Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during October 2003, Randolph, Alabama

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November 2003



The Randolph Leader
October 1, 2003
___________________
OBITUARIES:

W. Paul Stone

 (OPELIKA) Services for W. Paul Stone, 76, of Opelika were at 11 a.m.,
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, at Frederick's Funeral Home, with Dr. Rusty Sowell
officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery in Lanett.
 Mr. Stone, who died Sunday, Sept. 28 at his home, was born Sept. 29, 1926, in
Randolph County to the late Benjamin and Roxie Taylor Stone. His family moved
to Huguley when he was about 9 years old, where he lived until joining the U.S.
Navy during World War II. He lived in California until retiring in 1992 from
long-haul truck driving and drove over 13 million miles in his 43 years on the
road. After retiring he enjoyed a small business of repairing and selling lawn
mowers. He was a Baptist by faith.
 Survivors include his wife, Grace Thompson Stone; two sons, Randy Stone of
West Point, Ga., and Allan Stone of Moreno Valley, Calif.; one grandson; a
great-granddaughter; one brother, Benny Stone of Porterville, Calif.; four
sisters, Lanelle Lawhorn of Opelika, Cecile Laney of Huguley, Sara Greene of
Sylvania, Ga., and Hazel Smith of St. George, Utah; three stepdaughters, Wanda
Willis of Wetumpka, Denise Otter of Montgomery and Jennifer Dunson of Opelika;
and several nieces and nephews.
 Arrangements were by Frederick's Funeral Home, Opelika.
__________

Florine Zachery

 (ROANOKE) Florine Zachery, 51, of Roanoke died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at her
residence.
 Services will be Friday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Riley
Street, Roanoke, with the Rev. Jeffery D. Rosser, Elder John C. Greathouse and
the Rev. Gilbert Staples officiating. Burial will be in Rock Mills Baptist
Church Cemetery.
 Survivors include her husband, Lonnie Zachery of Roanoke; four sons, Jimmy L.
Foster, Lonzer Hutchinson Jr., Donnie Ray Foster and Lonnie Foster, all of
Roanoke; three daughters, Faye Barker, Debbie A. Hutchinson and Lola Zachery of
Roanoke; a brother, Donnie Foster of Roanoke; three sisters, Mary A. Esters of
Chicago, Ill., and Earnestine Dozier and Barbara Greathouse of Roanoke; eight
grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
 Public viewing will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service from 10 a.m. until 6
p.m. on Thursday. The body will be placed in the church one hour before
services.
 Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
__________

Della Mae Reed

 (HEFLIN) Services for Della Mae Reed, 84, of Heflin were Monday, Sept. 29,
2003 at 2 a.m. at Antioch Baptist Church in Haralson County, Ga., with the Rev.
Michael White and Dr. Bill Reynolds officiating. Burial was in the church
cemetery with Rainwater & West Funeral Home in charge.
 Mrs. Reed died Friday, Sept. 26, at Regional Medical Center.
 Survivors include two sons, Johnny Reed and Larry Reed of Ranburne; four
daughters, Jan Crosson and Sherry Gibbs of Ranburne, Kathy Lovvorn of Woodland
and Betty Riddlespurge of Bowdon; two brothers, Jack Harry and W. L. Harry of
Talladega; 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
 Mrs. Reed was a Troup County, Ga., native, She retired from Bremen Bowdon
Investment Co. and from Trintex Corp. She was a member of Antioch Baptist
Church in Haralson County, Ga.
__________

Mildred Hodge Blake

 (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Mildred Hodge Blake, 81, of Roanoke were
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev.
Bill Phares officiating. Burial followed at Cedarwood Cemetery with Quattlebaum
Funeral Home in charge.
 Mrs. Blake died Tuesday, Sept. 23, at West Georgia Medical Center in
LaGrange.
 Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Melnee and Bobby McBrayer of
Roanoke; two granddaughters, Sandy McBrayer of Roanoke and Melonie McBrayer of
Leeds; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
 Pallbearers were James Fincher, Randy Hall, Kem Walker, Derick Farr, Tommy
Hendon and Luke Sudduth.
 A Randolph County resident most of her life, Mrs. Blake was born Nov. 6,
1921, daughter of Emory King and Mary Ann Clardy Hodge. She retired from
Alabama Power Company after 31 years and was a member of Roanoke First United
Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Byrd Pate
"Jack" Blake; grandson, Micha McBrayer; and a brother, Ray Hodge.
__________

Wayne Ferrell

 (BYRON, Ga.) Wayne Ferrell, 91, of Byron, Ga., died Monday, Sept. 22, 2003.
 Mr. Farrell, a native of Randolph County, Ala., was a long time resident of
LaGrange, Ga., and a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. He was
retired from General Motors.
 Survivors include his daughters, Janice Shierling and Vicky Moore, both of
Centerville, Ga.; a brother, Webster Farrell of Thomaston, Ga.; a sister,
Johnnie Young of Opelika; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and
one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene
Prestridge Farrell.
 Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at First United
Methodist Church of Centerville with the Rev. H. Eugene Barlow officiating. 
Burial will be [was] in Parkway Memorial Gardens.
 Arrangements were by Heritage Memorial Funeral Home, Warner Robins, Ga.
__________

Lee Earl Cantrell

 (ROANOKE) Services for Lee Earl Cantrell, 77, of Roanoke were Monday, Sept.
29, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Gary Baugh and
the Rev. Jack Vidler officiating. Burial was at Shawmut Cemetery.
 Mr. Cantrell died Saturday, Sept. 27, at Russell Medical Center in Alexander
City.
 Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Parmer Cantrell of Roanoke; one daughter,
Martha Hendry of LaGrange, Ga.; three stepdaughters, Camelia Langley of Senoia,
Ga., Retha Vidler of Roanoke and Shirley Yarbrough of Valley; one stepson,
Michael Brown of Wadley; two sisters, Audrey Lynch of Vincent and Ester Petty of
Palm Beach, Fla.; three brothers, James Cantrell and Phillip Cantrell of
Columbus, Ga., and Joe Cantrell of Macon, Ga.; 18 grandchildren and 14
great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Chris Hendry, Billy Langley, Tim Langley, Phillip Edge,
Heath Brown and James Langley.
 A former resident of Lanett, Mr. Cantrell was a Troup County, Ga., native,
born Feb. 1, 1926, son of Elonza and Bessie Shaw Cantrell. He was a World War
II Marine Corps veteran, a member of Handley Avenue Church of God and had been
employed with Amoco. He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Cantrell, and
two stepsons, Phillip Brown and Darrell Pritchard.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

Hubert McClendon

 (ANNISTON) Services for Hubert McClendon, 73, of Anniston were Saturday,
Sept. 27, 2003, at 1 p.m. at 17th Street Missionary Baptist Church in Anniston
with Dr. N. Q. Reynolds officiating. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery with
Ervin Funeral Chapel in charge.
 Mr. McClendon died Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Riverview Medical Center in Gadsden.
 Survivors include his wife, Mildred McClendon; four sisters, Alice Reed and
Jenny Ruth McClendon, both of Franklin, Ga., Patty Allen of LaGrange, Ga., and
Sara Evans of Roanoke; two brothers, James Holiday of LaFayette and Leroy Doiger
of Roanoke; and two aunts.
 Pallbearers were nephews and trustees of 17th Street Missionary Baptist
Church.
 Mr. McClendon was a longtime member of 17th Street Missionary Baptist Church. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Ellen Patterson McClendon; a
stepmother, Arie McClendon; two sisters, Lucille Gass and Louise Allen; and a
brother, Charlie Frank McClendon.
__________

