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.
Vera Gracey Burch, 100, of Huntsville died last Monday at a local hospital. The memorial service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Huntsville United Church with the Revs. James Norris and Allen Hollis officiating.
Mrs. Burch was a retired business owner in Seattle before she moved to Huntsville. She also had lived in Fort Lauderdale where she worked as a hospital volunteer coordinator, and had taught piano in Detroit. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Chester W. Gracey and Carl E. Burch.
Survivors include two daughters, Frances Rahn Campbell of Huntsville and Majorie Ellen Clefton of Jensen Beach, Fla.; a son-in-law, Claude Clefton; and a grandson, two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters.
Joe W. Boyd
ROGERSVILLE - Joe W. Boyd, 76, of Elk River Shores Drive died Saturday in Pulaski, Tenn. A graveside service will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Cemetery with Don Osborne officiating and Spry Funeral Home of Athens directing.
Mr. Boyd was a native of Athens, a Navy veteran of World War II and a retired welder from Redstone Arsenal.
Survivors include his wife, Lucy Boyd; one daughter, Carolyn Tate of Rogersville; one son, Joey Boyd of Harvest; one sister, Sarah Thomas of Elkmont; and two grandchildren.
Otha W. Carter
ATHENS - Otha Woodrow Carter, 79, of 1401 North Malone Street, Apt. 112A, died Saturday at his home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home in Athens with the Rev. T.H. Speegle and the Rev. Dusty McLemore officiating.
Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery with Limestone Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Carter was a member of Angela Memorial Chapel. He was preceded in death by a grandson, John Montgomery; four brothers, William Carter, Johnie Carter, Guy Carter and Morris Carter; and a sister, Bertha Carter.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline Carter of Athens; four daughters, Carolyn Loggins, Linda Black, Janice Armstrong and Pam Blakely all of Athens; two sons, Jerry Carter and Steve Carter, both of Athens; a brother, Thomas Carter of Elkmont; two sisters, Marie Norman and Lois Resler, both of Athens; and 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Cora L.B. Collier
MADISON - Cora Louise Bartlett Collier, 75, died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be announced by Laughlin Service Funeral Home. Elder Birdie Mae Banks, Elder Ronnie Banks and Elder Fae Harwell will officiate.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include two sons, Wayne Bartlett and Dennis Bartlett, both of Huntsville; a daughter, April Parcus of Huntsville; a brother, Herbert Miller of Athens; a sister, Laura Inez Arends of Madison; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today and Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Katherine Cooper
Katherine Cooper, 77, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local nursing home. The funeral will be announced by Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The Rev. Harvey Beck and the Rev. Gary Ward will officiate.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include two sons, Charles J. Cooper of McLean, Va., and Steven R. Cooper of Ormond Beach, Fla.; a daughter, Cathy Long of Savannah, Ga.; and several grandchildren.
Thomas W. Davis
UNION GROVE - Thomas Woodrow Davis, 63, died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home with the Rev. Roy Harbin and the Rev. Austin Ball officiating.
Burial will be in Cameron Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Davis was a native of Madison County. He was a construction supervisor with Tenneco in Newport News, Va., a Marine Corps veteran and a member of the First Assembly of God.
Survivors include his wife, Reba Davis of Union Grove; two sons, Robert Davis of Union Grove and Jeff Davis of Chicago; two daughters, Tammy Branson of Union Grove and Kellie Davis of New Hope; and nine grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 4 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
George M. Day
SCOTTSBORO - George McCoy Day, 71, died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 11 a.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Allison officiating.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian Day; two sons, Ronald Day and Glenn Day, both of Madison; one stepdaughter, Vicki Pace of Skyline; two stepsons, Chris White of Scottsboro and Steve White of New Orleans; two sisters, Odessa Lacy of Fyffe and Ruth Omerod of Henagar; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Louis D. Felton
DECATUR - Louis Douglas Felton, 50, died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at David Temple P.B. Church with the Rev. Curtis Jordan officiating.
Burial will be in Sykes Cemetery with Sharpley Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Felton was born in Chattanooga to the late Joe Douglas and the late Viola White.
Survivors include four daughters, Tonia Hudgins, Erica Davis, Tara Felton and Cheryl Wooden, all of Chattanooga; three sisters, Lillie Bates Felton and Betty J. Watkins, both of Decatur, and Lucy M. Oats of Florence; and 13 grandchildren.
The body will be at the church one hour before the service.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Michael K. Foster
Michael King Foster, 91, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at the graveside.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Foster was retired after 33 years with MICOM. He was a graduate of The University of Alabama where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He was also a member of Central Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lee S. Foster of Huntsville; two daughters, Nancy Pike of Huntsville and Marsha Kilpatrick of Carrollton, Ala.; two sons, Darryl Cobb of Moulton and Wayne Cobb of Montgomery; a brother, Andrew Nichols Foster of Atlanta; and seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church or any charity.
