Obituaries

William Claude "W.C." Cunningham

Mr. William Cunningham, 75 of Aliceville, AL, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. The wake will be on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Laverder’s Funeral Home. Funeral will be Saturday, July 12, 2025, 1:00 pm at St. John Baptist Church, Pickensville, AL. Interment will follow the service in Bigbee Baptist Church Cemetery, Aliceville, AL.

Gladys Ruth Nicely

Gladys Ruth Nicely, age 84, of Carrollton, AL, died July 2, 2025, at Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Carrollton First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bobby Boothe and Rev. Dr. Tim Alexander officiating. Burial followed in Marvin Chapel Cemetery in Carrollton, with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Kathy Hedrick Ammons

Kathy Hedrick Ammons, age 66, of Northport, Alabama, died June 25, 202,5 at Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Funeral services were 3:00 pm Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Dogwood Chapel in Aliceville with Bro. Sam Delaney and Bro. Rodney Hedrick officiating. Burial followed in Franconia-Oak Grove Cemetery in Aliceville with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at Dogwood Chapel, 200 5th Street NW in Aliceville. She was preceded in death by her parents, C. J. Hedrick and Doris Dean Hedrick Woods, and niece, Shannon Moore.

Spencer Cole Shirley

Spencer Cole Shirley, age 19, of Gordo, AL, died June 15, 2025, at UAB Medical Center in Birmingham. Memorial services were 10:00 am Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Tim McCool officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation followed the service at the church. There was a memory box at the service for family and friends to leave photos and letters of memories of Spencer. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Danny Mullenix.

Ovenia "Venia" Johnson

Ms. Ovenia Johnson, 81 of Ethelsville, AL, passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at her residence. The funeral was Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Macedonia C.M.E. Church. Interment was at Christian Hope Cemetery, one hour prior to the service.

Billy Ray McGahey

Billy Ray McGahey, age 88, was called home to the Lord on May 12, 2025, at Riverside St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Reform, AL. Rev. Jim Brooks of Birmingham will be officiating, and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

Betty Carolyn Lowe

Betty Carolyn Lowe, age 81, of Reform, AL, died June 6, 2025, at Noland Hospital in Tuscaloosa. Funeral services were 11:00 am on  Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Reform with Rev. John Wesley Burkhalter officiating. Burial followed in Graham Memorial Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Peggy Wright, and brother, Bobby Carl Moss.

Marietta Unruh

Mrs. Marietta Unruh, 80, passed away at Oakwood Manor on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Funeral service was on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Brook Haven Mennonite Church, Brooksville, MS.

Jacqueline Davis Thomson

Jacqueline Davis Thomson was born on September 14, 1927, in Birmingham, AL, to John William Davis and Sophronia Louise Longmire, and grew up in Carrollton, AL. Music was always an important part of her life, and among her passions as a child was learning to play the piano. When she was 16, her family bought her a piano, which she kept and shared with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. After graduating from Carrollton High School, she was off to Auburn University, where she was a founding member of Auburn’s synchronized swimming team.

Wilburn Eugene "Gene" Lane

Wilburn Eugene “Gene” Lane, age 76, of Reform, AL, died May 31, 2025, at Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Funeral services were 11:00 am Friday, June 6, 2025, at Millport Church of  Christ with James Ivan Hall officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Church of Christ Cemetery in Steens, MS, with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Katherine Sue Junkins

Katherine Sue Junkins, age 84, of Kennedy, AL, died June 2, 2025, at her residence. Funeral services were 2:00 pm Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Big Hill Baptist Church in Gordo with Bro. Ralph Smith officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church. She was preceded in death by her father, William Charlie Hilbun; mother, Mary Lou Jarman Douglas; son, Joseph Timothy Neely; sister, Dorothy Lou Tuggle; and brother, Denver Charlie Hilbun.

Beetha Lee "Bert" Steele

Ms. Beetha Steele, 57 of Aliceville, AL, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 202,5 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL. Visitation was Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm at Lavender’s Funeral Service. Funeral was Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11:00 am at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Aliceville, AL. Interment followed the funeral service.

David Devon "Heavy D." Prude

David Prude, 35 of Aliceville, AL, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL. Visitation was Thursday, May 22, 2025; the funeral was May 23, 2025, at Pickensville Church of Christ. Interment followed the service in New Cemetery in Aliceville.

David Charles Livingston

David Livingston, age 61, of Reform, AL, died May 20, 2025, at Northport Medical Center. Funeral services were at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Wayne Hudson officiating. Burial followed in Concord Cemetery in Moundville with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

William Darrell Galbreath

William Galbreath, age 70, of Reform, AL, died April 20, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services were 3:00 pm Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Trey Reece and Bro. Shawn McDaniel officiating. Burial was at Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Lawrence Doyle "Larry" Bolling

Lawrence Bolling, age 66, of Millport, AL, died May 12, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services were at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jerry Robbins officiating. Burial followed in Bethleham Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

James Patrick "Pat" Poole

James Poole, age 60, of Aliceville, AL, passed away April 21, 2025, at Baldwins Lake, Aliceville, AL. Funeral services were at 2:00 pm Sunday, April 21, 2025, at Dogwood Chapel with Rev. Charlie Wilson officiating. Burial followed in Magnolia Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at Dogwood Chapel, 200 5th Street NE in Aliceville.

