Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during November 1994, Randolph, Alabama
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April 2002
The Randolph Leader
November 2, 1994
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Bernice Sue Shelnutt
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Bernice Sue Shelnutt, 51, of Route 4, Roanoke,
were Sunday, Oct. 30, 1994, at 3 p.m. from Fellowship Baptist Church, with the Revs.
Louie Olds and S. T. Janney officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Shelnutt died Friday, Oct. 28, at her home.
A native and life-long resident of Randolph County, Mrs. Shelnutt was born Nov. 5,
1942, daughter of Tommy and Annie Maude Rushing Culbertson. She had worked as a
seamstress with Palm Beach Company.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Cheryl Sizemore, Ms. Kimberly Shelnutt and
Mrs. Tamie Coggins McClain, all of Roanoke; her mother, Mrs. Annie Maude Flowers of
Roanoke; a sister, Mrs. Doris Baldwin of Roanoke; two brothers[,] Lonnie Culbertson of
Roanoke and Tommy Culbertson of Five Points; and four grandchildren.
Nephews of Mrs. Shelnutt served as pallbearers.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Cleo Pike
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Cleo Pike, 83, of Route 2, Roanoke, were
Sunday, Oct. 30, 1994, at 1 p.m. from Pike Cemetery, with the Rev. Gary Baugh
officiating.
Mr. Pike died Friday, Oct. 28, at Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa.
A Cleburne County native, Mr. Pike was the son of Tom and Fannie Hyatt Pike.
Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Willie Lee Dakota of Wichita, Kansas; two brothers,
Doyle Pike and Noah Pike, both of Roanoke; and a grandchild.
Nephews of Mr. Pike served as pallbearers.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Lillie Mae Mathews
(WEDOWEE) Lillie Mae Mathews, 83, of Wedowee died Sunday, Oct. 30, 1994, at
her residence after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, in Benefield Funeral Home Chapel,
with the Rev. Douglas Haynes and the Rev. Tommy Smith officiating. Burial was in the
Rocky Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Mathews is survived by her husband, Lewis Mathews of Wedowee; three
daughters, Mrs. Imodene Allums of Phenix City, Mrs. Dolly Pollard of Woodland, and
Mrs. Linda Edwards of Columbus, Ga.; four grandchildren, Jimmy Willingham of Ruston,
Calif., Brenda Third of Anniston, Michael Edwards of Plattsburg Air Force Base, N.Y.,
and Stephen Edwards of Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Terry Goode, Steve Edwards, Randy Third, Frankie Dewberry,
Russell Rollins and Arnold Rollins.
Mrs. Mathews was a native of Carroll County, Ga., born Sept. 1, 1911, to Perry
Wiggins and Dollie Pike Wiggins. She was a member of Rocky Branch Baptist Church and
was a homemaker.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of the arrangements.
__________
Andrew Parker Carpenter
(WEDOWEE) Graveside services for Andrew Parker Carpenter, 83, of Route 2,
Wedowee, were Monday, Oct. 31, 1994, at 11 a.m. from Rock Stand Christian Church
Cemetery, with the Valley Masonic Lodge officiating.
Mr. Carpenter died Saturday, Oct. 29, at Randolph County Hospital in Roanoke.
A former resident of Valley, Mr. Carpenter was a Randolph County native, born Nov.
25, 1910, son of Romalis and Dent Longshore Carpenter. He was a member of Rock
Springs Christian Church and the Valley Masonic Lodge.
Members of Valley Masonic Lodge served as pallbearers.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
James Charlie Beverly
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for James Charlie Beverly, 78, of Roanoke were
Sunday, Oct. 30, 1994, at 3 p.m. from White's Chapel Methodist Church, with the Revs.
Don Quick and Larry Stephens officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Beverly died Thursday, Oct. 27, at Clay County Hospital in Ashland.
A native and life-long resident of Randolph County, Mr. Beverly was born Feb. 13,
1916, son of Robert Lee and Donnie Ella Rainey Beverly. He was an army veteran of
WWII and a member of White's Chapel Methodist Church, the American Legion and
Rock Stand Community Club. He was retired from Alabama Power Company.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Myrtle Allen Beverly of Roanoke; a daughter, Mrs.
Jeanette Beverly Pike of Dallas, Ga.; two sons, James Edward Beverly of Anniston and
Richard Doland Beverly of Ashland; two sisters, Ms. Bernice Beverly and Mrs. Ella May
Stephens Langley of Roanoke; a brother, Wilson Beverly of Roanoke; six grandchildren
and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Ricky Pike, Alan Pike, David Beverly, Edward Beverly, Kenneth
Beverly and Payton Zeigler.
