Obituaries week of Jan. 11
John Larry Monk
Hartselle
The funeral service for John Larry Monk was held Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Peck Funeral Home with Geoff Halbrooks officiating and Peck Funeral Home handling arrangements. Burial was held at Valhermoso Springs Cemetery. Mr. Monk passed away at the age of 78 Saturday, December 31, 2022. He was born January 4, 1944 to Hollis and Fleda Stringer Monk in Cullman County, Alabama. He was self-employed as cabinet maker. He was of the Baptist faith. He loved to be busy woodworking, tinkering on old trucks and tractors. He was preceded in death by his father, Hollis Monk; brother, Holland Monk; late wife, Brenda B Monk; and stepson Michael Guyse. Survivors include wife, Mavis Monk; mother, Fleda Monk; brothers, Frank Monk (Kathryn) and Carl Monk; sons, Kenneth Monk and Ramey Dee Monk; grandchildren, Clay Monk, Angel Monk, Paige and Peyton Monk, Katie Monk; great-grandchild, Henry Mize Monk; stepson, Steven Guyse; stepdaughter, Alana F. Drinkard; step-grandchildren, Ashley Filler, Jennifer Griffin, and Kellen Drinkard. Pallbearers were family and friends.
Luke Pryor Gilchrist
Laceys Spring
Luke Pryor Gilchrist
Laceys Spring
Graveside service for Luke Pryor Gilchrist, 86, of Cotaco was held Wednesday, January 4, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Blue Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Richard L. Richie and Peck Funeral Home directing. Pryor, who died Saturday evening, was born December 25, 1936, in Somerville, to Vardy Poteet “Sport” Gilchrist and Moselle Holloway Gilchrist. He was a member of Grace Point Baptist Church in Florette. Pryor graduated from Priceville High School and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. There he was trained in meteorology and served his country in many locations to include the Philippines and Eglin Air Force Base. After completing his tour, Pryor worked for Pan-American at the Atlantic Missile Range where he supported national priority initiatives to include early missile system development and the NASA space flight program. Pryor’s heart was always closer to home, and he returned to North Alabama in 1962 to put down roots on his farm in Cotaco where he lived ever since. He continued to support weather studies for the University of Tennessee at Redstone Arsenal until his retirement in 2001. He was a graduate of the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Pryor’s passions were farming, gardening and raising and caring for his family and friends. He faithfully tended to all animals under his care. Pryor was devoted to his family and married 60 years to his wife, Lynda Jenkins Gilchrist. He is survived by his wife, his son Bill Gilchrist (Angie) of Cotaco, his daughter Janet Keeling (John) of Madison, and grandchildren, Patricia Keeling, Eli Gilchrist, and Charlotte Gilchrist. Surviving siblings are brother, Skeggs Gilchrist (Francine) of Priceville, and sisters, Carolyn Jones (James) of Somerville, Barbra Earle (John) of Huntsville, Dianne Thompson of Trussville, and Kay Wilder of Somerville. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Norman Phillip Gilchrist, sisters, Jo Ann Pridmore and Margie Poteet, and baby sister Elsie Janette Gilchrist. Pallbearers were Terry Morris, Austin Wilder, Alan Jenkins, Terry Gilchrist, Doc Wilder and Sean Graham. Memorials may be made to Huntsville Hospital Neurological Intensive Care Unit. To protect our family and friends, masks are appreciated.
Edward Yeager
Cotaco
Funeral service for Edward Yeager, 79, was held Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Owens officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Concord Baptist Church Cemetery in Fairview. Mr. Yeager died Sunday, January 1, 2023 at his residence. He was born October 3, 1943, in Cullman County, to Hubert Theodore Yeager and Evie Maudine Love Yeager. Born in Fairview, Ala. in Cullman County, he was a graduate of Fairview High School. He was a longtime member and deacon at Concord Baptist Church and a
former deacon and active member at Shiloh Baptist Church. He was a department leader at Monsanto-Sand Mountain Plant and later he was involved in the start-up and served as Plant Supervisor at Bobo Engineering in Arab. After retirement, he could often be found serving around the church helping keep things repaired, or helping the widows and the elderly in the
community. Until his illness, he served as a greeter on Sundays for his church family, who affectionately called him Mr. Ed. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Jean Jones, Nadine Gordon, and Margie Hogan, a grandchild, Mandy Meyer. Survivors include wife, Judy Bradley Yeager; son, Dr. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager; daughters, Rita Welborn (Waymon) and Carolyn Meyer (Steve); sister, Ann Carroll; sisters-in-law, Becky Swader (James) and Delilah Chaney; four grandchildren, Murphy Meyer, Jason Welborn (Savannah), Matt Meyer and Mason Meyer; six great grandchildren, Haven Rettie, Lexi Rettie, Christian Perez, Jackson Welborn,
Amelia Welborn and Samuel Welborn; a host of special nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Jon Chaffee, Allan Britnell, Luke Southerland, Gary Day, Alan Kirby and Greg Colee. Honorary pallbearers were Shiloh adult men’s Sunday school class.