Kathy Ann Phillips

Kathy Phillips, age 63, of Carrollton, AL, died May 2, 2025, at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Memorial service was 6:00 pm, Monday, May 5, 2025, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rusty Scott Walker officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation followed the service at the funeral home.

Betty Jean Byars Fair

Betty Jean Byars Fair took her last earthly breath and her first everlasting life breath on April 24, 2025, at her home. Funeral services were at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Hannah Church with Rev. Byron Fair and Rev. Dalton Eason officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Gladys Will Rice Wilder

Mrs. Gladys Wilder, of Eutaw, AL, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Visitation was Friday, April 25, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Services were Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 12:00 pm, at New Sarepta Primitive Baptist Church, Eutaw, AL.

Amanda Alice Bridges Simpson

Amanda Simpson, age 91, of Gordo, AL, died April 16, 2025, at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Funeral Services were 3:00 pm Monday, April 21, 2025, at Hargrove Methodist Church with Rev. Alisia Rhodes officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Barbara Ann "Bobbie" Pate

Barbara Ann Pate, age 85, of Gordo, AL, peacefully entered Heaven on April 17, 2025, at DCH Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Bobbie's life was held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, with Bobby Boothe officiating at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel in Reform. Visitation was one hour prior to the service (1:00). A private family burial at Center Springs followed.

Donna Pate Hamilton

Donna Pate Hamilton, age 61, of Gordo, AL, passed away April 16, 2025, at her residence. Memorial services were 2:00 pm Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Flatwoods Baptist Church. Visitation followed the service at the church.

Ethel "Paralee" Tilley

Ethal Tilley, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, and friend, passed peacefully from this life in Columbus, MS, at Baptist Memorial in Columbus, MS. Funeral services were 11:00 am Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Ethelsville Baptist Church with Bro. Mel Howton and Bro. Richard Trotter officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Toxey Dale Smith

Toxey Dale Smith, age 6 weeks, of Carrollton, AL, died April 8, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services were 2:00 pm Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Randy Gray officiating. Burial followed in Carrollton City Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Judy McDaniel Halbert

Judy McDaniel Halbert, age 86, of Carrollton, AL, died April 14, 2025, at her residence. Funeral services were 11:00 am Friday, April 18, 2025, at Carrollton Baptist Church with Rev. Shawn McDaniel and Rev. Robert Heard officiating. Burial followed in Carrollton City Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Charles Ray Ashcraft

Charles Ray Ashcraft, age 92, of Carrollton, AL, died April 16, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services were 11:00 am Monday, April 21, 2025, at Carrollton Baptist Church with Bro. John Gates, Bro. Robert Heard and Bro. Mike Griffin officiating. Burial was at Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior and immediately following the service at the church.

John Williams "Johnny" Acker Jr.

John Williams " Johnny" Acker Jr., age 55, of Gordo, AL, died April 12, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services were 2:00 pm Friday, April 18, 202,5 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Hall Officiating. Burial followed in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Jimmie T. “Bug” Williams Jr

Jimmie T. Williams Jr, 82 of Aliceville, AL, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Visitation was Friday, April 4, 20205 at Lavender’s Funeral Service. Funeral services were Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Interment followed the funeral service.

Mary Jane Hannah Smith

Mary Jane Hannah Smith passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Hospice of West Alabama. She was born on June 16, 1950, to the late Ruth and Lester Hannah of Gordo, AL. She is survived by Freddie Smith, her loving husband of 54 years, and her son, Jeramy, and daughter, Amy. She is also survived by her siblings, Gail Shirley, John (Brenda) Hannah, and David (Summer) Hannah. Her brother, Mack Mosley, and sister, Judy Odell, preceded her in death. Jane also has a number of nieces and nephews.

Clifton Pate

Clifton Pate, age 80, of Carrollton, AL, died March 29, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services were 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Thomas Shep- herd, Bro. A. L. Henderson, and his son, David Pate, officiating. Burial followed in Marvin Chapel Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Clarence Pate.

Gaines Lewis House

Gaines Lewis House, age 88, of Northport, AL, and formerly of Gordo, died March 29, 2025, at Hospice of West Alabama. Graveside services were 11:00 am Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery in Gordo with Rev. Glenn Sandifer officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. The family received friends in the fellowship hall after the service.

Dorothy Deloris Hill

Dorothy Deloris Hill, age 88, of Aliceville, AL, died March 30, 2025, at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Funeral services were 11:00 am Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Dogwood Chapel with Rev. Melvin Mordecai officiating. Burial followed in Franconia-Oak Grove Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at Dogwood Chapel, 200 5th Street NE in Aliceville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Hill; two sons, William Craig Dunlap and James Andrew “Jimmy” Dunlap, Jr., and her parents.

