Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during December 1995, Randolph, Alabama
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January 2003
The Randolph Leader
December 6, 1995
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Dwight Hillis Sheppard
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Dwight Hill Sheppard, 76, of Roanoke, were
Thursday, Nov. 30, 1995, at 3 p.m. at Randolph Memory Gardens, with the Rev. Milton
Booth officiating.
Mr. Sheppard died Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Traylor Nursing Home after an extended
illness.
A resident of Roanoke since 1938, Mr. Sheppard was a Heard County, Ga., native.
He was born Oct. 3, 1919, son of the Rev. Aaron Sheppard and Dovie Harry Sheppard.
He founded Sheppard's Jewelry in Roanoke in 1938. He was a member of Roanoke First
United Methodist Church, a 32nd-degree Mason, a member of the Roanoke Masonic
Lodge and a member of the Roanoke Lions Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Judy Awbrey of Roanoke; a son, Edwin Aaron Sheppard
of Decatur, Ga.; a sister, Betty Jane Crockett of Tampa, Fla.; a brother, Harry Sheppard
of Wedowee; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were members of the Roanoke Masonic Lodge.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Jason Herren
(WOODLAND) Jason Herren, 19, of Woodland died Saturday, Dec. 2, 1995, in Heard
County, Ga., from injuries received in an auto accident.
A native of LaGrange, Ga., Mr. Herren was serving as a private in the Alabama Air
National Guard and had just completed four months of advanced training at Fort Eustis,
Va. He had lived in this area all of his life. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist
Church, LaGrange, and was a 1995 graduate of Woodland High School.
Funeral services were at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel, LaGrange, on Tuesday, Dec. 5,
1995, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. W. C. Cofield and the Rev. Joe Buffington officiating.
Interment was in Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery in the Salem community of
Troup County, Ga.
Surviving are his mother and step-father, Wanda and David Crowe of Pine Mountain,
Ga., his father, Frankie Herren of Woodland; two sisters, Rebecca Crowe and Jessica
Crowe of Pine Mountain; his grandparents, W. T. and Robbie Lewis and Herman and Ena
Herren of Woodland; great-grandparents Bernice Cummings of LaGrange and W. D. and
Era Lewis of Woodland; his step-grandmother, Mrs. Jo Crowe of LaGrange; and several
uncles, aunts and cousins.
Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home of LaGrange was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Wendell Shane Brown
(WOODLAND) Wendell Shane Brown, 23, of Rt. 2, Woodland died Thursday,
Nov. 30, 1995 in Randolph County as the result of an automobile accident.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Rocky Branch Baptist Church
with the Rev. Johnny Bishop officiating. Burial was in the Levens Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Brown was born on June 12, 1972, son of Wendell Brown and Gale Gregg Brown.
He was employed at Southwire Company as a drawing machine operator, was a member
of Rocky Branch Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and
Mrs. F. N. Gregg.
Survivors include his parents, Wendell and Gale Brown of Woodland; one brother,
Jamie Ryan Brown of Woodland; paternal grandparents Harlin and Lema Brown of
Woodland; [and] maternal grandmother Leavy Snyder of Vinnings, Ga.
Pallbearers were Wayne Rollins, Tim Moon, Chris Brown, Mark Edwards, Toby
Fincher and Shane Crenshaw.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Mildred Veal Hester
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Mildred Veal Hester, 84, of Roanoke wer [sic]
Monday, Dec. 4, 1995, at 1 p.m. at Randolph Memory Gardens, with the Rev. Harold
Bonner officiating.
Mrs. Hester died Sunday, Dec. 3, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A lifelong resident of Roanoke, she was a Carroll County, Ga., native, born Sept. 11,
1911, daughter of Tom and Louella Harris Vaughn. She was a member of Mt. Zion
Christian Church and had retired from Handley Mills.
Survivors include her husband, Herman Hester of Roanoke; her daughter and
son-in-law, Elsie and Wesley Rookstool of Opelika; grandson, Wesley Rookstool, Jr.;
two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lela Huey of Columbus, Ga.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Anna Burke Yates
(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) Anna Burke Yates, 74, of Kansas City in Platte County died
on Thursday, Nov. 30, 1995, at North Kansas City Hospital. Private graveside services
were Monday, Dec. 4, at the Bear Creek United Methodist Church cemetery, Woodland,
Ala.
Mrs. Yates was a Kansas City resident for 15 years after moving from Destin, Fla. She
was preceded in death by her husband, R. H. Yates, who died in 1972.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Tillinghast, and one grandson, Andrew
Tillinghast, both of the home.
Arrangements were by Heritage Funeral Home of Parkville, Mo.
