Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during April 2002, Randolph, Alabama
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May 2002
The Randolph Leader
April 3, 2002
___________________
OBITUARIES:
Corrections:
The grandchildren of Barbara Jean Key, who died March 21, served as honorary
pallbearers.
Mary Will Alexander, who died on March 6 [says March 7 in original obit], is survived
by three sisters, Emma Phillips of Valley, Jimmie Knight of Wadley and Ida Mae Mitchell
of Portland, Ore.
__________
James Jay Fincher
(WEDOWEE) Graveside services for James Jay Fincher, 38, of Wedowee were
Thursday, March 28, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Wedowee Cemetery with the Rev. Gary
Henderson officiating.
Mr. Fincher died Wednesday, March 27, at University Hospital Birmingham following a
brief illness.
A Wedowee Native, Mr. Fincher was born Sept. 18, 1963, son of Cloyt Gains Fincher
Jr. and Sue Hodge Fincher. He was a C.P.A. and a member of the Wedowee Kiwanis
Club.
Survivors include his wife, Sonja McCord Fincher of Wedowee; a daughter, Lindsay
Gains Fincher of Wedowee; his mother, Mrs. Sue H. Fincher of Wedowee; and two
brothers, Buster Fincher of Auburn and Mark Allen Fincher of Wedowee.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Building Fund of Wedowee First
United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 324, Wedowee, AL 36278) or to one's favorite
charity.
Pallbearers were Mark A. Fincher, Buster Fincher, Drew Fincher, Josh McCord, Stanley
Herring and Jared Kirby.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
Mattie Rose McFarlin
(ROANOKE) Services for Mattie Rose McFarlin, 69, of Roanoke were Friday, March
29, 2002, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Riley Street, Roanoke, with the Rev. Gilbert
Staples officiating. Burial was at Skyview Memorial Gardens, Welch.
Mrs. McFarlin died Sunday, March 24, at her residence.
Mrs. McFarlin was a member of First Baptist Church, Riley Street. She was preceded in
death by her father, Johnny Bolin and her mother, Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Askew.
Survivors include three daughters, Jannie Ann Ferrell of Douglasville, Ga., Mrs. Dianne
Wilson of Marietta, Ga., and Mrs. Jo Ann Holloway of Wedowee; two sons, Ronnie
Ferrell of Cleveland, Ohio, and Bill Williams of Los Angeles, Calif.; one brother William
Paul Trammell of Atlanta; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of
cousins, other family members and friends.
Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary, Roanoke.
__________
Agnes Ozsline Robinson
(ROANOKE) Services for Agnes Ozsline Robinson, 76, of Roanoke were Thursday,
Mar. 28, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Edward Herren
officiating. Burial followed at Big Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Robinson died Tuesday, March 26, at Randolph Medical Center.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Robinson was born March 16, 1926, daughter of
Richard and Mary Smith Norred. She had been employed with Handley Mills and was the
widow of Brewer Robinson.
Survivors include a daughter, Janice Shelnutt of Roanoke; a son, Richard Ronald
Robinson of San Antonio, Texas; two grandchildren, Richard Shelnutt of Roanoke and
Kelly Robinson of San Antonio; and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Mike Sheppard, Phil Sheppard, Mark Johnson, Bill Noles, Tommy
Adamson and Chad Bennett.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Curtis Elizabeth Johnson
(GRAHAM) Services for Mrs. Curtis Elizabeth Johnson, 80, of Graham were Saturday,
March 30, 2002, at 1 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church with the Revs. Tony Morris, Gary
Henderson and Paul Widener officiating. Burial followed at Herren's Grove Baptist
Church cemetery.
Mrs. Johnson died Thursday, March 28, at her home.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Johnson was born Sept. 3, 1921, daughter of Steven
W. and Nancy M. Traylor Herren. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and had
been employed with SunTrust Bank. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred
Johnson; two brothers, Horace Herren and S. T. "Bud" Herren; and four sisters, Myrtice
Green, Nancy Williams, Janie Hinton and Ilene Lovvorn.
Survivors include one son, David Johnson of Wedowee; two grandsons, one sister,
Jewell Mote of Woodland; and a brother, Willis Herren of Woodland.
Pallbearers were John Short, Tommy Herren, Steve Herren, Steve Johnson, Danny Joe
McCord and Duane Noles.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
__________
Susie E. Gosdin Yawn
(ANNISTON) Services for Susie E. Gosdin Yawn, 80, of Anniston were Tuesday, April
2, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Gray Brown-Service Chapel with the Revs. Danny McGinnis and
Vernon Willis officiating. Burial was at Jordans Chapel Cemetery in Randolph County.
