montgomery, and John Doss of Decatur; and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Tommy Fincher, J. Kenner Hudson, Jim Smith, Russell Rollins,
C. Ford Wilson and Arnold Rollins.
Mrs. Fincher was a native of Randolph County who had lived most of her married life
in Oxford and had lived the past three years in Woodland. She was born on April 7, 1908,
to Franklin Bolt and Effie Wilson Bolt. She was a member of First Baptist Church of
Oxford and was a homemaker.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Margaret Lee Knight
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Lee Knight, 66, of Roanoke were
Friday, Feb. 10, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Lowell United Methodist Church, the Revs. Barrett
Lloyd and Todd Henderson officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Knight died Thursday, Feb. 9, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
A lifelong resident of Roanoke, Mrs. Knight was a Randolph County native, born
July 8, 1928, daughter of Archie and Jimmie Daniel Gray. She was a member of Lowell
Methodist Church and had worked as a weaver with Handley Mills.
Survivors include her husband, Roy T. Knight of Roanoke; one daughter, Mrs. Dianne
Boyd of Roanoke; a son, Donny Knight of Auburn; a brother, Horace Gray of Roanoke;
two grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Lowell United
Methodist Church.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home is [sic - was] in charge of arrangements.
__________
Kager Wilson
(WOODLAND) Kager Wilson, 61, of Rt. 1, Woodland, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 1995,
in Clay County Hospital after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Prospect Congregational
Methodist Church, with the Rev. Cecil Halsey and Junior Bowen officiating. Burial was in
the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Opal Wilson of Woodland; two step[-]daughters,
Janice Wortham of Newell and Shirley Hudgins of Tallapoosa, Ga.; one step-son, Harold
Williamson of Altoona; his mother, Mrs. Estelle Wilson of Woodland; three brothers,
Lamon Wilson, Major Wilson and Bryant Wilson of Woodland; one sister, Nora Bell
Jones of San Mateo, Fla.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were James Waldrop, Randy Wilson, Murphy Wilson, Tony Moore, Garner
Maddox and Clyde Cook. Honorary pallbearers were school bus drivers.
Mr. Wilson was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. He was born
March 21, 1933, to William Kay Wilson and Estelle Langley Wilson. He was a veteran of
the Korean War and was a member of Napoleon Church of Christ.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of the arrangements.
__________
Nora Bell Looser
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Nora Bell Looser, 82, of Roanoke, formerly of
Valley, were Sunday, Feb. 12, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the
Rev. David Holmes officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Grove Congregational Christian
Church Cemetery in LaFayette.
Mrs. Looser died Friday, Feb. 10, at Traylor Nursing Home in LaFayette [Roanoke?].
A Chambers County native, Mrs. Looser was born June 22, 1912, daughter of John
Henry and Lura Jim Ward Cosper. She was a member of Sunset Heights Church in Lanett
and had worked as a spinner with West Point Pepperell. She was preceded in death by her
husbands, Euclid Pike and Joe Looser, a son, Gene Oliver Pike; and a grandson.
Survivors include a granddaughter, Mrs. Gail Pike McKeldin of Panama City, Fla.; a
sister, Mrs. Mattie Brown of Roanoke; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Ronnie Whaley, Phil Whaley, Maxie Cumbie, Emerson Thompson,
Morgan Jackson and Darvell Gray.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Mildred Williams Neese
(SKOKIE, Ill.) Mildred Williams Neese, 72, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 1995, in Skokie,
Illinois.
Mrs. Neese, wife of the late Brenton Neese, was born June 10, 1922, in Randolph
County, Ala., a daughter of the late Robert and Celia Breed Williams. She had made her
home in LaGrange, Ga., before moving to Skokie in 1956. She was a former employee of
Colonial Stores and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Nursing Corps of the
U.S. Navy.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Patricia Naczki of Douglasville, Ga., Mrs.
Libby Droyston of Skokie, and Miss Cathy Neese of Chicago; three sisters, Mrs. Lessie
Breed of LaGrange, Mrs. Betty Hilley of Heflin, and Mrs. Frances Haynes of Newell; a
brother, Marlin Williams of Anniston; and four grandchildren.
The funeral was Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. in the LaGrange Chapel of
Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, with the Rev. L. B. Caywood and the Rev. Douglas Haynes
officiating. Interment was in Restlawn Memory Gardens.
