Obituaries the week of September 1, 2021
Reba Godsey
Hartselle
Reba Godsey, 74, passed away Aug. 21 at Huntsville Hospital.
She was born Oct. 1, 1946, in Franklin County to Marion Alfred Jones and Flora Jane Nix Jones. She was employed with Walmart as a sales associate prior to her retirement.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Survivors include her husband, John Godsey; sons, Michael Godsey (Ashley) and John Paul Godsey (Amy); brother, Larry Jones; sister, Charlotte Stults (Rickey); four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Janet W. Woods
Falkville
Funeral service for Janet W. Woods, 69, was held Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Bro. Stephen Cannon officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Childers Cemetery.
Mrs. Woods died Aug. 23 at her residence. She was born June 8, 1952, in Morgan County to James Loyd Wallace Sr. and Janie Belle Cowan Wallace. She was employed as an accounting clerk for the United States Army prior to her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donnie Woods; a daughter, Joni Woods; her parents; and her brothers, Joe Wallace and Loyd Wallace.
Survivors include two sons, John Blackwood (Tabatha) and Jeremy Blackwood (Beth); two daughters, Jana Kirkpatric and Michelle Reeves (Kerry); brother, Johnie Wallace; sister, Joyce Kirkpatrick (Frankie); seven grandsons; four granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Brett Blackwood, Trevor Blackwood, Collin Blackwood, Paxton Reeves, Ryan Bradford and Kenny Brown. Honorary pallbearer was David Halbrooks.
Johnnie Sparks
Lacey’s Spring
Johnnie Sparks, 88, of Lacey’s Spring passed away Monday.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Sparks; son, Terry Sparks; parents, Warnie and Susie Jackson; brother, Voyd Jackson; sisters, Mae Bohy, Jean Carlisle and Elizabeth Small; and nephew, William Small.
Survivors include a daughter, Cathye Hendrix (John); grandchildren, Michael Mitchell, David Mitchell (Tammy), Dale Mitchell (Teresa), Beth Grantham (Neal) and Matthew Hendrix (Cristen); and seven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Sparks worked at Lacey’s Spring School, Missile Command and Pro Electric. She was a member of Lacey’s Spring Church of Christ.
A graveside service followed was held at 11 a.m. Aug. 27 at Hough Cemetery in Lacey’s Spring with Tim Sutton officiating.
Roger Young
Decatur
A graveside funeral service and interment for Roger Young, 65, was held Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. at New Hope North Cemetery, with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Young died Aug. 20 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. He was born July 9, 1956, in Cullman County to Dwight James Young and Nellie Katherine Holmes.
Mr. Young was a wonderful husband and a great father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed fishing, cooking for his family and friends, spending time with his brothers and making people laugh.
He was employed by Cerrowire in the maintenance department prior to his passing.
Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Charles and Kenny Young.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Young; sons, Shane Young (Stephanie) and Justin Ball (Trish); daughters, Cassy Littrell and Bea Smith (Berry); brothers, Mark Young (Beth) and Mike Young (Kim); in-laws, Don and Della Veerman; grandchildren, Adriana, Adam, Hanna (Patrick), Mason, Landon and Lawson; and great-grandchildren, Dawson, Jackson and Reese.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Hulean “Joe” Briscoe
Hartselle
Funeral service for Hulean “Joe” Briscoe, 79, was held Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Glenn Smallwood officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens.
Mr. Briscoe died Aug. 23 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Oct. 6, 1941, in Morgan County to Rufus Briscoe and Mary Margret Walls Briscoe. He was employed as a forklift operator for Fruehauf Corporation prior to his retirement.
Joe had no children of his own, but he was a father figure to many and loved his wife dearly. He was an avid hunter of deer, rabbit and squirrels. He loved animals and raised dogs, horses and chickens, and he enjoyed fishing. He loved to wagon ride and have get-togethers with family, and he especially loved bluegrass and gospel music!
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Shorty Briscoe and Possum Briscoe.
Survivors include his wife, Nena Briscoe; brother, Buddy Briscoe; and sisters, Nell Naylor (Bobby) and Christine Clemons.
Pallbearers were Jason Muse, Steve Duke, Jacob Wilbanks, Walter Oakes, Curtis Weaver and Ken Edmonson. Honorary pallbearers were Billy Briscoe and Ronald Wilbanks.
The Rev. Thomas E. Elder
Hartselle
Funeral service for the Rev. Thomas E. Elder, 82, was held Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Matt Buttram, the Rev. Mike Pope and Officer Mike Corley officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Burningtree Memorial Gardens.
The Rev. Elder passed away Aug. 25 at Hospice Family Care.
He was born Sept. 23, 1938, in Macon County, Georgia, to Paul Oscar Elder and Hazel Newberry Elder. He was the pastor of Mount Hope United Methodist Church, and he was in the ministry for 62 years for the United Methodist and Free Methodist Churches.
He served as the chaplain for the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department for many years.
The Rev. Elder was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Elizabeth Baird.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Elder; sons, James E. Elder (Heather), David A. Elder (Kelly), M. Bruce Elder (Dawn) and Steven K. Snyder (Robyn); daughters, Carla Osborn (Chris) and Danielle Westrope (Drew); brothers, Russell M. Elder, Paul M. Elder (Linda) and J. Wesley Elder (Diane); 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many wonderful friends.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Dorothy M. Garrison Johnson
Eva
Mrs. Dorothy M. Garrison Johnson, 73, passed away Aug. 25 at Hospice Family Care. She was born Nov. 8, 1947, in Ohio to John William Hummel and Betty Jane Ellis Hummel.