__________
William McGuire
(COLLEGE PARK, Ga.) William McGuire, 76, of College Park, Ga., died Wednesday,
Nov. 29, 1995, at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, after an extended illness.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at Pure Holiness Church of God,
Roanoke, with the Rev. R. L. Heflin officiating. Burial was in Skyview Memorial Gardens
Cemetery, Welch.
Survivors include his wife, Ms. Dorothy Mae Parker of College Park; one daughter,
Mrs. Lois McGuire Hall of Washington, D.C.; one step-son, James Parker, Jr., of
Roanoke; a faithful cousin, Marvin Huffman of Atlanta; several grandchildren and other
relatives and friends.
Mr. McGuire, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Noah and Jennie (Fields) McGuire, was a
native of Roanoke, where he graduated from Randolph County Training School. At an
early age he joined First Baptist Church, where he remained a member until death. He
served in the U.S. Navy for two years during World War II. He had lived in Chicago for
approximately 18 years and moved to the Atlanta area approximately 22 years ago, where
he worked as a custodian for the Clayton County School System until retirement.
Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Gladys Tennant Rucker
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Mrs. Gladys Tennant Rucker, 98, of Roanoke were
Monday, Dec. 4, 1995 at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Dr. Douglas
Turner officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Rucker died Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Randolph County Hospital.
A lifelong resident of Roanoke, she was born July 18, 1897, daughter of William T.
and Nettie Lee Weathers Tennant. She was a member of Roanoke First Baptist Church
and had been awarded a 50-year membership pin from the Eastern Star. She was a retired
school teacher and the widow of Joseph Allen Rucker. Since 1985 she had been a resident
of Traylor Nursing Home.
Survivors include a daughter, Gladys Rucker Awbrey of Tallahassee, Fla.; a son,
William Joseph Rucker of Cebu, Philippines; five grandchildren and eight great-
grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bill Prince, Buck Norred, John Schuessler, Bill Vinson, Hardy
Hendon and Wesley Schuessler.
Honorary pallbearers were Earl Cooper, J. Thomas Landers, Page Enloe, J. P. Phillips
and Tillman Sudduth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of Roanoke First Baptist
Church.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Margaret Louise McCarley Golden
(WOODLAND) Margaret Louise McCarley Golden, 74, of Woodland died Saturday,
Dec. 2, 1995, in West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, after an extended illness.
Funeral services for Mrs. Golden were at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at Zion Baptist
Church in Woodland with the Rev. Max New and the Rev. Roger Woodard officiating.
Burial was in Millport City Cemetery, Millport, Ala.
Survivors include one sister, Myrtle McCarley Rekley of Altha, Fla.; one brother, Earl
McCarley of LaGrange; four nieces, Gilda Stewart of Woodland, Hilda Edenfield of Altha,
and Carolyn McCarley and Melissa McCarley of Roanoke; four nephews, George
McCarley and Phillip McCarley of Roanoke and Rudy Rekley and Jay Hoyt Rekley of
Altha; [and] 13 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Pallbearers were Crouch Rampy, Dennis Benefield, Huel Bishop, Junior Whitmore,
Ronnie Prince and Tim Prince.
Mrs. Golden was a native of Randolph County, born on May 30, 1921, daughter of
Hoyt McCarley and Myrtice Robertson McCarley. She was a home economics teacher in
the Lamar County school system. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church, Retired
Teachers Association and Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society. She was
preceded in death by her husband, Ray Golden.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Christopher Matthew Roberts, infant
(TROUP COUNTY, Ga.) Infant Christopher Matthew Roberts was born and died
Thursday, Nov. 30, 1995, at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta.
Survivors include his parents, Byron and Angela Roberts of the Gray Hill community
of Troup County; one sister, Heidi Roberts of the Gray Hill community; his maternal
grandparents, Pam and Greg Noles of LaGrange, Ga.; his paternal grandparents, Margaret
Dovie and Charlie W. Roberts of the Gray Hill community; his maternal great-
grandparents, Elvira Hill of LaGrange, Jack Hill of Columbus, Ga., and Robert and Erlene
Spurlin of Winder, Ga.; two uncles; two aunts[;] and six cousins.
Graveside services will be in Gray Hill Baptist Church Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 9,
at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Aaron McCollough officiating.
The family will be at their home at 347 Gray Hill School Road and will receive friends
at the funeral home Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home of LaGrange is in charge of arrangements.
__________
Lucy Mathews Quattlebaum
(SAVANNAH, Ga.) Lucy Mathews Quattlebaum, 89, of Savannah, died Monday,
Dec. 4, 1995, at her residence.
