Obituaries week of July 6

Peggy Champion

Peggy Murphree Champion
Trussville
A graveside funeral service and interment for Peggy Murphree Champion, 77, was held June 29 at 11 a.m. at Burningtree Memorial Gardens with Bro. Terry Nappier officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation was scheduled. Mrs. Champion died June 26 at UAB Highlands in Birmingham. She was born November 9, 1944, in Morgan County to James Q. Murphree and
Clois M. Fowler Murphree. She lived in Hartselle for most of her life and graduated from Morgan County High School in 1960. She was employed by NASA as a Secretary in civil service, prior to her retirement. She was Baptist in her faith, was a loving mother and grandmother and loved her dog, Sadie. She enjoyed riding motorcycles with her husband. She lived the last eight years with her daughter and family in Trussville, Ala. Preceding her in death was her husband of 46 years, Howard E. Champion, and her parents, James and Clois Murphree. Survivors include daughter, Susan White (Stephen), of Trussville, Ala.; brother, James “Wayne” Murphree; two grandchildren, Shelby White and Sawyer White.

Joey Duncan
Hartselle
Mr. Joey Duncan, 51, of Hartselle passed away June 27 at
his residence. He was born April 11, 1971 in Morgan County, to Eskel
Eugene Duncan and Nancy Lou Sparkman Duncan. He was employed as a grounds
keeper. His parents preceded him in death.
Survivors include one survivor, sister, Jena Baxter (Gary), Hartselle, Ala.
No services have been scheduled at this time.

Harlon Hampton
Addison
Funeral service for Harlon Hampton, 62, was held June 29 at 2 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church at Upshaw with Bro. Cody Landis officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Friendship Cemetery (Upshaw). Mr. Hampton died June 25 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He
was born August 10, 1959 to George William “Litt” Hampton and Jewell
Marie Legg Hampton. He was employed as a machinist for Automatic Screw and
formerly for Prestolite, prior to his passing. He was a wonderful father
and a good brother, uncle and friend. His parents preceded him in death. Survivors include daughter, Darlon Hampton; brothers, Bill Hampton and
Russell Hampton; best-friend, Steve McCary; nieces and nephews,
Dixie Muzzo,, Wesley Hampton and Amy Nichols
Pallbearers were family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the charity of your
choice.

William Larry Penn
Somerville
Funeral service for William Larry Penn, 75, was held June 30 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Mt Tabor Cemetery. Mr. Penn died June 24 at his residence. He was born June 3, 1947, in Morgan County to Owen Ray Penn and Ozell Burgess Penn Davis. Mr. Penn graduated from Athens State College with a Bachelor of Science
Degree. He was employed at the Redstone Arsenal by the United States Army
Aviation and Missile Command, Management Directorate, where he retired. He
served in the U.S. Navy and also was a farmer. Preceding him in death were his wife, Madeline Penn, parents, a sister, Linda Gayle Penn Norman, step-children, Fred Peebles, Teresa J. Peebles and Terry Ann Peebles. Survivors include son, William Larry Penn, Jr. (Susan); stepson, Raymond Dale Peebles; brothers, Jerry O. Penn (Sandra) and Charles Thomas “Tommy” Penn (Rhonda);
sister, Martha Karen Penn; grandchildren, Haley Thorpe, Lacey Laster and Clint Penn;
several great grandchildren. Pallbearers were family and friends.

Brenda Halbrooks

Brenda Reyer Halbrooks
Hartselle
Brenda L. Reyer Halbrooks, age 78, went home to our Lord June 28. She was born in Ardmore, Ala. on July 27, 1943 to R.D. Reyer and Lurline Morell Reyer. She was a 1961 graduate of Hewitt-Trussville High School and received her B.S. degree from Jacksonville State University. She was a member of Hartselle First United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star. She touched many lives as a pastor’s wife in numerous United Methodist churches in North Alabama
and as an elementary school teacher for 19 years. She volunteered as a camp
counselor at Camp Sumatanga, where she met her husband of 60 years, Bobby
Ray Halbrooks. She enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling with her
husband, church activities, Bible studies, crafting, reading, Red Hats group and birthday girl lunches. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Ray Halbrooks; sons, Bobby Ray (Debbie) Halbrooks Jr., and John Wesley Halbrooks; daughter, Lisa (Paul) Stalnaker; grandchildren, Jacob (Christy) Stalnaker, John (Kelsey) Stalnaker, Halston Halbrooks, Jesse (Anna-Marie) Perrin, Mary Caitlin (Alex) Brown, Sara Beth
(Jaxon) Peebles; and 7 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dorsey (Gail) Reyer, David (Carol) Reyer; sisters, Nancy Luanne (Jack) McDuffle, Susan (Ed) Brashier; beloved aunt, Lena Tomerlin, and nieces and nephews. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation was held July 1 at Hartselle First United Methodist Church from 1-3 p.m. with service following at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Camp Sumatanga or your favorite charity.

