Obituaries week of Sept. 22

Walter Preston Newman III

Hartselle

Walter Preston Newman III (Punt), of Hartselle, died Sept. 10 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.

Preston was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Hartselle to Walter P. (Dub) and Wilma Ruth Newman. He attended Morgan County High School in Hartselle, where he was a three-sport athlete. He walked on at The University of Alabama to play football and played his freshman year as a punter in 1965. He later received a football scholarship to Jacksonville State University as a punter.

Preston was a three-year letterman at Jacksonville and set JSU and Mid-South Conference punting records. He was voted the All-Mid-South Conference Punter in 1970, graduating in 1971. Additionally, he was inducted into the Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Preston spent his career in sales in Huntsville. After retirement he moved to Ridgeland, Mississippi, to be near his son Matthew Newman (Laura) and his grandchildren Charlotte, Callie and Annelise. Matt and his grandchildren were his greatest accomplishments, and he enjoyed spending time with them.

There was no greater joy to Preston than going to Tuscaloosa and sharing the experience of Alabama football with his son and granddaughters.

He is survived by his son, Matthew Newman (Laura); step-children, Steve and Jennifer Waldrup; grandchildren Charlotte, Callie and Annelise Newman and step-grandchildren Alex Satterfield, Sam and Lindsay Waldrup and Hayden Tisdale; and his ex-wife and lifelong friend, Debbie Newman.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter P. Newman Jr. (Dub); his mother, Wilma Ruth Newman; brother, Johnny Newman, and wife, Patsy Newman.

A Remembrance of Life Celebration was held Sept. 17 from 2-4 p.m. at the Freight House Restaurant, 200 Railroad St. SW, Hartselle. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Mable Gladys Houser White

Priceville

Mable Houser White went to be with her Lord Sept. 12 after a short bout with cancer.

She was born April 19, 1928, in Priceville to James Dewey Houser and Omal Grace Fairbanks Houser. She was a native of Priceville and a lifelong member of Cave Springs Baptist Church.

She married her sweetheart, Thomas Jackson (T.J.) White, Aug. 28,1958, and she buried him in 1987. They never had children, but they were “Aunt Mable and Uncle Tee-Gee” to a host of nieces and nephews and the Priceville community. Aunt Mable worked as an executive secretary for Chemstrand and Monsanto for nearly 40 years. Upon her retirement, she enjoyed attending God’s House at Cave Springs, traveling, shopping, driving and doting on her only brother, Grady Allen Houser, four daughters and their children.

Aunt Mable was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, T.J., and her brother, Grady Allen Houser.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Emma Jean Houser, four generations of nieces and nephews; and a sister-cousin, Ruby Jewel Houser Thompson. Funeral service was held Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. at Cave Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Brandon Lewis officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in New Friendship Cemetery.

Her nephews, Chas Darnell, Randall Roy, Spike Smith, Jim White, Mark Ozbolt and Alex White, were pallbearers. Special thanks and deep gratitude to Dr. Micah Howard and staff; Dr. Stacey Tapscott and staff; Amy Cook; caregivers, Cindy Powell, Linda Gillespie, Martha Myers and Marsha Hopper; Comfort Care Hospice; and her beloved Cave Springs Baptist Church family for all the cards, calls, visits and prayers.

Ganes Burden

Hartselle

Services for Mr. Ganes Burden, 96, were held Sept. 17 at Grace Point Baptist Church with Brother Jack Bailey officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. The service was at 2 p.m.

Mr. Burden died Sept. 13 at his home. He was born May 22, 1925, to John Gurley Burden and Velma Hyatt Burden in Cullman County.

He is survived by his wife, Leona. They were happily married for 77 years.

He is also survived by daughter Judy Childers and son-in-law Mickey Childers; grandson Jim Childers and wife Belinda; granddaughter Julie Thomas and husband Wesley; and grandson John Childers and wife Leigh Anna.

Survivors also include great-grandchildren Brook Childers, Michael Childers, Kayleigh Thrasher, Weslynn Thomas, Murphy Childers and Anna Leigh Childers and a sister, Nell Skidmore.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ray Burden and sister Mildred Bobo.

Mr. Burden served in Japan with the United States Army during World War II. After completing his military service, he returned home to his wife and young daughter and pursued a lifelong farming career.

Mr. Burden was a successful dairy farmer for 70 years in Morgan County. He loved life as a dairy farmer and looked forward to going to the dairy each day.

As much as he loved farming, however, he loved his family more. He was affectionately known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Daddy Ganes.” To quote his granddaughter, Julie, “If you knew him, you respected his wisdom and kind heart and most likely referred to him as Daddy Ganes.” He often said he wanted to always leave things better than he found them.