A native of Sylacauga, Ala., Mrs. Quattlebaum had lived in Roanoke, Ala., for many
years before moving to Savannah in 1967. She was a member of First Baptist Church in
Roanoke.
Survivors include one son, Dr. Robert B. Quattlebaum of Savannah; five
grandchildren, Robin Quattlebaum, Blake Quattlebaum, Bizza Quattlebaum and Mrs. Jane
Quattlebaum Garwes, all of Savannah, and George Quattlebaum of Nashville, Tenn.; [and]
one great-grandson, Austin Quattlebaum of Savannah.
Memorial services will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Isle of Hope United
Methodist Church.
Remembrances may be made to Guido Evangelistic Association, Metter, Ga 30939.
Fox and Weeks Hodgson Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
December 13, 1995
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Joe U. Kerr, age 104
(NEWELL) Joe U. Kerr, 104, of Rt. 1, Newell, a resident of Traylor Nursing Home in
Roanoke, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 1995, in East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika, after a
short illness.
Graveside services for Mr. Kerr were at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, in Wedowee City
Cemetery with the Rev. Ray Runyan officiating.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Martha Ruth Williams of Chesapeake, Va.,
Mrs. Viola Pearl Lowe of Auburn and Mrs. Lula Mae Murphy of Newell; three sons,
Thomas C. Kerr of Huntsville, Joseph Howard Kerr of Madison and John Floyd Kerr of
North Ridge, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Mr. Kerr was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, born on March 29,
1891, son of John Logan Kerr and Mary Elizabeth Thomas Kerr. A retired farmer, he was
the oldest member of Union Baptist Church and the oldest citizen of Randolph County. He
was preceded in death by one son and by his wife, Alma.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Lucy Johnson Rombokas
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Lucy Johnson Rombokas, 94, of Roanoke will be
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Dr. Douglas
Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Rombokas died Monday, Dec. 11, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A longtime resident of Roanoke, she was a Chambers County native, born March 9,
1901, daughter of C. B. and Linda Green Johnson. She was a member of First Baptist
Church, the Pilot Club and the Roanoke Senior Citizens Group. She and her late husband,
Sam Rombokas, owned and operated the City Cafe in Roanoke for many years.
Survivors include a daughter, Helen Fierro of Columbus, Ga.; two sons, Gene
Rombokas and Pete Rombokas of Roanoke; seven grandchildren; seven great-
grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served [sic - will serve] as pallbearers.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
__________
John Thurman Hall
(HEFLIN) John Thurman Hall, 76, of Rt. 1, Heflin died Thursday, Dec. 7, 1995, in
East Alabama Regional Medical Center, Anniston, after a short illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Smyrna Baptist Church, with the
Revs. Terry Eason, Cal Ledbetter and Leron Murphy officiating. Burial was in the
adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Hall is survived by his wife, Mrs. Louise Hall; three daughters, Mrs. Sue Herren of
Woodland, Mrs. Wanda Smith of Heflin, and Mrs. Cynthia Hall of Newell; three sons,
Hollis Hall of Bowdon, Ga., Stanley Hall of Graham and Tim Hall of Heflin; ten
grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Mildred Steed and Mrs. Daisy Stewart of Wedowee.
Pallbearers were grandchildren.
Mr. Hall was a native of Cleburne County. He was born April 21, 1919, the son of
John Marvin Hall and Bernie Dotson Hall. He was a veteran of World War II and was
retired from Anniston Army Depot. He was a deacon and member of Smyrna Baptist
Church.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Ruby Louise Veal
(ROANOKE) Ruby Louise Veal, 54, of Roanoke died Monday, Dec. 4, 1995, at the
George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital, Valley.
Mrs. Veal is survived by her husband, Willie Veal Jr. of Roanoke; two sons, Darrell
Veal of LaGrange, Ga., and Donald Veal of Roanoke; a daughter, Mrs. Pamela Brooke of
Vincenza, Italy; a sister, Mrs. Jessie Andrews of Wedowee; and five grandchildren.
Services for Mrs. Veal were Saturday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. from First Baptist Church,
Riley Street, Roanoke, with the Rev. Lathonia J. Wright officiating. Interment was at Sky
View Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Carl Cooley, Mack Heard, Fitzgerald Hening, Joel Paige, Byron
Tuder and Andy Wright.
Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke.
__________
Evelyn Smedley Smith
(ROANOKE) Evelyn Smedley Smith, 75, of Roanoke died Monday, Dec. 4, 1995.
Mrs. Smith was a retired educator. She was a graduate of Alabama State University in
Montgomery and the University of Missouri in St. Louis. She taught school for many
years in Roanoke and in St. Louis.