Serving as honorary pallbearers were Felix Cofield, Paul Ward, Bob Olinger, Lamar
Brown, Loys Johnson, Bobby Crabtree, Billy Gene Kirby, Dewayne Sutterwhite, Wayne
Ward, Thomas Adcock, James Ussery, Jim Kirby and Tom Nappier.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Mary L. Pearson Lynch
(WADLEY) Funeral services for Mary L. Pearson Lynch, 88, of Route 2, Wadley,
were Sunday, Oct. 30, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Wadley First United Methodist Church, with
the Revs. Benny Cosper, James Duke and David Jones officiating. Burial was in Wadley
Cemetery.
Mrs. Lynch died Friday, Oct. 28, at Clay County Nursing Home in Ashland.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Lynch was born Jan. 22, 1906, daughter of Walter
and Mollie Stewart Pearson. She was a member of Wadley First United Methodist Church
and the United Methodist Women and had worked with Clegg Manufacturing. She was
preceded in death by a son, Curtis R. Lynch, and a grandson, Robert Breed.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Mauryce Moore, Mrs. Ann Jones, and Mrs.
Marilyn Breed, all of Wadley; a son, W. Paul Lynch of Huntsville; a daughter-in-law, Mrs.
Linda G. Ward of Greenville; a sister, Mrs. Myrtle P. Simpson of Rainsville;
12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Wadley First United Methodist Church
in lieu of flowers.
Pallbearers were Dr. Lynn Jones, Tim Jones, Steve Lynch, Curtis Lynch II, Randall
Gourdouze and Leonard Mosley.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Genie Slay
(ROANOKE) Genie Slay, 96, of Roanoke died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1994, at South
Fulton Medical Center, East Point, Ga.
Funeral services were Saturday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. at Rock Mills Baptist Church, with
the Rev. Gershon Wilkerson officiating.
Burial was in East Roanoke Cemetery.
Mrs. Slay was born in Troup County, Ga., and was the widow of the late Shafford
Slay. She was a long-time resident of Roanoke. Mrs. Slay was preceded in death by a
daughter, Mrs. Annie Mae Thompson in 1986, and a great[-]grandson, Richard Slay.
Survivors include a granddaughter, Mrs. Maxine Rubin of Flint, Mich.; five step-
grandchildren, J. C. Slay and Ms. Earnestine Slay of Atlanta, George Slay and Ms. Glenda
Slay of Roanoke, and Ms. Edna Gray Slay of New York, N.Y.; three great-grandchildren;
and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Eva Broach Wallace
(WEST POINT, Ga.) Eva Broach Wallace, 71, of West Point, Ga., died Friday,
Oct. 28, 1994, at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta.
Mrs. Wallace was born in Randolph County on Dec. 25, 1922, daughter of the late
Eunice Waldrep Broach and Fletcher Broach. She was retired from West Point Medical
Center, LaGrange, with eight years of service. She was a homemaker and was active in
her church, West Point Presbyterian. She had been in declining health for a year.
Mrs. Wallace is survived by her husband, Ralph H. Wallace of West Point; one son,
Michael Wallace of West Point; and two sisters, LeMerle Hornsby of Lanett and Flora
Prince of Jacksonville, Fla.
Funeral services were at McCarthy Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, Oct. 31, at
11 a.m. The Rev. Dan Graham officiated.
McCarthy Funeral Home of West Point was in charge of arrangements.
__________
H. Grady McClurg
(NEWELL) H. Grady McClurg, 86, of Rt. 1, Newell, died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1994,
in Birmingham after a short illness.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in Benefield Funeral Home Chapel,
Wedowee, with Rev. Louie Olds officiating. Burial was in Randolph Memory Gardens,
Roanoke.
Mr. McClurg is survived by two daughters, Ann Wiggins of Newell and Beth Widemon
of Fultondale; two sons, James R. McClurg of Destin, Fla., and Roger H. McClurg of
Rock Mills; one sister, Mrs. Gladys Ogles of Lanett; and seven grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were grandsons.
Mr. McClurg, a native of Randolph County, had lived at Newell for the past 18 years.
He lived in Roanoke before moving to Newell, was retired from textile work, and was a
member of Lowell United Methodist Church.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
John Henry Smith
(LOS ANGELES, Ca.) John Henry Smith, 62, of Los Angeles, Ca., died Sunday,
Oct. 23, 1994.
Mr. Smith was a member of Randolph County Training School Class of 1953 and a
former member of Rock Mills Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include his mother,
Mozell Smith of Roanoke; three sisters, Jean Heflin and Margrette Boddie, both of Los
Angeles, and Olivia Madison of Pensacola, Fla.; a brother, Earnest Smith of Los Angeles;
two daughters and three sons, all of Los Angeles.
Services for Mr. Smith were in Los Angeles, Ca., with arrangements made by J. S.