Mrs. Yawn died Saturday, March 30, at Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include three daughters, Edna Walker and Betty Johnson of Anniston and
Margaret Norton of Heflin; a brother, Jimmy Prestriedge of Lanett; a sister Wilma Daniel
of Cusseta; a half-sister, Gaynell Prestriedge; two half-brothers, Robert Prestriedge and
Crawford Prestriedge; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Mike Walker, Joey Beard, Dave Vingers, John Norton, Chris Mintz
and Charles Skinner.
Mrs. Yawn was a native and resident of Calhoun County for most of her life and a
member of Friendship Congregational Methodist Church in Blue Mountain. She is
preceded in death by her first husband, Willie Gosdin, and her second husband, Robert
Yawn.
__________
Abraham Bell
(ROANOKE) Abraham Bell, 52, of Roanoke died Saturday, March 30, 2002, at his
residence.
Services for Mr. Bell will be Thursday, April 4, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church
in Roanoke with the Rev. R. L. Heflin officiating. The family will receive friends after
10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Bell was a graduate of Randolph County Training School and a member of
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. He was a Marine Corps veteran and was preceded in death
by his father, E. S. Bell, and a brother, Carl T. Bell.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Willie Dean Bell of Roanoke; four sons, Abraham Bell
Jr. of Bessemer, Joseph Bell and Timothy Terrell Bell of Roanoke, and Sgt. Rickey Bell of
Hawaii; one daughter, Ms. Drucilla Goggins of Anniston; his mother, Mrs. Zera Bell of
Roanoke; five brothers, Zebedee Bell of Hyattsville, Md., E. S. Bell Jr. of Washington,
D.C., Rev. Fred Albert Bell of Riverdale, Ga., and Elder Brady D. Bell and Isiah Bell of
Roanoke; three sisters, Ms. Nancy Mae Brown of Decatur, Ga., Mrs. Frances Howell of
LaFayette, and Ms. Yvonne Bell of Roanoke; and 12 grandchildren.
Services are by Clark Memorial Funeral-Service, Roanoke.
__________
G. W. Davis
(ALEXANDER CITY) Services for G. W. Davis, 85, of Alexander City, formerly of
Wadley, were Monday, April 1, 2002, at 1 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, Roanoke,
with Revs. S. T. Janney and Abigail Carlisle-Wilke officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Hill
Church Cemetery.
Mr. Davis died Saturday, Mar. 30, at Russell Medical Center in Alex City.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Davis was born July 23, 1916, son of Joe and Odessa
Tucker Davis. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church and was a
self-employed builder.
Survivors include his wife, Lou L. Siggers Davis; two daughters, Larue Meadows of
Trussville and Martha Campel of Greenwich, Conn.; two sons, Jimmy J. Davis of
Crestview, Fla., and Bobby G. Davis of Greenville, S.C.; a sister, Sarah Newesome of
Piedmont; a brother, Gordan Davis of Talladega; eight grandchildren; 15 great-
grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Kenny Campel, Art Meadows, Carl Spurrier, Manley Clack,
Dan Shockley, Don Shockley and Cliff "Bo" Sutton. Honorary pallbearers were
great-grandchildren, Alex Spurrier, Brett Spurrier and Rachel Spurrier.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Infant Patrick Chad Laws
(ROANOKE) Services for infant Patrick Chad Laws of Roanoke will be Wednesday,
April 3, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Wendell Rush
officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Memory Gardens.
He was born March 29, 2002, in LaGrange, Ga. He was preceded in death by a
grandmother, Patricia Laws.
He is survived by his parents, Kiley and Buffy Laws of Roanoke; paternal grandfather,
Gene Laws of Rock Mills; paternal great-grandparents, Wayne and Ismar Burke of Rock
Mills; maternal grandparents, Elton and Becky Overton of Roanoke, maternal great-
grandmother, Louise Overton of Roanoke; and several uncles and aunts.
The family will receive friends at Quattlebaum Funeral Home on Wednesday until time
of service.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Charlie Pierce Jackson
(BLACKSHEAR, Ga.) Charlie Pierce Jackson, 79, died Monday, April 1, 2002, at
Pierce County Nursing Home after an extended illness.
