Obituaries week of May 10

Geraldine “Gerry” Jones
Hartselle
Funeral service for Geraldine “Gerry” Jones, 81, was held Friday, May 5, 2023,
at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Greg Lee and Bro. Michael
Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in
Hartselle Memory Gardens. Mrs. Jones died Monday, May 1, 2023, at her residence. She was born October 26, 1941, in Escambia County, Florida, to Leslie Cleaveland Woods
and Ruby Nell Roberts Woods. Mrs. Jones was a member of the West Hartselle Baptist Church and attended their Bible study group. She also was an avid traveler, was in a Bunko Group
and was a member of the New Beginnings Quilt Guild. She was employed as a
teacher at Crestline Elementary School for the Hartselle City School system
until her retirement. Preceding her in death were her husband, Howard Lee Jones; a brother, David Woods; a sister, Sue Pewitt and her parents. Survivors include son, Nathan “Casey” Alan Jones (Susan); daughter, Terrie Lynn Sells (Joe); five grandchildren, Kaleb Jones (Amanda Savas), Jenna Jones Hill (Andrew) and Lily Freeman; great grandchild, Rylee Jones. /llbearers were family and friends.
 

Bear Cottingham 
Decatur

Bear Cottingham
Decatur
Funeral service for Bear Cottingham was held, Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 6 p.m.
at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Josh Britt officiating and Peck
Funeral Home directing. Thomas “Bear” Cottingham IV, 8, of Decatur, went to sleep in the arms of his mommy and daddy and woke up in the arms of Jesus. Bear
spent all of his life fighting an inoperable brain tumor. The tumor caused
many neurological issues throughout the years. Bear underwent eight brain
surgeries in less than a year, seven years of chemotherapy, two strokes and many
hormonal side effects due to the location of the tumor. Bear fought hard.
After suffering a cardiac arrest in October 2022, the family decided to
start hospice care and let Bear rest. Bear was born in Kansas City, Kansas on March 27, 2015, to Thomas Earl Cottingham, III and Jennifer Schultz Cottingham. Bear was a fighter and a determined little boy. His tumor was discovered when he was just six months old but nothing ever stopped him. Bear learned to walk, talk and met all the normal baby and toddler milestones on time. He made everyone smile and kept everyone on their toes. If you met Bear you were his
friend and you would never forget him. He loved everything police and wanted
to be “Officer Bear” when he grew up. He loved his “cop radio” and arresting
anyone he could. No one got away from Officer Bear. He was pure sunshine and
brightened the world by being here. He made a lasting impact on everyone
that knew his story. His family shared his full journey on Facebook,
Blessings for Bear, this is where Bear changed the lives of so many
strangers without even meeting them. Bear’s survivors include his parents, Thomas and Jennifer Cottingham; his brother, Bubba Oliver and sisters, Jayleigh Oliver, Chloe and Delilah
Cottingham, many grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his great grandmothers, Mary Lou Daniels, Judy Schultz and Margaret “Marty” Massey and great grandfathers, Thomas “Dusty” Cottingham and Wayne Woodall. In lieu of flowers, Please make memorial donations to Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Make-A Wish or to Baby Jay’s Foundation.  

Rev. Earl L. Holt 

Decatur 

Funeral service for Reverend Earl L. Holt was held Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Mason and Bro. Justin McAlpin officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Shoal Creek Cemetery. Rev. Holt died at Princeton Baptist Medical Center. He was born in Morgan County, to Hassie L. Holt and Rena Johnson Holt. Reverend Earl Holt pastored in many churches for 56 years over the time of his ministry. He was currently the pastor of Serenity Baptist Church. He also worked, before his retirement, for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, but his ministry was his heart’s leader along with his family who were very important and loved by him. Preceding him in death were his parents, four brothers, Harold (Buddy) Holt, Arnold Holt, Sterling Holt, and H.L. Holt (infant); three sisters, Edith Holt, Louise Reeves and Diane Holt and a sister-in-law, Shirley Holt. Survivors include wife, Eleanor Frann Blankenship Holt; daughter, Bashan Holt Duren (Jason); brother, Van Holt (Jan); sisters Jessica Johnson (A.D.), Brenda McCleskey (Danny) and Evelyn Johnson (Gary); sisters-in-law Shirley Holt and Sharon Holt; grandchild, Ellee Kate Duren and hosts of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Tyler Sharpe, Stephen Taylor, Andrew Nix, Will Landers, Ben Landers, and Owen Millette. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home or to The Gideons International. 

