Obituaries for Friday
Charles George, Lincoln
Mary Griffith, Wellington
Addie Lou Hathorn, Anniston
Christine Hooks, Clanton
Jewell Stewart Kelley, Piedmont
Shelly Kirby Jr., Anniston
Bill D. Miller Sr., Ohatchee
Charles G. Peters, Alexandria
Jackie Prestridge, Heflin
Clarence William Reaves Jr., Jacksonville
Gwendolyn Y. Smith, Birmingham
Charles G. Peters, Alexandria
Bertha Mae Tinsley, Alpine
Gary G. Wolfe, Piedmont
Leanard M. Yearsley, White Plains
LINCOLN — Services for Mr. Charles George, 65, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary Baptist Church with Pastor Everett Kelley officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be in the church one hour prior to the services. Mr. George died Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at St. Vincent's East.
Survivors include two daughters, Sonja George, of Lincoln, SPC. Temeah C. (Wade) Leathers, of Fort Bragg, N.C.; two sons, Charles L. (Jacqueline) George, of Stoughton, Mass., Anthony T. (LaTonya) George, of Lincoln; three brothers, Lee Curtis (Eva June) George, Richard (Shirley) George, both of Lincoln, Odice McCluney, of Dorcester, Mass; five sisters, Estelle Elston, Yvella George, Loran Fomby, Violet Orr, Kathy Orr, all of Lincoln; father, James (Jeanette) Cunningham, of Riverside; five grandchildren; four aunts, Carrie Pearson, Mary Warren Britt, Mary Jo Milner, Elder Minnie McCluney; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
WELLINGTON — Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Griffith, 84, will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2008, at the Gray Brown Service Chapel in Anniston. The family will receive friends this evening from 6-8 at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Union United Methodist Church. Mrs. Griffith "stepped over into "Glory Land" to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, while residing with caregivers in Wellington. Mrs. Griffith was a life-time member of Peace Assembly Church of God in Anniston, where she had been very active, until recent years when her health limited her activities. "Sister Mary" pthe Reviously held the position of Pastor at Peace Assembly, formerly known as Northside Assembly, serving as a strong and avid witness for God and for His purpose. Mrs. Griffith leaves behind a cherished brother, Carl Grammer and his wife, Ann, of Anniston; her special, "big sister" Beulah Bunt, of Ragland, and her guardian, "baby sister" Barbara Ann Land and husband J.T., of Birmingham. She is survived by a son, Fretwell Newman and wife, Judy, of Ohatchee, son, Tony Newman and wife, Linda, of Arkansas. She also leaves behind a special foster son, Robert Fuller and wife, Dianne, who also served as caregivers, foster son, Ted Fink and wife, Amanda, of Oxford, as well as three grandchildren, Fretwell Shane Newman, Kristy LeeAnn Newman, and Kenneth Russell "Rusty" Newman; and four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a great foster grandson, Graham Fuller, of Germany. In addition to owning and operating Newman's Jewelers and Griffith's Jewelers in Jacksonville, Mary Griffith spent her life giving of her time and talents to the service of others. During the 1960-era, she opened her home to some 80 foster boys, providing them a home when they had none. The family wants to thank Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation Center, the staff at Gadsden Regional Medical Center, and Hope Hospice. A special thanks to Mary's goddaughters, Diane, Charlotte, Pat, and Jennifer for their devotion to our loved one. Luke 5: 1-11 ... to paraphrase: "in order to follow Jesus you have to launch into the deeper waters." Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements (256) 236-3441
ANNISTON — Funeral services for Mrs. Addie Lou Hathorn, 85, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008, at K.L. Brown Memory Chapel in Golden Springs with the Reverend Dr. Bill Snow officiating and entombment following at Forestlawn Gardens. The family will receive friends this evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Hathorn passed away August 19, 2008 at Long Term Hospital of Anniston. Mrs. Hathorn was a member of Edgewood Congregation Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Hathorn, and her daughter, Judy. Mrs. Hathorn is survived by her son, Tim Hathorn and his wife, Katherine, of Birmingham; a sister, Christine Comer, of Warrenton, Va.; and a grandson, Vince Hathorn.
