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.
Bessie B. Atchley, 96, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Wayne Mills officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Atchley was a native of Jackson County and was of the Baptist faith. She was preceeded in death by her husband, John F. Atchley.
Survivors include six daughters, Louise Moore, Edna Bryan, Mary Harbin and Betty Tucker, all of Huntsville, Jean Barthle of Dade City, Fla., and Edith Ayers of Sacramento, Calif.; a son, John F. Atchley Jr. of Huntsville; a sister, Estelle Mills of Huntsville; and 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation is today from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
Sarah A. Beason
GUNTERSVILLE - Sarah Annie Beason, 94, of 2409 Thomas Ave. died Monday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Guntersville Church of God.
Burial was to be in Union Grove Cemetery in Cullman County with Carr Funeral Home of Guntersville in charge.
Survivors include two daughters, Imogene Trotter and Barbara Beason, both of Guntersville; one son, Porter Beason of Huntsville; one sister, Bertie Nelson of Cullman; one brother, Press Weaver of Cullman; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Louise Beauchamp
ATHENS - Louise Beauchamp, 69, of 401 Shaw St., died Monday at a Decatur hospital. Funeral arrangements will be announced by McConnell Funeral Home.
Cora Bartlett Collier
MADISON - Cora Louise Bartlett Collier, 75, of Madison died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with Elder Birdie Mae Banks, Elder Ronnie Banks and Elder Fae Harwell officiating.
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 eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today 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 Wednesday at noon at Latham United Methodist Church with the Rev. Harvey Beck and the Rev. Gary Ward officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Cooper was a member of Latham United Methodist Church. She worked as an administrative assistant and church secretary for 16 years until her retirement in 1986. She received a degree in education from the University of Florida in 1942. She also received a degree in library science from the University of North Carolina in 1950.
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 eight grandchildren.
Sherrell L. Davis
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Sherrell L. Davis, 66, of 420 Shelbyville Highway died Monday at a Lincoln County hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with the Revs. Dwight Smith and Ed McCoy officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens with Higgins Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Davis, son of the late Aubrey S. Davis, was a native of Lincoln County and a member of Beech Grove Methodist Church in Hughey, Tenn.
Survivors include his mother, Irene Davis of Fayetteville; a sister, Carolyn Kaye Barnes of Fayetteville; a brother, Bobby Nix Davis of Fayetteville; and several nieces and nephews.
Thomas W. Davis
UNION GROVE - Thomas Woodrow Davis, 63, died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home with the Revs. Roy Harbin and 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 U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a member of the First Assembly of God.
Survivors include his wife, Reba Davis of Union Grove; three sons, Robert Davis of Union Grove, Jeff Davis of Chicago and Thomas Gene "Tommy" Davis of New Hope; two daughters, Tammy Branson of Union Grove and Kellie Davis of New Hope; and twelve grandchildren.
William L. Gwathney
William Lawrence Gwathney, 68, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronald W. Boulware officiating.
Burial will be in Huntsville Memorial 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.; six sisters, Finnie Sue Brockway and Carrie Mae Martin, both of New Hope, Jimmie Dennis of Nashville, Ida Gladys of Maysville, Mildred Davis of Huntsville and Ruby Harrin of Harvest.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Kalee S. Hinkles
HOLLYWOOD - Kalee Summer Hinkles, infant daughter of Titus and Karla Hinkles of Hollywood, died Sunday at a Scottsboro hospital. A graveside service will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Pinehaven Memorial Gardens in Hollywood with the Rev. Bob Bell officiating and Scottsboro Funeral Home directing.
Other survivors include her grandparents, Junior and Rena Hinkles of Hollywood and Edwin and Norma Sells of Winchester, Tenn.; and great-grandparents, Elbert and Allane Sells of Winchester.
Lonnie Cliford Hudson
ATHENS - Lonnie Cliford Hudson, 94, of West Hobbs St. died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home with James Bridges officiating.
Mr. Hudson was a native of Limestone County, a member of Tanner Church of Christ and a retired farmer.
Survivors include one sister, Pauline Hudson of Athens; one brother, Murray Hudson of Athens; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Limestone County or to a charity.
