Obituaries

Lovie Joyce Ferguson

 Lovie Joyce Ferguson, 81, of Reform, passed away January 19, 2022 at Northport Medical Center. Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at New Salem Baptist Church. Burial followed in Greenhill Memorial Gardens.

 

Vergil Vester Vaughn

Vergil Vester Vaughn, 87, of Decatur, Alabama, passed away on January 14, 2021 in Decatur, AL. Vergil was born to Jack Penn and Lillie Mae Vaughn on October 2, 1933 in Wahalak, Mississippi. He attended Pickens County High School in Reform, AL where he was a member of the 1951 Class A State Champions Football Team, and graduated from Ponta High School near Meridian, MS in 1952.

Bessie “Bess” Sutton McCool Wilkins

Bessie “Bess” Sutton McCool Wilkins, 86, of Kennedy, formerly of Reform, passed away January 28, 2021 at her residence. Graveside services were held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Graham Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Tim Meherg and Rev. John Wesley Burkhalter officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold K. Wilkins; her son, Frank McCool; her parents; brothers, J. W., Andrew, Rayford, Louis and Hubert Sutton and sisters, Lucy Shields, Malynda Sutton and Alice Marlowe.

Robert O. “Lanny” Pate

Robert O. “Lanny” Pate,  64, of Gordo, passed away January 26, 2021 at DCH Regional Medical Center.  Funeral services were 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Randy Anderson and Bro. Brent Edgeworth officiating.  Burial  followed in Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Sue Cox and daughter, Heather McEachern.

Beatrice Williams Jenkins

Beatrice Williams Jenkins, 90, of County Road 21, Gordo passed away January 28, 2021 at Forest Manor Nursing Home in Northport. Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Center Springs Cemetery with Bro. Glenn Kennedy officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Jenkins; her parents, Jesse and Prunnie Williams and her sister, Nell Hunter.

Robert “Bobby” Windham Baldwin

Robert “Bobby” Windham Baldwin, 73, was called Home on January 18, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Bobby was a successful entrepreneur across a broad range of industries and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. He leaves behind a legacy of being a kind and caring patriarch who believed in always doing the right thing, even when no one was watching. His love for his family was endless and his friends could always count on him for a helping hand. Bobby was known for his easy smile and his sweet spirit.

Boyce “Gene” Abston

Boyce “Gene” Abston, 93, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Sansing Country Home in Carrollton.  Funeral services were 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Forest Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Robbins and Rev. Terry Billings officiating. Burial followed in Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joan Inez Russell Abston, his parents, four sisters and four brothers.

Doris Johnson Langdon

Doris Johnson Langdon, 90, of Reform, passed away January 18, 2021 at UAB West in Bessemer. Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tim Hassler officiating. Burial followed in Graham Memorial Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. A short visitation immediately followed the service at the funeral home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Gideon Langdon, Jr.; her parents and brother-in-law, Carl Russell.

Peggy Jones Sparks

Peggy Jones Sparks, 74, of Carrollton, died Friday, January 22, 2021 at Forest Manor Nursing Home in Northport. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Tim McCool officiating. Burial will follow at Arbor Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one hour prior and immediately following the service.

Valerie Celeste Coshatt Bee

Valerie Celeste Coshatt Bee, 63, of Gulf Breeze, Fla., died peacefully on Friday, January 8, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. She was a loving, dedicated mother and diehard Bama Fan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert Ausgood Coshatt Jr. and Margaret Eloise Vines Coshatt.

William Earl “Bill” Shepherd

William Earl “Bill” Shepherd, 68, of Northport,  died Wednesday, January  6, 2021 at Hospice of West Alabama. Graveside services were  at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Hannah United Methodist Church Cemetery in Gordo, with Pastor Rusty Selman officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. A short visitation followed the service at the graveside.                                                                                                                                   
He is preceded in death by his father,  John Rufus Shepherd.

Phillip Edgar Noland, Jr.