Mr. Jackson was a native of Fairfax, Ala., but lived many years in Michigan and Florida
before moving to Blackshear, Ga., in 1985. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Charles Homer Jackson and Dura Bailey Jackson. Mr. Jackson was a member of Rock
Springs Congregational Christian Church in Roanoke, Ala., and was retired owner-
operator of A1 Signs Man Co. in Jacksonville, Fla. He also worked several years for
Winn Dixie in Waycross, Ga. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Roanoke.
Mr. Jackson was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary R. Jackson of Blackshear; a daughter Linda
Jackson Sellers of Jacksonville; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; three
sisters, Mary Kampe of Gainesville, Fla., Dolly Pike of Kennesaw, Ga., and Julia Haun of
Watertown, Tenn.; three brothers, Ralph Jackson of Pell City, Ala., James Jackson of
Roanoke and Gene Jackson of Newnan, Ga.; and several nieces, nephews and other
relatives.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorialization will be by cremation.
Memorials may be sent to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home, Blackshear.
__________
Barbara G. Pate-Marshall
(ROANOKE) Barbara G. Pate-Marshall, 74, of Roanoke died Monday, April 1, 2002 at
West Georgia Hospice, LaGrange, Ga.
Mrs. Pate-Marshall was a native of Boston, Ma., who moved to Roanoke in the 1970s
with her late husband, Arthur Ray Pate, who was a native of Randolph County. They
lived in the Springfield community where she was active in Wehadkee Missionary Baptist
Church, which she served as Sunday school counselor. She held a master's degree in
education and taught school in Boston for a number of years. She was a youth council
advisor for several years. After the death of Mr. Pate in 1987 she married C. J. Marshall,
who also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Pate-Marshall is survived by three sons, Mark Pate, Arthur R. Pate, Jr., and Robert
Campbell.
Services will be announced by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
______________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
April 10, 2002
___________________
OBITUARIES:
Virginia Earl Boggs Albright
(ROANOKE) Services for Virginia Earl Boggs Albright, 79, of Roanoke were Tuesday,
April 9, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. James Harper
officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Albright died Sunday, April 7, at Traylor Nursing Home.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Albright was born May 1, 1922, daughter of William
Earl and Lennie Mae Harper Boggs. She was a homemaker and a member of Rock Mills
Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlin B. Albright.
Survivors include two daughters, Deborah A. Sutton and Pam Davidson, both of
Tallassee; two sisters, Sammie Hall of Roanoke and Barbara Johnson of Topeka, Kan.;
four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Rod Gaddy, John Mills, Stephen Osborne, Richard Orlin Albright Jr.,
Clay Tinney and Bobby Patterson.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society
(1599 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329).
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
David Glendon Lacy
(WADLEY) Graveside services for David Glendon Lacy, 63, of Wadley, formerly of
Ocala, Fla., were Monday, April 8, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Mountain Springs Baptist Church
cemetery, with the Revs. Tim Whaley and Clyde Coker officiating.
Mr. Lacy died Sunday, April 7, at his home.
A Clay County native, Mr. Lacy was born Oct. 27, 1938, son of William Hoyt and
Dorothy Clovene Bennett Lacy. He was a member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church
and owner and operator of the NAPA Auto Parts Store in Wadley.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Gay Lacy of Wadley; four daughters, Teresa Gibson,
Dianne Knight, Maria Lacy and Beverly Brown, all of Wadley; his mother, Clovene Lacy
of Wadley; three brothers, James Lacy of Pendleton, Ore., and William Hoyt Lacy Jr. and
Larry Lacy of Wadley; and seven grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Edward Gibson, Matthew Knight, Craig Brown, John Welch, Adam
Bailey, Tim Bennett, Matt Knight and Luke Knight.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Bernice Bishop Tidwell
(WADLEY) Graveside services for Bernice Bishop Tidwell, 87, of Wadley were
Monday, April 8, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Union "Motley" Baptist Church Cemetery with the
Rev. A. O. "Doc" Burdette officiating.
Mrs. Tidwell died Saturday, April 6, at Clay County Hospital.
Survivors include a daughter, Velma Ragon of Wadley; a son, Byron Tidwell of Wadley,
a sister, Velma Coe of Lanett; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Douglas Kirk, Gregory Kirk, Donald Kirk, Mike Tidwell, Jason
Watkins, Jimmy Bishop and Willie Kirby.
A native of Chambers County, Mrs. Tidwell lived most of her life in Clay County. She
was employed with Clegg-Penrose as an inspector and was a member of Union "Motley"
Baptist Church.
