Obituaries week of Mar. 1
Myra Emily Bonds
Falkville
A graveside funeral service and interment for Myra Emily Bonds, 74, was held Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. at Hamby’s Chapel Cemetery with Joan Farley officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Miss Bonds died Feb. 19 at Huntsville Hospital. She was born April 3, 1947, in Cullman County to Thomas Bonds and Mildred Smith Bonds.
She was an employee of the state of Alabama, working for Vocational Rehabilitation, prior to her retirement.
She was a lifelong member of Enon Baptist Church and was loved by all who knew her. She was a very generous lady. She loved daylilies, gardening and canning.
Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother, Keith Bonds.
Survivors include a brother, Ricky Bonds (Judy); sisters, Jane P. Clark (Bill) and Joan Farley (Bill); niece, Jennifer St. John; nephews, Ash Farley, Brad Pridmore, Don Bonds and T.J. Bonds; and numerous cousins.
Rita Marie Blaxton
Hillsboro
Rita Marie Blaxton, 95, of Hillsboro passed away Feb. 19. A funeral mass was held Feb. 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church. She was laid to rest in Decatur City Cemetery.
Rita is survived by one son, Wayne Blaxton; five daughters, Donna (Cecil) Brooks, Susan (Kenny) Reding, Jeannie (Rod) Downey, Janet (Donnie) Farley and Jane (Randy) Gray; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Gloria Swarthout, of Houma, La.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Wayne Blaxton; her parents, Octave Dalferes Sr. and Louise LeBlanc Dalferes; four brothers; and seven sisters.
Rita was a lifetime member of Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church. She was a devout lover of her God and her family; she lived her life in endless service to both. Her commitment to her faith and those who God placed in her life was a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
Pallbearers were Trey Brooks, Matthew Blaxton, Jeremy Reding, Travis Downey, Patrick Davis and Jared Reding.
Honorary pallbearers were Bob Brooks, Ben Blaxton and Christopher Jordan.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of the Valley.
Nancy Miller
Decatur
Funeral service for Nancy Miller, 83, was held Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jamie Stewart officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Shoal Creek Cemetery.
Mrs. Miller died Feb. 23 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born April 3, 1938, in Detroit, Mich., to Kenneth Wingate and Bernice Manning Wingate.
She was a factory worker for Precision Packing in Warren, Mich., prior to her retirement. She loved to crochet blankets and give them as gifts to anyone having a baby. She loved watching her soap operas on television and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, with whom she had an unconditional love.
In her younger days she enjoyed playing pool and coloring.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elton Clark Miller; her parents; a grandson, Steven Marshall; brothers, Robert, Jerry, Tom, Richard and Billy; and a sister, Betty.
Survivors include one son, Dale Marshall (Gwenda); daughters, Kelly Johnson (Johnny), Shelley Miller and Hope Miller; grandchildren, Melody Marshell, Heath Miller, Brandon Miller, Holly Johnson Sparkman, Scotty Miller, Vincent Cloe and Melissa Johnson Stewart; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Crystal, Nathan, Zoey, Dominick, Brooklyn, Kiera, Finley, Billy and Vinny.
Pallbearers were Heath Miller, Brandon Miller, Scotty Miller, Jamie Stewart, Johnny Johnson and Austin Hensley.
John Ross Smith
Falkville
A memorial service for John Ross Smith, 55, was held by his family Feb 27 from 2 p.m. at New Hope North Missionary Baptist Church.
Mr. Smith died Feb. 24 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Feb. 25, 1966, in Morgan County to Harold Franklin Smith and Lillie Mae Moore.
He was employed by Olan Mills Portrait Studios as a photographer prior to his passing.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Brenda Smith Cryer.
Survivors include two sisters, Ola Mae Kilpatric (Ronald) and Linda Smith, and two brothers, Harlan Smith (Terri) and Willard Smith (Sherry McNatt).
Doyle Houser
Somerville
Funeral service for Doyle Houser, 89, of Somerville was held Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ken Galyean officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial, with military honors, was held at Burningtree Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Mr. Houser, who was born April 10, 1932, in Morgan County to Joseph Sire Houser and Lela Olive Owens Houser, died Feb. 25. He retired from Wolverine Tube, where he had worked as a machinist. He was a member of the Somerville United Methodist Church, an avid fisherman and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He loved his family and especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His parents and his wife, Betty Tuder Houser, preceded him in death.