Phillip Edger Noland, Jr., 81, of Carrollton, died December 30, 2020 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bobby Boothe officiating.  Burial followed in  Marvin Chapel Methodist Church  Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Freeman Morris Harcrowe

Freeman Morris Harcrow, 78, of Kennedy,  passed away January 7, 2021 at his residence. Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Alan McGuirk officiating.   Burial followed in Arbor Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior and immediately following the service at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert and Milton and his sister, Earnestine.

Daisy Faye Simpson Floyd

Daisy Faye Simpson Floyd, 90, of Gordo, passed away January 6, 2021 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Private services were held on Saturday at Reform First Presbyterian Church with Rev. George McLaurine officiating.  Burial followed in Gordo City Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.  
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, James E. Floyd and her parents.

Ruby Nell Burkhalter

Ruby Nell Burkhalter, 94, of Millport, passed away January 2, 2021 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS.  Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on  Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Melvin Mordecai officiating. Burial followed in Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior and immediately following the service at the funeral home.

Robert Akin

Robert Hugh Akin, 63, of Carrollton, passed away December 30, 2020 at his residence. Graveside services were at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery with Rev. Larry Potts officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Jordan Akin; brother, David Earl Akin and his grandparents, Francis Moseley and Adelle Butler Wright and James W. “Jim” and Estelle Winborne Akin.

John Hugh Sullivan

John Hugh Sullivan
Having spent his allotted time on earth, J. Hugh Sullivan, 92,  passed to his Eternity on August 13, 2020.  He was born in Greenville MS to the late James Sellie and Maud Dunn Sullivan.  He was a longtime resident of Owensboro, KY until a recent move to Plano, TX in May of this year.

Daisy Virginia Burkhalter Hardcastle

Daisy Virginia Burkhalter Hardcastle went home to the Lord on August 14, 2020. Funeral services will be held at Argo Baptist Church in Argo, Alabama with Morgan Funeral Chapel officiating.  Burial will be at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She was a longtime active member of Norwood Baptist Church in Cincinnati.

Robert Eugene Price

Robert Eugene Price, beloved father to Mike Price (Kandy) and Cindy Wallace Dupont (Brian) peacefully passed away on November 24, 2019 with his family by his side. Eugene was preceded in death by his four brothers Ovell, Chester, Crealon, Dalton, and his nine sisters Pauline Price, Idell Shaw, Bertha Lollar, Lois Aldridge, Lorene Lunsford, Cornelia Belcher, Linda Aldridge, Joyce Sullivan and Barbara Frank.

Carrie June Bailey Holley

Carrie June Bailey Holley, 84, of  Gordo, died  May 1, 2019 at Hospice of West Alabama.          

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2019 at Gordo First Baptist Church with Rev. Pat Powell  officiating.   Burial will follow in Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to service at the church.

Cora Elizabeth Haynie

Cora Elizabeth Haynie, 85, of Aliceville, passed away on April 30, 2019 at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Services were on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Dogwood Chapel with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. The presiding clergy was Rev. Tim Alexander and the location of burial is Magnolia Church Gardens.

Shirley Moorhead Simpson

Shirley Moorhead Simpson, 74, of McShan, Ala. passed away on April 26, 2019 at the Hospice of West Alabama. Services were held on April 28, 2019 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel. The presiding clergy was Rev. Kevin Taylor and the location of burial is Bethel Cemetery  in the Stansel community.

Annie Mae Richardson “Sis” Williams

Annie Mae Richardson “Sis” Williams, 78, of Carrollton, passed away on April 29, 2019 at her residence. There was no public visitation for Mrs. Williams on Monday, May 6, 2019 at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The Going Home Celebration was on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Carrollton, and interment was in Sinai Cemetery, 6663 Franconia Rd., also in Carrollton. Rev. James Bush, Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church was the eulogist.

Leigh Ann McDaniel

Leigh Ann McDaniel, age 47, of Muscle Shoals, went home to be with the Lord on Good Friday, April 19, 2019.  The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, April 22, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at York Terrace Baptist Church, 1401 E. 30th Street, Sheffield, AL.  The funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m.  A second service will be held on Wednesday, April 24, at Carrollton United Methodist Church, at 11:00 a.m.  The family will receive friends at Carrollton for one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in Marvin Chapel Cemetery.