Gene Robert Perrigin

Gene Robert Perrigin, age 85, of Columbus, MS died March 22, 2025, at OCH Medical Center in Starkville, MS. Funeral services were 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Liberty Assembly of God with Bro. Kenneth Henegar officiating. Burial followed in Andrews Chapel Cemetery in the Liberty Community with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Elise Lavender Johnson

Elsie Lavender Johnson, age 90 of Haleyville, formerly of Ethelsville, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at The Meadows in Fulton, Mississippi. Visitation was Friday, March 28, 2025, at Nichols Funeral Home in Haleyville. Funeral service was on Saturday, March 29, 2025, where Elsie will lie-in-state with Brother Glen Bridgmon and Brother Keith Hood will officiate. A graveside committal service followed, at Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Ethelsville, with Dan Johnson officiate.

Lt. Col. Robert Maurice “Bob” Barnes

Lt. Col. Robert Maurice “Bob” Barnes (Ret.), age 82, of Reform, AL died March 25, 2025 at UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair in Pell City. Funeral services were 2:00 pm Sunday, March 30, 2025 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joe Fon- dren officiating. Burial followed in Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery in Carrollton with Skel- ton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation followed the service at the funeral home.

Samuel Ricky Baines

Samuel Ricky Baines, age 69, of Gordo, AL, died March 23, 2025, at his residence. Memorial services will be 2:00 pm Sunday, April 6, 2025, at New Hope Methodist Church in Gordo with Bro. Woody Jones officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Kerry Windle

Kerry Windle, age 65, of Carrollton, AL died January 15, 2025 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lesia Windle, his father, Bobby Cole Windle, and grandparents, Cole and Minnie Pate Windle, Lafayette and Frances Jay Gates, Surviving he leaves his daughters Tyronzia Duncan (Marvin), Ashley Dorsey (Isaac), grand- child Brooke Johnson, mother, Bonnie Gates Win- dle, sister Julie Windle Bryant (Rod Scroggins), niece, Christi Bryant, nephew Randall Bryant, great-nephew Kylan Bryant, many cousins and other close relatives.

Billy “Uncle Joe” Matlock Jr

Billy Joe Matlock Jr., age 54 of Carrollton, AL. died on February 6, 2025, at his residence. As per his wishes, a private family service was held at Franconia-Oak Grove Cemetery in Aliceville with Bro. Trey Reece officiating and Skelton Funer- home of Reform directing. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara June Ammons; his Father, Billy Joe Matlock Sr.; and his grandparents.

Nina Phillips Foucher

Nina Phillips Foucher, age 56, of Gordo, AL went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 24, 2025, at her residence. The funeral services were at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Skelton  Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tony Tilley, Bro. Clay Latham and Bro. Scott Montgomery is officiating. A graveside service followed in Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton  Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the funeral home. She was preceded in death by her father, Eddie Phillips, and several aunts and uncles.

Ms. Patricia Ann Holliman Richardson

Patricia Ann Holliman Richardson, lovingly known as Pat, was born on December 23, 1939, in Fayette County, Alabama, and passed away peacefully on January 22, 2025, at the age of 85 after a year’s battle with cancer. Funeral services were at 2:00 pm Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Landon Owen is officiating. Burial followed in Gordo City Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation followed the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Willie Frank Henry

Mr. Henry, 81, of Ethelsville, Alabama, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Mississippi, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation was Friday, January 31, 2025, and funeral services were on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Interment followed the service at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pauline Bento Moore

Pauline Bento Moore, age 88, of Aliceville, AL, died January 9, 2025, at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. No services will be held. She was preceded in death by her husband, Granville Moore; her parents; her brothers, Frank S. Bento and John S. Bento; and granddaughter, Jamie Marie Moore.  Survivors include her daughters, Carolyn L. Moore of Reform and Debbie Junkin (Philip) of Gordo; son, David Moore (Alice) of Eagle River, Alaska; sister, Louise Johnson of Stock- bridge, Georgia; brothers, Richard S. Bento of Reno, Nevada and Joe S.

Roger Dale Parker

Roger Dale Parker, age 77, of Gordo, AL, passed away on January 5, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services were at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Zion Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Chris McCool and Elder Tim Mc- Cool officiating. Burial followed in Double Branch Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Carolyn M. Mullenix

Carolyn M. Mullenix, age 80, of Echola, AL, passed away January 5, 2025, at her residence. Funeral services were at 11:00 am Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Dunn’s Creek Baptist Church with her son, Jason Mullenix, and Bro. Alan Rogli officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Mr. Ronald W. Bonner

Mr. Ronald W. Bonner, 72, of Aliceville,  Alabama, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The homegoing celebration was on Mon- day, January 13, 2025, at 12:00 Noon in New Cemetery, 196 Valley View Road in Aliceville, Alabama. Apostle Jeffery Ball, Sr., Pastor of Spirit and Truth Pentecostal Church in Aliceville, AL, will be The Eulogist.