Randolph County AlArchives Obituaries.....Leader, The Randolph January 1993 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: William Fischer, Jr. wefjr7944@hotmail.com September 25, 2006, 6:52 am The Randolph Leader, January 1993 The Randolph Leader January 6, 1993 _________________ OBITUARIES: Emmie Carter (102) (LINEVILLE) Funeral services for Emmie Carter, 102, of Route 1, Lineville, were Sunday, Jan. 3, 1993, at 2 p.m. at Benefield (Lineville) Funeral Chapel, with Rev. James Duke officiating. Burial was in Cragford Cemetery. Mrs. Carter died Thursday, Dec. 31, at Lineville Nursing Facility. She was a native and lifelong resident of Clay County, a housewife, and a member of Lineville Chapter, Order of Eastern Star 120, and Cragford United Methodist Church. Mrs. Carter is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Vivian White of Orlando, Fla., Mrs. Clarice Wooten of Alexandria, and Mrs. Mary Stephens of Fayetteville, Ga.; one son, J. H. Carter of Birmingham; 17 grandchildren[;] 39 great- grandchildren[;] and 33 great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Jimmy Carter, Billy Carter, Jackie Carter, Richard Wooten, David Stephens and David Weeks. Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville was in charge of arrangements. __________ Marion H. Foster (LAGRANGE) Funeral services for Marion H. Foster, 67, of LaGrange, Ga., were Thursday, Dec. 31, 1992, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Rev. O. J. Hodnett officiating. Burial was at Standing Rock Cemetery. Mr. Foster died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1992, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange. A former resident of Standing Rock, Mr. Foster was born Mar. 22, 1925, son of Reginal C. and Estelle Noell Foster. He served in the Navy during WWII, was a member of VFW 4629 of LaGrange, the American Legion and the Pulp [sic Pup] Tent Cooties. His parents, a brother, R. C. Foster, and a sister, Vivian Ellinton, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Martha Lorene Gore Foster; two daughters, Mrs. Sherry Daniel of Rock Mills and Mrs. Joyce Akins of Standing Rock; a son, Barry Mickey Foster of Newnan, Ga.; four sisters, Mrs. Betty Joe Lane of Huntsville, [and] Mrs. Ann Murphy, Mrs. Linda Walker and Mrs. Diane Shetts, all [of] LaGrange; six grandchildren[;] and one great-grandchild. Pallbearers will be [sic were] members of the Pulp [sic Pup] Tent 46 Cooties of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ Cornelius Jack Coleman (LINEVILLE) Funeral services for Cornelius Jack Coleman, age 89, of Lineville[,] were held Thursday, Dec. 31, 1992[,] at 11 p.m. [sic - a.m.] at Benefield Funeral Chapel of Lineville with Rev. Jerry Colquitt officiating. A Masonic graveside service followed in Clay County Memory Gardens. Mr. Coleman died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1992[,] at Regional Medical Center in Anniston. He was a native of Clay County and a former resident of Randolph and Talladega counties. He had lived in Clay County most of his life. Mr. Coleman was a retired machinist from Avondale Mills in Sylacauga, a member of Lineville Masonic Lodge #219 F&AM, the Fellowship Bible Class and Lineville Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maude Coleman of Lineville; two daughters, Maudine Brazier of Sycamore and Rosa Caudle of Chamblee, Ga.; a brother, Tom Coleman of Sylacauga; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Kenneth Snow, L. D. Miller, Clemon Graben, E. Z. Benefield, Harlan Mayall and James Allen Jordan. Honorary pallbearers were the Fellowship Bible Class and members of Masonic Lodge #219. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Clay County Rescue Squad. Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville was in charge of arrangements. __________ Herbert W. Clegg (MARIETTA, Ga.) Herbert W. Clegg, 74, of Marietta[,] died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1992. Services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Marietta, with the Revs. Richard Harris and Claude Smithmier officiating. Members of the Marietta Civitan Club served as honorary pallbearers. Burial was in Kennesaw Memorial Park. Mr. Clegg was a native of Randolph County, Ala. He received a bachelor's degree from Piedmont College in Demorest and served 3 years in the Quartermaster Corps during World War II. After the war he moved to Marietta to become the first State Farm Insurance agent in Cobb County. Before retirement, Mr. Clegg earned membership in the State Farm President's Club. He was the past-president of the Marietta Civitan Club and a member of the club for 45 years. He was a member of the Men's Club and was past chairman of the baord [sic board] of trustees of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Cressie L. Clegg of Marietta; four daughters, Cynthia L. Franklin, Sherry