William R. Malone

William R. Malone, 92, of Reform, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Services were held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Mike Hall was the presiding clergy and the location of burial is at Graham Memorial Cemetery.

Roy Oliver Pullen

Roy Oliver Pullen, 80, of Reform, passed away on April 23, 2019 at Arbor Woods Health & Rehab in Reform. Services were held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Big Hill Baptist Church. Rev. Trey Kelley was the presiding clergy and the location of burial is at the Big Hill Baptist Church cemetery.

John Henry “Bear” Ball ​​​​​​​

John Henry “Bear” Ball, 71, of Aliceville passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Public visitation for Mr. Ball was Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The Going Home Celebration for Mr. Ball was Friday, April 26, 2019 in the James & Lola Lavender Memorial Chapel of Lavender’s Funeral Service. Interment was in B.B. Chapel C.M.E. Church Cemetery, in Pickensville. Rev. Willie James Lavender, Pastor of Union Valley Baptist Church was the eulogist.

Willie Daniel “Sonny” Ray

Willie Daniel “Sonny” Ray, age 75, of  Carrollton, AL  took his heavenly flight on April 10, 2019 at his residence. Funeral services were held Friday, April 12, 2019 at  Cross Roads Baptist Church in Carrollton with  Rev. Shawn McDaniel and Rev. Joe Fondren officiating.  Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.  Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister Bonnie Sue Ray; stepmother, Marine Ray and sister-in-law, Joyce Ray.

Jesus Alfredo Tejeda

Mr. Jesus Alfredo Tejeda, age 43, passed away April 10th, 2019, in Northport, AL. Services were held on April 19th, 2019, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Tuscaloosa, AL. Burial followed at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

Earnest Herman Burton

Mr. Earnest Herman Burton, 76, passed away on April 14th, 2019, in Carrollton. Services were held at 12:00pm on April 20, 2019, at Miles Chapel C.M.E Church in Reform. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery, with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

William “Buddy” Bonner

William Bonner, 70, of Aliceville, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Public visitation for Bonner will be Friday, April 19 at Lavender’s  Funeral Service. The Going Home Celebration for Mr. Bonner was Saturday, April 20th in the James & Lola Lavender Memorial Chapel Lavender’s Funeral Service, 11233 Highway 17 South, in Aliceville.Bonner’s interment will be in Good Hope Cemetery on Bethany Town Road in Aliceville. Reverend Rodney Shamery, Pastor of Good Hope Baptist Church was the eulogist.

Hilton Vice Hammond

Hilton Vice Hammond left this world at 7:07 AM on April 9, 2019 at the age of 99 years, 2 months and 19 days old.  Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joyce Snyder and Mrs. Hammond’s daughter, Ginger Boatwright officiating.  Burial will follow in Unity Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.  Visitation will be immediately following the service at the funeral home.

Nellie Fay Mills

Nellie Fay  Mills, age 92, of  Gordo, AL died April 3, 2019 at Arbor Woods Health & Rehab.Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Mills officiating.   Burial will follow in Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Roland Mills, her daughters, Sharon Haile and Brenda Allen,  her parents, nine sisters and four brothers.

James Pugh, Sr.

James Pugh, Sr. age 88, of Fayette passed away Saturday, March 16, 2019. There will be a graveside service Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Elder Tim McCool officiating.

Mr. Pugh was preceded in death by James Edward Pugh and Zadie Bobo Pugh.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Helen Robertson Pugh; daughter, Judy Pugh Jones (Terrell); son, James Bernell Pugh, Jr. (Jackie); brother, Roland Pugh (Donna); nine grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

Winston Robertson

Winston Robertson, 77, of Gordo, passed away at his residence on April 11, 2019. Services were held at Sardis Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, April 14, 2019. The presiding clergy was Rev. Jackie Adcox, Rev. Roger Lucas, and Rev. Dan Turman. Robertson’s location of burial the Sardis Free Will Baptist Church cemetery. Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directed the funeral.