Williams Mortuaries. Remembrances and communications should be directed to Margrette
Boddie, 5732 9th Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043 -- (213) 293-8551.
__________
Anne Handley Rutledge
(HOMEWOOD) Anne Handley Rutledge, 66, of Homewood, formerly of Roanoke,
died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1994, at Brookwood Memorial Hospital, Homewood.
She was born in Randolph County Feb. 10, 1928, daughter of the late Kathleen Smith
Handley and William A. Handley II. She is survived by her husband David Lofton
Rutledge of Homewood; one son, William Vaughn Rutledge of Clermont, Fla.; two
daughters, Mary Kathleen LeBlanc of Lake City, Fla., and Margaret Anne Rutledge of
Homewood; one brother, Lee H. Handley of Roanoke; and three grandchildren.
Memorial services were Saturday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Barnabas Episcopal
Church in Roanoke, with Rev. Al Perkins and Rev. Jim Walters officiating. In lieu of
flowers or gifts, the family recommends contributions be made to the National Cancer
Foundations.
Johns-Ridout Funeral Home of Homewood was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Lorena S. Knight
(ROANOKE) Lorena S. Knight, 76, of 500 Waller Drive, Roanoke, died Tuesday,
Nov. 1, 1994, in Randolph County Hospital, Roanoke, after an extended illness.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in the First United Methodist
Church, Roanoke, with Rev. Milton Booth officiating. Burial will follow in the Knight
Family Cemetery.
Mrs. Knight is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Brenda Heard of Roanoke; one son,
Murray Knight of Oxford; three grandchildren, Laurew Knight of Oxford and Molly
Schuemeyer and Maggie Heard of Roanoke; one sister, Mrs. Lena Mae Beaird of
Roanoke; three brothers, Prather Slay of White Plains and Walter Slay and Huey Slay of
Birmingham.
Pallbearers will be Ford Gann, Fred Rotton, Jack Bartlett, Bill Prince, Ralph Gunn and
Joe Weathers.
Mrs. Knight, a native of Chambers County, had lived in Roanoke for many years. She
was a member of Roanoke First United Methodist Church and was retired from the U.S.
Postal Service as a mail carrier. She was preceded in death by her husband, McMurray
Knight.
Mrs. Knight will lie in state at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, and the family
will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:30 until 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. She
will remain at the funeral home until time for services.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
__________
Britney Alison Owens
(DADEVILLE) Funeral services for Britney Alison Owens, 7, of Dadeville, formerly
of Roanoke, were Tuesday, Nov. 1, 1994, at 3 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with
the Revs. Paul Conway and Ellis Jackson officiating. Burial was at Flat Rock Methodist
Church Cemetery, Woodland.
The child died Sunday, Oct. 30, at her home after an extended illness.
She is survived by her mother and step-father, Rita Kay and Michael Robinson of
Dadeville; her father and step-mother, Donald and Patricia Owens of Woodland;
grandparents James and Alice B. Owens of Roanoke, Virginia Robinson of Alex City,
Myrtle Robinson of Alex City and Junior and Evelyn Clifton of Woodland; a sister, Kim
Owens of Alex City; a brother[,] Thad Owens of Woodland; and a step-brother, Scott
Daniel of Franklin, Ga.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Ralph Russell Jones Sr.
(ROANOKE) Ralph Russell Jones Sr., 83, of Yancey Street, Roanoke, died Tuesday,
Nov. 1, 1994, in Randolph County Hospital, Roanoke.
Graveside services will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Auburn, at 10 a.m. Thursday,
Nov. 3, with Rev. Milton Booth officiating.
Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sara Jones of Roanoke; one son, Ralph Jones
Jr. of Roanoke; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary
Birchfield of Birmingham.
A native of DeKalb County, Ala., he lived in Auburn for a number of years, having
moved to Roanoke 14 years ago. He was a former director of the Extension Service at
Auburn University and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Roanoke.
Mr. Jones will lie in state at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, and the family will
receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.
The family requests that donations be made to First United Methodist Church,
Roanoke. No flowers will be accepted.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
November 9, 1994
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Lawson D. Benefield, 102
(ROANOKE) Lawson D. Benefield, 102, of Rt. 3, Roanoke, died Sunday, November
6, 1994 in Traylor Nursing Home, Roanoke after an extended illness.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Liberty Grove Congregational
Methodist Church, with Revs. Cloyse Johnson and Bobby Jones officiating. Burial will
follow in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Benefield is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Pauline B. Jackson of LaGrange,
Ga., and Mrs. Orene B. Crenshaw of Apopka, Fla.; five sons, Douglas Vas D. V.
