Obituaries Published in The Randolph Leader for December 1997, Randolph, Alabama

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=============================================
May 2003


The Randolph Leader 
December 3, 1997
___________________
OBITUARIES:

Infant Zachery Wayne Brown

   (ROANOKE) Zachery Wayne Brown, infant son of Larry and Tracy Brown, was
stillborn Saturday, Nov. 29, 1997, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
   Survivors include his parents, Larry and Tracy Brown of Roanoke;
grandparents, Ted and Renice Strain of Arab and Voncille Brown and James Wray 
of Roanoke; and two aunts, two uncles and one cousin.
   The infant's body was cremated, and there was no service.
__________

Florence Grace Martin Waid

   (LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.) Florence Grace Martin Waid, 83, of Lawrenceville, Ga.,
died Thursday, Nov. 27, 1997, of an extended illness.
   She is survived by a daughter, Mary Grace Holder of Lilburn, Ga.; two
granddaughters; a sister, Evelyn Ellingson of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and several
nieces, nephews and cousins.
   Mrs. Waid was preceded in death by her sister, Eunice (Mrs. Leon) Phillips of
Roanoke in August.  She was born in Cullman Oct. 26, 1914, daughter of Dr. James
Cordie and Louise Reinstadler Martin.  She attended Cullman County schools and
graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama, where she was a charter
member of Sigma Kappa sorority.  She did graduate work at Duke University and
taught at West Point, Gurley, and Roanoke before her marriage to Raymond Wilson
Waid of Springville.  During World War II, she worked for Probate Judge Horace
Kinney in Cullman, and after the war, Mrs. Waid and her husband owned and
operated Waid Tire Service in LaGrange, Ga., for 42 years.  During her years in
LaGrange, she participated in various clubs and charities and attended the First
Methodist Church.  Following the death of her husband in 1985, Mrs. Waid moved
to Lawrenceville.
   Funeral services were Saturday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. at First Christian Church
of Cullman, with the Rev. C. J. Cobb officiating.  Interment was in Cullman City
Cemetery.  Those desiring may make donations to First Christian Church of
Cullman.
   Tom M. Wages Funeral Service Inc., Snellville Chapel, handled arrangements.
__________

John J. Bowen

   (HARPERS FERRY, Va.) John Jasper Bowen, 74, of Harpers Ferry, Va., died
Friday, Nov. 21, 1997, at Facquier County Hospital in Warrenton, Va.
   He was the son of the late John William Bowen and Julie Mitchell Bowen and
was a native of the Potash community in Randolph County, Ala.  He was of the
Protestant faith.  He was a master plumber and retired as a plumbing inspector
for Fairfax County, Va.  Prior to that, he was a self-employed plumber.
   He was a member of the Shannondale Club, LTD, V.F.W. Memorial Post 3522,
Jackson-Perks American Legion Post 71, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 948, and
Macon-Ware Masonic Lodge 192.  He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War
II.
   He leaves one daughter, Kamela M. "Shelly" Eberwein of Harpers Ferry; one
son, Michael Bowen of LaGrange, Ga.; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren;
one sister, Ruth Sprayberry of LaGrange; and several nieces and nephews.
   He was preceded in death by his wife, Michelina Mary Bowen, and four sisters
and one brother.
   Services were at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Melvin T. Strider Colonial
Funeral Home, with the Rev. Rance Sprayberry officiating.  Interment was in St.
Andrews on the Mount in Harpers Ferry.
__________

John Wesley Houston

   (ATLANTA) John Wesley Houston, 60, of Atlanta, formerly of Roanoke, died Nov.
18, 1997.
   Mr. Houston was a member of Mt. Olive United Methodist Church between Roanoke
and Wadley.
   Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Essie Houston of Wadley; one sister,
Jessie Houston; and six brothers, Joe, Oliver, Henry, Abron and Donald Houston,
all of Atlanta, and Frank Houston of Roanoke.
   Services for Mr. Houston were at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, from Mt. Olive UMC
with the Rev. Hollis Boykin officiating.  Interment was in the church cemetery.
   Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary, Roanoke.
__________

