Obituaries August 11 – 17
Bobby Dean Lawrence Sr.
Hartselle
Funeral service for Bobby Dean Lawrence Sr., 88, was held Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. at New Friendship Baptist Church with Bro. Greg Standridge officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in New Friendship Cemetery.
Mr. Lawrence died Aug. 8 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Oct. 6, 1932, in Morgan County to Woodrow Wilson Lawrence and Myrtle Elizabeth Muzzey Lawrence.
Bobby was employed by ConAgra as a truck driver prior to his retirement. He served in the United States Army as a corporal in the Korean War. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Lawrence; sons, Woodrow Harold “Butch” Lawrence and Bobby Dean Lawrence Jr.; and his parents.
He enjoyed his family, riding his trike motorcycle, gardening and flowers and gospel music. He was a member of New Friendship Baptist Church.
Survivors include his son, James Lawrence (Karen), Mobile; daughter, Sheila Young, Hartselle; sisters, Betty Standridge (Byron), Caddo, and Jean Houser, Priceville; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were James Petty, Nick Young, Glenn Standridge, Spike Smith, Jeremy Watts and Nathan Lawrence.
Bridget Melson Wynn
Hartselle
Funeral service for Bridget Melson Wynn, 42, was held Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Holland officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mrs. Wynn died Aug. 10 at her residence. She was born Dec. 23, 1978, in Morgan County to Bobby Franklin Melson and Barbara Nell Williams Melson. She was a homemaker, wonderful wife, mother, sister and aunt.
She was preceded in death by her son, Austin Melson, and her mother, Barbara Williams Melson.
Survivors include her husband, Jeff Wynn; son, Jeffrey Wynn; father, Bobby Melson (Kay); brothers, Kevin Melson, Chad Melson (Aleshia) and Jason Wiley (Ciera); sisters, Melissa Melson and Christi Johnson (Jeremiah); nephews, Corey Melson (April), Josh Melson, Dylan Turner, Dusty Wiley, J.D. Wynn, Shane Sieweke, Harrison Sparks and Luke Sparks; nieces, Holly Melson, Haley Melson, Sarah Lyles, Cayla Kimbrough, Heather Moore, Mary Beth Moore and Amber Wynn; grandfather, Leon Williams (Talley); and companion dog, Toby.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Stella “Jackie” Garnett Stiles
Hartselle
Funeral service for Stella “Jackie” Garnett Stiles, 90, was held Aug. 15 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Randy Ashley and Bro. A. Ray Lee officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Herring Cemetery.
Mrs. Stiles passed away on Aug. 11. She was born Nov. 1, 1930, in Morgan County to Homer H. Boger and Lola I. (Tidwell) Boger. She was a lifelong member of the Lebanon Baptist Church, and she loved her church and her church family. She was a loving mother, grandmother and homemaker, was an avid reader and liked country and gospel music. She enjoyed cooking, and after becoming handicapped, she made hundreds of jars of pear preserves for family and friends. She loved camping and was a charter member of Little Mountain Marina on Lake Guntersville. She had visited 42 of the United States and Canada.
She was employed by the Morgan County School System as a bus driver for approximately 20 years, taking tech students from Falkville High School to Brewer High. She was then a Walmart greeter for nine years, prior to retiring.
She was a person who loved doing for others and was so proud of her loving, big family.
Preceding her in death were two husbands, John H. Garnett and Charles Stiles; a son, Larry Garnett; her parents; two sisters, Jean Knox Mooney and Ima Hughes; and a great-granddaughter, Olivia Alred.
Her family would like to send a special thank you to Amedisus Hospice, Patsy Pate and Dolly Knox for their special care.
Survivors include sons, Michael Garnett (Lanett) and Chris Garnett (Amy); daughters, Tammy Jo Moss (Doug) and Mary Beth Self (Jason); brother, Hewlett Boger (Mary); 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Dusty Garnett, Marty Garnett, Jonathon Alred, Hunter Garnett, Joseph Owen, Kaleb Barker and Stephen Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of Lebanon Baptist Church, Steve Boger and Mitchell Hughes.
Wesley Keith Rusk
Falkville
Funeral service for Wesley Keith Rusk, 45, of Falkville, was held Aug. 14 at Eva Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with Bro. Phillip Robinson, Bro. Dustin Smith and Bro. Zack Scott officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held at Lawrence Cove Cemetery.