__________
Sara Faye Akin Adams
(TOMBALL, Texas) Services for Sara Faye Akin Adams, 77, of Tomball, Texas,
formerly of Roanoke, were Monday, April 1, 2002, with Keith Keller officiating.
She died Friday, March 29.
Mrs. Adams was born Sept. 27, 1924, in Phenix City to Dan and Lemerle Akin. She
loved birds and flowers, food and pictures, old movies and good music. She was
surrounded by neighbors who she greatly enjoyed, and she remained amazingly loyal to
old friends throughout the ages. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Adams
Sr. and a son, Joe Jr.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Joel, and three grandchildren.
______________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
April 17, 2002
___________________
OBITUARIES:
Sara Tomlinson
(FIVE POINTS) Services for Sara Tomlinson, 91, of Five Points were Friday, April 12,
2002, at 11 a.m. at Five Points Methodist Church with the Revs. Russell Williams, Charles
Hazel and Joyce Woodstuff officiating. Burial followed at Five Points Cemetery.
Mrs. Tomlinson died Tuesday, April 9, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
Born in Chambers County on Nov. 22, 1910, Mrs. Tomlinson had retired as the
lunchroom manager at Five Points School. She was a member of Sweet Home Methodist
Church in Chambers County.
She is survived by two daughters, Betty Moreland of Roswell, Ga. and Susan
McFarland of Cincinnati, Ohio; two sons, Johnny Morgan of Tuscaloosa and Thomas
Barnes of Roswell; a daughter-in-law, Mary Tomlinson of Five Points; a stepbrother,
Rudy Golden of Franklin, Ga.; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one
great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by Lewis Golden, Gladys Hildreth,
Mary Lynn Williams, Woodrow Golden, Minnie Lee Barnes and Dick Golden.
Pallbearers were Larry Barber, Henry Barber, David Golden, Tim Golden, Lee Bonner
and Mike Potts.
Arrangements were by Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette.
__________
Denson Bowen
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Denson Bowen, 78, of Roanoke, formerly of
LaGrange, were Saturday, April 13, 2002, at 11 a.m. CDT at Restlawn Memory Gardens,
LaGrange, with the Rev. Shannon Mapp officiating.
Mr. Bowen died Thursday, April 11, at his home.
A Randolph County native, Mr. Bowen was born June 2, 1923, son of Henry and Naomi
Bowen. He was a World War II Navy veteran and had worked in the textile industry. He
was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Laura Warren Bowen.
Survivors include two daughters, Sandra Hurley of Roanoke and Harriett Strickland of
Panama City, Fla.; two granddaughters; one brother, Bill Bowen of Birmingham; two
sisters, Leona Rice and Rosalee Haynes of LaGrange; two half-sisters, Janie Anderson of
Helena, Ohio, and Eula Mae Rucker of Roanoke; and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Alice Houston
(ATLANTA, Ga.) Alice Houston, 82, of Atlanta died Saturday, April 13, 2002, at his
residence.
Services will be Wednesday, April 17, at Mount Bethel United Methodist Church,
Roanoke, with the Revs. Tommie L. Finley and Daryl Shaw officiating. Interment will be
in the adjoining cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas Melvin Houston of Atlanta; two sons, Stanley
Houston and Derrick Houston of Atlanta; one daughter, Ms. Gerald Houston Frazier of
Atlanta; one sister, Ms. Clara Lattimore of Gadsden; three grandchildren; and four
great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Houston was a native of Roanoke, born May 30, 1919, daughter of the late Jeff
and Ollie Davis. She was preceded in death by three brothers. She spent several years
teaching in the Randolph County School System and devoted the remainder of her adult
life as a homemaker and mother of four children. She was preceded in death by a son,
Thomas Melvin Houston Jr. (also known as Sonny). The Houstons were faithful members
of Mount Bethel United Methodist Church until 1962, when they moved from Roanoke to
Atlanta and united with Simpson Street Church of Christ. Her death was due to
complications from a fall she experienced several weeks earlier.
Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
__________
Betty Lee Davis Brown
(ALEXANDER CITY) Graveside services for Betty Lee Davis Brown, 73, of
Alexander City were Monday, April 15, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Lewis Davis and Randy Anderson officiated.
Mrs. Brown died Sunday April 14 at her residence. She was born Nov. 2, 1928, in
Rock Mills to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Garfield Davis. She was an antique dealer.
Mrs. Brown is survived by her son and daughter, Larry William Brown and Regina
Bowen, both of Alexander City; two sisters, Mille Parmer of Rocky Face, Ga., and Annie
Knight of Columbus, Ga.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Radney Funeral Home, Alexander City.
