Obituaries (06/20/18)
Julie (Nana) Buckingham
Decatur
Memorial service for Julie (Nana) Buckingham, 90, was held at Decatur Baptist Church in the Holmes Chapel June 19 at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Hank Smith officiating.
Mrs. Buckingham died June 15 at Decatur Morgan Parkway Medical Center. She was born July 30, 1927, in Wilmington, Del., to Michael Bosak and Anna Tehach Bosak. She was a member of Decatur Baptist Church, where she was an Awana Helper, a prayer warrior and encourager. She was a homemaker and was a licensed practical nurse prior to her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her husband, L Harry J. Buckingham, her parents and a daughter, Carol Simmonds.
Survivors include one son, Jim Buckingham, Hartselle; three daughters, Lisa Day (Madison L.) of Hartselle, Linda Buckingham-Brunner of Jax, Fla., and Mary L. Cosner of Louisa, Va.; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur Baptist Missions fund account.
Phillip Wayne Penn
Falkville
Funeral service for Phillip Wayne Penn, 60, was held June 18 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Bro. Phil Waldrop, Bro. Marty Hand and Bro. Charlie Brown officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
His body was laid in state for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial was in Hartselle City Cemetery.
Mr. Penn died June 14. He was born Oct. 24, 1957, in South Carolina to J. Wayne Penn and Gloria Ann Johnson Penn. Phillip graduated from Daleville High School and played baseball while attending Enterprise State Junior College and at the University of North Alabama. He graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor of Science in nursing and was employed at Huntsville Hospital as a CVICU/CVOR nurse.
Phillip was active with friends of Dr. Bob and Bill W. He loved Alabama football and was fondly known as “Daddy Phil” by his daughter Casey and his granddaughters, Sydney and Abbey.
Survivors include one son, Phillip Jamie Demonia; one daughter, Casey Brown (Greg); parents, Pastor J. Wayne and Gloria Penn; two sisters, Floresa Beseth (Jeff) and Joy Hand (Marty); and two granddaughters, Abbey May Throneberry and Sydney May.
Pallbearers were Brett Speegle, Darrin Speegle, Keith Johnson, Tim Penn, Chris Penn, Kent Johnson and Len Williamson.
Myra Vivian Woodfin Gover
Athens
Myra Vivian Woodfin Gover, 88, of Athens passed away June 14 at Decatur-Morgan Hospital.
Mrs. Gover was born Oct. 1, 1929, in Limestone County to Joe Woodfin and Bessie Rogers Woodfin.
Services were June 17 at 2 p.m. at O’Neal Church of Christ, with Guy McDaniel and Bobby Robinson officiating. The body was laid in state from 1-2 p.m. Burial was in the O’Neal Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Gover was a 1948 graduate of Athens High School. She worked the high school D.O. program at U.G. White Hardware for three years. She retired at age 82 from Fred’s with 42 years of service. She is the longest-attending member at O’Neal Church of Christ, for 72 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, King Charles Gover; daughter, Janice Arlene Gover; son, Stuart Ross Gover; sister, Virginia Hogan; brother, Bobby Woodfin; and brother-in-law, Estil Williams.
She is survived by two daughters, Vicki Gover Linley of Decatur and Patricia Gover Ogle and husband David of Auburn; two sons, Charles William Gover and wife Judy of Falkville and Steven King Gover and wife Janie of Athens; grandchildren, Garrold Linley, Daniel Ogle, Anna Higginbotham and husband David, Joy Oliver and husband Jordan, Lauren Killen and husband Dustin, Emily Vest and husband Brad, Brian Battan and Jason Battan and wife Brandy; great-grandchildren, Steven Linley, Alex Oliver, Linley Higginbotham, Hudson Oliver, Banks Higginbotham and Sean Battan; sisters, Joann Williams, Sue Robinson and husband Bobby and Linda Light and husband Lavon; sister-in-law, Annette Woodfin; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Garrold Linley, Daniel Ogle, Jordan Oliver, David Higginbotham, Dustin Killen, Brad Vest and Steven Linley. Honorary pallbearers were her nephews.
Joseph Glen (Joe) Richards
Somerville
Funeral service for Joseph Glen (Joe) Richards, 86, was held June 14 at 11 a.m. at the Richards family residence with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in the Richards Family Cemetery.
Mr. Richards died June 11 at his residence. He was born Oct. 8, 1931, in Lawrence County to J. M. Richards and Pearl Richards.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1950-1954. He was a Baptist and was formerly employed by Wolverine Tube. He was a cattle farmer and was the owner of Richards’ General Store in Somerville.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Richards; a brother, Ray Richards; and his
parents.
The family wishes to say a special thank you to Alacare Hospice and to all the people who sat with Mr. Richards.
Survivors include one son, Larry Joe Richards (Deborah); four daughters, Patricia Richards (Mike), Sharon Gilbert (Danny), Pam Richards and Tammy Richards; and one grandchild, Eric McHann.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Russell Coy Turney
Hartselle
Funeral service for Russell Coy Turney, 78, was June 15 at noon at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor David Teel officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Center Springs UMC Cemetery.
Mr. Turney died June 11 at his residence. He was born Nov. 24, 1939, in Morgan County to Wesley Mason Turney and Bernice Lemmond Turney. He graduated from Morgan County High School in 1958; during that time, his basketball team went to state.
