Madison County, Alabama Obituary Collection 1998-1999 (From Various Funeral Homes)
Covering the towns of Big Cove, Brownsboro, Gurley, Hampton Cove, Harvest, Hazel Green,
Huntsville, Madison, Meridianville, New Hope, New Market, Normal, Owens Cross Roads,
Ryland, Toney, and Triana. Also many obits from nearby Athens (Limestone County).
Some of the funeral homes represented: Royal Funeral Home, Spry Funeral Home,
Valhalla Funeral Home, Laughlin Service Funeral Home, and Twickenham Funeral Home.
Note: These obituaries are NOT primary source. They are intended only to provide clues in
researching your family tree. Use the date at the top of each group of obituaries to determine
the date of death since this collection does not include specific dates, only the day of the week
that the death occurred. Use the handy 1998 or 1999 calendars to determine dates.
Ruby B. Ausley
ATHENS - Ruby Brooks Ausley, 86, of Governors Drive died Wednesday at Decatur General Hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Spry Chapel with the Rev. Roger Jackson, the Rev. Don Osborne, and the Rev. Bobby Turner officiating.
Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Ausley was born in Limestone County. She was retired from ConAgra and a member of Northside Church of Christ.
Survivors include a daughter, Ruby Dean Ausley Ezell of Athens; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Levoyd Brewer
MOBILE - Levoyd Brewer, 73, of, Mobile died Dec. 29 in a Mobile hospital. A graveside service was held today at 11 a.m. at Henshaw Cemetery in the Estill Fork community in Jackson County, Ala., with the Rev. Johnny Clark officiating and Scottsboro Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include two sisters, two brothers, three nephews and a niece.
Mary E. Christian
Mary Elizabeth Christian, 79, of Huntsville died Tuesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Madison Ward with Bishop Shawn Sowards presiding and James E. Neumann officiating.
Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Christian was a native and lifelong resident of Madison County. She was also owner and operator of Gil-Chris Ceramics and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Madison Ward.
Survivors include five daughters, Phyliss Ann Kanash of Boston, Mass., Betty Doris Gilmore of Meridianville, Mary Lou Ratliff of Madison and Linda Sue Young and Cynthia Jane Christian, both of Huntsville; one son, James Baron Christian of Tucson, Ariz.; and 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
The body will be at the church 45 minutes before the funeral.
James A. Crane
DECATUR - James A. Crane, 65, of Decatur died Wednesday at Decatur General Hospital. Services will be today at 11 a.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home with the Rev. Bruce Lancaster officiating.
Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery with Roselawn Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Crane was retired from Thiokol in Huntsville and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was also a member of the Association of the U.S. Army and Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Georgia Crane of Decatur; two daughters, Melissa Crane Morton and Jennie L. Crane, both of Decatur; a son, James Allyn Crane II of Decatur; and a brother, Gene Carlton Crane of Florence.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Keith D. Curts
Keith Donald Curts, 42, of Huntsville died Monday at his home. The memorial service will be Saturday at 4 p.m. at Wall Highway Baptist Church with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores Curts of Huntsville; one daughter, Melissa Satterfield of Huntsville; two sons, Timothy Curts and Joseph Curts, both of Tennessee; four sisters, Bonnie Coch of Athens, Carol Fox and Diane Furdy, both of Michigan, and Linda Augusta of Texas; five brothers, Butch Curts, Larry Curts, Steve Curts, Mike Curts and Bob Curts, all of Michigan; and one grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Childrens Hospital of Alabama.
Nellie J. Dowell
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Nellie Johnson Dowell, 85, died Jan. 1 at her home. The memorial service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church in Huntsville with the Rev. E.C. Gartrell officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Johnson was born in Huntsville and taught for the Huntsville School System for 40 years. She was also a business partner with Jeff Smith in the Home Ice and Coal Co.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tant Eddie Dowell.
