Obituaries week of Feb. 22
Charles E. Free
Hartselle
Funeral service for Charles E. Free, 66, was held Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Steven Barber officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.
Mr. Free died Feb. 13, 2022 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born July 28, 1955, in South Carolina, to Calvin Free and Vinnie Elizabeth Lawrimore Free. He was employed as a truck driver for Eastern Express prior to his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Glenn Free.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Free; sons, Chuck Free (Ali), Jimmy Free and Scotty Free (Natasha); daughter, Mary Richey (Steven); brothers, Dennis Free (Jan) and Tom Free; sister, Deborah Childs (Freddie); and grandchildren, Ethan Richey, Curt Richey, Grace Richey and Jackson Free.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Earline Abercrombie
Hartselle
Earline Abercrombie of Hartselle passed away at the age of 94.
She leaves behind two children to treasure her memory, Anne Ennis (Boyd) of Vestavia Hills and Keith Abercrombie (Teresa) of Massey. Her son Ron preceded her by two weeks; his wife Pam survives them both. She also had two grandchildren, who have a lifetime of memories with Granny, Dr. Arthur B. Ennis (Dr. Joanne Rossman) of Mountain Brook and Jenifer Abercrombie of Nashville, Tennessee.
Mrs. Abercrombie was the widow of Alvin Abercrombie.
Mrs. Abercrombie loved her job as the receptionist at Abercrombie Chevrolet, as well as her role as director of other family business operations, including Big Country 105.7 FM Radio. She made many good friends who were in touch with her until the end.
She was a member of the Heritage Senior Choir and the Hartselle First United Methodist Church for 50-plus years.
Her hobbies were cooking and watching Alabama Crimson Tide football.
Her funeral service was held Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home with Bro. Harold Thompson officiating. Burial was in Hartselle City Cemetery.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
Pallbearers were Bill Darwin, Barry Dutton, Dan Dutton, Johnny Ferguson, Conrad Towner and Len Williamson.
Robert Clemons, Ed Cunningham, Ike Groover, Charles Yarbrough and Jim Wolff served as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, contributions made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Hartselle First Methodist Church, 210 E. Hickory St., Hartselle, AL 35640, or to the charity of your choice, would be greatly appreciated.
“Special thanks” to Dr. Benjamin Rogers and staff and Cullman Internal Medicine, as well as the staff and management of Cullman Regional Medical Center and Woodland Village Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for their exceptional care.
Shirley Patterson Russell
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Shirley Patterson Russell, 89, was held Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Hartselle City Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation is scheduled.
Mrs. Russell died Feb. 13 at her residence. She was born Nov. 2, 1932, in Cullman County to Curtis Patterson and Vela Sherrill Patterson.
Mrs. Russell was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hartselle and a member of the Rainbow Garden Club and the Current Review Club. She loved working in her flower beds and being a homemaker for her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Russell, and her parents.
Survivors include one son, Kelly Russell; daughters, Julia Russell Hall, Laura Russell Kellogg, Karen Russell Martin and Jennifer Russell Ricks; sisters, Jackie Morgan and Dottie White; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Hospice of the Valley.
Ruth Hogan Bass
Hartselle
Funeral service for Ruth Hogan Bass, 79, was held Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tim Rice officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Friendship, south of Danville.
Mrs. Bass died Feb. 14 at her residence. She was born Jan. 19, 1943, in Morgan County to Lewis Glenn Jackson and Sarah Lemmie Brown Jackson.
She was employed by SCI, in quality control, prior to her retirement.
She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.
Preceding her in death were her first husband, Richard Doyle Hogan; her parents; two brothers, Richard Jackson and Billy Jackson; a sister, Faye Welborn; and two brothers-in-law, Tony Leopard and Grover Welborn.
Survivors include her husband, William L. Bass III; son, Ken Hogan; daughter, Donna Hogan; sisters, Hilda Jackson Vandiver (Larry) and Wilda Jackson Leopard; grandchildren, Natasha Stephenson (Terry) and Roger Dale Vinson; and great-grandchildren, Jaelynn Stephenson and Hunter Stephenson.
Pallbearers were friends and family.
Ozell Burgess Davis
Decatur
Funeral service for Ozell Burgess Davis, 102, was held Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Andrews Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Davis died Feb. 15 at her residence. She was born Aug. 25, 1919, in Morgan County to William Luther Burgess and Martie Kyker Burgess.
She was retired from the Athens School System, where she was involved in education and was a dietician. She was a member of the Decatur Emblem Club, loved to do puzzles, enjoyed Wheel of Fortune and had a “crush” on Pat Sajak. She loved her dogs, but “Bubba” was her favorite.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 41 years, John P. Davis; her parents; and a daughter, Gayle Penn Norman.
The family would like to extend “special thanks” to the care team for their outstanding care provided for both our mother and our family.