Striffler-Hamby Mortuary of LaGrange was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Shaffer Dewit Earl
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Shaffer Dewit Earl, 93, of Roanoke were Friday,
Feb. 10, 1995, at 3 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, the Rev. Maynard McGinty
officiating. Burial was at the New Hope Christian Church cemetery.
Mr. Earl died Thursday, Feb. 9, at his home.
A native and lifelong resident of Chambers County, Mr. Earl was born Dec. 1, 1901,
son of Bruna and Irene Sharp Earl. He owned and operated a general store in Chambers
County for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ermer Lee Clack Earl of Roanoke; one daughter, Mrs.
Margaret Louise Self of Roanoke; four sisters, Mrs. Annie Swann of Huguley, Mrs.
Catherine Stephens of Weaver, Mrs. Luverne McCollough of Lanett and Mrs. Christine
Haynes of Fairfax; two brothers, Leonard Earl of LaGrange and Bill Earl of Valley;
five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to New Hope Christian
Church.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Winnie D. Grinaker
(ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.) Winnie D. Grinaker, 96, of St. Petersburg died Saturday,
Feb. 11, 1995, at her residence.
Born in Wedowee, Ala., she came to Florida in 1937 from Anniston, Ala. She was a
homemaker and a Methodist. Her parents were Sara Newman Tennant and John James
Huckeba. Mrs. Grinaker was preceded in death by her husband, A. O. Grinaker, a general
contractor since 1937, a daughter, Bettye Forsythe, and a son, James Grinaker, M.D.
Survivors include her daughter, Margaret Penuel of St. Petersburg; five grandsons,
James Penuel, M.D., of St. Petersburg, Jon Penuel, M.D., of Fort Myers, Fla., Robert
Forsythe, M.D., of LeHigh Acres, Fla., Christian Grinaker, M.D. of Mobile and James
Grinaker Jr. of St. Petersburg; a granddaughter, Sally Forsythe of St. Petersburg, and four
great-grandchildren; and a sister, Eleanor Moore of Turlock, Calif.
Memorial services were at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Pasadena Baptist Church[,]
St. Petersburg, with Dr. Harold G. Jones Jr. officiating.
Arrangements were by Woodlawn Funeral Home of St. Petersburg.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
February 22, 1995
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Virginia Kershaw Pitman
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Virginia Kershaw Pitman, 69, of Roanoke were
Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at Roanoke First United Methodist Church, with the Rev.
Milton Booth and the Rev. Rayford Etherton officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory
Gardens.
Mrs. Pitman died Sunday, Feb. 19, at Huntsville Hospital
A longtime resident of Randolph County, Mrs. Pitman was a native of DeKalb County,
born Jan. 16, 1926, daughter of Rosco and Inez Fisher Kershaw. She had taught music in
the Jefferson County School System, had served with the American Red Cross in Korea,
and was a member of Roanoke First United Methodist Church, where she sang in the
choir and was a soloist throughout her life in Roanoke. She was the widow of Dr. Henry
Clifton Pitman, Jr.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Lynn P. Nixon of Huntsville; two sons, Cliff
Pitman of Fairhope and Sandy Pitman of Birmingham; one sister, Mrs. Jane Lamberth of
Alexander City; one brother, Charles Kershaw of Sarasota, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Dr. Melburn Holmes, Wyatt Jackson, Kevin Beightol, Robert
Hooton, Ben Handley and John Hodges.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Roanoke First United Methodist Church
Choir.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Era Barton Norman
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Era Barton Norman, 91, of Roanoke were Sunday,
Feb. 19, 1995, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Bro. Gerald Romine and
Bro. Sam Carpenter officiating. Burial was in Wedowee City Cemetery.
Mrs. Norman died Friday, Feb. 17, at Roanoke Heritage Home for the Elderly.
A resident of Roanoke since 1984, Mrs. Norman had resided in Wedowee for 16 years
and in Alexandria for 40 years. A Randolph County native, she was born March 6, 1903,
daughter of John Jefferson and Winnie Hill Barton. She was a member of Roanoke Church
of Christ and had worked as a registered nurse in Alexandria. She was the widow of Ellis
Norman.
Survivors include one sister, Mrs. Margaret Pate of Phenix City, and two brothers,
Robert Barton of Roanoke and John Jefferson Barton of Clovis, Calif.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Winnie Geneva Bonner
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Winnie Geneva Bonner, 68, of Route 2, Roanoke,
were Monday, Feb. 20, 1995, at 11 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs.