Mr. Burden was a founding member of Grace Point Baptist Church, and he and Leona could be found there any time the doors were open. He and his dear friend, Jimmy Lenox, supervised the building of the church. He loved Grace Point Baptist Church.

Pallbearers was grandsons Jim Childers and John Childers, great-grandsons Michael Childers and Murphy Childers, grandson-in-law Wesley Thomas, nephews Johnny Burden and David Skidmore and family friend Allen Hyatt.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to Grace Point Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice.

Michael Ray Segars

Hartselle

Funeral service for Michael Ray Segars, 71, was held Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Brian Bridges officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Salem Cemetery.

Mr. Segars died Sept. 14 at his residence. He was born May 24, 1950, in Morgan County to Hubert Leon Segars and Mary Evelyn Massey Segars. He was employed by Kendel Morgan as a maintenance worker prior to his retirement. He was a Baptist and a deacon. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and loved his family dearly.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Doris Ann Tapscott.

Survivors include wife, Nancy O. Segars; son, Allan Howard Segars; daughter, Brandy Michelle Segars Taylor; and six grandchildren.

Pallbearers were members of his church family. Honorary pallbearers were Don Tapscott, Tommy Chasteen and Gary Shaneyfelt.

The family requests in lieu of flowers to please make donations to Hospice of the Valley or to the American Cancer Society.

Truman Glasscock Jr.

Decatur

Funeral service for Truman Glasscock Jr., 79, was held Sept. 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Turney Cemetery.

Mr. Glasscock died Sept. 13 at UAB Hospital. He was born Nov. 20, 1941, in Morgan County to Truman Gregory Glasscock Sr. and Edna Glasscock. He was an engineer prior to his retirement and served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.

His parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include wife, Theresa Glasscock; her daughter, Starra White (grandchildren, Levi and Reagan), and her son, Chuck Mitchell (grandchildren, Max and Tessa); son, Greg Glasscock (Mary); brothers, Kent Glasscock and Kurt Glasscock; sister, Joyce Rehms; and grandchildren, Moira Glasscock and Kassie Glasscock.

Pallbearers were Greg Glasscock, Kent Glasscock, Kurt Glasscock, Chuck Mitchell, Levi Swann, Maximus Mitchell, Luke Swann, Nathaniel Huffstutler and Jerry Moebes.

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 Morgan County to Christopher Wayne Pepper and Latasha Bryant Pepper. He was a student at West Morgan.

Preceding him in death was 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 Faulk; great-grandparents, Ted and Joyce Wilhite; aunts and uncles, Matt and Kody Bryant, Chad Bryant, Jackie Bryant, April Faulk, Marty Crowden, June Faulk, George and Lydia Faulk, Amanda and Timmy Nawlin, Danielle Hopper and Justin Jamerson; aunts Ashley, Crystal and Christy; and a host of cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.

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 and Danny and Helen Faulk; great-grandparents, Ted and Joyce Wilhite; aunts and uncles, Matt and Kody Bryant, Chad Bryant, Jackie Bryant, April Faulk, Marty Crowden, June Faulk, George and Lydia Faulk, Amanda and Timmy Nawlin, Danielle Hopper and Justin Jamerson; aunts, Ashley, Crystal and Christy; and a host of cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.

Mary Elizabeth Watson

Hartselle Mary Elizabeth Watson, cherished wife, sister, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away Sept. 15 at her residence after a long life of generous service to her family and community.

Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Watson Smith; a brother, William Coy Clements; a sister, Betty Ann Clements; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; a great niece; and a host of extended family and friends.

She was born Sept. 28, 1927, to William Thomas Clements and Bama Uptain Clements. Despite growing up during the Depression and losing her mother at a young age, she faced life with a joy and resilience that was contagious.

She adored her father and was always a “daddy’s girl.” She loved to reminisce about her family’s general store and dancing the jitterbug. She came from a heritage of compassion and generosity and was never happier than when she was giving of herself to others.

Mary was a long-time member of the Shoal Creek Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and VBS to generations of 5-year-olds. She always had a special love for all children and delighted in showering them with affection. In later life, as thoughts faded and abilities diminished, her warmth and love for children still shone brightly.

Mary was a Renaissance woman, blessed with amazing creativity and artistic talent. She loved to draw, paint, craft, crochet and arrange flowers. She produced a host of lovely work, and almost everyone in her orbit was blessed at some point with a handmade gift from her.