__________
Catherine Smith
(WEDOWEE) Catherine Smith, 84, of Wedowee, formerly of Roanoke, died Sunday
April 14, 2002, at Clay County Nursing Home, Ashland.
Services will be Thursday, April 18, at New Testament Outreach Church, Wedowee,
with the Rev. Calvin Trammell and the Rev. James Wood officiating. Burial will be in the
Johnson family plot, County Road 213, Wedowee.
Survivors include three sons, the Rev. Emmett T. Johnson of Wedowee and the Rev.
Thomas D. Johnson and Donald Johnson of Atlanta; one daughter, Ms. Virginia McKinley
of Roanoke; one sister, Ms. Gladys McLemore of Wedowee; five stepchildren, Leroy Jr.,
Virgil, James, Robert and Nella Jean; two other children she helped raise, Nichole and
Chelsie McFarland; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be
Wednesday from 2 until 8 p.m. at Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
Ms. Smith was the fifth of seven children of the late Shelly and Amanda Sims Roberson.
A native Randolph Countian, she joined Zion Rest Baptist Church at an early age and
remained active in the Baptist church throughout her life. She was the widow of the late
Frank Johnson, and after a second marriage to LeRoy Smith, returned to Randolph
County from Atlanta. She was active in founding of Grace Missionary Baptist Church,
Wedowee, later Grace/House of Yaweh, before uniting with the New Testament Outreach
Church, Wedowee. She enjoyed church music, was an enthusiastic member of the Old
Ship of Zion, and served as secretary of the Northeastern Note Singing Convention.
Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
__________
Pauline Graham Wahn
(WOODLAND) Service for Pauline Graham Wahn, 86, of Woodland were Sunday,
April 14, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Big Springs Baptist Church, with the Revs. Scott Hannah and
David Daniel officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Wahn died Friday, April 12, at Lineville Nursing Facility.
A Randolph County native, Mrs. Wahn was born July 7, 1915, daughter of John and
Odessa Lester Graham. She was a homemaker and a member of Big Springs Baptist
Church. Mrs. Wahn was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Johnie Graham; and
a sister, Pallie Yates.
Survivors include her husband, Harry Wahn of Woodland; five sisters, Eva Morris and
Wylodean Bates of Woodland, Eltis Cummins of Roanoke, Pearl Hall of Wedowee and
Julia Peteson of Montgomery; two brothers, Charles Bruce Graham of Atlanta and James
Graham of Roanoke; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Big Springs Baptist Church Building Fund,
Cemetery Fund or General Fund.
Pallbearers were Dan Driskell, George Brewster, Huey Noles, Ted Noles, Ralph Davis
and Ted Arrington.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
__________
Hugh Pryce Yarbrough
(ROANOKE) Services for Hugh Pryce Yarbrough, 90, of Roanoke, formerly of
Orlando, Fla., were Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel,
with the Rev. Richard Richie officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mr. Yarbrough died Sunday, April 14, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A resident of Orlando, Fla., for over 30 years, Mr. Yarbrough was born in Clay County
on April 11, 1912, son of Jefferson A. and Lilla White Yarbrough. He was a member of
Trinity Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Rena Osborne Yarbrough of Roanoke; a sister, Annie Merritt
of Orlando; two stepsons, Tim McDaniel and Mike McDaniel, both of Roanoke; three
step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Yarbrough was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters and three brothers.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Trinity Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were Calvin Worthy, Harold Heard, Freddy Brown, Tommy Mitchum,
Richard Corbett and Gerson Bonner.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
______________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
April 24, 2002
___________________
OBITUARIES:
Oliver Bailey
(WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Oliver Bailey, 14, of Wedowee were Sunday, April
21, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, County Road 26, Wadley, with the Rev.
Calvin Trammell officiating. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery.
Oliver died Wednesday, April 17, at Children's Hospital in Birmingham following an
arduous battle with leukemia.
A native of Roanoke, he was born April 7, 1988. Oliver was an eighth-grader at
Randolph County High School. He confessed Christ at Friendship Baptist Church, where
he was an active member and sang in the choir. Oliver was well-liked by his peers,
teachers and classmates. Several school clubs and organizations are planning fund-raisers
to assist with the cost of his funeral.