Marlen Kenneth Halbrooks, Jr.
Channelview, Texas
Marlen Kenneth Halbrooks, Jr., 73, passed away November 24, 2022. He was born October 28, 1949, in Decatur and died at his residence in Texas. There was a celebration of life service for Marlen held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at West End Methodist Church in Hartselle. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to the church in memory of Marlen.
Thomas Doyle Fowler
Somerville
Funeral service for Thomas Doyle Fowler, 74, was held Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 12 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. James Wray officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Pines Baptist Church Cemetery. Thomas Doyle Fowler was born December 5, 1948, in Morgan County to Thomas J. Fowler and Annie Ruth Prince Fowler. He died January 1, 2023, at Huntsville Hospital from pneumonia after the flu. Thomas graduated from Cotaco High School, Class of 1967 and attended Calhoun Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was employed by Wolverine Tube and was a cattle farmer. He was a member of Pines Baptist Church. Mr. Fowler is survived by his wife, Judy; three sons, Jeff, Tracy and Wesley (Kelby); one sister, Judy Johnson; one sister-in-law, Glenda Fowler; three granddaughters, Shelby Terry (Jonathon), Eve and Emmy; five grandsons, Thomas J. Dakota (Leigh), Aaron, Logan, Peyton and Colton; two great granddaughters, Brylee and Steeley; and a great-grandson to be born in May, Gray Thomas. His parents preceded him in death as did his younger brother, William Steven. Mr. Fowler’s grandsons served as pallbearers.
Gwendolyn Payne Wesson
Hartselle
Gwendolyn Payne Wesson, eldest daughter of Robert Andrew and Dora Plemons Payne, died at her residence Friday, December 30, 2022. Mrs. Wesson celebrated her 100th birthday on January 15, 2022, and had enjoyed an active life until her health declined in 2021. Following her graduation from Morgan County High School in 1939, she attended Judson College and Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University.) She married Henry J. Wesson, of Brewton, Ala., on January 12, 1946, following his discharge from military service during WWII. They shared life together until his death on December 21, 2003. The Wessons had two children, Jane Ellen Wesson Turney (Doug) and Robert Edward Wesson (Kathy.) Mrs. Wesson received Jesus as her Savior at an early age and joined First Baptist Church of Hartselle. Following her years as a homemaker, she became church secretary at First Baptist where she served for eighteen years. After retirement, she and her husband enjoyed travel and time with friends. She was known for her jolly personality and “Gwenisms” – the many witty sayings she shared with friends, family and strangers alike. Two of those shared in her later years were “I know more folks in Heaven than I know in Hartselle,” and ”The first hundred years are the hardest.” In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Wesson was preceded in death by her sister, Nelle Payne, and her daughter in law, Bobbie Smith Wesson. She is survived by her children and beloved grandchildren, Richard Preston Turney (Penny), Springville, Ala.; Carol Ann Turney, Nashville, Tenn.; Clay Edward Wesson (Anna), McMinnville, Oreg.; Elizabeth Anne Wesson Limbaugh (Patrick), Birmingham, Ala. Precious great-grandchildren are Payne Keith Turney, Birmingham; Arthur Douglas Turney, Springville; Charlize Joan Limbaugh, Birmingham; Henry Thomas Wesson, McMinnville; and Nova Claire Limbaugh, Birmingham. Pallbearers will be Steve McKee, Barry Pearson, Butch Waldrop, David Burleson, Keith Turney and Doug Turney. Funeral worship service was held at First Baptist Church at 1 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2023 with Bro. Clayton Speed and Bro. Charles Shaddix officiating. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the precious ladies who so lovingly and generously gave of themselves to care for “Mama G” and fill her days with joy in the last months of her life here.