Hollis Lamar Grantland
Decatur
Funeral service for Hollis Lamar Grantland, 89, was held Friday, May 5, 2023
at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Eric Brown officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Center Springs Cemetery.
Mr. Grantland died Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Cullman Regional Medical
Center. He was born December 25, 1933, in Morgan County, to Samuel Edward
Grantland and Ester Elizabeth Johnson Grantland. He was employed by 3M Company and retired after more than 33 years of service. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and was a member of the Center Springs Methodist Church. Mr. Grantland loved to travel, enjoyed fishing, liked
watching the Atlanta Braves and was an Alabama fan. Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Thomas Wayne and Edward Ottis Grantland, and two sisters, Vera Nell Grantland Freeze and Betty Knighten. Survivors include wife, Selma Grantland, Decatur; sons,
Phillip Grantland (Angie), Pensacola, Fla.; Jeff Grantland, Hartselle and Jonathan Grantland (Jennifer), Murfreesboro, Tenn.; stepsons, Freddie Steele (Melinda), Priceville and Greg Steele (Reta), Priceville; stepdaughters, Freda Harwell (Bill), Decatur, Brenda Sivley (Jimmy), Falkville, and Vickie Jones, Jasper, TN; twenty grandchildren; twenty-two- great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Bill Harwell, Patrick Hopper, Britton Partain, Byron Turney, Steve Bowen and John Tadlock.

Joseph “Joe” Patterson Howell 
Hartselle

Joseph “Joe” Patterson Howell
Hartselle
Funeral service for Joseph “Joe” Patterson Howell was held Sunday, May 7,
2023, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Hartselle with Dr. Ron Wilson and
Dr. Clay Speed did the officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held
in Hartselle City Cemetery.  He was born May 31, 1933, in Morgan County, to Simeon Lewis Howell and Ruth Patterson Howell. Mr. Howell passed away at Huntsville Hospital at the age
of 89. He was a graduate of Morgan County High School and received an Accounting
Degree from Florence State College (UNA). After serving his duty in the
United States Army, he worked as an accountant for Chrysler Corporation. In
1961, he started to work for Frank Holle, C.P.A. and later passed the C.P.A.
exam then founded the accounting firm of Holle, Wear & Howell C.P.A. He
holds the Alabama Certified Public Accountant Certificate No. 656. The firm
became Wear, Howell and Fricke, then Wear Howell and Strickland, which he
retired from and continued to work with for many years part-time. In 1960, he married Virginia Turney. They have made their home in Hartselle. Their latest residence was the old Howell Home on Barkley Street S.W. where they had resided for the last 38 years. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club from 1960 thrthrough70. He was later a member of the Hartselle Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Howell was an active member of First Baptist Church of Hartselle for 60 years, where he served as treasurer for 38 years. He served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and Sunday School Director. He was a Deacon for many years and served as Chairman of the Deacons many times and served on many different committees. He was a man of integrity, a hard worker, good provider, had a good sense of humor, played with his children, taught his girls, and followed his
grandchildren in their sports. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Sim Howell, Jr. and Mac Howell. Survivors include wife of 62 years, Virginia Howell; daughters, Lynn H. Reeves (Mike), Regina H. Houser (Brian) and Kaye H. Huff (Bill); grandchildren, Mary Virginia Reeves Halbrooks (Will), David Reeves, Jackson Reeves (Peyton),
Patterson Huff, Riley Huff and Julianne Huff; great grandchildren, Jace Halbrooks, Adam Halbrooks and
Lane Halbrooks. Pallbearers were David Reeves, Jackson Reeves, Patterson Huff, Riley
Huff, Bobby Howell and Michael Howell. Honorary pallbearers were Deacons of the First Baptist Church. 