Survivors include her husband, Melvin Smith of Roanoke; a granddaughter, Vickie
Gilliam; four sisters, Annie Maude of Pittsburgh, Pa., Inez of Chattanooga, Tenn., Mamie
of Atlanta, Ga., and Dothula of Tuskegee.
Services for Mrs. Smith were Saturday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. from the Abundant Life
Christian Church with the Rev. William R. Terry officiating. Interment was in Canaan
Baptist Church Cemetery in Welch.
Pallbearers were Phillip Drake, Edward Drake Jr., Jonathan Drake, Felton Johnson,
Mayfield Royston and John Frank Houston.
Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke.
__________
John Clifton Hodges
(WADLEY) Funeral services for John Clifton Hodges, 76, of Route 1, Wadley, were
Sunday, Dec. 10, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Elder Kenneth
Perry officiating. Burial was at Forrester's Chapel Cemetery.
Mr. Hodges died Friday, Dec. 8, at Randolph County Hospital.
A Heard County, Ga., native, he was born June 6, 1919, son of Archie M. and Athie
Crawford Hodges. He was a self-employed farmer and a member of Concord Primitive
Baptist Church. His wife, Nellie Wood Hodges, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his brother, Harvie Hodges of Wadley.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Olin P. Bud' Messer
(WEDOWEE) Olin P. Bud Messer, 63, of Wedowee died Friday, Dec. 8, 1995
in Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, Anniston, after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at First Baptist Church of Wedowee,
with the Rev. Paul Messer and the Rev. John Duncan officiating. Burial was in the Mt.
Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Messer is survived by his wife, Mrs. Symirow Messer of Wedowee; two sons,
Terry Messer of Wedowee and Kenneth Messer of Wadley; three sisters, Mildred
McManus and Ruby Sears of Woodland and Edith Williamson of Tyus, Ga.; and three
grandchildren, Shannon M. Patterson of Marietta, Ga., and Jeremie Messer and Kenny
Lee Messer of Wadley.
Pallbearers were Lynn McManus, Daryl Crenshaw, Steve Sears, Kenny Messer, Jamie
Messer, Tommy Messer, Allen Taylor, Jackson Prestridge, Donald Davidson, Steve
Davidson, Barry Nelson, Gerald Perry, Larry Colley, Melvin Gross, Tommy Camp and
Merl Brown.
Mr. Messer was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. He was retired as
a self-employed auto mechanic and was a member of First Baptist Church of Wedowee.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Lucy Billie Daniel
(BIRMINGHAM) Lucy Billie Daniel, 88, of Birmingham died Saturday, Dec. 12,
1995. She was retired from sales with Schiff Shoes and Lassiter School and Art Supply.
She was a member of Malone Methodist Church, Randolph County.
Survivors include three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ed (Ellen) Daniel of Birmingham, Mrs.
Roland (Ruby) Daniel of LaFayette, and Mrs. Nixon (Bertha) Daniel of Morris; 15 nieces
and nephews; [and] several great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Dec. 11, at noon at Malone Methodist Church, with burial in Pine
Grove Cemetery in Randolph County.
Elmwood Chapel, Johns-Ridout's Mortuary of Birmingham was in charge of
arrangements.
__________
Joe Dean Calhoun
(WEDOWEE) Joe Dean Calhoun, 73, of Route 2, Wedowee, died Monday, Dec. 11,
1995, in West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, after a short illness.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Liberty Grove
Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Bobby Jones officiating.
Mr. Calhoun was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, born Sept. 6,
1922, son of Lonnie Calhoun and Hautie Woodard Calhoun. He was retired from
Anniston Ordinance Depot as a heavy equipment operator and was a member of Liberty
Grove Congregational Methodist Church and Woodmen of the World of New Hope.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Jane Towler of Rock Mills; one son, Joe Dean
Calhoun Jr. of LaGrange; two grandchildren, Jason Calhoun and Todd Towler; two
sisters, Mrs. Novis Vowell of Pensacola, Fla., and Mrs. Mary Phillips of Standing Rock;
two brothers, Marshall Calhoun of Wedowee and Mack Calhoun of Valley.
Pallbearers will be Brent Calhoun, Eddie Calhoun, George Calhoun, Terry Baker,
Ronnie Baker, Bobby Rampy, Charlie Ford Wilson, Calvin Weaver and Charlie Tolbert.
Mr. Calhoun is lying in state at Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, and the family is
receiving friends there until time of the services.
The family requests that donations be made to Liberty Grove Congregational
Methodist Church Cemetery Fund or to West Georgia Medical Center.