Benefield of Roanoke, Dorsey L. Benefield of LaGrange, Ralph Benefield of Wedowee,
Edward Z. E. Z. Benefield of Lineville and Donald E. Benefield of Wedowee; and
19 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Freeman Mills, John D. Benefield, Philip D. Benefield, Glenda Ann
B. Woodham, Ted M. Jackson, Gary Scott Benefield and Timothy D. Benefield.
Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren and members of the Wedowee Senior
Citizens.
Mr. Benefield will lie in state at Benefield Funeral Home, and the family will receive
friends until one hour prior to funeral services. He will lie in state at the church for one
hour.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, is in charge of arrangements.
__________
W. L. Joe' Graben
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for W. L. Joe Graben, 75, of Roanoke, formerly of
Clay County, were Monday, Nov. 7, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel,
with the Revs. Cecil Halsey and Bernard Fuller officiating. Burial was at Barfield Baptist
Church cemetery in Clay County.
Mr. Graben died Saturday, Nov. 5, at his home.
A Clay County native, Mr. Graben was born July 13, 1919, son of Floyd and Eula
Ingram Graben. He was an army veteran of WWII and had worked as owner/manager of a
gasoline station.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Lena East Graben of Roanoke; two daughters, Ms.
Jean Graben of Huntsville and Mrs. Gail Graben Dean of Dover, N.H.; a granddaughter,
Susan Dean of Dover; and a brother, Sanford Delyn Graben of Oxford.
Pallbearers were Dennis East, Ed Mitchell, Jerry Harris, Keith Graben and Daniel
Graben.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Charlie H. Mitchell
(WADLEY) Graveside services for Charlie H. Mitchell, 68, of Wadley were Tuesday,
Nov. 8, 1994, at 11 a.m. at New Harmony Christian Church, with the Rev. Gordon Taylor
and Chaplain Lanita Cotney officiating.
Mr. Mitchell died Sunday, Nov. 6, at his residence. He was a native of Clay County
and a former resident of Anniston, where he lived for most of his life. He had lived in
Randolph County for the past two years. Mr. Mitchell was a truck driver for Brown
Construction in Anniston.
He is survived by two daughters, Jean Hulsey of Anniston and Angie Pearl of Wadley;
one son, Ted Mitchell of Wadley; five sisters, Fanny Burke and Jane Teal of Newnan, Ga.,
Frances Cooper of Oxford, Florence Watts of Franklin, Ga., and Audrey Brown of
Lineville; one brother, Acie Mitchell of Lineville; and his former wife, Joyce Mitchell of
Wadley. Mr. Mitchell was preceded in death by a son, Charles Mitchell.
Pallbearers were Leon Rogers, Mark Mitchell, David Mitchell, Danny Mitchell, Stacy
Mitchell, J. E. Brown, Ricky Cooper and Phillip Alexander.
Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Rhoda Mae Waters
(WEDOWEE) Rhoda Mae Waters, 94, of Wedowee died suddenly on Thursday,
Nov. 3, 1994, at her residence.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday at Morrison's Chapel United Methodist
Church, with the Rev. Cloyse Johnson and Minister Gerald Romine officiating. Burial was
in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Waters is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mavis Pettus of Birmingham and Mrs.
Mary Evelyn Ward of Wedowee; one son, Truman Waters of Conroe, Texas; nine
grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were David Waters, Joel Waters, Steven Waters, Jack B. Ward Jr., Russell
Lowery, James Kennemer, Wendell Morrison, Kermit White and Paul White.
Honorary pallbearers were Folsom senior citizens.
Mrs. Waters was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. She was preceded
in death by her husband, Larkin Waters, one son, Maurice C. Waters, and one daughter,
Louise Waters Harrison. She was a homemaker and a member of Morrison's Chapel
United Methodist Church.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of the arrangements.
__________
James Dwight Teague
(OXFORD) Services for James Dwight Teague, 71, of Oxford were at 11 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 3, 1994, at First United Methodist Church, Oxford, with the Revs. Mark
Lacey and J. D. Boyd officiating. Interment was in Forest Lawn Gardens.
Mr. Teague died Tuesday, Nov. 1, at his residence.
A resident of Oxford for 35 years, he was a member of Oxford First United Methodist
Church, administrative board member, lay minister, and for 25 years a Sunday school
teacher. He was a Mason, Shriner, past president of Calhoun County Cattlemen's
Association, member of Cheaha Vintage Auto Club, former manager of Thompson
Tractor Co., former owner and president of Teague Tractor Co., Inc. and veteran of
World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Lurlene H. Teague of Oxford; one daughter, Shelia T. Allen
of Anniston; one sister, Erma Rae Billve of Dublin, Ga.; two brothers, Winston W.
Richardson of Roanoke and Leo C. Teague of Gray, Ga.; and one grandson, Jeff Abbott
of Oxford.
Arrangements were by Miller Funeral Home, Oxford.
