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.
Thomas D. Ashley
ALBERTVILLE - Thomas David Ashley, 69, died Saturday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 3:30 p.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. Junior Reed and Vernon Wright officiating.
Burial was to be in Asbury Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Dean Taylor Ashley of Albertville; three daughters, Patricia Key and Belva Black, both of Grant, and Peggy Hardin of Boaz; two sons, Jimmy Ashley of Albertville and Kenneth Ashley of Grant; seven sisters, Elizabeth Payne of Fayetteville, Tenn., and Dorothy Helton, Laverne Smothers, Hazel Burgess, Thelma Smothers, Carolyn Burgess and Martha Reidlinger, all of Albertville; three brothers, Wilburn Ashley of Georgia, David Ashley of Section and Ralph Ashley of Albertville; and five grandchildren.
Lidie B. Barr
Lidie Bolin Barr, 78, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with Paul Weaver officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Barr was a native of Limestone County, but spent most her life in Madison County.
Survivors include two sons, Jerry Wayne Barr of Green sboro, N.C., and Clifford Edward Barr of Huntsville; four daughters, Mary Lou Maxwell and Julie Sumner, both of Green sboro, N.C., Michelle Ricketts of Huntsville and Linda Driscoll of Madison; three brothers, Hayden Bolden, Van Bolin and James Ross Bolin, all of Green sboro, N.C.; two sisters, Lila Stephens of Green sboro, N.C., and Rose Tarpley of Calumet City, Ill.; and 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Prentiss C. Beatty Jr.
MADISON - Prentiss C. Beatty Jr. of Madison died Saturday at a local hospital. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce a memorial service.
Survivors include his wife, Bettie Sexton Beatty of Madison; two sons, Prentiss C. Beatty III of Madison and Robert M. Beatty of Rhode Island; one stepdaughter, Norma Burch; and four grandchildren.
Johnie S. Dempsey
Johnie Sue Dempsey, 71, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home chapel with Dr. Jim Roberts officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Dempsey was an American Red Cross volunteer, and also volunteered at Huntsville Madison County Botanical Gardens. She was retired from Crestwood Hospital.
Survivors include her husband, Kendall C. Dempsey of Huntsville; one daughter, Suellen Dempsey of Atlanta; two sons, Ken Dempsey of Union Hill and Jimmy N. Dempsey of Huntsville; one sister, Virginia Todd of Franklin, La.; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 2233 Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, Al. 35801.
Phillip Fletcher
Phillip Fletcher, 81, of Huntsville died Friday at a Houston, Texas hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home with the Rev. Reggie Turner officiating.
Burial will be in Indian Creek Cemetery.
Survivors include three nephews, James Turner of Huntsville, Leo Turner of Athens and Shelby Turner of Louisville; and one great-niece and two great-nephews.
Margret J. Gilbert
GROVE OAK - Margret Jewel Gilbert, 81, died Saturday in Decatur. The funeral was to be today at 2:30 p.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.
Burial will be in Geraldine Cemetery.
Survivors include three sons, Kyle Gilbert of Augusta, Ga., Hoyt Gayle Gilbert of Decatur and Donnie Gilbert of Geraldine; and 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
James S. Kelly Jr.
James Stephen Kelly Jr. died Saturday at a local hospital. The memorial service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Jim Hunter and James Campbell officiating.
Mr. Kelly retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1960. He was also retired from the federal civil service and was a World War II veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel B. Kelly of Huntsville; one son, Terry Kelly of Pittsburgh; two daughters, Patricia Jeffrey and Karen Reed, both of Huntsville; two stepsons, Jeff Stephens of Georgia and Stan Stephens of Athens; one brother, Stan Kelly of Fayetteville, Tenn.; and nine grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Leukemia Foundation or to a favorite charity.
Della M. Kolle
TAFT, Tenn. - Della Mae Kolle, 81, of Old Railroad Bed Road died Saturday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home with Bro. Harold Boggs officiating.
Burial was to be in Blanche Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Henry Kolle of Taft; two daughters, Reba Fentress of Ardmore, Tenn., and Jenet Kolle of Taft; three brothers, Oscar Patterson of Ardmore, Tenn., P.J. Patterson of Coldwater and Hubert Patterson of Fayetteville,; three sisters, Vester Turner of Vantown, Clara Curtis of Fayetteville and Hazel Boldin of Ardmore, Tenn.; and two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Larry L. League
Larry Lynn League, 51, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. James Harrell officiating.
Burial will be in Charity Cemetery.
Mr. League was a native of Madison County and was retired from the Madison County Commission.
Survivors include his wife, Sherry L. League of Huntsville; one daughter, Christy League of Huntsville; his parents, Edward and Virginia League of Toney; and one brother, Eddie League of Toney.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Third Baptist Church.
Paul Linderman Sr.
Paul Randall Linderman Sr., 60, died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Rev. Tom Ackerman and Deacon Leroy Hoekenschneider officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Linderman was a long-time resident of Huntsville and was retired after 32 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the last 10 of which were served as director of information management.