Robert Partlow

Robert Allen “Bob” Partlow

Decatur

A graveside funeral service and interment for Robert Allen “Bob” Partlow, 71, was held July 1 at 11 a.m. at Falkville City Cemetery with Geoff Halbrooks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Partlow died June 27 at his residence. He was born February 18, 1951 in Talladega County to William Harrison Partlow and Nancy Mildred Crawford. He graduated with a B.S. degree from UAB. He was a United States Army Veteran- Corpsman and Radiology Technician. Bob worked in the insurance industry for more than 40 years and retired as regional vice president from Physician’s Mutual Insurance Company after a career of 18 years. He was also a member of The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Bob loved to travel and had visited every state in the United States. He was preceded in death by his parents William Harrison Partlow and Nancy Mildred Crawford; brothers-in-law, Bob Winkles, Falkville, Hal Laney, Danville, and Robert Vinzant, Trinity; sisters-in-law, Sandy Partlow, Hartselle, and Barbara Partlow, Hot Springs, Ark. Survivors include sons, Will Partlow (Larissa), Hartselle and Jay Partlow, Decatur; three brothers, Donny Partlow, Hartselle; Phillip Partlow, Falkville, half-brother, Harry Partlow (Jessica), Hot Springs, Ark; three sisters, Billie Laney, Danville, Nina Winkles, Falkville, and Elizabeth Vinzant, Trinity; five grandchildren, Hayden Partlow, Ethan Partlow, Caroline Wright (Cooper), Cameron Partlo, and Titan Partlow. Pallbearers were Hayden Partlow, Ethan Partlow, Cooper Wright, Titan Partlow, Ken Winkles, Dusty Vinzant, Jim Smith. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Bruce Ross

Bruce Ross

St. Petersburg, Fla.

Bruce Ross, 96, of St. Petersburg, Fla. passed away peacefully at his home June 19. Born and raised in Huntsville, Ala., he graduated from Huntsville High School. For the majority of his life, Bruce resided in Hartselle, Ala. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vance B. and Lela Mae Ross; brother James E. “Gene” Ross; and his wife of 48 years Sue R. Ross. Bruce is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Allan and Lisa Ross; sisters-in-law Gene Buckelew (Billy) and Betty Ross Robinson (Lewis); grandchildren David A. Ross (Kelley) and Deana L. Eaton (Ben); great-grandchildren Jackson D. Ross, Elizabeth L. Ross and Madison L. Eaton; a niece, Sylvia Ross; and a nephew, Patrick Buckelew (Kim) and great nephew Hudson. Upon graduation from Huntsville High School, Bruce enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and served as a Seaman 1st Class on an LST from June 30, 1944 to March 13, 1946. He had a 10-year career with Wolverine Tube a Division of Calumet & Hecla located in Decatur. Bruce then went back to college and graduated from Auburn University in 1961 with a degree in Business Administration. He held positions at Alabama Highway Express in Birmingham and at General Electric in Huntsville before launching into a 21-year career with Amoco Chemicals Corp. in Decatur where he worked in the accounting department processing payroll until his retirement in 1988. Subsequent to retirement, Bruce and Sue split time between Hartselle and South Pasadena, Fla. where they purchased a condo. He loved to travel and made several trips to Europe over the next several years, the last being a trip to France with his son, Allan, when he was in his 80s. Bruce will be buried in Hartselle alongside his wife. On a lighter note, his wife Sue was notorious for pinching Bruce on the back of his arm when she wanted to make a point. His son, Allan, chuckles at the thought of Sue pinching him as he passed through the Pearly Gates and exclaiming “What took you so long”?! Visit the family’s personalized online guestbook at www.davidcgross.com.