Kathy Green
Hartselle
A memorial service for Kathy Green, 73, was held Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 5 p.m. at Pine Street Baptist Church with Bro. Rusty Hodges officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Green died Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at her residence. She was born March 30, 1949, in Cullman County, to Waymon Wilson Elam and Margie Imogene Cook Elam. She was an LPN and charge nurse for Falkville Health and Rehab for several years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Preceding her in death were her parents and a brothers, Lavon Sweatmon and Olen Elam (Carolyn); and a sister, Dean Meigs (Floy.) Survivors include husband, Johnny Green; son, Kelly Green; daughter, Cyndy Green Childers (Dewayne); sister-in-law, Shirley Sweatmon; grandchildren, Kaleb Green (Samantha), Hunter Childers (Liz) and Nick Childers; great-grandchildren, Hattie and Garrett. Peck Funeral Home assisted the family.
Shirley Temple Downey
Hartselle
Shirley Temple Downey passed away Monday, January 2, 2023 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born March 12, 1936, in Wayne County, Michigan, to George M. Smith and Caroline Nightingale Smith. She was a homemaker for her family and loved them all dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley H. Downey, her parents, four sisters and one brother. Survivors include son, Chris Downey (Mary); daughters, Debbie Rafferty and Kitty Dunn (Brian McClure); sister, Nancy McFarland (Kermit); grandchildren, Shannon Downey, David Barrios, Vincent Barrios, Destiny Dunn, Dillon Dunn, Brandon McClure and Fox McClure and several nieces and nephews. Her family will have a memorial service this summer in Roselawn Cemetery, in Berkley, Mi.
Freda Jo Watkins
Gainesville
Mrs. Freda Jo Watkins, 74, of Watkinsville, formerly of Gainesville passed away Tuesday January 3, 2023. Graveside services were held Saturday January 7, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Watkins was born October 24,1948 in Hartselle, Ala. to the late Atha Irene Legg Moore. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Watkins, stepfather, John Moore, brothers, Wallace Martin, Jr., Bill Martin, Roy Martin and Howle Crewell. She is survived by daughters, Mary Jo Watkins of Athens, Michelle Watkins of Watkinsville, Monica Watkins of Statham; grandchildren, Daniel Cummings of Athens, Lauren Farlow of Watkinsville; sisters, Katrina Martin and Brenda Byrd both of Hartselle; brother, Larry Martin of Moulton. Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Asherbraner Hardin
Danville
Mary Asherbraner Hardin
Danville
Mary Asherbraner Hardin, 79, of Danville died Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Summerford Nursing Health and Rehab. The family will have a celebration of life Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 3-6 p.m. at the Massey Volunteer Fire Department Community Center on Evergreen Road. Mrs. Hardin was born June 24, 1943 in Cullman to James and Christine Asherbraner. Mary Hardin was a loving wife, mother and granny. She loved spending time with her family and being outdoors. Mrs. Hardin was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Billy Asherbraner and sister, Evelyn Anders. Survivors include husband, Wayne Hardin; son, Tim Sandlin; daughters, Jo Burgess, Cyndi Buckelew (Jason), and Rhonda Duke (Steve); eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and a sweet dog, Stella.
Patric Sue Williams
Falkville
Funeral service for Patric Sue Williams, 77, was held Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Bethlehem West Baptist Church with Bro. Shane Wheeler officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Corinth Cemetery. Miss Williams died Saturday, January 7, 2023 at her residence. She was born July 14, 1945, in Morgan County, to Guy Kermit Williams and Martha Hill Thomas Williams. She was employed by Prestolite in the accounting department, prior to her retirement and was a member of the Bethlehem West Baptist Church. Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother, Jerry Williams. Survivors include sister-in-law, Janice Williams; niece, Angie Williams; nephews, Danny and Barry Williams; two grandnephews, Dakota and Hunter Williams; one great niece, Areal Duncan (Dylan); one great-great niece, Rue Duncan; one great-great nephew, Ronin Duncan. Pallbearers were Danny Williams, Dakota Williams, Reford Williams, Charles Quattlebaum, Dale Nunnelley, Benton Thompson and Steve Freeman.