L. Clegg, and Martha P. Clegg, all of Marietta, and Joan Waits of Cartersville, Ga.; a sister, Nora Hart of Dublin, Texas; two brothers, Thomas and Leonard Clegg of Wicomico Church, Va.; two grandchildren; two great[-]grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. __________ Earnest Odell Whitmore (ASHLAND) Funeral services for Earnest Odell Whitmore, 76, of Ashland, were Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1992[,] at Providence Baptist Church in Woodland, with Rev. Tony Morris and Rev. David Daniel officiating. Burial was in the adjoining church cemetery. Mr. Whitmore died Sunday, Dec. 20, at Clay County Hospital. He was born July 13, 1916[,] in Randolph County to H. V. Whitmore and Pearl Buckanan. He was employed by the Auburn Extension Service for 28 years and was a member of Providence Baptist Church in Woodland. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn M. Whitmore of Ashland; two daughters, Patricia Ann Williams of Ashland and Nellie Ruth Boulware of Alexander City; five brothers, Sherman Whitmore, Bunny Whitmore and H. V. Whitmore, all of Woodland, Sylvester Whitmore of Rock Mills and Alford Whitmore of LaGrange, Ga.; six sisters, Irene Nichols of Columbus, Ga.[,] Loyce Parker of Whitesburg, Ga., Magolene Buckanan of Seagrove, N.C., Vesmer Blount and Elizabeth Hicks, both of LaGrange, and Rachel Bethea of Opelika; three grandchildren[;] and five great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Ronnie Boulware, Pierce Nichols, Rudolph Blanks[,] Steve Cantrell, John Yates and Rodney Lum. Radney's Brown-Service Funeral Home of Alexander City was in charge of arrangements. __________ Fred Gay (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Fred Gay, 57, of Roanoke will be Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1993, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Quattlebaum Funeral Home, with the Rev. J. T. Rollins and the Rev. Johnny Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Beulah Baptist Church cemetery. Mr. Gay died Monday, Jan. 4, at Randolph County Hospital, Roanoke. A lifelong resident of Randolph County, he was born Aug. 14, 1935. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Bertha Gay Jeffers of Roanoke, and his step-father, D. V. Jeffers of Roanoke. Mr. Gay was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Jane Gay. Quattlebaum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. __________ Elizabeth Ross Higgins (ROANOKE) Elizabeth Ross Higgins, 76, of Roanoke died Sunday, Dec. 27, 1992[,] at Randolph County Hospital. Mrs. Higgins was born in Utica, Hines County, Miss., on Apr. 23, 1916, daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Strong Ross. She and her husband, Marshall Wilson Higgins, came to Randolph County shortly after their marriage in 1936. He preceded her in death in Feb. 1984. She was a devoted member of Friendship Baptist Church, Wadley RFD. Survivors include two brothers, Samuel Ross of Los Angeles, Calif., and Franklin Ross of Pasadena, Calif.; three sisters, Mrs. Lula Thigens of Los Angeles, Mrs. Alice Baker of Big Bear Lake, Calif., and Mrs. Letitia Mozee of Englewood, Calif.; and seven nephews and eight nieces. Services for Mrs. Higgins were at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, with Rev. Calvin Trammell, pastor, and Rev. R. L. Heflin officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Myrtie Lou Gosdin (FRANKLIN, Ga.) Myrtie Lou Gosdin, 46, of Franklin, Ga., formerly of Woodland, died Friday, Jan. 1, 1993, in West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, after an extended illness. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at Big Springs Baptist Church, with Rev. David Daniel, Rev. Alan Fuller, and Rev. Steve Dempsey officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Gosdin was a native of Randolph County who had lived in Franklin for the past five years. She was a clerk-typist with the Newnan Housing Authority and was a member of Centralhatchee Baptist Church. Mrs. Gosdin is survived by her husband, Delmer Gosdin of Franklin; one daughter, Mrs. Cindy Roberts of Woodland; three sons, Ted Arrington, Greg Arrington and Don Arrington, all of Woodland; three grandchildren; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Herren; one brother, Frankie Herren [no location given]; three stepsons, Kenneth Gosdin of Tyrone, Ga., Gary Gosdin of Lovejoy, Ga., and Mickey Gosdin of Franklin; seven step-grandchildren; and one nephew. Pallbearers were Kenneth Gosdin, Gary Gosdin, Mickey Gosdin, Edward Herren, Ridley Herren and Jerry Herren. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements. __________ Archie W. Johnson (GRAHAM) Archie W. Johnson, 82, of Route 1, Graham, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 1992[,] in Randolph County Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Johnson was born July 28, 1910, the son of the late Stephen Wade and Clara Tomlinson Johnson. He was a retired poultry farmer and a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Flora Hand Johnson of Graham; one brother, Bob Johnson of Woodland; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were Friday, Jan. 1, at 1 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, Graham, with Rev. Gus Young and Rev. Herman Smith officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Rainwater & West Funeral Home of Bowdon, Ga., was in charge of arrangements. ______________________________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader January 13, 1993 _________________ OBITUARIES: Vennie Lee Roberts (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Vennie Lee Roberts, 81, of Roanoke, were Friday, Jan. 8, 1993, at 11 a.m. at Rock Stand Christian Church with Dr. Frederick W. Bassett officiating. Burial followed at the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Roberts died Wednesday, Jan. 6[,] at University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center. A Randolph County native, Mrs. Roberts was the daughter of Marvin B. and Arrie Messer Kirby. She was a member of Rock Stand Christian Church. Her parents and a brother, Denson Kirby, preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband, Rev. Wallace Roberts of Roanoke; two daughters, Peggy Lee Roberts Bassett of Hilton Head Beach, S.C.[,] and Mrs. Myra L. Hill of Port Richey, Fla.; a brother, J. A. Kirby of Roanoke; five grandchildren[;] and six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were grandchildren of Mrs. Roberts. Deacons of Beulah Christian Church and ministers of the East Alabama Association of Congregational Christian Churches served as honorary pallbearers. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ Sara L. Johnson (WADLEY) Funeral services for Sara L. Johnson, 75, of Wadley were Saturday, Jan. 2, 1993, at Sanders Funeral Home, with Rev. Floyd Aikens officiating and interment in Darian Cemetery near Wadley. Mrs. Johnson died Thursday, Dec. 31[,] at East Alabama Medical Center [Opelika]. She was a retired nurse who worked at several nursing homes, George H. Lanier Hospital in Valley and Batson T. B. Sanatorium in LaFayette. Survivors include a daughter, Sara Ann Scott of Valley; two sons, Neil Johnson of Travelers' Rest, S.C.[,] and Carl Johnson of Wadley; a brother, C. D. Leverette of Birmingham; ten grandchildren[;] and 11 great- grandchildren. Arrangements were by Sanders Funeral Home in LaFayette. __________ Joe William Boyd (WOODLAND) Funeral services for Joe William Boyd, 63, of Rt. 1, Woodland were Jan. 9, 1993, at 2 p.m. from Quattlembaum [sic] Funeral Chapel with Revs. Terry Calhoun, Paul Conway, Earl Rollins and J. W. Daniels officiating. Burial followed at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mr. Boyd died Wednesday, Jan. 6[,] at his residence. A long-time resident of Randolph County, Mr. Boyd was born in Ranburne and was the son of Jethro McKenzie and Minnie Pearl Johnson Boyd. He was a member of Zion Church of God. Survivors include his wife, Mary Louise Holman Boyd of Woodland; three daughters, Hazel Jean Powers of Roanoke, Sherry Louise Buitendyk of Woodland and Clara Lee Reynolds of Woodland; three sons, James Boyd of Roanoke, Forrest Luther Reynolds of Rock Mills and James David Reynolds of Roanoke; two sisters, Eva Mae Johnson and Ruby Lee Rogers, both of Newnan, Ga.; three brothers, Thomas J. Boyd and Hollis Boyd, both of Newnan, Ga.[,] and T. G. Boyd of Florida; and one grandchild. Pallbearers were Lewis Zimmer, George Zimmer, Junior Rollins, John Buitendyk and Rex Wilson. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ Cassandra (Gail) McClendon (ROANOKE) Cassandra (Gail) McClendon, 25, of Roanoke[,] died Monday, Jan. 4, 1993, at Randolph County Hospital. Ms. McClendon was born in Calhoun County, Ala. She was a member of Canaan Baptist Church (Welch), where she served as vice-president and chaplain of the Usher Board. Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Erma Jean Smith of Roanoke; her guardian, Mrs. Susie Mae Phillips of Roanoke; a sister, Mrs. Brenda Joyce Hines of Roanoke; a brother, Timothy Smith of Roanoke; a grandfather, James Hall of Anniston; and a very special and devoted friend, Henry Clay Hines of Roanoke. Services for Ms. McClendon were Saturday, Jan. 9[,] at 2 p.m. from Canaan Baptist Church, with Rev. W. R. Terry, Rev. Quinton Tibbs and Rev. C. L. Wilkes officiating. Interment was in the Canaan Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jesse Smith, Pierce Smith, Emanuel Demming, Frederick Demming, William Foster and Joe Austin. Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke. __________ Mary C. Allen (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Mary C. Allen, 80, of LaGrange died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1993, at West Georgia Medical Center. Mrs. Allen was born Aug. 25, 1912, in Fort Deposit, Ala. A graduate of Baylor University and Bowling Green Commercial College in Kentucky, she taught school in Louisiana and Alabama, including Five Points High School. She also was employed as a secretary by Callaway Mills in LaGrange and U.S. Rubber Co. in Hogansville, Ga. She was a member of LaGrange First Baptist Church and a member-at-large of Bellevue, and was an active supporter of the LaGrange/Troup County Humane Society. Survivors include her husband, Nick Allen of LaGrange; a sister, Mrs. Roy Epps of Montgomery; a niece, Mrs. Dorothy E. Long of Brundidge; two great-nieces; one great-great-niece[;] and several cousins. Funeral services were Thursday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. in the LaGrange Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, with Dr. Paul R. Baxter and Dr. Gil Watson officiating. Burial was in Shadowlawn Cemetery. Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange, was in charge of arrangements. __________ Robert (Jack) Oliver (ROANOKE) Robert (Jack) Oliver, 55, of 114 Reed St., Roanoke, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 1993. Mr. Oliver was employed by Southwire of Carrollton, Ga. He was a member of Canaan Baptist Church at Welch. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Oliver of Roanoke; two daughters, Ms. Alesia Lorraine McFarlin and Ms. Robin Deneene Oliver, both of Roanoke; three grandchildren, Raveen D'Janeen, Kawanna and Xavier McFarlin, all of Roanoke; three sisters, Mrs. Ida Simpson of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Mrs. Edith Drake and Mrs. Fannie M. Kendricks, both of Five Points; one brother, Roy Oliver of Five Points; a special mother-in-law, Mrs. Louise Adams of Roanoke; and a special cousin, Luther E. Grier of Atlanta, Ga. Services for Mr. Oliver will be held Thursday, Jan. 14[,] at 2 p.m. from Canaan Baptist Church, with Rev. W. R. Terry and Rev. J. D. Darden officiating. Interment will be in Canaan Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews of Mr. Oliver. Honorary pallbearers will be William Whitlow, Walter Whitlow, Charlie Whitlow, Felix Bell, Willie Veal, Douglas Heard, Dennis Baker, John Broom and Elijah Brooks. Arrangements are by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke. Visitation will be at the Chapel of Silmon Mortuary on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. __________ Paralee Nelson (VALLEY) Funeral services for Paralee Nelson, 90, of Valley, were on Friday, Jan. 8, 1993, at 4 p.m. at Osanippa Baptist Church, with Revs. Ezra Nash and Rufus Thornton officiating. Mrs. Nelson died on Wednesday, Jan. 6[,] at East Alabama Medical Center [Opelika]. She was a homemaker and a member of the Osanippa Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Cook of Lanett and Erline Lauderdale of LaFayette; two sons, Olton Nelson of Valley and Leon Nelson of Lanett; three sisters, Cordie Hodges of Roanoke, Estelle Crenshaw of LaGrange and Lemer Perry of Roanoke; 14 grandchildren[;] 18 great- grandchildren[;] and three great-great-grandchildren. Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley was in charge of arrangements. __________ Paul Wright Edwards (OPELIKA) Funeral services for Paul Wright Edwards, 54, of 2400 Greenbriar St., Opelika, were Sunday, Jan. 10, 1993, at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, Opelika, with Rev. Walter Albritton and Rev. Earl Ballard officiating. Burial was in Garden Hill Cemetery, Opelika. Mr. Edwards died Jan. 8[,] at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. He was a native of Wedowee, where he graduated from high school. He received a B.S. degree from Jacksonville State University and a master's degree in education from Auburn University. Since 1972, he had been an instructor at Opelika State Technical College in the data processing department. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Teresa Edwards of Opelika; a son, Mark A. Edwards of Monroeville; a daughter, Christi Phillips of Delta; his mother, Hattie Edwards of Lineville; and five brothers, Earl M. Edwards of Pensacola, Fla., Robert K. Edwards of Roanoke, William F. Edwards of Kingsburg, Calif., H. Ray Edwards of Wedowee and Elbert E. Edwards of Bay St. Louis, Miss. Jeffcoat Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ Essie Louise Paulsen (ATTALLA) Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 1993, for Essie Louise Paulsen, 84, of 16th Ave. N.W., Attalla, Ala., who died Wednesday, Jan. 6. Rev. Otis Green officiated and burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Attalla. Collier-Butler Funeral Home was in charge. Mrs. Paulsen was a lifetime resident of Attalla and a member of Northside Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William O'Neil Paulsen