GenealogyBuff.com - Obituary Collection from Madison County, Alabama (1998-1999)
Madison County, Alabama Obituary Collection 1998-1999 (From Various Funeral Homes)
Covering the towns of Big Cove, Brownsboro, Gurley, Hampton Cove, Harvest, Hazel Green,
Huntsville, Madison, Meridianville, New Hope, New Market, Normal, Owens Cross Roads,
Ryland, Toney, and Triana. Also many obits from nearby Athens (Limestone County).
Some of the funeral homes represented: Royal Funeral Home, Spry Funeral Home,
Valhalla Funeral Home, Laughlin Service Funeral Home, and Twickenham Funeral Home.
Note: These obituaries are NOT primary source. They are intended only to provide clues in
researching your family tree. Use the date at the top of each group of obituaries to determine
the date of death since this collection does not include specific dates, only the day of the week
that the death occurred. Use the handy 1998 or 1999 calendars to determine dates.
Marion Smith Ames
Marion Smith Ames, 75, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce the funeral.
Mrs. Ames was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was a member of the Friends of the Library. She was a United Methodist minister here for 18 years.
Survivors include her husband, Robert G. Ames; three sons, Marc Allen Ames of Huntsville, Timothy Samler Ames of Gurley and Jeffrey Steele Ames of Belmont, N.C.; two sisters, Valerie Secchia Kelly of Plantation, Fla., and Dorothy Debus Bowman of Fort Pierce, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
Linda H. Bennett
Linda Haislip Bennett, 53, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lewisburg, Tenn., with the Rev. Hollis B. Hunt officiating.
Burial will be in Lone Oak Cemetery in Lewisburg with Spry Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Bennett had lived in Huntsville since 1967. She was recognized by St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital, Alabama Easter Seals and the Arthritis Foundation for her fund-raising and philanthropy. She served four terms as chapter president and Alabama president of the philanthropic sorority, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Beta Pi chapter. She was also a four-term member of the Southeastern regional board.
Survivors include her husband, Gary Talmadge Bennett; one son, Michael Bennett; and a twin sister, Brenda Haislip, all of Huntsville.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 9 p.m.
The body will be at the church two hours before the service.
Thomas Van Burdine
GERALDINE - Thomas Van Burdine, 89, died Saturday at a Gadsden hospital. The funeral was to be at 11 a.m. today at Lebanon Baptist Church with burial in the adjoining cemetery.
W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel was in charge of funeral arrangements.
Mr. Burdine was a retired farmer and a native of DeKalb County. He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Rainsville, a Master Mason and a member of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Burdine; one daughter, Sandra Pursell of Albertville; two sons, Robert Van Burdine of Tennessee and Thomas Wesley Burdine of Albertville; one brother, Shelly Burdine of Geraldine; and seven grandchildren.
Virginia Davenport
Virginia Davenport, 103, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local nursing home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce the funeral.
Survivors include one brother, John A. Jones of Conway, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
Elizabeth T. Denbo
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. - Elizabeth Taylor Denbo, 79, formerly of Huntsville, died Saturday at a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. hospital. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Star of David Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale.
Mrs. Denbo came to Huntsville in 1939 and was the owner of the Mary Shoppe from 1939 until 1979. She was born in Bristol, Tenn.
Survivors include one daughter, Diane Denbo Cheek of Lakeland, Fla.; one son, Henry Denbo of Birmingham; two sisters, Toby Schwartz of Roanoke, Va. and Seraphina Cohen of Atlanta; one brother, Dr. Irvin Taylor of Tiburon, Calif.; and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or any Hospice chapter.
Gertrude L. Johns
Gertrude L. Johns, 96, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce the memorial service.
Mrs. Johns was a 1924 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell A. Johns.
Survivors include two sons, Stanley A. Johns of Huntsville and Robert L. Johns of Anderson, S.C.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity or Hospice Cares.
Trinity R. Lewis
Infant Trinity Rosetta Lewis of Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. The graveside service was to be today at 4 p.m. at Meadowlawn Garden of Peace with the Rev. Eugene Lewis officiating.
Nelms Memorial Funeral Home was to be in charge of funeral arrangements.
Survivors include her parents, Gerald and Teresa Lewis of Huntsville.
Floyd H. McCowan
BIRMINGHAM - Floyd H. McCowan died Sunday at a Birmingham hospital. Limestone Chapel Funeral Home will announce the funeral arrangements.
William E. Paysinger
ARDMORE, Tenn. - William E. Paysinger, 76, of Coral Street died Saturday at a Columbia, Tenn., hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Elkton Cemetery.