__________
Irene W. Bishop
(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Irene W. Bishop, 72, of LaGrange, Ga., died Thursday evening,
Nov. 3, 1994, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange.
Mrs. Bishop was born April 2, 1922, in Roanoke, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs.
John R. Whitley. She had made her home in LaGrange for the past 30 years. She was the
wife of the late Eddie Paul Bishop, a member of Teaver Road Baptist Church, and a
former employee of International Playtex.
Survivors include a son, Robert P. Bishop Sr. and a grandson, Robert P. Bishop Jr.,
both of Hurricane, W.Va.
The funeral was Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. in the LaGrange Chapel of Striffler-Hamby
Mortuary, with the Rev. Heflin Daniel officiating. Interment was in Cedarwood Cemetery
in Roanoke.
Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in LaGrange.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
November 16, 1994
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Allen Taylor Yearta
(ROCK MILLS) Funeral services for Allen Taylor Yearta, 66, of Rock Mills will be
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Bethany Lime Christian Church, with the Rev.
Stanley Yarbrough officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Mr. Yearta died Monday, Nov. 14, at his home.
A former resident of Heard County, Ga., Mr. Yearta was a Troup County, Ga., native,
born Nov. 22, 1927.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. June Foster Yearta of Rock Mills; two daughters, Mrs.
Alecia Reese of LaGrange, Ga., and Ms. Patricia Yearta of Rock Mills; three sons,
Charles Yearta of Lithia Springs, Ga., and Larry Yearta and Gary Yearta, both of
Douglasville, Ga.; four sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Adams of LaGrange, Mrs. Nancy Cook and
Mrs. Tommie Cook of Whitesburg, Ga., and Mrs. Albany Tolin of Griffin, Ga.; seven
grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and four step-children.
The body will lie in state at the church for one hour beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Chattahoochee Hospice.
Pallbearers will be Larry Bailey, Bobby Kirby, Johnny Anglin, Greg Benefield, Tommy
Reese and Rayford Johnson.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements.
__________
Ben Winston
(ROANOKE) Ben Winston, 81, of Roanoke died Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1994. Funeral
services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Welch,
with the Rev. L. B. Houston and the Rev. Rodney Turner officiating. Burial was in the
church cemetery.
Mr. Winston was born in Chambers County on Mar. 16, 1913, the fifth of 14 children
of the late Rob and Georgie Delanice Winston. Ten of his siblings preceded him in death,
as did his wife, the late Ora Crowley Winston. He was a member of Canaan Missionary
Baptist Church.
Mr. Winston is survived by two sons, John W. Winston and Charlie Robert Winston of
Atlanta; two daughters, Mrs. Addie Nolan of Lorain, Ohio, and Ms. Ora Mae Winston of
Elynio [Elyria?], Ohio; a step-mother, Mrs. Emma Winston of Cleveland, Ohio; three
sisters, Mrs. Lacy Jones of Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. Hattie Watson of Cleveland, and Mrs.
Mattie Ruth Paige of Atlanta; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Kenny Owensby, Michael Cameron, Troy Ware, Rowe Winston,
Anthony Foster and Joe Lee Johnson.
Vines Funeral Home of LaFayette was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Calvin Tab McFarlin
(ROANOKE) Calvin Tab McFarlin, 67, of Roanoke died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1994, at
East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov.
12, at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Rodney Turner and the Rev.
Authur Thomas officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. McFarlin was born May 11, 1927, in Chambers County, the son of the late Rev. N.
M. and Mrs. Clemmie Hines McFarlin. He served on the trustee board, deacon board and
sang in the senior choir of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, and later joined Mt. Nebo
Baptist Church, Cusseta, where he was a member of the evangelistic and senior choirs and
the deacon board.
Mr. McFarlin's wife, Mary Edith Dorothy Thompson McFarlin, and a daughter,
preceded him in death.
Surviving are two sons, Tech. Sgt. Larry McFarlin of Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.,
and Hayward McFarlin of El Paso, Texas; two daughters, Mrs. Mary M. Sanders of
Roanoke and Mrs. Helen L. Baker of LaGrange, Ga.; one sister, Mrs. Sadie Cooper of
Lester, W. Va.; one brother, Joe H. McFarlin of Atlanta; 15 grandchildren; and
nine great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Harold McFarlin, Charles McFarlin, Thomas Morgan, Walter
McGuire, James Allen and Jimmy Allen. Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of the Mt.
Nebo and Canaan churches.
Vines Funeral Home of LaFayette was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Loneta M. Pope
(DADEVILLE) Funeral services for Loneta M. Pope, 79, of Dadeville were at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1994, at Langley Funeral Home Chapel in Dadeville, with Bro. Ken
Griffin officiating. Burial was at Randolph County Memory Gardens at 1 p.m.
