Obituaries (12/27/23)
Brenda Crow
Hartselle
Funeral service for Brenda Crow, 66, will be Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at
4 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tony Johnson officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Crow died on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Decatur Morgan Hospital.
She was born March 15, 1957, in Morgan County, to Ernest Cecil Crow and
Madgie Mae Hitt Crow. She was a Daycare worker for Childtec, prior to her
passing. Mrs. Crow was a member of the First Independent Methodist Church.
She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and enjoyed art and
crossword puzzles.
Survivors include her son Jonathan Amerson; daughters Debbie Winsink (Jason), Kristi Crow (Mark) and Nicole Crow; brother Albert Crow; sisters Mildred Putman, Demetria Cass, Peggy Bassham (Randy) and Tonia Kay Crow; six grandchildren Sage, Jenna, Megan,
Donald, Jayden and Kayden.
James Robert Peck
HARTSELLE
James Robert Peck, 89, of Hartselle, passed away at his residence surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 17, 2023. He was born on October 18, 1934, to James Elliotte Peck and Gladys Elizabeth Stewart Peck.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 20, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Thursday, December 21, at Hartselle First Methodist Church at 11:00 AM with Bro. Bobby Ray Halbrooks, Bro. Mike Pope, Bro. Doug Wells, and Bro. Harold Thompson officiating.
He graduated from Morgan County High School (Hartselle) in 1953 and then API (Auburn University) in 1957 with a degree in Business Administration. He returned to Hartselle after graduation to work in the family funeral and insurance businesses. He dedicated his life to serving the community in Morgan County and the surrounding area for the remainder of his life.
He was a former member of the Hartselle Kiwanis Club where he served as president. He was a lifetime member of the Hartselle First Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board. He was the recipient of the E.R. Roberts Award for Business by the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce. Most importantly he was a faithful, loving husband, friend, businessman, Dad, and Papaw.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Gail Sims Peck; a sister, Barbara Peck Payne and his parents.
Survivors include one son, Jim Peck (Kim) of Hartselle; one daughter, Jamie Peck Host (Alan) of Hartselle; one sister, Elizabeth Peck Speake; four grandchildren, Emily Peck, Arthur Peck (Anna), Micah Host (Brittni) and Ryan Host (Lacey); 11 great-grandchildren, Mason, Eli, Bailey Ann, and Nolan Peck. Harper, Cooper, and Murphy Host. Maleigh, Isaiah, Selah, and Julia Host; numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Arthur Peck, Micah Host, Ryan Host, Dr. John Payne, Jim Payne, Elliotte Speake, Charlie Speake, and Art Glasgow.
Honorary pallbearers will be current and former employees of Peck Funeral Home and Peck Glasgow Agency.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Fresenius Kidney Care of Decatur, Anna Dove and Hospice of North Alabama, as well as his caregivers: Amanda, Sue, Janice M., Auburn and Janice.
The family requests any memorials be made to the Good Samaritan Fund of Hartselle First Methodist Church or your favorite charity.
Billie Irene Hembree
HARTSELLE
A Graveside Funeral service and Interment for Billie Irene Hembree, 94, will be Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Johnson Chapel Cemetery with Bro. Freddy Hembree officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. No Visitation is scheduled.
Mrs. Hembree passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023. She was born October 10, 1929, in Jackson County, to John Henry Rogers and Lillie Bell Peters Rogers.
She was a homemaker for her family and a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved being around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she loved dearly, to them she was Memom. She always was sweet and pleasant to be around and had a smile for everyone. She wasn’t able to go to church but still enjoyed her Sunday School Lesson every week. Her Sunday School teacher, Glenda Wright, would come to her house and teach her. They always had a sweet fellowship.
She always enjoyed going to the Smoky Mountains with Jimmy and Glenda yearly, until she wasn’t able to travel.
She left this world peacefully to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Sunday afternoon at 2:15 PM. She had been praying for this day ever since her husband passed away six years ago.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred E. Hembree; her parents; and a son, Steve Hembree.
Survivors include her sons, Freddy Hembree (Gina), Vinemont, AL and Mike Hembree (Jenelle), Hartselle, AL; brother, Bobby Dobbins (Nell); six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Josh Hembree, Jared Hembree, Jay Hembree, Lucas Hembree, Jay Anderson and Jeff Woodruff.
Her family wishes to extend special thanks to her caregivers, Maxine Hembree, Glenda Hembree, Cheri Cadle, Essie Harris, and Southern Care Hospice. She was a “Virtuous woman and her price was far above rubies” Proverbs 31:10-31.
Linda Lee Borden
Decatur
Funeral service for Linda Lee Borden, 65, will be Thursday, December 21,
2023 at 7 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bo Gunter officiating
and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Borden died on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Decatur Morgan Hospital.
