Obituaries week of Jan. 12
Annie Clyde Whatley
Hartselle
Annie Clyde Whatley
Hartselle
Annie Clyde Faulkner Whatley gained her wings to heaven with her children and family beside her Jan. 2 at Summerford Health and Rehab, where she had been a long-term resident since June 2020.
She was born Nov. 14, 1933, in DeArmanville to Ollin Grover Faulkner and Maxine Burge Faulkner. She graduated from Lincoln High School, Lincoln, and graduated from the University of Alabama. She was a bookkeeper and retired from Summerford Nursing Home after 25 years.
She was a member of Hartselle First United Methodist Church and a member of the Chancel Choir, Heritage Choir and United Methodist Women’s Group.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 62 years, Billy Joe Whatley; great-grandson, Louis Patrick Whatley; sister, Forrest Faulkner Ray; and brother, Ollin Burge (Buddy) Faulkner.
She is survived by her son, Billy Todd Whatley (Patty); daughter, Tamra Whatley Medders (Randy); grandchildren, Daniel Whatley (Amy), Kelly Whatley Aldridge (Brett), Patrick Whatley (Katie) and Clayton Whatley (Michelle); great-grandchildren, William Whatley Jr., Andrew Whatley, June Whatley, Jacob Whatley, Kate Aldridge, Luke Aldridge, Benjamin Aldridge, Anna Aldridge, Therese Whatley, Zelie Whatley, Lucy Whatley and Sydney Whatley.
The family would like to thank the CNAs, nurses and staff at Summerford Health and Rehab for the loving care you showed our mother and grandmother during her stay there. We would also like to thank Hospice of North Alabama for the care you gave Mom there at the end of her precious life. We know every one of you have a heart of gold to do this work.
Funeral service was held at Hartselle First United Methodist Church Jan. 7 at 11:30 a.m., with burial at Burningtree Memorial Gardens. Officiating the service were Dr. Tom V. Whatley, Bro. Bobby Ray Halbrooks and Bro. Doug Wells.
Pallbearers were Daniel Whatley, Patrick Whatley, Clay Whatley, Brett Aldridge, Will Whatley and Andrew Whatley.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to Hartselle First United Methodist Church Good Samaritan Fund or the Chancel Choir Fund.
Maillen “Sister” Ann Young
Falkville
Funeral service for Maillen “Sister” Ann Young, 76, was held Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. at New Hope North Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Stephen Cannon officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in New Hope North Cemetery.
Miss Young died Jan. 3 at her residence. She was born July 28, 1945, to Sherman Henry Young and Sallie Missouri Ann Smith Young. She was employed in the housekeeping department at Lurleen B. Wallace Center prior to her retirement. She was a loving sister and aunt.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Trainnace, Prentice, Kenneth and James Allen Young. Survivors include her brother, Wayne Young.
Martha Witherspoon
Vinemont
Funeral service for Martha Witherspoon, 71, was held Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Andrews Chapel Cemetery.
Ms. Witherspoon died Jan. 3 at Presbyterian Towers. She was born Sept. 10, 1950, in Morgan County to Elbert Bracken Hampton and Moline Smith Hampton. She was employed as an assembly worker for Copeland Corporation prior to her retirement. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Corrine Hampton Kirby.
Survivors include her son, Chris Witherspoon (Annette), Vinemont; ex-husband, Steve Witherspoon, Piney Grove; brothers, Elbert Hampton, Speake, and Jerry Hampton, Danville; sisters, Dean Hampton Lowery, Decatur, and Linda Hampton Borden, Danville; and great-grandson, Reece Ritchie.
Pallbearers were Lee McCary, Brent McCary, Daniel Williams, Garrett Miller, Mike Joyce and Matt Hampton.
Bonnie Sparkman Allen
Hartselle
Funeral service for Bonnie Sparkman Allen, 71, was held Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel, with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Moss Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Allen died Jan. 5 at Decatur Morgan Hospital.
She was born Sept. 4, 1950, in Morgan County to Pervis Almon Sparkman and Willie Cochran Sparkman. She was employed as hospital administration for Hartselle Hospital prior to her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.O. “Junior” Allen, and her parents.
Survivors include nieces Gena Baxter (Gary), Hartselle, and Vickie Landers, Decatur; nephew, Joey Duncan, Hartselle; great-nieces, Ashley Robertson (Brandon), Cameron Baxter and Caitlin Baxter; great-nephew, Zack Landers; and great-great-nieces Ava and Emily Robertson.
Betty Dodd Goodwin
Hartselle
Funeral service for Betty Dodd Goodwin, 83, was held Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Zeke Haselden officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Evergreen Cemetery.
Mrs. Goodwin died Jan. 5 at Hospice Family Care. She was born Sept. 18, 1938, in Winston County, to Odie Lee Dodd and Beatrice Barton Dodd. She was a homemaker for her family, a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and was a longtime member of the American Legion.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Franklin Woodrow Goodwin; a son, Johnny Wayne Goodwin; her parents; and her sisters, Vonda Lewis and Iva Mae Dodd.