Survivors include his wife, Julie Linderman; two sons, Paul Randall Linderman Jr. of Knoxville and Timothy H. Linderman of Birmingham; one brother, G. Wayne Linderman of Birmingham; and one granddaughter.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the Holy Spirit Catholic Church building fund or a favorite charity.
Joe L. McKay Sr.
TONEY - Joe L. McKay Sr., 68, died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church with the Rev. William Kelly officiating.
Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. McKay was a former commander in the American Legion and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a Korean War veteran and had received the Korean Service Medal and two bronze stars. He was retired from Huntsville Fire & Rescue Service and had lived in Huntsville 50 years. He also was a retired farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Naomi Collett McKay of Toney; three daughters, Martha Zywno of Huntsville, Suzanne Colburn of Harvest and Judith Perry of Fayetteville, Tenn.; one son, Joseph L. McKay Jr. of Pulaski, Tenn.; one sister, Ruth A. Rice of Huntsville; and three grandsons, four granddaughters and two nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary service at 6:30 at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Marys Church of the Visitation Catholic Church or to Leukemia Society.
Edna L. Moss
ATHENS - Edna Lee Moss, 83, of 15050 Dawson Dupree Road died Sunday at at an Athens nursing home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Limestone Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Moss was preceded in death by her husband, John Moss, and one son, David Moss.
Survivors include one daughter, Paulette Hughes of Athens; three sisters, Avo Moss of Elkmont, Pearl McCormick of Lester and Corine Tribble of Athens; and five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Reba Putman Scott
ATHENS - Reba Putman Scott, 69, of 504 Second St. died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home with Neal Dye and Roger Jackson officiating.
Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery.
Mrs. Scott was a native of Limestone County, a member of Northside Church of Christ, a former employee of Athens Lingerie Co. and was retired from Wal-Mart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maxie Scott.
Survivors include one daughter, Janie S. Clem of Tanner; four sisters, Elizabeth McGravy of Athens, Lorene Furline of Birmingham, Margaret Sanderson of Goodsprings, Tenn. and Hazel Putman of Prospect, Tenn.; and two grandchildren.
Roberta L. Simonson
Roberta Louise Simonson, 71, of Huntsville died Sunday in Atlanta. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mrs. Simonson was a native of Council Grove, Kansas. She graduated from Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia, Ark., in 1949, and taught math and science in Pine Bluff, Ark. She then worked as an Army physical therapist in Texas. While living with her husband at various military bases, she was a teacher at schools in Germany, Okinawa, Virginia and Fort Leavenworth, Kan. She was later a math teacher in Huntsville at Johnson High School, Randolph School and Grissom High School. She retired in 1988, but remained active as a volunteer in math education. She was also a member of Latham United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Col. (ret.) Eugene M. Simonson of Huntsville; one daughter, Sandra L. Heath of Satellite Beach, Fla.; one son, Michael W. Simonson of Atlanta and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society.
William E. Singleton
DOUGLAS - William Eugene Singleton, 50, of 43 Irvin Road died Saturday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Burial was to be in Crestview Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Singleton; two daughters, Mandy Singleton and Gina Singleton, both of Talladega; his mother, Ella M. Ellis of Illinois; his stepfather, Freeman Ellis of Illinois; one sister, Hilda Thorton of Illinois; one brother, Frankie Singleton of Illinois; and five grandchildren.
Martha Stephens
HARVEY, Ill. - Martha Stephens, formerly of the Rainsville area, died Sunday in Illinois. W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel will announce funeral arrangements.
Brenda D. Sullivan
Brenda Doylene Sullivan, 44, of Huntsville died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Union Hill P.B. Church with Dr. Oscar Montgomery officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include one daughter, Kamisha Sullivan of Huntsville; one son, Mark Bone of Huntsville; her father, Willie D. Bone of Huntsville; four sisters, Jewelon Burnett, Burlee Hambrick and Debra Kemp, all of Huntsville, and Belinda Averette of Columbus, Ga.; and three brothers, Michael Bone and Marvin Bone, both of Huntsville, and Murray Bone of Chicago.
Her body will be in the church one hour before the funeral.
William M. Vandiver
GUNTERSVILLE - William Matthew Vandiver, 71, of 746 Ringold St. died Saturday at his home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Burial will be in Rehobeth Cemetery.
Survivors include two sons, Russell Vandiver of Albertville and William E. Vandiver of Russellville; five sisters, Carolyn Scheidegger of Guntersville, Syble Gunn and Betty Childress, both of Grant, Mable Limgelbach of Illinois and Stella Nabors of Tennessee; and two grandchildren.
Billy R. Webb
Billy Randall Webb, 39, of Huntsville died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Revs. James Harrell, James Smith and John McRae officiating.
Burial will be in Paint Rock Cemetery.
Mr. Webb was a native of Madison County and had worked with Webb Electronics.
Survivors include his wife, Melinda Webb of Huntsville; one daughter, Jessie Webb of Hunstville; two stepsons, Nicholas Webb and Ian Mosquera, both of Hunstville; one stepdaughter, Heather Mosquera of Huntsville; his parents, Bill and Jessie Webb of Paint Rock; one sister, Brenda Davis of Hazel Green ; and one granddaughter.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