Ken W. Hunter
Ken Walley Hunter, 38, of Huntsville died Saturday. The funeral will be today at 11 a.m. at graveside with the Rev. Billy Loveday officiating.
Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his wife, Vickey Hunter; six sons, Kenney Hunter of Brewton, Jason Bowles of Denver and Ernest Bowles, Matthew Bowles, Brandon Bowles and Michael Bowles, all of Huntsville; two daughters, Robin Bowles and Whitney Hunter, both of Huntsville; his father, James Hunter of Huntsville; a sister, Regina Nolen of Huntsville; two brothers, Tommy Hunter of Cullman and Mike Hunter of Huntsville; and one grandchild.
Eloise Jones
Eloise Jones, 76, of Huntsville died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Beck officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Jones was a homemaker and a graduate of Mississippi College for Women.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Edward Jones of Huntsville; a daughter, Susan Berry; two sons, Robert William Jones and Donald Edward Jones, both of Huntsville; a sister, Margurit S. Salter of Pensacola; and six grandchildren and one niece.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Henry L. Legg
FALKVILLE - Henry Luther ''Luke Legg, 67, of 370 Morgan County Road 1264, died Saturday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle with the Rev. Bill Partridge officiating.
Survivors include his wife, Audrey Mae Legg; his mother, Stella Legg of Falkville; two daughters, Sandra Legg Ellard of Athens and Laurie Legg Tuder of Celina, Texas; one son, Martin Luther Legg of Somerville; two sisters, Ruth Legg Cottrell and Ethel Legg Williams, both of Falkville; two brothers, Robert Lewis Legg of Leeds and Carl Edward Legg of Eva; and nine grandchildren.
Lorene H. Maples
NEW HOPE - Lorene Hunter Maples, 68, of 196 Curt Road died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at New Hope Funeral Home with Rick Honea and Roland Lee officiating.
Burial will be in Brown Cemetery with New Hope Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Maples was a member of Galilee Baptist Church in New Hope and the Thula Rice Order of the Eastern Star. There will be an Eastern Star service today at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Survivors include her husband, Edward W. "Bill" Maples of New Hope; three sons, Layne Maples of Owens Cross Roads, Mike Maples of Guntersville and Woody Maples of Grant; two daughters, Donna McQuiston of Laceys Spring and Amanda Payne of New Hope; seven sisters, Kay Davis, Mary Doran, Jettie Webster, Jo Whitaker, Ida Belle Woody and Gertha Hendrix, all of New Hope, and Barbara Manley of Grant; three brothers, Buddy Hunter and Leroy Hunter, both of New Hope, and Sam Hunter of Eva, Ala.; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be today from 4 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Raymond E. Marcum
Raymond Earl Marcum, 58, of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 1 p.m. at Skyline Memorial Funeral Home in Skyline.
Survivors include one daughter, Rae Ellen Marcum of Huntsville; two stepdaughters, Patti York and Traci York, both of Indiana; one son, Raymond Earl Marcum Jr. of Huntsville; two stepsons, Darryl York of Indiana and Larry York of Huntsville; two sisters, Edie Hines of Tennesssee and Ruby Lee Tracy of Scottsboro; and one brother, Alfred Marcum of Skyline; and four grandchildren.
Alvin McAbee
HARTSELLE - Alvin ''Mac McAbee, 59, of 315 Simpson St. S.E. died Saturday at a Lafayette, La., hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home with the Rev. Rayburn Terry officiating.
Survivors include his wife, Patsy South McAbee; two daughters, Lisa McAbee Majors of Ferndale, Mich., and Barbara McAbee Williams of Cullman; two sons, Daniel McAbee of San Angelo, Texas, and Jim McAbee of Hartselle; three sisters, Shelba Sims of Decatur, Arlene Wallace and Faynell McAbee, both of Neel; and four grandchildren.
Nicole S. Moose
FLORENCE, S.C. - Nicole Stroman "Nickie" Moose, 52, died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be today at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Florence, S.C.
Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with Waters-Powell Funeral Home of FLorence, S.C., in charge.