Bettye Jean “Bettye Boop” Davis

Bettye Jean “Bettye Boop” Davis, 71, of Carrollton passed away at her residence on Thursday, March 28, 2019. The public visitation of Ms. Davis was Friday, April 5 at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The Going Home Celebration was Saturday, April 6 at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 30 Cedar Drive in Carrollton. Interment was at Spiller Cemetery on Sapps Road, which is also in Carrollton. Reverend Tracy Hill, Pastor of Salem Missionary Baptist Church was the Eulogist.

Bryan Scott Jordan

Mr. Bryan Scott Jordan, age 55, passed away on April 2nd, 2019, in Birmingham, Ala. Visitation was held on April 4th, 2019 at Little Hurricane Baptist Church in Brookwood, Ala. Burial followed on April 5th, 2019, at Little Hurricane Baptist Church Cemetery with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

Jane Ramsey Kay

In the Providence of Almighty God, Jane Ramsey Kay, age 97, of Aliceville, Alabama was called to her eternal home of March 30, 2019 A.D.  A memorial service thanking the Lord for her life, took take place at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Aliceville, Alabama on  Wednesday April 3, 2019.  The service was led by her former Pastor, the Rev. Jason Housewright of Syracuse, New York with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform Directing.  Visitation was immediately following the service in the church sanctuary.

James Christopher “Chris” Pugh

James Christopher “Chris” Pugh, age 49 of Reform, Ala. died April 1, 2019 at Northport Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2019 at New Salem Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Hall  officiating. Burial followed in Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was after the service at the church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Tara N. Pugh and his father, James Harold Pugh.

Reva Marie Jaynes

Reva Marie Jaynes, age 81, of Ethelsville, Ala. died March 31, 2019 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Miss.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Ethelsville Baptist Church with Bro. David Westmoreland and Bro. Mel Howton officiating. Burial followed in the Ethelsville  Community Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was Tuesday,  from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The body lay in state 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.

Betty Coward Oglesby

Betty Coward Oglesby, 75, of McShan, passed away on March 28, 2019 at the Hospice of West Alabama. Services were held at Union Hill Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday, March 31st. The presiding clergy was Kevin Turner and Mrs. Oglesby’s interment was in the church cemetary.

Oglesby is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Joe Earl Oglesby, her parents, three sisters; Dot Melton, Virginia Perrigin, and Edna Wright; four nephews, Ronnie Wright, Jimmy Wright, Stanley Johnson, and Ronnie Shaw.

Catherine Latham

Ms. Catherine Latham, age 72, passed away on March 14, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, AL. A public visitation was held on March 21, 2019, at Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Chapel in Reform. Services were held on March 22, 2019, at New Providence Baptist Church in Carrollton. Burial followed at New Providence Baptist Church Cemetery with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

Mayco Angel Tzoy Ulin

Mayco Angel Tzoy Ulin, age 10, passed away on March 15, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, AL. Services were held on March 23, 2019, at Northport Church of God in Northport, AL. Burial followed at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

Cozell Washington

Mr. Cozell Washington, age 77, of Aliceville, passed away on March 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Services were held on March 25, 2019, at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Carrollton, AL. Burial followed at BB Chapel CME Church Cemetery in Pickensville with Northport Funeral & Cremation Service directing.

Bruce Wayne Pater

Bruce Wayne Pater, age 70, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., passed away on March 21, 2019, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services were held at 2 p.m. on March 30, 2019, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Arrangements were handled by Northport Funeral & Cremation Service.

Robert Earl Miller

Mr. Robert Earl Miller, 86, of Gordo, passed away on March 25, 2019 at his residence. The public visitation for Mr. Robert Earl Miller was Friday, March 29 at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The Going Home Celebration was Saturday, March 30 at New Home Baptist Church in Gordo. Interment of Mr. Miller was at Sand Hill Cemetery, 5622 Reform-Gordo Road in Gordo. Reverend Christopher Wayne Davis, Pastor of New Home Baptist Church was the Eulogist.