Obituaries week of June 7
Jessica-Yarbrough Yarbrough
Hartselle
Jessica-Yarbrough Yarbrough
Hartselle
Ms. Jessica-Yarbrough Yarbrough passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023. She was born
March 22, 1988, in Morgan County, to David Keith Stringer and Dorothy B.
Thomson. She was employed by Wayne Farms in the production department,
prior to her passing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley
Yarbrough, and grandparents, Elsie and Illie Stringer and several other
family members. Survivors include father, Keith Stringer; mother, Dorothy B. Thomson;
son, Malachi James Yarbrough; daughter, Isabella Patrice Yarbrough; brother, Joshua Stringer (Tyler). The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.
Elaine-Cook Cook
Decatur
Elaine-Cook Cook
Decatur
Funeral service for Elaine-Cook Cook, 61, of Decatur was held Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Hartselle First Baptist Church with Pastor Trent Nolen officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Cook died Saturday, May 27, 2023. She was born on January 1, 1962, in Decatur to Guy and Margaret Cook. Elaine-Cook worked as a waitress for several restaurants throughout her career. She loved to travel and loved her pets. Most of all, she was a loving mother and grandmother. Elaine-Cook is preceded in death by her father, Guy Cook II, and her granddaughter, Kallie Shay Cook. Survivors Include husband, Roger Dale Farley; son, Anthony James Brown (AJ), Hartselle; daughter, Misty Nicole Cook, Hartselle; mother, Margaret Ann Cook, Danville; two brothers, Guy Mack Cook III, Hartselle and Mark Dewayne Cook, Hartselle; sister, April Ann Denson, Hartselle; three granddaughters, Rosa Lagunas, Jasmine Cook, and Shayanna Lopez. Pallbearers were Anthony Wells “Dumpy,” Chuck Keenum, Chase Perreault, Cody Perreault, Chyron Farley and Shane Dutton.
Roy D. Hill
Decatur
A graveside funeral service and interment for Roy D. Hill, 70, was held Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Decatur City Cemetery with Pastor Jeremy Meetze officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Hill passed away Monday, May 29, 2023, at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born February 7, 1953, in Morgan County, to Lewis Wilburn Hill and Jessie Lee Griffith Hill, who preceded him in death. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, working as a mail carrier, postmaster and inspector. He was a member of the Parkview Baptist Church and a member of the Lion’s Club (Scottsboro chapter), he was on the Alabama Jubilee Committee and was a Decatur City Schools crossing guard. He also was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Parkview Baptist Building Fund. Survivors include wife, Maaike Klink Hill, Decatur; daughters, Cindy Reid (Steve) and Lisa Rea (Thomas), both of Decatur; brothers, Tommie Hill (Connie), Falkville; Nathan Hill (Carol), Hartselle; and Alton Hill (Christy), Falkville; sisters, Martha Lawrence (Willard), Danville and Patricia Moore, Cullman; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Robert Reid, Randy Green, Steve Reid, Thomas Rea, Joseph McGuire, Alex Gorham and Andrew de Kruif.
Verna Cole Booth
Pinson
Funeral service for Verna Cole Booth, 70, was held Thursday, June 1, 2023, at
11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Pope officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Salem Cemetery. Mrs. Booth died Sunday, May 28, 2023, at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She was born January 9, 1953, in Jefferson County, to Rev. W.L. Cole, Jr. and Margaret Ann Halbrooks Cole. She was a lab technician for St. Vincent’s
East in Birmingham, prior to her retirement. Preceding her in death were her parents and a sister, Peggy Watson Gann. Survivors include husband, Mike Booth, Pinson; son, Wes Booth (Jennifer), Moody; brother, Dwight Cole (Kaye), Crane Hill and grandchild, Amos Booth
Pallbearers were Antony Watson, Brancen Lewter, Tim Cole, Matt Cole, Chance Ellsworth and Blaxton Royster.
