Obituaries Dec. 28 – Jan. 4

Hugh Thompson Sr. 

Decatur 

A Graveside Funeral service for Hugh Thompson, Sr., 91, was held Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. at Roselawn Cemetery with Bro. Christopher Campbell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. 

Mr. Thompson died Dec. 24 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Jan. 16, 1929, in Morgan County to Pat Thompson and Nova Lee Leamon Thompson.  

He was a maintenance manager for G.T.E. prior to his retirement.  

Preceding him in death were his wife, Marie Thompson, and his parents. Survivors include son Hugh Thompson Jr. (Paula); three grandchildren; and three great–grandchildren. 

JoAnn Frost Summerford Rogers 

Hartselle 

Graveside memorial service for JoAnn Frost Summerford Rogers, 89, of Hartselle, was held Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. at Hartselle Memory Gardens with Dr. Milan Dekich officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. 

Mrs. Rogers died Dec. 27. She was born July 29, 1931, in Morgan County to Gilbert Frost and Katherine Gorham Frost.  

Mrs. Rogers was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Edward Orr Summerford and Joseph Oakley Rogers; and a son, Mark Edward Summerford.  

Survivors include three daughters, Melissa Shryock (Ronald), Melinda Summerford Hardin (Craig-Tyson) and Melanie Wood (Michael); one stepson, Joe Rogers (Sharon); 10 grandchildren, Sonia Dunkin, Shay Robinson, Josh Summerford, Marcus Summerford, Chase Summerford, Alex Summerford, Katherine Wood, Elijah Wood, Michaela Wood and Jonathan Wood; and five great–grandchildren.  

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Fairview–The Grace Place Building Fund in her memory. 

Marty Allen Tidwell 

Decatur 

Funeral service for Marty Allen Tidwell, 54, was held Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in John-Ryanson Chapel Cemetery.  

Mr. Tidwell died Dec. 27 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Sept. 3, 1966, in Florida to James Marvin Tidwell and Donia Viola Stricklin Parker. He was a leadman for Nucor Tubular prior to his
passing.  

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Survivors include wife Elizabeth “Liz” Tidwell; two daughters, Mercedes Tidwell and Sidnee Tidwell; sister Anita Kirby (Richard); grandchildren Elijah and Cole; and uncle Robert “Bob” Stricklin.  

Pallbearers were Chuck Boardman, Chuck John-Ryanson, Jason Moore, Kevin Smith, Greg Mayfield and Roy Griffin. 

Rufus Lee Barnett 

Falkville 

Funeral service for Rufus Lee Barnett, 87, was held Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Cook Cemetery.  

Mr. Barnett died Dec. 28 at Falkville Health Care Center. He was born April 25, 1933, in Morgan County to Dee and Oler Barnett. He was a roofer for many years and enjoyed fishing in his spare time.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two sisters, three brothers and one son, Danny Barnett. 

Survivors include daughter Jewel Barnett Stover (Thomas); brother Erskine Barnett; six grandchildren, Michael Farmer, Brandy Bailey (Noel), Crystal Wilhite (Chad), Jami Pyron (Jared), Shannon Tuner and Josh Barnett (Bryanna); 14 great–grandchildren; and three great–great-grandchildren. 

Pallbearers were family and friends. 

Amanda McCoy Gerbasi 

Hartselle 

A private graveside funeral service for Amanda McCoy Gerbasi, 42, was held by her family.  

Ms. Gerbasi died Dec. 28. She was born Nov. 30, 1978, in Ohio to Bernard McCoy “Mack” Arrington and Mary Francis “Frankie” Speaks. She was an insurance agent prior to her passing and was a wonderful mother, daughter and sister. She was Protestant in her religion. 

Survivors include her father and stepmother, Bernard McCoy “Mack” Arrington (Barbara); mother and step-father, Mary Francis “Franki” Burdette (Bill); son, Anthony Gerbasi; and two sisters, Shawna Holley and Brandi Davis. 

Jeryl June Wallace 

Hartselle 

Graveside service for Jeryl June Wallace, 83, was held Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Zion Cemetery with Bro. Steve Ledbetter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.  