Ferrell Sharp

Ferrell V. Sharp
Somerville
Funeral service for Ferrell V. Sharp, 93, was held July 3 at 3 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church with Bro. Pearl Jenkins officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Shiloh Baptist Cemetery. Mr. Sharp died June 29 at his residence. He was born June 9, 1929, in Morgan County, to Henry Vernon Sharp and Dovie Icle Fowler Sharp. He was employed by Monsanto as a Research Lab Technician, prior to his retirement. Mr. Sharp was the oldest living member of Shiloh Baptist Church and was a United States Veteran of the Korean War, where he was wounded in combat September 12, 1951 and was then made the recipient of the Purple
Heart. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Preceding him in death were his wife, Joy Irene McMinemon Sharp, who died June 6, 1966 and then by his second wife, Sara Willodene Speegle Sharp, a daughter, Becky Kimbrell and his brother and best friend, Conrad Sharp. Survivors include sons, Dudley Sharp (Lupita), Jeffery Sharp, Michael Sharp, and
Darrell Sharp; daughters, Sherry McCutcheon (Steve), Jennie Taylor (Kenneth), and
Debbie Iddins (Nick); sister, Linda Dunlap (Tommy); ten grandchildren;
six great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Comfort Care Hospice.

Roy Borden

Roy Edward Borden
Decatur
Funeral service for Roy Edward Borden, 93, was held Sunday, July 3 at
3:00 p.m. at Oak Park Church of God with Bro. Bobby Newman officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Somerville Historical
Cemetery. Visitation was Sunday, July 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00p.m.
at Oak Park Church of God.

Mr. Borden went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Decatur
Morgan Hospital. He was born June 24, 1929, in Morgan County to William
Daniel Borden and Arrie Joan Pillow Borden. Mr. Borden spent his early
adult days working construction. He operated heavy machinery while working
on the Arsenal and constructing Interstate 65. He then went to work at
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, where he was a supervisor, area manager
and a member of Goodyear “Top 10” Club for several years, and retired from
there in 1988. He was the oldest living and serving member of Oak Park
Church of God. He always wanted to make sure his family was ready to meet
Jesus some day and for the past 3 months he has longed to be reunited with
the love of his life, his wife of 74 years. He loved hunting and fishing
with his son, and when he wasn’t able to hunt and fish anymore, he loved
sitting on the patio telling fishing stories to his great grandkids.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Myrtle Avalene Borden, son, Edward
Ray Borden, his parents, brothers, Clyde, Bluett, Thurston, Dan, Floyd,
Homer, Erskine and Ganford Borden and sisters, Lois Brown, Avis Dugger,
Addie Marie Bivens and Yvonne Borden.

Survivors include son, Gary Borden, Decatur, AL; daughter, Regina Long (Ray), Somerville, AL
grandchildren, Patti Brown (Mickey), Stephanie Wallace (Jeremy), Mary Melson (Josh) and
Micah Mitchell (Tony); eight great grandchildren, Chance, Ellie Grace, Tripp,
Sawyer, Izzy, Fynnley, Aubrey and Lily

Pallbearers were Mickey Brown, Josh Melson, Tony Mitchell, Chance Brown,
Jeremy Wallace, Tripp Brown and Ellie Grace Blackwood.

Doris Marie Smith
Guntersville
A funeral service for Doris Marie Smith, 86, was held Sunday, July 3 at
1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Donald Baugh officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Burningtree Memorial
Gardens. Visitation was Saturday, July 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
at Peck Funeral Home.

Mrs. Smith died on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Shepard’s Cove Hospice in
Albertville. She was born August 12, 1935, in Belle Mina, Alabama, to
David Franklin Montgomery and Gladys Josephine Maples.
She was a nurse for St. Vincent’s Hospital, prior to her retirement and was
a wonderful, caring mother, wife, sister and daughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Noel “Sonny” Smith, a daughter:
Kristy Smith Ochoa and her parents.

Survivors include daughter, Cynthia Denise Maples; four grandchildren;
nine great grandchildren; one great grandchild
Pallbearers were Kevin Horton, Brandon Maples, Marcus Williamson, Dale
Montgomery, Scott McCurley and Zach Tucker. Honorary Pallbearers were

Jose Ochoa and Gary Montgomery.

Charles “Doug” Norman
Decatur
Mr. Charles “Doug” Norman, 74, died on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at his residence. He was born September 8, 1947, in Alcorn County, Mississippi, to Charles Norman and Nancy Douglas Norman. Doug loved life, his wife, cars, animals and music. He was self-employed with Decatur Recyclers, prior to his retirement. He passed away at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle Norman and his parents.

Survivors include daughter, Cynthia Stevens (Darryl); step-son, Michael A. Collum (Juli);
step-daughter, Cathy Beddingfield (Bobby); brother, Jim Norman (Laura); sisters,
Barbara Howell (Robert) and Gale Kappler (George); five grandchildren;
three great grandchildren
A memorial service will be held by his family on Friday, July 8 at St John’s Episcopal Church at 10:00 a.m. with Sarah Watts officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of the Valley.

—