He is survived by his parents, Willie Frank and Recie Kimble Bailey of Wedowee; one
brother, Tracy Bailey of Roanoke; three sisters, Regena Gutizerrez of Five Points and
Marie Bailey and Leisa Bailey of Wedowee; his grandfather, Ralph Kimble of Wedowee;
and several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. He was
preceded in death by his grandparents, Olden and Ocie Mae Bailey, and his grandmother,
Vicie Knight Kimble.
Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
__________
Lillie Mae Smedley Russ
(ROANOKE) Lillie Mae Smedley Russ, 86, of Roanoke died Monday, April 15, 2002,
at Randolph Medical Center, Roanoke.
Services were Friday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at Roanoke Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's
Witness, County Road 61, with Brother Berner Jones and Brother Leonard Vernon
officiating. Interment was in Skyview Memorial Gardens, Welch.
Surviving are one brother, Oliver George Smedley of Dayton, Ohio; and one sister, Ms.
Grace Marable of Roanoke.
Ms. Russ was the sixth of 14 children of the late Lessie and Mollie Todd Smedley. She
was born Nov. 16, 1915, in Five Points. She left the area around 1936 to live in Ohio,
where she remained for several years. She married the late William G. Russ of Columbus,
Ohio, on May 5, 1958, and devoted most of her adult life as wife and homemaker. Ms.
Russ attended the Roanoke Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Due to illness, in
recent months, she was residing at the Roanoke Health Care Center in Roanoke.
Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
__________
Mary Lucille Laws Clark
(ROCK MILLS) Mary Lucille Laws Clark, 88, of Rock Mills died Tuesday, April 16,
2002, at Brian Center Nursing Home, LaGrange, Ga.
Mrs. Clark was born June 6, 1913, in Rock Mills, daughter of the late Tom Laws and
Willie Breed Laws. She had been an area resident all her life and was a member of Rock
Mills Church of the Nazarene. Mrs. Clark had been employed with Wehadkee Yarn Mill
in Rock Mills.
Survivors include two daughters, Martha Wilson of LaGrange and Lottie Steele of
Franklin, Ga.; 21 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and one nephew,
J. T. Laws of Rock Mills.
Services were at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary LaGrange
Chapel, with the Rev. Franklin Foster and the Rev. Aaron McCollough officiating.
Interment was in Rock Mills Community Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange.
[Note: No grandchildren were noted in the obituary.]
__________
Daisy J. Smith Edmondson
(ANNISTON) Services for Daisy J. Smith Edmondson, 65, of Anniston were Friday,
April 19, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home in Oxford with the Rev. Gerald Haynes
officiating. Burial was at Liberty East Baptist Church Cemetery in Roanoke.
Mrs. Edmondson died Tuesday, April 16, at Beckwood Manor.
Survivors include four daughters, Rebecca Turley of Lineville, Ann Christensen and
Connie Edmondson of Anniston and Camellia Edmondson of Lincoln; a brother, Jerry
Smith of Anniston; two sisters, Jane Freeman of Selma and Joyce Turnbow of Anniston;
eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Shannon Edmondson, Jamie Champion, Aaron Kilgore, Alton Rice,
Brent Cody, Eric Turley, Carlos Guevara and Clint Jarrell.
Mrs. Edmondson attended Fairview Baptist Church in Anniston. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Robert Alton Edmondson.
__________
Ruby Bowen
(MOULTRIE, Ga.) Funeral services for Ruby Bowen, 77, of Moultrie, Ga., formerly
from Roanoke, were Friday, April 19, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel,
with the Rev. Derrick Porter officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Bowen died Wednesday, April 17, at Magnolia Manor South Nursing Home in
Moultrie.
A Cherokee County native, Mrs. Bowen was born March 18, 1925. She [was] a textile
sewing machine operator for Playtex Co. She was a member of Handley Avenue Church
of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Seth Juel Walker. [Seth Juel Bowen
on marker]
Survivors include two daughters, Linda Brady of Adel, Ga., and Susan Davis of
Moultrie; two sons, Roger Bowen of LaGrange, Ga., and Don Bowen of Dalton, Ga.; and
two grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Albertina Louise Brown
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Albertina Louise Brown, 82, of Roanoke, formerly of
Bayville, N.J. and Fort Richey, Fla., were Friday, April 19, 2002, at 11 a.m. at
Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel. Burial followed at Old West Creek Cemetery in West
Creek, N.J.
Mrs. Brown died Wednesday, April 17, at Randolph Medical Center in Roanoke.
Mrs. Brown was born at Bronx, N.Y., on July 4, 1919, daughter of August Jacob and
Louise B. Shaffner Schlosser. She was a homemaker and a member of the Kingdom Hall
Jehovah Witness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert M. Brown Sr.
Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Jones Richardson of Roanoke; two sons, Gilbert
M. Brown Jr. and Ronald E. Brown of Bayville; two sisters, Florence Smith of Toms
River, N.J., and Marion Newton of Leesburg, Fla.; a brother, Fred Schlosser of
Manasquan, N.J.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Fred 'Dick' Cottle
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Fred "Dick" Cottle, 80, of Roanoke were Saturday,
April 20, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Revs. Tim Craft and
Tommy Gene Young officiating. Burial followed at the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Cottle died on Thursday, April 18, at his son's home in Roanoke.
A lifelong Randolph County resident, Mr. Cottle was born July 1, 1921, son of Comer
and Annie Waldrep Cottle. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Mr.
Cottle was preceded in death by his wife, Winnie Lipham Cottle.
Survivors include one daughter, Debra Dent of Montgomery; two sons, Greg Cottle of
Roanoke and Mike Cottle of Tyler; one sister, Bobby Jean Pierce of Plymouth, N.C.; one
brother Jerrell Cottle of Roanoke; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Perry Wilson, Dane Richardson, Brent Cottle, Allen Ramsey Jr.,
Michael Cottle and Cody Cottle.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Mae C. Pike
(ROANOKE) Services for Mae C. Pike, 90, of Roanoke were Tuesday, April 23, 2002,
at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Clifford DeLee, A. W. Kent and
Jeff Edwards officiating. Burial was at Community Baptist Cemetery.
Mrs. Pike died Sunday, April 21, at her residence.
A long-time Five Points resident, Mrs. Pike was born Feb. 8, 1912, in Clay County,
daughter of Oscar and Etta Jones Camp. She was a homemaker, a member of Standing
Rock Assembly of God and the widow of Clifford E. Pike.
Survivors include two daughters, Mamie Waldrep of Wadley and Clara Roystor of
Roanoke; three sons, James Hogan of Five Points, Lewis Pike of Five Points and Willie
Pike of Lanett; one sister, Geneva Long of Roanoke; a very special friend, Patsy Smith;
23 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and several
nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Scotty Pike, Benny Pike, Ricky Pike, Sloane Pike, Tommy Pike,
Charles Waldrep and Gerald Hogan.
Arrangements were by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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Mae B. Ward
(CARROLLTON, Ga.) Mae B. Ward, 95, of Carrollton, formerly of Hwy. 48 Graham,
died Friday, April 19, 2002, at Carrollton Manor.
She was born Jan. 30, 1907, in Randolph County to the late Thomas Ward and Beulah
Johnson Ward. She retired from Arrow Shirt Company in East Point, Ga., in 1972 and
was a member of the Camp Ground United Methodist Church in Graham. Besides her
parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters. Survivors include
one brother, Celvin Ward of Graham; one sister, Faye Stewart of LaGrange, Ga.; and
several nieces and nephews.
Services were Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. at Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel,
Carrollton, with the Rev. Monroe Wiggins officiating. Pallbearers were Dennis Sullivan,
Bobby Ward, Alan Stewart, Doug Lovvorn, Mike Green, Larry Ward and Jerry Ward.
Interment was in the [Bethlehem] Camp Ground United Methodist Church Cemetery in
Graham.
Arrangements were by Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel, Carrollton.
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Fred Welch Sr.
(WEDOWEE) Fred Welch Sr., 92, of Wedowee, died Wednesday, April 17, 2002, at
Cleburne County Nursing Home.
Mr. Welch was a member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Delta.
Survivors include one son, Fred Welch Jr. of Decatur, Ga.; three sisters, Josephine
Cosby, Maudine Welch and Elsie Welch, all of Barfield; three brothers, Esrea Welch and
Eth Welch of Barfield and Parker Welch of Byum Hill; three grandchildren; and a host of
nieces, nephews[,] other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Grant and Elvira Welch; his wife, Mary Eliza Welch; and a brother, Homer Welch.
Services were Saturday, April 20, at noon at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Delta, with
the Rev. Graig McClure and the Rev. Robert S. Welch officiating. Interment was in the
church cemetery.
Arrangements were by Silmon & Son Funeral Services of Roanoke.
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Minnie I. Watkins Ware
(ROANOKE) Minnie I. Watkins Ware, 96 of Roanoke, died Sunday, April 21, 2002, at
Traylor Nursing Home.
