Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during December 2001, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/200112L.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: Marilyn M. Girardi <MMGir@aol.com> ============================================= January 2002 The Roanoke Leader December 5, 2001 __________________ OBITUARIES: Andy Moore (WADLEY) Services for Andy Moore, 19, of Wadley were Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001, at Mt. Gilead United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ray Franklin and the Rev. Jimmy Brand officiating. Burial was in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Mr. Moore died Thursday, Nov. 29, at Randolph Medical Center, Roanoke. He was born in Lee County, but was a lifelong resident of Randolph County, a graduate of Wadley High School and a member of Mt. Gilead United Methodist Church. He touched many lives with his musical talent and loved nature, animals, family and friends. He was a humble person who was loved by many. He is survived by his father and mother, Robert and Jane Moore of Wadley; two sisters, Kristin Michele Moore of Roanoke and Robin Leanne Hodges of Wadley; one niece; one nephew; and several aunts and uncles. Pallbearers were Joel Moore, Danny Moore, Terry Moore, Ben Kraus, Brandon Christian and Blake Christian. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Lineville. __________ Leonard Whitman Bonner (CULLMAN) Leonard Whitman Bonner, 84, of Cullman died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001, at his home. Services were at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m., with burial in Welti cemetery. The Rev. Randy Sellers officiated. Surviving are his wife, Mildred Harris Bonner of Cullman; a son, Jerry Bonner of Cullman; a brother, Gerson Bonner of Roanoke; two sisters, Virginia Jackson and Lera Pearl Bonner of Rock Mills, three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Mr. Bonner was born Sept. 17, 1917, son of the late Joseph and Lurlene Vineyard Bonner. He was a salesman and served as a deacon in Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, Donald Bonner; two brothers, James and Aubrey Bonner; and a sister, Bessie Maud Bonner. Arrangements were by Moss Service Funeral Home, Cullman. __________ William Handley Lovvorn (NEWELL) Services for William Handley Lovvorn, 97, of Newell will be at 2 p.m. CST, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at Antioch Baptist Church, with the Revs. Gold Cofield and Joey Gay officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Lovvorn died Monday, Dec. 3, at the Heritage House in Roanoke. A lifelong resident of Randolph County, he was born on May 20, 1904, son of Thomas J. and Polly Smith Ridley Lovvorn. He was owner of Lovvorn and Company Store for 54 years, was a Navy veteran and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eura Johnson Lovvorn, and a daughter, Polly Lovvorn Anderson. Survivors include a daughter, Julia Ann Kirby of Newell; a son, Fred Handley Lovvorn of Wetumpka; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home in Wedowee from 5 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5. Mr. Lovvorn will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the services. Memorials may be floral or donations can be made to the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. Pallbearers will be Paul Kirby, Keith Adamson, Randall Lovvorn, Freddy Lovvorn, George Dyar and Billy Fred Lipham. Arrangements are by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader December 12, 2001 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Howle William Pinkard (VALLEY) Howle William Pinkard, 74, of Valley died Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, at his residence. Services were Thursday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. EST at Community Chapel Church of God in Lanett, with Pastor Jim Luttrell and the Rev. A. C. Weldon officiating. Burial was at Resthaven Memorial Park in Lanett. Mr. Pinkard is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Pinkard of Valley; his son, William Roy Pinkard of Lanett; two stepsons, Tim Bond of Valley and Cecil Bond of New Castle, Del.; his daughter, Pamela Pinkard Jenkins of Nickerson, Kan.; two stepdaughters, Cathy Brown of Columbus, Ga., and Carolyn Bond of New Castle; his brother, Benny Pinkard of Jackson Gap; four sisters, Della Boggas of Milton, Fla., Brenda Denton of Valley, Dot Howard of Gadsden and Janelle Powell of Spartanburg, S.C.; two grandchildren and nine stepgrandchildren. Born May 24, 1927, in Doublehead, Ala., Mr. Pinkard was a member of Community Chapel Church of God. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Chattahoochee Hospice and Community Chapel Church of God. Arrangements were by Resthaven Funeral Home, Lanett. __________ Eleanor Sue Henry (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Eleanor Sue Henry, 61, of Roanoke were Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, at 2 p.m. at High Pine Baptist Church with Eddie Baldwin, Randy Black and Russell Henry delivering the eulogy. Burial followed at the church cemetery. Mrs. Henry died Friday, Dec. 7, at her home. A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mrs. Henry was born Nov. 2, 1940, daughter of Monroe and Emma Brand Baldwin. She was a member of High Pine Baptist Church and had been employed with Palm Beach Company. Survivors include her husband, Buddy Henry of Roanoke; one daughter, Gene Cofield of Roanoke; one son, Mickey Henry of Roanoke; one sister Shirley Mitchell of Roanoke; and five grandchildren. Pallbearers were Ricky Wheeler, Kevin Baldwin, Jim Baldwin, David Baldwin, Kenneth Baldwin, Danny Baldwin, Jim Brown, Tim Cox, Randy Baldwin and Tom Cox. Steven Brown, Shane Wheeler and Clint Loveless served as honorary pallbearers. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ J. H. 'Jep' Fincher (SUMNER, Ga.) J. H. "Jep" Fincher, 76, of Sumner, Ga., died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Services were at Poulan Church of God of Prophecy on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. with interment in Poulan Cemetery. The Revs. Gordon Poole, J. W. Griffin and Clinton Fields officiated. Mr. Fincher was born in Tallapoosa County, Ala., on April 8, 1925. After living in Roanoke for a number of years, he moved to Worth County, Ga., in 1945. He retired in 1990 as owner and operator of Fincher Used Cars. He was a member of Poulan Church of God and Prophecy were he served as Sunday School superintendent. Pallbearers were Scott Posey, Michael Griffin, Jackie Wilson, Shane Posey, Todd Spence and Wade Wilson. Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Willis Fincher of Sumner; a son, Kenny L. Fincher of Sylvester, Ga.; six daughters, Helen Posey of Ocilla, Ga., Jewell Wrinkle of Shingler, Ga., Marilyn Spence of Sylvester, Charlotte Hurst and Carol Fincher of Sumner, and Georganne Lewis of Tifton, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ima Dobbins Fincher, in 1970, and by his parents, Wiley and Emma Mann Fincher. Arrangements were by Banks Funeral Home, Sylvester, Ga. __________ Jimmy Wayne Kelley (RANBURNE) Jimmy Wayne Kelley Jr., 32, of Ranburne died Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at his residence. Services were at Rock Springs Baptist Church on Monday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Gary Stewart and Mr. Bob Cole officiating. Burial was at Rock Springs Cemetery. Mr. Kelley was a native of Bowdon, Ga., born June 26, 1969, and a resident of Ranburne for most of his life. He was a graduate of Randolph County High School and was employed as a carpenter. Pallbearers were Christopher Butler, Derrick Davis, David Hewitt, Cliff Langley, Scott McCormick and Lance Merrill. Survivors include his father, Jimmy Wayne Kelley Sr. of Ranburne; his stepmother, Carolyn Kelley of Ranburne; his mother, Myra Kelley of Newell; his ex-wife, Elicia Kelley of Ranburne; a son and daughter, Jake and Jessica Kelley of Ranburne; a brother, Bret Kelley of Ranburne; a sister, Melissa Kelley of Wedowee; grandmothers, Ethel Kelley of Bowdon and Louise Lovvorn of Newell; a stepdaughter, Stephanie Chambers of Ranburne; and a special friend, Donna Benefield of Wedowee. Arrangements were by Dryden Funeral Home, Ranburne Chapel. __________ Henry Jackson Halsey (ROANOKE) Services for Henry Jackson Halsey, 48, of Roanoke were Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Cecil Halsey officiating. Burial was at New Hope Congregational Christian Church cemetery in Chambers County. Mr. Halsey died Sunday, Dec 9, at Huntsville Hospital. A West Point, Ga., native, Mr. Halsey was born Dec. 23, 1952, son of John Henry and Annie Thomas Halsey. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Calvin Halsey. He is survived by three sisters, Martha "Marty" Mapp of Roanoke, Laura McGraw of LaGrange and Trudy Mapp of Wadley. Pallbearers were Jerry Mapp, Wayne Mapp, Timothy Cox, Mike McGraw, Eddie McGraw and Sam McGraw. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Rufus R. Richardson (WOODLAND) Services for Rufus R. Richardson, 77, of Woodland, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at Napoleon Church of Christ, with Bro. Terry Langley officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Richardson died Monday, Dec. 10, at Wedowee Hospital. He was born in Randolph County on Jan. 19, 1924, son of Walker and Lola Smith Richardson. He had been employed in the construction business and was a member of Napoleon Church of Christ. Survivors include a half-brother, Joe "Curly" Hayes Jr. of Woodland, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Richardson will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the services. Pallbearers will be nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be the male members of the Napoleon Church of Christ. Arrangements are by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Shane Freeman (WOODLAND) Funeral services for Shane Freeman, 18, of Woodland were at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at Benefield Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Earl Rollins officiating. Burial followed at Potash Cemetery. Mr. Freeman died Wednesday, Dec. 5, in Cleburne County. He was born in Carroll County, Ga., on Sept. 4, 1983, son of Elton and Gail Buchanan Freeman. He had been employed in the construction business and was a member of Zion Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Harvey Freeman. Survivors include his parents, Elton and Gail Freeman of Woodland, a sister, Page Freeman of Woodland; and grandparents, Myrtice Freeman of Woodland and Daniel and Loriane Buchanan of Bowdon, Ga. Pallbearers were Andy Harrington, Eddie Harrington, Marvin Downs, William Downs, Joseph Hayes and Jodie Eason. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Dorothy Folsom Handley (BIRMINGHAM) Graveside services for Dorothy Folsom Handley, 88, of Birmingham, formerly of Roanoke, were Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001, at Cedarwood Cemetery, with the Rev. Tex Ergle officiating. Mrs. Handley died Saturday, Dec. 8, at Baptist Montclair Medical Center. A Lee County native, Mrs. Handley was born Oct. 2, 1913, daughter of the Rev. Douglas L. and Lillian Hart Folsom. She was a member of Center Point United Methodist Church in Birmingham and had worked as a home service advisor with Alabama Power Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Handley. Survivors include one daughter, Amelia Nettles of Birmingham; two sisters, Bessie Spurgeon of Birmingham and Reba Mannix of Sacramento, Calif.; four brothers, Douglas L. Folsom Jr. of Prescott, Ariz., Dr. James C. Folsom of California, Dr. Walter C. Folsom of Tuscaloosa and John L. Folsom of Flomaton; three grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader December 19, 2001 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Sheila D. Ware Hardnett (ROANOKE) Sheila D. Ware Hardnett, 42, of Roanoke died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange. Survivors include her husband, Charles Hardnett of Wadley; a daughter, Skyler Hardnett of Roanoke; her parents, Edward and Earnestine Ware of Bacon Level; four brothers, Dennis Ware and Eddy Ware of Roanoke, Dwight Ware of Charleston, S.C., and the Rev. Eric Ware of Carrollton, Ga.; and several other relatives and friends. Mrs. Hardnett was born Dec. 3, 1959, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ware. She was a native of Randolph County and a graduate of Randolph County High School. She was a loyal and devoted lifelong member of Friendship Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board and in many other capacities. She earned master's degrees from Auburn University in educational psychology and learning disabilities. She worked for several years in education in Georgia before returning to Randolph County. Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Kyle Blackmon (ROANOKE) Services for Kyle Blackmon 8, of Roanoke were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, with the Revs. Ricky Emery, Derick Farr and Shannon Mann officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens. Kyle died Friday, Dec. 14, at Children's Hospital in Birmingham. He was born in Birmingham on Feb. 10, 1993, son of James Dwight and Janie Ruth Earnest Blackmon. He was a student and a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Survivors include his parents; three sisters, Crystal Blackmon, Mary Earnest and Nicole Blackmon, all of Roanoke; a brother, Timothy Blackmon of Roanoke; and grandparents, Jimmy and Opoal Blackmon of Roanoke, Melba Earnest of Roanoke, and Robert Earnest of Woodland. Pallbearers were Chris Cochran, Cody Cochran, James Norred, Daryl Farr, Derick Boseman and David Sudduth. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Clois Holloway Moon (WEDOWEE) Services for Clois Holloway Moon, 87, of Wedowee were Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Rocky Branch Baptist Church, with the Rev. Clayton Scott and the Rev. Lenden Fields officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Moon died Saturday, Dec. 15, at Wedowee Hospital. Mrs. Moon was a native of Randolph County, born June 22, 1914, daughter of Ben Edgar Holloway and Kenny Banford Holloway. Mrs. Moon was a member of Rocky Branch Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Moon. Mrs. Moon is survived by two sons, Willie B. Moon of Wedowee and Duwayne Moon of LaGrange, Ga.; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and five great-great- grandchildren. Pallbearers were Rick Moon, George Smith, Robbie Hampton, Luke Moon, Will Moon and Daryl Moon. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Pearl Mays (ATLANTA, Ga.) Services for Pearl Mays, 87, of Atlanta, formerly of Phenix City and Roanoke, were Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Cecil Halsey officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Mays died Saturday, Dec. 15, at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. A Randolph County native, Mrs. Mays was born Jan. 25, 1914, daughter of Wyatt and Mollie Mitchum Henry. She was a member of West End Baptist Church in Atlanta and had been employed with Dorch Baking Company. Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Morris of Norcross, Ga.; three sisters, Iva Folsom and Virginia Pike of Roanoke and Marjorie Schilef of Atlanta; two brothers, Glen Henry of Roanoke and Jimmy Henry of Valley; three grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Pallbearers were Jimmy Henry, Mike Estes, Steve Pike, Jerry Pike, Gary Pike and Nathan McClure. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Billie Jim Ledbetter (ROANOKE) Services for Mrs. Billie Jim Ledbetter, 88, of Roanoke, formerly of Wedowee, were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at Roanoke First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Tex Ergle officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery. Mrs. Ledbetter died Monday, Dec. 17, at Randolph Medical Center in Roanoke. Mrs. Ledbetter was born in Ranodlph County on Feb. 17, 1913, daughter of Robert Ross Benefield and Roxie Strain Benefield. She was a homemaker, a pastor's wife, and a member of United Methodist Women and the Philathea Sunday School Class at Roanoke First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. George B. Ledbetter. Survivors include a brother, Dallas Benefield of LaGrange, Ga., and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Roanoke First United Methodist Church, Family Life Center Fund, P.O. Box 40, Roanoke, AL 36274. Pallbearers were Roy Reaves, Robert Ford, Sam Wylie, Cecil Brown, Bud Bailey and Tommy Hill. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ McKinley Johnson (WEDOWEE) McKinley "Ken" Johnson, 71, of County Road 15, Wedowee, died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at his residence. Services will be Saturday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, Wedowee, with Elder Thomas Knight, pastor, and the Rev. R. L. Heflin, eulogist, officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Survivors include two sisters, Ms. Adella Johnson O'Neal of Wedowee and Ms. Maudine Johnson Holloway of Anniston; two brothers, Joe Louis Johnson of Anniston and Charles Johnson of Dayton, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visiting hours will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service on Friday, Dec. 21, after 10 a.m. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the services. Mr. Johnson was born in Malone on Oct. 15, 1930, son of the late Joe and Lillie Mae Davenport Johnson. He is preceded in death by four brothers and one sister. Mr. Johnson was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army, retiring as a sergeant. He later was employed by Randolph County and by Roanoke City Schools, and also worked in the textile industry in Carrollton, Ga. Mr. Johnson was forced to limit his activities due to declining health and spent the past several years (since 1983) in the home of his sister, Ms. Adella O'Neal and her family, who were his care givers. Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Benny Frank Mann (ROANOKE) Services for Benny Frank Mann, 72, of Roanoke were Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Radney's Funeral Home Chapel in Alexander City. The Rev. Bill Brown officiated. Burial was in the Alex City Cemetery. Mr. Mann died Dec. 15 at Lanier Memorial Hospital in Valley. He was born in Tallapoosa County to Lee Ander and Mamie Jarvis Mann. Mr. Mann attended Police Academy in Montgomery and worked with the Alex City, Goodwater and Roanoke police departments for a number of years. He worked for 20 years at Candlewick Yarns and with Russell Corporation. Mr. Mann is survived by two daughters, Rita Smith and Linda Bailey of Valley; one son, Tim Mann of Roanoke; three grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Murphy of Alexander City; and a number of nieces and nephews. Arrangements were by Radney's Funeral Home, Alexander City. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader December 26, 2001 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Anthony LeJeune III (ROANOKE) Services for Anthony LeJeune III, 22, of Roanoke were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at Wadley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Abi Carlisle-Wilke officiating. Burial was at Wadley City Cemetery. Mr. LeJeune died Tuesday, Dec. 18, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. He was born in Montgomery on June 5, 1979, son of Francis Anthony LeJeune Jr. and Diane Davis LeJeune. He was a member of Wadley United Methodist Church. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Mike and Diane Smith of Wadley and his father, Francis LeJeune Jr. of Athens; a half-sister, Tina Potter of Montgomery; two half-brothers, Gene Sanders of Roanoke and Frank LeJeune of Wiley, Texas; and one stepsister, Carla Smith of Wadley. Pallbearers were Kelly Baker, Denver Davis, Brandon Davidson, Rusty Burroughs, Chris Cotney and Curt Cotney. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Alma Renthy Abner (WEDOWEE) Services for Alma Renthy Abner, 76, of Wedowee were at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, with the Revs. Rickey Emery and G. K. Abner officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Miss Abner died Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke. She was born in Clay County on Jan. 28, 1924, daughter of William David and Viola Ovelta Holloway Abner. She had been employed with Sewell Manufacturing Co. and was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Survivors include four sisters, Novella Bradley, Geneva Emery and Lora A. Childers of Wedowee and Willie Jo Webb of Valley; and two brothers, Thomas Braxton Abner and Huguley and Buford Abner of Wedowee. Pallbearers were Marty Starkey, Myron McCormick, Jerry Rice, Larry Bradley, Whitman Bradley and Dave Bradley. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Mary Florence Albright (COLUMBUS, Ga.) Services for Mary Florence Albright, 96, of Columbus, Ga., formerly of LaGrange, Ga., were at 1 p.m. CST, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at Forest Home Christian Church with the Revs. Bobby Burroughs and Tim Taylor officiating. Burial followed in the adjoining church cemetery. Mrs. Albright died Thursday, Dec. 20, at Pine Manor Health Care Facility in Columbus. She was born in Randolph County on Nov. 7, 1905, daughter of Robert Lee Barfield and Sallie Yarbrough Barfield. She had been employed as a seamstress and was a member of Faith Memorial Assembly of God in Atlanta, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elton Jackson Albright, and sisters, Mae Taylor and Mattie Lou Foster. Survivors include two sons, Gordon C. Albright of Americus, Ga., and David Albright of Phenix City; three sisters, Jessie Cromie of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Ollie Gay of LaGrange and Andrey Lentz of Charlotte, N.C.; three brothers, Robert E. Barfield and Winston Barfield, both of Statesville, N.C., and A. J. Barfield of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers wee Jim Thames, Tim Brown, Kyle Brooks, Bobby Albright, Clint Stukes and Jimmy Dickerson. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Ray Melton (WEDOWEE) Services for Ray Melton, 70, of Wedowee were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at Midway United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ed Grooms officiating. Burial followed at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Bowdon, Ga. Mr. Melton died Thursday, Dec. 20, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. A lifelong resident of Randolph County, he was born on Dec. 22, 1930, son of William Riley and Mable McLeroy Melton. He had been employed at Handley Mills and was a member of Midway United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Geneva Phillips Melton of Wedowee; two daughters, Kim Traylor of Birmingham and Shawn Mitchell of Roanoke; a brother, James Melton of Wedowee; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Pallbearers were Bobby Yates, Rusty Sanders, Johnny Sanders, W. C. Pate, Chip Cofield and David Cofield. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. ______________________________________________________