Mrs. Pope died Sunday, Nov. 13, at her residence. A native of Randolph County, she
was born May 6, 1915, daughter of the late Wyatt and Capitola Yates Mickle. She was a
homemaker and was a member of New Life Baptist Church.
Survivors are two sons, Jerry Pope of Dadeville and Robert W. Pope of Stockbridge,
Ga.; one brother, Charlie Mickle of Roanoke; two sisters, Myrt Edge of Atmore and
Virginia Cavender of West Point, Ga.; and four grandchildren and seven great-
grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to New Life Baptist Church Building Fund or to
Hospice of Alex City.
Arrangements were by Langley Funeral Home, Dadeville.
__________
Euna Alsabrook
(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Euna Alsabrook, 72, of LaGrange died Monday, Nov. 14, 1994,
at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Alsabrook, wife of the late Melvin Alsabrook, was born in Randolph County,
Ala., on Dec. 1, 1921, daughter of the late Noah Joseph and Mary Prestridge Causey.
She spent most of her life in LaGrange, where she was retired from the Dixie Division
of West Point Pepperell Mfg. Co., was a member of East LaGrange Baptist Church, and
served as a volunteer Senior Companion at West Point Medical Center.
The funeral service will be at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel in LaGrange at 11 a.m.
EST on Thursday, Nov. 17, with the Revs. Heflin Daniel and Jay Knight officiating.
Interment was [sic - will be] at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in Randolph County.
Survivors include two daughters, Gwendolyn McCormick of LaGrange and Melissa
Riley of Spartanburg, S.C.; three grandchildren, Ronnie McCormick of LaGrange and
Jeremy and Amanda Riley of Spartanburg; three sisters, Carrie Gay of LaGrange and
Octava Alsabrook and Obera Drummond of Roanoke; one brother, Austin Causey of
Warner Robins, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
The body of Mrs. Alsabrook will be at the Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home. The
family will be at their home, 1010 Dunson Street, and will receive friends at the funeral
home Wednesday evening from 7 until 9 EST.
__________
Izora Bishop
(WADLEY) Funeral services for Izora W. Bishop, 95, of Rt. 2, Wadley, were
Monday, Nov. 14, 1994, at 11 a.m. from Darian Primitive Baptist Church in Tallapoosa
County, with the Rev. Maynard Mooney and Elder Roy Avery officiating. Burial was at
the church cemetery.
Mrs. Bishop died Saturday, Nov. 12, at Chapman Nursing Home in Alexander City.
A Chambers County native and lifelong resident, Mrs. Bishop was born Jan. 26, 1899,
daughter of William I. and Mary Alice Fant Willoughby. She was a homemaker and a
member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Charlene B. Cotney of Alex City; a son, Buford
Bishop of Wedowee; a sister, Mrs. Enoree Sims of Wadley; six grandchildren;
nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Richard Lucas, David Bishop, Calvin Bishop, Willard Bishop, Ralph
Barker and Howard Welch.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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Eunice Mildred Sherrel
(JULIETTE, Ga.) Graveside services for Eunice Mildred Sherrel, 81, of Juliette, Ga.,
formerly of Ellenwood, Ga., were held Thursday, Nov. 10, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Mt.
Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church cemetery, with Rev. Olin McClain officiating.
Mrs. Sherrel died Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Sherrel was born Aug. 17, 1913, daughter of William
Nichols and Maude Pinkard Simonton. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include two sons, Dion Daughtery of Rex, Ga., and Douglas Daughtery of
Juliette, Ga.; a brother, Clyde Dorsey Simonton of Abbottsford, Ga.; seven grandchildren
and seven great-grandchildren.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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The Randolph Leader
November 23, 1994
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OBITUARIES:
Viola Foster Benefield
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Mrs. Viola Foster Benefield, 88, of Roanoke were
Friday, Nov. 18, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Roanoke First Baptist Church, with Dr. Douglas
Turner officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Benefield died Wednesday, Nov. 16, at her home.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Benefield was born May 31, 1906, daughter of
Charlie W. and LaVicie Marshall Foster. She was a retired teacher and a member of the
Roanoke First Baptist Church and the Joy Club.
Survivors include her husband, Stell Benefield of Roanoke; a son, Stell F. Benefield of
Mt. Olive; two grandchildren, John H. Benefield of Auburn and Mrs. Elizabeth B. Beasley
of Gardendale; and a grandson-in-law, Michael Beasley, also of Gardendale.
Pallbearers were Junior Huey, Gilbert Marshall, Richard Harlin, James Fisher, Clifford
Burns and Bud Bailey. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Art Thompson and the
deacons of Roanoke First Baptist Church.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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Henry Calvin Vinson
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Henry Calvin Vinson, 78, of Route 2, Roanoke,
were Sunday, Nov. 20, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Dr.
