Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during November 1999, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/199911L.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> ============================================= March 2002 The Randolph Leader November 3, 1999 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Dovie Mitchell Rollins (WOODLAND) Funeral services for Dovie Mitchell Rollins, 78, of Woodland were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999, at Rocky Branch Baptist Church with the Revs. Clayton Scott and Felix New officiating. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Rollins died Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Wedowee Hospital. She was born in Clay County on Jan. 2, 1921, daughter of George Washington and Effie Lou Hood Mitchell. Mrs. Rollins had been employed at Callaway Mills and was a member of Rocky Branch Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Lois Mitchell Cantrell, and a son, James Floyd Mitchell. Survivors include her husband, Carey Rollins of Woodland; a son, Bruce Mitchell of Roanoke; two step-daughters, Doris New of Wedowee and Martha Browning of Cusseta; a step-son, Russell Rollins of Woodland; a sister, Maude Johnson of Rainsville; two brothers, Jack Mitchell of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Thomas Mitchell of Spencer, Okla.; 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were grandsons. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Robert C. Laney (ROOPVILLE, Ga.) Funeral services for Robert C. Laney, 63, of Roopville, Ga., were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999, at Rainwater-West Chapel in Bowdon, Ga. The Revs. Roy Wysner and Ralph Caldwell officiated. Burial followed in Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery. Music was furnished by Ray and Dean Cates. Pallbearers were Lee Laney, Steven Laney, Bobby Kyttle, Ronnie Laney, Ricky Laney, Donnie Laney and Michael Hall. Mr. Laney died Tuesday, Oct. 26, at his residence. A Randolph County native, Mr. Laney was born Aug. 23, 1936, son of the late William Columbus and Mamie Eris Vowell Laney. He was employed by M&W Trucking Co. as a driver and was a member of Unity Church of God. He was preceded in death by a son, Jody P. Laney, and a brother, Thomas Jerry Laney. Mr. Laney is survived by two step-daughters, Babbie Kyttle of Ranburne and Sheila Calhoun of Bay City, Mich.; four brothers, Bobby Wayne and Vernon Laney of Bowdon and Chuck and James E. Laney of Carrollton, Ga.; two sisters, Sarah Gaither of Whitesburg, Ga., and Benie Walden of Columbus, Ga.; four step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by Rainwater & West Funeral Home, Bowdon. __________ Martha M. McPherson (WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Martha M. McPherson, 64, of Wedowee were at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 1999, at Mt. Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Donald Spradlin and the Rev. Eugene Akins officiating. Burial was in the adjoining church cemetery. Mrs. McPherson died Saturday, Oct. 30, at her residence following an extended illness. She was born in Oglethorpe County, Ga., on Jan. 1, 1935, daughter of John Bonner and Betty Hancock Moon. She was a former resident of Buchanan, Ga. She had been a school bus driver in Haralson County, Ga., and was a member of Mt. Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Bonner Moon, a sister, Lucy Slappy, and her parents. Survivors include her husband, Ted McPherson of Wedowee; five sons, John McPherson of Amarillo, Texas, Vernon McPherson of Calhoun, Ga., David McPherson of Bremen, Ga., and Barry McPherson and Lamar McPherson of Buchanan; six sisters, Elizabeth Miller of Waycross, Ga., Janie Sorrow and Rebecca Paul of Carlton, Ga., Eualla Bennett of Athens, Ga., and Clara Seymour and Betty Jean Waters of Comer, Ga.; one brother, Richard Moon of Fayetteville, Ga.; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Pallbearers were Kenny McPherson, Joshua McPherson, Shane McPherson, Ora McPherson, Eric Seibert and Joey Fletcher. Honorary pallbearers were Kevin Lambert, Andy Lambert and Jamie McPherson. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ David Earl Ratliff Jr. (WOODLAND) Funeral services for David Earl Ratliff Jr., 19 of Woodland were at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Benefield Funeral Chapel in Wedowee, with the Rev. U. L. Ratliff officiating. Graveside burial services were on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 4 p.m. at Cox Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Maplesville. Mr. Ratliff died on Monday, Oct. 18, in Randolph County. He was born in Jefferson County on Sept. 13, 1980, son of David Earl Ratliff Sr. and Pamela Hopson Ratliff. He was a 1998 graduate of Woodland High School and was employed at Fitel/Lucent Technologies in Carrollton, Ga. He was preceded in death by his father. Survivors include his mother, Pamela Hopson Ratliff of Woodland; grandparents Earl and Peggy Ratliff of Midfield; a sister, Daiquiri Ratliff; and a brother, Kenneth Wayne Ratliff, both of Woodland. Pallbearers were family members and friends. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Don Goodwin (LEMARQUE, Texas) Graveside funeral services for Don Goodwin, 71, of LeMarque, Texas, were at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 1999, at Rock Springs Church Cemetery in Roanoke. Mr. Goodwin died Thursday, Oct. 28, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born in Birmingham on Sept. 30, 1928. He was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in LeMarque. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Waldrep Goodwin of LeMarque (formerly of Roanoke); two daughters, Shelbie and Jodie of Norfolk, Va.; two sons, Clute and Chad of Texas City, Texas; his mother-in-law; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Local arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader November 10, 1999 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Selma Steinbach Elrod (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Selma Steinbach Elrod, 81, of Roanoke were Sunday, Nov. 7, 1999, at 2 p.m. from First Baptist Church, Roanoke, with Dr. Douglas Turner officiating. Eulogy was given by Eugene Elrod. Burial followed at Cedarwood Cemetery. Mrs. Elrod died Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999, at Williamsburg Manor in Roanoke. A Brooklyn, New York, native, Mrs. Elrod was born Aug. 7, 1918, daughter of Simeon Jerome and Freda Fromer Steinbach. She was a graduate of Agnes Scott College and had owned Steinbach's retail store. Mrs. Elrod was a member of First Baptist Church, Roanoke Garden Club, Magazine Club and several bridge clubs. She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Elrod. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Stuckey of Jackson, Miss., and Carole Kersey of Columbus, Ga.; one son, Eugene Elrod of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Arlene Garfinkel of Pacific Palisades, Calif.; and two grandchildren. Pallbearers were Spec Bonner, John Frank Burdette, Jim Cleveland, Grant Lee, Tom Paschal, Byron Tompkins, W. Thomas Weathers, Fred Frank and Steve Brown. Floral tributes will be accepted or the family suggests memorials to Chattahoochee Hospice, #6 Medical Park North, Valley, AL 36854; First Baptist Church, 827 Main Street, Roanoke, AL 36274; or James and Selma Elrod Memorial Scholarship Fund, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, was in charge of arrangements. __________ Madge Kerr Bramlett (WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Madge Kerr Bramlett, 74, of Wedowee were Friday, Nov. 5, 1999, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Wedowee, with the Rev. Huey Reynolds and the Rev. Harris Hand officiating. Burial followed at Wedowee City Cemetery. Mrs. Bramlett died at her home in Wedowee on Wednesday, Nov. 3. A Randolph County native, Mrs. Bramlett was born April 4, 1925, daughter of J. H. and Mary Levis Mathews Kerr. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Wedowee; Women's Study Club; Wedowee Garden Club; and the Alabama Education Association. She was a Randolph County teacher for more than 20 years and after retirement, worked with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in Randolph County. Survivors include three daughters, Cynthia Robinson of Wedowee, Nancy Kickliter of Auburn and Christina Parker of Birmingham; two sisters, Edith Head of Rock Mills and twin sister, Mildred Snow of Birmingham; one brother, R. H. "Buck" Kerr of Wedowee; and five grandchildren. Pallbearers were Joe Snow, James Kendrick, Bill Williamson, Tommy Camp, Dick Israel, Dwight Bunn and Barry Colley. Honorary pallbearers were Max Dobson, Willis Israel, Tom Burnside, Robert Wylie and Jerry Brazeal. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Bobby Ray 'B.R.' Brown (GADSDEN) Funeral services for Bobby Ray "B.R." Brown, 64, of Gadsden were Friday, Nov. 5, 1999, at 2 p.m. at Village Chapel in Gadsden with the Rev. Billy Buttram officiating. Burial was at Rainbow Memorial Park. Mr. Brown died Wednesday, Nov. 3. Born in Roanoke, Mr. Brown moved to Gadsden to work at Gulf State Steel where he retired with 42 years of service. He love to fish and hunt and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael J. Brown. Mr. Brown is survived by his mother, Lillian Yates of Roanoke; daughter, Marie Johnson; three sons, David Lynn Brown, Christopher Scott Brown and Christopher Dale Brown; five grandchildren and a special aunt. Memorials may be made to Etowah County Humane Society. Arrangements were by Village Chapel Funeral Home, Gadsden. __________ Bertie Mae Shelnutt (WOODLAND) Funeral services for Bertie Mae Shelnutt, 68, of Woodland, were Monday, Nov. 8, 1999, at 2 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Wayne Spradlin officiating. Burial was in Shadowlawn Cemetery in LaGrange, Ga. Mrs. Shelnutt died Saturday, Nov. 6, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Shelnutt was a native of Troup County, Ga., born Oct. 3, 1931, daughter of Hugh Andrews and Ila Gasaway Andrews. She was a member of Mt. Carmal [sic] Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by a son, Terry Lee Shelnutt. Mrs. Shelnutt is survived by her husband, Dewey Shelnutt of Woodland; two daughters, Diane Shelnutt of Woodland and Cathy Davis of Roanoke; two sons, Larry Shelnutt of Newnan, Ga., and Michael Shelnutt of Griffin, Ga.; three brothers, H. T. Andrews of Perris, Calif., J. W. Andrews of LaGrange, and Danny Andrews of Bowdon, Ga.; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Morris Shelnutt, Bill Gasaway, Chris Brown, Tracey Yearta, Wayne Shelnutt and Shane Shelnutt. Honorary pallbearers were Terry Butler, Brent Taylor and Ashton Shelnutt. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Theresia Helen Taylor (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Theresia Helen Taylor, 81, of Roanoke were Saturday, Nov. 6, 1999, at 11 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Dr. Doug Turner officiating. Burial followed at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mrs. Taylor died Wednesday, Nov. 3, at her home in Roanoke. A former resident of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., Mrs. Taylor was a Martin County, Fla., native, born Aug. 24, 1918. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Roanoke. Survivors include her son, John Taylor of Roanoke; two sisters Rose Taylor of Hendersonville, N.C., and Margaret Kelley of Cleveland, Ohio; and three grandchildren. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Olin Spence (LAFAYETTE) Graveside funeral services for Olin Spence, 93, of LaFayette were Friday, Nov. 5, 1999, at 1 p.m. at Handy Cemetery in LaFayette with George Silmon officiating. Mr. Spence died Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Roanoke Health Care Center. Survivors include one sister, Mrs. Lurlene Boyd of LaFayette; and host of nieces, nephews. Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary, Roanoke. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader November 17, 1999 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Mary Ann Pool (WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Mary Ann Pool, 41, of Wedowee were Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Odell Bryant officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Ms. Pool died Saturday, Nov. 13, at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. Ms. Pool, a native of Randolph County, was born June 18, 1958, daughter of R. V. Pool and Elizabeth Vaughn Pool. She was a member of Zion Church of God and was preceded in death by her mother. Ms. Pool is survived by a son, Tony Pool of Roanoke; her father, R. V. Pool of Wedowee; one sister, Lisa Gordon of Wedowee; two brothers, Ricky Pool of Graham and Donny Pool of Wedowee. Pallbearers were Paul Conway, Ben Milam, Roy Wortham, Mark Newman, Tim Milam, Joel Bryant, Jermy Pool and Jason Pool. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. ______________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader November 24, 1999 ___________________ OBITUARIES: David Austin Brock (CARROLLTON, Ga.) David Austin Brock, 72, of Carrollton, Ga., died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Funeral services were Thursday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Carlton Robinson, Elder Leonard Robinson and Elder Homer Benefield officiating. The congregation sang "Amazing Grace." Burial followed in Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Brock was born March 13, 1927, the son of the late Paul Frank Brock and Carrie Ward Brock. He was a retired self-employed master carpenter. Mr. Brock served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, where he saw combat action in Okinawa. He later reenlisted in the U.S. Marines. Mr. Brock was of the Baptist faith. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by one brother, Ward Brock. The Brocks had a second home on Lake Wedowee. He is survived by his wife, Elsie Robinson Brock of Carrollton; one son, David A. "Tony" Brock of Carrollton; one daughter, Rhonda Brock Steadham of Temple, Ga.; one sister, Mary Henderson of Carrollton; and two grandchildren. Arrangements were by Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel. __________ Lula White Florence (RANBURNE) Funeral services for Lula White Florence, 83, of Ranburne were at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist church, with the Rev. J. D. Bearden and the Rev. E. G. Clark officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Florence died Thursday, Nov. 18, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston following an extended illness. She was born in Randolph County on Oct. 26, 1916, daughter of Tom and Lizzie White. She had been employed at the Hub Restaurant and was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Florence. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Roger Harmon, Patrick Waldrep, Tim Harmon, Ronnie Clark, Roger Florence and James Watson. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Bessie Veal Huddleston (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Bessie Veal Huddleston, 68, of Roanoke were at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999, at Bethel East Baptist Church in Woodland, with the Rev. Ridley Parmer and the Rev. Stiles Akins officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Huddleston died Wednesday, Nov. 17, at her residence. A lifelong resident of Randolph County, she was born Sept. 6, 1931, daughter of Coey and Roshie Henderson. She had been employed with Palm Beach Company and was a member of Bethel East Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Raleigh Huddleston of Roanoke; three daughters, Delia Harmon and Yvonne Keller of Roanoke and Terry Kirchler of Auburn; one son, Randy Huddleston of Roanoke; two sisters, Betty Jo Parmer and Mary White of Woodland; four brothers, Jack Henderson, Wilford Henderson and Alton Henderson of Bowdon, Ga., and Jerry Henderson of Woodland; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were David Gann, Josh Huddleston, Jim Keller Jr., Brandon Arrington, Keith Smith and Ridley Parmer Jr. Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Scarlett Johnson Sprinkle (NEWELL) Services for Scarlett Johnson Sprinkle, 35, of Newell were Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999, at 2 p.m. at Crumley's Chapel Church of God, with O. V. Sewell and the Rev. Raymond Williams officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Sprinkle died Thursday in Randolph County as the result of an automobile accident. Survivors include her husband, Larry E. Sprinkle Jr. of Newell; her mother and stepfather, Joan and Jim Osborne of Carrollton, Ga.; her father, Henry Vincent Johnson of Ranburne; her grandparents, Hazel Johnson of Ranburne and Ruby Dearman of Bowdon, Ga.; a sister, Holley Hagen of Ranburne; four stepsisters, Kelly Brown of Franklin, Ga., Jodi Young of Sharpsburg, Ga., Becky Lapresti of Rutherfordton, N.C. and Blaklee Osborne of Carrollton; and three stepbrothers, Mike Osborne of Roopville, Ga., Ronnie Osborne of Destin, Fla., and Cody Osborne of Newport News, Va. Mrs. Sprinkle was a 1982 graduate of Ranburne High School. She was a member of Crumley's Chapel Church of God and was employed by Southwire. __________ Albert David Cofield (WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Albert David Cofield, 75, of Wedowee were Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999, at 2 p.m. at Midway Methodist Church, with W. C. Cofield and Bill Prince officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mr. Cofield died Sunday, Nov. 22, at Wedowee Hospital. A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mr. Cofield was born Jan. 17, 1924, son of James Monroe and Eddie Corlee Miles Cofield. He retired from Amoco Fabrics and Fibers. Survivors include one son, Jimmy Cofield of Wedowee; two sisters, Ena Herren of Woodland and Idele Tatum of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Amos Cofield of Ranburne and W. C. Cofield of Woodland; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Chip Cofield, David Cofield, Brad Prince, Frankie Herren, Ted Arrington and Don Arrington. Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Frances Eakes Sprouse (CENTRAL, S.C.) Frances Eakes Sprouse, 70, of Central, S.C., died Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999, at her home. Born in Jasper, Ala., she was the daughter of the late A. S. and Frances Greason Eakes and was a long-time resident of Roanoke. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Pendleton, S.C. Survivors include her husband, Jack Sprouse of Central; two sons, John Sprouse Jr. of Dunn, N.C., and Jim Sprouse of Woodstock, Ga.; two daughters, Susan Sprouse of LaFayette, Colo., and Connie Sprouse of Clinton, S.C.; two brothers, Steve Eakes of Pendleton and Charles Eakes of Charlotte, N.C.; and one sister, Patricia Eakes Andrews of Pendleton; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, at First Baptist Church of Pendleton, with burial in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Randolph County ARC Trust Fund, c/o Randolph County Learning Center, Roanoke, AL 36274, or the Whitten Center Parents Club, P.O. Box 239, Clinton, S.C. 29325. Arrangements were by Puckett-Robinson Funeral Home of Central. __________ Dr. William Thomas Belcher Jr. (DECATUR, Ga.) William Thomas Belcher Jr., M.D., of Decatur, Ga., died Sunday, Nov. 21, 1999, after an extended illness. Dr. Belcher was born Sept. 29, 1933, in Roanoke to the late William Thomas Belcher and Virginia DeLong Belcher. He was a member of Roanoke First United Methodist Church. He received his B.S. and M.D. degrees from Emory University. He was in private practice in DeKalb County for 27 years and served on the hospital staff of DeKalb Medical Center, Decatur Hospital, and courtesy staff at Northside Hospital. He also served as a clinical instructor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Emory University. Survivors are his wife, Patricia Fellows Belcher; a son, William Thomas Belcher III; two daughters, Sharon Holmes and Patricia Eastwood; a sister, Elizabeth Belcher Cheek; and three granddaughters. Funeral services will be in the chapel of A.S. Turner and Sons, Decatur, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, the Rev. Walter Sandell officiating. Burial will be Decatur Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society or the Boy Scouts of America. ______________________________________________________