Obituaries week of Nov. 3
Nellie Faye Gibson
Danville
Funeral service for Nellie Faye Gibson, 79, was held Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Francis Proctor officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Friendship, south of Danville.
Mrs. Gibson died Oct. 25 at NHC Healthcare. She was born June 6, 1942, in Morgan County to J.L. Brown and Laura Thelma Harris Brown. She was employed by Cerro Wire as a machine operator prior to her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlen Lee Gibson, a sister, Amy Hatfield, and her parents.
Survivors include one son, David Gibson (Tammy); daughters, Connie Kelso (Doug), Denise Graham (Rodney) and Stacy Ledlow (Grady); brother, J.L. “Charlie” Brown (Robbie); sisters, Geneva Shaneyfelt, Margene Lindsey and Willodean Smith; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were her grandsons and family members.
Michael Lynn Whitehead
Decatur
Michael Lynn Whitehead of Decatur went to be with his Lord and Savior Oct. 23 after a courageous battle with ALS. He was 61.
Mike was known for his kind and gentle nature and selfless care for his family and friends. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. In his final hours, Mike was surrounded by those he loved most as he went to meet his Maker.
A Decatur native, Mike married his beloved wife Carol in 1982, three years after graduating from Austin High School. He was a devoted husband and doting father to their daughter Melanie.
Mike was known as a hard worker, having spent most of his career managing Tommy and Son Sur-Sav Convenience Store alongside his dad.
Mike enjoyed the little things in life, such as teaching his grandson J. Robert how to use a hammer and nail or playing in the sand with his granddaughter Madelyn, both of whom referred to him as “Papa Mike.”
In his younger years, he spent much of his time trail riding in his Jeep, boating, slalom skiing and bare-footing on Smith Lake. Wherever there was Mike, there were family and friends who were drawn near to him by his enormous love for life.
Mike was diagnosed with ALS in January and vowed he would live his remaining days glorifying Christ amidst his suffering. He prioritized making memories with his family. A Walk to Defeat ALS was held in his honor a few days before his death, attended by family and friends. It was an incredible blessing to him and his whole family, deemed the perfect “send-off” to join his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mike is survived by his wife, Carol Whitehead; daughter, Melanie Thompson; son-in-law, Bob Thompson; grandchildren J. Robert and Madelyn Thompson; and his sisters, Tammy Haney (Russell) and Pam Whitehead.
His parents, Tommy and Angela Whitehead, preceded him in death.
A Celebration of Life was held at First Bible Church Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. Burial was at Burningtree Memorial Gardens following the service. Peck Funeral Home assisted the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Bible Church Missions, 3302 Spring Ave, Decatur, AL 35603. Romans 5:1-5.
Frances Alberta Bailey
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and Interment for Frances Alberta Bailey, 96, was held Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. at Burningtree Memorial Gardens with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Bailey died Oct. 26 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born Dec. 22, 1924, in Russell County, Kansas, to Jacob Strecker and Anna Dumler. She was a homemaker for her family and was employed by Ashton’s as a grocery clerk prior to her retirement.
She was a loving mother, sister and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jackie Edmiston; second husband, Riley Bailey; and her parents. Survivors include her sons, Gary Edmiston, Douglas Edmiston and Roger Edmiston; sisters, Leona Miller and Fern Parmenter; five grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Pallbearers were family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to your favorite charity.
Gladys Marie Lynn
Falkville
A graveside funeral service for the family and interment for Gladys Marie Lynn, 87, was held Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. at Roundtop Cemetery with Bro. James Watts officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Lynn died Oct. 26 at Falkville Health Care Center. She was born March 12, 1934, in Morgan County to Jack Wilhite and Addie Monk Wilhite.
She was a seamstress, working at Athens Lingerie and Fly Manufacturing, prior to her retirement. She was a loving mother, wife and grandmother.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Denis Lynn, and her parents. Survivors include her sons, Chuck Lynn (Angie Lynn) and Richard Lynn (Dana Adams Lynn); daughters, Lois Pearson (Jerry) and Joyce Daniel (Larry Daniel); grandchildren, Chucky Lynn, Meghan Hurd, Brittany Lynn, Wendy Kirkpatrick, Ron Morris, Kim Gumarian and Saige Daniel; and eight great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Ken Copeland
Somerville
A Celebration of Life service for Ken Copeland, 64, will be Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Assembly of God at the Epicenter, 4839 Calvary Blvd., Tanner.
Mr. Copeland died Oct. 22 at his residence. He was born Feb. 22, 1957, in Broward County, Florida, to Edwin Copeland and Vera Davis Copeland.
Ken was a member of Calvary Assembly of God Church and served in the Air Force. He was a systems engineer from Boeing and retired after 16.5 years. Ken was a gifted guitar player and loved his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother.