Survivors include a daughter, Tammie Jennings (Tim); brothers, J.R. Dodd (Edna Jo) and Larry Dodd; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jackie Huskey, Ethan Huskey, Joshua Jennings, Andy Cole, Alvin Morgan and Mike Addie.
Roger Dale Ellenburg
Laceys Spring
Funeral service for Roger Dale Ellenburg, 70, was Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Craye Hall officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Valhermoso Springs Cemetery.
Mr. Ellenburg died Jan 7 at his residence. He was born July 15, 1951, in Marshall County to Ace Truman Ellenburg and Mattie Beatrice Nobles Ellenburg.
He was married to the love of his life, Judy Ellenburg, for 45 years, and is survived by her. Together, they had one son, Richard Ellenburg, and have three grandchildren, Katelyn Lamb, Rowdy Ellenburg and Daylee Ellenburg.
He served proudly and retired from service in the United States Marine Corps and the Army National Guard. He also worked for Kelly Brother Cabinets prior to his retirement.
His parents preceded him in death.
He was loved and respected and will be missed greatly.
James Wayne Vest
Falkville
Funeral service for James Wayne Vest, 77, was held Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tim McCormick officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Herring Cemetery.
Mr. Vest died Jan. 7 at his residence. He was born Dec. 1, 1944, in Morgan County to Tilmon James Vest and Madge Lorraine Bates Vest. He was employed with Monsanto as a maintenance technician prior to his retirement. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a member of the Ebenezer Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Freewill Baptist Church, and he pastored for nine years. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his parents and Janice Felkins, who was like a daughter to him.
Survivors include wife, Alene Cooper Vest, Falkville; son, Bryan Vest, Falkville; daughter, Charlotte Vest Robinson (Christopher), Decatur; brothers, Vance Vest (Anne) and Billy Vest (Dona); six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jacob Vest, Caleb Vest, Blake Eason, Thomas Cooper, Keith Dougherty and Daniel Perry.
Tim Taylor
Priceville
Funeral service for Tim Taylor, 54, was held Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jack Bailey officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in New Center Cemetery.
Tim, who died Jan. 8 at his residence, was born July 16, 1967, in Morgan County to Kenneth Ray Taylor and Brenda Sue Long Taylor.
He was employed as a manager by Hollyhand Companies.
His father preceded him in death.
Tim loved his family and friends, and if you ever came to our house, he would say, “What about it.” He was a simple man who loved deeply. If you were lucky enough to be in his circle, you know how much he loved. He never complained about anything and went above and beyond for his family.
Tim loved to cook and grill and just spend time at home with his family. He was our hero, and we will miss him.
Survivors include his wife, Tammy Taylor; son, Blake Taylor; mother, Brenda Sue Long Taylor; bonus son, Carter Barnett; bonus daughter, Ava Barnett; brother, Roger Taylor (Christie); and nieces and nephews, Mason, Rudder and Ellise Taylor.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Maxine Kirby
Danville
Maxine Kirby
Danville
Maxine Kirby, 61, of Danville passed away Dec. 30, 2021, at her residence, surrounded by her family.
She was born March 2, 1960, in Morgan County to Malcolm “Mac” and Corine Hampton Kirby. She was preceded in death by her parents.
She was formerly married to Dan Borden. Dan and Maxine were married for 32 years and had four children.
Maxine is survived by two daughters, Amy Borden White (Andrew) and Kelly Borden Keenum (Tyler); two sons, Brian Borden (Jessica) and Matt Borden (Emma); one brother, Junior Kirby (Joan); and eight grandchildren, Addison Borden, Kennedy Borden, Ava Raye White, Anna Kate White, Eric Keenum, Cambri Keenum, Landon Thurmond and Braymer Keenum.
Funeral service was Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. at Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home.
Maxine loved life and enjoyed life to the fullest. She was loved by many and had a large support group of friends and prayer warriors, for which she was very thankful.
She was a hard worker. In earlier years, she and Dan farmed five chicken houses and ran a dairy. They operated Punkin Center Farm and Home country store for 10 years.
She was a school bus driver for Danville schools for the past 18 years while working part time in the cafeteria at Danville-Neel Elementary as long as she was able.
Over the past year, she fought a long and hard battle with cancer. She never gave up hope and will forever be cherished and loved by many.
The family would like to thank everyone for your support through our journey. Thank you for loving our Momma.
Mark Criswell
Falkville
Funeral service for Mark Criswell, 61, will be Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel, with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery. Visitation will be Jan. 12 from 1-3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home.
Mr. Criswell died Jan. 5 at TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville. He was born Nov. 21, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, to F.W. (Junior) Criswell and Lorraine A. Hartwig Criswell. He was employed as a restaurant associate with Wendy’s prior to his passing.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Dillon McDearmon.
Survivors include sisters, Debbie McDearmon, Falkville, Anne Wilson, Grand Blanc, Michigan, and Cheryl Driver, Brighton, Michigan; brother, Chris Driver, Whitmore Lake, Michigan; nephews, Steve Smith and Brian Helming; and nieces, Christy Davis, Debbie Smith, Lori Garcia, Emily Driver, Sara Driver and Rayna Helming.