Services will be Wednesday, April 24, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 549 Riley St.,
Roanoke, with the Rev. Gilbert E. Staples officiating. Interment will be in East Roanoke
Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, Billy E. Williams of Roanoke; one sister-in-law, Ms. Ruth
Watkins of Roanoke; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends.
Ms. Watkins was the llth of 14 children, born Jan. 16, 1906, in Heard County, Ga. The
family migrated from Heard County to Roanoke, where at an early age she joined First
Baptist Church and remained a faithful member until her passing. Ms. Ware was the last
survivor of her family, having been predeceased by all of her 13 siblings. She was the
widow of the late James Ware, who died in the 1970s. Mrs. Ware had been confined to
Traylor Nursing Home since 1997.
Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.
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Fred Herman McCain
(WOODLAND) Services for Fred Herman McCain, 87, of Woodland were Tuesday,
April 23, 2002, at 1 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church, with the Rev. David Daniel and the Rev.
Roger Woodard officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. McCain died Monday, April 22, at his residence.
Mr. McCain was a native of Randolph County, born Feb. 9, 1915, son of Alonzo Douse
McCain and Birdee Traylor McCain. He had been in the lumber business and had also
served as a Randolph County Commissioner. He was a member of Zion Baptist Church.
Mr. McCain is survived by his wife, Virginia Owen McCain; two daughters, Wanda
McCain Cross of Woodland and Jean Hooks of Texas; two sons, Jimmy McCain of
Newell and Ricky F. McCain of Woodland; a brother, Lowell McCain of Valley;
11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Brian Cross, Shane Cross, David Olaveson, Phillip Olaveson, Joby
Burns, Matt Crowson and Colton McCain.
Arrangements were by Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee.
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William Thomas 'Tommy' House
(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) Services for William Thomas "Tommy" House, 59, will be
held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2002, in the chapel of George H. Hewell and Son
Funeral Home, Jacksonville, Fla. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m.
Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family will also receive friends on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in
Ramer Baptist Church, Highway 94, Ramer, Ala. Following visitation, a graveside service
will be held at 1 p.m. in Ramer Cemetery across from the church.
Mr. House died Sunday, April 21, in Jacksonville. He was born on Nov. 2, 1942, in
Montgomery and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He enjoyed scuba
diving since 1977 and was a former diving instructor with Auburn University. He also
was a passionate collector of Indian artifacts and a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of
Moose since 1975.
Survivors include his mother, LaFay Whetstine; four daughters, Cynthia House Lee,
Lisa H. Evangelista, Tabatha House and Donna H. Pennington; five sisters, Faye McKee,
Elizabeth Platt, Carolyn House Evans, Olivia House Smith and Jane House Rice; his
brother, John Knelm House; seven grandchildren and many other loving family members.
Arrangements are by George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, Jacksonville.
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Velma Dozier
(FORT WAYNE, Ind.) Velma Dozier, 87, of Fort Wayne, Ind., formerly of Roanoke,
died Thursday, April 18, 2002, at Heritage Park Nursing Home in Fort Wayne.
Mrs. Dozier was a member of Canaan Baptist Church, Welch.
Survivors include one daughter, Margaret Smith of Fort Wayne; three sons, John Will
Dozier of Louisville, Ky., and Leroy Dozier and Bobby Dozier of Roanoke; sister, Lucille
Finley of Mobile; 51 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; 32 great-great-grandchildren;
and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by
her husband, Cleveland Dozier; and three children, Frank McClendon, John Tom Seymour
and Louise Allen.
Services will be Wednesday, April 24, at 2 p.m. at Canaan Baptist Church, Welch, with
the Rev. Lathonia Wright officiating. Interment will be in Sky View Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are by Silmon & Son Funeral Service, Roanoke.
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Leon James Taylor
(GRAND BAY) Services for Leon James Taylor, 82, of Grand Bay, will be Wednesday,
April 24, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Derrick Farr
officiating. A U.S. Navy/Marine burial at sea will follow.
Mr. Taylor died Saturday, April 20, at the V.A. Hospital in Biloxi, Miss.
A Ft. Pierce, Fla., native, Mr. Taylor was born March 10, 1920, son of Joseph Paul and
Josie McClendon Taylor. He was a Marine and a World War II veteran and had worked
as a truck driver.
Survivors include his former wife, Essie Lee Brown Traylor of Roanoke; three
daughters, Annette Schurebert of Williston, Fla., Betty Routh of Micanopy, Fla., and
Linda Aires of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two sons, David Taylor of Wadley and Paul Taylor of
Gainesville, Fla.; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.
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