Obituaries from the Randolph Leader during July 2005, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/200507l.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: Marilyn Girardi ============================================= April 2007 The Randolph Leader July 6, 2005 ___________________ OBITUARIES: John Cecil Barrett Jr. (WEDOWEE) Services for John Cecil Barrett Jr., 34, of Wedowee will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Heaven Bound Church, Micaville, with the Rev. Freddie Whitley officiating. Burial will follow in Valley Grove Cemetery, with Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Barrett died Monday, July 4, at his home. The family will receive friends at 8733 Co. Rd. 26, Wedowee, on Monday after 2 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday until time of the service. Mr. Barrett is survived by one son, John Cecil Barrett III of Wedowee; one sister, Michelle Brown of Wedowee; and two aunts, Kathy Cotton and Lula Pitts of Wedowee. Pallbearers will be Doug Sheppard, Don Spivey, Junior Walker, Dwight Brown, Chuck Steingraber and Robby Brown. Mr. Barrett was born Jan. 4, 1971, son of the late John Cecil and Leatha Ann Cobb Barrett Sr. He was a pipe welder. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Arsulla Stephens, 104 (HEFLIN) Arsulla Stephens, 104, who had been residing at Cleburne County Nursing Home, Heflin, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center, Anniston. Services were Sunday, July 3, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Newell, with the Rev. David Staples and the Rev. William H. Trammell officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Surviving are three great-grandsons of her late husband that she raised as her sons, Stanley Maffett of Decatur, Ga., and William Maffett and Patrick Maffett of Oxford, Ala.; four grandchildren; 15 other great-grandchildren; 20 great-great grandchildren; three great-great-great-grandchildren; a special nephew and four special nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Courtney Stephens; her parents, Edmond and Elizabeth Jordan; six siblings, Hattie Pittman, Geoannie Houston, Ralph Jordan, Harrison Jordan, Wiley Jordan and J.C. Jordan; and three grandchildren. Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Shirley Alexander (BLUE MOUNTAIN) Graveside services for Shirley "Granny" Alexander, 55, of Blue Mountain were Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Cemetery. R.C. Bryant will officiate. Mrs. Alexander died Sunday, July 3, at her residence. Survivors include sons, Kenny Lee Alexander and Jerry Dewayne Alexander of Blue Mountain; daughter, Sylvia Jo Waldrep of Blue Mountain; brothers, Riley James Petty of Wedowee and Donald Joe Petty of Phenix City; sisters, Linda Alexander of Lincoln, Martha Silas of Eastaboga, Betty Jo Wise of Phenix City and Mildred Hudgins of Fort Payne; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Alexander was a native and resident of Blue Mountain and a loving granny to all. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Lee Alexander; her parents, Jesse and Lula Petty; one sister and three brothers. __________ Mary Jim Hall (SALEM) Services for Mary Jim Hall, 82, of Salem, formerly of Wadley, were Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel in Roanoke, with the Rev. Zenus Windsor officiating. Burial was in Concord Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Hall died Saturday, July 2, at her home. Survivors include one daughter JoAnn Hall of Salem; two nephews and two nieces. Mrs. Hall was born Aug. 13, 1922, daughter of L.D. and Bertha Sherrer Windsor. She had been employed as a seamstress by Clegg Manufacturing Company and was Baptist by faith. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Eugene R. Longshore Jr. (ROANOKE) Services for Eugene R. Longshore Jr., 70, of Roanoke were Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Harold Bonner and Ricky Cummings officiating. Burial followed at Cedarwood Cemetery. Mr. Longshore died Tuesday, June 28, at Bethany House. Survivors include his wife, Myrna Smith Longshore of Roanoke; two daughters, Lisa Scott Kirklin and Mel Richardson of Roanoke; two sisters, Frances Longshore Kelley of Gainesville, Ga., and Betty Longshore Stone of Eclectic; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Pallbearers were Jamie Mayfield, Mike Stone, Jim Stone, B.G. Harvel, Lyndsey Stephens and Chance Hill. Honorary pallbearers were Rick Crenshaw, Mike Smith and Terry Graham. Mr. Longshore was born Jan. 8, 1935, son of Eugene Reginal and Mary Kate Aikens Longshore, Sr. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Roanoke, retired from the melt-spin department of Amoco Fabrics and Fibers, and served his country for 20 years in the Air National Guard. Flowers will be accepted or donations made to the charity of your choice. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Inez Noles (HEFLIN) Services for Inez Noles, 88, of Heflin, were held Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Prospect Congregational Methodist Church with the Rev. Ridley Parmer and Bro. Bill Calhoun officiating. Burial followed in Bethlehem Campground United Methodist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Noles died Tuesday, June 28, at Cleburne County Nursing Home. Mrs. Noles is survived by two daughters, Yvonne Noles Price of Lanett and Diane Noles Nichols of Carrollton, Ga.; one step-daughter, Ethel Noles Robinson of LaGrange, Ga.; two sons, Vernon Noles of LaGrange and Joe Noles of Woodland; two brothers, Jeff Robinson of Roanoke and Levi Daniel of Cullman; 21 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; several great nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Joey Noles, Stephen Noles, Basil Snyder, Charlie Benefield, Shane Noles and Scotty Martin. Mrs. Noles was born Aug. 13, 1916, the daughter of Oscar and Nancy Dorrough Robinson. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Noles was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Maddison Noles; three sons, Lewis Andrew, James Maddison and Terry Travis Noles; one grandchild, Nancy Dewberry; four sisters, Thelma McDaniel, Lela Brown, Lenora McDaniel, Belle Snyder; four brothers, L.D., Carl, Lawrence and Burmon Robinson. Flowers will be accepted or donation made to Countryside Hospice Care, 1419 Leighton Ave., Suite D, Anniston, AL 36207. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Sue Pearson (ASHLAND) Services for Sue Pearson, 84, of Ashland were Monday, July 4, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ben Rosser officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Pearson died Saturday, July 2, at Clay County Hospital. She was a native of Clay County and had been a resident of Tallapoosa County for 23 years before returning to Clay County. She was self-employed as a seamstress. She was a charter member of the Clay County Historical Society, DAR, United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Extension Club. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richmond Pearson; three daughters, Jimmie Sue Gentry, Sonja Gentry and Wanda Gentry Bevilacqua; and a brother, James Hawthorne. She is survived by a son, Larry Weems of Wadley; and four grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were Jimmy Williamson, Jerry Hall, Jim Cleveland, Felton McCollum, Earl McCay and Bob Fortenberry. Clay County Funeral Home, Ashland. __________ Willie Fred Lowe (WADLEY) Willie Fred Lowe, 65, of 6843 County Road 26, Wadley, died Friday, July 1, 2005, at V.A. Medical Center, Birmingham. Services will be Wednesday, July 6, at 1 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, Wadley, with the Revs. Calvin Trammell, Robert L. Heflin and Claude Cobb officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Public viewing will be at Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday. The body will be placed in the church one hour before services. Surviving are his wife, Betty Lowe of Wadley; his mother-in-law, Ervis McKissic of Wedowee; five children, Sara Hand of Roanoke, Margie Knight and Angie McLain of Wadley, Willie Lowe Jr. of Birmingham and Truda Lowe of Augusta, Ga.; three sisters, Cenus E. McMillan and Lugenia A. Finley of Detroit , Mich., and Erma Bradsfield of Cleveland, Ohio; two uncles; five aunts; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Lowe and Cenus Houston; six brothers, Donald, James, Clarence, Leandrus, John and Jerry Lowe; and three sisters, Luvenia Beard, Ervie Vines and Louise Lowe. Clark Memorial Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Charlie Wood Adams Sr. (ROANOKE) Services for Charlie Wood Adams Sr., 73, of Roanoke were Friday, July 1, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with Bro. Scott Whaley officiating. Burial followed at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mr. Adams died Tuesday, June 28, at Bethany House. Survivors include his wife, Inez Bryant Adams of Roanoke; one son, Charlie Adams Jr. of Roanoke; and one sister, Mildred Little of Roanoke. Pallbearers were Jack Potts, Manley Clack, Herbert Denham, Mike Fisher, Ronald Williamson and Pete Mitchell. Mr. Adams was born Oct. 7, 1931, son of Waymon and Elsie Roberts Adams. He was a member of Roanoke Christian Church and was retired from Handley Distributing Company. Mr. Adams served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Helene Waller Jordan (ROANOKE) Services for Helene Waller Jordan, 92, of Roanoke were Sunday, July 3, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. William Dean officiating. Burial was in Randolph Memory Gardens. Mrs. Jordan died Thursday, June 30, at her home. Survivors include one daughter, Sara Moore of Ocoee, Fla.; two sisters, Olivia Poole and Juanita Huffman of Opelika; one brother, Walter Collins, of Montgomery; two grandsons and two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by husbands Ernest Clifford Waller and Worth Jordan, and one son, William Ernest Waller. Pallbearers were Bud Bailey, Lavoy Caldwell, Charles Moore Jr., William E. Moore, Thomas Adamson and Willie Holley. The family suggests memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church of Roanoke. Mrs. Jordan was born Sept. 9, 1912, daughter of Benjamin and Louella Talbot Collins. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Roanoke and for many years the owner and operator of Waller's Dress Shop in Roanoke. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. ____________________________________________ The Randolph Leader July 13, 2005 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Joyce Bruce Mitchell (ROANOKE) Services for Joyce Bruce Mitchell, 73, of Roanoke were Friday, July 8, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Bill Calhoun and Bro. Scott Whaley officiating. Burial followed at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mrs. Mitchell died Tuesday, July 5, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Survivors include her husband, Henry Mitchell of Roanoke; two daughters, Sherry Rogers of Roanoke and Linda Hill of Cartersville, Ga.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Jody Holland, Derek Edmondson, Jim Lane, Phillip Mitchell, Tim Mitchell and Jason Mitchell. Mrs. Mitchell was born April 4, 1932, daughter of Arthur and Lunie Wilson Bruce. She was a member of Atlanta First Baptist Church and was a homemaker: Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel Caswell; and one brother, Harold Bruce. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Grace Lollar Downing Gravlee (VESTAVIA HILLS) Grace Lollar Downing Gravlee, 92, of Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham, died at her home on June 30, 2005, after a lengthy illness. She was 92. A native of Lamar County, Alabama, she had made Birmingham her home since 1941. Mrs. Gravlee graduated from Lamar County High School at the age of 16, after receiving two double promotions. She attended Missipppi [Mississippi] State College for Women (now Mississippi University for Women), before transferring and graduating with a B.A. in English from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) at the age of 20. She taught school in Lamar and Jefferson counties. After the death of her second husband, she earned a master's degree in English from Samford University in 1972 at the age of 59. Mrs. Gravlee enjoyed driving automobiles until she was 91. She earned her private pilot's license while attending Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Mrs. Gravlee pursued the hobbies of writing and painting. As a book reviewer, she was in great demand by many local civic groups. She enjoyed writing short stories and poems, and was a former president of the Alabama State Poetry Society, as well as the Birmingham Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters. In keeping with her love for the arts, she helped to establish Minerva's Gallery in Vernon, which provides a perpetual art exhibit as a memorial to her mother, Minerva Hankins Lollar. Mrs. Gravlee was preceded in death by three husbands: Edward Kyle Farmer, Fred Mortimer Downing, D.D.S., and Levert Gib Gravlee, D.D.S. She was also predeceased by her son, Edward Farmer Downing, M.D. of Savannah, Ga. She is survived by one daughter, Lemoyen Downing Hunter, of Wedowee, special education coordinator at the Randolph County Board of Education; two granddaughters, and one daughter-in-law, Helen Dean Downing of Savannah. Services were at 2 pm, July 3, at Elmwood Chapel, Birmingham, with the Rev. Ted Leach and the Rev. Chriss Doss officiating. __________ Lera Mae McCain Post (WEDOWEE) Services for Lera Mae McCain Post, 95, of Wedowee will be Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 10 a.m. at Benefield Funeral Chapel, Wedowee, with the Rev. Bobby Burroughs officiating. Burial will be in Crestlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Marietta, Ga., at 1:30 p.m. CDT. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Post died Saturday, July 9, at Roanoke Healthcare Center. Mrs. Post was born Jan. 8, 1910, daughter of James Robert and Perlonia Bolt McCain. She was a member of Ava United Methodist Church and had worked at Callaway Mills. Mrs. Post was preceded in death by her husband, Charles H. Post; four children, Brenda Baynes and Jimmy, Mack and Jean Post; five brothers, Jack Lon, Olin, Billy and Rufus McCain; and one sister, Winnie Taylor. Surviving are a daughter, Margarett Cooper of Douglasville, Ga.; two sons, Bobby Messer of Wedowee and Dan Post Sr. of Panama City Beach, Fla.; one sister, Betty Lou Nelson of Roanoke; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Lindsey Juhan Mitchell (BELMOPAN, Belize) The Rev. Lindsey Juhan Mitchell, 88, died in Belmopan, Belize, Central America on July 4, 2005. He was a native of Randolph County, had pastored at several churches in the county, and was a retired principal of Rock Mills School. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lula Maude Mitchell. Rev. Mitchell is survived by a son, Kenneth Mitchell of Belize, Central America; one grandson; two brothers, Henry Mitchell of Roanoke and Floyd Mitchell of Woodland. Memorial services are pending at this time. __________ Willmer Mae Daniel (CUSSETA) Willmer Mae Daniel, 76, of Cusseta died Friday, July 8, 2005 at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Services will be Monday, July 11, at 2 p.m. at Three Pines Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Heath officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Lanett. The family will receive friends Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley. Mrs. Daniel was a Randolph County native, born Feb. 10, 1929, daughter of the late Georgia Brown Prestridge and Elmer Troy Prestridge. She was a retired employee of West Point Pepperell's Fairfax Mill and also had worked in the Lanett Mill cloth room. Surviving are four sons, Jack Gary Daniel of Rock Mills, Troy Daniel of Lanett, Wayne Daniel of Cusseta and Dean Daniel of Huguley; three brothers, Jimmy Prestridge, Wilkey Prestridge and Junior Prestridge of LaFayette; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Valley. __________ Willis Pittman (ROANOKE) Willis Pittman, 65, of 1215 Stanley Ave., Roanoke, died Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at his home. Services were Saturday, July 9, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Delta, with the Revs. Craig McClure, Robert Welch and Jeffery D. Rosser officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Brown of Union City, Ga.; a brother, Clarence Pittman of New York; three sisters-in-law and two special nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Potts Pittman. Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke. __________ Julia Pearl McFarlin (WEST POINT, Ga.) Julia Pearl McFarlin, 64, of West Point, Ga., died Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at Hospice LaGrange in LaGrange, Ga. Funeral services will be Monday, July 11, at 2 p.m. EDT at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in the Welch community with the Revs. Mario McDaniel, Stanford Johnson and William Patterson officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Ms. McFarlin is survived by a devoted granddaughter, Khadijah L. McFarlin of West Point; three brothers, Prince McFarlin of West Point, Charles McFarlin of LaFayette and John Harold McFarlin of Auburn; three sisters, Luella Williams and Martha Griffin of Lanett and Beatrice Allen of Five Points; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Born May 22, 1941, in Chambers County, Ms. McFarlin was the daughter of the late George and Ollie Thompson McFarlin. She was a superb cook and baker. Ms. McFarlin was preceded in death by her daughter, Angel McFarlin; two brothers; one sister; and a very special aunt. She was a member of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Sunday, July 10, at the M.W. Lee Mortuary in West Point from 6 until 7 p.m. The remains will lie in state at the church on Monday from 1 p.m. EDT until the funeral hour. M.W. Lee Mortuary Inc., West Point. ________________________________________________ The Randolph Leader July 20, 2005 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Anna Mae Taylor French, 101 (ROANOKE) Anna Mae Taylor French, 101, of Roanoke, widow of the Rev. Joe A. French, died Sunday, July 17, 2005. Mrs. French was born May 14, 1904, near Crossville, Tenn., and attended Pleasant Hill Academy, a boarding school in Pleasant Hill. She earned a bachelor's degree from Scarritt College, Nashville, and a master's degree from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She was a schoolteacher for many years, having taught in the 1930s at Vashti School for Girls in Thomasville, Ga., a mission of the United Methodist Church. In later years she taught in the public schools of Franklin, Va., Henderson, N.C., and LaGrange, Ga., from which she retired in 1971. Throughout her life, she was active both in the community and in the church, first in the United Methodist Church and, after her marriage, in the United Church of Christ. The Rev. and Mrs. French were married in August 1936 in Nashville, where they met while Mr. French was a student at Vanderbilt University and Mrs. French was attending Scarritt College. During Mr. French's career as a minister in the United Church of Christ, they lived in Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. He pastored at North Main Congregational Christian Church in Roanoke. Mrs. French is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Moser of Knoxville, Tenn., and Agnes Kunkle of Williamsburg, Va.; four grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke, on Thursday, July 21, at 10:30 a.m. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Williamsburg Manor Assisted Living, P.O. Box 467, Roanoke, AL 36274. __________ [Buried Noon Day Congregational Church of Christ Cemetery] Betty Jean Fox Appleby (ROANOKE) Betty Jean Fox Appleby, 67, of Roanoke died Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange. Funeral services were Saturday, July 16, at 1 p.m. CDT at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Standing Rock, with the Rev. W.H. Trammell officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Appleby was born Jan. 15, 1938, in Chambers County. She was a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Standing Rock. Mrs. Appleby was preceded in death by her husband, William Appleby. Surviving are one son, Jesse Atkinson of LaGrange; two daughters, Martha Ann Appleby of Wedowee and Gloria Burden of Roanoke; one brother, John Atkinson of Roanoke; one uncle; two sisters-in-law; a special caregiver, Frances Drake of Roanoke; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Vines Funeral Home Inc., LaFayette. __________ Frank Alford Lipham (WEDOWEE) Graveside services for Frank Alford Lipham, 93, of Wedowee were Friday, July 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Valley Grove Church Cemetery, with the Rev. Dorsey White officiating. Mr. Lipham died Wednesday, July 13, at Cleburne County Nursing Home. Mr. Lipham is survived by one daughter, Brenda Putman of Wedowee; one grandson, Jerome Cofield; and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Lipham was born May 25, 1912, son of Dail and Della Oswalt Lipham. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was a row crop farmer. Mr. Lipham was preceded in death by his wife, Winnie Lee Lipham. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Charlotte Paulette Smith Hazle (LINCOLN) Graveside services for Charlotte Paulette Smith Hazle, 61, of Lincoln were at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2005, at the Eastaboga Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. James Abernathy officiating. Mrs. Hazle died Friday, July 15, at her residence. She is survived by her husband Jody Hazle; a daughter, Ginger Camp of Wedowee; two grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara Talley. Mrs. Hazle was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Ruth Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Personal condolences may be written at: www.millerfuneralhomeoxford.com Miller Funeral Home, Oxford. __________ Annie Maude Jackson (ROANOKE) Services for Annie Maude Jackson of Roanoke, 89, were Thursday, July 14, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Roger Jones and the Rev. Bobby Burroughs officiating. Burial followed at Randolph Memory Gardens. Mrs. Jackson died Tuesday, July 12, at East Alabama Medical Center. Survivors include one daughter, Joan Brown of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Chase Brown of Roanoke and Gena Teague of Fruithurst; and three great- grandchildren. Pallbearers were Byron Morrison, Roger Brown, Chase Brown, Cliff Teague, Ronald Camron and Jimmy Johnson. Mrs. Jackson was born Sept. 24, 1915, daughter of Sam Harper and Alice Waldrep Tarver. She was a member of Lebanon Congregational Christian Church and a former employee of Handley Mills and retired seamstress at Palm Beach Company. Mrs. Jackson was preceded in death by her husband, Emory Hooper "Mutt" Jackson. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Opaline Richardson Loveless (WEDOWEE) Services for Opaline Richardson Loveless, 62, of Wedowee were Tuesday, July 19, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Zion Church of God, with the Rev. Ronnie Williams and the Rev. Paul Conway officiating. Burial followed in Valley Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Loveless died Sunday, July 17, at her home. She is survived by her husband, Earl Loveless of Wedowee; two daughters, Renee Wood of Ranburne and Robin Craft of Wedowee; a stepdaughter, Penny Flores of Wedowee; a son, Terry Richardson of Wedowee; a stepson, Paul Loveless of Roanoke; her father, James T. Hill of Carrollton, Ga.; a sister, Barbara Green of Carrollton; three brothers, James Hill of Wedowee and Dallas Hill and Jimmy Hill of Bowdon, Ga.; three grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Jonathan Walker, Fred Pope, Chris Hill, Don Sheppard, Ron Hartley and Doug Sheppard. Honorary pallbearers were Mathew Caldwell and Logan Wilson. Mrs. Loveless was a native of Randolph County, born Aug. 17, 1942, daughter of James Thomas Hill and Lessie Franklin Hill. She was a member of Zion Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hoyt A. Richardson; a sister, Imogene Hill; a granddaughter, Katlyn Paige Loveless; and her mother. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Annie Bertha Messer Holley (ATLANTA) Annie Bertha Messer Holley, 93, formerly of LaGrange, Ga., died Monday, July 11, 2005, at Westminster Commons Nursing Home in Atlanta. Mrs. Holley was born April 12, 1912, in Randolph County, Ala., daughter of the late Miles Hood Messer and Ola Cofield Messer. She was the former owner of Holley's Grocery on Hines Street in LaGrange. She lived in Savannah from 1956 until 1983, when she returned to LaGrange. Mrs. Holley was a member of Southwest LaGrange Baptist Church. In recent years, she had moved to Atlanta to reside with her daughter. Mrs. Holley was preceded in death by her, husband, Joel Raymond Holley Sr. Survivors include her daughter, Judi A. Holley of Atlanta; a son, Joel R. Holley Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; five grandchildren; a sister, Wilma Adcock of LaGrange; a brother, Marvin Messer of LaGrange; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services were Friday, July 15, at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Willis officiating. Burial followed in Shadowlawn Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted, or those desiring may contribute to Hospice LaGrange in memory of Mrs. Holley. Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange. __________ Lou Etta Bailey (LANETT) Lou Etta Bailey, 86, of Lanett died Monday, July 18, 2005, at Beverly Health Care in Lanett. Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 20, at 11 a.m. at Johnson Brown- Service Funeral Home Chapel in Lanett. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Mrs. Bailey is survived by her daughters, Celia Dabbs of Lanett and Millie Goodson of Opelika; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great- great-grandchildren. Mrs. Bailey was born July 26, 1918, in Randolph County. She was a member of the Church of Christ, Valley, and was preceded in death by her husband, Eulous Bailey. Mrs. Bailey loved her family, her church and working with flowers. In her younger years, she enjoyed sewing. Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home, Lanett. __________ Mary Hairston Jackson (LANETT) Mary Hairston Jackson, 60, of Lanett died Thursday, July 14, 2005, at her residence. Mrs. Jackson was born in Troup County, Ga., April 9, 1945, daughter of the late Brady T. and Ollie Atkinson Hairston. She was retired from West Point Stevens Riverdale Mill with more than 31 years of service. Mrs. Jackson was very involved in Wehadkee and Evening Spring Baptist churches, which her husband pastored. She was a member of New Zion Baptist Church, Wehadkee Baptist. Church Senior Choir, and Bowen East District Ministers' Wives. Surviving are her husband of 42 years, Rev. Elijah Jackson Jr. of Lanett; one daughter, Mary Funcello Lee Bagley of LaGrange, Ga.; two sons, Christopher Brady Lewis Jackson of Montgomery and Lace Yahrohn Jackson of Charlotte, N.C.; five grandchildren; nine sisters, Annie R. Johnson and Rosie L. Dardy of West Point, Ga., Nancy L. Varner and Dorothy Jackson of Lanett Lizzie M. Hubbard of LaGrange, Enna R. Hubbard of Ypsilanti, Mich., Mattie R. Johnson of Atlanta, Evelyn Davis and Margaret Faulk of Newark, N.J., and Evelyn Wilson; two brothers, Arthur L. Hairston of Boston, Mass., and Jessie R. Hairston of Ypsilanti; and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church families. She was preceded in death by a great-grandson and three brothers, Brady T. Hurston, John Willie Hurston Sr. and Charlie Hairston. Services will be at Mt. Hermon Family Life Center at 1 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 20, with burial in New Zion Church Cemetery. The Revs. Jackie D. Banks, Louis Upshaw, Eugene Cooks and Frank Kennedy Jr. will officiate. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m. at M.W. Lee Mortuary Inc., West Point. The body will lie in state at the church on Wednesday from noon until the funeral. ______________________________________________ The Randolph Leader July 27, 2005 ___________________ OBITUARIES: Juan Lindsey Mitchell (ROANOKE) Services for the Rev. Juan Lindsey Mitchell, 88, of Roanoke will be Sunday, July 31, 2005, at 3 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. S.T. Janney and the Rev. Lonnie Houston officiating. Burial will follow at Randolph Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Rev. Mitchell died July 4 at Belmo Dan Belize, Central America. Survivors include one son, Kenneth W. Mitchell of Valencia, Belize; one grandson; and two brothers, Henry Grady Mitchell of Roanoke and Floyd T. Mitchell of Woodland. Pallbearers will be Rev. Mitchell's nephews. Rev. Mitchell was born Jan. 12, 1917, son of John W. and Elizabeth Burson Mitchell. He was a member of Liberty East Baptist Church, a graduate of Auburn University and Ashbury College, Willmore, Ky., class of 1953, a member of the Randolph County School Board and the Southern Baptist Convention. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Liberty East Baptist Cemetery Fund. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Marilyn Benefield (MEMPHIS) Services for Marilyn Benefield, 81, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Roanoke, were Saturday, July 23, 2005, at 3 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel, Roanoke, with the Rev. Ken Griffith officiating. Burial followed at High Pine Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Benefield died Tuesday, July 19, at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis. Survivors include her brother-in-law; care-giver, Robert Crossett; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Benefield was born Sept. 18, 1923, daughter of Fred J. and Mamie Crowder Phillips. She was a member of Cherokee Baptist Church and secretary and treasurer of BNSF Veteran's Association. Mrs. Benefield was preceded in death by her husband, George Olin Benefield; her parents; and three brothers, J.P., Leon and W.E. Phillips. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke. __________ Hugh D. Rollins (WOODLAND) Services for Mr. Hugh D. Rollins, 63, of Woodland were Friday, July 22, 2005, at 3 p.m. at Woodland First Congregational Methodist Church, with the Rev. Earl Rollins and the Rev. Gene Bledsoe officiating. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Rollins died Wednesday, July 20, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Mr. Rollins is survived by three sons, Robert Steve "Tree" Rollins of Wedowee and Wade and Kenny Rollins of Woodland; his father, Harvey Rollins; four brothers, Donnie, Paul, Junior and Earl Rollins of Woodland; and four grandchildren. Pallbearers were Josh, Scott, Don, Lance and Bo Rollins and Ken Britt. Honorary pallbearers were Donnie Butler, Mikey Manning, Carl Britt and Don Butler. Mr. Rollins was born June 21, 1942, son of Harvey and Flora Bledsoe Rollins. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and worked in maintenance doing tank repair and small arms repair. Mr. Rollins was preceded in death by his mother, Flora B. Johnson; and three brothers, Ray, Wayne and Willard Rollins. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Tony Lamar Dorman Jr. (WEDOWEE) Graveside services for Tony Lamar Dorman Jr., age 6, of Wedowee were Saturday, July 23, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Poplar Springs Cemetery. He died Monday, July 18, in Kissimee, Fla. He is survived by his parents, Tony and Donna Dorman of Wedowee; his paternal grandparents, Dorothy and Eugene Taft of Ashland; three sisters, Melinda Irene Spears, Helen Mary Windsor and Dorothy Ruth Dorman; and two brothers, Austin Lee Dorman and Christopher Lanier Dorman. He was born October 19, 1998. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. __________ Olzie Bates Gray (HEFLIN) Services for Olzie Bates Gray, 91, of Heflin were Sunday, July 24, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Pinetucky Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steve Dempsey and Bro. Billy Wayne Morris officiating. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Gray died Friday, July 22, at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston. Mrs. Gray is survived by her husband, Ernest Gray of Heflin; three daughters, Geraldine York of Oxford, Lura Gail Taylor of Anniston and Karen Spurlin of Delta; nine grandchildren; one brother, Hoyt Bates of Oxford; and 12 great- grandchildren. Pallbearers were Greg Whitfield, David Roberts, Phillip Heard, Johnny Mays, Donnie Mays, Frank Burson, Joe Bill Conkle and Preston York. Honorary pallbearers were Phillip Wortham, Gerald Perkins and Barry Johnson. Mrs. Gray was born Jan. 27, 1914, daughter of Wilburth and Quinnie Ester Sanders Bates. She was a member of Pinetucky Baptist Church, a store clerk and homemaker. Mrs. Gray was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Melony Waters Morrison. Flowers will be accepted, no live flowers, or donations to Pinetucky Baptist Church, c/o Francis Nelson, 35 Co. Rd. 5, Heflin, AL 36264 or Restoration House Ministry, P.O. Box 4391, Gadsden, AL 35904. Benefield Funeral Home, Wedowee. _______________________________________________