Willis J. Yates

 (JACKSONVILLE) Memorial services with full military honors for Willis J.
Yates, 69, of Jacksonville were Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at 1 p.m. at K.L. Brown
Funeral Home & Cremation Center Chapel with Navy Chaplain Raynard Allen and the
Rev. Stan Broome officiating.
 Mr. Yates died Saturday, Sept. 20, in Jacksonville.
 Survivors include his wife, Nadyne Yates; two daughters, Pauline Maye of
Jacksonville and Terri Buchannan of Oxford; a son Jerry Yates of Jacksonville;
three sisters, Geneva Smith of Wadley, Livida Childs of LaGrange, Ga., and Ethel
Schwalenberg of Vardaman, Miss.; three brothers, Cloyse Yates of Oxford, Albert
Yates of Heflin, and Edward Yates of Blackburn, Mo.; six grandchildren; three
great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
 Mr. Yates was Baptist. A Vietnam veteran, he retired from the Navy with 22
years of service. He was president of the Fleet Reserve Association at Barbens
Point Naval Station in Oahu, Hawaii, from 1972-1973. After retirement, he
graduated from Ayers State Technical College and worked for Jack Browns Chevron
as a mechanic and was self-employed at Alsups Tire. He was preceded in death by
his parents, Arthur and Ettie Pitts Yates; two brothers, Clayton Yates and Abra
Yates; and a sister Edna Finchen.
 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society
Region 7, 504 Brookwood Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35209, or Disabled American
Veterans Chapter 24, 3314 Birmingham Hwy., Anniston, AL 36201.
__________

Lee Yarbrough

 (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Lee Yarbrough, 94, of LaGrange, Ga., died Sunday, Sept. 21,
2003, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange.
 Mr. Yarbrough, born March 30, 1909, in Rock Mills, was the son of the late
Thomas Whitten and Sarah Kincy Dean Yarbrough. He had lived here all his life
and retired from Callaway Mills Company after 40 years and worked as a
corrections officer at Troup County Corrections. He was an avid sportsman and
was a member of LaGrange Sportsman's Club.
 Survivors include his wife of 63 years, LaVerne Yarbrough; a son, Dennis and
Brenda Yarbrough; a daughter, Linda Hester; five grandchildren; five sisters,
Annie Sullivan, Lois Smith and Jennie Walker, all of LaGrange, Mary Jim Poole of
Dothan and Bess V. McGouirk of Warm Springs, Ga.; a brother, J. C. Yarbrough of
Big Springs, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
 Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, in the Hunter-Allen- 
Myhand chapel with the Rev. Sid Shelnutt officiating. Burial wasin Restlawn 
Memory Gardens.
__________

Gladys Sharp Yarbrough

 (ROANOKE) Services for Gladys Sharp Yarbrough, 89, of Roanoke, formerly of
LaFayette, will be Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral
Chapel, with the Rev. Scott McKay officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood
Cemetery in Lanett.
 Mrs. Yarbrough died Monday, Sept. 29, at East Alabama Medical Center in
Opelika.
 Survivors include one son, Scott McKay of Roanoke; four sisters, Nell Foster
and Mary Ann Carter of LaFayette, Reba Price of Piedmont and Grace Hammock of
Wadley; one brother, Marion Sharp of Dallas, Texas; one granddaughter and two
great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers will be Kenny Cofield, Richard Halsey, Wayne Brown, Lester Wyatt,
Scott Carter and Bobby Kirby.
 A Chambers County native, Mrs. Yarbrough was born May 15, 1914, daughter of
Herschel and Lilla McJunkins Sharp. She was a member of Union Baptist Church at
Wadley and had been employed with West Point Pepperell.
 Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

Janet 'Tiny' Brady

 (WEDOWEE) Services for Janet "Tiny" Brady, 73, of Wedowee were Tuesday, Sept.
30, at 11 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, with the Rev. Leron Murphy officiating. 
Burial was in Morrison's Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery.
 Mrs. Brady died Saturday, Sept. 27, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay,
Wis.
 Survivors include a daughter, Lynn Garwood of Green Bay, Wis.; a sister,
Jessie Thompson of Opelika; and two grandchildren.
 Friends served as pallbearers.
 Mrs. Brady was a native of Clay County, born March 26, 1930, daughter of
Jesse and Idora Crabtree Hanson. She was retired from Lamar Manufacturing after
39 years of service and was currently working as a hostess with Jack's
Restaurant in Wedowee. She was a longtime Randolph County resident and a member
of Union Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, R. L. "Buck"
Brady.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader
October 8, 2003
___________________
OBITUARIES: 

Charles Thomas Ziglar Sr.

 (ROANOKE) Services for Charles Thomas Ziglar Sr., 88, of Roanoke were Sunday,
Oct. 5, 2003, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Roanoke, with Dr. Bill Dean
and Dr. Bill Phares officiating. Eulogies were by John Stevenson, Richard Laird,
Gordon Sherman, Tommy Hendon and Chuck Marcum. Burial was at Randolph Memory
Gardens.
 Mr. Ziglar died Friday, Oct. 3, at his home.
 Survivors include his wife, Betty Slay Ziglar of Roanoke; one son, Charles
Thomas Ziglar Jr. of Roanoke; three stepsons, Billy Slay of Sikeston, Mo.,
Curtis Slay of Moody and Adam Slay of Roanoke; one sister, Ruth Weed of Rocky
Head; eight grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Lamar Davis, Walter Sudduth, Pat Awbrey, Charlie Harris,
John Landers and Jerry Cotney Sr. Past and present deacons of First Baptist
Church were honorary pallbearers.
 A former resident of Rocky Head, Mr. Ziglar was born July 7, 1915, in Dale
County, son of Jim and Lillie Fain Ziglar. He was a graduate of Auburn
University and served in Europe during World War II with the Army Air Corps. He
was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church. His 40-plus year teaching
career began in Kinston. He taught industrial arts and mechanical drawing with
Roanoke City Schools for 37 years. He was faculty sponsor of the Handley
Triangle. After retiring from teaching, he worked as a maintenance supervisor
with the City of Roanoke for 23 years.
 The family suggests memorial contributions to the Roanoke Sports Complex (c/o
City of Roanoke, P.O. Box 1270, Roanoke, AL 36274).
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

W. Fred Wilkerson

 (LAGRANGE, Ga.) W. Fred Wilkerson, 49, of LaGrange, Ga., disappeared Nov. 27,
1987. His body was discovered after 16 years on Sept. 30, 2003, at 421 Wares
Crossroads, Ga.
 Mr. Wilkerson was born in Randolph County on April 13, 1938, and was the son
of the late R. Z. and Alma Brown Wilkerson. He was a graduate of Heard County
High School and was chief of Troup County Volunteer Rescue Squat Station #2. 
For many years he was employed by Fast Food Merchandisers.
 Survivors include one daughter, Tracie Campbell; one son, Tim Wilkerson; and
four grandchildren, all of LaGrange.
 Memorial services will be Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. EDT from the chapel of
Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, with the Rev. Anthony Hovey officiating. The family
will receive friends following the service.
 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriffs
Pineland, P.O. Box 2907, LaGrange, GA 30241 or Shoal Creek Baptist Church
Building Fund, 1032 Youngs Mill Rd., LaGrange, GA 30241.
 Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange.
__________

Andrea Nasha Cummings

 (ROANOKE) Services for Andrea Nasha Cummings, infant daughter of Sha Nicole
Cummings and Ashley Henry, were Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at 3 p.m. at Quattlebaum
Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Ricky Cummings and the Rev. Marty Dunlap
officiating. Burial was in Welcome Home Baptist Church Cemetery.
 The infant was stillborn Saturday, Oct. 4, at Lanier Memorial Hospital.
 Survivors include her parents and grandparents, Freddy Woody of Wadley,
Pearlie Henry of Wadley and Billy and Teresa Cummings of Roanoke.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

Clinton Brown

 (ASHLAND) Services for Clinton Brown, 43, of Ashland, were Tuesday, Oct. 7,
2003, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Methodist Church in Bluff Springs with the Rev.
Kenneth Fuller officiating. Burial followed in the Brown family Cemetery.
 Brown died Saturday, Oct. 4, in Tallapoosa County.
 Survivors include his wife, Wyvenee Brown of Ashland; a daughter, Tonya
Cleveland of Ashland; a stepson, Christopher Cotney; five brothers, Ronnie Brown
of Ashland, Lynn Brown of Wadley, Gordon Brown of Ashland, Jacky Brown of
Cragford, Tony Brown of Ashland; and six grandchildren.
 Brown was a native and lifelong resident of Clay County. He was a wood
producer and had worked in the maintenance department at Sunny Fresh and Tyson
in Ashland. He was a member of Mt. Moriah Methodist Church.
 He was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Joe Brown and Clara Faye
Hester Brown.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home.
__________

Cecil E. Hanson Sr.

