Obituaries week of Oct. 13

Vickey Maze Daley

Somerville

Funeral service for Vickey Maze Daley, 67, was held Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. James Glover and Bro. Festus Grissom officiating. Burial was in Blue Springs Baptist Cemetery.

Mrs. Daley died Oct. 2 at Decatur Morgan Hospital.
She was born June 26, 1954, in Morgan County to James Louis Maze and Lorena Maxine Campbell Maze. Vickey attended the Living Word Church and loved running her store, with her daughter, in Somerville. She loved playing the piano and singing gospel music. She worked to encourage and help anyone, especially young people, loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren, enjoyed going to the beach and was an avid Alabama football fan.

She also loved going to car shows with her black Pontiac Trans Am.
Vicky was employed with the Home Health at Decatur Morgan prior to her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Daley; sons, J.J. Daugette (Cindy) and Jacob Maze; daughter, Jennifer Daugette; brother, Sam Nichols; grandchildren, Louis Daugette, Jayla Daugette, Julie Daugette Grissom, Jeannie Moore, Jacob Moore, Jaden Staggs and Averlie Maze; and great-grandchildren, Shiak Beck, Raelynn Daugette, Elijah Grissom, Isaiah Moore and Josiah Moore.

Pallbearers were family and friends.

Peggy Thompson

Laceys Spring

Funeral service for Peggy Thompson, 85, was held Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at Valhermoso Holiness Church with Bro. Tim Patrick and Bro. Rusty Wilkerson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Valhermoso Holiness Cemetery.

Mrs. Thompson passed away Oct. 4 at Summerford Nursing Home. She was born Nov. 4, 1935, in Morgan County to Freeman Moore and Pearl Hornbuckle Moore.

Mrs. Thompson was a member of the Valhermoso Springs Holiness Church for more than 42 years. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will have extra stars in her crown for loving and caring for her family and especially her granddaughter, Tyna, who she took care of for 17 years.
She was employed by G.T.E. and Automatic Electric, as a production line worker, prior to her retirement.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Hammond Thompson, her grandson-in-law, Jonathan Stines, four brothers and four sisters.

Special thanks to Summerford Nursing Home for their loving care, especially to Jennifer and Lulu.

Survivors include one son, Jackie Thompson, Lacey’s Spring; daughters, Pattie Hopkins (Bud), Valhermoso Springs, and Kathy Brown (Jr.), Valhermoso Springs; brother, Jerry Moore (Janice); sisters, Linda Elliott (Bob) and Iris Fowler; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Robbie Elliott, Gary Thompson, Eddie Lones, Mike Moore, Ricky Thompson and Charlie Madewell.

Magdalena Peña James

Somerville

Mrs. Magdalena James passed away Sept. 26 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tenn.

She was born Oct. 25, 1937, in Spain, to Antonio Villegas and Encarnacion Peña. She was employed as a housekeeping supervisor for Cedar Springs Retirement Community prior to her retirement. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry James Sr., her parents, a son, Michael Anthony James, and a daughter, Linda Sue James.

Survivors include a son, Larry James; sister, Africa Peña Romero; grandchildren, Michael Anthony James (Claire Speaks), Megan Mashell Lackey (Richie), John Nicholas James and Matthew Dean Dewitt James; and six great-grandchildren.
A graveside Service was held Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. in Hartselle Memory Gardens.

Nancy Schramm Campbell

Decatur
Ms. Nancy Campbell passed away Oct. 5 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born Sep. 13, 1956, in Tazewell County, Illinois, to Paul Louis Schramm and Elvira Dorothy McKlusky Schramm.

She was employed by the BBVA Compass Bank as an accountant prior to her passing and was the most loving person you could ever meet. She tried to be a help to everyone she met.

Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother, Bill Schramm.

Survivors include daughters, Stephanie Michelback and Tamara Campbell; sister, Sandy Schramm; and six grandchildren.

No services were scheduled at this time.

Christina Nicole Green Melson
Decatur
A memorial service for Christina Nicole Green Melson, 31, was held Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. at The Witt House with Dr. Gary Peters and Danny Melson officiating.

Ms. Green died Oct. 2. She was born Sept. 29, 1990.

The family requests donations be made to the Christina Green “Kindness for all Creatures” Foundation at Animal Tracks Veterinary Hospital, 3112 U.S. Highway 31, Decatur, AL 35603.

