Obituaries the Week of Sept. 15
Betty Ruth Fuller Owens
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Betty Ruth Fuller Owens, 90, was held Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. at Burningtree Memorial Gardens with Phillip Hines officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Mrs. Owens passed away Aug. 31 at her residence. She was born Jan. 2, 1931, in Lawrence County to Lonnie Griggs Fuller and Erma Ethel Kyle Fuller. She was employed by Riverside Assisted Living as a cook prior to her retirement. She enjoyed baking and making wedding cakes. She was a member of the Hartselle Church of Christ and the Priceville Civitans.
Preceding her in death were a son, Karey Owens; her parents; two brothers, Gerald and Ronald Fuller; and a granddaughter, Ashleigh Carrie Owens.
Survivors include husband, John Owens; son, Kenneth Owens; daughters, Sheri Owens and Karen Owens; sister, Rachel James; and granddaughter, Alexandria Owens.
Her nephews served as pallbearers.
Helen “Sue” Hill
Hartselle
Funeral service for Helen “Sue” Hill, 72, was held Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Daniel Couch officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Hill died Sept. 4 at Huntsville Hospital.
She was born June 23,1949 in Morgan County to James Hopper and Margaret Hardin Hopper. She was a beautician and the owner of the Beauty Nook in downtown Hartselle for more than 40 years.
She is preceded in death by her parents and sister Anne Hopper.
Survivors include her husband, Charles Hill; one son, Cameron Hill; two daughters, Danielle Hart and Courtney Hargrove (Aaron); one sister, Dorothy Wilburn; four grandchildren, Brianna Hart, Briley Hart, Brintley Hart and Hunter Hargrove; and one great-grandchild, Ava Stockett.
Pallbearers were family members.
John (Johnny) Walker Woodall
Hartselle
John (Johnny) Walker Woodall, 81, of Hartselle passed away at his home Sept. 4.
Mr. Woodall was born Oct. 18, 1939, in Hollywood to the late Clarence Walker and Hattie Lou Woodall of Scottsboro.
John graduated from Samford University and New Orleans Theological Seminary. His life took him from Alabama to Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland and finally back to his sweet home in Alabama.
John had the ability to reach out and touch so many lives as a pastor and chaplain who comforted, supported, advised and encouraged so many people. John never met a stranger.
John started many congregations, but the most memorable is the Interfaith Center in Columbia, Maryland. CBF focused on Christian fellowship, growth and service within the community.
He served on numerous committees, organizations and foundations, such as the Refugee Resettlement in Howard County, Maryland, and the Chaplaincy Ministry that provided comfort to the dying and grieving.
He taught nurses at Johns Hopkins about death and dying and help start a hospice in Madison in 1980. He was a member of ARC organization for the intellectually disabled. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Development in Jackson County.
John loved Scottsboro, where he enjoyed fishing, boating and his cabins on the Tennessee River.
Mr. Woodall is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Carole Kite Woodall; his sister, Elizabeth W. Hooper (Danny); his daughter, Elizabeth W. Cooper (Randall); his sons, Jon Mark Woodall (Karen C.) and Bryant Ephriam Woodall; grandchildren, Brendan Reaves Counts, Ryan Mark Woodall, Lucas Trent Woodall and Joshua Ryan Cooper; nephews, Mike Word and Ed Word; and niece, Melinda W. Ray.
The family will have a Celebration of Life that will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Encompass Health–Hospice of Decatur.
The family extends a special thanks to John’s caregivers, nurse Michelle King, Tina Green, Rachel Roper and Cindy Shields.
David Bradley Cobb
Hartselle
Funeral services for David Bradley Cobb, 34, was held Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Stephen Payne and Chris Smith officiating. Burial was in Herring Cemetery.
Brad was born June 12, 1987 at Decatur General to Doug Cobb and Connie Hill. He was a proud soldier, serving in the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was studying automotive technology at Calhoun Community College at the time of his passing.
Survivors include his parents, Doug Cobb and Connie Hill; stepfather, Tommie Hill; brothers, Johnny Cobb (Marti), Wesley Cobb (Emmaline Fenner) and Jonathan Hill (Kristen); and nephew and nieces, Mackenzie Cobb, Colby Cobb, Zelda Cobb and Addison Hill.