She was born May 25, 1958, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, to Arwood Lee
Agerton and Betty Marie Bell Agerton.
She was a homemaker and caregiver for her family and was the most giving
person. She enjoyed taking care of other people and loved taking care of
children especially. She gave good advice and was loved by all who knew
her. Her parents preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Borden; sons Mason Lee Borden (Courtney Freeze) and David Lee Agerton; brother Kenneth Lee Agerton; nephew Justin Lee Agerton; grandchildren Alex Hendrix, Harmony Steeples and Zoey Agerton.
Hazel Olene Chriss
Hartselle
Funeral service for Hazel Olene Chriss, 91, will be Wednesday, December 20,
2023 at 1:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Gordon Wilbanks
officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Hartselle
City Cemetery.
Ms. Chriss died on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Falkville Health Care
Center. She was born Monday, May 9, 1932, in Cullman County to Arthur
Clarence Eddy and Clela O. Green Eddy.
She was a homemaker for her family, a good cook and enjoyed eating .
She also enjoyed watching TV, the Dallas Cowboys and playing Bingo. Ms.
Chriss was a Baptist.
Preceding her in death were her son: Donnie Morgan, daughters: Deborah Laney
and Teresa Sandling and a grandson: Donny Morgan, Jr.
Survivors include her sons Mike Morgan, Jeff Morgan (Laurie) and J.R. Morgan; daughters Sandra Morgan and Pam Lack (Ed); brother, Dillard Eddy; sister, Charlotte Hamilton, 19 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Ed Lack, Jamie Faribanks, David Morgan, Shawn Bennett
and Lance Sandlin.
Kathie Murphy Taylor
Decatur
Funeral service for Kathie Murphy Taylor age 74 of Decatur will be Friday,
December 22, 2023, at 11:00am at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ralph
Henderson and Brother Steve Barber officiating with burial in the Mt. Tabor
Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Taylor, who was born April 22, 1949, in Morgan County to James Carl
Murphy and Goldie Lemley Murphy, died on Monday, December 18, 2023, at
Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, her
husband, Howard L. Taylor, her brother’s, Donald Murphy, and Ray Murphy, and
sisters, Doyce Maxwell, and Carolyn Foreman.
She attended Decatur Baptist Church and Soul Harbor Baptist Church and owned
her own business with Home Interior & Gifts for over 30 years. Kathie was a
loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend but truly adored her
Grandchildren. She loved to cook, travel, and take cruises. Kathie was a
very talented singer, singing with her sisters, “The Murphy Sisters” for
most of their lives. She and her husband Howard enjoyed the fellowship and
singing at Hack Ward’s Music Barn in Hartselle.
Survivors include two sons: Jesse Shawn Taylor (Kelly) and daughters, Madalyn Taylor Morgan
(Justin),Lauren Burrows and son, Samuel Taylor, Benjamin Shane Taylor (Davina), daughter, Chesney Taylor and sons, Gavyn Taylor and Brody Terry; daughter: Bridgette Taylor Boykin (Robert) and her sons, Mason, and Dakota Boykin; two sisters: Vickie Eaton Judy Dunn
one great-grandchild: Auslyn Taylor
Troy Taylor, Matthew Moore, Eli Moore, Anthony Maxwell, Rick Williams, Cade
Upton, Rudy Rodriquez, Johnny Maxwell, and Jeremy Murphy will serve as
pallbearers.
Aclin “Mac” Maxwell
Hartselle
Funeral service for Aclin “Mac” Maxwell, 90, will be Wednesday, December 20,
2023 at 1:00 PM at Nature’s Trail Church with Bro. Johnny Maxwell
officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Antioch
Church Cemetery.
Mr. Maxwell died on Monday, December 18, 2023 at River City Center. He was
born June 26, 1933, in Morgan County, to Rexie Maxwell and Lora Mae Mason
Maxwell.
Aclin was a founding member of the Nature’s Trail Church and served as an
Elder until his death. He retired from a long career at the Morgan County
School System as a Transportation Director and Supervisor. Aclin proudly
served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and
afterwards. He also helped develop the School Bus Drivers Manual for safety
and operations. Aclin’s passion was to go fishing with his family and
especially his wife of 49 years, Doyce Ellen Maxwell. After Doyce passed
away, Aclin and Mildred Watkins became church attending and fishing friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doyce Ellen Murphy Maxwell, his
parents, brothers: Bly, Cohen, Jake, Delver, Ceigel, John Rayburn, and
sister: Loene Hamilton.