Tonya Camisha Trammell

   (ROANOKE) Tonya Camisha Trammell, 25, of 2857 Country Club Rd., Roanoke, died
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1997, at Randolph County Hospital.
   Survivors include her father, John David Rowland of Roanoke; her mother,
Jessie Mae Trammell of Roanoke; four brothers, Corey Trammell of Roanoke, David
Rowland and Damion Rowland of Five Points and Johnathan Rowland of Roanoke; and
aunts and uncles.
   Services for Ms. Trammell were at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Mount Pleasant
United Methodist Church, Five Points, with the Rev. Calvin Trammell and the Rev.
Robert L. Smith officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.
   Arrangements were by Clark Memorial Funeral Service.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader 
December 10, 1997
___________________
OBITUARIES:

Deborah Lee Parmer Hanner

   (WOODLAND) Funeral services for Deborah Lee Parmer Hanner, 35, of Woodland
were Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Highway First Congregational Methodist
Church, with the Revs. Vernon Mills, Lamar Dean and Wayne Jetton officiating. 
Burial was in the church cemetery.
   Mrs. Hanner died suddenly Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Wedowee Hospital.
   A former resident of Riverdale, Ga., Mrs. Hanner was born March 23, 1962,
daughter of R. C. and Helen Boyce Green Parmer.  She was a member of Highway
First Congregational Methodist Church and had been employed with Gedney's
Restaurant & Grill in Roanoke.
   Survivors include her husband, Danny Hanner; three daughters, Brandy Lee
Hanner, Elizabeth Danielle Hanner and Crystal Ann Hanner, all of Woodland; her
mother and stepfather, Mrs. Helen Cothran of Woodland and Harvey Warren of
Cornelia, Ga.; two sisters, Pamela Eubanks of Williamson, Ga., and Deon Higgins
of Woodland; and two brothers, Jimmy Parmer and Hershel Wayne Parmer, both of
Fayetteville, Ga.
   Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Aley Mae Cosper

   (ROANOKE) Graveside services for Aley Mae Cosper, 80, of Roanoke were
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1997, at 3 p.m. at Randolph Memory Gardens, with the Rev.
Tim Teague officiating.
   Ms. Cosper died Tuesday, Nov. 25, at West Georgia Medical Center.
   A lifelong resident of Roanoke, she was born Sept. 23, 1917, daughter of the
late Allen Edward Smith and Sara Leslie Adamson.  She had retired from Palm
Beach Company.
   Survivors include one son, Oliver Leon Shelton of LaGrange, Ga.; three
grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; one sister,
Faye Waldrep of Roanoke; one brother, Addis Ray Smith of Roanoke; and a number
of nieces and nephews.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Helen Nolan

   (ROANOKE) Helen Nolan, 68, of Roanoke died Saturday, Nov. 22, 1997, at her
residence.  Mrs. Nolan was a member of First Baptist Church, Riley Street,
Roanoke.
   She leaves to cherish loving memories three daughters, Catherine White,
Beulah Foster and Dicie Sims of Roanoke; four sons, Walter Nolan, Ronnie Nolan
and Angelo Nolan of Roanoke and James Nolan of Wilmington, Del.; a sister, Mrs.
Mary T. Bell of Roanoke; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other
relatives and friends.
   Services for Mrs. Nolan were Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist
Church, Riley Street, with the Rev. Lathonia Wright officiating.  Burial was in
East Roanoke Cemetery.
   Pallbearers were grandsons.
   Arrangements were by Silmon Mortuary.
__________

John Daniel Spraggins

   (FIVE POINTS) Funeral services for John Daniel Spraggins, 32, of Five Points
were Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel in Lanett with the
Rev. Chuck Woodard officiating.  Burial followed in Resthaven Memorial Gardens
in Lanett.
   Mr. Spraggins is survived by his mother, Clara Lee Burdette of Five Points;
his brother, Timothy Grady Spraggins of Phenix City; and his sister; Melody Ann
Burnham of Birmingham.
   Mr. Spraggins was a self-employed subcontractor.
   Resthaven Funeral Home in Lanett handled arrangements.
__________

Billy James Burdette

   (FIVE POINTS) Funeral services for Billy James Burdette, 58, of Five Points
were Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel in Lanett
with the Rev. Chuck Woodard officiating.  Burial followed in Resthaven Memorial
Gardens in Lanett.
   Mr. Burdette is survived by his wife, Clara Lee Burdette of Five Points; two
brothers, Roger Burdette of Nashville, Ga., and Dallas Sumner of Waycross, Ga.;
and his sister, Loretta Bennett of Hahira, Ga.
   Mr. Burdette was a self-employed commercial fisherman.
   Resthaven Funeral Home in Lanett handled arrangements.
__________