 (PIEDMONT) Services for the Rev. Cecil E. Hanson Sr., 83, of Piedmont were
Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Congregational Holiness Church on Hughes
Street with the Revs. James White and Hayward Clark officiating and
Folsom-Mickelsen Funeral Home in charge. Burial with full military rites was in
Piedmont Memorial Gardens.
 Rev. Hanson died Friday at Regional Medical Center.
 Survivors include his wife, Ruby L. Hanson; his children, Bobbie Ward of
Jackson, Tenn., Cecil Edward Hanson Jr. and Dennis Hanson of Piedmont, Sandra G.
Adderhold of Wedowee, Jimmy Hanson of McDonald, Ga., Charles Hanson of Macon,
Ga., Martha Rhinehart of Rock Run and Brenda Gould of Villa Rica, Ga.; a sister,
Fannie Terry Johnson of Jacksonville; 28 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren;
and a number of nieces and nephews.
 Pallbearers were Chris Hanson, Keith Hanson, Joey Adderhold, Tony Hanson, Tim
Hanson, Aaron Garner, Kyle Bentley and Jeff Adderhold, Shanklin-Attaway Post 5
Honor Guard extended full military rites.
 A native of Piedmont, Rev. Hanson was an Army veteran of World War II and
received the Purple Heart. He was ordained in 1957 and served as a pastor of
Emmanuel Holiness Church for 33 years. He was a member of Congregational
Holiness Church at the time of his death. He served as the Overseer of Georgia
from 1981 to 1998 and was a retired textile worker with more than 40 years of
service.
 He was preceded in death by his parents, Jess J. and Lela Bates Hanson; and a
grandson, John Dewayne Ward.
__________

Emma Huey Burson

 (WEDOWEE) Services for Emma Huey Burson, 80, of Wedowee were Friday, Oct. 3,
2003, at 2 p.m. of Wedowee First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Don Paris
officiating. Burial was at Wedowee City Cemetery.
 Mrs. Burson died Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical
Center in Anniston.
 Survivors include one daughter, Emily Culpepper of West Point, Ga.; two sons,
Ronnie Burson of Anniston and Marty Burson of Weaver; and six grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Sidney Lanier, David Brooks, James Newkirk, Kurt Horsley,
Lee Hurley, Russell Huddleston, Jesse Haralson and Jacky Rollins. The deacons
of First Baptist Church served as honorary pallbearers.
 The family suggests memorial contributions to First Baptist Church, Wedowee.
 A lifelong Wedowee resident, Mrs. Burson was born Nov. 2, 1922, daughter of
Joseph Marshall and Mary Smith Huey. She was a homemaker and a former antiques
dealer. She was a member of First Baptist Church, WMU and the Mt. Laurel
Community Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Burson.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________

Robert Shane Hodge

 (ROCK MILLS) Services for Robert Shane Hodge, 40, of Rock Mills were Friday,
Oct. 3, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Gerald
Sheppard officiating. Burial was in Randolph Memory Gardens.
 Mr. Hodge died Wednesday, Oct. 1, at University Hospital in Birmingham.
 Survivors include one son, Robert Shannon "Robbie" Hodge of Alabaster; his
mother, Christine Hodge of Rock Mills; two sisters, Nadine Bennett and Denise
Kirby of Rock Mills; a brother, Steve Hodge of Roanoke; and several nieces and
nephews.
 A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mr. Hodge was born Dec. 8, 1962, son of
Charles Austin and Mavis Christine Norred Hodge. He was Church of God by faith.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

James Lee Turner

 (WEDOWEE) Services for James Lee Turner, 81, of Wedowee were Sunday, Oct. 5,
2003, at 4 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Home Chapel, Wedowee, with James Lindsey
Turner officiating. Burial was in Wedowee City Cemetery.
 Mr. Turner died Friday, Oct. 3, at Wedowee Hospital.
 Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Sara Carpenter Turner of Wedowee; a
daughter, Sara Alice Turner Parfait of Jacksonville; a son, James Lindsey Turner
of Madison; a sister, Lucille Bentley of McComb, Miss.; two grandchildren; and a
great-grandson.
 Pallbearers were Raymond Spigner, Brandon Turner, Nathan Rozea, Jerry
Brazeal, Glenn Carpenter and John Davis.
 Mr. Turner was a native of Autauga County, born July 9, 1922, son of Thomas
Lindsey Turner and Alice Jones Turner. He was retired from Ohio Railroad
Company and was a member of First Baptist Church of Wedowee. He served in the
navy during World War II.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
 

Raymond Mitchum

 (ROANOKE) Services for Raymond Mitchum, 84, of Roanoke were Sunday, Oct. 5,
2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bill Dean
officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
 Mr. Mitchum died Friday, Oct. 3, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika.
 Survivors include his wife, Janet Benefield Mitchum of Roanoke; one daughter,
Lynda Tucker of Enterprise; one son, Jerry Mitchum of Roanoke; one sister, Irma
Borders of Roanoke; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
 The family suggests memorial donations to Roanoke First Baptist Church.
 A Randolph County native, Mr. Mitchum was born Oct. 17, 1918, son of William
Henry and Gillie Maude Jackson Mitchum. He was a World War II army veteran, a
member of First Baptist Church in Roanoke and a brick mason.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

King Dorsey Knight

 (ALEXANDER CITY) Services for King Dorsey Knight, 80, of Alexander City were
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Radney Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev.
Lynn Peters officiating. Burial was at Hillview Memorial Park, with veterans'
honors provided by the Alexander City Veteran's Honor Guard.
 Mr. Knight died on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at his residence. He was born Oct. 22,
1922, in Chambers County to M. W. and Ollie Knight. He was a member of Comer
United Methodist Church, the American Legion and DAV, and was a lifetime member
of Masons. He was a U.S. Army veteran and prisoner of war during World War II. 
He was involved with Alexander City's Veteran's Honor Guard. He worked as a
receiving agent for Russell Corporation, from which he later retired, and also
volunteered at the Recycling Center and the Veteran's Home.
 He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Adelene K. Knight of Alexander City;
and two sisters, Leana Childree and Vina Mae Senn, both of Brundidge.
 Arrangements were by Radney's Funeral Home, Alexander City.
__________

Vivian Ragsdale Lipham

 (NEWELL) Services for Vivian Ragsdale Lipham, 81, of Newell were Sunday, Oct.
5, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Jordan's Chapel Congregational Methodist Church, with the
Rev. Julian Murphy and the Rev. Brian Smith officiating. Burial was in the
church cemetery.
 Mrs. Lipham died Friday, Oct. 3, at her residence.
 Survivors include a daughter, Lonette Daniel of Newell; a son, Roger Lipham
of Ranburne; two sisters, Willa Nichols of Rex, Ga., and Sue Barker of Newell;
seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Don Ragsdale, Harold Barker, Jesse Reynolds, Todd Freeman,
Phillip Chasse and Russell Rollins.
 Mrs. Lipham was a native of Randolph County, born July 2, 1922, daughter of
James P. Ragsdale and Demay Bell Ragsdale. She was a member of Jordan's Chapel
Congregational Methodist Church. Mrs. Lipham was preceded in death by her
husband, Cleo Lipham; a sister, Ola Jo Ragsdale; and a brother, Jerrell
Ragsdale.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________