Pallbearers will be Chris Bruce, David Gilmore, Daryl Fleming, Vic Tankersley, Steve Taylor and Steven Waites. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.klbrownmemorychapel.com. Arrangements by: K.L. Brown Memory Chapel 620 Golden Springs Road Anniston, Ala. 36207 (256) 231-2334
CLANTON — Funeral service for Dr. Christine Hooks, 93, formerly of Anniston, was Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the Union Baptist Church of Clanton with Dr. N.Q. Reynolds officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Dr. Hooks retired from the Anniston City School System and was also the first black President elected to the Anniston Public Library Board. Courtesy of Goodson Funeral Home.
PIEDMONT — Services for Jewell Stewart Kelley, 87, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Thompson Funeral Home with the The Rev. Rudy Ross and the Rev. Jay Daugherty officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Ms. Kelley died Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Betty Kelley, of Piedmont; two granddaughters, Debbie Harvey (Bob), of Piedmont and Pam McDonald (Jamie), of Centre; six great- grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one niece, Charlene Glover (Ray), of Piedmont; three nephews, George Wright (Linda), of Hokes Bluff, Farron Butler (Tracy), of White Plains and Donny Butler (Teresa), of Ball Play; and a special friend, Cecil Parris, of Piedmont.
Pallbearers will be Ray Glover, George Wright, Cecil Parris, Bob Harvey, Farron Butler and Donny Butler. Ms. Kelley was a native of Cherokee County and a resident of Piedmont most of her life. She was a member of the First Congregational Methodist Church and had retired from Cherokee Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Kelley; son, Jerry Kelley; parents, W. Sharpe and Maggie Warren Stewart; one sister, Mary Ellen Wright and two brothers, Tommy Stewart and Calvin J. Stewart. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Piedmont Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 333, Piedmont, Ala. 36272 or to the First Congregational Methodist Church, P.O. Box 583, Piedmont, Ala. 36272.
ANNISTON — Funeral service for Shelly Kirby Jr., 64 will be 1 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008, at Mt. Liberty Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Ray Morgan, eulogist and Pastor Walter Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Eden Hills Cemetery with Goodson Funeral Home directing. Public visitation will be today from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Survivors include wife, Beatrice Kirby; son Shelly Kirby III; daughter Juanita (Ousman) Sidibe, Stephanie Wainwright, and Erica Kirby; mother, Doveline Kirby; brothers, Jimmy, Charles, Walter; sisters, Dottie McMillian, Catherine Kirby, Betty Kirby; six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Shelly Kirby Sr. www.goodsonfuneralhome.net
OHATCHEE — Funeral service for Mr. Bill D. Miller, Sr., 73, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008, at Leatherwood Baptist Church with Dr. Sam Legon officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery Memorial. Visitation will be this evening at Leatherwood Baptist Church from 6-8 with Chapel Hill Funeral Home in charge. Mr. Miller passed away at his residence Thursday, August 21, 2008. Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Doris E. Miller, of Ohatchee; sons, Bill D. Miller Jr. and wife, Teresa and Alan Miller and wife Lonna, all of Ohatchee; brothers, Johnny Riley and wife, Virginia, of Oak Grove, La., Harold Riley and wife, MayTee, of Tupelo, Miss., Sam Legon and wife, Gayle, of Ohatchee; three grandchildren, Casie Miller Spencer and husband, Joel, Abby Miller and JonRiley Miller; great-grandson, Miller Spencer; several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Joel Spencer, Travis Mattox, Ricky Riley, Bennie Storie, Kin Logan, John Burgess, Glen Frederick and Roland Hendon. Honorary pallbearers will be all associates of Bill Miller Photographers and State Educators. Mr. Miller was a native of Mississippi and current resident of Ohatchee where he lived most of his life. He was awarded numerous business awards and school honors. He attended Victory Baptist Church in Ohatchee. Chapel Hill Funeral Home will be servicing the Miller family (256) 820-5151
ALEXANDRIA — Funeral services for Mr. Charles G. Peters, 73, will be announced later by Ervin Funeral Chapel. Mr. Peters died Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Regional Medical Center. www.ervinfuneralchapel.net
HEFLIN — Funeral services for Jackie Prestridge, 55, will be at 2 p.m. today, August 22, 2008, at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Dryden Funeral Home "Caring Service Since 1962." 256-463-2287
JACKSONVILLE — Funeral service for Clarence William Reaves Jr., 70, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008, at the K.L. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Bob Ford and Brandon Pisacrita officiating. Burial will be in Jacksonville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 tonight at the funeral home. Mr. Reaves died Thursday at JMC. He is survived by his wife, Lela Reaves, of Jacksonville; two daughters, Teresa (Mike) Pisacrita and Robin (Carl) Cochran; one son, Matthew William Reaves; two brothers, Kenneth (Linnie) Reaves and Donald (Sue) Reaves; four grandchildren, Brandon, Corey (Elizabeth), and Jordan Pisacrita and Jennifer (DeWayne) Kiker; and a great-grandson, Chase Kiker.