Winston Richardson

   (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Winston "W.W." Richardson, 87, of Roanoke were
Monday, Dec. 8, 1997, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Bro.
Gerald Romine, Bro. Sam Carpenter and Bro. Don Gay officiating.  Burial will
follow [followed] at Randolph Memory Gardens.
   Mr. Richardson died Sunday, Dec. 7, at his residence after an extended
illness.
   A Randolph County native, he was born Oct. 3, 1910, son of William Calhoun
and Wilma Bradley Richardson.  He was a self-employed farmer and member of
Roanoke Church of Christ.
   Survivors include his wife, Margaret M. Richardson of Roanoke; one sister,
Erma Rea Billue of Dublin, Ga.; and one brother, Leo Clayton Teague of Macon,
Ga.
   Pallbearers were Paul Romine, Laren Railey, Scott Fowler, John Day and Glenn
Carpenter.  Honorary pallbearers were Leon Phillips, Herman Andrews, Dr. Chester
Primm, Hoyt Waldrep, Fred May and men of Roanoke Church of Christ.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Willis Ray Gay

   (WADLEY) Graveside services for Willis Ray Gay, 72, of Wadley were Sunday,
Dec. 7, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Wadley City Cemetery, with the Revs. Ted Embry, Belon
Friday and Jack Womack officiating.
   Mr. Gay died Friday, Dec. 5, at HealthSouth Hospital in Birmingham.
   A Wadley native and lifelong resident, Mr. Gay was born March 29, 1925, son
of Willis Crofford and Lois Tidwell Gay.  He was a World War II army veteran and
was awarded the Purple Heart.  Mr. Gay was self-employed in the timber and
trucking business and had worked with Spring Valley Farms.  He was a charter
member of the Wadley Kiwanis Club and a charter member of the American Legion. 
Mr. Gay was a former member of the Bank of Wadley Board of Directors and a
former Wadley Town Council member.  He was preceded in death by his parents and
a brother, William Gaines Gay.
   Survivors include his wife, Toni E. Owen Gay of Wadley; one brother, Paul Gay
of Wadley; one niece, Rebecca Brown of Wadley; and one nephew, Bob Gay of
Cusseta.
   Pallbearers were Randal Alsabrook, Tony Motley, Hershel Railey, Wayne Railey,
Jimmy Sprayberry and Jerry Stephens.
   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to
Friends for Animal Welfare, P.O. Box 423, Wadley, AL 36276 (205-395-4634).
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Jon David Pettit

   (ROANOKE) Funeral services for Jon David Pettit, 33, of Roanoke were Tuesday,
Dec. 9, 1997, at 6 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Rick
Emory and Anthony Hodnett officiating.
   Mt.[Mr.]Pettit died Saturday, Dec. 6, at Randolph County Hospital from
injuries sustained in a traffic accident.
   He was born Nov. 16, 1964, in Ft. Benning, Ga., son of Richard and Linda
Pettit.  He was the owner of Roanoke Auto Clinic and attended Faith Baptist
Church.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Gregory Wayne Pettit.
   Survivors include his wife, Dayna Pettit; one daughter, Elizabeth Eileen
Pettit; two sons, Cody James Zainey and Dustin Allen Pettit, all of Roanoke;
parents, Richard Pettit of Dadeville and Linda Pettit of Houston, Texas; a
grandparent, Grace Pettit of Milan, Ind.; two brothers, Richard Alan Pettit Jr.
of Milan and Paul Brian Pettit of Spanish Fort.
   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the David
Pettit Memorial Fund, The Bank of Dadeville, P.O. Box 38, Dadeville, AL 36853.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Elmer M. Brown