Mr. Rusk died Aug. 10 at Vanderbilt Medical Center. He was born Jan. 28, 1976, to Rayburn Lee Rusk and Mary Lou Hudson Rusk.
Mr. Rusk was employed by Daikin America.
He was a member and deacon at Eva Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking and playing guitar. He was a jack of all trades and could fix anything. He had a servant’s heart and was always willing to help anyone in need. He loved his family and friends wholeheartedly.
He was preceded in death by his mother.
Survivors Include his wife, Sharona Rusk; one son, Braden Rusk; one daughter, Breia Rusk; father, Rayburn Rusk; two brothers, Alan Rusk (Cheryl) and Bernard Rusk (Mandria); one sister, Shannon Chandler (Mike); brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Shawn and Kristy Jones; mother-in-law, Sandra Childers; nephews, Brennen Jones, Brody Rusk, Tanner Rusk, Zach Chandler and Nijhal Chandler; and nieces, Kaelyn Jones and Madison Rusk.
Pallbearers were Jason Hill, Scott Stamps, Harlan Campbell, Dwight Roper, Leon Mosteller and Shawn Jones.
Honorary pallbearers were Brennen Jones, Brody Rusk, Tanner Rusk, Zach Chandler and Nijhal Chandler.
Kathleen Joyce Powers Holler
Falkville
Mrs. Holler passed away Aug. 12 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She was born July 10, 1942, in Ohio to George Milton Powers and Mildred Stupica Powers. She was affectionately known as “Grammie” and was employed by Sunbridge Health and Rehab prior to her retirement.
Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, son John David Hlavsa, brothers Tommy and George Powers and sisters Millie Waring, Nancy Powers and Darlene Powers.
Survivors include her son, John George Hlavsa; daughters, April Darlene Green (Cecil) and Mildred Ann Clark (Robert); sister, June Knabe; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
No services were scheduled.
William Herschel Freeman
Decatur
Funeral service for William Herschel Freeman, 99, was held Aug. 14 at noon at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Wendell Bennett and Bro. Phillip Robinson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Good Hope Cemetery in Cullman County.
Mr. Freeman passed away Aug. 10. He was born Oct. 5, 1921, in Cullman County to William H. Freeman and Vessie Bice Freeman.
Mr. Freeman was a member of the Flint Baptist Church, where he was very active and loved his Sunday School class. He was a devout Christian and loved sitting outside with his dog, Spot, and reading his Bible.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was in the Korean, Japan, Burma and Vietnam War. He retired after 35 years from Goodyear. He then went to work at James R. Smith as a truck driver, and he later bought and opened up Freeman’s Grocery.
He always loved sitting around and talking with people. Many friendships and memories were made while serving the community. He later went on to drive a dump truck for Johnson, Bates and Legg.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Rilla Wynell Freeman; son, Larry Herschel Freeman; brothers, J.C., Buren, Herbert and Javan Freeman; and sisters, Imogene and Willodean Robinson.
He loved his family, and he loved getting together and seeing the grandkids. He blessed many lives during his 99 years.
“You will forever be in our hearts.”
Survivors include two daughters, Regina McDonald (Billy) and Linda Chugh; brother, Roland Freeman (Ann); 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Steve Hall, John McCleskey, Wheeler Kirby, Jason Hill, Ronnie Thorne and Ricky Benson.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Flint Baptist Church “Vision,” 4119 U.S. Highway 31, Decatur, AL 35603.
Reda Gail Legg
Vinemont
Reda Gail Legg, 71, of Vinemont passed away July 31.
Reda was born May 3, 1950, in Arab to Ottis Talmage and Peggy Kennedy Bennefield. She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Durk Dewayne Bennefield.
She graduated from Arab High School in 1968.
She is survived by her husband, J.R. Legg; daughter, Sethary Clairyse Legg; sons, Timothy “Tim” A. Legg and Joseph “Jody” B. Legg; grandchildren, Brittany (Skyler) Barnes and Steven Ryan Legg; and great-grandchildren, Jordyn Barnes, Ares Drew Morgan and Blaise Barnes.