Douglas Turner and the Revs. Frank Sledge and Tom Heap officiating. Burial was at
Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mr. Vinson died Friday, Nov. 18, at his home.
A native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, Mr. Vinson was born Nov. 7, 1916,
son of Calvin Jefferson and Edna Hudson Vinson. He was a self-employed dairyman and a
member of Roanoke First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Byrda
Louise Vinson, and a brother, Horace Vinson.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Norma Jean Vinson Gross of Roanoke; a son, W.
Calvin Vinson of Carrollton, Ga.; two sisters, Mrs. Lucile Vinson Camp and Mrs. Mildred
Vinson Stewart, both of Montgomery; two brothers, Hoyt Vinson and Tom Vinson, both
of Roanoke; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were grandsons of Mr. Vinson.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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Ida Estelle Conway
(GADSDEN) Mrs. Ida Estelle Conway, 90, of Gadsden, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 1994,
at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Conway was a homemaker, a former owner of Conway Grocery Store in the
Woodlawn section of Birmingham, where she resided for more than 60 years, and a
former member of Woodlawn Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Jack Conway. She was a resident of Russellville prior to moving to Gadsden.
Graveside services at Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham were Tuesday, Nov. 22, at
2 p.m., with Rev. Patrick Wingo officiating.
Survivors include one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Conway McGarity of Rainbow City;
one son, Elliott Harvey Conway of Russellville; one sister, Julia Frank Hodge of Mobile;
and six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Collier-Butler Funeral Home of Gadsden.
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Margaret Grace Weathers Howard
(MACON, Ga.) Funeral services for Margaret Grace Weathers Howard, 66, of Macon,
Ga., formerly of Randolph County, will be Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1994, at 1 p.m. Central
time from Springfield Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steve Sawyer and Cliff Howard
officiating. Burial will follow at the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Howard died Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in
Macon.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Howard was born April 20, 1928, daughter of
Grover C. and Shannon Stitt Weathers.
Survivors include her husband, George Howard of Macon; three daughters, Mrs.
Sandra Thompson and Mrs. Shannon Duran of Macon and Mrs. Gwen Keys of Lizella,
Ga.; two sons, Grover Howard of Greencoe Springs, Fla., and Cliff Howard of Macon;
a sister, Mrs. Louise Sudduth of Roanoke; a brother, Grover Weathers of LaGrange, Ga.;
11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The body will lie in state at the church for one hour beginning at 12 noon on
Wednesday.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements.
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Willie Bessie Johnson
(ROANOKE) Willie Bessie Johnson, 68, of Roanoke died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1994, at
University of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham.
Survivors include one step-son, Willie Frank Johnson of Roanoke; one aunt, Willie
Mae Smith of LaGrange, Ga.; one sister-in-law, Mary Holliday of Roanoke; and one
niece, Annie Lee Hill of Roanoke.
Services for Mrs. Johnson were Friday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. from Silmon Mortuary
Chapel, with Rev. George L. Silmon officiating. Interment was in East Roanoke
Cemetery.
Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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Ara Clark Gay
(GLENN, Ga.) Funeral services for Ara Clark Gay, 76, of Glenn, Ga., were Tuesday,
Nov. 22, 1994, at 2 p.m. from Springfield Baptist Church, with the Rev. S. T. Janney
officiating. Burial was at the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Gay died Saturday, Nov. 19, at her home.
A Randolph County native and former resident of Big Springs, Mrs. Gay was born
Aug. 19, 1918, daughter of John and Dale Webb Brown. She was a homemaker and a
member of Springfield Baptist Church. Her husband, Ernest Clinton Gay, preceded her in
death.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Louise Kausch of LaGrange, Ga., and Mrs.
Letha Mae Trainer of Glenn; two sons, David E. Gay of Lanett and James L. Gay of
Glenn; three sisters, Mrs. Flosie Patterson of Douglasville, Ga., Mrs. Mary Cunningham of
Newnan, Ga., and Mrs. Gladys Brown of Atlanta; two brothers, G. W. Brown of Jasper
and Robert Brown of Florida; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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The Randolph Leader
November 30, 1994
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OBITUARIES:
Gloria Laneta Gray
(WEDOWEE) Gloria Laneta Nita Gray, 46, of Route 2, Wedowee, died suddenly
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1994, in Carraway Medical Center, Birmingham.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at Mt. Grove Baptist Church, with
Revs. Charley Bolt and Donald Spradlin officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Gray is survived by her husband, James W. Gray of Wedowee; two daughters,
Tammy Loveless and Crystal Forehand of Wedowee; one son, James Brian Gray of
Wedowee; her mother, Mrs. Mary Kellum and her step-father, Horace Kellum, both of
Lineville; seven sisters, Shirley Waldrop of Roanoke, Sue Garner of Marietta, Ga.,
Kathleen Jones of Sylacauga, Doris Caldwell of Bowdon, Ga., Frances Teal of Franklin,
Ga., Carolyn Fordham of Heflin and Joyce Edmondson of Prattville; three brothers,
William Bolt of Birmingham, Rev. Charley Bolt of Opelika and Gerald Bolt of Roanoke.