Mark Alan Rollins

 (JONESBORO, Ga.) Memorial services for Mark Alan Rollins, 44, of Jonesboro,
Ga., were Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of
Wedowee, with the Rev. Gary Henderson officiating.
 Mr. Rollins died Friday, Sept. 26, at Northside-Forsyth Hospital in Cumming,
Ga.
 Survivors include his parents, J. O. and Evelyn Rollins of Wedowee; his
grandmother, Alice L. Harry of Wedowee; a sister, Donna Pallas of Wedowee; and a
brother, Harry O. Rollins of Wedowee.
 The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the First United
Methodist Church of Wedowee Building Fund.
 Mr. Rollins was a native of Atlanta, born April 4, 1959. He had been
employed as a mechanic and was currently in the construction and house-moving
business.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________

Opal Traylor

 (ASHLAND) Graveside services for Opal Traylor, 91, of Ashland were Sunday,
Oct. 5, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Woodland, with the
Rev. Ben Rosser officiating.
 Mrs. Traylor died Thursday, Oct. 2, at Clay County Nursing Home.
 She was born to Charles and Minnie Green in the Big Springs community of
Randolph County on Dec. 6, 1911. She married Kermit Traylor of Woodland in
1924. She had been a resident of Ashland since 1956. She was retired from the
Clay County Board of Education, where she had been a teacher for 43 years, and
was a member of First Baptist Church of Ashland. She was preceded in death by
her husband of 71 years, Kermit Traylor and a daughter-in-law, Ann Traylor.
 Mrs. Traylor is survived by a son, Kermit Traylor Jr. of Ashland; three
grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
 Arrangements were by Clay County Funeral Home, Ashland.
__________

Geraldine Cooley

 (HEFLIN) Services for Geraldine Cooley, 68, of Heflin were Saturday, Oct. 4,
2003, at 12:30 p.m. at Canaan Baptist Church in Heflin with the Rev. Clarence
Brown officiating. Burial was in Chulafinnee Cemetery in Heflin with Anniston
Funeral Service in charge.
 Mrs. Cooley died Monday, Sept. 29, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
 Survivors include her husband, Oliver Cooley; a son, Robert Cooley of Heflin;
three daughters, Darlene Cooley and Verna Mae Cooley, both of Heflin, and
Victoria Cooley of Fredericksburg, Va.; two sisters, Doris Cooley of Heflin, and
Willie Bell Cooley of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Cephus Person of Heflin and C.
P. Person of Anniston; and two grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were nephews.
 Mrs. Cooley was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wadley.
__________

Annie Earl Milner Ray

 (OPELIKA) Services for Annie Earl Ray, 81, of Opelika were at 3 p.m. on
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, at Frederick's Funeral Home, Opelika, with the Rev David
Holcombe officiating. Burial was in Rosemere Cemetery.
 Mrs. Ray died Friday, Oct. 3, at Randolph Medical Center. She was preceded
in death by her husband Zebulon C. Ray.
 Survivors include three daughters, Nancy R. Bradley, Martha R. Collins and
Teresa R. Pugh; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister,
Margaret King of Opelika; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and
great-nephews.
 Arrangements were by Frederick's Funeral Home, Opelika.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader
October 15, 2003
___________________
OBITUARIES:

John Michael Vestuto

 (ROANOKE) Services for John Michael Vestuto, 65, of Roanoke will be
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev.
S. T. Janney officiating. Burial will follow at Lanes Chapel Cemetery.
 Mr. Vestuto died Sunday, Oct. 12, at Randolph Medical Center.
 Survivors include his wife, Cordell Redmond Vestuto; one sister, Rose
Matthias of Beecher, Ill.; two brothers, Joe Gerbino of Clinton Township, Mich.,
and Jack Gerbino of Richmond, Va.; one granddaughter; and several nieces and
nephews.
 Pallbearers will be Garfield Clark, Jeffery Clark, Richard Payne, Paul
Loveless, Ralph Watkins and Terrell Robinson.
 Mr. Vestuto, formerly of Chicago, had been a Randolph County resident for the
last 20 years. Mr. Vestuto was born Oct. 9, 1938, in Detroit, Mich. He had
been a manager at a propane distributor. He was preceded in death by a
daughter, Michelle Vestuto.
 Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

Cora M. Fennie

 (WADLEY) Cora M. Fennie, 78, of Wadley died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at Clay
County Hospital and Nursing Home, Ashland.
 Services will be Thursday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist
Church, Wadley, with the Rev. James Carlisle, the Rev. Gregory Scott and
Minister Scottie McLain officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
 Survivors include one daughter, Marilyn Seymour of Wadley; one son, Ralph
Fennie of Birmingham; two sisters, Johnnie Smith and Thelma Dejounette of
Wadley; special friend, Felicia Houston of Wadley; 9 grandchildren and 18
great-grandchildren.
 Ms. Fennie was preceded in death by one daughter, Priscilla Fennie.
 Public viewing and visitation will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service on
Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The body will be placed in the church one hour
before services.
 Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
__________

William Thomas Gunn

 (BIRMINGHAM) William Thomad Gunn, 68, of Birmingham died Wednesday, Oct. 8,
2003.
 Mr. Gunn was a native of Wadley and a longtime resident of Birmingham. He
was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Smith Gunn and a
daughter, Tammy Hallmark.
 Survivors include his wife, Ruby J. Gunn of Birmingham; one son, W. Kenneth
Gunn of Birmingham; a daughter, Teresa Bishop of Pensacola, Fla.; seven
grandchildren; and one sister, Frances Gunn of Wadley.
 Services were Saturday, Oct. 11, at Ridouts Trussville Chapel.
 Arrangements were by Ridouts Funeral Home, Birmingham.
__________

Anthony L. Smith

 (WADLEY) Anthony L. Smith, 39, of Wadley died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at
Columbus Medical Center in Columbus, Ga.
 Funeral services were Saturday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. CDT at Hopewell Baptist
Church in Wadley with the Rev. Calvin Trammell officiating. Burial followed in
the church cemetery.
 Mr. Smith is survived by his mother, Bessie Smith of Wadley; four brothers,
Charles Smith of Auburn, Michael Smith and John Wayne Smith, both of Wadley, and
Vonzell Smith of LaFayette; and seven sisters, Brenda Melton of Roanoke,
Charlotte Abner of Jacksonville, Fla., Cathy Whittington of Walnut, Calif.,
Priscilla Hudson of Milltown, Regina Ransom of Auburn, Jacquline Smith of
Fontana, Calif., and Sandra Smith of Lanett.
 Born June 17, 1964, in Chambers County, Mr. Smith was a member of Hopewell
Baptist Church in Wadley.
 Arrangements were by Silmon/Seroyer Funeral Home, LaFayette.
__________

Evelyn Coursey

 (ROANOKE) Services for Evelyn Coursey, 63, of Roanoke were Sunday, Oct. 12,
2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Barry Harlin
officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
 Mrs. Coursey died Thursday, Oct. 9, at West Georgia Health Systems in
LaGrange, Ga.
 Survivors include four daughters, Rebecca Koch of Rock Hill, S.C., Brenda
Watts of Roanoke, Sheila Loveless of Five Points and Wanda Peevy of Hartwill
[Hartwell], Ga.; one son, James Coursey Jr. of Franklin, Ga.; 16 grandchildren;
37 great-grandchildren; and special friend Gregory Nixon of Roanoke.
 Pallbearers were Danny Loveless, Sherman Koch, Michael Huckeba, James Watts,
Joseph Huckeba and Allen Peardon.
 A 20-year resident of Roanoke, Mrs. Coursey was born Nov. 11, 1939, in Macon,
Ga., daughter of Edward and Mable Huckeba Potter.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________ 