Survivors include one daughter, Eddie Lynn Dowell Finch of Charlotte; son-in-law, David R. Finch of Charlotte; one brother, Billy Johnson of Toney; one sister, Ruth Johnson Hamilton of Sweet Water; and two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund, Central Presbyterian Church, 406 Randolph Ave., Huntsville 35801.
Melvin A. Duke
Melvin A. Duke, 89, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at noon at First Christian Church with Dr. Harold Dowler and Dr. John Jackson officiating.
Burial will be in Twickenham Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Duke was a Jonesboro, Ark., civic leader and owner of Thriftway Grocery and Dukes Bakery.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nell W. Duke.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Duke of Huntsville; two sons, Jimmy Duke and Andy Duke, both of Huntsville; one daughter, Patsy Brock of Northport, Fla.; one stepdaughter, Peggy Bregard of Huntsville; and 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church.
Jimmy Eatherly
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Jimmy Eatherly, 51, of 2812 Huntsville Highway died Thursday at his home. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home chapel.
Burial will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Mr. Eatherly was a Vietnam veteran and representative for Frito Lay.
Survivors include one son, Thad Eatherly of Fayetteville; his mother, Maggie Louise Dunn Eatherly of Shelbyville; and two sisters, Judy Oakley of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Deborah Cleek of Shelbyville.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Annie M. Green
NEW MARKET - Annie Margaret Green, 81, died Thursday at her home. The memorial service will be today at 7 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel.
Mrs. Green was a native of Silver Creek, Tenn., and was a resident of Madison County for 63 years.
Survivors include one daughter, Lynda G. Hennen of New Market; and one son, Randall Floyd Green of New Market.
Visitation is today from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care of Madison County.
Linda K. Haley
Linda Kaye Haley, 52, of 3814 Williamsburg Drive died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Madkins Chapel Cumberland with the Rev. Endia Scruggs officiating.
Burial will be in Northside Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include one daughter, Yulanda Brazelton; one son, Percy Cilliam, Jr.; her father, John D. Haley Sr.; four sisters, Mary Haley, Laura Bone, Julia Chandler and Edith Eason; four brothers, John Haley, Jr. Freddie Haley, Jerry Haley and Reginald Haley, all of Huntsville; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
The body will be at the church 45 minutes before the funeral.
James W. King
SCOTTSBORO - James Walter "Jim" King, 59, died Wednesday at a Huntsville rehabilitation center. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Johnny Clark officiating.
Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, David King of Birmingham; one daughter, Lisa Putman of Skyline; one sister, Hope Darwin of Scottsboro; and four grandchildren.
Eleanor D. Kirchner
Eleanor Demling Kirchner, 85, of Huntsville died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Survivors include one nephew, one great-niece and one great-nephew.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30.
Mary E. Kitchens
Mary Edith Kitchens, 17, of Huntsville died Tuesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with Dr. William H. Bostick, Jr. and Dr. Ed Culpepper.
Miss Kitchens was a recent graduate at Faith Covenant Christian Academy and worked at the medical office of Dr. Lori Kaufman.
Survivors include her mother, Jeri Anne Clayton of Huntsville; her father, Richard W. Kitchens of Huntsville; one brother, Brandon W. Kitchens, U.S. Navy, Iceland; one half sister, Katherine Kitchens of Albertville; one stepbrother, Christopher Moore of Huntsville; her grandmother, Edith Kitchens of Crystal Springs, Miss.; and three uncles, three aunts and nine cousins.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Carl H. Leake
ATHENS - Carl H. Leake, 91, of 1600 West Hobbs St. died Wednesday at an Athens nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert White and the Rev. James Wallace officiating.
Burial will be in Bottoms Cemetery.
Mr. Leake was a member of East Highland Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ida Myrl Leake and a son, Herman Wayne Leake.
Survivors include four daughters, Margaret Pressnell of Athens, Helen Berzett of Ardmore, Tenn., and Marjorie Stevenson and Carol Hampton, both of Athens; and 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Roy E. Long
HORTON - Roy Edward Long, 83, of 133 Isbell Road died Dec. 31 at his residence. The funeral was Jan. 3 at High Point Baptist Church.