Mrs. Wallace died Dec. 28 at Huntsville Hospital. She was born May 15, 1937, in Morgan County to Robert Dewey and Ethel M. Russell Ward.  

Mrs. Wallace was employed with Compass Bank prior to her retirement.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Russell Ward; and three sisters, Lucy Brewer, Barbara Kerins and Bobbie Jean Ward. 

Survivors include her husband, Dwain “Red” Wallace; two sons, Randy Earl Powell (Carol) and Gerald “Jerry” Powell (Isabella); one daughter, Geannie Ashford (Stacy); two stepsons, Tony Wallace and Terry Wallace (Robyn); one brother, Kenneth Wayne Ward (Faye); four grandchildren, Russell Powell, Cassie Beth Powell, Michelle Bendickson and John-Ryan Condo; and three great-grandchildren. 

Family and friends served as pallbearers. 

Craig-Tyson Berton Tyson
Danville

Funeral service for Craig-Tyson Berton Tyson, 64, was held Jan. 2 at 12:30 p.m. at Decatur Baptist Church with the Rev. Corey Tyson, the Rev. Joe McKaig and the Rev. Jack Bailey officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Burial was in Huntsville Memory Gardens. 

Mr. Tyson died Dec. 28 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born April 27, 1956, in Georgia, to James Burton Tyson and Myrtle McCarthy Tyson. He was employed by Delphi Automotive as a material planner, where he retired after 30 years of service. After his retirement, he worked at Lowe’s in Hartselle.  

He was a loving husband, father, “Pops,” friend and coach. Craig-Tyson was selfless, hardworking and was a sacrificial man. He was a member of the Decatur Baptist Church.  

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Please email any memories, photos or stories to Craig-Tysontyson1956@gmail.com. 

Survivors include his wife, Cindy Tyson; three sons, Chase Tyson (Anna), Corey Tyson (Conner) and Ty Tyson; daughter, Bri Tyson; two brothers, Michael Tyson and Randy Tyson; and grandchildren Lila, Everett and Jett.  

Pallbearers were Roy Dennison, Thomas Roy, Dennis Weaver, Ronnie Shipley, Ray Williams, Jeff Garner, Mitch Roberts and Gregg Holladay. Honorary pallbearer was Drew Dennison.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tyson Family scholarship fund at Redstone Federal Credit Union. 

John-Ryan Robert Ryan 

Priceville 

A private funeral service for John-Ryan Robert Ryan, 69, of Priceville, was held Jan. 2 with Bro. Dale Jenkins and Ron Ryan officiating. A graveside service was held at 4 p.m. at Eva Cemetery.  

Mr. Ryan died Dec. 28. He was born Aug. 2, 1951, in Cullman County to Roland “Shorty” Ryan and Frances Norris Ryan. He is a graduate of Eva High School and Calhoun College. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane Ryan. He was a wonderful husband and loving father and grandfather, who always delighted in his grandchildren and great–grandchildren.  

Mr. Ryan was preceded in death by his parents. 

Survivors Include his wife, Diane Ryan; three children, Julie Carter (Eric), Anthony Ryan (Anna) and Jennifer McCuiston (Ryan); two brothers, Ron Ryan (Betty) and Chris Ryan (Lucretia); eight grandchildren, Emily Owens (Tanner), Caleb Payne, Anna Hill (Trent), Katrina Ryan, Alanna Veach, Ian McCuiston, Madelyn McCuiston and Coleman McCuiston; and six great-grandchildren.  

Pallbearers were Darren Wallace, Dennis Wallace, Davis Wallace, Greg Godwin, Reggie Ryan, CJ Ryan, Ian McCuiston and Caleb Payne. Honorary pallbearers were the Eva Class of 1969. 

Mary Nell Ward Mekras 

Decatur 

Funeral service for Mary Nell Ward Mekras, 83, was held Jan. 3 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.  

Burial was in Gum Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. 

Mrs. Mekras died Dec. 30 at Summerford Nursing Home. 

She was born April 14, 1937, in Morgan County, to Hobson Ward and Bertie Millican Ward. She was a cook for the Pontiac General Hospital prior to her retirement.  

She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. 