Pallbearers will be DeWayne Kiker, Jason Reaves, Carl Cochran, Michael Abernathy, Corey Pisacrita and Tommy Kiker. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Aguilar, Jordan Pisacrita and members of the Calhoun County Sheriff Deputy Reserves. Mr. Reaves was retired from the City of Jacksonville after 24 years service and was also employed by The Anniston Star for 12 years. He enjoyed trade days, yard sales, NASCAR, college football and eBay. He was an avid Ham Radio Operator (W4JSU). He was a devoted family man. He was also a member of the Calhoun County Sheriff Deputy Reserves.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alabama Children's Hospital Foundation, 1600 7th Avenue, S., Birmingham, Ala. 35233. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.klbrownfuneralhome.com
BIRMINGHAM — Services for Ms. Gwendolyn Y. Smith, 45, formerly of Anniston will be announced by Ervin Funeral Chapel. She is the daughter of Command Sergeant Major (retired) James and Verlily Smith of Saks. PETERS
ALEXANDRIA — Funeral services for Mr. Charles G. Peters, 73, of Alexandria will be announced later by Ervin Funeral Chapel. Mr. Peters died Thursday, August 21, 2008 at Regional Medical Center. www.ervinfuneralchapel.net
ALPINE — Services for Mrs. Bertha Mae Tinsley, 80, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hepzibah Baptist Church. Visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the service at the church.
PIEDMONT — Services for Gary G. Wolfe, 71, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Thompson Funeral Home with the Rev. Michael Ingram and the Rev. Rick Coffman officiating. Burial will follow in Nances Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Wolfe died Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at Jacksonville Medical Center.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Imogene N. Wolfe, of Piedmont; two daughters, Angie W. Maddox (Scott) and Patty W. Carroll (Rodney), all of Piedmont; three grandchildren, Ashley Williams, Paige Carroll and Ethan Carroll; one sister, Imogene Rutledge of Glencoe and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be J.D. Doss, Stevie Goss, Charlie Wallace, Dan Lane, Sidney Cox, Glenn "Rhino" Buttram, Raymond Kirk, and Anthony Baker. Mr. Wolfe was a native and lifelong resident of Piedmont. He was owner and operator of Wolfe Cement Contractors, was a U.S. Army veteran and was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed being outdoors and was preceded in death by his mother, Luna D. Wolfe, one sister, Peggy Carpenter and two brothers, Travis Wolfe and Billy Wolfe. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Piedmont Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 333, Piedmont, Ala. 36272 or the Disabled American Veterans, Monument Fund, 411 North Center Avenue, Piedmont, Ala. 36272.
WHITE PLAINS — Funeral services for Leanard M. Yearsley, 53, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008, at Gray Brown-Service Chapel with Bishop Wendell Jensen officiating. Burial will follow at a later day in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland, Wash. The family will receive friends this evening from 6-8 p.m. at Gray Brown-Service Chapel. Mr. Yearsley passed away August 20, 2008 at RMC.
Survivors include his wife, Tina Lurlene, of White Plains; daughter, Tabitha Lee Yearsley, of White Plains; sister, Kay Van Kampen, of Ogden, Utah; brothers, Dewaine Yearsley, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Delmar Yearsley, of Richland, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Yearsley is preceded in death by his parents, Karl Gibbs Yearsley and Netta Hancock Yearsley; and brothers, Eli Yearsley, Merrill Johnson, and John Karl Yearsley. Mr. Yearsley was a native of Richland Washington and was a member of the U.S. Army, where he served in Germany and Fort McClellan. After the Army, he worked as a security guard at Regional Medical Center. He was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Anniston Ward. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. (256)236-3441