Survivors include her husband, Tyrce W. Moose Jr.; a daughter, Lauren E. Moose of Florence, S.C.; a son, Todd A. Moose of Florence, S.C.; a sister, Ellen Robinson of Huntsville; and two brothers, Randy Stroman of Greenville, S.C., and Ernest Stroman Jr. of Sumter, S.C.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Bobby E. Pendergrass
SECTION - Bobby Edward Pendergrass, 60, of Section died Monday at a Chattanooga hospital. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Rainsville Holiness Church with the Rev. Charles Willmon and the Rev. Anthony Willmon officiating.
Burial was to be in Old Sardis Cemetery with Rainsville Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Pendergrass was the founder and president of the Scottsboro Rotary Club and was a member of Disabled American Veterans in Scottsboro. He was the former owner and operator of Pendergrass Farm and Garden Ceneter in Scottsboro and was active in several community projects.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Pendergrass; one daughter, Kathy Igou of Chattanooga; one son, Sam Wallace of Las Vegas, Nev.; one brother, Marlon Pendergrass of Powell; and five grandchildren.
Mildred Mae Peterson
TONEY - Mildred Mae Peterson, 87, died Monday at her home. No funeral is scheduled.
Mrs. Peterson, a native of Alabama, had lived in Huntsville since 1993.
Survivors include a sister, Maude Hoots of Huntsville; a brother, Ross Graham of Texas; and one neice and one nephew.
Sammie T. Petty
NEW MARKET - Sammie T. "Jut" Petty, 66, died Saturday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Leroy R. Cole officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his father, Sam T. Petty of New Market; three sisters, Marie Patton, Sarah Stewart and Beleta Bell, all of New Market; two brothers, John T. Petty of Chicago and Marvin Petty of Huntsville; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The body will be at the funeral home one hour before the service.
John R. Riddle
PENSACOLA - Retired Army Col. John Richard Riddle, 83, formerly of Huntsville, died Sunday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery with Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel of Pensacola in charge.
Col. Riddle was born in Houston, Texas, but moved to Huntsville in 1917, where he lived until 1942.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Bush Riddle of Pensacola; two daughters, Pat Riddle of Seattle and Marjorie Tucker of Caldwell, Idaho; and two sons, David Riddle of Lake Arrowhead, Calif., and Richard Riddle of San Antonio, Texas.
Louever B. Rigney
Louever Brooks Rigney, 98, of 3305 East Tucker Drive in Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Hurricane Chapel M.B. Church with the Rev. Walter Kelly and the Rev. Michael Rice officiating.
Burial will be in Union Cemetery in Maysville with Royal Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include four nieces, Lillian Ford, Florence F. Martin and Annie B. Davis, all of Huntsville, and Ernesteen Troyer of Flint, Mich.
Her body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Dorothy Schmidt, 70, formerly of Lincoln County died Sunday at a Tennessee veterans hospital.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Taylor Funeral Home of Ardmore.
Elaine S. Taylor
Elaine Stockton Taylor, 83, of Huntsville died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be today at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Max Croft and Dr. Dennis Wiles officiating.
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, Freida Stockton Coleman and Sarah Stockton Cother, both of Amory, Miss., and Vivian Ann Stockton Weil of Nevada, Mo.
Visitation will be today one hour before the service.
Memorial donations may be made to Baptist Childrens Home, P.O. Box 1805, Decatur, Ala., 35602.
ATHENS - Preston Wallace of 14926 Elk River Mills Road died Monday at a local Hopsital.
Limestone Chapel Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Edward Watson
HUNTLAND, Tenn. - Edward Watson, 67, of 43 Beans Creek Road died Monday at a Tennessee hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Huntland Funeral Home with Bro. Elton Brashier officiating.
Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery in Huntland with Huntland Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Watson of Huntland; two daughters, Debra Almon of Lakeland, Fla. and Laurita Williams of Polk City, Fla.; two sons, Danny Watson of Lakeland, Fla., and Edward Watson Jr. of Yakima, Wash.; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Virginia P. Whatley
OPELIKA - Virginia Prince Whatley, 86, formerly of Huntsville, died Saturday at an Opelika hospital. The funeral was Monday at Jeffcoat Funeral Home.
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 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 of Opelika; 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 and her husband, Alvin Blackwell, both of Huntsville; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation was Sunday at the funeral home in Opelika.