Benefield Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
__________
Etha Mae Bowen Noles
(WADLEY) Funeral services for Etha Mae Bowen Noles, 76, of Route 1, Wadley,
were Monday, Dec. 11, 1995, at 11 a.m. at Corinth Congregational Christian Church,
with the Rev. Gordon Taylor officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mrs. Noles died suddenly Saturday, Dec. 9, at Randolph County Hospital.
A Randolph County native, she was born March 24, 1919, daughter of Jessie and
Elizabeth Benefield Bowen. She was a member of Corinth Congregational Christian
Church and had worked with Palm Beach Company.
Survivors include her husband, Palmer D. Noles of Wadley; a daughter, Mrs. Carolyn
Cole of Gainesville, Ga.; two sons, Autry Noles and Ricky Noles, both of Wadley; a sister,
Mamie Bailey of Rock Mills; three brothers, Winford Bowen of Sheffield and Milner
Bowen and Jasper Bowen of Woodland; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Kevin Noles, Brent Noles, Scyler Noles, Rudolph Noles, Richard
Cole, Jr., and Mike Bailey.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Myrtie Camp Windsor
(BIRMINGHAM) Myrtie Camp Windsor, 84, of Birmingham died Sunday, Dec. 9,
1995, at Medical Center East. She had been in failing health for several years.
Mrs. Windsor was born June 26, 1911, in Malone (Randolph County), daughter of
Hester Moncus and Alfred Mitchell Camp. She graduated from Wadley High School and
had lived most of her married life in LaFayette, but had moved to Birmingham three years
ago to make her home with her daughter. She was preceded in death by her husband,
I. W. Red Windsor.
Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Windsor of Birmingham and Patty Windsor
Gann of Danville, Va.; two sisters, Ruth Camp Williamson of Wedowee and Mary Camp
Waldrep of Roanoke; and many nieces and nephews.
The Rev. J. B. Haskew of Birmingham conducted the services Monday, Dec. 11, at
2:30 p.m. at LaFayette First United Methodist Church, with burial in the City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, New
Methodist Hymnal Fund, P.O. Box 351, LaFayette, AL 36862.
Sanders Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements, with Jeff Jones directing.
__________
William McKinley Ross
(TUSKEGEE) William McKinley Ross, 94, of Tuskegee died Sunday, Dec. 3, 1995, at
the VA Hospital in Tuskegee.
Mr. Ross, a former resident of Randolph County, was a veteran of the U.S. Army,
having served his country in World War II (1942-1945).
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Telma Johnson of Ford Heights, Ill., and Mrs.
Velma Johnson of Park Forest [Forest Park?], Ill.; two sons, Elbert Frank Ross of
Rochester, N.Y., and Rev. Edward Ross of Wedowee; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-
grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Services for Mr. Ross were Thursday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. from Friendship Baptist
Church, Wadley, with the Revs. Otis Wilson, R. L. Heflin and Jerome Trammell
officiating. Burial was in the adjoining church cemetery.
Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke.
__________________________________________________
The Randolph Leader
December 20, 1995
_________________
OBITUARIES:
Chad Elliott
(ROANOKE) Chad Elliott, 21, of Rt. 3, Roanoke died Thursday, Dec. 14, 1995, in
Sylacauga as the result of a motorcycle accident.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Highway First Congregational
Methodist Church with the Rev. Wayne Jetton officiating. Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mr. Elliott is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Elliott of Roanoke; one
sister, Christine Elliott of Roanoke; one brother, Robbie Elliott of Roanoke; his paternal
grandmother, Mrs. Lucille Elliott of Wadley; and his maternal grandparents, Mrs. and
Mrs. Clarence Stallings of Roanoke.
Mr. Elliott was born in Carroll County, Ga., on March 31, 1974. He was a graduate of
Woodland High School and was attending E. H. Gentry Technical School in Talladega.
He attended Highway First Congregational Methodist Church. His grandfather, Lester
Shorty Elliott, preceded him in death.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Esther L. Wortham
(WEDOWEE) Esther L. Wortham, 80, of Rt. 1, Wedowee, died Friday, Dec. 15,
1995, at Roanoke Health Care Center after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at Piney Wood Church of Christ,
with Bro. Gerald Romine officiating. Burial was in the Wortham Cemetery.
Ms. Wortham is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Louise Benefield of Roanoke and Mrs.
Marie Bailey of Woodland; seven brothers, Thomas Willie Wortham, R. C. Wortham, L.
C. Wortham, Douglas Wortham and Quinton Wortham of Wedowee, James L. Wortham
of Aroney, Ala., and Ermis Wortham of Belton, S.C., and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were nephews.
Ms. Wortham was born Sept. 6, 1915, in Randolph County, daughter of Joseph
Winston and Aurie Wright Wortham. She was a homemaker and a member of Piney
Woods Church of Christ.
Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Alvin J. Bailey
(WOODLAND) Alvin J. Bailey, 75, of 677 Co. Rd. 39, Woodland, died Sunday,
Dec. 17, 1995, in Traylor Nursing Home, Roanoke, after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Oak Grove Church of Christ with
Bro. Edward Herren and Bro. W. C. Cofield officiating. Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mattie Jo Bailey of Woodland; two sons,
Kevin Bailey and Terry Bailey of Woodland; three sisters, Ellen Henderson of LaGrange,
Ga., Lora Wilson of Woodland and Lura Fincher of Tucker, Ga.; and three grandchildren,
Kyle Bailey, Kira Bailey and Robin Bailey, all of Woodland.
Pallbearers were Kyle Bailey, Ray Bailey, Wade Willingham, Freddie Arrington, Bill
Smith and Sherman Sailors.
Mr. Bailey was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. He was born July 5,
1920, son of Warren Bailey and Sarah Ballard Bailey. He was a member of Ephesus
Church of Christ, a veteran of World War II and a farmer.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
__________
Walter Gibbs Jr.
(BOWDON, Ga.) Funeral services for Walter Gibbs Jr., 66, of Bowdon, Ga., were
Saturday, Dec. 16, 1995, at 3 p.m. EST from Corinth Baptist Church in Bowdon with the
Revs. Darnell Teal, Randall Eidson and Gary Stewart officiating. Burial was at the
adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Gibbs died suddenly Thursday, Dec. 14, at his home.
A longtime resident of Carroll County, Ga., he was a Ranburne native, born Dec. 22,
1928, son of Walter Newton Gibbs Sr. and Minnie Pearl McElroy Gibbs. He had worked
as a truck driver for Barnes Freight Line and Brown Trucking and was a member and
deacon of Corinth Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Clara Smith Gibbs of Bowdon; four daughters, Denise
Gibbs Upchurch, Darlene G. Young and Delaine Young of Carrollton, Ga., and Dianne
Hanson of Bowdon; two sons, Carry D. Gibbs and Terry D. Gibbs, both of Bowdon; one
sister, Jayne Gibbs of Norcross, Ga.; four brothers, Stanley Gibbs of Bowdon, Tillman
Gibbs and Bill Gibbs of Ranburne and George Gibbs of Gadsden; and ten grandchildren.
Nephews of Mr. Gibbs serving as pallbearers were Stanley Pullen, Kelly Gibbs, Alan
Gibbs, Tim Gibbs, Ben Gibbs, Joey Gibbs and Daryl Gibbs.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke and Rainwater-West Funeral Home of
Bowdon were in charge of arrangements.
__________
Amos Johnson Herren
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Amos Johnson Herren, 73, of Roanoke were
Monday, Dec. 18, 1995, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Tim
Teague officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Mr. Herren died Sunday, Dec. 17, at his home.
A lifelong resident of Roanoke, he was born June 11, 1933 [date and age don't match],
son of Ross and Victoria Johnson Herren. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II
and a member of First Church of God.
Survivors include his wife, Mittis Cranford Herren of Roanoke; one son, Wyatt Herren
of Roanoke; three sisters, Wilma Nabors of Talladega, Jane Martin of Birmingham and
Milton Jackson of Bowdon, Ga.; a brother, Wilson Herren of Roanoke; a half-brother,
Harold Kirby of Roanoke; two step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren and
several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Mike Weathers, Edward Shirey, Harold Wilson, Gerson Bonner,
Wallace Burson and Harold Hall.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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Hugh Casey Gurley
(TALLADEGA) Hugh Casey Gurley, 61, of Talladega died Saturday, Dec. 16, 1995,
at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
Mr. Gurley, a retired general contractor, was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, a
member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a past president of the Talladega Little
League. He served for 23 years in the National Guard.
Survivors include his wife, Inez Gurley of Talladega; three sons, David Gurley of
Roanoke, Alan Gurley of Munford and Chris Gurley of Woodstock, Ga.; one sister,
Gladys Thackerson of Jemison; one brother, Ed Gurley of Talladega; and four
grandchildren.
Services for Mr. Gurley were Monday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. from the Talladega Funeral
Home Chapel with the Rev. Ottis Graves and Dr. Stanley Jett officiating. Interment was in
Oak Hill Cemetery.
Military personnel from Ft. McClellan served as active pallbearers.
Arrangements were by Talladega Funeral Home.