Harold Bonner, E. G. Clark and Bernard Fuller officiating. Burial was at Bethany Lime
Church cemetery.
Mrs. Bonner died Saturday, Feb. 18, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Bonner was born Dec. 31, 1925, daughter of Grover
and Willie D. Philips Arnett. She was a member of Bethany Lime Christian Church and
had worked with Palm Beach Company. She was the widow of James Harold Bonner.
Survivors include two sons, the Rev. Harold Bonner and Whit Bonner, both of
Roanoke; a sister, Mrs. Genette Harmon of Shawmut; a brother, James Hilliard Arnett of
Roanoke; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bill Vinson, Keith Nelson, Roger Arnett, Byron Morrison, Stanley
Arnett and Dennis Arnett.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Mt. Zion Christian Church Building
Fund.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Mary George Weathers
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Mary George Weathers, 81, of Roanoke were
Thursday, Feb. 16, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Springfield Baptist Church, the Rev. Lendon
Fields officiating. Burial will follow [sic - followed] at the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Weathers died Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Weathers was born Nov. 17, 1913, daughter of
George and Annie Jones Breed. She was a member of Springfield Baptist Church and had
worked with Palm Beach Company. She was the widow of Herbert Weldon Weathers.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Mary Manley and Mrs. Ann White, both of
Auburn, and Mrs. Jenny Pike of Roanoke; three sons, Buck Weathers, Joe Weathers and
Mike Weathers, all of Roanoke; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Elsie Ware Rowe Morris
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Elsie Ware Rowe Morris, 88, of Roanoke were
Saturday, Feb. 18, 1995, at 11 a.m. at Roanoke First United Methodist Church, with the
Rev. Milton Booth officiating. Entombment was in Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Morris died Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Randolph County Hospital in Roanoke.
A resident of Roanoke for more than 60 years, she was a native and former resident of
Falkville, Morgan County, Alabama. She was born Aug. 18, 1906, daughter of Jeffery
Lawrence and Ann Lou Lynn Rowe. Mrs. Morris was a member of Roanoke First United
Methodist Church, where she taught a Sunday School class. She was also an active
member of the Fourth Quarter Seniors Group and the UMW Cumi Oaks Circle.
Survivors include three sons, Hugh Lee Morris, Jr. and Donald Robert Morris, both of
Roanoke and Ellis Rowe Morris of Longwood, Fla.; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Drinkard and
Mrs. Joy Strickland, both of Hartselle, and Mrs. Martha Fink of Armonk, N.Y.; a brother,
Joe Rowe of Birmingham; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Roanoke
First United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers were Donald Morris, Michael Morris, William Morris, Wayne Morris,
David Lewis and Shane Everett. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Tom Drinkard,
Leon Gantt, Tommy Hill, Leonard Sledge, Samuel Lewis Sr. and Gene Sherman.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
C. L. Ted' Huey
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for C. L. Ted Huey, age 86, of Roanoke were
Friday, Feb. 17, 1995, at 2 p.m. at Cedarwood Cemetery, with Dr. Douglas Turner
officiating.
Mr. Huey died Tuesday, Feb. 14, at North Baldwin Hospital in Bay Minette.
A native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, Mr. Huey was born Oct. 10, 1908,
son of A. J. Huey Sr., and Loie Bailey Huey. He attended Roanoke First Baptist Church
and was a member of the Young Men's Bible Class.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Jane Dickson of Bay Minette; two brothers, A. J.
Huey Jr. of Roanoke and Dexter Huey of Haines City, Fla.; two grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Roanoke
First Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were Charles Huey, Joe Huey, Smokey Cole, Tommy Huey, Carlon Huey
and Charles Warren.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Annie Lue Clement
(WEDOWEE) Annie Lue Clement, 85, of 52 Wedowee Cove, Wedowee, died
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 1995, in Newnan Hospital, Newnan, Ga., after a short illness.
Funeral services were at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in Benefield Funeral Home Chapel,
the Rev. Tom Roberts officiating. Burial was in Dade Memorial Cemetery, Miami, Fla.,
with graveside services on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Mrs. Clement is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Jean Lowry of Wedowee; one
granddaughter, Mrs. Pat Wilson of Roanoke; five great-grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Clement was a native of Rockmart, Ga., born March 19, 1909, to Albert L.