Deborah K. Hewlett

 (CARROLLTON, Ga.) Deborah K. Hewlett, 50, of Carrollton, Ga., died Friday,
Oct. 10, 2003, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta.
 She was born Feb 27, 1953, in Dayton, Ohio, to Rebecca Griffin Hawkins and
the late Dallas R. Hewlett. She was an administrative assistant for the Anci
Corporation in Roanoke and attended Glenloch Baptist Church.
 Survivors include a daughter, Susan K. Horton; her mother, Rebecca Griffin
Hawkins; and a sister, Patricia Liston, all of Roopville, Ga.; two nieces and a
nephew.
 Services were Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. at Glenloch Baptist Church, with the
Rev. Neil Awbrey officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
 Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 135
Bradford Square, Suite B, Fayetteville, GA 30215.
 Arrangements were by Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel, Carrollton.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader
October 22, 2003
___________________
OBITUARIES:

Horace Ford Wood

 (PENSACOLA, Fla.) Horace Ford Wood, 78, of Pensacola, Fla., died on Sunday,
Sept. 21, 2003, at a local hospital.
 Mr. Wood was a native of Roanoke and had worked in maintenance for the
Escambia County School District. He was a member of Tanton Memorial Baptist
Church.
 Survivors include his loving wife of 40 years, Edna Wood; stepson, James L.
Fuller of North Carolina; two step-great-grandchildren; sister Ielean Harmon of
Orlando, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
 Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Tanton Memorial
Baptist Church, Pensacola, with the Rev. William McNeely officiating. Interment
followed at the Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
 Memorial contributions may be made to Tanton Memorial Baptist Church, P.O.
Box 3617 Pensacola, FL 32506.
 Arrangements were by Trahan Mortuary Services, Pensacola.
__________

Curtis Leslie Spradlin

 (NEWELL) Services for Curtis Leslie Spradlin, 81, of Newell were Saturday,
Oct. 18, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Cecil Halsey and
the Rev. Boyd Blair officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery with
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge.
 Mr. Spradlin died Thursday, Oct. 16, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical
Center.
 Survivors include three daughters, Annie Waters and Joan Craig, both of
Newell, and Patsy Dye of Woodland; one son, LeRoy Spradlin of Wedowee; four
sisters, Jane Holloway and Francis Henderson, both of Woodland, Jessie Foster of
Roanoke and Eula Smith of Fitzgerald, Ga.; one brother, Jack Spradlin of
LaGrange, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one
great-great-grandchild.
 Grandsons serving as pallbearers were Jamie Rampy, Joey Whaley, Justin
Whaley, Frankie Waters, Freddie Waters, Teddy Waters, Phillip Dye, Erik Dye and
Ryan Spradlin.
 A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mr. Spradlin was born March 12, 1922,
son of Lee Hoyt and Lola Beatrice Runnells Spradlin. He was a member of Antioch
Baptist Church, the American Legion and the Merchants Association. He was a
produce farmer and merchant. Mr. Spradlin was preceded in death by his wife,
Audrey Spradlin; son, T. C. Spradlin; grandsons, Frederick Waters, Travis
Spradlin and Timothy Spradlin; a granddaughter, Tina Spradlin; brothers, Q. P.,
Dee and John Spradlin; and a sister, Bonnie Parmer.
 Memorials may be floral or the family suggests contributions to Union Baptist
Church Cemetery Fund.
__________

Kenneth Wayne Holloway

 (WEDOWEE) Services for Kenneth Wayne Holloway, 42, of Wedowee were Sunday,
Oct. 19, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Basil Key
officiating. Burial was at Union Hill Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery.
 Mr. Holloway died Friday, Oct. 17, at University Hospital in Birmingham.
 Survivors include his parents, James and Naomi Hill of Wedowee; a son,
Michael Wayne Holloway of Wedowee; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and
friends.
 Pallbearers were Buddy Holloway, Sanford Holloway, Carey Holloway, Marion
Holloway, Tim Key and Jeff Owen.
 A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mr. Holloway was born July 4, 1961, son
of Wallace Rudolph and Naomi Key Holloway. He was employed as a truck driver
with Henderson Logging.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________

Brooklyn Michelle Pike (infant)

 (WOODLAND) Services for Brooklyn Michelle Pike, infant daughter of Brandon
and Nina Pike of Woodland, were Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at 1 p.m. at
Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Doug Porter officiating. Burial was
at Potash Cemetery.
 The baby was born Oct. 14 and died Oct. 15 at DeKalb Medical Center.
 Survivors include her parents, Brandon Michael and Nina Marie Brown Pike of
Woodland; her grandparents, Julie Pike of Woodland and the late Lanny Pike and
Jack and Yvonne Brown of Lanett; her great-grandparents, Mary Nell Redden of
Roanoke, Mattie Brown of Lanett and Irene Tenney of Prattville; and a sister,
Haley Pike of Woodland.
 Memorials may be floral or the family suggests memorial contributions to the
American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or to the
Brooklyn Pike Memorial Fund, c/o Small Town Bank, P.O. Box 34, Roanoke, AL
36274.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

Phelix Byrd Gay

 (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Phelix Byrd Gay, 88, of LaGrange, Ga., died Friday, Oct. 17,
2003, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange.
 Mr. Gay, born March 10, 1915, in Randolph County, Ala., was the son of the
late Delbert Zollie and Irene "Sis" Webb Gay. He had lived in LaGrange most of
his life and was retired from Callaway Mills. Mr. Gay was a member of the
Southwest LaGrange Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and taught Sunday
school. He was a corporal in the United States Army, having served with the
630th Tank Destroyer Battalion at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. 
He raised cattle for many years.
 Survivors include a son, Jan Gay of LaGrange; a granddaughter; and several
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eula Janney Gay; a
sister, Jessie Janney; and a brother, Henry Kyle Gay.
 Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Southwest LaGrange
Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred Buchanan officiating. Burial was in Restlawn
Memory Gardens.
 Arrangements were by Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home, LaGrange.
__________

Hervel Gosdin

 (FAIRBURN, Ga.) Services for Hervel Gosdin, 78, of Fairburn, Ga., were
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Home Chapel in Lineville
with the Rev. Brad Horton officiating. Burial was in Bethel East Baptist Church
Cemetery in eastern Randolph County with Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville in
charge.
 Mr. Gosdin died Thursday, Oct. 16, at Fayette Community Hospital in
Fayetteville, Ga.
 Survivors include his wife, Susie B. Gosdin; a daughter, Terresa Grant of
Jonesboro, Ga.; two sons, Kim and Tim Gosdin, both of Griffin, Ga.; one sister,
Cozette Gosdin of Georgia; two brothers, Vern Gosdin of Tennessee and Adam
Gosdin of Georgia; four stepdaughters; two stepsons; and several grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
 Mr. Gosdin, a Randolph County native, lived most of his life in Georgia and
Clay County. He was a veteran of the Army. Mr. Gosdin was employed in the
residential and commercial glass business and was a member of Bethel East
Baptist Church.
__________

Brenda Elaine Ledbetter

 (HEFLIN) Services for Brenda Elaine Ledbetter, 52, of Heflin were Saturday,
Oct. 18, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Ai Baptist Church with the Revs. Clarence Bright
and Billy Hammond officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Dryden
Funeral Home of Heflin in charge.
 Mrs. Ledbetter died Thursday, Oct. 16, at her home.
 Survivors include her husband, Roger Dale Ledbetter; her mother, Ora Belle
Leggett of Heflin; two daughters, Tammy L. Hewitt of Graham and Cindy L.
Robinson of Heflin; a son, Mark Ledbetter of Heflin; a sister, Barbara L.
Benefield of Heflin; a brother, Donald Leggett of Heflin; and four
grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Jamie Benefield, Scott Benefield, Shane Leggett, Joe Mullen,
Ken Norton and Adam Pesnell.
 Mrs. Ledbetter, a Cleburne County native and lifelong resident, was a member
of Ai Baptist Church and a Youth Sunday School teacher. She was a homemaker.
__________