   (LAFAYETTE) Elmer M. "Jack" Brown, 79, of LaFayette died Thursday, Dec. 4,
1997, at George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital, Valley.
   Funeral services were at First Methodist Church, LaFayette, on Friday, Dec.
5, at 2 p.m. with burial in LaFayette Cemetery.  The Rev. Leroy McClendon and
the Rev. John B. Haskew officiated.
   Survivors include his wife, Edith Brown of LaFayette; one son, Roger Brown of
Birmingham; two sisters, Stell Chewning of Cusseta and Myrtis Montell of Five
Points; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
   Mr. Brown was born in Chambers County Feb. 18, 1918.  A veteran of World War
II, he was retired from the West Point Pepperell Utilization Plant and worked
part-time for Sanders Funeral Home.  He was a member of LaFayette First United
Methodist Church.
   Sanders Funeral Home of LaFayette was in charge of arrangements.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader 
December 17, 1997
___________________
OBITUARIES:

John B. Stevenson

   (ROANOKE) Funeral services for John Bluford Stevenson, 82, of Roanoke will be
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Roanoke First United Methodist Church,
with the Revs. Tex Ergle, Milton Booth and Harold Bonner officiating.  Burial
will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery.
   Mr. Stevenson died Monday, Dec. 15, at Randolph County Hospital after a brief
illness.
   A Randolph County native and lifelong resident, he was born January 24, 1915,
son of Olin Hampton and Elsie Sharp Stevenson.  He was editor and publisher of
The Roanoke Leader for 45 years.  He was a member of Roanoke First United
Methodist Church and had been a choir member for more than 65 years.  He was a
member and past president of the Roanoke Rotary Club; past president of the
Randolph Literacy Coalition; a board member for SIFAT; and a longtime
Scoutmaster and recipient of Boy Scouting's Silver Beaver Award.
   Survivors include two sons, John W. Stevenson of Roanoke and David Stevenson
of Atlanta; four grandchildren; and a cousin, Edgar Stevenson of Roanoke.
   Mr. Stevenson will lie in state at the church for one hour beginning at 1
p.m. on Wednesday.
   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to either
First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 40, Roanoke, AL 36274; SIFAT, 2944
Country Road 113, Lineville, AL 36266; or Randolph County Literacy Coalition,
736 College Street, Roanoke, AL 36274.
   Pallbearers will be Eric Ginestier, Richard Stevenson, Jim Stevenson, J. B.
Stevenson, Willie Holley and Mike McCormick.
   Members of the First United Methodist Choir and the Men's Sunday School Class
will serve as honorary pallbearers.
__________

Sarah McManus McConnell

   (LAGRANGE, Ga.) Sarah McManus McConnell, 83, of LaGrange, Ga., died
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1997, at West Georgia Medical Center.
   Mrs. McConnell, born Nov 4, 1914, in Randolph County, was the daughter of the
late Mike and Arbie Wilson McManus.  She was the wife of the late George Floyd
McConnell and had made her home in LaGrange most of her life.  Mrs. McConnell
was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Trinity Fellowship Club,
the United Methodist Women, and the Loyd Homemakers' Club.  She retired from the
Kex Plant of Callaway Mills Company and Milliken & Company at the age of 65.
   Survivors include a daughter, Jane Moat of LaGrange; a son, Paul McConnell of
Cumming, Ga.; two sisters, Mrs. Mildred M. Traylor of LaGrange and Mrs. Tressie
Carroll of Fayetteville, Ga.; one brother, Garey Yates McManus of Douglasville,
Ga.; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
   The funeral was Friday morning at 11 o'clock at Trinity United Methodist
Church with the Rev. David Brackman officiating.  Interment was in Shadowlawn
Cemetery.
   Memorial may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church Television
Ministry.
   Arrangements were by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange.
__________

Tony Eugene Battle

   (DAVISTON) Tony Eugene Battle, 26, of Daviston died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997,
at Clay County Hospital, Ashland.
   The funeral service will be Thursday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m. at County Line
Baptist Church, Wadley, with the Rev. Sanford Johnson officiating.  Burial will
be in the adjoining cemetery.
   Survivors include his grandmother, Ethel Lee Heard of Alexander City;
great-grandmother, Katie Battle of Talladega; two sons, Shontonio Quintavius
Battle of Daviston and Antonios Terrell Battle of Clarksville, Ind.; a step-son,
Shondedric Boyd of Daviston; his wife, Sherri Boyd of Daviston; three brothers,
Amos Battle of Alexander City, Willie Frank Battle of Daviston and Anthony
Battle of Tuskegee; two sisters, Earnestine Capers and Elizabeth Battle of
Daviston; and six nieces and nephews.
   He [w]as preceded in death by his parents, Willie Rufus and Christine Battle,
and a sister, Gloria Ann Battle.
   Visitation will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke, on Wednesday,
Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The family will receive friends at the funeral
home from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.  The body will be placed in the church one hour
before the service.
   Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements.
__________