He graduated from Florence State with a Bachelor of Science. He was retired 05 LTC from the Alabama National Guard and retired after 30 years of service with the Alabama Department of
Public Health. As a member of Forest Chapel United Methodist, he served as a teacher, lay leader and trustee. Above all he was a faithful and loving husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Latane Burgess.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Jennie Stoker Turney, Hartselle; two daughters, Jennifer Wade (Bruce), Massachusetts, and Richelle Kalil, Hartselle; three brothers, Delano Turney, Hartselle, Shannon Turney, Huntsville, and Norris Turney, Hartselle; two sisters, Hazel Ward, Huntsville, and Joy Rowan, Tallahassee, Fla.; and one grandson, Mekhi Kalil.
Gladys Lorance Byrd
Decatur
Funeral for Gladys Lorance Byrd, 88, of Decatur, was held June 15, at 10 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Taylor officiating and burial at Mt. Tabor Cemetery.
Mrs. Byrd passed away June 10 at her home. She was a member of East End United Methodist Church. She held many roles as a wife, momma, favorite mother-in-law, sister(in-law), aunt, friend and neighbor. She was most honored to have the role of Mee-Maw.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Richard Byrd; sons, Richard Gregory Byrd and Gary Dwayne Byrd; parents, Ethel and George Mike Lorance; and sister, Jean Lorance.
She is survived by her daughter and favorite son-in-law, Karen and Wes Buzbee; daughter-in-law, Moira Nast (Wayne) of Kirkwood, Mo; sisters, Sue Namie and Lula Fuller; brother-in-law, Fletcher (Nancy) Byrd; sisters-in-law, Edith Summerford and Madeline Penn; grandchildren, Richard C. Byrd of Jefferson City, Mo., Ellie Byrd of Kirkwood, Mo., Rachel McPhillips and Sarah Hinson (Andy); great-grandchildren, Joseph Hinson, James Hinson, Addison
McPhillips, Emily Margaret Hinson and Claire McPhillips; great-great-grandchild, Everett Wesley Hinson; and beloved nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Wes Buzbee, Richard C. Byrd, Andy Hinson, Joseph Hinson, James Hinson and John McPhillips.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 117-A Longwood Drive SE, Huntsville, AL 35801.
Ed Eidson
Eva
Funeral service for James Edward Eidson, 72, of Eva, was held June 19 at 2 p.m. at Eva Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Driver, the Rev. Phillip Robinson and the Rev. Dustin Smith officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was at Herring Cemetery. Mr. Eidson lay in state for one hour Tuesday at the church prior to the service.
Mr. Eidson died June 16 at his residence. He was born Nov. 16, 1945, in Cullman County to Lee Eidson and Florence Evans Eidson. He was formerly self-employed in the drywall industry.
Mr. Eidson was a member of Eva Baptist Church. He loved being with his family, and he also enjoyed riding motorcycles and drag racing.
Mr. Eidson was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Cheyenne Dakota Eidson; brother, Milford Wayne Eidson; and sister, Mattie Lee Brannon.
Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Eidson of Eva; two sons, Phillip Eidson (Janice) of Eva
Johnny Eidson (Rhonda) of Missoula, Mont.; three sisters, Mozelle Childers (William) of Eva, Faye Norris (J.C.) of Madison and Shelby Harris (Gloyd) of Madison; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
The family wishes to express their gratitude for all of the kindness, love and prayers during this difficult time.
Charles Wayne Looney
Hartselle
Funeral service for Charles Wayne Looney, 69, will be held June 24 at 3 p.m. at Gum Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Anthony Patterson officiating and Peck Funeral Home Directing.
Wayne passed away June 13 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born Sept. 8, 1948, to Raymond and Stella Looney. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and was employed at Redstone Arsenal, where he retired.
He was a member of Gum Springs Baptist Church, where he served his God as a deacon and friend. He was a volunteer at Hartselle Caring Place. Wayne was the best husband, father and friend that anyone could ask for.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Mitchell Looney; a daughter, Pamela L. Burgeson; a son-in-law, Mark Burgeson; sisters, Dorothy Barnett, Barbara Hamilton (Mike), Linda Quillen (Jerry) and Wilma Cavanaugh (Don); and sisters and brothers-in-law Teresa and Jimmy Phillips, Peggy and Maurice Griffith and Johnny and Kelle Mitchell.
Instead of flowers, we, the family, ask for donations to the Gum Springs Church Children’s Department in his memory to help carry on his work.
Mary Agnes Jenkins Allen
Hartselle
Mary Agnes Jenkins Allen, 83, of Hartselle, passed away June 15. Mrs. Allen was born Sept. 4, 1934, in Morgan County to Lester and Myrtle Jenkins. She attended school in Decatur.
Mrs. Allen was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lester Wayne Jenkins; and her first-born daughter, Brenda Diane Allen McGee.
Mrs. Allen is survived by her husband of 65 years, Cecil Allen; seven children, Mary C. Allen Roy (David), Debbie J. Allen Green, Mark A. Allen, Pamela J. Allen Depreast (Don), Jeffrey B. Allen (Frankie), Jerry D. Allen (Jennifer) and James D. Allen (Ashley); 23 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Linda Joyce Bedingfield; and sister-in-law, Clara Jenkins.
A Celebration of Life Service was held June 18 at Roselawn Funeral Home at 2 p.m. with Bro. David Barker officiating. Burial followed in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation was June 18 from noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Jami Jenkins, Jason Whitehead, Trevor Hames, Matt Hames, Jimmy “Bubba” Allen, Jeffrey Allen, Trent Whitehead and Don Depreast.
Roselawn Funeral Home had the honor of assisting the family.