Thomas “Tom” Walker Little

Priceville

Thomas “Tom” Walker Little, 73, Priceville, passed away Oct. 5. He was born Jan. 9, 1948.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pat Little; his sons, Eric Little (Rachael) and Wesley Little (Jennifer); his brothers, Buster Little (Linda), Roger Little (Debie), Pete Little, Randall Little, Dale Gardner and Greg Gardner; his “favorite granddaughter” Lyndsey Muck (Tom); his precious grandboys, Hunter, Jake, Garrett and Grayson; and his sweet great-granddaughters, Shelby and Avery Muck.

He is preceded in death by his father, Alvie Little; mother, Mary Gardner; and stepfather, Bob Gardner.

Tom and Pat were married April 5, 1969, and exemplified a marriage anyone would strive to have. He was devoted to his faith and attended Joppa Church of God. He was a proud member of the United States Air Force for four years and served in law enforcement for 37 years.

He obtained a law doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law in 1984 and was a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He served as Morgan County chief deputy under his beloved friend, Sheriff Steve Crabbe, for 12 years.

In 2000 he was awarded The American Legion National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, making him the first-ever and only national recipient from the state of Alabama.

His successful career never kept him from attending every program, ballgame, lunch date or cookout to watch some Alabama football, which he SO loved, especially if homemade ice cream or his favorite apple fritters were involved.

He never missed an opportunity to ride his grandkids on his golf cart or let them “trot downtown little horsey” on his knee.

He was so proud of his faith, wife, family and career, just as his family is so proud to have known and loved him.

Funeral arrangements were by Peck Funeral Home, 1600 U.S. Highway 31, Hartselle. Funeral service was Oct. 10 at 3 p.m., officiated by Bro Jimmy Hammaker. Burial was held afterward at Burningtree Memorial Gardens in Priceville.

Joel H. Gurley

Somerville

Funeral service for Joel H. Gurley, 77, of Somerville, was held Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. at Gurley’s Soggy Bottom Music Barn with Kenneth Roberts, the Rev. Pearl Jenkins and Bro. Michael Gunter officiating. Burial was at Blue Springs Cemetery.

Mr. Gurley died Oct. 6 at his residence. He was born Nov. 30, 1943, in Morgan County to John Earl Gurley and Mable Inez Oden Gurley.

Joel was a member of the American Legion of Morgan County. He was a farmer for many years and hauled logs and raised cattle and other farm animals. In more recent years, Joel did many benefits at his Soggy Bottom Barn. He enjoyed helping people and raised a great deal of money for many financially-disabled individuals and those who were sick or in need. He enjoyed being the chief cook until he was disabled.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Brenda Bowers and Carol Jean Duke for their wonderful care of Joel. They would also like to thank Dale McCutcheon for honoring Joel’s funeral wishes.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Earl Tarpley.

Survivors include his wife, Dianna Gurley, of Somerville; one son, Philip Gurley (Stacey) of Somerville; one daughter, Marnie Meleca (Frank) of Seneca, S.C.; four grandchildren, Hali Gurley, Trace Bowden, Ivy Bowden and Joel Dallas Meleca; and one great-grandchild, Taytum Hopper.

Pallbearers were Jeremy Johnson, Jerry Smith, Cole Johnson, Randy Love, Trace Bowden and Travis Weaver. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Soggy Bottom Gang.

Dana Elizabeth Holmes

Hartselle

Dana Elizabeth Holmes, 73, of Hartselle, passed away Oct. 6. Service was held Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. in the Peck Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was at Cedar Creek Cemetery.

She was born Nov. 21, 1947, to Dan and Mary Elizabeth Holland. She attended Morgan County High School then went on to graduate from UNA with a teaching degree.

After teaching at Eva for several years, she retired from a long successful career as a contracting officer for the U.S. Army.

She is survived by her brothers, Tom Dobbs (Pat), Jeff Dobbs and Steve Dobbs (Pamela), along with her husband, Glynn Holmes; son, Matt Holmes (Michelle); and granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Kylee Holmes.

She will be remembered as a resilient and skillful lady who enjoyed painting, gardening, reading and spending quality time with loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Ministerios Buena Vista at www.lopezmissions.com, which was a ministry that was close to her heart.