Survivors include sons, Larry Penn Sr., Jerry O. Penn (Sandra) and Tommy Penn (Rhonda); daughter, Martha Penn; sister, Willie Mae Burgess; grandchildren, Cathy Bedingfield, Mike Collum, Larry Penn Jr. Toni Penn, Tina St. John, Tisha Buenzli and Cora Angiull; 14 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and best friend, Abby Stephens.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of the Valley or to the Andrews Chapel Cemetery Fund, 1052 Andrews Road, Danville, AL 35619.
Robert Louis McDonald
Hartselle
Funeral service for Robert Louis McDonald, 86, was held Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. David Carroll officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Burningtree Memorial Gardens.
Mr. McDonald passed away Feb. 15 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Sept. 7, 1935, in Morgan County to Ollie McDonald and Minnie Ramsey McDonald.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was employed by Copeland Corporation, in the assembly department, prior to his retirement. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing and playing golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Lillian Faye Ledlow McDonald; daughters, Donna Kay McDonald, Judy Carol McDonald and Ann Davenport; sister, Gracie New; seven grandchildren, Mark Curvin, Lance Fowler, Brian Fowler, Brad Fowler, Tasha Curvin, Nathaniel Davenport and Lindsey Davenport; 14 great-grandchildren, Whitney Curvin, Caleb Curvin, Madison Stewart, Brian Wilhite, Alex Fowler, Taylor Wilson, Savannah Fowler, Calee Fowler, Trey Fowler, Lennon Davenport, Anna Claire, Dawson Fowler, Logan Fowler and Landon Horton; and four great-great-grandchildren
Pallbearers were his grandsons.
Bertha Lee Nelson
Hartselle
Our beautiful mother went to her heavenly home Feb. 13. A private graveside service was held at Union Hill Cemetery, Falkville, Feb. 16. Peck Funeral Home assisted the family. The Rev. Jeff Bennett and Rev. Tim Kinney officiated the service.
Born Aug. 16, 1931, to Ray Connie Presley and Verbia Owens Presley in Akron, Ohio.
Mother was a lifelong member of Hills Chapel – LifePointe Church, teaching Sunday school for most of those years. She was a faithful Christian woman devoted to her church. She was a dedicated wife and homemaker, and her children and their families were her greatest treasures.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 58 years, William Lavern Nelson; sons, Kelly Don Nelson and Brian L. Nelson; daughter, Cherry Nelson; grandson, Jeffery McClung; and brothers, Connie Presley and Buddy Presley.
Survivors include one son, Randy Nelson (Charlotte); daughters, Sheilah Horton, Nada Wood (Gary), Jennifer Bennett (Jeff) and Robbie Garman; brothers, Gene Presley (Marilyn) and Dale Presley (Linda); 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren,
Mom would give her opinion without flinching or apology, but she never dismissed your choice and always welcomed you home.
We will always remember Mom in her kitchen, regardless of what room it had been relocated to, cooking something that included someone’s favorite. She was the happiest with a well-stocked fridge and family crowded around her dining table.
The laughter from our home experiences can still be heard.
Mother, you will live on in our hearts forever.
The family would like to thank the Hospice of the Valley for their compassionate care.
Sarah Elizabeth Onks
Hartselle
Funeral service for Sarah Elizabeth Onks, 26, of Hartselle was held Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Joey Coots officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Miss Onks died Feb. 14. She was born Dec. 30, 1995, in San Diego, California, to Bill Onks and Jessie Harris Onks.
She was a 2014 graduate of Arab High School and a 2018 graduate of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa with a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design. She was employed by Leonard Design Architects in Cullman.
Sarah was a faithful member and faithful servant and worker with the children’s ministries at the Church of the Highlands in Huntsville. She was a beloved daughter, sister and friend to all who knew her.
Survivors include parents, Bill and Jessie Onks, Arab; sister, Rachel Stapp (Jamie), Cullman; brothers, David Onks, Arab, and Joseph Onks, Banning, Calif.; grandparents, Ron and Retha Harris, Oceanside, Calif.; aunt, Jennipher Nodine (Christopher), Oceanside, Calif.; and cousins, Harrison and Chase.
In lieu of flowers; make memorials to Highlands College, https://highlandscollege.com/, which is a part of the Church of the Highlands ministry.
James Marion Harbin
Dallas, Texas
James Marion Harbin, 76, passed away Jan. 24 in Dallas, Texas, after a long, hard-fought health battle.
Best known as “Jimmy,” he was born Feb. 20, 1945, in Huntsville to parents Grover Marion Harbin and Lucy Norman Harbin. He attended Buckhorn High School and then served in the US Army as a radio mechanic. He retired from Joe Sartain Ford in Decatur as the body shop manager.
Some things he most enjoyed included watching Alabama football, playing slots at the casino and on his phone, cars, eating sweets, anything that allowed him to work with his hands and watching Western movies.
