Obituaries published in The Randolph Leader during April 1995, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/199504L.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of Randolph Publishing, Roanoke, Alabama. Randolph Publishing retains copyright but has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= July 2002 The Randolph Leader April 5, 1995 _________________ OBITUARIES: Barbara Ann Bailey McPherson (COMMERCE, Ga.) Barbara Ann Bailey McPherson, 57, of Commerce, Ga., died Sunday, March 26, 1995. A native of Fulton County, Ga., Mrs. McPherson was the granddaughter of the late Thomas P. Bailey and Clara Barton Bailey, formerly of Wedowee. She was the daughter of Mildred Reaves Bailey and the late Horace L. Bailey. Mrs. McPherson was an administrative assistant with Rockwell International. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Monroe and Commerce. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the chapel of Jackson Funeral Home in Jefferson, Ga., with Gerry Jones officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Gainesville, Ga. Survivors in addition to her mother include her husband, James W. McPherson; five daughters, Elaine Gadell of Dallas, Texas, Belinda Savadge of Jefferson, Helen Graden of Winder, Ga., Sandra Kardos of Covington, Ga., and Kim McPherson of Alpharetta, Ga.; a son, Cecil E. McPherson of Dallas; a sister, Edwina Bailey Hein of Oxford, Ga.; and seven grandchildren. __________ Lillian Hadley Parker (CULLMAN) Services for Mrs. Lillian Hadley Parker, 99, of Cullman were held Wednesday, March 29, 1995, at 1 p.m. at Moss-Terry Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Mt. Zion Methodist Cemetery. Mrs. Parker died Sunday, March 26, at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She was a Randolph County native and was preceded in death by her husband, Coleman G. Parker. Survivors include one son, Coleman Roy Parker of Indiana; three daughters, Mary Frank Monts, Jimmie Derricks and Elizabeth Bradford, all of Cullman; and nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. __________ Flora Mae Johnson (WOODLAND) Flora Mae Johnson, 73, of Route 2, Woodland, died Saturday, April 1, at her residence. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Monday, April 3, at Woodland First Congregational Methodist Church, with the Rev. Earl Rollins officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband, Jim F. Johnson of Lanett; one son, Hugh Rollins of Woodland; six sisters, Maudie B. Ledbetter of Tallassee, Albeia Hauston of Mt. Vernon, Ill, Flozell Mitchell and Laney Myers of Sanford, Fla., Martha Sue Corey of Mobile, and Nonnie R. Sissons of Valley; one brother, Gene Bledsoe of Fries, Va.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Scott Rollins, Wade Rollins, Kenny Rollins, Steve Rollins, Don Rollins, Lance Rollins, Josh Rollins, Jerry Ledbetter and James Barnette. Mrs. Johnson was born in Randolph County to Leon Bledsoe and Nannie Moat Bledsoe on Aug. 6, 1921. She was retired from West Point Pepperell with more than 20 years of service. She was a homemaker and a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, American Legion and VFW. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements. __________ Gladys Wilder Bassett (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Gladys Wilder Bassett, 81, of Route 1, Roanoke, were Sunday, April 2, 1995, at 3 p.m. from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, with the Revs. Hulett Prince and Joe Rollins officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Bassett died Saturday, April 1, at her home. A Randolph County native, she was born Nov. 26, 1913, daughter of Robert L. Wilder, Sr. and Myrtis Parrish Wilder. She was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Fred Bassett of Roanoke; two sons, Truman Bassett of Newnan, Ga., and Fred A. Bassett of Rocky Mount, Va.; one sister, Ruth Albright of Phenix City; three brothers, Edgar Wilder of Roanoke, Robert Wilder Jr. of Columbus, Ga., and John Wilder of Halifax, Va.; and three grandchildren. Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements. __________ Bertha Freeman Heard (GRAHAM) Bertha Freeman [H]eard, 82, of Graham died on Wednesday, March 29, 1995, at her residence. Mrs. Heard was an active member of St. James Independent AME Church in Graham, where she faithfully served as stewardess. Survivors include her husband, Nathan Heard of Graham; a son, Lawrence Carven Heard of Atlanta, Ga.; one granddaughter; and four sisters and five brothers. Services for Mrs. Heard were Saturday, April 1, at 1 p.m. from St. James Independent AME Church, with minister Betty M. Brady officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke. __________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader April 12, 1995 _________________ OBITUARIES: Elizabeth Courtney Mordue (BOSTON) Elizabeth Courtney Mordue, 13, a resident of Boston, Mass., died Sunday, April 2, 1995, at the Children’s Hospital of Boston. Funeral services were Saturday, April 8, at 11 a.m. from Leak-Memorial Chapel, Montgomery. Private graveside services followed at the Haynesville Cemetery. Survivors include her parents, John C. and Virginia C. Mordue of Boston, and her grandparents, Clair and Sherlene Mordue of Brigham City, Utah; and Beverly Coker and the late William L. Coker of Wadley, Ala. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Patrick F. Gavin School Multi Handicapped Program, 215 Dorchester St., South Boston, Mass. 02127. __________ Frank Henderson, Jr. (WOODLAND) Frank “Junior” Henderson, Jr., 56, of Rt. 1, Woodland, died Saturday, April 8, 1995, in Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center, Anniston. Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Monday, April 10, at Bethel East Baptist Church, with the Revs. Steve Williams, Ray Runyan and Stiles Akins officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Henderson is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sybil Henderson of Woodland; two daughters, Mrs. Gayle McManus and Mrs. Jana Morris of Woodland; four grandchildren, Kayla Morris, Casey Morris, Codie McManus and Colton McManus, all of Woodland; his father, Frank Henderson, Sr., of Woodland; and one sister, Mrs. Rene Yates of Woodland. Pallbearers were Steve Butler, Jeff White, Andy Nelson, Gordon Harrington, Tracy Eason, Jerry Herren, Frank Campbell and Barry Nelson. Mr. Henderson was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County. He was born Oct. 26, 1938, to Frank and Claudia Parmer Henderson. He was retired from Bremen Bowdon Investment Company as a maintenance supervisor. The family requests that donations be made to Bethel East Baptist Church Building Fund. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements. __________ Mittie Lou Rice Shaddix (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Mittie Lou Rice Shaddix, 85, of Royal Elaine Nursing Home, LaGrange, Ga., died Sunday, April 9, 1995, in West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange. Mrs. Shaddix was born in Randolph County, Ala., July 7, 1910, daughter of the late Pulaski and Ida Lovvorn Rice. She was a lifelong resident of this area, a homemaker and a member of Smyrna Baptist Church in Randolph County. Survivors include three sons, Gay Shaddix and Julian Shaddix of LaGrange and Garrett Shaddix of Franklin, Ga.; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; two brothers, J. H. Rice and Doyle Rice of LaGrange; and nieces and nephews. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 11, at 2 p.m. at Smyrna Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dwayne Shaddix and the Rev. Terry Eason officiating. Music was furnished by the Shaddix Family. Pallbearers were Shane Shaddix, Ken Shaddix, David Shaddix, Scotty Shaddix, James Rice and Jack Sells. Interment was in the church cemetery. Rainwater-West Funeral Home of Bowdon, Ga., was in charge of arrangements. __________ Dorothy Mitchum Benefield (AUBURN) Funeral services for Dorothy Mitchum Benefield, 71, of Auburn, were Friday, April 7, 1995 from Lowell United Methodist Church in Roanoke with the Rev. Jimmy Bassham officiating. Burial was at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mrs. Benefield died Tuesday, April 4, in Opelika. A Roanoke native, she was born March 8, 1924, daughter of Joseph Edward and Clem Burgess Mitchum. She had lived in Auburn for the past five years, having moved there from Tucker, Ga., where she resided from 1972 until 1990. Mrs. Benefield had made Roanoke her home from 1941 until 1972. She was the widow of Doyle L. Benefield. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Mary Benefield of Auburn; two grandchildren, Brynna Benefield and Bryan Benefield, both of Auburn; and a sister, Avis Mitchum Long of Tucker. Pallbearers were Frank Cranford, Skip Philpott, Tony Landers, Jerry Walker, Denny Cole and Chris Cole. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader April 19, 1995 _________________ OBITUARIES: Yvette B. Hillard (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Mrs. Yvette B. Hillard, 34, of Roanoke will be Wednesday, April 19, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Macedonia Baptist Church with the Revs. Ballard Smith, J. C. Holloway, Larry Cosper and Tim Craft officiating. Burial will follow at the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Hillard died Monday, April 17, at her parents’ home in Wedowee. A Randolph County native, she was born Nov. 1, 1960, daughter of Clifford and Mary Lasley Brown. She was a member of Mt. Springs Baptist Church in Chambers County and had been employed with Amoco Fabrics & Fibers Company. Survivors include her husband, Matt Hillard, a daughter, Amber Leigh Hillard, and a son, Matthew Blake Hillard, all of Roanoke; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Brown of Wedowee; grandmother, Mrs. Verdie Brown of Wedowee; one sister, Mrs. Patricia Caldwell of Wadley; and a brother, Dwight Brown of Wadley. The body will lie in state at the church for one hour beginning at one o’clock Wednesday. Pallbearers will be Jammie Jackson, Mark Cunningham, Mike Brown, Tim Craft, Scott Dukus and Bobby Stewart. Quattlebaum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. __________ Kellie Tennille Smith (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Kellie Tennille Smith, 18, of Route 3, Roanoke were Tuesday, April 18, 1995, at 2 p.m. from Noon Day Congregational Christian Church with Rev. Kenneth Johnson officiating. Burial was at Cedarwood Cemetery. Miss Smith died Sunday, April 16, at her home after an extended bout with cancer. She was born Dec. 1, 1976, in LaGrange, Ga., daughter of Johnny Dudley and Anglia Marie Florence Smith. She was a student at Randolph County High School. Survivors include her parents, Johnny and Ann Smith of Roanoke; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey Florence, all of Roanoke; and a sister, Brooke Smith, also of Roanoke. Pallbearers were Bill Caypless, John Tom Mangrum, Adam Mangrum, Matt Weathers, Stephen Pike and Steve Pike. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ Ray Mulkey (SITKA, Alaska) Ray Mulkey, 53, of Sitka died March 5, 1995. A Roanoke, Ala., native, he was born Feb. 1, 1942, to the late Hoyt and Bernice Mulkey. A memorial service was held April 2, by the Rev. Carolyn Hanner. Mr. Mulkey is survived by one daughter, Christy Lee of Macon, Ga.; one son, Scott Mulkey of Columbus, Ga.; one sister, Florine White; and two brothers, James Mulkey and Rickey Mulkey, all of Roanoke; and two special friends, Carol Thompson and Clint Buckmaster of Sitka. Prewitt Funeral Home of Sitka was in charge of arrangements. __________ Charlie Frank Hines (ALEXANDRIA, Va.) Charlie Frank Hines, 53, of Alexandria died April 2, 1995, at Alexandria Hospital. Services for Mr. Hines were Tuesday, April 11 at 1 p.m. from Canaan Baptist Church in Chambers County, Ala., the Rev. Lathonia Wright officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Mae Ruth Clark of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his father, Ozell Hines of Abilene, Tex.; three sisters, Mrs. Jackie Hester, Ms. Wanda Hines and Ms. Patricia Ann Hines; and three brothers, Billy Hines, Brian Hines and Benjamin Hines, all of Abilene; five aunts, Mrs. Emma Jean McFarland and Mrs. Catherine Cofield of Roanoke, Ala., Mrs. Cora Sue Paige and Mrs. Ruth Mae Hill of Atlanta, Ga., and Mrs. Lera Hines of Long Beach, Calif.; one uncle, Charlie F. Hines of Long Beach; a host of nieces and nephews and cousins. Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary, Roanoke. __________ Willie Lee Flurry Pinnell (CAMP HILL) The funeral service for Willie Lee Flurry Pinnell, 90, of Camp Hill was at 2 p.m. Friday, April 14, 1995, at Langley Chapel in Camp Hill. Burial was in Camp Hill City Cemetery. The Rev. Bob Reese officiated. Mrs. Pinnell, who died Wednesday, April 12, at her residence, was born Nov. 27, 1904, in Camp Hill. She was a member of Camp Hill Baptist Church. Pallbearers were Dr. Lewis H. Hamner III, Jodie P. Hamner, Lee R. Hamner, Joe Davis, Ollice Moore and Billy J. Taylor. Mrs. Pinnell was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Pinnell. Survivors include a daughter, Marion Pinnell Hamner of Roanoke; two sisters, Kathryn Morgan of Oneonta and Irene Moore of Auburn; three grandsons and two great-grandchildren. Langley Funeral Home of Camp Hill was in charge of arrangements. __________ Owen Denson Bolan (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Owen Denson Bolan, 62, of Roanoke, formerly of Montgomery, were Monday, April 17, 1995, at 11 a.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Rev. Harold Bowen officiating. Burial was at Rock Springs Christian Church cemetery. Mr. Bolan died Saturday, April 15, at his residence. A DeKalb County, Ala., native, he was born June 27, 1932, son of Leroy and Fannie Latham Bolan. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War and a member of Rock Springs Christian Church. Mr. Bolan had worked as a car salesman. Survivors include two sons, Lee Bolan of Montgomery and Owen D. Bolan Jr. of Linden; three sisters, Mrs. Eva Nell Puckett of Roanoke, Mrs. Lottie Smith of Penton and Mrs. Jessie Stewart of Lanett; two brothers, Robert Bolan of Prattville and Nick Bolan of Roanoke; and one grandchild. Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. __________ John Edward Lyner (RANBURNE) Services for John Edward Lyner, 54, of Ranburne were at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13, 1995, at Morrison Chapel United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Cloyse Johnson and Larry Parker officiating. Burial was in Morrison Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Lyner died Tuesday, April 11, at his residence. Mr. Lyner was a native of Randolph County, born March 17, 1941, in Wedowee. He was an employee of Southwire and a member of Morrison Chapel United Methodist Church and Delta Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamla Dawn Lyner. A Masonic service was held in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Spears Lyner of Ranburne; one son, Chad Edward Lyner of Ranburne; four brothers, Jack Lyner of Tampa, Fla., Dewey Lyner and Emory Lyner of Heflin, and Charles Lyner of Anniston; and three sisters, Nancy L. Roberts of Newell, Sarah White of Wedowee, and Katherine Hicks of High Point, N.C. Pallbearers were Clelon Dodson, Kermit White, Paul White, A. J. Dobbs, Carlton Wilson and Quinton Langley. Dryden Funeral Home of Heflin was in charge of arrangements. __________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader April 26, 1995 _________________ OBITUARIES: Mary Lizzie Smith (ROANOKE) The funeral service for Mary Lizzie Smith, 76, of Roanoke was at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 1995, at Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church in Roanoke. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Rev. L. B. Houston officiated. Mrs. Smith, who died Wednesday, April 19, at her home, was born March 9, 1919, in Roanoke. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Smith. Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Hazel Hines, Mrs. Elnora Tucker, Mrs. Barbara Hooks and Mrs. Lois Moss, all of Roanoke; one son, Jonah Smith Jr. of Atlanta; one sister, Mrs. Ethel Tucker of Roanoke; twin brothers, Willie D. Phillips and Lin Phillips of Anniston; 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Vines Funeral Home, LaFayette, was in charge of arrangements. __________ Verdie Lee Brown (ROANOKE) Verdie Lee Brown, 95, of Roanoke died Thursday, April 20, 1995, at Traylor Nursing Home, Roanoke. Funeral services for Mrs. Brown were at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, the Revs. Donald Spradlin and J. C. Holloway officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Brown was a native and lifelong resident of Randolph County, a homemaker and a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. She was born Sept. 5, 1899, to Sam and Estella Bean Young and was preceded in death by her husband, James Larkin Brown. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. LaVay Wright of Chatworth, Ga.; one son, Clifford Brown of Wedowee; three sisters, Mrs. Onie McQueen of Opelika, Mrs. Thelma Lee of Roanoke and Mrs. Maudie Abner of Valley; five grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be [sic - were] Dwight Brown, Bobby Steward, Donald Wayne Johnson, Terry Wright, Michael Caldwell and Daryl Brown. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee, was in charge of arrangements. __________ Emma Todd Jones (ROCK MILLS) Emma Todd Jones, 74, of Rock Mills died Tuesday, April 18, 1995, at George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital, Valley. Mrs. Todd [sic - Jones] was a graduate of Alabama State University, Montgomery. She devoted more than 30 years as a teacher in the Randolph County school system. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Roanoke. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Barbara Jones Watkins of Roanoke; a stepson, Felix Todd Jr. of Atlanta, Ga.; three sisters, Miss Jimmie Jones of Roanoke, Mrs. Tommie Smith of Atlanta and Mrs. Elise Curry of Anniston; two grandsons and three great- grandchildren. Services for Mrs. Jones were Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. from Bethel United Methodist Church with the Revs. Michael Strong, R. L. Smith and William Crawford officiating. Interment was in Wehadkee Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Rosser Jones, Ronnie Jones, Charles Jones, Danny Culbertson, Orlando Jones and Ector Smedley. Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke. __________________________________________________