Sr., and a son, James Patrick Carmichael. Survivors include two sons, Donald Nels Paulson [sic] of Commerce, Ga., formerly of Roanoke, Ala., and William O'Neil Bill Paulsen Jr.; six grandchildren[;] and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Chris Paulson [sic], Mark Payne, Michael Paulson [sic], Gerald Minton, Neil Paulsen and Charles Owens Jr. __________ Thelma Adams (WINTER HAVEN, Fla.) Thelma Adama, 68, of 1209 29th St. N.W., Winter Haven, Fla., died Thursday, Dec. 31, 1992, at her residence. Funeral services were Jan. 4, 1993, at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, with Rev. Terry Henderson officiating. Burial was in Lakeside Memorial Park, Winter Haven. A native of Woodland, Ala., she came to Winter Haven in 1945. She was a plant laborer for Coca-Cola in Auburndale and was a member of Inwood Baptist Church. Mrs. Adams in survived by two daughters, Eileen Cooper of Davenport, Fla., and Kay Hull of Chicago, Ill.; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Kathryn Griffin and Flora Meadows of Woodland. ______________________________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader January 20, 1993 _________________ OBITUARIES: Ora Lee Sterling Billingsley (WEDOWEE) Mrs. Ora Lee Sterling Billingsley, 84, of Route 2, Wedowee, passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 1993, following an extended home confinement. Mrs. Billingsley is [sic was] a native of Randolph County, having resided in Anniston and Gadsden, where she was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lincoln Prack Billingsley. The family is receiving friends at the home of Roy and Annie Minnifield of Route 2, County Road 15, Wedowee. Visitation will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service's parlor on Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 6 to 8. The body will be placed in the church one hour before the service on the day of the funeral. Services will be Thursday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wedowee with Rev. Henry Sterling officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Retha Georgia Frierson and Mrs. Mary Billingsley of Gadsden[,] and Mrs. Annie Minnifield of Wedowee; two sons, Arthur Trimble of Los Angeles, Calif., and Raymond G. Newell of San Jose', Calif.; two sisters, Ms. Ellie B. Sterling of Anniston and Mrs. Jewel Sterling Scales of Atlanta, Ga.; eight step-daughters; five step-sons; 20 grandchildren[;] and 18 great-grandchildren. Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements. __________ Earnest Lee Scott (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Earnest Lee Scott, 89, of Route 3, Roanoke, were Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1993, at 3 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Clayton Scott officiating. Burial was in Cedarwood Cemetery. Mr. Scott died Monday, Jan. 18, in Chambers County. A lifelong resident of Randolph County, Mr. Scott was born Dec. 5, 1903, son of O. D. and Ada Pike Scott. He was a member of Taylor's Crossroads Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, Carter Scott of Roanoke and Lehman Scott of Lanett; six sisters, Mrs. Jessie Mae Anglin, Mrs. Nancy Sue Dykes and Mrs. Mary Freeman of Valley, Mrs. Marvalene Griffin of Lanett, and Mrs. Margaret Cofield and Mrs. Myrtis Baldwin of Roanoke; two brothers, Carl Scott of Valley and Elmer Scott of Roanoke; five grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren[;] and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Ken Staples, Chris Taylor, Robin Scott, Ricky Scott, K. C. Staples, Tim Baldwin and Dennis Scott. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ Annie L. Harrington (WOODLAND) Annie L. Harrington, 85, of Rt. 2, Woodland, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 1993, in Lineville Nursing Facility, Lineville, after an extended illness. Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, at Herren's Grove Baptist Church, with Rev. Ridley Parmer and Rev. Ray Runyon officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Ms. Harrington is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Ezell Stephens of Woodland and Mrs. Charlie Rice of Heflin; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Carl Harrington, Mrs. Herbert Harrington and Mrs. Millard Harrington, all of Woodland; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were her nephews. Ms. Harrington was a charter member of Herren's Grove Baptist Church. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sam Harrington. Benefield Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. __________ Jerry L. Shepard (LITHIA SPRINGS, Ga.) Jerry L. Shepard of Lithia Springs died Jan. 2, 1993, at Douglas General Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Mattie B. Shepard; five sons, Harlin A. Shepard of Rock Mills, Ala., Travis Shepard of Douglasville, Ga., Jerry Shepard Jr. of Cumming, Ga., Wayne R. Shepard of Conyers, Ga., and Kenneth Shepard of Lithia Springs, Ga.; four daughters, Novis Gazaway of Mableton, Ga., Marline Moon of Douglasville, Diane Sego of Jonesboro, Ga., and Elaine Clark of Riverdale, Ga.; four brothers, Jim Shepard of Glenn, Ga., Hiram Shepard of Opelika, Ala., Willie Nathan Shepard of Roanoke, Ala., and Benny Shepard of Morrow, Ga.; and several grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Services were Monday, Jan. 4[,] at Liberty East Baptist Church, Woodland, Ala. Arrangements were by Whitley-Garner Funeral Home of Douglasville. __________ Robert Lee Roundtree (WEDOWEE) Robert Lee Roundtree, 61, of Route 2, Wedowee, died Monday, Jan. 11, 1993, following a brief confinement at Randolph County Hospital, Roanoke. Funeral services were Friday, Jan. 15[,] at Zion Rest Baptist Church, Wedowee[,] with Rev. R. L. Smith officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Pallbearers were nephews and friends of the family. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Nora Lee Roundtree of Wedowee; a brother, Horace Bobby Roundtree of Wedowee; three sisters, Ms. Isabell Wright, Mrs. Elizabeth Trammell and Mrs. Nora Ezell Lee of Wedowee[;] and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Roundtree was a native of Randolph County. He worked many years for Strain Construction Company and was a member of Union Chapel United Methodist Church, Wedowee. Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements. __________ Gertrude B. Walker (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Gertrude B. Walker, 79, of Roanoke were Friday, Jan. 15, 1993, at 2 p.m. from Trinity Baptist Church, with Rev. Danny Sumerlin, Bro. Bobby Kirby and Rev. Buford Senn officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mrs. Walker died Wednesday, Jan. 13, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. A lifelong resident of Randolph County, Mrs. Walker was born Jan. 1, 1914, daughter of Jim and Mary Siggers Brown. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by husbands Malcomb A. Walker and Joe Rutland[,] and a sister, Magaline Ruston. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Eris Reddoch of Valley and Mrs. Jimmie Bridges of Roanoke; five brothers, Robert Brown and Oren Brown of LaGrange, Ga., Aubrey Brown and Avery Brown of Valley, and Rayford Brown of Columbus, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were nephews of Mrs. Walker. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ John William Underwood (ROANOKE) Funeral services for John William (Johnny) Underwood Sr., 69, of Roanoke were Monday, Jan. 18[,] at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Quattlebaum Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bill Parker officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mr. Underwood died Saturday, Jan. 16[,] at his residence. A resident of Chambers County for the past 15 years, Mr. Underwood was born in Haywood, Mo., on June 7, 1923, the son of Loren and Myrtle Wyatt Underwood. He was a member of Eastwood Methodist Church and a veteran of World War Two. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Catherine Burdett Underwood of Roanoke; a daughter, Mrs. Ernestine Woody of Munford, Tenn.; a son, John Underwood Jr. of Yorkville, Tenn.; a brother, Oval (Pete) Underwood of Memphis, Ark.; two grandchildren[;] and one great-grandchild. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. __________ Avanelle Landers Smith (BOAZ) Avanelle Landers Smith, 73, of 919 Snowden Circle, Boaz, Ala., died Jan. 16, 1993, at Boaz-Albertville Medical Center. Mrs. Smith, formerly of Roanoke, is survived by two sons, Max L. Smith of Albertville and Harper Roy Smith of Montgomery, and by a sister-in-law, Nell Landers of Albertville. She was preceded in death by her parents, George E. and Beulah Kitchens of Roanoke. Services were at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18, at Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Raymond Cook and Rev. Lynn Sharpton officiating. Arrangements were by Adams Brown-Service Funeral Home of Albertville. __________ Simpson Heard (105) (ROANOKE) Simpson Heard, 105-year-old former resident of Roanoke, died Sunday, Jan.17, 1993[,] in Tuskegee. The funeral service for Mr. Heard will be Friday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. at Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church, Roanoke. Rev. L. B. Houston will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Nora Green of Miami, Fla. and Mrs. Eldora Bell of Tuskegee; 13 grandchildren; great-grandchildren[;] and great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends and have the fellowship dinner in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. Macky-Wilson-Jennings Funeral Home of LaGrange, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements. __________ Robert D. Bowen (ROANOKE) Robert D. Bowen, age 77, of Rt. 3, Roanoke, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 1993, in Randolph County Hospital, Roanoke, after an extended illness. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Highway First Congregational Methodist Church, with Rev. Vernon Willis and Rev. Wayne Jetton officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Bowen is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ruby Brown [sic Bowen] of Roanoke; three daughters, Ms. Shirlene Bowen and Mrs. Catherine McDaniel of Roanoke[,] and Ms. Deloris Harris of Phenix City; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Annie Pearl Meacham and Mrs. Effelean Stallings of Roanoke; and one brother, William Hettie Bowen of Wedowee. Pallbearers were Bill Spears, Gary Spears, Dwight Conger, Pierce Meadows, Steve Baldwin and Dwain Cantrell. Mr. Bowen was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. He was a farmer. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of the arrangements. __________ Walter Lewis Trammell (FIVE POINTS) Walter Lewis Trammell, 51, of Five Points, died Monday, Jan. 11, 1993, at the Baptist Medical Center (Montclair) in Birmingham. Mr. Trammell was a native of Five Points and a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Survivors include four daughters, Ms. Sandra Trammell and Mrs. Vickie Harrison of Roanoke[,] and Mrs. Priscilla Daniel and Mrs. Marian Daniel of Five Points; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Trammell of Five Points; a grandmother, Mrs. Martha Combs of Five Points; three sisters, Ms. Frances Trammell of Five Points[,] and Ms. Linda Trammell and Ms. Ruby Nell Trammell of Akron, Ohio; one brother, William Trammell of LaGrange, Ga.; and 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services for Mr. Trammell were Saturday, Jan. 16[,] at 1 p.m. from Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church with Rev. Sanford Johnson, Rev. J. Gresham and Rev. A. N. Hill officiating. Interment was in Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jessie Daniel, Danny J. Daniel, Leophus Harrison, Eric Tucker, Albert Tucker and Ervin Tucker. Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke. __________ Veressa Lynch (MEMPHIS, Tenn.) Mrs. Veressa Lynch, 77, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Randolph County, Ala., died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1993, at Methodist Hospital, Memphis, after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Pineywoods Church of Christ, with Bro. Gerald Romine officiating. Burial will follow in the Wortham Cemetery. Mrs. Lynch is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Rebecca Buchanan of Memphis and Mrs. Mildred Mote of Labelle, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Annie Mae Carver of Eastaboga and Mrs. Naomi Bell Stodghill of Camp Hill; and one brother, Taft Stewart of Woodland. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Mrs. Lynch was a native of Randolph County who had lived in Memphis for the past seven years. She was the daughter of the late Dave Stewart and Annie Wortham Stewart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Talmadge Lynch. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee is in charge of the arrangements. ______________________________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader January 27, 1993 _________________ OBITUARIES: Curtis Houston (ATLANTA, Ga.) Services for Curtis Houston, 44, of Atlanta will be Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1993, at 2 p.m. from Mount Olive United Methodist Church (Dickert community) in Wadley, Ala., with Rev. Hollis Boykin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Houston died Friday, Jan. 22, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Decatur, Ga., following an extended illness. He was a native of Randolph County. He graduated from Randolph County Training School and served in the U.S. armed forces as a sergeant during the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Maxine Houston, three daughters, Ms. Teresa Ann Houston, Ms. Miranda Lanikki Houston and Ms. Lakesiza Roschell Houston, and two sons, Kenneth Lamar Houston and Christopher Houston, all of Atlanta, Ga.; father, Willie Lewis Houston of Wadley; mother-in-law[,] Thelma Slay of Roanoke; a brother, Rev. Willie Rufus Houston of Atlanta; a sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Finley of Roanoke; a grandmother, Mrs. Rosie Johnson Ross of Roanoke; and one grandchild, Brittany Nakia Bowman of Atlanta. __________ Nellie Rue Parker (WEDOWEE) Nellie Rue Parker, 88, of Rt. 2, Wedowee, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 1993, at Lee Manor Nursing Home, Opelika, after an extended illness. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at Liberty Grove Congregational Methodist Church, with Rev. Bobby Jones officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Parker is survived by two sons, Blake Parker of Wedowee and S. Sherrell Parker of Auburn; five grandchildren, Jim Parker, Bill Parker, Sherry Parker Odell, Jo Anne Parker and Kay Parker Lees; one sister, Mrs. Christine Cunningham of Roanoke; three brothers, Porter Fincher of Melbourne, Fla., Judson Fincher of Valley, and Staley Fincher of Auburn. Pallbearers were Ronald Holloway, Fred Kirby, Tommy Hartley, Larry Nobley, Larkin Parker, Huel Wilson and Tommy Strain. Mrs. Parker was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. She was a member of Liberty Grove Congregational Methodist Church, Liberty Grove WMU and New Hope Homemakers Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Loyd Parker. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of the arrangements. __________ John David Clifton (GAINSVILLE, Fla.) John David Clifton, 23, of Gainesville, Fla., formerly of Randolph County, Ala., died Friday, Jan. 15, 1993 in Gainesville. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Conway and Rev. Ray Franklin officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Clifton is survived by his mother, Mrs. Sybil Delores Clifton of Jasper, Ga.; his father, David E. Clifton of Roanoke, Ala.; one sister, Tina Louise Clifton of LaFayette, Ga.; one brother, Billy Joe Clifton of Roanoke; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Louise Moore of LaFayette, Ga.; and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Glennis Johnston of Gainesville. Pallbearers were Roger Bailey, James Elbert Hill, Jimmy Hill, Junior Clifton, Michael Rainey and Terry Townley. Mr. Clifton was a native of Randolph County and was a painter by trade. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, Ala., was in charge of arrangements. __________ Vonnie (Verna) Kelley (ATLANTA, Ga.) Vonnie (Verna) Kelley, 93, of Atlanta, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 1993, in Atlanta. Mrs. Kelley was born Nov. 25, 1899[,] in Randolph County, Ala., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josh Green. She joined Friendship Baptist Church at an early age, and after moving to Atlanta in the early 1930's, moved her membership there to Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, where services were held for her at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, with Rev. Homer M. Smith Jr., pastor, officiating. Interment was in South View Cemetery, Atlanta. Survivors include one son, Oscar Pool; two daughters, Miss Lenora Kelley and Mrs. Freddie (Esteller) Brittain; her adopted daughter, Zettie Mae Baker; one step-son, James Roy Kelley; one sister, Zeola Allen; a devoted niece, Elizabeth Smith, and a devoted nephew, Willie C. Holley; 16 grandchildren[;] 27 great-grandchildren[;] and nine great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements were by Donald Trimble Mortuary, Inc., Decatur, Ga. __________ Rodney Lewis Jones (ATLANTA, Ga.) Services for Rodney Lewis Jones, 26, of Atlanta[,] will be at 2 p.m. on Jan. 30[,] at Evergreen Baptist Church in Atlanta. Mr. Jones died Saturday, Jan. 23[, 1993]. He is survived by his mother, Lera Ann Jones of Atlanta; one daughter, Shontee Nichole Johnson [no location given]; four brothers, Richard L. Jones of Roanoke, Ala., and Stanford Jones, Tommy Davis and Robert Davis Jr., all of Atlanta; four sisters, Dana Jones, Mimi Gail Kelley, Shirley Davis and Deborah Crawford, all of Atlanta; his grandmother, Eris Jones of Roanoke; an aunt, Willie Mae Jones of Roanoke; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Raleigh Rutger Funeral Home of Atlanta is in charge of arrangements. __________ S. P. Pettus Harris (DUDLEYVILLE) S. P. Pettus Harris, 85, of Dudleyville, died Friday, Jan. 22, 1993, at Lakeshore Community Hospital in Dadeville. A native of Coosa County, Mr. Harris operated the S. P. Harris Grocery Store in Dudleyville for 40 years. He was a member of Harmony Methodist Church and Dadeville Lodge No. 71, Free and Accepted Masons. Survivors include three sisters, Margaret H. Barnett of Conyers, Ga., Lois H. Lamb of Bennington, Vt., and Mary Irvin of Roanoke; three brothers, Maxie Harris, Rev. Gordon Harris and Marcus Harris, all of Lanett; an adopted daughter, Rhonda Berry of Jackson's Gap; and two grandchildren. Graveside services for Mr. Harris were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at LaFayette City Cemetery, conducted by Rev. Gordon Harris. The Dadeville Lodge accorded Masonic rites. Pallbearers were Ronnie Irvin, Mark Harris, Larry Harris, Sam Harris, Maxie Harris Jr. and Parker Harris Jr. Arrangements were by Sanders Funeral Home of LaFayette. ______________________________________________________________________ This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 38.8 Kb