Burial was in the adjoining cemetery with Adams Funeral Home of Albertville directing.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian H. Long; three daughters, Judy Gant and Dorothy Simmons, both of Huntsville, and Kathy Brewster of Union Grove; one son, Jerry Long of Albertville; two sisters, Lizzie Hix of Horton and Hessie Formby of Albertville; and one grandchild.
Lawrence K. Plaiss
HAZEL GREEN - Lawrence Keeton Plaiss, 75, died Saturday, Jan. 2, at a Huntsville hospital. The memorial service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Joel McGraw officiating.
Spry Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma N. Plaiss of Hazel Green ; one daughter, Susan R. Plaiss of Hazel Green ; one son, Bruce Plaiss of Harvest; one sister, Jewel Plaiss of Louisville, Ky; and three granchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Carey A. Reeves
ALBERTVILLE - Carey Albert ''Bud Reeves, 68, of 1463 Rose Road died Sunday in a local hospital. A graveside service was held today at 10 a.m. at Arab Memorial Cemetery with Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Survivors include one daughter, Gloria Lonon of Florida; one sister, Patsy Reeves of Iowa; three brothers, Jim Reeves, Jerry Reeves and Leonard Reeves, all of Iowa; and three grandchildren.
Louise V. Rodenhauser
Louise Varin Rodenhauser, 81, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. A graveside service will be Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with Deacon LeRoy Hokenschneider officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Mrs. Rodenhauser was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Rodenhauser.
Survivors include one daughter, Mary Ann McMillan of Huntsville; and two granchildren.
Visitation will be today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Visitation Building Fund.
Virginia A. Stinson
ATHENS - Virginia Ann Stinson, 24, of 19888 Elkton Road died Tuesday at Jackson County Hospital. The funeral will be Monday at 1 p.m. at McConnell Memorial Chapel.
Burial will be Antioch Cemetery with McConnell Funeral Home directing.
Survivors include her husband, Bobby Deerman of Scottsboro; parents Robert and Irma Stinson of Athens; and two brothers, Robert Stinson of Athens and William Stinson of San Antonio, Texas.
Bernard R. Tessmann
Bernard Robert Tessmann, 86, of Huntsville died Saturday, Jan. 2, in Huntsville. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Marks Lutheran Church with the Rev. Vernon Luckey officiating.
Spry Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Mr. Tessmann was a native of Zingst, Germany, and a resident of Huntsville for 48 years. He was a member of the original Wernher von Braun team and served many years as the deputy director of the test laboratory at NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center.
Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews in Germany.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care or the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Myrtie D. Todd
HENAGAR - Mrs. Myrtie D. Todd, 99, of Henagar died Wednesday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2:30 p.m. at the Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Marion Stanley and the Rev. Jeff Cole officiating.
Burial was to be in Corinth Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Sibyl Jackson of Rossville, Ga., and Willie Lois White of Henagar; one son, Curtis Todd of Rossville; one sister, Opal Christian of Trenton, Ga.; 20 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and 52 great-great-grandchildren.
Benny H. Turner
ATHENS - Benny Howard Turner, 62, of Wilee Lane died Wednesday at Athens-Limestone Hospital. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Hurricane Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Roland Stanley officiating.
Burial will be in Hurricane Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Turner was employed by Dixie Oil Co. in Meridian, Miss.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Turner of Athens; two sons, Wade Turner of Liden and Jesse Turner of Athens; three daughters, Missy Turner of Montgomery and Melanie Murphy and Lydia Buroker, both of Demopolis; a sister, Linda Box of Moody; a brother, Bobby Turner of Guntown, Miss.; and four grandchildren.
Mattie L. Williams
BOAZ - Mattie Lee Williams, 78, of 2648 Hambrick Drive died Wednesday in a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville. Burial was to be in Mount Hebron Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Janice Payne of Guntersville and Delyn Holder of Douglas; one son, Verbon L. ''Butch Williams of Douglas; two brothers, Jim Upchurch of Chattanooga and Johnny Upchurch of Sardis; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