Retha Walker Hendon

   (ROANOKE) The funeral service for Mrs. Retha Walker Hendon, 75, of Roanoke
were Friday, Dec. 12, 1997, at 2 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the
Rev. Harold Bonner officiating.  Burial followed at Highway Methodist Church
Cemetery.
   Mrs. Hendon died Wednesday, Dec. 10, at her home.
   Mrs. Hendon was a member of Highway Methodist Church, a former employee of
Palm Beach Company and the widow of Eddie Hendon.
   Survivors include one daughter, Cheryl Meyer of Birmingham; and three
sisters, Alice Robinson of Edgefield, S. C., Nettie Mae Gregg of Lineville and
Irean Merredith of Georgetown, Ga.
   Memorial contributions may be made to Chattahoochee Hospice, 106 Stewart St.,
Roanoke, AL 36274.
   Pallbearers were Randy Hall, Rodney Hall, C. H. Robinson, Robbie Robinson,
Sam Robinson and Chip Robinson.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, was in charge of arrangements.
__________

George Freeman Kitchens

   (OXFORD) The funeral service for George Freeman Kitchens, 89, of Oxford was
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home Chapel, Oxford, with
Kevin Thomas officiating.  Burial was in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
   Mr. Kitchens died Friday, Dec. 12, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical
Center, Anniston.
   Survivors include primary caregivers Bobby and Jean Owen Cosrer of Anniston;
one daughter, Margie Walther of Homassa, Fla.; one son, Ted Arnold Kitchens of
Adele, Ga.; two sisters, Ruby Lipham of Magnolia, Texas, and Mortie Landers of
Peachtree City, Ga.; and one brother, Thelma G. Kitchens of Wedowee.
   Mr. Kitchens was a native of Randolph County and a resident of Calhoun County
most of his life.  He was a member of Dearmanville Methodist Church and the
Folsom Senior Citizens group.  He was an army veteran and was retired from the
Calhoun County Board of Education.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna
Bell Owen Kitchens.
   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dearmanville United Methodist
Church at P.O. Box 234, Dearmanville, AL 36257.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader 
December 24, 1997
___________________
OBITUARIES:

Sara F. Talley

   (WELCH) Sara F. Talley, 87, of Welch died Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997, at
Randolph County Hospital, Roanoke.
   The funeral was at Bethel Baptist Church, Welch, on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11
a.m. with the Rev. Vernon Brown officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.
   Mrs. Talley is survived by nieces and nephews.
   Mrs. Talley was born in Chambers County on Aug. 22, 1910.  She was a retired
licensed practical nurse who worked at Randolph County Hospital for many years. 
She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
   Sanders Funeral Home, LaFayette, was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Jama Renae Houston

   (ROANOKE) Jama Renae Houston, 24, of Roanoke died Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at
West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, Ga.
   Houston was a member of Mt. Olive United Methodist Church of Wadley, a 1991
graduate of Handley High School, a 1993 graduate of Southern Union State Junior
College (associate of science), and a 1997 graduate of Auburn University
(bachelor of science), and a 1997 graduate of Auburn University (bachelor of
science in business administration).
   Survivors include her parents, Willie Frank and Johnnie Houston of Roanoke;
two brothers, Willie Frank Houston Jr. and Dennis Buchanan; her grandparents,
Mrs. Essie Houston, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Drake, Sr.; a dear companion, Glenn
Harris Jr.; and a special friend, Awanda Todd.
   Services for Ms. Houston were Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at Canaan Baptist
Church, Welch with the Rev. Rodney K. Turner officiating.  Interment was in the
Mt. Olive United Methodist Church Cemetery.
   Pallbearers were Cedric Drake, Johnathan Drake, LaShun Finley, Ernest
Houston, Jeffrey Houston, Sanford Houston, Robert Nolan, Quinton Oliver, and
Jeremy Patterson.
   Silmon Mortuary of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Harrington Chester 'Arnold' Edwards