Campbell and Molly Pauline Mathis Campbell. She was a retired nursing assistant.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Thomas Howell Fincher
(VALLEY) Thomas Howell (Tom) Fincher, 81, of Valley, died Friday, Feb. 17, 1995,
at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tuskegee.
Mr. Fincher was born June 20, 1913, in Randolph County. He was a veteran of World
War II, where he served with the U.S. Navy, and was a retired employee of West Point
Pepperell's Lantuck Mill. He was a deacon in Fairview Baptist Church and an active
member of the Valley Rescue Squad. He was a member of Valley Masonic Lodge 516,
Order of the Eastern Star and American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Dura Davis Fincher; one son, Jimmy Fincher of Valley;
four sisters, Eulette Evans of Phenix City, Janie Dudley and Joann Hester of Roanoke, and
Loette McManus of LaGrange, Ga.; and two grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church in his memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Lois Elector Benefield Keeble
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Lois Elector Benefield Keeble, 90, of Roanoke were
Saturday, Feb. 18, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Roanoke First Baptist Church, with Dr. Douglas
Turner officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Keeble died Thursday, Feb. 16, at Randolph County Hospital.
A native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, Mrs. Keeble was born
Nov. 1, 1904, daughter of William Lomyard and Martha Elizabeth Wilson Benefield. She
had worked as a weaver with Handley Mills and was a member of Roanoke First Baptist
Church, the Joy Club, Missionary Society and AARP.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Myra K. Williamson of Roanoke; three
grandchildren, Michelle French, Elizabeth Powell and Richard French; a great-grandson,
Wilson Powell; one sister, Mrs. Clannie B. Parrish of Clewiston, Fla.; and two brothers,
James Porter Benefield of Hoover and Manley Benefield of Roanoke.
Pallbearers were Frank Phillips, Byron Morrison, John Benefield, John Landers, Bill
Landers, Greg Wright and John Gunn. Honorary pallbearers were members of the First
Baptist TEL Sunday school class.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Carroll S. Foster
(CARROLLTON, Ga.) Carroll S. Foster, 80, of Carrollton, died Tuesday,
Feb. 7, 1995. Mr. Foster was born Sept. 30, 1914, in Chambers County, Ala., son of the
late Troy M. Foster and Mattie McCoy Foster. Until his retirement he was employed with
East Point Chevrolet Company. He was a veteran of World War II and a member of
Shady Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, the former Mary Holcombe; a son, James C. Foster of
Kershaw, S.C.; two grandsons, Robert Foster of Hiram, Ga., and Christ Foster of Lithia
Springs, Ga.; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Sudduth of Roanoke,
Ala., and Mrs. Alma Huff of Lawrenceville, Ga.
Funeral services were Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. at the Chapel of Almon Funeral Home, with the
Rev. Dewey Robinson and the Rev. Albert Holcombe officiating. Music was furnished by
Jean Adams and Harold McWhorter. Pallbearers were Quillian Mosley, Joe Blythe, Gene
Sorrells, Bob Plowder, J. T. Smith and Greg Holcombe.
Interment was in Carrollton City Cemetery. A member of the American Legion made
the presentation of the flag.
Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton was in charge of arrangements.
__________
James Paul Doc' Sidwell
(WADLEY) James Paul Doc Sidwell, 82, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 1995, at his home in
Wadley.
Mr. Sidwell was the son of Dr. Cullum and Eunice Martin Sidwell. He was preceded in
death by a sister, Mrs. Ruth Sidwell Kirby. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mrs.
Patricia Kennedy Sidwell, and several nieces and nephews.
An agricultural graduate of Tennessee Tech University in Cookville, Mr. Sidwell
taught school briefly before serving in the U.S. Army in World War II. After returning
home to Celina, Tenn., he taught with the Veterans Administration. Before coming to
Randolph County, Ala., he lived and worked in Clay and Fentress counties in Tennessee,
retiring from the Fentress County Soil Conservation Service after 21 years as a technician.
He was a member of the Church of Christ, Eastern Star and York Rite, was a Shriner, and
was a Master Mason for 60 years.
Funeral services for Mr. Sidwell were Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Celina Church of Christ,
with Rick Stephenson, minister, and Gerald Romine of Roanoke conducting. Interment
was at Fitzgerald Cemetery in Celina.
Upton Funeral Home was in charge.
__________________________________________________