A funeral service was held Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. at Moss Service Funeral Home Chapel, 1901 Second Ave. NW, Cullman. The Rev. Delbert Freeman and the Rev. Kenneth Terry officiated. Interment followed at Falkville City Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mossservicefh.com for the Legg family.
Kitty Ann Thomas
Hartselle
Funeral service for Kitty Ann Thomas, 53, was held Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Thomas passed away Aug. 11 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She was born Feb. 16, 1968, in Mississippi, to Franklin Krebs and Alice Ann Sullivan. She was employed as a medical coder for Optum Healthcare prior to her passing. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her father, Franklin Krebs, and her stepmother, Katherine Krebs.
Survivors include her husband, Phillip Thomas; mother, Alice Ann Sullivan; daughter, Bethany Hughes (Landon); brothers, Dale Krebs, Art Krebs, Michael Sullivan and Steve Giles; sisters, Anita Pfiefer, Donna Johnson and Denise Keith; grandchild, Liam Hughes; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Morgan County Animal Shelter.
Jessica Dale Leeth
Falkville
Miss Jessica Dale Leeth, 39, passed away Aug. 12 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born Aug. 19, 1981, in Cullman County to Jimmie Leeth and Sherry Smith Leeth. She was a homemaker and a wonderful mother, daughter and sister.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Sherry Smith Leeth, and her brother, Cody Leeth.
Survivors include her father, Jimmie Leeth; son, Donovan James Leeth; daughter, Gwendolyn Clair Cranor; brother, Matthew Leeth; and sister, Joanna Leeth.
A memorial service will be held by her family at a later date.
John Kelly Halbrooks
Hartselle
Funeral service for John Kelly Halbrooks was held Aug. 17 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Gunter officiating. Burial was in the Moss Chapel Cemetery. Peck Funeral Home directed.
Mr. Halbrooks was born Oct. 17, 1976, in Decatur to John Halbrooks and Patricia Ann Hargett Halbrooks Rice.
He passed away Aug. 13 at his residence.
He was preceded in death by his father.
John had a huge heart and always made everybody laugh. He loved his friends and family and was an avid Alabama fan.
Survivors include his mother, Patricia Rice; two brothers, Keith Halbrooks and Dustin Rice; and sister, Renae Butler (Randy).
Pallbearers were Keith Halbrooks, Dustin Rice, Randy Butler, Brian Wallace, Dan Wallace and Keith Sheppard.
Mary Grace Asherbranner
Danville
Funeral service for Mary Grace Asherbranner, 93, of Danville was held Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church South of Danville with the Rev. Joe Clement officiating. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery. Peck Funeral Home directed.
Mrs. Asherbranner was born Dec. 11, 1927, in Morgan County to Ernest Vest and Ada Wallace Vest. She passed away Aug. 13 at her residence. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, south of Danville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Travis Asherbranner and several brothers and sisters. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved Friendship Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Joe Asherbranner (Sandra) and Jimmy Asherbranner; daughter, Patricia Hogan (Ronald); sister, Mildred Blackwood; seven grandchildren, Beth Morris, Jessica Morris, Josh Hogan, Daniel Hogan, Ben Hogan, Logan Asherbranner and Jason Asherbranner; and nine great-grandchildren, Kamron, Keaton, Mila, Asher, Casey, Baylen, Easton, Mason, and Brayden.
Pallbearers were her grandsons.
Wanda Joyce Maze Bogle
Falkville
Visitation for Wanda Joyce Maze Bogle, 75, of Falkville was held Aug. 15 from 1-3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.
Mrs. Bogle, who was born July 5, 1946, in Morgan County to Luther Maze and Ponnie Chappell Maze died Aug. 13 at UAB Medical Center in Birmingham. She was retired from the Morgan County School System, where she worked as a secretary.
After retirement she enjoyed gardening and working in her flowers.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister and grandmother and loved being involved in whatever her grandchildren happened to be doing.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Bogle; a son, Chris Bogle; a daughter, Jennifer James (Justin); a brother, Wayne Maze; four sisters, Betty Patterson, Kathy Maze, Patty Sandy and Linda Hopper; and six grandchildren, Brittany Bogle, Ivy Carmack, Mackenzie Bogle, Rylee James, Darcy Carmack and Lola Carmack.
In lieu of flowers, make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.