   (NEWELL) The funeral for Harrington Chester "Arnold" Edwards, 97, of Newell
was Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Harmony Primitive Baptist Church,
Cleburne County, with Elder Neal T. Prichard, Elder Homer Benefield and Elder
Lewis Norton officiating.  Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
   Mr. Edwards died Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Beckwood Manor Nursing Home in
Anniston.
   Mr. Edwards is survived by two daughters, Melba Grizzard of Oxford and Ellen
Rhodes of Anniston; two sons, Lawrence Edwards and Billy Edwards of Newell; one
sister, Perlie Johnston of Bowdon, Ga.; five brothers, Euell Edwards of
Bessemer, Grady Edwards of Newell, Hugh Edwards of Columbus, Ga., Robert Edwards
of Woodland and Charles Edwards of Oxford; 14 grandchildren; 26
great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
   Pallbearers were Clifton Edwards, Randal McLeod, Greg Edwards, Phillip
Edwards, Terry Grizzard, Gerald Grizzard, Woody Carpenter and Buddy Wofford.
   Mr. Edwards was born in Cleburne County on Oct. 26, 1900, the son of William
Irvin Edwards and Elizabeth Hale Edwards.  He was a farmer, a member of Lower
Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church and Randolph Farmers Federation and was one
of the original members of the Randolph County Hospital Board.
   Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Vernon W. Parmer

   (ROANOKE) The funeral service for Vernon W. Parmer, 63, of Roanoke was
Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev.
Tommy Gene Young officiating.  Burial was in Randolph Memory Gardens.
   Mr. Parmer died Thursday, Dec. 18, at his home after an extended illness.
   A lifelong Randolph County resident, he was born May 13, 1934, son of Joe B.
and Sallie Parmer.  He had been employed as blending coordinator at Candlewick
Yarns.
   Survivors include his wife, Sue Robinson Parmer of Roanoke; one son, Mike
Parmer of Roanoke; one sister, Macie Shelnutt of Roanoke; and one grandchild.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Betha Lipham Cosper

   (WADLEY) The funeral for Betha Lipham Cosper, 94, of Wadley was Thursday,
Dec. 18, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Jordan's Chapel Congregational Methodist Church,
with the Rev. Julian Murphy officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.
   Mrs. Cosper died Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Traylor Nursing Home in Roanoke.
   A Randolph County native, she was born Oct. 6, 1903, daughter of Henry and
Sarah Adline Reaves Lipham.  She lived in Newell and Woodland most of her life
and was a homemaker and a member of Union Baptist Church.  She was preceded in
death by her husband, Hulon Hampton Cosper.
   Survivors include four daughters, Sarah Johnson and Louise Carson of Wadley,
Bernice Wellborn of Holiday, Fla., and May Hoolapa of Columbus, Ga.; 16
grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and
several nieces and nephews.
   Grandsons and great-grandsons served as pallbearers.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Sara Maude Gay

   (VALLEY) Sara Maude Gay, 90, of Valley died Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, at Lanier
Memorial Hospital.
   She is survived by a sister, Sue T. Kline of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; a
cousin, Lucille Buddie of Opelika; and a good friend, Ken Wesson of Auburn.
   Funeral services were at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley
at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, with burial in Fairfax Cemetery.
   Miss Gray [Gay] was born in Randolph County on May 24, 1907, daughter of the
late Celeste Cole Gay and Robert A. Gay.  She had retired from West Point
Pepperell's Towel Warehouse, where she was a reclasser.  She was of the
Primitive Baptist faith.
   Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Daisy C. Daniel

   (PANAMA CITY, Fla.) Daisy C. Daniel, 90, of Panama City, Fla., formerly of
LaGrange, Ga., died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, at Gulf Coast Convalescence Home,
Panama City.
   Mrs. Daniel was a native of Randolph County, Ala., born Aug. 15, 1907, at
Malone.
   Surviving are two daughters, Catherine Woodruff of Norfolk, Va., and Colene
D. Chadwick-Shank of Panama City; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren;
and nine great-great-grandchildren.
   Funeral services will be at Malone Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Wednesday,
Dec. 24, with burial in Malone Cemetery.  The Rev. Mickey Vaughn will officiate.
   The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley.
______________________________________________________



The Randolph Leader 
December 31, 1997
___________________
OBITUARIES:

Betty Jean Gay

   (GLENN, Ga.) Funeral services for Betty Jean Gay, 56, of Glenn, Ga., were
Friday, Dec. 26, 1997, at 2 p.m. EST at Glenn Baptist Church, with the Rev.
James Chestnut and Scottie Sheppard officiating.
   Mrs. Gay died Monday, Dec. 22, at her home after a lengthy illness.
   A former resident of LaGrange, Ga., she was a Heard County native, born Feb.
1, 1941, daughter of David Rudy and Virginia Bowen.  She was a member of Glenn
Baptist Church and had worked with West Point Pepperell.
   Survivors include four daughters, Deborah Weathers of Rock Mills and Peggy
Bell, Roxanne Wulff and Ara Virginia Gay, all of Glenn; 16 grandchildren; and
four sisters, Marie Driver and Patricia Bowen of LaGrange, Cathy Hayes of
Dawson, Ga., and Ann Harris of Hogansville, Ga.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
__________

Doris Louise Sears Dalrymple

   (WOODLAND) Doris Louise Sears Dalrymple, 65, of Woodland died Monday, Dec.
22, 1997, at Wedowee Hospital after a short illness.
   Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Prospect Methodist
Church, with the Rev. Ridley Parmer officiating.  Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
   Mrs. Dalrymple is survived by one daughter, Linda Poirier of Michigan; three
grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Dola Edmondson of
Anniston, Sara Edmondson of Talladega and Lucille Brown and Dean Moody of
Woodland; and one brother, H. J. Sears of Woodland.
   Pallbearers were Junior Brown, Danny Moody, Calvin Edmondson, Patrick Duffy
and Gary Dalrymple.
   Mrs. Dalrymple was a native of Randolph County, born Sept. 7, 1932, daughter
of Harvie Sears and Virgie Yates Sears.  She was retired from Trintex and was a
member of Prospect Methodist Church.  She was preceded in death by her husband,
Amers "Amos" Henry Dalrymple.
   Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
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Michael Allen Mulkey

   (ROANOKE) Michael Allen Mulkey, 25, of Roanoke died Monday, Dec. 22, 1997, in
Iuka, Miss.
   Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Benefield Funeral
Chapel, with the Rev. Carolyn Hanner officiating.  Burial was in Highway Ridge
Memory Gardens.
   Mr. Mulkey is survived by three sons, A. J. Mulkey, Jayson Mulkey and Anthony
Mulkey of Roanoke; his father, Billy Joe Mulkey of Roanoke; and two brothers,
James Samuel Mulkey of Jacksonville, Fla., and Terry Lyn Mulkey of Roanoke.
   Pallbearers were family and friends.
   Mr. Mulkey was a native of Randolph County, born April 13, 1972, to Billy Joe
Mulkey and Betty Lou Overton Mulkey.  He was employed in the furniture industry
and was of the Church of God faith.
   Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
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Leon D. Moon

   (WEDOWEE) Funeral services for Leon D. Moon, 82, of Wedowee were Saturday,
Dec. 27, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Rocky Branch Baptist Church, with the Rev. Johnny
Bishop and the Rev. Lendon Fields officiating.  Burial was in the adjoining
cemetery.
   Mr. Moon died Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Wedowee Hospital after a lengthy
illness.
   Mrs. Moon is survived by his wife, Clois Moon of Wedowee; two sons, Willie B.
Moon of Wedowee and Duwayne Moon of LaGrange, Ga.; one sister, Jewell Yates of
Wedowee; one brother, Dewell Moon of Carrollton, Ga.; four grandchildren and
five great-grandchildren.
   Mr. Moon was a native of Carroll County, Ga., born Jan. 19, 1915, son of Will
Moon and Mollie Kaylor Moon.  He was a member of Rocky Branch Baptist Church. 
He was a retired farmer and had also worked with the Randolph County Road
Department.
   Pallbearers were Rick Moon, Tony Moon, Keenan Moon, Luke Moon, Will Moon and
Daryl Moon.
   Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee was in charge of arrangements.
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Leon Childs

