Obituaries week of May 18
Nannie Laura Denson
Decatur
Funeral service for Nannie Laura Denson, 78, was held Thursday, May 11, 2023,
at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Brian Wilbanks officiating
and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Hartselle City Cemetery.
Mrs. Denson died Monday, May 8, 2023, at Lawrence County Medical Center.
She was born May 11, 1944, in Norton, Va., to Willie Jeff Barnett and
Laura Stout Barnett. She was a homemaker for her family, Beloved nana and mother and she loved the Lord. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roysce Denson; a son, David Wayne
Denson; four sisters and four brothers. Survivors include daughter, Billie Sue Smith (Phillip Ray);
brother, Simon Barnett (Debra); sister, Frances Thompson; eight grandchildren, Travis Cole Smith, Dalton Ray Smith, Elizabeth Rose Smith, Christopher Davis, David Denson, Jr., Sonja Baker, Damon Denson and Devin Denson and a host of great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth Ann Cottrell
Hartselle
Ms. Elizabeth Ann Cottrell, 65, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at
Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born January 6, 1958, in Morgan County, to
James Kelley Winsett and Mary Evelyn Ferguson Winsett. She was a homemaker for her family, a loving mother and grandmother, who loved animals, enjoyed the zoo and pet stores. She loved her dog, “Rosey” and she was a great cook. Preceding her in death were her husband, Romeo Cottrell; her mother, Mary Winsett and her grandparents. Survivors include father, James Kelley Winsett, Virginia; sons, Chris Cottrell (Shelle), Hartselle, AL and Stanley Cottrell (Nancy), Texas;
daughters, Amanda Lawson (Michael), Hartselle, Dollie C. Tucker (Randy), Priceville,
Michelle C. Walker (Ron), Athens, Charlene McKnight, Kentucky, and Shellie Smith (Bobby), Trinity; brothers, Ted Winsett (Anita), Elbert Simmons, Washington, and John Winsett, Lacey’s Spring; sister, Patricia Gail Valade, Washington; sixteen grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren. No services were scheduled at this time.
Bryce Traylor
Hartselle
Bryce Traylor passed away Monday, May 8, 2023, at his residence. He was born October 21,1953, in Utah, to Jewell Aubrey Traylor and Helen Frances Parent Traylor. He was employed by Wolverine Tube as a machinist for 30 years, prior to his retirement. He loved to hunt and fish and loved his family with all of his heart. Preceding him in death were his parents, and a brother Larry Traylor. Survivors include wife, Angela Traylor; sons, Shane Traylor and Brian Mills; four grandchildren, Riley Mills, Evan Mills, Whiting Traylor and Gweneth Traylor.
Helen Gail Martin
Hartselle
Funeral service for Helen Gail Martin, 66, was held Saturday, May 13, 2023, at
1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tom Watson officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Grange Hall Cemetery.
Ms. Martin passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023. She was born July 19,
1956, in Rome, Ga., to Hershell Junior Hollis and Mary Virginia Thorn
Hollis. She was employed by Southern Barbecue as a manager, prior to her
passing. Helen was a devoted mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister and
aunt. She enjoyed going to church, spending time with her family, working in
her yard, cooking and cleaning house. She was a hard worker, and she would
help anybody in need. She was loved by everyone who met her. She was the
glue that held her family together and she will be greatly missed. 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. The pallbearers were Bryson Stinson, Bryce Parker, Tyler Richey, Jay
Winton, Donnie Mauffray and Chris Mauffray. Honorary pallbearers were Matt Hill and Brodie Kemper.
Bessie Marie Stafford
Falkville
Funeral service for Bessie Marie Stafford, 90, was held Saturday, May 13,
2023, at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Richard Davis
officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Oakwood
Cemetery. Mrs. Stafford died Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Falkville Health Care
Center. She was born Thursday, November 17, 1932, in Morgan County to Jimmy
Davis (Judy) and Irlene Dabbs Davis. She was a homemaker for her family and
a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Charles Marion Stafford, son, Charles Thomas Stafford, daughter-in-law Libby Stafford and her parents. Survivors include sons, Jimmy Stafford (Judy) and Bobby Stafford; daughter, Shirley Reed and an abundance of grands, great grands and great-great grands. Pallbearers were Charles Borden, Michael Borden, Christopher Borden, Bryan Borden, Jordan Quigley and Tommy Stafford.
Shelia Mauldin
Falkville
Funeral service for Shelia Mauldin, 67, was held Monday, May 15, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Mauldin died Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Summerford Nursing Home. She was born February 11, 1956, in Morgan County, to Paul Tillman Waddell and Edna Mae Brown Waddell. She was a homemaker for her family and enjoyed loving her grandkids, reading and cooking. Preceding her in death were her husband, James Mauldin and her parents. Survivors include son, Shane Hammon, Hartselle; daughter, Amanda Wise, Hartselle; stepmother, Jean Waddell, Hartselle; brothers Richard Waddell, Hartselle and Tracy Maples, Eva; sisters, Sharon Williams, Cullman; Carolyn Beasley, Hartselle and Yolanda Stewart, Somerville; grandchildren, Emalee Hammon and R.J. Wise.