Pallbearers were Johnny Cobb, Michael Cobb, Jonathan Hill, Colby Cobb, Amanda Thompson and Jackie Wilson.
Virginia D. Allen
Hartselle
Graveside service and interment for Virginia D. Allen, 76, was held Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Somerville Historical Cemetery with the Rev. Rickey Clemons officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Allen died Sept. 6 at Huntsville Hospital. She was born Jan. 27, 1945, in Gilbert, West Virginia, to Virgil and Fannie Ellis Allen. She retired from Cedar Ridge Elementary School as a custodian and was
a member of Somerville Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Matthew Allen.
Survivors include husband, Edwin Allen; three sons, Darrell Allen, Mickey Allen (Lauren) and Scott Allen (Angela); one brother, Orville Allen; grandchildren, Erica Patterson, Julianna Allen, Thomas Allen, Isabella Allen, Melanie Allen, Mary Allen, Rachel Sides, Emma Allen, Elijah Allen, Aliya Parks, Bryson Parks and Kimberly Griffin; and great-grandchildren, Coraline Kate Patterson, Axl Patterson, Kingston Parks and Alyssa Sadie Kaiyane Saari.
Darrell Allen, Mickey Allen, Scott Allen, John Hawkins, Bryson Parks, Chris Dunn and Jeremy Patterson served as pallbearers.
Wade O. Slappey
Somerville
Funeral service for Wade O. Slappey, 66, was held Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. at Center Springs United Methodist Church with Bro. Stacy Turney and Bro. Eric Brown officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Center Springs Cemetery.
Mr. Slappey died Sept. 6 at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center. He was born Oct. 30, 1954, in Georgia, to James Irvin Slappey and Hilda Laura Heaton. He worked in construction until his retirement and was a devoted father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Suzie Slappey.
Survivors include his son, Patrick Slappey (Tammy), Somerville; daughters, Angela Garrone (Pete), Mobile, Crystal Cooley (Jeff), Bay Minette, and Cindy Martin (Allen), Fairhope; brother, James Ira Slappey, Albany, Georgia; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Danny Young, Terry Johnson, Stewart Vest, Kenneth Shook, Keelin Shook and Lee Mance.
Diane Thomason Legg
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Diane Thomason Legg, 74, was held Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. at Herring Cemetery with Bro. Michael Gunter and Bro. Justin McAlpin officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Mrs. Legg died Sept. 6 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born July 15, 1947, in Morgan County to William Oscar Thomason and Audie Laney Thomason.
Diane was a homemaker for her family and a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her quote was “Live today! Yesterday is but a memory, tomorrow an uncharted course, so live today that it will be a memory without remorse.”
Preceding her in death were her parents and a sister, Angie Moss.
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (KVJ).
Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Legg; son, Heath Legg (April); daughter, Jana Tucker (Mike); grandchildren, Ella Grace, Luke and Case; and nephews, Lane Moss and Scott Moss.
Pallbearers were Brian Sparkman, Scott Moss, Flint Jennings and Jimmy Whitt.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home in Decatur.
Frances Marie Wilbanks
Hartselle
Funeral service for Frances Marie Wilbanks, 76, was held Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. John Johnson and Bro. Roger Ammons officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was
in Friendship Cemetery, south of Danville.
Mrs. Wilbanks died Sept. 8 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born May 24, 1945, in Florida, to Ivey Dowling and Florence Adele Dawdy Dowling.
She was a member of the Independent Holy Church of Christ and loved the Lord deeply.
She supported her husband, Gordon, as they played and sang gospel music with the Wilbanks Family and other local gospel groups. She enjoyed going to the Senior Center and playing cards, especially “Hands and Foot,” and loved to go camping and fishing.
She retired from General Electric, where she worked in production.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband, Gordon Wilbanks, Hartselle; brother, Troy Yarborough, Dona Vista, Florida; sisters, Jean Willis, Palmetto, Florida, and Peggy McAllister, Bradington, Florida.
Pallbearers were nephews and friends.