   (FIVE POINTS) Leon Childs, 55, of Five Points died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1997,
at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange.
   Funeral services were Saturday, Dec. 27, at 2 p.m. at Friendship Baptist
Church, Roanoke, with the Rev. Eric Ware and the Rev. Ruben Simpson officiating. 
Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
   Survivors include his wife, Beverly Childs of Five Points; a son, Leon Child,
Jr. of Five Points; three daughters, Lisa Denise Childs, Juanita Childs and
Carolyn Childs of Five Points; four brothers, Bobby Lee Childs, Glover Childs,
Melvin Childs and Louis Childs of LaGrange; two sisters, Virginia Diane Fannin
and Lillie Simpson of LaGrange; seven grandchildren; and several aunts and
uncles.
   He was preceded in death by his parents, Steve Childs Sr. and Leola Childs; a
daughter, Betty Jean Childs; and two brothers, Steve Childs Jr. and Willie Frank
Childs.
   Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke was in charge of arrangements.
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James Floyd Meigs

   (WADLEY) James Floyd Meigs, 81, of Wadley died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1997 at
Chapman Nursing Home, Alexander City.
   Mr. Meigs was born May 25, 1916, in Tallapoosa County, son of the late Gaines
S. and Zella Naomi Meigs.  He was a farmer and a member and deacon at Mountain
Springs Baptist Church.  He was preceded in death by a son, James Carey Meigs,
and two daughters, Rebecca Sue Meigs and Vida Sue Meigs Wilkerson.
   Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Vida S. Meigs of Wadley; four sons, Joe C.
Meigs and Floyd Meigs Jr. of Alexander City, Gaines Meigs of Daviston and Eli W.
Meigs of Wadley; a brother, Clifford Meigs of Daviston; two sisters, Sara Will
Claybrook and Betty Ann Hamby of Daviston; 11 grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren.
   Funeral services were at Radney's Funeral Home Chapel, Alexander City, on
Saturday, Dec. 27, at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Jack Womack, Tim Whaley, Ray Dunn
and the Rev. Clyde Coker officiating.  Interment was in the Darian Primitive
Baptist Church cemetery at Daviston.
   Memorial contributions may be made to Darian Cemetery.
   Radney's Funeral Home of Alexander City was in charge of arrangements.
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Bobby Houston

   (ATLANTA) Bobby Houston, 58, of Atlanta, Ga., died Friday, Dec. 26, 1997, at
Crestview Nursing Facility, Atlanta.
   Visitation will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke, on Tuesday,
Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  The family will receive friends at the funeral
home from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the evening before the service.  The body will be
placed in the church one hour before the funeral service.
   The funeral will be Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Friendship Baptist Church, Wadley,
at 1 p.m. with the Revs. Calvin Trammell and Robert Welch officiating.  Burial
will be in the adjoining cemetery.
   Survivors include his wife, Johnnie Mae Houston of Atlanta; parents, John
Wesley Houston and Rosie Lee Houston of Wedowee; a son, Reginald Houston of
Chicago, Ill.; a daughter, Vickie Reid of Chicago; five brothers, John W.
Houston, Harvey Manley Houston and Benny Houston of Wedowee, Guy William Houston
of Atlanta, and Leney Wayne Houston of Birmingham; and three sisters, Ruthie Lee
Wright, Cynthia Lula Bell Woodgett and Freddie Weaver of Wedowee; and four
grandchildren.
   Mr. Houston was preceded in death by a brother, LeRoy Houston, and a sister,
Myrtie Herring.
   Clark Memorial Funeral Service of Roanoke is in charge of arrangements.
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Nellie Elizabeth White McDonald

   (ROANOKE) A graveside service for Nellie Elizabeth White McDonald, 91, of
Roanoke will be Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1997, at 2 p.m. from Cedarwood Cemetery with
the Rev. Tex Ergle officiating.
   Mrs. McDonald died Sunday, Dec. 28, at Fairhaven Methodist Home in
Birmingham.
   A former Goodwater resident, she was born Jan. 9, 1906, at Tuscumbia,
daughter of William Whidby and Stella Clark White.  She was a homemaker and a
member of Roanoke First United Methodist Church, Roanoke Literary Club and the
Crepe Myrtle Garden Club.
   Survivors include one daughter, Sallie M. Ussery of Birmingham; one son,
William W. McDonald of Birmingham; one sister Stella Crouch of Tuscumbia; 11
grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
   The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 30.
   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Roanoke
First United Methodist Church Family Life Center Fund, P.O. Box 40, Roanoke, AL
36274.
   Pallbearers will be grandsons of Mrs. McDonald: Gordon Ussery III, William
McDonald, Jr., Sterling McDonald, Jeff McDonald and John McDonald.
   Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, is in charge of arrangements.
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