Mavis L. Morrison Gilbert

 (McCALLA) Graveside services for Mavis L. Morrison Gilbert, 91, of McCalla
were Monday, Oct. 20, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East in
Trussville with Chaplain Mark Flores officiating and Angwin Mortuary Center of
Birmingham in charge.
 Mrs. Gilbert died Friday, Oct. 17.
 Survivors include a son, Harold D. Braden Sr.; a stepson, Donald W. Gilbert;
two sisters, Maudine Cofield and Mildred Jernigan; three grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren.
 Mrs. Gilbert was a Randolph County native. She was preceded in death by her
husband, W. Howard Gilbert; and a grandchild, Harold D. Braden Jr.
__________

Lois Abercrombie

 (ABANDA) Services for Lois Abercrombie, 95, of Abanda were Saturday, Oct. 18,
2003, at 2 p.m. at Abanda Methodist Church with the Rev. James Duke officiating. 
Burial was at Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery.
 Mrs. Abercrombie died Thursday, Oct. 16, at George H. Lanier Nursing Home,
Valley.
 Born May 19, 1908, in Chambers County, Mrs. Abercrombie was a member of
Abanda Methodist Church. She was retired from Clegg Manufacturing after many
years of service.
 She is survived by seven children, Roy L. Smith of Pensacola, Fla., Wesley D.
Smith of Abanda, Mable Geneva Abercrombie, Ruth S. Allen and Becky Parmer of
LaGrange, Ga., Carl Durrell Smith of Cusseta and James Ralph Smith of Lanett; 18
grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 36 great-great-grandchildren. She was
preceded in death by her husbands, Madison Smith and R. V. "Buck" Abercrombie; a
son, John A. Smith; a daughter, Louise Smith; and an infant.
 Pallbearers were grandsons.
 Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Abanda Methodist Church.
 Arrangements were by Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette.
__________

June Boxx

 (LINEVILLE) Services for June Boxx, 67, of Lineville were Saturday, Oct. 25,
2003, at 1 p.m. at Clay County Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronnie Smith
officiating. Burial was in Clay County Memory Gardens.
 Mrs. Boxx died Wednesday, Oct. 15, at her home.
 Survivors include her husband, Alton K. Boxx; four daughters, Jackie
Cornelius of Mobile, Gayle Kelly and Joy Duff, all of Irvington, and Phyllis
Waits of Lineville; four sisters, Freda Horne of Wedowee, Opal Johnson and
Elaine Wiggins, both of Pensacola, Fla., and Doris Boutwell of Brewton; four
brothers, Paul Pitts of Pensacola, Bobby Pitts of Gulfport, Miss., James Pitts
of Las Vegas, Nev., and Gary Pitts of Ashland; 11 grandchildren, and 12
great-grandchildren.
 Mrs. Boxx, a Clay County native and longtime resident, was a member of
Bellview Baptist Church. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by two
grandsons.
__________

Iva Ion Folsom

 (ROANOKE) Services for Iva Ion Folsom, 88, of Roanoke were Friday, Oct. 17,
2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Stoney Halsey and
the Rev. Cecil Halsey officiating. Burial followed at Forest Home Christian
Church Cemetery.
 Mrs. Folsom died Wednesday, Oct. 15, at East Alabama Medical Center in
Opelika.
 Survivors include two daughters, Mildred Coggins and Martha Johnson, both of
Roanoke; two sisters, Marjorie Schlief of Atlanta and Virginia Pike of Roanoke;
two brothers, Glenn Henry of Roanoke and Jimmy Henry of Valley; four
grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Glenn Johnson, Donald Johnson, Michael Mitchell, Brian
Mitchell, Philip Calhoun, T. J. Rushton, Dr. Melbourne Holmes and Randy
Cummings.
 A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mrs. Folsom was born Oct. 10, 1915,
daughter of Wyatt and Mollie Meacham Henry. She was a homemaker and a member of
Forest Home Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd
Folsom, and two grandchildren, Floyd Smith and Iva Dale Phillips.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________ 

Doris LeCroy

 (COLUMBIA, S.C.) Doris LeCroy 79, of Columbia, S.C., died Wednesday, Oct. 15,
2003.
 Funeral services were Friday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. at Riverland Hills Baptist
Church. Burial will follow [followed] at 4 p.m. in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens
in Savannah, Ga.
 Mrs. LeCroy is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Bruce of Columbia; two
sisters, Carol Rice and Barbara Yarborough, both of Valley; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
 Born in Malone, Ala., Mrs. LeCroy was retired from Savannah Bank and Trust. 
She was an active member of Riverland Hills Baptist Church, where she was a
member of the WMU. She was the daughter of the late Robert Shriggley and Minnie
Eiland Daniel.
 Memorials may be made to the International Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230.
 Arrangements were by Dunbar Funeral Home, Irmo, S.C.
__________

James Thomas Blake

 (TUSCALOOSA) James Thomas Blake, 63, of Tuscaloosa died Thursday, Oct. 16,
2003 at Druid City Hospital, Tuscaloosa.
 Graveside services were Saturday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. at Memory Hills Gardens.
 Surviving are his wife, Barbara Mitchell Blake; one son, Thomas Russell
Blake; one daughter, Paige Blake Moeller; four grandchildren; and two sisters,
Betty Jennings of Cottondale and Helen McGill of Wadley.
__________

Willie Lewis Bradshaw

 (ROANOKE) Willie Lewis Bradshaw, 37, of Roanoke, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003,
at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika.
 Services were at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Standing Rock, on Saturday, Oct.
18, at 1 p.m. CDT with the Rev. W. H. Trammell officiating. Burial was in the
church cemetery.
 Born Sept. 29, 1966, in Troup County, Ga., Mr. Bradshaw lived most of his
life in Randolph County. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
 Surviving are a devoted mother, Willie Mae Bradshaw of Roanoke; two sisters,
Peggy Clark and Lois Fuller of Roanoke; three brothers, Joe Bradshaw Jr., Rev.
Jessie Lee Bradshaw and Bobby Bradshaw, all of Roanoke; two uncles and seven
aunts; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
 Arrangements were by Vines Funeral Home, LaFayette.
__________

Verna B. Hurley

 (ROANOKE) Services for Verna B. Hurley, 93, of Roanoke were Thursday, Oct.
16, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Welcome Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Ridley Herren,
the Rev. S. T. Janney and the Rev. Ford Brown officiating. Burial followed at
the church cemetery with Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge.
 Mrs. Hurley died Tuesday, Oct. 14, at her home.
 Survivors include four daughters, Alene Driver, Betty Williams, Rebecca Kirby
and Deborah Hurley, all of Roanoke; a son, Frank Hurley of Roanoke; a sister
Myrtice Mitchell of Roanoke; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and seven
great-great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Jody Driver, Gary Driver, Marvin Kirby, Mitch Pike, Jim
Brown and Larry Driver. Honorary pallbearers were Wendell Williams, Cliford
Brown, Clayton Brown, Hulon Carlisle, Jimmy Dewberry, Clinice Brown, Danny Ray
Brown, Jimmy Young, Gary Boyd and Frank Knight.
 A Randolph County native, Mrs. Hurley was born July 13, 1910, the eighth of
William Charlie and Callie Holloway Brown's 13 children. She was a member of
Welcome Home Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for 50 years, and
had been employed with Handley Mills. She was preceded in death by her husband,
Pierce Dean Hurley.
__________