Sara French
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Sara French, 93, was held
Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 12 p.m. at Park Hill Cemetery in Columbus,
Ga., with Dr. Jeff Redmond officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. French passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023, at her residence. She was
born August 27, 1929, in Troup County, Ga., to Aaron Canada Reese and
Elmira Ophelia O’Keefe Reese. She was a homemaker for her family, preceded
in death by her parents. Survivors include daughter, Kathryn French Wesson, Hartselle;
one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.
Ruth Johnson
Falkville
Funeral service for Ruth Johnson, 80, was held Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at
11:30 a.m. at Pentecostal Tabernacle with Bro. Rick Strain and Bro. Jeremy Wilbanks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Bell Springs Cemetery. Mrs. Johnson died Monday, May 29, 2023. She was born October 4, 1942, in Morgan County to Oneal E. Downs and Virgie McReath Downs. She was the owner and operator of J & J Trucking and was a homemaker for her family. She was a member of the Pentecostal Tabernacle Church in Decatur and loved working in her yard.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Dallas Johnson and her parents.
Survivors include son, Tommy Johnson (Shelia); daughter, Pat Patterson (Jimmy);
sister, Shirley Smith; grandchildren, Rodney Johnson, Nick Faulkner (Jill),
Josh Edmondson and Brittany Denney; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Anson, Blakely, Jordan, Callie, Nolen, Easton, Mason, Lilly and Hunter. Grandsons and great grandsons served as pallbearers.
Dustin Paul Smith
Hartselle
Funeral service for Dustin Paul Smith, 34, was held Friday, June 2, 2023, at
2 p.m. at No Fences Cowboy Church with Bro. David Hale officiating and Peck
Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Roundtop Cemetery. Mr. Smith died Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at his residence. He was born September 6, 1988, in Morgan County, to Charles James Smith, Jr. and Janet Carol Wilhite Smith. He was a loving husband and father. He loved his church and was a Christian man who loved his church and was very strong in his faith. He enjoyed playing the drums, fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Free Mason’s
and was employed by Walmart in their maintenance department. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and a brother, David Smith. Survivors include wife, Briana Steele Smith;
father, Charles James Smith, Jr.; mother, Janet Carol Wilhite Smith; daughters, Finnley Hollon
and Maisyn Hollon; sister, Haley Davis (John). Pallbearers were family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the family for his children.
Dorothy Nell Marsh
Decatur
Mrs. Dorothy Nell Marsh, 88, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at her
residence. She was born December 12, 1934, in Mississippi to William Travis
Owen and Dorothy Lou Cooper Owen. She was a homemaker for her family, whom she loved dearly and loved being around. She loved to cook and enjoyed reading. She attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Her parents preceded her in death. Survivors include son, Kenneth Marsh (Nancy); daughter, Terri Marsh (Marie); grandchildren, Heath, Hannah, Justin, Joe and Zach and a host of great grandchildren. No services were scheduled at this time.
Jesse Wylie Reaves
Hartselle
Funeral service for Jesse Wylie Reaves, 84, was held Sunday, June 4, 2023, at
3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tom Campbell officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Burningtree Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Reaves died Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Huntsville Hospital. He was
born May 8, 1939, in Randolph County, to John Thomas Reaves and Lula Mae
Wright Reaves. He was employed by Champion International Paper, prior to his retirement.
Mr. Reaves was a man of many accomplishments, wonderful husband, loving
father and grandfather, brother and friend. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Melvin T. Reaves and a sister, Bessie R. Graham. Survivors include wife, Stella Sue Reaves;
sons, Michael Reaves (Tamara) and Sanford Thomas Reaves (Michele); daughters, Mitzi Reed (Jimmy) and Teresa DePaula (Joe); brothers, Edward Reaves (Nell) and Gerald Reaves (Linda);
sister, Betty Beaucham (Bob); grandchildren, Derrick Reaves (Elaine-Cook), Danielle Peaks (Jason),
Victoria Elliott (Daniel), Jennifer Reaves and Mallory Reaves; six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were family and friends.