Mary was characterized by unsinkable cheerfulness and ready laughter. She leaves behind a legacy of loving God and loving people. Her feisty personality never failed to make an impression. If you knew her, you could not help but love her.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Vance Watson; daughter, Linda Ryan; sons, Jerry and Johnny Watson; a sister, Helen Brown; and her parents. Special thanks from her family to the Comfort Care Hospice for their care. A graveside funeral service and interment for Mary Elizabeth Watson, 93, was held Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. at Shoal Creek Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Steadman officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers were John Michael Watson, Ryan Hood, Evan Lyle Long, Shane Williams, Malik Orr and Daniel Lee Barnett. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Donations are gratefully appreciated.

Gene A. Lee

Hartselle Funeral service for Gene A. Lee, 84, was held Sept. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Assembly of God with Pastor Josh Wilbanks and Pastor Tony Willis officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Burningtree Memorial Gardens. Mr. Lee died Sept. 15 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born April 10, 1937, in Walker County to Alonzo A. Lee and Esther Lorene Kilgore Lee. He was employed by and retired from General Motors in the maintenance department and then was employed by the Hartselle City Schools system, as a bus driver, from which he also retired.

He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be missed.

Preceding him in death were his beloved wife, Lorraine Goodwin Lee; his parents; brothers, Roy Lee and Bobby Lee; and sisters, Barbara Patton and Mildred Smith. Survivors include daughters, Janine Cody (Chris), Hartselle, and Beth McQueen (Brian), Hartselle; brother, Clyde Lee, Jasper; sisters, Freida McMahan, Veedersburg, Ind., Betty Dobbins, Jasper, and Sylvia Hancock, Athens; grandchildren, Christina Whittier (Broderick), Breanna Berry (Josh) and Erin McQueen; great-granddaughter Eliza Whittier; and great-grandson on the way, Caleb Berry.

Pallbearers were family and friends.

Angela “Angel” Grant

Hartselle

Funeral service for Angela “Angel” Grant, 48, was held Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Hal Daigre officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Forrest Chapel Cemetery.

Miss Grant passed away Sept. 15 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born May 21, 1973, in Morgan County to John Maurice Grant and Wanda Parker Grant.

Angel loved fishing and any songs about boating and fishing. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially all her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father. Survivors include her mother, Wanda Parker Grant; sister, Kristina Grant; nieces and nephew, Kayla Norris, Kaitlyn Holcomb and Isaac Holcomb; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Isaac Holcomb, Zane Craven, Taylor Karadimas, David Thomas, Thomas Portner and Jordan Bailey.

Alice Cluxton Tidwell

Addison Funeral service for Alice Cluxton Tidwell, 80, was held Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rodney Ridgeway officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in New Friendship Cemetery.

Mrs. Tidwell died Sept. 17 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She was born Aug. 31, 1941, in Limestone County to George Alton Cluxton and Alma Jane Haggermaker Cluxton. She was a homemaker for her family, and she loved family get-togethers and spending time with her family.

Alice enjoyed gospel music and her church, and she loved helping people with whatever she could do.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Johnny Tidwell; sons, Wesley and Joe Tidwell; Baby Tidwell; and her parents.

Survivors include sons, Andy Tidwell (Melonie), Tim Tidwell (Mary), Phillip Tidwell, John Tidwell (Felicia) and Fred Tidwell (LaGina); daughter, Phyllis Owens (Tim); brothers, Richard, Paul and William; sisters, Barbara and Susan; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were sons and grandsons.

Dorstor Ann Rodgers

Hartselle

A graveside service for Dorstor Ann Rodgers, 92, will be held Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church cemetery with Dr. Jerome Ward officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.

Mrs. Rodgers went to her Heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior Sept. 14. She was born May 23, 1929, to Sherrill W. Moore and Louella Whitten Moore. She was a life-long member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she played the piano for many years. She had a love for her Lord, her family, friends, music, dancing, playing the piano and fishing with her husband, Steve.

Mrs. Rodgers was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Steve; her sisters, Freda Mae Moore and Jacquelyn Buoncristiani; and her brothers, James Ferrell Moore, Vaughn Roy Moore and J.P. Moore.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

James (Jimmy) Fisher

Hartselle

A memorial visitation for James (Jimmy) Fisher, 64, was held Sept. 19 at Peck Funeral Home.

Mr. Fisher died Sept. 16 at his niece’s residence. He was born Dec. 25, 1956, in Niagara County, New York, to Norman John Fisher and Lady Mae Peden Fisher. He was employed as a mechanic at the Midway Auto Auction prior to his passing.

He loved his dogs, going to Dog Days Flea Market and yard sales and tinkering with bicycles. Most of all, he loved being with his family.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Rose Fisher; his parents; and brothers, Billy John Fisher, Raymond “Ringo” Fisher and Robert “Bobby” Fisher.