Doris Henderson
Eva
Funeral service for Doris Henderson, 86, was held Monday, May 15, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Center Springs Cemetery. Mrs. Henderson died on Thursday, May 11, 2023. She was born April 22, 1937, in Blount County, to William Buren Gilland and Ruth May Dollar Gilland. She was a homemaker for her family, whom she loved dearly, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening and canning. She loved her church and her red truck. She was a member of the Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church. Her parents preceded her in death by her parents and two children, Dwight Henderson and Jesse Henderson. Survivors include husband, Sherman Benjamin Henderson; son, Lester Henderson (Patti); daughter, Diane Henderson Siciliani (Jim); sister, Pat Tumblin; brother, Johnny Gilliland; grandchildren, Elisha Henderson, Justin Henderson, and Kathryn Henderson Coats; nine great-grandchildren.
Sue Vest
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Sue Vest, 79, was held Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Salem Cemetery with Savannah Gross officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Salem Methodist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Vest passed away Friday, May 12, 2023, at her residence. She was born November 28, 1943, in Franklin County, to George Robert Seale and Tiny Leo Hester Seale. She was the business owner of Acorn Products, prior to her retirement. Preceding her in death were her parents, Robert and Tiny Leo Seale; sisters, Mary Ruth Strickland, Louise Malone and Grace Hamilton; a brother, Bill Seale and a husband, Joe Eudy. Survivors include husband, James Edward Vest, Hartselle; son, Lowell Eudy, Mobile; daughters, Janet Rogers, Cullman, Julie Vest, Danville and Bonnie Thompson, Danville; brothers, Jim Seale, Medina, Ohio and Donny Seale, Florence; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; two God daughters, Elizabeth Murphy and Savannah Gross. Pallbearers were Lowell Eudy, Barry Moore, Davey Vest, Rob Seale, Tony Southern and Bucky Garner.
Michelle Ann Rivera
Hartselle
Michelle Ann Rivera
Hartselle
Funeral service for Michelle Ann Rivera, 70, will be Friday, May 19, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. Mrs. Rivera Died May 10, 2023, at Princeton Baptist Medical Center. She was born on April 17, 1953, in Hudson County, New Jersey to Harry and Olga Szczutkowski. Michelle Rivera was a loving mother, and a Godmother to many. She loved to travel, gamble and she loved her plants, dogs and cats. Mrs. Rivera was preceded in death by her husband, Ramon Rivera; brother, Harry Szczutkowski, and her parents, Harry and Olga Szczutkowski. Survivors include one son, Raymond Rivera (Haley). Pallbearers will be family and friends.
John Leonard Rackley
Arley
Funeral service for John Leonard Rackley, 87, will be Friday, May 19, 2023
at 5 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with James Corum, Ralph Parrish and
Jock Barns officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in
Alabama National Cemetery at a later date. No visitation is scheduled.
John Leonard Rackley passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at his
residence. He was born February 21, 1936, in Morgan County, to Jessie Kyle
Rackley and Beatrice Hazel Nethery Rackley. He was employed by the Redstone Arsenal
for U.S. Army Missile Command, prior to his retirement. He served 23 years with the United States Army and 23 years with Civil Service for Redstone Arsenal. He was a member of Neel
Methodist Church and a member of the VFW. When in the Army, he was
classified as an E-8 First Seargent (Top), a Missile Maintenance Technician,
GS 14, was a Drill Instructor, served over 22 years and completed many Army
NCO Leadership Schools. He rose through the ranks to E-8 Sergeant and served
3- year long combat tours in Vietnam and one tour in Germany. He went to
U.S. Defense Language school in Monterey, California, where he learned to
speak the Vietnamese Language. After retiring from the Army, he attended an
18 month course and became a Missile Maintenance Technician. He traveled
extensively overseas including the Middle East and Korea. He finally retired
at 71 years of age, as a GS 14, although the Department wanted him to extend
and work another year in Korea.
Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers, Jerry Rackley and
John D. McClanahan, two sisters, Nagatha Morgan and Peggy Jo Barham and a
grandchild, Curtis Noll. Survivors include wife, Alice Jeanette Rackley; sons, John L. “Johnny” Rackley, Jr. (Debra) and Eugene Coleman (Donna); daughters, Deborah Noll (Craig)
and Anita Oden (Scott); seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren
In lieu of flowers: please honor John with Contributions to: Semper Fi
Community Task Force @ https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fsemperfictf.org&c=E,1,oJsZuaqYbHGmZUhiimJoARmxzGb5Ky2xLiXLhm1aLMrRNXD4BmKHPniZo5KHSp9lrSV-5w4-l8pNtlLvpA0Ym6Z2-YEsU5DuLGKhBCkmlg,,&typo=1 ( a 501c3 to help local wounded soldiers)