Survivors include four sons, Gary Drinkard, Don Drinkard, Dale Drinkard and Ken Drinkard; two daughters, Mary Diann Allen and Judy Ritchie; two brothers, Jerry Ward (Lorene) and Tom Ward; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great–grandchildren. 

Novalene McDowell 

Falkville 

A graveside funeral service and interment for Novalene McDowell, 85, were held Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. at Duck River Baptist Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing. 

Mrs. McDowell died Dec. 30 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born Jan. 28, 1935, in Cullman County to Carol Jean and Ellen Barnes Jean. She was employed by the state of Alabama as a secretary prior to her retirement.  

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hartselle.  

Preceding her in death were her husband, J.R. “Tick” McDowell, her parents, two brothers, Wayne and Randy Jean, and a sister, Betty Long. 

Survivors include one daughter, Melba John-Ryanson, (Jeff); two sons, Bruce McDowell (Tina) and Carl McDowell (Cathy); two sisters, Christine Varner and Barbara Moore; seven grandchildren; and 19 great–grandchildren.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to your favorite charity. 

Margaret Ann Peete Brown
Falkville

Funeral service for Margaret Ann Peete Brown, 74, was held Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rusty Wilkerson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.  Burial was in Valhermoso Holiness Cemetery.   

Mrs. Brown died Dec. 29 at Summerford Nursing Home. She was born Nov. 20, 1946, in Morgan County to Jack Peete and Margaret Lamons. She was a homemaker for her family and a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.  

Preceding her in death were her husband, Derrell (Bigun) Brown; two sons, Gary Wayne and Dewell William Brown; her parents, Jack Peet (Oralee) and Margaret Lamons Cornelius (Harold); her brother, Wayne Peete; and her sisters, Carolyn Hall and Juanita Wilcox. 

Survivors include daughter Marjorie Russell (Billy); brothers Harold Lee Cornelius and Billy Peete; sisters Wilma Jean Damron (PeeWee), Shirley Hill, Christine Cheetam and Billie Turmenne; grandchildren Josh Russell (Jennifer), Justin Brown, Cody Brown and Chad Brown; and great–grandchildren Ethan Russell, Eli Russell and Jackson Brown.
Pallbearers were PeeWee Damron, Charlie Madewell, Langston Worley, Cleon Timmons, James Damron and Gary Thompson.
 

Laura Denise Maddox 

Logan 

Funeral service for Laura Denise Maddox, 50, of Logan was held Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Peck Funeral Home with Carlos Medina officiating. Interment followed in Center Cemetery.  

She was born Sept. 26, 1970, in Moulton, to James M. Moore and Joan Kender Moore. She passed away at her residence Dec. 31.  

She was preceded in death by her father.  

She is survived by her husband, Robert Maddox; her mother, Joan Moore; her mother-in-law, Linda Maddox; her daughters Heather Cottingham and husband Jody and Ashley Williams and husband Billy; brother James E. Moore; and grandchildren Nevaeh Williams, Dalton Williams, Chloe Grace Cottingham, John-Ryan Cottingham and Zoey Cottingham. 

Pallbearers were Billy Williams, Matthew Hodge, Bill Tudor, Jeremy Kilgore, Dean Maddox and Jimmy Maddow. 

M.D. Prater 

Danville 

Funeral service for M. D. Prater, 80, of Danville was held Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. at Danville Baptist Church with the Rev. Jack Bailey and the Rev. Joe David Bailey officiating. Burial was in Corinth Cemetery, with Peck Funeral Home directing.     

Mr. Prater was born Aug. 24, 1940, in Lawrence County to George Lewis Prater and Lillie Myrtis Legg Prater. He passed away Dec. 31 at his residence.  

Mr. Prater was a member of Danville Baptist Church.   

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Estelle Steele. He retired from Wolverine Tube after 28 years.  

Survivors include wife Margaret Prater; son Marty Prater; daughter Amy Bates (Joestus); two brothers, Alford Prater (Mildred) and Leon Prater; sister Veler Stephenson; and one grandchild, Gracin Prater. 

Pallbearers were Eddie Turrentine, David Orr, Charles Penny, Dwayan Steele, Ryan Steele and Tyler Cavinder. 