Survivors include his sons Anthony Carl Maxwell (Teresa) and Johnny Ray Maxwell (Sharon)
; daughter – Shelby Ann Maxwell Farrow (Ronnie); three grandchildren; five great-grandchilldren
and one great grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Trevor Maxwell, David Lemmond, Jeremy Jones, John
Maxwell, Doug Townsend and Johnny Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial donations be made to The Cross
of North Alabama
Steve Kaiser
Falkville
Steve Kaiser died on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Decatur Morgan
Hospital. He was born August 22, 1963, in Summerset County, New Jersey, to
William Kaiser and Doris Garrison Kaiser. He was a welder and worked in
fabrication for Nucor, prior to his retirement. He loved to ride his
motorcycle, loved to work, his job, video games, especially (Resident Evil).
He was a loving and proud father. Preceding him in death were his parents
and two brothers, Michael Kaiser and David Kaiser.
Survivors include his sons Weston Kaiser; brothers Shane Kaiser and Scott Parker; Sisters – Pat Kaiser and Kim Kaiser
No services are scheduled at this time.
Roger Del Ward
Hartselle
Funeral service for Roger Del Ward, 71, will be Saturday, December 23, 2023
at 1:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Walter Blackman officiating
and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Hartselle Memory Gardens.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at
Peck Funeral Home.
Mr. Ward passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at UAB Hospital. He was
born March 23, 1952, in Morgan County, to John Edward “Pete” Ward and
Rachel Faye Sims Ward.
Del was a faithful Christian man who loved the Lord. He was a wonderful
Husband, father, and grandfather, and was extremely proud of his two sons
and the men they became. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Del loved
to fish and had wonderful fishing buddies. Del also loved to watch Alabama
football.Del was blessed in 2008 to be given the gift of life by receiving a
lung transplant. This extended his life Fifteen and a half years. The family
asks if you aren’t an organ donor, please consider becoming one.The family
would like to thank several people instrumental in Del’s care these past 15
years. Dr. John V. Irle., who was his primary care physician. He was
instrumental in diagnosing Del and putting him with the right lung doctors
to get his transplant.
The family would also like to thank Melissa Shupe, his Respiratory
Therapist; She was always ready to take his weekly call, and for anything
that he needed. Del had a genuine fondness for her. Dr. Keith Willie, his
pulmonologist at UAB Hospital for 16 years. Del and Anita gained a wonderful
friend, whom they grew to love and respect over the years, Lanier O’Hare.
She was his first transplant coordinator and was always there for them the
entirety of his journey. She made Del’s life brighter with her humor,
support, and encouragement. His parents preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife Anita Clemons Ward; sons Kris Ward (Melissa) and Nick Ward; Sister – Bonnie Weinman (Doug); grandsons Tyde Ward, Luke Ward, Keaton Ward and Lawson Ward
granddaughters – Lillie Ward and Everly Ward
A host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Tyler, Ivan Self, Bill Smelser, Jimmy Moore, Mark
England and Mickey Smith.
Irene Dobbs Newman
Hartselle
Mrs. Irene Newman passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at her
residence. She was born September 19, 1942, in the Netherlands, to Wilhelm
Prins and Johanna Marie deHaas Prins.
She was a substitute teacher for the Hartselle City School System, prior to
her retirement. She was also a member of the local congregation of the
Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall. She loved to laugh and enjoyed joking around
and had a wonderful sense of humor. She went to the beat of her own drum.
The family wants to extend special thanks to Kim and Gary Woods for all of
their help and care.
Survivors include her son Terry Dobbs (Debbie); daughter Belinda Dobbs (friend – Christina Tucker); two grandchildren Savannah Dobbs and Will Dobbs; three great-grandchildren Olivia, Oliver and Kira. No services are scheduled at this time.
Jerry Morris Bryant
Decatur
A Graveside Funeral service for Jerry Morris Bryant, 93, will be Saturday,
December 23, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Herring Cemetery with Bro. Clyde Ledlow
officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Bryant died on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at River City Center. She
was born May 30, 1930, in Morgan County, to James Morris and Venta Parker
Morris.
Mrs. Bryant played basketball for Birmingham Southern when she was younger
and also loved to play golf. She was a Supervisor and Data Operator for
Redstone Arsenal, prior to her retirement. She enjoyed reading, sewing,
baking and trying new recipes and loved her grandchildren. She loved
learning knew things. She attended New Beginnings Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ronald C. Bryant, sisters, Pauline
McCutcheon and Tera Penn Pepper and her parents.
Survivors include her sons Vincent Bryant (Terri) and Andrew “Andy” Bryant (Lorie); sister Barbara Hartselle; five grandchildren Camellia Rawls (Allen), Ronald Bryant (Kim), Nicholas
Bryant, Natalie Bryant and Naomi Bryant; four great-grandchildren Paxton Gibbs, Carson Rawls, Hudson Rawls and Clara Bryant.
Pallbearers will be Ronald Bryant, Allen Rawls, Nicholas Bryant, Kim Reeves,
Frank Kilgore and Daryl Sandlin.