Paul H. Gehlhaus
Paul Herbert Gehlhaus, 69, of Huntsville died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with Dr. Mel Strain and Dr. Jerald Laudrey officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Gehlhaus was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the American Chemical Society. He worked as a research chemist for Rohm and Haas Co. at Redstone Arsenal from 1952 to 1971. He was then transferred to Rohm and Haas Co. in Spring House, Pa. He retired in 1990 and moved back to Huntsville in 1991.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Gehlhaus of Huntsville; two daughters, Deborah Gehlhaus Stubbs of Rome, Ga., and Margaret Gehlhaus McIntyre of Visa Lia, Calif.; and a sister, Gertrude Walker of Manaasquan, N.J.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Elder Care Trinity United Methodist Church.
William Gibson
ELKMONT - William ''Bill Gibson, 63, of New Bethel Road died Saturday at a Huntsville Hospital. The funeral will be today at 3 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Athens with Dewey Craft officiating.
Mr. Gibson was a native of Limestone County, an Army veteran and a retired truck driver.
Survivors include his wife, Reba Gibson; two daughters, Rita Hargrove of Elkmont and Janie Pack of Athens; one sister, Elizabeth Noone of Boston; one brother, Maxie Gibson of Huntsville; and five grandchildren.
William L. Gwathney
William Lawrence Gwathney, 68, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be announced by Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The Rev. Ronald W. Boulware will officiate.
Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Gwathney was retired from Redstone Arsenal.
Survivors include his wife, Rita Gwathney of Huntsville; a son, Stephen Kent Gwathney of Huntsville; a daughter, Kay Gwathney of Huntsville; two brothers, Lowell Gwathney of Huntsville and John Walter Gwathney of West Point, Miss.; five sisters, Finnie Sue Brockway and Carrie Mae Martin, both of New Hope, Jimmie Dennis of Nashville, Ida Gladys of Maysville and Ruby Harrin of Harvest.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Dorothy Hammonds
Washington, D.C. - Dorothy J. Hammonds, 52, died Thursday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral will be today at noon at St. Bartley P.B. Church with the Rev. John Clay officiating.
Burial will be in St. Ruth Cemetery with Royal Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include one son, Michael Williams of Washington, D.C.; six sisters, Lillian H. Warren, Mary H. Whitman, Jewell B. Jones, Connie H. Marshall and Beverly H. Hammonds, all of Huntsville, and Emma L. Hammonds of Petersburg, Va.; and two brothers, Calvin H. Lewis and Willie L. Hammonds, both of Huntsville.
Wanda T. Holt
GUNTERSVILLE - Wanda Tate Holt, 53, of Baker Chapel Road died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home with Dr. Lee J. Hudson and the Rev. Dewey Summers officiating.
Burial will be in Concord Cemetery with Gallant Funeral Home of Hazel Green in charge.
Mrs. Holt was a native of Madison County. She was a dietician for Heritage Baptist Christian School, a Buckhorn High School graduate and a member of Baker Chapel Baptist Church in Guntersville.
Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Loyle Holt of Guntersville; two daughters, Jada Altweis of Toney and Jenifer Holt of Huntsville; a son-in-law, Brian Altwies of Toney; her mother, Julia Birchfield of Toney; two brothers, Joe Stiles and Tarry Tate, both of New Market.
Visitation will be today from 4 to 9 p.m. in the Hazel Green Chapel of Gallant Funeral Home.
Ken Hunter
Ken Hunter, 38, of Huntsville died Saturday. The funeral will be announced by Spry Funeral Home.
Survivors include his wife, Vickey Hunter; six sons, Kenny Hunter of Brewton, Jason Bowles of Denver, Ernest Bowles, Matthew Bowles, Brandon Bowles and Michael Bowles; two daughters, Robin Bowles and Whitney Hunter; his father, James Hunter; one sister, Regina Nolen, all of Huntsville; two brothers, Tommy Hunter of Cullman and Mike Hunter of Huntsville; and one grandchild.
Brooks W. Lewis
MAYSVILLE - Brooks W. Lewis, 74, died Sunday at his home. The memorial service will be Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Mekay officiating.
Mr. Lewis was a native of Woodville and a 45-year resident of Maysville. He was a retired businessman, a World War II veteran and a member of the Cahaba Shrine.
Survivors include his wife, Doris M. Lewis of Maysville; a son, Bruce W. Lewis of Huntsville; and a brother, H.L. Lewis Jr. of Maysville.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Childrens Hospitals.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Iva Mae McGlocklin
Iva Mae McGlocklin, 90, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at Huntsville Holiness Church with the Rev. David Jones officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. McGlocklin was a native of Coldwater, Tenn., and a longtime resident of Madison County. She was also a member of Huntsville Holiness Church.
Survivors include a grandson, Bobby Lee McGlocklin of Nashville; a granddaughter, Tonya McGlocklin of Nashville; and a niece, Dixie Lee of Huntsville.