Merle Farrar Johnston

 (COLUMBUS, Ga.) Mrs. Merle Farrar Johnston, 79, of Columbus, Ga., died
Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at Pine Manor Nursing Home due to complications from an
auto accident that occurred Sept 7, 2003.
 Graveside services were Thursday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. in Parkhill Cemetery
with the Rev. Charles Hasty Jr. officiating.
 Mrs. Johnston is survived by three sons, Robert G. Johnston III, Charles
Lewis Johnston and David Douglas Johnston, all of Columbus; one daughter, Carol
Eileen Johnston Kliener of Auburn; one sister, Joy Farrar Pike of Fredonia, Ga.;
three brothers, Ed Farrar of Abbottsford, Ga., Richard Farrar of Lanett and
Henry Farrar of Greenville, Ga.; and five grandchildren.
 Born Dec. 23, 1923, in Standing Rock, Mrs. Johnston had lived in Columbus
most of her life and attended First Presbyterian Church in Columbus. She
graduated from Five Points High School in Five Points, Ala., in 1941. She was
an accomplished girls basketball player and loved all sports. Mrs. Johnston
attended the Old City Hospital Nursing School, which was adjacent to what is now
the Columbus Regional Hospital, and was a registered nurse. She spent the last
30 years caring for many members of the community in their homes as a private
day nurse. Mrs. Johnston was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G.
Johnson [Johnston] Jr., in February 1975, and her brother, James Farrar, killed
in Italy in World War II. She was the daughter of the late Lewis Parrish Farrar
and Sallie Abbott Farrar.
 Those desiring may contribute to a favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
 Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus.
__________

Edward L. Herring

 (CARROLLTON, Ga.) Edward L. Herring, 40, of Carrollton, Ga., died Sunday,
Oct. 19, 2003, in Carroll County, Ga., from injuries sustained in an automobile
accident.
 Mr. Herring was the son of the late Edward Garfield and Myrtie Will Herring,
born March 12, 1963, in Heard County, Ga. At an early age he joined Friendship
Missionary Baptist Church in Wadley. He was a 1982 graduate of Randolph County
High School and later served in the U.S. Air Force. He was employed at
Southwire since 1988.
 Surviving are his wife, Faye Herring; one daughter, Deanndrelle Jones; two
stepdaughters, Tawanica Wolf and Daphne Kelly; and one stepson, Walter Wolf, all
of Carrollton; a grandfather, John W. Houston; three sisters, Sylvia Welch of
Austell, Ga., Janice Crawford of Wedowee and Jean Castleberry of Carrollton; and
four brothers, Stanley J. Herring of Villa Rica, Ga., Dennis Herring of Roanoke,
Lyndon F. Herring of Wedowee and Wayne Stephen of Atlanta.
 Public viewing will be Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Duane
A. Jackson Mortuary Chapel, Carrollton.
 Services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church,
with burial in the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Woodland.
 Arrangements are by Duane A. Jackson Mortuary, Carrollton.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader
October 29, 2003
___________________
OBITUARIES:

Nolan McClain

 (VALLEY) Nolen McClain, 91, of Valley died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, at George
H. Lanier Memorial Hospital in Valley.
 Funeral services were Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. EST at Langdale
Congregational Christian Church with the Revs. Don Sailor and Lynn McClain
officiating. Burial was in Resthaven Memorial Gardens.
 Mr. McClain is survived by two daughters, Nola Dean Jones of Valley and Lynda
Hornsby of Opelika; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother,
Paul McClain; two half-brothers, the Rev. Carl McClain and David McClain; and
one sister, Mertie Lee Tittle.
 Born April 28, 1912, in Randolph County, Mr. McClain had worked for WestPoint
Pepperell for almost 50 years and had also worked for a number of years at
George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital. He was a very active member of Langdale
Congregational Christian Church, where he served as a member of the choir for
more than 60 years and held the title of Deacon Emeritus. He was a musician and
had played with several gospel groups. He had also formed the Drifting Trio, a
country music band, in the Valley area. Mr. McClain was preceded in death by
his wife, Eunice Crutchfield McClain; a brother, Dewey McClain; and a sister,
Sinie Smith. He was the son of the late Sally Woody McClain and Colonel
McClain.
 The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers and asks that memorials
be made to Langdale Congregational Christian Church or to a charity of one's
choice in his memory.
 Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley.

Note: Nolan/Nolen has been transcribed as written in obituary.
__________
 
Sherrell Karon Richardson

 (ROANOKE) Services for Mr. Sherrell Karon Richardson, 38, of Roanoke,
formerly of Griffin, Ga., were Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Quattlebaum
Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Sonny Kent and the Rev. Jerry Barrett officiating. 
Burial was in Potash Cemetery.
 Mr. Richardson died Saturday, Oct. 25, at his home.
 Survivors include his mother, Myrtice Richardson of Roanoke; his father,
Sherrell Richardson of Roanoke; his sister, Johnifer Wilson of Roanoke; two
brothers, William Phillip Richardson of Standing Rock and Matthew Richardson of
Wadley; and several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
 A Randolph County native, Mr. Richardson was born Aug. 9, 1965, son of Milton
Sherrell and Myrtice Faye Gosdin Richardson.
 Pallbearers were Gerardo Reyes, Jeff Cole, Jimmy Richardson, Ryan Royston,
Hershel Richardson and Blake Jones.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________

Bernice Lorene Cummings

 (WEDOWEE) Services for Bernice Lorene Cummings, 84, of Wedowee were Monday,
Oct. 27, 2003, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Wedowee, with the Rev. Don
Paris, Bro. Ricky Daniel and Bro. Roger Hammett officiating. Burial was at
Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
 Mrs. Cummings died Saturday, Oct. 25, at Wedowee Hospital.
 Survivors include a daughter, Geraldine C. Hammett of Wedowee; a son, Jeff
Cummings of Desoto, Texas; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two
sisters, Edith Kirby of Rock Stand and Lenora Howell of Cartersville, Ga.; and
four brothers, Zenas Williamson of Roanoke, Shellie Williamson of Florida,
Preston Williamson of Atlanta and Kenneth Williamson of Cedartown, Ga.
 Deacons of First Baptist Church of Wedowee served as pallbearers. Wedowee
Hospital staff served as honorary pallbearers.
 A Randolph County native, Mrs. Cummings was born June 7, 1919, daughter of
Albert and Mamie Craven Williamson. She had worked as an x-ray technician with
Wedowee Hospital for 42 years, was a member of First Baptist Church of Wedowee,
the WMU, the Joy KAPP Sunday School Class and the Alabama LPN Association. She
was preceded in death by a son, John Albert Cummings.
 Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________

Ralph W. Ballard

 (VALLEY) Ralph W. Ballard, 84, of Valley died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, at his
residence.
 Funeral services were Sunday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. EST at Johnson Brown-Service
Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with the Rev. Steve York officiating. Burial
followed in Resthaven Memorial Gardens.
 Mr. Ballard is survived by his wife, Marion Underwood Ballard; one daughter,
Patricia B. Meigs of Lanett; one son, Richard Ballard of Lanett; one sister,
Mary Frances Ingram of Valley; one grandchild; two step-grandchildren; and one
great-grandchild.
 Born Nov. 11, 1918, in Randolph County, Mr. Ballard was a veteran of World
War II, where he served with the U.S. Army and was a retired employee of
WestPoint Stevens Martex Warehouse in Fairfax with more than 43 years of service
with the company. He was a member of Fairfax First Baptist Church, the American
Legion and was a former member of the Lion Club. Mr. Ballard was preceded in
death by his son, Ralph Stephen Ballard. He was the son of the late Nancy
Gertrude Fincher Ballard and William Jackson Ballard.
 Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Fairfax First Baptist
Church, Chattahoochee Hospice or to the American Cancer Society in his memory.
 Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley.
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Laura Holloway Rushton Burks