Survivors include his wife, Jill Copeland; two sons, Todd Copeland (Lisa) and Kenneth Copeland Jr., (Kimberly); two daughters, Amy Iovieno (Michael) and Kari Kent (Hayden); father, Edwin Copeland; sister, Cynthia Solis; eight grandchildren, Chance, Shayon, Bryce, Mikel, Katie, Juliana, Ethan and Amy; and two great-grandchildren, Analeise and Ocean.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Defeat MSA Alliance in Ken’s memory.
Peck Funeral Home assisted the family.
Carolyn Lucille Bibb
Hartselle
Funeral service for Carolyn Lucille Bibb, 77, was held Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Nicky Pressnell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Johnson Chapel Cemetery.
Ms. Bibb died Oct. 27 at her residence. She was born July 12, 1944, in Limestone County to Buford Bedingfield Sr. and Eva Lucille Brummett Bedingfield. She was employed as a lab technician for Solutia and Monsanto prior to her retirement.
She was a giving person and loved her children and grandchildren dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her daughters, Charlene Sullivan (Bubba) and Cathy Hampton; brothers, Jimmy Bedingfield (Pat) and Roger Bedingfield; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Brian Sullivan, Dallas Sullivan, Brody Slate, Wade Biggs, Clay Hayes and Jaxon Hayes.
Helen Roberson Boger
Hartselle
Funeral service for Helen Roberson Boger, 88, was held Oct. 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Wendell Callahan officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Red Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Boger died Oct. 27 at Limestone Health Facility. She was born Jan. 7, 1933, in Lawrence County to Earl Thomas Roberson and Ruby Rooks Roberson. She was a homemaker for her family, a member of the Oak Ridge Baptist Church and a graduate of Morgan County High School, class of 1951.
She moved to Talladega until 1962 and, after 33 years there, moved to Hartselle in 1995.
Helen enjoyed sitting with her family, singing and making music, gardening and growing her flowers, and she was an animal lover. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claudie “J.C.” Boger; a daughter, Dorothy Ann Brookman; a brother, Earl Roberson Jr.; a sister, Margaret Roberson Weaver; and a grandchild. Survivors include her son, Eddie T. Boger, Hartselle; daughter, Merry Wawsczyk (Roger), White Cloud, Mich.; brothers, Rayburn M. Roberson, Georgia, and Dennis Lee Roberson, Decatur; grandchildren, Gabriel Hulvey (Jill), White Cloud, Mich., Robin Williams, Newaygo, Mich., Tommy Boger (Kristina), Hartselle, Collin Wawsczyk and Nolan Wawsczyk, both of White Cloud, Mich.; and great-grandchildren, Karson Boger, Hartselle, Damion Hulvey and Jaryd Hulvey, both of Cedar Springs, Mich. Pallbearers were Don Boger, Angel Arce, Joe Roberson, Colter Moore, Ricky Roberson, Frankie Lee Ellis and Alan Roberson. Honorary pallbearer was Mark Roberson.
Jon Anthony Stinson
Hartselle
Funeral service for Jon Anthony Stinson, 73, was held Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at Oak Park Church of God with the Rev. Robert Newman and the Rev. Jerry Irwin officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Burningtree Memorial Gardens. Mr. Stinson died Oct. 28 at his residence. He was born Dec. 11, 1947, in Morgan County to Lester Leon Stinson and Lois Jeanette Hubbard Stinson. He was employed by AT&T prior to his retirement. He was an avid supporter of the Hartselle Dixie Youth Baseball, attended Oak Park Church of God and was a member of the Pioneers – retirees of AT&T. Jon loved his family dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Regina Irwin Stinson; son, Eric Jon Stinson (Morgan); brothers, Michael Stinson (Janice), Jeffrey Stinson (Sherri) and Steve Stinson (Margaret); sister, Patricia Long (Charles); and three grandchildren, Brady, Wade and Luke Stinson. Pallbearers were family and friends.
David Curry “Bucky” Pitts
Fayetteville, Tenn.
David Curry Pitts, 87, passed away Oct. 27 after a long illness.
He is better known as Bucky Pitts, and he received his nickname after his dad, Buck Pitts. Mr. Ralph Askins, late of Fayetteville, Tenn., gave him the nickname during a football practice. Mr. Askins said, “Your dad is Buck, so we are going to call you Bucky.” Most people knew him by this name the rest of his life.
Bucky was born at home in 1933 in the community of Harms to George Lofton Pitts Sr., and Annie Mackenzie Pitts. He was an outstanding athlete from his youth, as he played all sports. However, his great love was always football. Bucky was an outstanding football player in Central High School of Fayetteville, Tenn.
After a stint in the Navy, Bucky went to Middle Tennessee State College, where he played football and baseball, and he was the captain of the football team. He was selected as a small college All American in 1959 after playing in the Tangerine Bowl in Florida and leading his team in rushing, receiving, interceptions and kick-off returns.
The Denver Broncos drafted him, but with a growing family, he returned home to Fayetteville.
