Obituaries

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.

Judy Diane Oglesby

Judy Diane Oglesby, age 64, of Ethelsville, AL passed away December 31, 2024 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS. Funeral services were 3:00 pm Friday, January 3, 2025 at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Carrollton with Bro. Jerry Robbins 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.

Mrs. Alberta Blair

Alberta Blair, 86, of Aliceville, AL, passed on Monday, December 23, 2024, at her residence. The homegoing was on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Mt. Heborn Baptist Church. Mrs. Blair’s body was not laid in state. Interment will immediately follow the church service in New Cemetery, 196 Valley View Road, also in Aliceville. Reverend Marcus Wright is The Pastor of Mt. Hebron Baptist Church. Apostle Christine Noland, daughter of Mrs. Alberta Blair and Pastor of Lighthouse Deliverance Ministries in Vernon, Texas, will be The Eulogist.

Doris Hale Gilliam

Doris Hale Gilliam, age 91, entered heaven on December 20, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Doris was born January 4, 1933, in Aliceville, Alabama to the late D. E. “Dutch” Hale and Amanda Katherine McGee Hale. She was a 1951 graduate of Aliceville High School and attended Snead Junior College. She married the love of her life, Cleland Ray “Gig” Gilliam on April 26, 1952, in California where he was stationed in the Navy and they loved their time there making lifelong friends and great memories they enjoyed sharing.

Jack Euel Fair

Jack Euel Fair, age 97, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle went to be with his Savior on December 25th at Hospice of West Alabama. Funeral services were at 11:00 am Monday, December 30, 2024, at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Rev. David Westmoreland officiating. Burial followed in Gordo City Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.

Sarah T. Crowley

Sarah T. Crowley, age 86, of Carrollton, AL, passed away on December 22, 2024, at Hospice of West Alabama. Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Carrollton Baptist Church, with Rev. Robert Heard and Rev. Bobby Boothe officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will follow the service at the church. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Bobby Edward Crowley; her parents; four brothers, Jack, Albert, Marvin, and Buddy Turnipseed and two sisters, Laura Jones and Liz McGee.

Shaaron Jacobs Vaughn

Shaaron Jacobs Vaughn, age 61, of Vernon, AL passed away on December 6, 2024, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Memorial services were at 11:00 am Monday, December 23, 2024, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Keith Nightingale officiating and Skelton Funeral Home directing. Visitation will follow the service at the funeral home. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gerald Gregory Jacobs.

Ms. Orie Thrasher

Orie Thrasher, age 87, a longtime resident of Gordo, Alabama, died at UAB Hospital on Friday, December 6, 2024. Visitation was at Skelton Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service was at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Gene Dawkins officiating and her being laid to rest at the Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Pallbearers were her sons and grandsons. She was the daughter of the late Jim and Ethel Hardy.

Ms. Icie B. Spencer

Ms. Icie B. Spencer, 82, passed away while surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren, and family on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at her residence. Public visitation was on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Lavender's Funeral Service. The homegoing celebration was on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. a New Canaan Baptist Church, 1104 Wilson Road in Aliceville, Alabama. The body of Ms. Spencer will lie in state in the church one hour prior to the service.

Mr. Dexter DeWayne Manning

Mr. Dexter DeWayne Manning, 43, of Aliceville, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Northport Medical Center. Public Visitation was on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Laven- der’s Funeral Service. The homegoing service was on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Aliceville City Hall, 419 Memorial Parkway, Aliceville, Alabama. The body of Mr. Manning will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

Mr. Dwight Whitten Gray Jr

Mr. Dwight Whitten Gray Jr., 50, of Aliceville, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at his residence. Public visitation was on Friday, December 13, 2024, at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The homegoing celebration was on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in Aliceville, Alabama. Reverend Marcus Wright was the Eulogist.

Blanche Taylor

Blanche Taylor, age 92, of Ethelsville, AL passed away December 2, 2024 at Arbor Woods Health & Rehab in Reform. Graveside services were 2:00 pm Friday, December 6, 2024 at Ethelsville Community Cemetery with Bro. Joey Lucas officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. A short visitation followed the service at the graveside.