She was a homemaker for her family that she loved dearly. She loved playing cards and spending time with her grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.
Survivors include her daughters, Becky Nobinger (Gene), Jessie Adams (Clint) and Callie Johnson; brother, John Hummel; sister, Wanda Ballinger; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
No services were scheduled at this time.
Sherrill Eugene Hopper
Hanceville
A graveside funeral service and interment for Sherrill Eugene Hopper, 71, was held Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. at Union Hill Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Hopper died Aug. 25 at UAB Hospital.
He was born Dec. 8, 1949, in Blount County to Otis Hopper and Lorene Floyd Hopper. He was employed as a supervisor for Shelby Contracting prior to his retirement. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, brother and friend.
Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Jerry Lee Hopper, and son Nathan Smith.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Hopper; son, Shawn Smelser (Jessica); daughters, Cindy Bryan (Rob), Carolyn Smith, Nancy Ballenger (Ricky) and Nicole Smelser; brother, Joe Hopper (Lucy); sisters, Rosemary Russell, Sandra Dunn (Larry) and Yvonne Earls; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Shawn Smelser, Michael Hopper, Tim Moore, Greg Moore, Stan Smith, Jason West and Dustin Earls.
Geraldine Binkley
Somerville
A graveside funeral service and interment for Geraldine Binkley, 84, was held Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. at Antioch Cemetery with Bro. Thomas Larkin officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Mrs. Binkley died Aug. 27 at her residence. She was born Sept. 26, 1936, in Davidson County, Tennessee, to Olice Edward Conchin and Willie Mae Freeman Conchin. She was a member of the Union Church of Christ.
Married to the love of her life, Howell Binkley, for 65 years, she was a wonderful wife and mother of three boys. She was employed by the Lurleen Wallace Developmental Center from 1970 until her retirement in 1984. She was a business manager and bookkeeper.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Stephen Binkley; a daughter-in-law, Sebra Binkley; and two brothers, Ronnie Conchin and James Conchin.
Survivors include husband Howell Binkley; sons, Richard Wayne Binkley and Phillip Ray Binkley; sister, June Blackwell; and her grandchildren, Kimberly Bryant (Ron) and Christopher Binkley.
Pallbearers were elders and deacons of her church.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of the Valley or to the Parkinson’s Association.
Charlcie Dianne Hollis
Hartselle
Funeral service for Charlcie Dianne Hollis, 66, will be held Sept. 1 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tom Watson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Grange Hall Cemetery.
Miss Hollis died Aug. 27 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born July 7, 1955, in Georgia, to Hershell Junior Hollis and Mary Virginia Woods Hollis. She worked in the cafeteria for Calhoun Community College prior to her retirement. She was a very loving person.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Mary Jane Terry and Linda Jones and brothers Bradley Hollis and Sandy Hollis.
Survivors include one brother, Jerry Thorn (Pat); sisters, Helen Martin, Bonnie Smith, Deanna Dial (Jason), Leanna Mauffray (Terry) and Kristi Kemper (Mike); and 53 nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Steven Stinson, Ronnie Stinson, Bryson Stinson, Bryce Parker, Brian Parker and Donnie Mauffray.
Rickey Martin
Falkville
Mr. Rickey Martin, 67, passed away Aug. 27 at Cullman Reginal Medical Center.
He was born to Billy and Lurleen Martin Dec. 16, 1953, in Decatur. He was a fabricator supervisor at Valley Rubber for 17 years before retiring. He was a member of First Faith Church of Falkville.
He was a good stepfather and provider to all children. He loved to garden and was his wife’s best friend.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Lurleen Martin. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Martin; sons, Michael Van Wagmen, Jason Van Wagmen (Becki), Velton McDougle and Matthew Van Wagmen (Sandra); daughter, Christine Glenn (Jeff); several grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held Sept. 2 at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of Peck Funeral Home.
J.L. Sanders
Hartselle
Graveside service for J. L. Sanders, 84, was held Aug. 30 at 3 p.m. at Walnut Grove Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
- L. passed away Aug.27 at his residence. He was born Oct.1, 1936, in Morgan County to Richard Luther Sanders and Carmon Nelson Sanders. He was a member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church.
He worked as a car salesman for Peek Oldsmobile & Cadillac and Smith Motors.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, R. L. “Dink” Sanders and Carmon Nelson Sanders, and a sister, Joyce Sanders Drake.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Annie Ree Pridmore Sanders; son, Joe Russell Sanders (Christina); daughter, Janet Sanders Kitchens (Randy); granddaughter, Julie Carpenter (Frank); grandson, Drew Terrell; great-grandsons, Cohen Terrell and Luke Carpenter; and brother, Roy Sanders (Betty).
Pallbearers were Eddie Davis, John McCord, John Bradford, Johnny Coker, Kevin Hunter and Steve Condo. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Thompson and Ed Taylor.
Wanda Darlene Smith
Decatur
Funeral service for Wanda Darlene Smith, 65, will be Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Timothy Smith officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Johnson Cemetery. Visitation will be Sept. 2 from 10-11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home.
Mrs. Smith died Aug. 28 at her residence. She was born July 19, 1956, in Morgan County to Allen Woodrow Dugger and Melba Lee Oglesby Dugger. She was retired from nursing at Parkway Medical Center as an LPN. She was a wonderful Christian lady and a loving wife, mother and
grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Edward Smith; sons, Timothy Smith and Anthony Pugh (Amanda); brothers, Gerald Dugger and Troy Dugger; sister, Barbara Waits; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.