Richard Wayne Jones
Hartselle
Funeral service for Richard Wayne Jones, 41, was held Sept. 12 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Micah Reed officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Mr. Jones died Sept. 8 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born Jan. 29, 1980, in Madison County to Richard Edward Jones and Mona Lee McBride Jones. He was employed as a chemical specialist at BASF prior to his passing.
Survivors include his wife, Victoria Brooke Jones; son, Mason Jones; daughters, Makinley Moore and Mavery Jones; father, Richard Jones (Carrie); mother, Mona Jones; brother, Steven Jones (Sara); sister, Jennie Curtis; and grandparents Grady and Linda McBride.
Donna Peden
Somerville
A visitation was held for Donna Peden, 68, Sept. 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home.
Mrs. Peden died Sept. 9 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born Sept. 6, 1953, in Walker County to James Reese and Ruby Wilson Reese. She was a homemaker for her family and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Preceding her in death were her husband, James Maxwell, and brothers, James L. Reese, David Harvey Reese and Jerry Reese.
Survivors include her sons, Eddie Peden (Melody) and Jamie Peden (Shantai); daughter, Lisa Walls; brothers, Donald Reese and Larry Reese; sisters, Linda Griffin, Gail McDonald, Judy Bonds and Karen Reese; grandchildren, Misty Martin, Robert Peden, Trinity Peden, Trent Bannister, Levi Kyle, Chase Gatlin, Chelsey Peden, Chasadey Peden, Grayson Peden and Tyler Ray Gatlin; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Martin, Ely Martin, Ashton Case, Ryan Case and Madilynn Gant; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Martha Jo Speegle
Birmingham
Funeral service for Martha Jo Speegle, 73, was held Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. at Cotaco Methodist Church with Bro. Don Murphy officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Shoal Creek Cemetery.
Mrs. Speegle died Sept. 9 at Valley View Health & Rehab. She was born Feb. 21, 1948, in Morgan County to Limus H. Murphy and Mildred Evelyn McAnally Murphy. She was employed as a finance manager for First Community Credit prior to her retirement.
She was of the Methodist faith and was a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ken Speegle; her parents; and a sister, Linda Halbert.
Survivors include her daughters, Tina Allen and Tammy Payne (Bruce); brother, Michael Murphy (Donna); sisters, Kathy Farrow and Barbara Campbell; and grandchildren, Brock Payne and Taylor Payne.
Pallbearers were Brock Payne, Trenton Heusel, John Heusel, Cody Allen, Eli Allen and Roger Schooley.
Danny Speakman
Hartselle
Funeral service for Danny Speakman, 64, of Hartselle will be held Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Geoff Halbrooks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Burningtree Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Speakman was born Jan. 7, 1957, in Winchester, Tennessee, to Ollie E. Speakman and Mary V. Taylor Speakman. He passed away Sept. 11 at Decatur-Morgan Hospital.
Danny was preceded in death by his parents, wife Renate Speakman, brothers Frankie Speakman and Jessie Speakman and sister Donna Speakman.
He was a beloved father, husband and Paw Paw.
Survivors include three sons, Danny R. Speakman (Tina), Eric Speakman (Lindsey) and Norman Terry; two brothers, Ollie Speakman Jr. and Stanley Speakman; sister, Judy Crow; 10 grandchildren, Kiley Maples (Cole), Matthew Speakman, D. C. Speakman, Camden Speakman, MacKenzie Speakman, Bryson Whisante, Sawyer Whisante, Blakley Speakman, Tommy Gifford and Chase Gifford; and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Danny R. Speakman, Eric Speakman, Matthew Speakman, D. C. Speakman, Cam Speakman and Bryson Whisante.
Rhonda Atkins McKissack
Hartselle
Funeral service for Rhonda Atkins McKissack, 52, was held Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kevin Patterson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. McKissack passed away Sept. 10 at Hospice Family Care. She was born May 11, 1969, in Morgan County to Bobbie Joe Atkins and Judy Wray Atkins.