Mr. Paysinger was a retired dairy farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette M. Paysinger; one son, William E. Paysinger Jr. of Knoxville; four sisters, Mildred Paysinger of Dixon, Tenn., Dorothy P. Mitchell of Knoxville, Peggy P. Creek of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Robin P. Parker of White Bluff, Tenn.; and one grandchild, Lisa P. Neal of Knoxville.
Visitation will be today from 6 until 8 p.m.
Buell Weaver
ARAB - Buell Weaver, 82, of 4388 Ruth Road died Saturday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Ruth Baptist Church.
Burial was to be in Mt. Oak Cemetery with Gober Funeral Home of Arab in charge of funeral arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Willodean Weaver; one daughter, Alice Faye Ashburn of Arab; one son, Bruce Weaver of Arab; two stepdaughters, Donna Cleland of Arab and Anita Payne of Pell City; two stepsons, Larry Turner and Dwight Turner, both of Arab; one brother, Ottice Weaver of Mobile; and 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
E.B. "Jitney" Blankenbecler
KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Former Kingsport mayor E.B. "Jitney" Blankenbecler has died. He was 92.
He died Friday at his home. Blankenbecler owned and operated Franklin Printing Company. He was mayor from 1949 to 1951.
Blankenbecler also was part of the Santa Train program for more than 50 years. During the annual trip from Pikeville, Ky., to Kingsport, donated toys and food are given to people who line the tracks.
Blankenbecler is survived by his wife Mary Nell, a daughter, a son, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
9/22/98
Marion S. Ames
Marion Smith Ames, 75, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. The memorial service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with Dr. Laurence Dill officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Mrs. Ames was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was a member of the Friends of the Library. She was a United Methodist minister here for 18 years.
Survivors include her husband, Robert G. Ames; three sons, Marc Cullen Ames of Huntsville, Timothy Samler Ames of Gurley and Jeffrey Steele Ames of Belmont, N.C.; two sisters, Valerie Secchia Kelly of Plantation, Fla., and Dorothy Debus Bowman of Fort Pierce, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Salvation Army or the childrens ministry at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Omae K. Bailey
Omae King Bailey, 67, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Larry Fincher officiating.
Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery.
Mrs. Bailey was a Madison County native. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Judy Gayle Little.
Survivors include her husband, Leamon Bailey of Huntsville; one son, Howard Keith King of Huntsville; two sisters, Doris Houk and Jean Wilford, both of Florida; five brothers, Robert Lewter and Billy Lewter, both of Ardmore, Ala., and Ralph Lewter, Wayne Lewter and Dwight Lewter, all of Florida; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arthur W. Barker
ATHENS - Arthur Wallace Barker, 94, died Monday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Athens with Gerald Romine officiating.
Burial was to be in Sandlin Cemetery.
Mr. Barker was a native of Limestone County, a farmer and member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ.
Survivors include two nieces, Doris Peek of Athens and Louise Romine of Roanoke, Ala.; and one nephew, Grady Blakely of Athens.
Terry S. Bradford
COURTLAND - Terry Steven Bradford, 39, died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Town Creek with the Rev. Phil Russell and the Rev. Brett Pittman officiating.
Burial will be in Courtland City Cemetery with Shelton Funeral Home of Decatur directing.
Mr. Bradford was a native of Tampa and was preceded in death by his parents, James and Jean Terry Bradford.
Survivors include his wife, Rhonda Bradford; one daughter, Jaye Cara Bradford of Courtland; his stepmother, Noma Bradford of Town Creek; one stepsister, Kelly Patterson of Decatur; and two stepbrothers, Hollis Wood of Memphis and Tommy Wood of Decatur.
Michael W. Bridges
ALBERTVILLE - Michael Wayne Bridges, 61, of 305 Logan Street died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral was Monday at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Burial was in Marshall Memorial Garden.
Survivors include one stepdaughter, Renea Mannich of Albertville; and one sister, Joyce Powell of Georgia.
Marjorie Cooley
Marjorie Cooley, 89, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Bemiston Baptist Church in Talladega.
Survivors include one son, George William Cooley of Huntsville; two grandsons, Bill Cooley and Scott Cooley, both of Huntsville; one granddaughter, Barbara Halbrook of Huntsville; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Usrey Funeral Home in Talladega.
Virginia J. Davenport
Virginia Jones Davenport, 103, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local nursing home. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Rice Cemetery in New Market with the Rev. John Johnston officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Mrs. Davenport was a descendant of Hezekiah Bailess, an early settler of Madison County. She was a native of New Market, but spent much of her life in Great Neck, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Davenport.