Dr. Milan Dekich officiated. Pallbearers were family and friends.

Matthew Ray Asherbranner

Falkville

Funeral service for Matthew Ray Asherbranner, 31, of Falkville was held Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. at No Fences Cowboy Church in Falkville with Brother Josh Sparkman and Brother Milan Dekich officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery. Peck Funeral Home directed.

Matthew, who was born Nov. 4, 1989, in Decatur died Oct. 10 as the result of a work-related accident. He was a site foreman and equipment operator for Pivotal LLC.

He attended No Fences Cowboy Church, was the vice president of the North Alabama Antique Tractor Club, was a 2008 graduate of Falkville High School and was a graduate of Wallace State Community College. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, riding four-wheelers and helping others. He really enjoyed his job running equipment and was a master at it. Matthew’s greatest passion was his family, and he loved his wife and son with all of his being!

He is survived by his wife, Alexandria Asherbranner; a son, Lucas Ray Asherbranner; his grandmother, Martha Asherbranner; his parents, Ronald and Jennifer Asherbranner; two sisters, Julia Anne Asherbranner and Melinda Haynes (J.P.); nephews, Carson and Avery Haynes; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Robert Summerford, Nathan Walker, Brandon Hendrix, Dustin Smith, Noah Sims, Cody McCormick, Joey Davis, Chris Pearl and Nathan MacDonald served as pallbearers.

Gary Randal Ricks

Hartselle

Funeral service for Gary Randal Ricks, 81, of Hartselle, will be Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home with Bro. Donnie Hargrove officiating. Burial will be at Center Springs Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Oct. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Ricks died Oct. 9 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Oct. 6, 1940, in Morgan County to Perry Leon Rix and Evie Irene Crow Rix (Hitt).

Mr. Ricks worked in maintenance at Fruehauf prior to his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Linda Faye Ricks; and a sister, Nancy Hardin.

Survivors include three sons, Danny Ray Ricks (Terry), Randall Paul Ricks (Angela) and Gregory Wayne Ricks; one daughter, Lisa D. Ricks; two brothers, Wayne Lawrence (Sharon) and Mike Lawrence (Jane); one sister, Shelia Holt (Eddie); 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Josh Ricks, Nolan Willingham, Zach Norton, Oda Seller, Matthew Willingham, Garrett Willingham, Logan Miller, Adam Miller, Tyler Ricks, Kamden Ricks and Kamron Ricks. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Griffith and Phillip Griffith.

Jimmy Allen Key

Hartselle

Funeral service for Jimmy Allen Key, 51, of Hartselle will be Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Joey Staton officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Tabor Cemetery. Peck Funeral Home is directing.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Thursday.

Mr. Key, who was born Nov. 25, 1969 in Chicago, Ill., to Bobby Velton Key and Sherry Laverne Frazier Key, died Oct. 10 at his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his brothers, Bobby Key and Roger Frazier, and a sister, Deborah Boles.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Jerry W. Frazier

Gurley

Mr. Jerry W. Frazier, 68, passed away at his residence in Gurley with family at his side. The funeral service was held Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. in the Peck Funeral Home chapel. Interment followed the service at Mount Tabor Cemetery.

He was born to Roy T. and Tempie Barnett Frazier Aug. 20, 1953, in Somerville.

Jerry loved to hunt, fish, crack jokes and laugh. His love of working in the mountains showed through in his enthusiastic attitude and knowledge of plants and trees. He had a green thumb and loved to plant gardens and flowers, but most of all, he loved his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Mary Ann Frazier; sister, Dorthy Key; and great-granddaughter, Piper LeMaster.

He is survived by two sons, Troy W. Frazier (Pam) of Gurley and Jerry Daniel Frazier of Somerville; brothers, Rickey Frazier (Vicki) of Ardmore, Steve Frazier (Joy) of Ardmore and Charlie Frazier (Shanda) of Hartselle; sisters, Jennett Ledbetter of Somerville, Carol Craige of Moulton, Becky Waddell (Glen) of Hartselle, Dian Lawrence (Bobby Knight) of Danville; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Brother Steve Ledbetter officiated.

Pallbearers were Jeff Echols, Devon Martin, Terry Ledbetter, Guy Fish, Cody Frazier and Daryl Frazier.