Rhonda was a substitute teacher for many years in the Hartselle City Schools district. She was full of laughter and smiles and had an infectious laugh. She really enjoyed doing arts and crafts. Preceding her in death were her grandparents, Grady and Gertrude Wray and Ona “O.J.” and Emma Atkins.
Survivors include husband, Brian McKissack; sons, John Michael McKissack and Matthew Ross McKissack (Paige); father, Bobbie Joe Atkins; mother, Judy Wray Atkins; brother, Kenneth Atkins (Kelley); and furry companion, Paisley.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Hospice Family Care or to the Clearview Cancer Institute.
A.J. Pepper
Decatur
Funeral service for A.J. Pepper, 16, was held Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Scott Justice officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Bellview Baptist Church Cemetery.
A.J. Pepper died Sept. 10 in a motor vehicle accident.
He was born June 24, 2005, in Limestone County to Christopher Wayne Pepper and Latasha Bryant Pepper. He was a student at West Morgan.
Preceding him in death were his grandmother, Sue Parker, and an aunt, Suzanne Pepper. Joining him in death was his brother, Sam Pepper.
Survivors include parents, Christopher Wayne and Latasha Bryant Pepper; brother, Lucas Pepper; sisters, Adela Gonzales and Mya Pugh; grandparents, Tammy Hulsey, Sherry West, Jeff Smith, Danny and Helen Falk; great-grandparents, Ted and Joyce Wilhite; aunts and uncles, Matt and Kody Bryant, Chad Bryant, Jackie Bryant, April Falk, Marty Crowden, June Falk, George and Lydia Falk, Amanda and
Timmy Nawlin, Danielle Hopper and Justin Jamerson; aunts, Ashley, Crystal and Christy; and a host of cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.
Sam Pepper
Decatur
Funeral service for Sam Pepper, 13, was held Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Scott Justice officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Bellview Baptist Church Cemetery.
Sam Pepper died Sept. 10 in a motor vehicle accident.
He was born Oct. 30, 2007, in Limestone County to Christopher Wayne Pepper and Latasha Bryant Pepper. He was a student at West Morgan.
Preceding him in death were his grandmother, Sue Parker, and an aunt, Suzanne Pepper. Joining him in death was his brother, A.J. Pepper.
Survivors include parents, Christopher Wayne and Latasha Bryant Pepper; brother, Lucas Pepper; grandparents, Tammy Hulsey and Danny and Helen Falk; great-grandparents, Ted and Joyce Wilhite; aunts and uncles, Matt and Kody Bryant, Chad Bryant, Jackie Bryant, April Falk, Marty Crowden, June Falk, George and Lydia Falk, Amanda and Timmy Nawlin, Danielle Hopper and Justin Jamerson; aunts, Ashley, Crystal and Christy; and a host of cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.
Oscar Lee Knox
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Oscar Lee Knox, 86, will be held Sept. 16 at noon at McKendree Cemetery with Bro. Spencer Bell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to noon at McKendree Cemetery, prior to the service.
Mr. Knox passed away Sept. 11 at Decatur Morgan Hospital.
He was born Jan. 13, 1935, in Morgan County to Ruben Sam Knox and Odie Reynolds Knox.
Oscar was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hartselle. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandfather and was a big Auburn fan. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was employed by the Local # 377 Union as a steamfitter.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Janette Knox, his parents, nine brothers and one sister.
Survivors include one son, Lee Knox; daughters, Kimberly Jared (Matt) and Annette Lawton (Tim); and grandchildren, Cody Grenwell (Desiree), Haley Blackwood (Brett), Grant Jared (Kristen) and Gavin Jared.
Mable Gladys Houser White
Priceville
Funeral service for Mable Gladys Houser White, 93, will be Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. at Cave Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Brandon Lewis officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in New Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cave Springs Baptist Church.
Mrs. White died Sept. 12 at her residence. She was born April 19, 1928, in Morgan County to James Dewey Houser and Omal Grace Fairbanks Houser. She was employed as a secretary for Chemstrand and Monsanto for approximately 40 years prior to her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include a host of nieces and nephews. Her nephews, Chas Darnell, Randall Roy, Spike Smith, Jim White, Mark Ozbolt and Alex White, will be pallbearers.
