Obituaries

Tarlton McCarl “Sonny” Kelsaw, 68, of Panola, died August 4, 2018 in Aliceville. Funeral services were held August 11, 2018 in the James and Lola Lavender Memorial Chapel with Brother Lawayne Custard, Jr., officiating. Burial was at Mt. Pleasant Church Cemetery, Panola, with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Sara F. Manning, age 88, of Reform, went to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday afternoon, August 5, 2018. She was at her home in the loving arms of her children. Funeral services were held August 9, 2018 at Reform First Baptist Church with Rev. Brannon Pinion officiating. Graveside services were held at Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Rev. John Wesley Burkhalter officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Earl Manning; her parents, Lacy and Iva Keasler; and brothers, L.C. Keasler, Scott Keasler, and Streeter Keasler.

Robert J. Bies, 77, of Tuscaloosa, died July 26, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held August 4, 2018 at Good Shephard Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, with Rev. Samuel C. Horton officiating. Burial was at Cedar Oak Cemetery with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

Robert Banks, 55, of Northport, Ala., died July 26, 2018 in Tuscaloosa. Funeral services were held August 3, 2018 at Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Chapel in Northport, Ala., with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

Willie B. McDougle Jr., 57, of Huntington, NY, died July 28, 2018 in Baltimore, Md. Funeral services were held August 7, 2018 at Unity Grove CME Church in Palmetto, Ala. Burial was at McCrary Cemetery with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

James Oscar Gay Sr., 90, of Eutaw, Ala., died July 31, 2018 at Hospice of West Alabama. Funeral services were held August 4, 2018 at Dogwood Chapel with Rev. Carl Sudduth officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Elder Rosel Sanders, 85, of Muscle Shoals, Ala., formerly of Aliceville, died July 30, 2018 at Arbor Terrace in Fulton County, Ga. Funeral services were held August 6, 2018 at Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Aliceville with Rev. Willie G. Fulgham officiating. Burial was at Shedd Hill Cemetery, Aliceville, with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

James Harold Humphreys, 68, died July 23, 2018. A memorial was held August 4, 2018 at New Salem Baptist Church, Reform. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Freddie Lee Hill, 66, of Tuscaloosa, died July 20, 2018. Funeral services were
held July 27 at Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church with Pastor Laurent Grovsvenor o ciating. Burial was at Hulls Cemetery in Moundville, Ala., with Northport Funeral and Cremation Service directing. 

William Edward Ray Jr., 71, of Birming- ham, Ala., died July 23, 2018 in Tuscaloo- sa, Ala. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on August 4, 2018 at Northport Funeral and Cremation Service Chapel in Northport, Ala. 

Martha Earline Thrasher Hardy, 91, of Elrod, Ala., died July 20, 2018 at her daughter’s residence. Funeral services were held July 25, 2018 at Tabernacle Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. David Kelly o - ciating. Burial was at Tabernacle Free Will Baptist Church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. 

Jakeyvis Tyshown “Spud” Mayhew, 17, of Aliceville died July 20, 2018. Funeral services will be held August 4, 2018, at 12 p.m. at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church with Rev. James C. Wright o ciating. Burial will be at New Nebo Cemetery with Lav- ender’s Funeral Service directing. 

Deacon John Earl “Rabbit” Wyndham Jr., 67, of Aliceville, died July 24, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held July 30, 2018 at Provi- dence Baptist Church, Aliceville with Rev. Quinton Prude o ciating. Burial was at New Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing. 

Charles T. “Grapevine” Manning, 68, of Aliceville, was pronounced dead on July 22, 2018. Funeral services were held July 26, 2018 at New Wright Baptist Church with Rev. Marcus McKinstry o ciating. Burial was at New Nebo Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing. 

Rev. Cecil Eugene Junkin, 93, of Gordo, died July 18, 2018 at Arbor Woods Health and Rehab. Funeral services were held July 22, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Hershel Owen officiating. Burial was at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Gordo with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Harless Junkin; his son, Samuel Dwayne Junkin; his parents; and brothers, Clint Elvin Junkin and Lummie Mathis Junkin.

Gilbert Lee Hodo, 69, of Millport, Ala., died July 8, 2018. Funeral services were held July 14, 2018 at Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Millport, Ala., with Northport Funeral and Cremation Service directing. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Gunter Hodo.

