Obituaries week of May 4

David Bernard Sumrall
Decatur
Graveside services and interment for David B. Sumrall were held April 27 at Oak Level Cemetery, Cullman with Bro. Wayne Newby officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Sumrall, 69, died April 24 in Decatur. He was retired from Hercules Offshore, Inc. where he served as a steward for more than 30 years. He proudly served two years in the United States Marine Corps during the VietNam era. His favorite activities included cooking and playing with his dogs. He is survived by his son, David Brandon and special friend Russ of Riverside, Calif., one daughter, Leigh Ann McCreless and husband Neal of Priceville, and one sister, Debra Ann Sumrall and husband Joe of Minden, La. He is also survived by two granddaughters Haley and Audrey McCreless and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diana, son, Brian, and parents, Jewell and Bonnie Sumrall.

Mary Dalton

Mary Margaret Dalton
Decatur
Mary Margaret (Solinski) Dalton, of Decatur, passed away peacefully April 25, at Decatur Health & Rehab Center, at the young age of 77, surrounded by her daughters. She was a true fighter, surviving breast cancer, but lost her long hard battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. She will be remembered for her quick smile, her faith in the Lord and her love of her family and friends.
Mary was born March 9, 1945, in Bay City, Mich. and was a 1963 graduate of T.L. Handy High School. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Adrienne Solinski, and her twin sister, Margaret Smekar. Survivors include her daughters, Kimberly Cook (Ed), Kelly Helsper (Bill)
and Kristy Rey (Lee). She was the best Nana to her grandchildren, Brielle (Adam), Trevor (Sarah), Alex (Evan), and Jordan, and three beautiful grandchildren, Livi Claire, Brady and Jackson. All of these were her greatest joys in life. She is also survived by her brothers, Michael Solinski (Dawn), Tom Solinski, John Solinski (Lydia), and brother-in-law, Frank Smekar. Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family kindly asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, and most importantly any research for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Nina Malloy
Hartselle
Nina Malloy passed away April 26 at her residence. She was born December 8, 1934, in Newfoundland, Canada, to Jimmy Simon and Madeline Gaudau Simon. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother and a homemaker for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Duane Malloy, her parents and a daughter, Sharron Register.
Survivors include daughters, Shirley Malloy and Sandra Hodtwalker; grandchildren, Sandy Schmidt (Butch), Tina Smith (Chris), and Connie Kyzer (Mike); seven great grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren. Her family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

Daniel Raye Morgan

Decatur

Daniel Raye Morgan, 67, of Decatur, died Jan. 31, in Tunica, Miss. He was born to Willard R. and Betty Jean Mote Morgan on October 17, 1955. He is survived by his son, Houston Milam Morgan of Houston, Texas; sister, Angela Morgan of Decatur; two nephews, William Stevens and Sawyer Stevens, both of Decatur; two cousins Joan Morgan and Phillip Morgan. The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

Charles Ray Johnson
Decatur
A memorial service for Charles Ray Johnson, 84, was held May 3 at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Wendell Callahan and Bro. Harold Thompson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Johnson died April 26. He was born March 3, 1938, in Morgan County, to Pearlie E. Johnson and Mable Grace (Holt) Johnson. He was self-employed as a carpenter, prior to his retirement. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Thomas Thurman Johnson and sisters; Thelma Depreast, Vera Mae Drake, Vina Pearl Wallace, Mary Letha Higdon, Gracie Lee Griffith, Ottie Lou Self, and Margaret Eloise Johnson. Survivors include sons, Jeffrey L. Johnson (Gayla), Byron Johnson (Belinda), Rod Johnson (Margie) and Grad Johnson; daughter, Mona Johnson Raley; brother, Ervin Johnson; eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Jean Floyd
Hartselle
Funeral service for Jean Floyd, 88, was held May 2 at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tom Campbell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. The burial was in Johnson Chapel Cemetery. A visitation was held at the funeral home before the service. Mrs. Floyd died on April 29 at her residence. She was born March 21, 1934, in Dekalb County, to Erbey Berstein Harris and Lessie Leola Roberts Harris. She was a homemaker for her family and loved them dearly. Preceding her in death were her husband and her parents. Her family would like to say a special thanks to Hospice, Meals on Wheels and her family and friends for all the care and concern. Survivors include daughter, Glenda Turrentine, Hartselle; sister, Joyce Chaney, Moulton; grandchildren, Tyler Turrentine (Katrina) and Justin Turrentine (Amber); great grandchildren, Hudson O’Neal Turrentine and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Justin Turrentine, Tyler Turrentine, Tony Turrentine, Amber Minor, Tyler Bush and Alex Eliff.

Chesteen Fowler Ellenburg

Hartselle

A private visitation and graveside service was held for Chesteen Fowler Ellenburg with Rev. Lynn Harvel officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.

Mrs. Ellenburg was born on May 5, 1937, in Franklin County, Alabama, to Andrew and Arrie Fowler. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John Ellenburg Jr. (nickname Pete); brothers, Clovis and Hollis Fowler and her sister, Pauline Zumbado.

As Chesteen herself put it, she “sailed into Glory” April 29.

Chesteen grew up in Red Bay as the third of six children. She grew up picking cotton and reading books and could never remember a time that she couldn’t read. It was one of her greatest pleasures. She was the president of her senior class and received the DAR Good Citizen Award.

Her home on Forest Chapel Road was her favorite place in the world and she loved spending her days looking at all her “blooms.”

It was her honor to have taught her senior ladies Sunday School class for over twenty years and considered them her friends. She also sang in the Senior Choir – in her words, “making a joyful noise.” She taught elementary school for five years before changing careers and spending twenty-eight years as a local U.S. Mail Carrier in Hartselle.

Chesteen loved her family and spent time laughing and “kicking the air” with them. She told her kids and her “grands” that she’d be waiting for them in heaven at the far side of Jordan and we’re sure she’ll be there with Pete, laughing and talking while he’s fishing for rainbow trout.

Survivors include son, Jason Fowler Ellenburg; two daughters, Heather Ellenburg and Miriam Ellenburg Ferro (Maurizio Ferro); two sisters; Marie Fowler and Nell Henson; three grandchildren, Graham, Benjamin and Ella Woo. Pallbearers will be friends and family.