Rusty John-Ryanson 

Moulton 

Funeral service for Rusty John-Ryanson, 61, of Moulton was held Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. at Fairview Baptist Church in Decatur with the Rev. Brian McLaughlin and the Rev. Ryan John-Ryanson officiating. Burial was in the Lawrence Cove Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.   

Mr. John-Ryanson was born in Troy, Ohio, to James Lee John-Ryanson and Josephine Estella Peirson John-Ryanson. He passed away Dec. 31 at Lawrence Baptist Medical Center.   

Mr. John-Ryanson was a member at Fairview Baptist Church in Decatur. He retired from Champion Paper after 34 years. He also owned Rustic Garden Landscapes.  

Survivors include wife Vanessa John-Ryanson of Moulton; son Ryan John-Ryanson (Becki) of Dixon’s Mills; daughter Rachel John-Ryanson of Kitwe, Zambia; parents Jim and Jo-e John-Ryanson of Decatur; brother Rodney John-Ryanson of Decatur; and three grandchildren, Ashlyn, Aubrey and Aidyn. 

Pallbearers were Tim Livingston, Lloyd Alexander, Bill Newby, Charles Jones, Dewayne Wells and Jeremy John-Ryanson.  

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Rachel John-Ryanson Mission Fund, IBM Global, P.O. Box 607, Nashua, NH 03061, www.ibmglobal.org/johnson, or Brandon Smith Scholarship Fund, Decatur Baptist Church, 2527 Danville Road SW, Decatur, AL 35603. 

Lorraine Goodwin Lee 

Hartselle 

Funeral service for Lorraine Goodwin Lee, 80, of Hartselle, was held Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. at Calvary Assembly with Pastor George Sawyer, Pastor Tony Willis and Pastor Josh Wilbanks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was at Burningtree Memorial Gardens.  

Mrs. Lee died Dec. 31. She was born Aug. 17, 1940, in Walker County to Curtis Lee Goodwin and Azalee Amogene Sandlin Goodwin.   

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ronald Goodwin; and sister, Lalouise Gilbert.  

Survivors include her husband, Gene Lee; two daughters, Janine Cody (Chris) and Beth McQueen (Brian); one sister, Iris Goodwin; three grandchildren, Christina Whittier (Broderick), Breanna Berry (Josh) and Erin McQueen; and one great–grandchild, Eliza Whittier.  

Pallbearers were family and friends. 

Looney 

Falkville 

Funeral service for Looney, 75, of Falkville was held Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. at Roundtop Community Church with the Rev. Pearl Jenkins officiating. Burial was at Roundtop Cemetery. Peck Funeral Home directed.  

Mrs. Looney was born May 15, 1945, in Morgan County to Marvin “Tip” Smith and Rosie Lilice Caudle Smith. She passed away Jan. 1 at her residence.  

Mrs. Looney was a great mom, sister and hard worker. She made friends with everyone and was loved dearly. She was also a member of the Senior Citizens Center at Falkville. 

Survivors include two daughters, Melinda Shaddrix and Joyce Lawrence; brother, Skippy Smith; sister, Sylvia McClellan; and six grandchildren, Kodie Shaddrix, Courtney Shaddrix, Summer Lawrence, Jakob Lawrence, Bailey Lawrence and Brasher Lawrence. 

Pallbearers were Colton Smith, Steve McClellan, Mike McClellan, Daniel McClellan, Nick Smith and Brantsen Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Stan Smith, Skipper Smith and Preston Lindley. 

Jimmy Doyle Day 

Hartselle 

Jimmy Doyle Day passed away Jan. 1 at the age of 71. He spent almost his entire life in Hartselle. He was the son of Modie and Edna Day.  

His most recent residence was at Presbyterian Towers in Decatur.  

He is survived by his brother Doug Moss and sister-in-law Tammy Moss, both of Hartselle, and nephews Lane Moss of Cary, N.C., and Scott Moss of Birmingham.  

He had a career working for Mutual Savings in Decatur as a mail clerk. He loved history, telling jokes and cheering for the Alabama football team. He was deeply loved, and his presence will truly be missed by his family and countless friends.  

There will be a family graveside service Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. at Moss Chapel. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to any local charity.