Alivin McGraw Jr., 59, of Reform, died July 9, 2018. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James McGraw, Lillie Bell McGraw, Herman Stewart, and Elizabeth Edison. Northport Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements.

James Harold Kimbrell, 78, of Aliceville, died July 17, 2018 at Hospice of West Alabama. Funeral services were held July 19, 2018 at West End Baptist Church with Bro. Mike Griffin and Bro. Jack House officiating. Burial was at Magnolia Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Juanita; his parents; and one brother, Ralph Kimbrell.

Effie Lucretia Jones, 72, of Buhl, Ala., died July 10, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services were held July 13, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Springer and Rev. Wesley Robertson officiating. Burial was at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery in Buhl, Ala., with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Chester Earl Elmore, 80, of Aliceville, died July 9, 2018 at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Funeral services were held July 12, 2018 at Dogwood Chapel with Rev. Mike Ezelle and Rev. Jack House officiating. Burial was at Franconia-Oak Grove Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother, Billy Elmore; sister, Dot Noland and her husband, Don; and father-in-law, William McDaniel.

Pauline Bolling Latham, 90, of Reform, died June 28, 2018 at Hospice of West Alabama. Funeral services were held June 30, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brannon Pinion and Rev. Wesley Burkhalter officiating. Burial was at Graham Memorial Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Joe Ann (Grammer) Beauchamp, age 80, died Sunday, July 1, 2018 at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home surrounded by her family.  She was born Thursday, July 8, 1937 in Carrollton, Alabama to the late Mr. William Acie Grammer and Nellie Hilda Stephens Grammer.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Adison Beauchamp; her parents, Acie and Nellie Grammer; two brothers, William Grammer and Clayton Grammer; and her nephew, Lee White.

Thelma Bernice “Dean” Walker, 90, of Boligee, died June 20, 2018 at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Funeral services were held June 26, 2018 at Mt. Zion-Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, Eutaw, Ala., with Rev. Larry D. Williams officiating. Burial was at Mt. Mirah Church Cemetery, Boligee, with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Robin “Robbie” Faye Blissett, 51, passed away June 15, 2018 at her home. Memorial services were held July 1, 2018 at Enterprise Baptist Church in Coaling, Ala.

Robbie was born August 12, 1966. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert Lee Blissett, Sr. and Carolyn Mae Hitt; and her son, Josey. She leaves behind her significant other of 20 years, John Gowin, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Enterprise Baptist Church in her name.

Nellie D. Manning, 77, of Aliceville, died June 23, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services were held June 30, 2018 at Emory Chapel C.M.E. Church with Rev. Kenneth Smith officiating. Burial was at Bethany Town Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Essie Mae Bassett, of Livingston, Ala., died June 22, 2018 at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation in York, Ala. Graveside services were held June 28, 2018, in Mt. Tabor Baptist Church Cemetery, Panola, Ala., with Minister Angela Finch officiating and Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Carolyn Virginia Acker Ponds, 65, of Steens, Miss., passed away June 23, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services were held June 27, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark Dean and Rev. Ed Nabors officiating. Burial was at Ethelsville Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

William “Bill” Steven Riddell, 67, of Ethelsville, passed away June 17, 2018. Memorial services were held June 23, 2018 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. David Honeycutt officiating and Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mal Shaw Riddell, Jr. and Ethel O’Bryan Riddell, his wife Sheriea Chapman Riddell, and his wife Martha Floyd Riddell.

Pearlie “Pearlie Mae” Lewis Evans, 82, of Aliceville, died June 19, 2018 at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held June 27, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the James & Lola Lavender Memorial Chapel of Lavender’s Funeral Service with Rev. Napoleon Jones officiating. Burial will be at New Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Loreda Estes “Reta” Lancaster, 71, of Ethelsville, died June 17, 2018 at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held June 20 at Ethelsville Baptist Church with Rev. Jordan Lollar and Rev. Mel Howton officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Samuel Earl “Sammy” Harcrow, 70, of Ethelsville, died June 17, 2018 at home. Services were held June 20, 2018 at Aliceville First Baptist Church with Rev. Charlie Wilson and Rev. Charles Young officiating. Burial was at Magnolia Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Milton Perry, Jr., of Ethelsville, died June 11, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Funeral services were held June 16, 2018 at Elbethel Missionary Baptist Church, Ethelsville, with Pastor Jessie Noland officiating. Burial was at Strawbridge Cemetery with Northport Funeral and Cremation Service directing.