He is survived by three sons, Joe Kevin Houser, Vandon Houser (Wendy) and Kenneth Houser (Donna); a daughter, Doyce Turner (Charlie); a sister, Yvonne Cook; and 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Teric Turner, Dale Taylor, Brad Houser, Bo Collins, Travis Moore, Brody Collins, Isaac Moore, Cole Houser, Koby Houser and Koltar Houser served as pallbearers.
Terry Wayne Black
Hartselle
Graveside service for Terry Wayne Black, 58, of Hartselle was held Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. at Falkville City Cemetery with Dr. Jerome Ward officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was planned.
Terry, who was born March 23, 1963 in Hartselle, died Feb. 24 at his home. He was a 1981 graduate of Hartselle High School and attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was the best hugger and had a very outgoing personality. He made everyone he met smile.
Terry was a huge Auburn Tiger fan – “War Eagle” – and he always said, “not surfing in Heaven on a low Tide.”
He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Freda Junkins; his siblings, Tammy Whaley (Ron), Teresa Black-Bevel, Denise Bamberg (Robert) and Tim Junkins (Johna); four nephews, Ryan Bevel, Hunter Johnson, Ian Bamberg and Zach Bamberg; one niece, Holli Johnson; and one great-nephew, Kamdyn Matthews.
Hunter Johnson, Ryan Bevel, Zach Bamberg, Alex Ferryman, Ian Bamberg and Gerald Kirby served as pallbearers. Anthony Black was an honorary pallbearer.
Special thanks to Encompass Hospice and his caregivers, Christine Jacks and Rita Parker.
Hal Robinson
Hartselle
A private family graveside funeral service for Hal Robinson, 62, was held Saturday at Mt. Zion Cemetery with Geoff Halbrooks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Mr. Robinson passed away Feb. 24 at his residence. He was born Sept. 8, 1959, in Morgan County to William Frank Robinson and Doris Jean Milhorn Robinson. He was employed by Sonoco for approximately 40 years as an assembly line worker prior to his passing.
He loved listening to music and cruising around in his car and enjoyed watching sports.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-niece, Jemma Rose Griffith.
Survivors include his brothers, Joe Robinson, Jimmy Robinson, Jeff Robinson and Andy Robinson; sisters, Debra Mayfield, Diane Robinson, Billie Sue Robinson and Shirley Robinson; nieces, Amanda Alexander (Geoffrey), Elizabeth Mayfield Baldwin (Craig), Kristi West Griffith (Clint) and Caitlyn Robinson; great-nieces, Breanna Alexander, Sabrina Alexander and Lilly Griffith; and great-nephews, Hayden Alexander and Gene Baldwin.
Patsy Faye Tuck
Falkville
A graveside funeral service and interment for Patsy Faye Tuck, 78, was held Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Ebell Cemetery in Oneonta with Bro. Dan Garrison officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled.
Mrs. Tuck died Feb. 24 at Falkville Health Care Center. She was born June 9, 1943, in Morgan County to Herschel Walker and Gladys Casey. She was a resident of the Falkville Healthcare Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother, Jimmy Walker. Survivors include one son, Paul Payne; brothers, Danny Walker and Jerry Walker; and sister, Carolyn Story (Dale).
Pallbearers were friends and family.
Russell Eugene Lee
Falkville
Funeral service for Russell Eugene Lee, 58, was held Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Pope officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Pine Haven Cemetery in Scottsboro. Mr. Lee died Feb. 22 at his residence. He was born Jan. 13, 1964, in Massachusetts to Russell Larry Lee and Sherry O’Lane Cannon Lee. He was employed as a banker and lender for Community Bank, Bank Independent and Yarco Inc., during his banking career. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club and Lions Club.
Russell was an amazing husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend who was loved by all who knew him. He brought joy to everyone through his vibrant personality and telling stories. Russell enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and playing golf, but his family time was the most important time spent.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Stephanie Lee, Falkville; son, Jaxon Lee, Falkville; daughters, Whitney Guin (Shaun), Vestavia Hills, and Kelsey Lee, Falkville; brother, Randall Lee, Hartselle; and three grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Eugene Yarbrough, Jeremy Yarbrough, John Holland, Bryant Greenwell, Danny Hill and John Underwood.