 (ROANOKE) Services for Laura Holloway Rushton Burks, 88, of Roanoke were
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev.
Gerald Sheppard officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
 Mrs. Burks died Thursday, Oct. 23, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
 Survivors include two grandchildren, Ronnie Rushton of Roanoke and Janice
Welsh of LaGrange, Ga.; one brother, Henry Holloway of Louisville, Ky.; seven
great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were Tommy Rushton, Scotty Rushton, Kenny Rushton, Mac Ruston,
Brian Laws and Render Yarbrough.
 A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mrs. Rushton was born Dec. 24, 1914,
daughter of Charles Henry and Birdie Mae Tetters Holloway. She had been
employed with Wehadkee Yarn Mills. She was preceded in death by her husbands,
Mack Rushton and Hoyt Burks; a son, Rufus Rushton; and a grandson, Ricky
Rushton.
 Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Ann Blunt Shell

 (LAFAYETTE) Mary Ann Blunt Shell, 88, of LaFayette died Tuesday, Oct. 21,
2003, at her residence.
 Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. CST at Mt. Zion Missionary
Baptist Church in LaFayette with the Rev. Melvin Owens officiating. Burial
followed in Handy Cemetery in LaFayette.
 Mrs. Shell is survived by two sons, Walter Blunt and George Blunt, both of
Mobile; three daughters, Charlene Holloway of LaFayette, Ola Mae Hill of Lanett
and Christine Davis of West Point, Ga.; a daughter-in-law; one sister, Marie
King of Chattanooga, Tenn.; 37 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren and 19
great-great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.
 Born May 7, 1915, in Chambers County, Mrs. Shell was a member of Mt. Zion
Missionary Baptist Church in LaFayette, where she served in the Women's
Missionary Society for many years. She was retired from Traylor Nursing Home
after more than 15 years of service.
 Arrangements were by Vines Funeral Home Inc., LaFayette.
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Carl Earnest

 (VALLEY) Carl Earnest, 90, of Valley died Thursday morning, Oct. 23, 2003, at
his residence.
 Funeral services were Saturday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at Langdale United
Methodist Church with the Rev. Mike Stonbraker officiating. Burial followed in
Langdale Cemetery.
 Mr. Earnest is survived by his wife, Mary Lowe Earnest; his brother, William
D. Earnest of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Mildred J. Earnest of Wadley,
Ala., and Mary E. Ellis of Fairfax; one daughter, Patricia (George Franklin)
Alexander of Valley; and one grandson, George Franklin Alexander, Jr.
 Born May 3, 1913 in Randolph County, Ala., Mr. Earnest was a veteran of World
War II where he served in the U.S. Army. Prior to his retirement, he worked as
a supervisor at Words Dairy. Mr. Earnest was a member of Langdale United
Methodist Church. He was the son of the late Mary Fincher Earnest and Allen B.
Earnest.
 The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers and asks that memorials
be made to Langdale United Methodist Church in his memory.
 Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley.
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Willie A. Akins

 (LANETT) Willie A. Akins, 76, of Lanett died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at
Beverly Health Care in Lanett.
 Funeral services were Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. EDT at Johnson
Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with the Revs. Clifford Delee and
Stiles Aikens officiating. Burial followed in Resthaven Memorial Gardens.
 Mr. Aikens is survived by his wife, Dorothy K. Aikens; three daughters, Mary
Ann McCarthy of Childersburg and Sandra Camp and Desiree Aikens, both of Lanett;
four sons, Jimmy Ray Aikens of Valley, Odell Aikens of Lanett, Willie Doyle
Aikens of Standing Rock, and Tracy Aikens of Lanett; three sisters, Minnie Camp
of Valley, and Almarene Clark and Kamae Etchison, both of LaGrange, Ga.; three
brothers, Bruce Aikens of Five Points, John D. Aikens of Roanoke and Freeman R.
Aikens of LaGrange; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 Born Feb. 13, 1927, in Clay County, Mr. Aikens was a retired employee of
Lanett Mill. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a member
of Community Baptist Church. Mr. Aikens was the son of the late Malinda
Thompson Aikens and Roscoe Aikens.
 Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice in his memory.
 Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley.
 
NOTE: Akins/Aikens has been transcribed as written in the obituary.
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Leonard Lee

 (AUGUSTA, Ga.) Services for Leonard Lee, 52, of Augusta, Ga., were Friday,
Oct. 24, 2003, at Wehadkee Missionary Baptist Church, Roanoke, with burial in
the adjoining cemetery.
 Mr. Lee died Monday, Oct. 20, at University Hospital in Augusta.
 Survivors include his wife, Nora Lee of Wedowee; two sons, David Lee and
Leonard Lee Jr. of Wedowee; three daughters, Jennifer Lee, Jackie Lee and Teresa
Lee of Wedowee; a brother, Thomas Lee of Roanoke; a special friend, Linda
Hallman of Augusta; a granddaughter; one brother-in-law and four sisters-in-law.
 Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
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J. V. Langley

 (BEULAH) J. V. Langley, 68, of Beulah died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, at his
residence.
 Funeral services were Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, at 3 p.m. EDT at Johnson
Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with the Rev. Jim Dykes officiating. 
Burial followed in the Sanders Family Cemetery.
 Mr. Langley is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gladys A. Langley; four daughters,
Kay Darley of Hampton, S.C., Nonie Smith of Loxley and Lorene Sanders and Gloria
Vaughan, both of Beulah; two sisters, Pauline Jones and Doris Adams, both of
Beulah; one brother, Cecil Langley of West Point, Ga.; 12 grandchildren and 12
great-grandchildren.
 Born June 18, 1935, in Wadley, Mr. Langley was a carpenter for more than 40
years. He liked to fish and was a devoted family man who loved spending time
with his grandchildren. Mr. Langley was of the Baptist faith.
 Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to hospice in his memory.
 Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley.
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Mary Ann McCormick

 (HEFLIN) Services for Mary Ann McCormick, 64, of Heflin were Thursday, Oct.
23, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Pine Grove Baptist Church with the Revs. Charles
Benefield, John D. Collins and George Pike officiating. Burial was in the church
cemetery with Dryden Funeral Home of Heflin in charge.
 Mrs. McCormick died Monday, Oct. 20, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical
Center in Anniston.
 Survivors include three daughters, Clara Bryant of Boaz, Rita Alwine of
Ranburne and Denise Sprayberry of Heflin; two sons, Gary McCormick of Heflin,
and Larry McCormick of Ranburne; a sister, Alma Henry of Woodland; three
brothers, Ed Vaughn, Robert Vaughn and Willis Vaughn, all of Heflin; 13
grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
 Pallbearers were grandchildren and nephews.
 Mrs. McCormick, a Cleburne County native and lifelong resident, was a member
of Beason Grove Baptist Church. She retired from Sewell Manufacturing Co. of
Bowdon, Ga., as an inspector. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester
McCormick.
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Jimmie Louis Meadows

 (TUSCALOOSA) Jimmie Louis Meadows, 87, of Tuscaloosa, formerly of LaFayette,
died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003.
 Mr. Meadows was a native of LaFayette and a member of Mt. Pleasant United
Methodist Church, Five Points.
 Survivors include four sisters, Willie Bessie Woods of Five Points, Mary
Ethel Williams and Bertha Lee Williams of Atlanta, and Sarah Ruth Meadows of
Cincinnati, Ohio; and a brother, Calvin R. Meadows of Cincinnati.
 Services for Mr. Meadows were Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant
United Methodist Church, Five Points, with the Rev. Robinson officiating. 
Interment was in the church cemetery.
 Arrangements were by Silmon & Son Funeral Services, Roanoke.
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