Survivors include his son, David; daughters, Julie and Tabotha “TabTab”; step-daughters, Jennifer West (Tim) and Bobby Sue Borden; brothers, Paul Fisher (Tommie) and Norman Fisher; sister, Mary Ann Hembree; grandchildren, Michael Burgett (Hanna), Dakota West (Alisha), Hershel West, Sierra West, Jacob Borden, Joseph Borden, Jeremiah Borden and Jonah Borden; great-grandchildren, Landon Burgett, Aurther Burgett, Anthony West and Emory Borden; nieces, Tabotha Reed (Scott), Terra Fisher, Roberta Fisher and Linda Fisher; nephews, Kristopher Hembree, Richard Paul Fisher and Tony Hembree; a host of great-nieces and great-nephews; and sisters-in-law, Tarian Kirby Fisher and Linda Wolf.

Jacqueline Sewell Burgess

Hartselle

A graveside service for Jacqueline Sewell Burgess, 71, of Hartselle was held Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. at Limestone Memorial Gardens with Peck Funeral Home directing.

Ms. Burgess was born June 20, 1950, in Winston County to O.D. Sewell and Edith Pauline Ferguson Sewell. She passed away Sept. 18 at her residence.

Jacqueline was retired from General Electric, and after retirement, she loved to travel.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Johnnie Sewell.

Survivors include her husband, Jerry West; daughter, Wendy Buckelew (Josh); sons, Heath Burgess (Susan) and Johnnie Burgess (Lawanda); and seven grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Jackie Burgess, Jeremy West, Jordan West, Alex Jones, Heath Burgess and Josh Buckelew.

Richard Lynn Thrasher

Hartselle

Graveside service and interment for Richard Lynn Thrasher, 66, of Hartselle, was held Sept. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at Hartselle Memory Gardens with Bro. Mike Pope officiating.

Mr. Thrasher died Sept. 18. He was born Sept. 17, 1955, in Morgan County to Henry Ford Thrasher and Doris Maxine Schuette Thrasher. He worked for many years in sales prior to his retirement.

Mr. Thrasher was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hartselle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Glenn Thrasher.

Survivors include his wife, Valerie Thrasher, of Hartselle; one son, Clint Thrasher (Brandy), of Cullman; one daughter, Tina Shelton (Weston) of Hartselle; and five grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Emma, Mason and Sadie Thrasher and Mackenzie and Gus Shelton. Pallbearers were Alan Nethery, Robert Drinkard, Jake Thomas, and Darwin Halbrooks.

Skipper Andrew Marvin Smith

Danville Funeral service for Skipper Andrew Marvin Smith, 53, will be held Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Spencer Bell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Roundtop Cemetery. Visitation will be Sept. 23 from 5-8 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith died Sept. 19 on South Johnson Chapel Road in a motor vehicle accident.

He was born April 6, 1968, in Morgan County to Skippy Watson Smith and Annette Lott Smith. He was employed as a truck driver for K & C Farms, prior to his passing. He was a loving father, grandfather, son and brother.

His mother preceded him in death.

Survivors include one son, Nicholas Andrew Watson Smith (Sydney Smith); daughter, Hannah Dyan Smith (Jacob Ramey); father, Skippy Watson Smith; brother, Samuel Colton Smith; sister, Lara Katelynne Smith; and five grandchildren. Pallbearers were Nick Smith, Colton Smith, Jacob Ramey, Toni Merriman, Steve McClellan and Mike McClellan.

Mark Reuel Sullivan

Scottsboro

Mark Reuel Sullivan, 66, died peacefully Sept. 3 after suffering from dementia and COVID.

Jan. 31, 1955, Mark was born in Montgomery to James “Jim” Richard Sr., and Joan Silver Sullivan. His family moved to Hartselle in 1960.

Mark graduated from Morgan County High School in 1974, where he played football and wrestled. He was an individual state champion in wrestling in the 145-pound weight class. He attended Jacksonville State University before starting a career in construction, building steel buildings. He retired from Fite Steel Erectors in 2015.

Mark lived in Hartselle until moving to Scottsboro in 1989, when he married his wife, Reba “Beaver” Womack Sullivan.

Mark was an outdoorsman, enjoying scuba diving, kayaking, camping and hiking. He was happiest spending time with his family and friends outdoors. He enjoyed pets, helping others with projects and Auburn football.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Joan, and his father, Jim.

His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his wife of 32 years, “Beaver;” two daughters, Sara Holland (Mike) and Haley Phillippe (Jason); four grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Jacob Phillippe and Reagan and Gabriel Holland; stepmother, Carole Hedges (Bill); siblings, Jamie Sullivan (Frances), Robbie Sullivan, Stacy Tidwell (Brad), Chris Moore (Cassandra); several nieces and nephews; and many friends.