Noel W. Holmes
Somerville
Graveside service for Noel W. Holmes, 97, was held Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. at Red Oak Cemetery in Somerville with Bro. Dan Barton and Bro. Zeke Haselden officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Holmes died Feb. 23 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Dec. 25, 1924, in Morgan County to Omer and Flossie Holmes.
Mr. Holmes was a United States Army World War II veteran. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie Stinson Holmes; and son, Dennis Holmes.
Survivors include a son, Jeffery Holmes; four grandchildren, Dennis Holmes II, Brandy Bedingfield, Dwain Holmes and Cindy Holmes; and several great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, make memorials to the Hartselle American Legion or to the Cotaco United Methodist Church.
Peggy Rogers
Spanish Fort, formerly of Danville
Funeral service for Peggy Rogers, 88, will be March 5 at 11 a.m. at Johnson Chapel UMC with Bro. Roger Penn and Bro. Tom Salter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Johnson Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be March 5 from 10-11 a.m. at Johnson Chapel UMC in Danville.
Mrs. Rogers passed away Feb. 23 at Westminster Village in Spanish Fort, where she had gone to be nearer to family.
She was born Dec. 27, 1933, in Morgan County to William Danny Penn and Vernie Hall Penn.
She was employed for more than 40 years by Citizens Bank of Hartselle, which became SouthTrust Bank, prior to her retirement. She was a vice president of the bank, and she served many people and made many friends over those years.
She was a Falkville High School graduate and a member of the Johnson Chapel United Methodist Church for more than 40 years.
Mrs. Rogers was preceded in death by her husband, Lewie Rogers; her parents; brothers, Hoyt Lee Penn and Norman Penn; sisters, Jo Ann Ellis and Marie Price; and one nephew.
Survivors include a daughter, Pam Chaffin (Doug); grandchild, Evelyn Chaffin; and seven nephews who loved her dearly.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to be made to Johnson Chapel Church or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
John F. Owens
Decatur
John Franklin Owens of Decatur passed away Feb. 25 at his residence in Decatur at the age of 87.
He was a member of the Hartselle Church of Christ, and he served on the Board of Education in Lawrence County during the time of desegregation. He was married to Betty Fuller Owens for 65 years and was a veteran of the US Army.
He was nicknamed “Combine” by co-workers at Monsanto for raising corn and soybeans. He was a volunteer firefighter for Caddo-Midway and Priceville. He had an affinity for vintage tractors and was well-known for his story telling.
He was born to Slathal Chelsey Owens and Etna Louise Sharp Owens June 13, 1934, in Morgan County. Survivors include a son, Kenneth Owens of Decatur; daughters, Sheri Owens of Mobile and Karen Owens of Hartselle; a sister, Sue Crow (Donald) of Decatur; and granddaughter, Alex Owens (fiancé Justin Furgeson).
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Fuller Owens; son, Karey Owens; and granddaughter, Ashleigh Owens. The funeral service was Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home. Interment followed at Burningtree Memorial Gardens. Brother Phillip Hines did the officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request a memorial donation be made to the charity of your choice.
Katina Jo Dodd Hardin
Hartselle
Funeral service for Katina Jo Dodd Hardin, 48, of Hartselle will be March 5 at 1 p.m. at Sanctuary Community Church in Hartselle with Brother Shane Britt officiating. Burial will be in the Hartselle City Cemetery. Peck Funeral Home is directing. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
Mrs. Hardin, who was born Nov. 20, 1973 in Jasper died Feb. 24 at Huntsville Hospital.
Tina was very passionate about her profession as a registered nurse. Prior to graduating high school, she worked as a paralegal for attorney Mike Sparkman, and after graduating from Wallace State with a nursing degree, she worked for Cullman Regional Medical Center for 14 years. The last two years she worked as an orthopedic trauma nurse at Huntsville Hospital.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Pattie Meadows Gurney, and by her grandparents, C.A. and Lila Lewis of Elkmont and Pete and Lillie Dodd of Double Springs.
She is survived by a son, Mac Hardin, and his father, Barry Hardin; her parents, Billy Joe Dodd and Martha Lewis Dodd; a sister, Kimberly Sawyer (Barry); and nieces and nephews, Kristin Gurney, Amelia Renshaw (Joe), Shianne Gurney, Joshua Sawyer (Emily), Sarah Sawyer (Harshpal) and Megan Sawyer (Zac).
Mac Hardin, Drew Cartee, Blaze Gillespie, Jacob Motley, Preston Murphy and Cal George will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, make memorials to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