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Emmett Waldrep
(OXFORD) Emmett Waldrep, 82, of Oxford, formerly Randolph County, died Friday,
Dec. 15, 1995, at UAB Hospital, Birmingham.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at Highway First Congregational
Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Wright officiating. Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
Mr. Waldrep is survived by his wife, Mrs. Onie Waldrep of Oxford; one daughter, Mrs.
Dorothy Gay of Oxford; one granddaughter, Lue Barnes of Oxford; [and] one sister, Mrs.
Ann Kenney of Roanoke.
Pallbearers were Truman Almond, Steve Baldwin, Larry Brown, Bill Wilson, Charlie
Hanner, Jim Tom Willingham and Basil Spradlin.
Mr. Waldrep was born in Troup County, Ga., son of Bud Waldrep and Lynnie Ballard
Waldrep. He was a farmer and a member of Highway First Congregational Methodist
Church.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of the arrangements.
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Desmond L. Merrill
(BIRMINGHAM) Desmond L. Merrill, 77, of Birmingham died Monday, Oct. 30,
1995. Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 1, at First United Methodist Church in
Birmingham with interment at Elmwood Cemetery, Ridout's Valley Chapel officiating.
Mr. Merrill's early life was spent in Rock Mills, where his father was principal of the
school. Desmond, remembered as an outstanding football player, graduated from Handley
High School and the University of Alabama and had army service in World War II. He
was with Alabama Power Company for 41 years before retiring, and was a past president
of the Energizers Club (for company retirees) and also of the Homewood Lions Club. He
was a member of the administrative board of First United Methodist Church and a member
of the University of Alabama Alumni Association.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Merrill of Birmingham; sons, Desmond L. Merrill
Jr. of Columbus, Ga., W. Robert Merrill of Montgomery and Thomas P. Merrill of
Birmingham; grandchildren, Desmond L. Merrill and Charles R. Stansell of Auburn,
William A. Merrill and Anna Merrill of Montgomery, Thomas P. Merrill Jr. of Nashville,
Tenn., and Ashley Ise of Dayton, Ohio.
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Velma Wilkinson Fisher
(ROANOKE) Funeral services for Mrs. Velma Wilkinson Fisher, 87, of Route 4,
Roanoke, were Sunday, Dec. 17, 1995, at 3 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with
Dr. Douglas Turner officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Fisher died Thursday, Dec. 14, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
A Randolph County native, she was born July 9, 1908, daughter of Charlie Thomas
and Ludie Lucinda Viola Dean Camp Wilkinson. She was a homemaker and the widow of
William Henry Fisher.
Survivors include a daughter, Sue Bradley of Pensacola, Fla.; four sons, Wallace Fisher,
James Fisher and Curtis Fisher, all of Roanoke, and Walter Fisher of Griffin, Ga.; a
brother, Handley Wilkinson of LaGrange, Ga.; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren;
and three great-great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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Herbert Lawrence Marbury
(DECATUR, Ga.) Funeral services for Dr. Herbert Lawrence Marbury of Decatur,
Ga., who died Monday morning, Dec. 18, 1995, at Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital,
Atlanta, Ga., will be Saturday, Dec. 23, from Kelly's Chapel United Methodist Church,
Decatur, Ga.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Annette Robinson Marbury of Decatur; two sons, the
Rev. Herbert R. Marbury of Atlanta, and Lawrence Andrew Marbury of Jacksonville,
Ala.; two brothers, Hosea Marbury and Alfred Marbury of Atlanta; two sisters, Mrs.
Dorothy Marbury Taylor of St. Louis, Mo., and Ms. Amy Marbury Baker of Decatur; and
several nieces and nephews.
Dr. Herbert L. Marbury, a native of Goodwater, Coosa County, Ala., was the son of
the late Rev. and Mrs. Lonnie Cameron Marbury. His father, who was a United Methodist
minister, and Dr. Marbury was a minister in both military and civilian life. After 23 years
as a chaplain, he retired from the military as a lieutenant colonel.
Visitation at the Clark Memorial Funeral Parlor [is] on Thursday evening, Dec. 21,
from 3 until 6 p.m.
Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service in Roanoke, Ala.
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Jimmy Roger Hussey
(ROANOKE) Memorial services for Jimmy Roger Hussey, 56, of Route 4, Roanoke,
were monday [sic], Dec. 11, 1995, at 10 a.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the
Revs. Bobby Kirby and Tommy Burke officiating.
Mr. Hussey died Saturday, Dec. 9, at Lanier Memorial Hospital, Valley.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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The Randolph Leader
December 27, 1995
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OBITUARIES:
Lurline Keeble Duke
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Lurline Keeble Duke, 90, of Roanoke were
Friday, Dec. 22, 1995, at 10 a.m. at Mt. Zion Christian Church Cemetery with the Rev.