Survivors include one brother, John A. Jones of Conway, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
David E. Davis
ATHENS - David E. Davis, 63, of Athens died Monday at a Decatur hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Athens with Bill Irby officiating.
Burial will be in Limestone Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Davis was a native of Limestone County, retired from ConAgra and a member of Hobbs Street Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie A. Davis; two daughters, Tena Bullington and Char Smith, both of Athens; one sister, Dianne Tucker of Panama City, Fla.; one brother, Billy A. Davis of Athens; and nieces and nephews.
Opal J. Dodd
GUNTERSVILLE - Opal Jackson Dodd, 71, died Saturday in Birmingham. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Burial will be in Crestview Cemetery.
Survivors include three daughters, Janice Kerr of Birmingham and Debra Tidwell and Nelda Decker, both of Florida; three sons, Steven Dodd and Phillip Dodd, both of Albertville, and James E. Dodd of Georgia; two sisters, Viola Davies of Guntersville and Lura Hipp of Huntsville; one brother, Julius Jackson of Guntersville; and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Anne M. Ferguson
Anne Margaret Ferguson, 78, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Tim Burns officiating.
Mrs. Ferguson was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and had lived in Huntsville since January. She was a member of Queen of the Universe Catholic Church.
Survivors include one son, Gilbert Ferguson of Harvest; one daughter, Marianne Swanson of Ocala, Fla.; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
Rayburn H. Galloway
CROSSVILLE - Rayburn Hugo Galloway, 72, died Sunday at a Marshall County hospital. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Tommy Mashburn officiating.
Burial will be in New Canaan Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Ingrid Burdine of Geraldine and Sonya Tlemsani of Pensacola, Fla.; three sisters, Sue Stanfield of Decatur, Gloria Croft of Georgia and June York of Tennessee; three brothers, Jay Galloway of Geraldine, Edward Galloway of Boaz and Marrell Galloway of Asbury; and six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
Nannie M. Gibson
RAINSVILLE - Nannie Mae "Dicie" Gibson, 70, died Saturday at a Dekalb County hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Oren Ledford officiating.
Entombment will be in Mt. View Mausoleum.
Survivors include five sons, Richard Gibson, Mike Gibson, Phillip Gibson, Parker Gibson and Gary Gibson, all of Rainsville; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Flora L. Kilpatrick
WOODVILLE - Flora L. Kilpatrick, 91, died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Love officiating.
Burial will be in Stateline Cemetery.
Mrs. Kilpatrick was a native of Lincoln County, but spent most of her life in Madison County. She was a member of Third Baptist Church and was preceded in death by one son, Earl Kilpatrick.
Survivors include one son, Aaron "Ed" Kilpatrick of Meridianville; three daughters, Marjorie Brown of Pulaski, Tenn., Doris Cochran of Woodville and Linda McElyea of Huntsville; and nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Thomas E. Kinser
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Thomas E. Kinser of 25 Sandlin Cemetery Road died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Hughes and the Rev. James Rolison officiating.
Burial will be in Lincoln Cemetery.
Mr. Kinser was a native of Leitchfield, Ky., and was a member of Fayetteville First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Kreda Deaton Kinser of Fayetteville; two daughters, Janet Gray and Deborah Stowe, both of Fayetteville; one son, David Kinser of Fayeteville; one sister, Mildred Kinser White of Leitchfield; two brothers, Floyd Damon Kinser of Danville, Ky., and Morris Kinser of Decatur; and five grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ruth L. Lipscomb
DECATUR - Ruth Lawler Lipscomb, 78, died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 3:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kenneth A. Dunnivant officiating.
Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery with Roselawn Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Lipscomb was a member of First United Methodist Church and a past president of Girl Scouts of North Alabama.
Survivors include her husband, W.O. Lipscomb; one daughter, Susan Baugh of Canton, Ga.; one sister, Susan Craig of Portland, Texas; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, Girl Scouts of North Alabama or American Cancer Society.
Arlee Mathews
EVA - Arlee ''Buddy Mathews, 70, of 466 Tom French Road died Sunday at a Decatur hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle with the Rev. Royce Teague officiating.
Burial will be in Oden Ridge Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Knox of Hackleburg and Belinda Cramer of Birmingham; four sisters, Irene Stephenson of Huntsville, Ilene Clark of Eva, Wilodean Raper of Phil Campbell and Judy Johnson of Wartrace, Tenn.; six brothers, James Mathews of Flint, Mich., J.B. Matthews of Laceys Spring, R.C. Mathews of Eva, Carl Mathews of Willoughby, Ohio, O.V. Mathews and Charles Mathews, both of Cleveland, Ohio; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Ina E. Norman
CEDAR BLUFF - Ina Easter Norman, 88, died Saturday at a Gadsden hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Burial was to be in Rehobeth Cemetery.