Dorothy Nell Marsh
Hartselle
Mrs. Dorothy Nell Marsh, 88, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at her residence. She was born December 12, 1934, in Mississippi to William Travis Owen and Dorothy Lou Cooper Owen. She was a homemaker for her family, whom she loved dearly and loved being around. She loved to cook and enjoyed reading. She attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Mrs. Marsh was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joe Marsh and her son, Hal Marsh. Survivors include son, Kenneth Marsh (Nancy); daughter, Terri Marsh (Marie); daughter-in-law, Pat Marsh; grandchildren, Heath, Hannah, Justin, Joe and Zach
And a host of great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, June 11, 2023, 2 p.m. at Stone River Church in Decatur and another celebration of life service will be Saturday, June 24, 2023, 2 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Church in Eva.
Stella Gee
Vinemont
A visitation for Stella Thompson Gee was held Monday, June 5, 2023, 6 to 8 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. and the burial followed at Red Oak Cemetery with Brother Michael Gunter officiating.
Ms. Gee passed away Friday, June 2, 2023. Ms. Gee was born to Iley Leon and Lillian Leeth Thompson on April 14, 1943, in Morgan County. She owned her own business, Starlite Grocery in Cotaco. She is proceeded in death by her parents and son, Billy Gee. Survivors include a brother, Iley Thompson; three grandchildren, Jeremy, C.D. and Dylan. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.
Jerry-Junkins Lee Junkins
Hartselle
Jerry-Junkins Lee Junkins
Hartselle
Funeral services for Jerry-Junkins Lee Junkins, 83, was held Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Spencer Bell of Mt. Zion Baptist Church officiating with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Falkville City Cemetery. Mr. Junkins died Thursday, June 1, 2023, at home. He was born December 31,1939 in Falkville to Comer Junkins and Nona Lee Love Junkins. He was employed for 49 years by Redstone Arsenal prior to retirement. Being one who could never truly retire, he began raising cattle, joining the Morgan County Cattleman’s Association and serving with the Cook team. In 2017 he was a named “Cattleman of the Year.” Mr. Junkins loved to bless others-providing produce to the Cook team, growing exotic pineapple, brown cotton and giant cabbages and winning Blue Ribbons for his fudge and divinity at the County Fair. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Joe R Junkins, a son, Terry Black and a son-in-law, Robert Bamberg. Survivors include his wife, Freda Smith Junkins; son, Tim Junkins (Johna); daughters, Denise Bamberg, Tammy Black Whaley (Ron) and Theresa Black; brother, Danny Junkins; grandchildren, Ian Bamberg (Hannah), Zach Bamberg, Hunter Johnson, Holli Johnson, Ryan Bevel; great grandchildren, Kamdyn Matthews. Pallbearers were members of the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association. A special thank you goes out to Michelle King with Enhabit Hospice who selflessly and tirelessly served Jerry-Junkins during his final days.
Donald R. Russell
Hartselle
Funeral service for Donald R. Russell, 80 of Hartselle was held Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 12 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Joe McKaig and Bro. Benny Sivley officiating with burial in Burningtree Memorial Gardens with Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Russell was born April 11, 1943, in Morgan County to David Carswell Russell and Annie Mae Campbell Russell. He passed away Saturday, June 3, 2023, at his residence. Mr. Russell served three years in the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge with a rank of Sergeant. He was married for 51 years to Rebecca Louise White Russell. An active member of Decatur Baptist Church and a member of Hartselle Shining Stars planning committee for seven years. Preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rebecca Louise Russell; son, Mark Allen Russell; sister, Twyla Russell; two brothers, John Russell and James Russell. Survivors include two sons, Eric Stephen Russell and Ryan Christopher Russell (Belinda); two grandchildren, Christopher Allen Russell and Abigail Elaine-Cook Russell; two brothers, Ronnie Russell and Tommy Russell; five sisters, Geneva Fowler, Joann Jones, Mary Willingham, Myra Duncan, Dorothy Griffith; twenty-three nieces and nephews. Christopher Russell, Rusty White, John Griffith, Nick Griffith, Grant Harbin and Josh Smith served as pallbearers.