Harold Bonner officiating.
Mrs. Duke died Wednesday, Dec. 20, at her home.
A Randolph County native, she was born Dec. 16, 1905, daughter of John Taylor and
Pearl Swann Keeble. She was the widow of Henry Carl Duke and had worked with
Handley Mills.
Survivors include her daughters, Anne Duke Fetner of Roanoke and Juanita Duke
Ward of LaGrange, Ga.; one son, Hiram Duke of Augusta, Ga.; two sisters, Inez Taylor
of Hogansville, Ga., and Melba Dill of DeKalb, Ill.; a half-sister, Lillian Kapps of Rocky
Mount, N.C.; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and eight great-great-
grandchildren.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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Verna Fowler Lipham Lewis
(WEDOWEE) Verna Fowler Lipham Lewis, 69, of Rt. 1, Wedowee, died Wednesday,
Dec. 20, 1995, in Regional Medical Center, Anniston, after an extended illness.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, in Benefield Funeral Home Chapel
with the Revs. Dorsey White and James Fant officiating. Burial was in Valley Grove
Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Carol Thieleman of Fort Worth, Tex.; her
mother, Mrs. Flora Fowler of Wedowee; one sister, Barbara Parks of Oxford; two
brothers, Dennis Fowler of Roanoke and Donald Fowler of Wedowee; one grandson; and
one great-granddaughter.
Pallbearers were nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Lewis was a native of Randolph County, born July 15, 1926, daughter of Lonnie
Fowler and Flora Thrasher Fowler. She was a retired waitress in the food service industry.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
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Bessie C. Wood
(ROANOKE) Bessie C. Wood, 89, of Route 3, Roanoke, died Thursday, Dec. 21,
1995, at Traylor Nursing Home, Roanoke, after an extended illness.
Mrs. Wood was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, born on March 6,
1906, daughter of William C. Cantrell and Henrietta McDaniel Cantrell. She was a
member of Potash Church of God.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Potash Church of God with the
Revs. Eugene Striblin and Gary Baugh officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Pallbearers were family members.
Mrs. Wood is survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements.
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Ruby Mae Ramsey
(ROANOKE) Graveside services for Mrs. Ruby Mae Ramsey, 85, of Roanoke were
Tuesday, Dec. 26, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, with the Revs.
Charles Williams and Cal Ledbetter officiating.
Mrs. Ramsey died Monday, Dec. 25, at her residence.
A former resident of Wedowee, she was born Oct. 14, 1910, daughter of Dave and
Martha Wright Hill. She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She
was the widow of Robert Ramsey.
Survivors include three daughters, Euclan Whaley of Roanoke, Joyce Spradlin of
Wedowee and Audrey Butts of Valley; a son, Jimmy Ramsey of Roanoke; one sister, Essie
Pollard of Woodland; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Ryan Spradlin, Shannon Rollins, Joe Holloway, Lee Harley, Jim
Springer, Jason Pressley and Joe Tennant.
Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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Gene Alfred Watkins
(ROANKOE) Funeral services for Gene Alfred Watkins, 90, of Roanoke, who died
Wednesday, December 20, 1995, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika, after an
extended illness, were Tuesday, December 26, from First Baptist Church, Riley Street,
Roanoke. Burial was in Skyview Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Welch.
Mr. Watkins was born in Heard County, Ga., son of Tuck and Mattie Watkins, and
since 1914 resided in Roanoke, where he was a deacon at the First Baptist Church, Riley
Street, in addition to serving as president of the Layman's Department for many years. He
served in the United States military during World War II and was well-known and
respected in the community as a hard-working gentleman who lived an exemplary life. He
was a member of Western Lodge #538, Prince Hall Masons. Although he had no children
of his own, he provided a home for his sisters and many of his nieces and nephews, and
was regarded as father to many.
Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Ware and Ms. Annie Mae Watkins of
Roanoke; a special niece, Mrs. Janice Houston of Roanoke, and several nieces and
nephews.
Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service.
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Stanley O. McConnell
(VALLEY) Stanley O. McConnell of Valley, 74, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 1995 at East
Alabama Medical Center, Opelika.
Mr. McConnell was born July 19, 1995 in Randolph County, Ala. He had lived in the
Valley for the past 35 years, having been employed with Fairfax Mill. An army veteran of
World War II, he was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a former post
commander of the Opelika American Legion post. He had been in declining health for the
past three years.
Survivors include two sons, Stanley R. McConnell and Calvin McConnell of Valley,
and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Graveside services were at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, at New Hope West
Cemetery, Cragford, Ala., the Rev. Eugene Striblin officiating.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to one's favorite charity.
Arrangements were by Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley.
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