Bucky then was hired to coach football at his alma mater, Central High School, in Fayetteville. He coached for six successful seasons at Central, and in 1961 his team won the state championship.
Bucky was then offered the job of head football coach at Putnam County High School in Cookeville, Tennessee, where he also won the state championship. There he coached Watson and Mack Brown, who would later become outstanding college coaches in their own spheres.
Bucky then became the head football coach for Morgan County High School in Hartselle for 12 years.
Bucky finished his career as head football coach for 12 years at Guntersville High School, where he retired at the age of 58.
He enjoyed nearly 30 years of retirement surrounded by his adoring family. He traveled out West many times with his family and friends, played golf and attended college and high school football games.
David Curry “Bucky” Pitts died Oct. 27. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley Moffett Pitts. She was the homecoming queen at Central High School, and he was the captain of the football team their senior year – a true American dream love story.
His daughters, Deborah Pitts Churchill (Stephen), Patricia Pitts Sweetland (Sammy), Karen Pitts Moore (Bill) and Elizabeth Pitts Tortorich (Beth), and one son, David C. Pitts (Janet), also survive him.
Surviving grandchildren are Rick Bowling (Adrienne), David Sweetland (Emily), Amy Sweetland Marlow (Melvin), Pollard and Hill Elliott, Matt and Brad Pitts, Sarah Pitts Anguish (Jack) and Mason Tortorich.
Bucky also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren who adored their “Peepaw.”
Bucky was preceded in death by his parents, George Lofton Pitts and Annie Mackenzie Pitts. He also had six siblings who preceded him in death: George Lofton Pitts Jr. Margie Carter, William Pitts, Joseph Pitts, Robert Pitts and Joanne Huffman. He has one surviving sister, Aileen Nielson.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held Nov. 6 at noon at the First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Tenn. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to noon at the church. The Rev. Bobby Ray Halbrooks, a long-time dear friend of Bucky’s, will conduct the Celebration of Life service.
After the service, the remains will be interred in the family plot at Rosehill Cemetery, Fayetteville.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to First United Methodist Churches in Guntersville, Hartselle, Fayetteville and Cookeville or the National Park Service.
Monica Rose Staudt
Hartselle
Funeral service for Monica Rose Staudt, 87, will be Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. at Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church with Father Charles Merrill officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be
at Hartselle City Cemetery. A rosary will be said for Monica at 1 p.m. at the church, and visitation at the church will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Mrs. Staudt died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family, caregivers and friends Oct. 30. She was born March 10, 1934, in Milnor, North Dakota, to William Herbert Schonhoff and Mary Agnes Sauers Schonhoff.
Mrs. Staudt and family moved from North Dakota to Alexandria, Virginia, and then on to Hartselle in 1963, where they lived for almost six decades.
Mrs. Staudt loved crafting, gardening, collecting, garage selling, cooking, but most of all she loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and she was the best one ever! She married her high school sweetheart (Jim Staudt) in 1953, and they have been inseparable for more than 68 years. Mrs. and Mr. Staudt have been the absolute best example of what a truly loving marriage is all about. Over their 68-year marriage, they raised seven children of their own and helped raise a family village of more than 70 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Staudt battled Parkinson’s disease for more than 11 years. Throughout this awful and debilitating disease, her strength and courage helped her deal with this illness with grace and dignity – just one example of the type of woman she was.
She was an inspiration and the consummate Nanny to us all, selfless almost to a fault, always worrying about each of us before herself. She never ran out of love for the more than 75 family members she helped to create and raise. She protected and watched over each and every one of her cubs!
She will be so deeply missed by so many, but we all take comfort knowing she is with the Lord now and all the family that have gone before and that she is no longer in pain.
We love you so much Nanny! She was preceded in death her parents; her son, William James Staudt (Bonnie Staudt); her daughter, Connie Ann Staudt; her brother, Gerald Schonhoff; two sisters, Rosella Levin and Loyola Tayer; her granddaughter, Angela Reneé; and her great-grandson, Westin Michael Pitman.
Survivors include her husband, James Everette Staudt; sons, Robert Everette Staudt (Kristine Staudt) and Michael Patrick Staudt (Susan Staudt); daughters, Kathleen Staudt Tankersley (the late Rex Tankersley), Pamela Staudt Pitman (Andrew Pitman), Patricia Staudt Whatley (Todd Whatley) and Tarri Staudt Drake (Doug Drake); sister, Mary Johnson; 29 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Matthew Staudt, Jimmy Tankersley, Jerry Tankersley, Nathan Pitman, Daniel Whatley and Clay Whatley. Our family has been very blessed with the most amazing caregivers who have helped us though this difficult process! We would like to thank them all for the special loving care they have given to our parents and our family: Amy Scoggins, Shelia Crauswell, Sara Rankin, Mysti Brown, Kayla Steadham and and DeOslin Hackworth. Instead of flowers, the family welcomes donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research as an expression of sympathy.