Cornelia Kirkpatrick
Danville
Funeral service for Cornelia Kirkpatrick, 73, was held Friday, May 5, 2023, at 7 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Gunter and Geoff Halbrooks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Ms. Kirkpatrick died Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at her residence. She was born August 30, 1949, in Morgan County, to Horace Lee Kirkpatrick and Mary Elizabeth Slate Kirkpatrick, who preceded her in death. She was a homemaker for her family and loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart. She enjoyed cooking and baking and was an Alabama fan. Survivors include sons, James Oakes (Princess) and Walter Oakes (Sarah); daughter, Kristie Vallejo (Xavier); brothers, James Kirkpatrick (Joyce) and Larry Kirkpatrick (Donna); sister, Donna Turcotte; 14 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Trevor Stevens, Dusty Mason, Angel Vallejo, Christian Oakes, Hunter Oakes and John Whitworth.
 

Bobby Gene Cryer
Somerville
A visitation for Bobby Gene Cryer, 63, was held Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. No other services were scheduled. Mr. Cryer died Wednesday, May 3, 2023. He was born December 22, 1959, in Morgan County, to John Henry Cryer and Nadine Novalene Shaddrix Cryer. He was employed by Moon Logging Company as a truck driver, and he loved his job. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carlene Cryer and his parents. Survivors include
sons, Anthony Cryer (Heather) and Russell Cryer; daughter, Rhonda Cryer; brother, Scotty Cryer;
sisters, Connie Laster and Shelia Cryer; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  

William D. “Skip” Hanline
Decatur
Funeral service for William D. “Skip” Hanline, 74, was held Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Hanline passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at his residence. He was born August 18, 1948, in Dupage County, Illinois, to Orville Hanline and Deloris Harder Hanline, who preceded him in death. He was employed by General Motors as a Machine Operator, prior to his retirement. He was a very caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his family dearly. He held a master’s degree in art, was part of the Union Group called New Directions, and held the title of VVA President. He also made it in the Chicago White Sox and proudly served in
the U.S. Marine Corp and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors include
wife, Sheila Hanline, Decatur; son, Michael Hanline (Kay), Hartselle; daughters, Angela Johnston (Buddy), Somerville and Miranda Dreiling (Gabriel), Stillwater, Okla.; sister, Mary Minton, Elgin, Ill. 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  

Frederick Francis Kopp, Jr.
Hartselle
Mr. Frederick Francis Kopp, Jr., 75, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at his residence. He was born September 4, 1947, in New Haven, Conn. to Frederick Francis Kopp, Sr. and Alice Mae Burns Kopp.
He was a caring father and “Poppa” and loved his family and close friend, Sarah Marotz dearly. Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Alice Mae Kuta (Carl Kuta). Survivors include daughters, Kelly Gayles (Quentin) and Kaci Hostios (David); grandchildren, Max, Landon, Nora and Amelia. No services have been scheduled at this time. 

Kay Anders McCarley
Hartselle
Funeral service for Kay Anders McCarley, 75, of Hartselle was held
Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Randy
Ashley, Brother A. Ray Lee and Brother Phillip Hardin officiating with
burial in the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home
directing. Kay Anders McCarley passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at her home. She was
preceded in death by her husband, James W. (Jimmy) McCarley; parents, Woodrow
W. and Ruth Wilhite Anders; a brother, Jerry Anders all of Hartselle and two
great-grandbabies, Steven and Abraham Drinkard. Kay is survived by two sons; Michael McCarley (Robbyn) and Steven McCarley (Angie) all of Falkville; four grandchildren, Paige Bailey (Matthew), Kayla, Myka and Christian (Bre) McCarley; five great-grandchildren, Kaysen Felder, Jackson & Luke Bailey, Wade Drinkard and Avyah McCarley; two sisters, Marie Odom and Vicky Miller, both of Hartselle. Mrs. McCarley managed Wig Villa stores in Decatur and Athens and was self-employed in the wig business for more than 40 years. As a lifetime member of Lebanon Baptist Church, Kay worked with the Acteens group many years, helped establish Children’s Church and made many of the puppets used for the children’s programs. Kay researched and had published a book for the 150th church anniversary titled “150 Years of Memories”. An avid genealogist and history researcher, Kay proved her lineage to 1400 and became a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames and the Order of the Ancient Planters. Because of her service as an officer and leader, she was elected Honorary Life President, Alabama Division, and United Daughters of the
Confederacy. Jeremy Miller, Heath Miller, Christian McCarley, Buck Anders, Ronnie Walker
and Adam Miller served as pallbearers.  