Freeman Miller, of Aliceville, died June 7, 2018 at his residence. Funeral services were held June 16, 2018 at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, Aliceville, with Rev. James C. Wright officiating. Burial was at New Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Joe “Shot” Long, Jr., 70, of Aliceville, died June 12, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held June 18, 2018 at Shady Grove Baptist Church, Aliceville with Rev. Richard Hood officiating. Burial was at New Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Lucille Elmore Blakeney, 99, of Gordo, died June 10, 2018 at home. Services were held June 13, 2018 at Gordo First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Pat Powell officiating. Burial was at Gordo City Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Blakeney; her parents; brothers, Marvin O. Elmore, Grady L. Elmore, Clifton Elmore, and Benjamin F. Elmore, Jr.; sister, Nancy Ann Elmore, and infant sister, Elsie Elmore.

James Robert Junkin, 89, of Reform, died June 4, 2018, at his residence. Funeral services were held June 7, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bobbye Jean Hagler officiating. Burial was at Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Kayla Icie Simone Pinder, of Rockville Centre, NY, died June 5, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in New York. Services will be held June 16, 2018 at First Canaan Baptist Church in Aliceville with Rev. Will McCaa providing the eulogy. Burial will be at Magnolia Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Aliceville, with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Joanne “Ann” Easterwood, of Ethelsville, died May 31, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held June 9, 2018 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Henry Pope officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.

Joyce Marie Bobbit, 83, of Millport, died June 1, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held June 3, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ed Nabors and Rev. Kenneth Stough officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Millport, with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

James Roy Jones, 71, of Buhl, died June 2, 2018 at Hospice of West Alabama. Funeral services were held June 5, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Springer and Rev. Wesley Robertson officiating. Burial was at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Joyce Marie Bobbit, 83, of Millport, died June 1, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held June 3, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ed Nabors and Rev. Kenneth Stough officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Millport, with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

William David “Billy” Thomas, 78, of Aliceville, died June 3, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. A memorial service was held June 6, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Aliceville with Rev. Charlie Wilson officiating. Burial was at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Joyce P. Martin, 77, of Auburn, Ala., formerly of Aliceville, died May 31, 2018 at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Ala. Funeral services were held June 3, 2018 in the Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Earl Ballard officiating. Burial was June 4, 2018 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Pickens, South Carolina.

Jerry Dwayne Reece, 58, of Gordo, died May 29, 2018 at his residence. The family had a private family graveside service at Flatwoods Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Glenn Sandifer officiating. Skelton Funeral Home of Reform handled the arrangements.

James Boyd Beams, Sr., 89, of Gordo, died June 1, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held June 4, 2018 at New Hope Methodist Church with Rev. Woody Jones officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Jimmy Odean Pate, 57, of Aliceville, died May 26, 2018 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held June 1, 2018 at Dogwood Chapel with Rev. Mike Hall officiating. Burial was at the Pate Family Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Larry W. Strawn, 69, of Reform, died May 24, 2018 at Hospice of West Alabama. Services were held May 27, 2018 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Glenn Kennedy officiating. Burial was at Franconia-Oak Grove Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Micheal Lavan “Nick/Gator” Knox, of Gordo, Alabama, died May 26, 2018 at Northport Medical Center in Northport, Ala. Visitation was held June 1, 2018 at Lavender’s Funeral Service. Following visitation, his body was cremated.

Charles Ricketts Gwinn, Jr., age 81, of Aliceville, Alabama died peacefully in his sleep on May 24, 2018 at home. A private family graveside service was held May 27 at Franconia Oak Grove Cemetery. A memorial service immediately followed at First Presbyterian Church, Aliceville, with Pastor Jason Bradley Housewright and Rev. Dr. Thomas Kay, Jr. officiating, and Skelton Funeral Home directing.

Katherine G. “Kathalean” Brooks, 90, of Aliceville, died May 18, 2018 at Northport Medical Center. Funeral services were held May 26, 2018 at Nibethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Aliceville, with Rev. Anthony J. Barnes officiating. Burial was at New Cemetery with Lavender’s Funeral Service directing.