The body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
R.B. Murphy
COLLINSVILLE - Bro. R.B. ''Burlon Murphy, 83, of Collinsville died Saturday at his home. The funeral will be today at 11 a.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Junior Reed and Bro. Billy Anderson officiating.
Survivors include two brothers, Arnold Murphy of Fort Payne and Elmer Murphy of Palistine, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
Rufus F. Pointer
DECATUR - Rufus Fed Pointer, 78, died Thursday at his home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Westside M.B. Church with the Rev. George A. Smith officiating.
Burial will be in Sterrs Cemetery with Sharpley Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Pointer was born in Town Creek, Ala. He was a member of Westside M.B. Church and George W. Brackin Lodge No. 28.
Survivors include his wife, Fannie Mae Raines Pointer of Decatur; a niece, Ceola Swoope of Decatur; and a nephew, Leon Pointer of San Fernando, Calif.
The body will be at the church one hour before the service.
Jason A. Pylant
ATHENS - Jason Allen Pylant, 17, of 20834 Crutcher Road died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Dewey Craft and Dr. Rick Craft officiating.
Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery with Limestone Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Pylant was an 11th-grader at Way Home School and a member of First United Pentecostal Church in Athens. He was preceded in death by a grandfather, Eugene "Bud" Pylant.
Survivors include his parents, Bobby Pylant and Shelia Pylant, both of Athens; a brother, Josh Pylant of Athens; a sister, Katie Pylant of Athens; six grandparents, Jerry Gulley, Rachel Gulley, Ella Usery and R.T. Terry, all of Athens, and Calos Usery and Betty Gatlin, both of Elkmont, Ala.; and a great-grandparent, Vernon Usery of Elkmont, Ala.
Visitation was to be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Angela Releford
ROSALIE - Angela Annette Releford, 33, died Sunday at a Fort Payne hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Kerby Funeral Home in Henagar with the Rev. Watson Williams, the Rev. Charles Smith and the Rev. Mike Benefield officiating.
Survivors include her parents, Horace and Alean Releford of Rosalie; one sister, Bobbye Marona of Rosalie; and a special friend, Phil Goins of Rosalie.
Visitation was to be today until 9:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Warren Shelton
ARAB - Warren Shelton, 65, of 214 7th Ave. N.E. died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Gober Funeral Home of Arab.
Survivors include his wife, Marion Shelton; two sons, Gary W. Shelton of Huntsville and Barry E. Shelton of Arab; a daughter, Sheri Welch of Huntsville; and a sister, Betty Graham of Arab.
Helen M. Spray
Helen M. Spray, 74, of Huntsville died Sunday in Decatur. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home with the Rev. Horace Fielding officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Spray was a native of Limestone County and a longtime resident of Huntsville.
Survivors include three daughters, Georgie Mae Slayton, June Golden and Waynette Gaither, all of Huntsville; three brothers, Wayne Loggins, Carroll Loggins and Charles Loggins, all of Huntsville; two sisters, Margaret Hendrix of Huntsville and Beatrice Detwiler of West Memphis, Ark.; and six grandchildren and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. and the funeral home.
Elaine S. Taylor
Elaine Stockton Taylor, 83, of Huntsville died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be announced by Laughlin Service Funeral Home Dr. Max Croft and Dr. Dennis Wiles will officiate.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Taylor owned and operated Valley Cleaners and Kitchen Corner. She was a former member of Soroptimist International and a supporter of Baptist Childrens Home. She taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church for several years.
Survivors include a son, Robert Louis Taylor of Huntsville; and three sisters, Frieda Stockton Coleman and Sarah Stockton Cother, both of Amory, Miss., and Vivian Ann Stockton Weil of Nevada, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Baptist Childrens Home, P.O. Box 1805, Decatur, Ala., 35602.
Susan R. Taylor
FLINTVILLE, Tenn. - Susan Roberta Taylor, 73, of Crystal Springs Road died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Donald Ramey officitating.
Burial will be in Campbell Cemetery with Higgins Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond Taylor of Flintville, Tenn.; a sister, Mary Elna Moore of Florida; a brother, James Edward Rodgers of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Virginia Whatley
OPELIKA - Virginia Whatley, 84, formerly of Huntsville, died Saturday at an Opelike hospital. The funeral was to be today at 11 a.m. at Jeffcoat Funeral Home chapel.
Burial was to be in Rosemere Cemetery with the Rev. Walter Albritton and the Rev. Earl Ballard officiating.
Mrs. Whatley was a native of Huntsville but had lived most of her life in Opelika. She was the former owner of Virginia Whatleys Country Casuals and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Wallace Whatley Sr., one son, Harold Prince Whatley and one stepdaughter, June Whatley Dean.
Survivors include her husband, Hugh D. Whatley; one son and daughter-in-law, Wallace and Carol Whatley of Auburn; one daughter-in-law, Nancy Whatley Sims of Huntsville; one sister, Gertrude Prince Blackwell; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation was Sunday at the funeral home in Opelika.