Survivors include three daughters, Doris Jones and Carrie Loughin, both of Cedar Bluff, and Ann Ristau of Kansas; and nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Millie E. Presley
UNION GROVE - Millie E. Presley, 74, of 1120 New Friendship Road died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at New Friendship Baptist Church.
Burial was to be in the adjoining cemetery with Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include her husband, Marvin Presley; one daughter, Pamela Wilson of Arab; one son, Sidney Presley of Arab; three sisters, Mary Gaskin of Boaz, Yvette Childers of Birmingham and Yvonne Frost of Florida; two brothers, Travis Williams of Boaz and O.P. Williams of Florida; and six grandchildren.
Anita F. Rice
Anita Frances Rice, 78, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Harrison McLeod officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Miss Rice was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church and was a Sunday school teacher. She was retired from Southern Bell after 38 years there and was a member of Telephone Pioneers.
Survivors include one nephew, Edward H. Lacy Jr. of Decatur; one great-nephew, Edward H. Lacy III of Atlanta; and one cousin, Ray George of Huntsville.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd, 3809 Spring Ave., Decatur, 35603 or to First Baptist Church in Huntsville.
Roger G. Schmidt Sr.
Roger Gene Schmidt Sr., 55, of Ruth Circle in Huntsville died Saturday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Mark Garvin and Chaplain Finis Self officiating.
Burial will be in Concord Cemetery with full military honors and with Gallant Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Schmidt was a native of Belleville, Ill., and was a member of Golden Gate Baptist Church. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of American Legion Post No. 237 and Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter No. 2201.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Clark Schmidt of Huntsville; two daughters, Marla Christine Byrd of Huntsville and Sherry Lee Ruckdeschel of Holly, N.Y.; two sons, Roger G. Schmidt Jr. of New Hope and Arthur Dwayne Schmidt of Huntsville; his stepmother, Doris Schmidt of Staunton, Ill.; three brothers, Edward John Schmidt Jr. of Staunton, Theodore C. Schmidt of OFallon, Ill., and Arthur Henry Berghahn of Arizona; and nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Dorothy L. Smartt
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Dorothy Lee Smartt, 65, died Monday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Tommy Graham officiating.
Burial will be in Blanch Cemetery in Blanche, Tenn.
Survivors include her husband, Willie Jean Smartt of Fayetteville; one son, Donnie Smartt of Fayetteville; two daughters, Connie Richardson and Debra Roland, both of Fayetteville; one brother, James M. Boldin of Sarasota, Fla.; two sisters, Ruth Young of Sarasota and Tina Murray of Charleston; and two grandchildren.
Clifford Swinford
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Clifford Swinford, 56, of 261 Camargo Road died Saturday at a Nashville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at McCauley Funeral Home with the Rev. Sonny Moore officiating.
Mr. Swinford was a native of Lincoln County.
Survivors include one son, Clifton Swinford of Fayetteville; five sisters, Evelene Robinson of Copperas Cove, Texas, Delia Norwood of Nashville, Hazel Towry of Taylor, Mich., Sue Warson of Petersburg, Tenn., and Esteria Currin of Fayetteville; two brothers, Jack Swinford and Cleveland Swinford, both of Fayetteville; and three grandchildren.
Andrew E. Terry
Dr. Andrew Ezell Terry, 95, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Dr. Terry was a life member of Sigma Chi fraternity and a member of the Tennessee Valley chapter of Sons of the American Revolution, Huntsville Rotary Club, Phi Kappa Phi and First United Methodist Church. He was also a charter member and former president of Huntsville/Madison County Council for International Visitors and Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society.
Survivors include one son, Robert J. Terry of Stone Mountain, Ga.; one daughter, Edith Sue Driskell of Louisville, Ky.; and nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Huntsville/Madison County Public Library.
Hazel D. Thomas
BOAZ - Hazel Denson Thomas, 68, of 11340 Highway 168 died Monday at a Birmingham hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Boaz.
Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Charles Thomas; one daughter, Connie Warren of Boaz; two sisters, Marjorie Cherry and Shirley Alexander, both of Boaz; and one grandchild.
Rebecca Thomas
ALBERTVILLE - Rebecca Faye Benson Thomas, 46, of 404-B South Broad St.died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Burial was to be in Memory Hill Cemetery in Albertville.
Survivors include two sons, Heath Thomas and Robert Thomas, both of Guntersville; parents, Lillie Stott of Pell City and Henry Benson of Guntersville; one sister, Carolyn Camp of Albertville; one brother, Phillip Benson of Guntersville; and grandmother, Odell Smith of Guntersville.