Clarence Eugene Maples
Hartselle
Funeral service for Clarence Eugene Maples, 77, was held Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Terry Hudson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Red Hill Cemetery. Mr. Maples died Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Decatur Morgan Hospital.  He was born April 21, 1946, in Limestone County, to Roy Hobart Maples and
Bertha Lee Montgomery Maples. He was employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a corrections officer, prior to his retirement. He was a U.S. Army Green Beret Special Forces Veteran, fulfilling his service in the Vietnam War. Mr. Maples was a loving husband and a caring father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Willard Maples and Roy Maples, Jr. and a sister, Sybil Tipper. Survivors include wife, Shirley Maples; sons, Brian Maples (April) and Shannon Maples (Cathy); grandchildren, Brianna Kilpatric (Jonathan), Misty Justice (John), and Brandi Kelly (Ethan); great-grandchildren, Carter Kilpatric, Cason Kilpatric, Alanna Kilpatric, Mackenzie Justice, Lakeland Maples, River Maples and
Colton Jackson. Pallbearers were Brian Maples, Shannon Maples, Jack Gilbee, Tom Wright,
Jonathan Kilpatric and Joe McCaghren.
 

Margaret Anne Puckett
Somerville
Funeral service for Margaret Anne Puckett, 93, was held Monday, May 8, 2023
at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Amy Vaughn and Bro. Bobby
Ray Halbrooks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in
Hartselle City Cemetery. Mrs. Puckett passed away Friday, May 5, 2023, at Columbia Cottage.  She was born June 8, 1929, in Morgan County to James Henry Cain and Tempie Wynn
Cain. Margaret Anne Cain was born in Somerville, Alabama and eventually moved to
Hartselle. She went to Morgan County High School where she was a
cheerleader. She cheered for her soon to be husband, Harry Puckett, who was
a football player. After high school, Margaret married Harry Puckett. She was a homemaker for
several years and then went to nursing school where she became a Registered
Nurse (RN) and she worked at Hartselle Hospital and Pineview Hospital. She
then went to work at the Lurleen B. Wallace Center as a nurse and retired
working there. She was very active in her church, Forest Chapel UMC. She sang in the choir
and served on several boards. She was a lifetime member of the Hartselle
Camp Meeting, served as youth counselor and was the kitchen director for 16
years. She and Harry loved to travel in their RV and were members of the Good Sams
Camping Club. They traveled all over and loved taking the RV to the Auburn
home games. Mrs. Puckett was a member of the Red Hat Society, and she was a
member of the Hopewell Homemakers Club. She loved to sew, quilt and crochet.
She was also a farm girl. She and Harry raised cattle and worked on their
farm for many years. They raised red angus cows. She would do everything
around the farm, like build fences, haul hay, build barns, drove tractors
and fed the workers well. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were the joy of her life. Preceding her in death were her husband, Harry C. Puckett and her parents. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hartselle Camp Meeting, P.O.
Box 163, Hartselle, AL 35640. Survivors include sons, Don Puckett (Robin), Somerville
and Ron Puckett (Sharon), Somerville; daughters, Harriet Austin (Stan), Decatur and Jean Sharp (Brad), Hartselle; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren. Pallbearers were grandsons, Nick Puckett, Dustin Puckett, Robert Sharp, Bradley Sharp, Shane Austin, Bobby Puckett, Cain Austin and Caleb Puckett. 

Bennie H. Griffin
Somerville
Funeral service for Bennie H. Griffin, 84, was held Monday, May 8, 2023, at
3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Burial was held in Blue Springs Cemetery. Mr. Griffin died Thursday, May 4, 2023, at his residence). He was born Tuesday, November 22, 1938, in Morgan County to Weems Ulick Griffin and Ellen Myra Henderson Griffin. He was employed by Chrysler Corporation as a Design Checker, prior to his retirement. He served as the President of the UAW. He loved his farm, had
cows and horses and enjoyed deer hunting and his dogs. He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents. Survivors include sons, Steve Howard and Ben Griffin; daughter, Paula Mintzer; sister, Ella Jo Deeb; grandchildren, Hunter Griffin, Nichole Griffin, MaKenzie Mintzer,
Justin Mintzer and Emma Henry.  