His family and friends will remember him as a loving father and grandfather, a hard worker, a fierce protector, an awful-but-charming singer and a grand storyteller.
Sharp as a tack and smart as a whip, he could figure out anything he set his mind to, and he always had a joke in his back pocket to make you laugh.
Jimmy is survived by his children, Lisa Harbin Caten, Jason Harbin and Bailee Harbin; siblings, Sandra Harbin King and Ted Walker; former wife, Mary Diane Harbin; grandchildren, Destiny Harbin, Emily Caten, Madison Harbin, Emma Harbin and Tanner Caten; and great-grandchildren, Damon Harbin and Adriauna Huguley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Lucy Harbin; daughter, Teresa Harbin; and brothers, Glenn and Ted Harbin. He will be missed, but forever in our hearts, as he joins his Heavenly Father in his eternal home.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas 75211. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or Johns Hopkins’ COVID-19 Response in James Harbin’s name.
Douglas Edward Oden
Somerville
A Memorial service for Douglas Edward Oden, 65, was held Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at Center Springs United Methodist Church with Bro. Eric Brown officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Mr. Oden died Feb. 15 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born June 29, 1956, in Morgan County to Harvey D. Oden and Lorene Lemmond Oden. He was employed as a car dealer prior to his passing and was a member of Center Springs United Methodist Church. He was a funny, caring person and a great friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harvey D. Oden, and two daughters, Brandi Oden and Kimberly Oden.
Survivors include his mother, Lorene Lemmond Oden; sons, James Douglas Oden and Nicholas Edward Oden; daughter, Susan Renea Popdan (George); brother, Gary Lynn Oden; sister, Lorie Oden Moryc (Michael); four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Gilbert Junior Parker
Somerville
A graveside funeral service and internment for Gilbert Junior Parker, 84, will be held Feb. 23 at 1:15 p.m. at Alabama National Cemetery with Bro. Danny Holmes officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Parker died Feb. 14 at Hendrix Health Care Center.
He was born Sept. 27, 1937, in Morgan County to Leroy Walton Parker and Zadie Lou-Alice Mason Parker. He was employed by Valley Products in the production department prior to her retirement.
He was a United States Army veteran. He loved to fish and camp, was a “shade-tree mechanic” and loved fixing anything that needed repaired. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and his wife, Evelyn, were married for 57 years.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Atkins Parker; daughters, Alicia Hodges and Cassandra Lonnergan (Eric); brothers, Larry Parker, Jimmy Parker, Billy Parker and James Serda; sisters, Mona Randolph, Ann White, Evelyn Garrison and Linda Ingram; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Sharon Lorance Gerstman
Decatur
Funeral service for Sharon Lorance Gerstman, 70, was held Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with ministers Chris Pressnell and Nicky Pressnell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Gerstman died Feb. 16 at Lawrence Medical Center.
She was born Feb. 14, 1952, in Morgan County to William Edward Lorance and Flora Grace Bullard Lorance. She was a member of the Flint Church of Christ and was employed by the Morgan County Board of Education as a secretary and bookkeeper prior to her retirement.
She enjoyed quilting and crafting and making things for her grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons, Jason Gerstman (Stephanie) and Jon Gerstman (Jennifer); daughter, Sharla Stewart (Wesley); brother, Ken Lorance; grandchildren, Kaeli White (Clayton), Kristen Jared (Grant), Parker Stewart, Kaden Gerstman and Jackson Gerstman; and great-grandchild, Matthew Jon Jared.
Jo White
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Jo White, 89, was held Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. at Herring Cemetery with the family saying a few words and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. White died February 17 at her residence. She was born Dec. 29, 1932, in Texas to Joseph Dewey Amason and Rae Leaster Amason. She was employed as a librarian for the Premont Independent
School District.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse T. White, and her parents.
Survivors include her sons, Jess White (Becky), Hartselle, and Ron White (Jill), Como, Texas; daughter, Cheryl McCorkle (Joe), Hartselle; brothers, Paul Amason (Lynda), Dickinson, Texas, and David Amason, Ingleside, Texas; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to First Assembly of God.
Frances Holt
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Frances Holt, 75, was held Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. at Herring Cemetery with Bro. Michael Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No public visitation was scheduled.
Miss Holt died Feb. 19 at Huntsville Hospital. She was born Aug. 4, 1946, in Morgan County to Herman Rufus and Edith Holt.
She was a floral designer for Apple’s Florist and also was employed by Cato’s as a regional manager for 25 years prior to her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Herman Holt.
Survivors include a brother, Stanley Holt; aunts, Evelyn Johnson (Gary), Jessica Johnson and Brenda McCluskey (Danny); uncles, Earl Holt (Eleanor) and Van Holt (Jan); and nieces and nephews, Shelia Holland, Tabatha Bledsoe, Tony Davis and Danny Holt.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