Pallbearers were Jamey Gray, Kenneth Spradlin, Larry Knight, Jason Caldwell,
Chuckie Holloway, Junior Holloway and Scott Whaley.
Mrs. Gray was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. She was manager of
Bill's Dollar Store in Wedowee for 13 years and a foster parent for the Randolph County
area for a number of years. She was a substitute teacher in the Randolph County school
system and was employed as a physician recruit in Carrolton, Ga.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
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Arlie Lee Smith
(FIVE POINTS) Funeral services for Arlie Lee Smith, 71, of Five Points, formerly of
East Point, Ga., were Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1994, at 3 p.m. from Bethel Baptist Church,
with the Revs. Yancey Sanders and Vernon Brown officiating. Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mr. Smith died Monday, Nov. 21, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika.
A native of Woodland, Mr. Smith was born Feb. 22, 1923, son of Roy and Gertrude
Prescott Smith. He was an army veteran of WWII, a former POW, a former employee of
Crown Cork & Seal, and a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ruth Smith of Five Points; a daughter, Mrs. Diane
Kendrick of LaFayette; a son, J. Michael Smith, also of LaFayette; a sister, Mrs. Kate
Carroll of Senoia, Ga.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Randall Kendrick, Shane Smith, Steve Golden, Robert Cunningham,
Robert Jenkins and W. B. Berry.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, was in charge of arrangements.
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John Loys Johnson
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for John Loys Johnson, 81, of Rt. 1, Roanoke, will be
Thursday, Dec. 1, 1994, at 2 p.m. from White's Chapel Methodist Church, with Revs.
Don Quick and Stoney Halsey officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Mr. Johnson died Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Randolph County Hospital in Roanoke.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Johnson was born May 11, 1913, son of John and
Hassie Kirby Johnson. He was an army veteran of World War II, a farmer and a member
of White's Chapel Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Sue Brown Johnson of Roanoke; a son, Gregory
Johnson of Roanoke; a grandson, Kris Johnson of Roanoke; and a sister, Mrs. Loette
Jones of Cragford.
The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 1 to 8 p.m. on
Wednesday. The body will lie in state at the church for one hour beginning at 1 p.m.
Thursday.
Pallbearers will be Fred May, Phil Sheppard, Wayne Ward, Dewayne Satterwhite,
Bobby Crabtree and James Ussery.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements.
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Robert Gerald Higgins
(ROANOKE) Robert Gerald Higgins, 71, of Rt. 3, Roanoke, died Monday, Nov. 28,
1994, in Randolph County Hospital, Roanoke, after an extended illness.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Big Springs Baptist Church,
with Rev. David Daniel officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Higgins is survived by his wife, Mrs. Irene F. Higgins of Roanoke; one daughter,
Mrs. Sandra Gail Sprayberry of Woodland; two sons, Dennis Dwain Higgins and Randy
Bryan Higgins, both of Roanoke; eight grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Myrl Hammond of
Roanoke; and one brother, Hugh Heritz Higgins of Eufaula.
Pallbearers will be nephews and grandsons.
Mr. Higgins was a native of Carroll County, Ga. He lived in Birmingham for a number
of years and had lived in Randolph County for the past 16 years. A veteran of World War
II, he was a member of Big Springs Baptist Church, the American Legion and VFW, and
was retired as a freight mechanic.
Mr. Higgins will lie in state at Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, and the family will
receive friends there until time for removal to Big Springs Baptist Church, where he will
lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the funeral service.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was [sic - is] in charge of arrangements.
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Francis Arthur Bud' Green
(NEWELL) Francis Arthur Bud Green, 56, of Rt. 1, Newell, died Friday, Nov. 25,
1994, at his residence after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28, at Jordan's Chapel Southern
Congregational Methodist Church, with the Rev. Harvey Garner and the Rev. Julian
Murphy officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Green is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jo Ann Green of Newell; one daughter, Donna
Williams of Newell; one sister, Mrs. Elois Patterson of Newell; two brothers, Thomas
Green of Hightower and Elbert Green of Newell; and one grandson, Adam Green of
Newell.
Pallbearers were Tony Bryant, Darryl Green, Steve Green, Earl Bryant, Mark
Patterson and Jerry Patterson.
Mr. Green was a native of Cleburne County who had lived most of his life in Randolph
County. He attended Zion Church of God and was a farmer.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
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