Savannah Lynn Aldridge
Decatur
Funeral service for Savannah Lynn Aldridge, 24, was held Tuesday, May 9, 2023,
at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Chris Pressnell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Miss Aldridge died Thursday, May 4, 2023, at her residence.  She was born April 3, 1999, in Morgan County, to Eric Bynum Aldridge and Heather Fisher Aldridge. She was employed by Home Depot in the lawn and garden department and customer service, prior to her passing. Her passions included sketching, plants, Cosplay, Guardians of the Galaxy, hiking and working out. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Survivors include mother, Heather Fisher Aldridge (Cliff Sanders); father, Eric Bynum Aldridge (Emilee); half-brothers, Harrison Aldridge and Wyatt Aldridge; stepsisters, Madeline Aldridge, Sophia Aldridge, Chelsea Edwards, and Blaire Woodall; fiancé, Jaxon Haney; grandmothers, Judy Fisher and Susan Aldridge.  

Conley F. McCollum
Hartselle
Mr. Conley McCollum, 80, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023, at his
residence. He was born August 1, 1942, in Marshall County, to Gertis
McCollum and Martha Magdaline Vines McCollum. He was employed by Baker Woodreels as a saw operator, prior to his retirement. He liked camping, loved “Jacy” his cockatoo and “Mini
Marshmellow” his teacup Maltese and enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Thomas Randolph McCollum. Survivors include
wife, Carol Capps; brothers, William McCollum and John Dolan McCollum; sisters, Lena Stanley,
Frances McNutt, Wanda McCollum, Juanita Hopper and Rachel Brannon. No services were scheduled at this time. 

Billy Charles Garrison
Hartselle
Graveside service for Billy Charles Garrison, 86, of Hartselle was held Monday, May 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Tabor Cemetery with John Davis and Jeffrey Noles officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Garrison, who was born April 22, 1937, in Morgan County to Irvin Garrison and Hattie Mae Smallwood Garrison, died Friday, May 5, 2023, at his home. He was a self-employed truck driver operating as Charles Garrison Trucking until his retirement. He worked at Goodyear for 22 years and loved his horses and cows. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Wesley and Bobby Garrison. Survivors include wife, Shirley Wilborn Garrison; two sons, Randy Garrison and his wife, Lynn and Darren Garrison and his husband, Gene Way; one daughter, Teresa G. Anders and her husband, Chuck; two brothers, John Garrison and his wife, Gloria and Larry Garrison and his wife, Linda; one sister, Faye Yeager and her husband, Gerald;
five grandchildren, Staci Anders, Jordan Garrison (Alex), Jacob Garrison (Sally), Bailey Anders Noles (Caleb) and Peter Wayka’ three great-grandchildren, Jack Garrison, Frances Lynn Garrison and Olivia Mae Garrison. Jordan Garrison, Jacob Garrison, Peter Way, Caleb Noles, Chuck Anders, Darren Garrison and Randy Garrison served as pallbearers.
 

Helen Gail Martin
Hartselle
Funeral service for Helen Gail Martin, 66, will be Saturday, May 13, 2023, at
1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tom Watson officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Grange Hall Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 12, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. Ms. Martin passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023. She was born July 19, 1956, in Rome, Georgia, to Hershell Junior Hollis and Mary Virginia Thorn Hollis. She was employed by Southern Barbecue as a manager, prior to her passing. She
was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, three sisters, and a daughter, Angel Stinson. Survivors include sons, Ronnie Stinson (Tina) and Steven Stinson (Jacey); daughter, Crystal Parker (Brian); brother, Jerry Thorn (Pat); sisters, Deanna Dial (Jason), Leanna Mauffray (Terry), Kristi Kemper, and Bonnie Smith; ten grandchildren, Carley Richey, Kaitlynn Stinson, Bryson Stinson, Bryce Parker, Alida Stinson, Madison Parker, Lauron Stinson, Abigail Parker, Nolan Parker and Scarlett Stinson; one great grandchild.