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.
James S. Cantrell Sr.
James S. Cantrell Sr. of Huntsville died Wednesday at his home. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home chapel with Don Cox officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Cantrell was a member of Hillsboro Baptist Church. He was a World War II Army veteran and was retired from civil service at Redstone Arsenal.
Survivors include his wife, Christine Cantrell of Huntsville; two daughters, Katrina Lister and Cynthia Lou Mears, both of Harvest; one son, James S. Cantrell Jr. of Madison; one sister, Mary Etheleen Gurley of Huntsville; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care.
Carrie E. Cassidy
NEW MARKET - Carrie E. Cassidy, 78, of 1435 Hurricane Road died Wednesday in a Huntsville hospital. A graveside service was today at 10 a.m. at Crestwood Cemetery in Guntersville.
Guntersville Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of burial.
Survivors include one daughter, Margaret Dale Cassidy of New Market; one son, James G. Cassidy of New Market; and two grandchildren.
Joanne S. Cockrum
LANGSTON - Joanne Scott Cockrum, 47, of 6555 South Sauty Road, died Tuesday. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Burial will be in Kirby Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Cheir Rene Hanks of Missouri; one son, Sean Cockrum of Illinois; her parents, Johnny Scott of Florida and Ruby Scott of Langston; one brother, R. Neil Scott of Georgia; and two grandchildren.
Edward H. Davidson
Edward Hal Davidson, 74, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Tom Perrin officiating.
Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Davidson was a native of Birmingham and had lived in Huntsville since 1968. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, was a World War II veteran and was retired from TVA.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Davis Davidson of Huntsville; three sons, Edward Hal Davidson Jr. of Gadsden and George C. "Tiny" Davidson and John F. "Bo" Davidson, both of Birmingham; three daughters, Mary Pat "Skip" Davidson of Opelika, Dorothy "Mickey" Davidson of Birmingham and Peggy D. Robertson of Huntsville; and nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Pathfinders-Stepping Stone, 3104 Ivy Ave., Huntsville, 35805 or to Freedom House, P.O. Box 20, Rogersville.
Virginia Finley
Virginia Carolyn Eustace Finley, 70, of Huntsville died Thursday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Clay Cemetery in Princeton, Ala., with Bishop Bryan Layton and the Rev. John Rutland officiating.
Spry Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Mrs. Finley was a native of Jackson County but had spent most her life in Madison County. She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandra F. Browning of Huntsville; two sons, Larry E. Finley of Trenton, Ala., and Randy D. Finley of Gurley; two sisters, Martha Haislip of Virginia and Gleo Styles of Princeton; two brothers, Russell Eustace of Virginia and Ralph Eustace of Princeton; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care or to the Nathan M. Browning Creative Arts Award in care of Lee High School.
Lorene Gann
SYLVANIA - Lorene Gann, 72, died Tuesday at a Fort Payne hospital. The funeral was Thursday at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Loyd Smith officiating.
Burial was in Kirk Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include two daughters, Renatta Dekker of Fyffe and Vicki Crowe of Sylvania; her mother, Ira White of Rainsville; two sisters, Hazel Gray and Willeva Bailey, both of Rainsville; and eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Raymond E. Granlund
Raymond Edward Granlund, 47, of Huntsville died today. A graveside service will be Sunday at 4 p.m. at Marble City Cemetery in Sylacauga.
Survivors include his wife, Faye Granlund of Huntsville; one daughter, Katie Lee Granlund of Huntsville; and one son, Raymond Edward Granlund of Huntsville.
Memorial donations may be made to Latham Methodist Church.
Rosie Helms
FORT PAYNE - Rosie Helms, 88, died Thursday. The funeral will be Saturday at 4 p.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Ernest Parker officiating.
Burial will be in the Town Creek Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Estelle Busby of Valley Head and Mary Ann Ogle of Rainsville; one son, John Helms Jr. of Fort Payne; one sister, Mary Helms of Ringgold, Ga.; and 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation was to be today until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
David Henson
STEVENSON - David Henson, 70, died Tuesday at a Chattanooga hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home in Stevenson with the Rev. George Maynor officiating.
Burial was to be in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Bridgeport.
Mr. Henson was a retired employee of Lodge Manufacturing Company. He had also been an employee of Payne Bros. Grocery in Bridgeport. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Holiness Church.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby Moore Henson; one stepdaughter, Earline Crouch of Bridgeport; two sisters, Frances Collins of South Pittsburg, Tenn., and Rose McCulloch of California; one brother, Dub Henson of Bridgeport; and four step-grandchildren.
Elizabeth B. Hilliard
NEW MARKET - Elizabeth Beatrice Hilliard, 56, of New Market died Wednesday at her home. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Billy Jenkins officiating.
Burial will be in Cochran Cemetery.
Mrs. Hilliard was a native of Madison County and was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Clarence Hilliard of New Market; one daughter, Lisa Heatherington of Madison; one son, Steve Hilliard of Huntsville; one sister, Frances McClure of Skyline; four brothers, Junior Smith, Bobby Smith, Roy Smith and Billy Smith, all of New Market; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 4 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Garry D. Lance
PLAQUEMINE, La. - Garry Don Lance, 58, died Monday. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home.
Burial was to be in Mountain View Memory Gardens.
Survivors include two daughters, Deborah Lynn Lance and Sharon Kay Lance, both of Denver; one son, Garry Don Lance Galloway of Rainsville; his mother, Ora Mae Lance Foster of Rainsville; one sister, Virginia Sue Smith of Illinois; two brothers, Floyd Lance Jr. of Atlanta and Kenneth E. Lance of Florida; and five grandchildren.
Hazel Morrow
Hazel Morrow, 98, of Huntsville died Wednesday at her home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mrs. Morrow was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church. She was a retired civil servant and had lived in Huntsville since 1965.
Survivors include one son, Harold William Morrow of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; one grandson, Wayne Morrow of California; one daughter-in-law, Avice J. Morrow of Huntsville; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church or to a favorite charity.
Dorothy Onkst
Dorothy Jean Sanders Onkst, 58, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. A memorial service will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Christ Chapel Church.
Survivors include her husband, James Robert Onkst of Huntsville; one daughter, Cindy Keslet Dobbins of Danville; three sons, Michael Onkst of Harvest, Richard Onkst of Laceys Spring and Randy Kesler of Abbeville, Miss.; one brother, Perry Sanders of Courtland, Miss.; and 10 grandchildren.
Ludie Patterson
RAINSVILLE - Ludie Patterson, 96, died Wednesday at her home. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Mitchell officiating.
Burial will be in Martling Cemetery.
Mrs. Patterson was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Patterson; and three sons, Clive Patterson, Paul Patterson and Calvin Patterson.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruby McCauley of Albertville and Neelis Braud of Sylvania; three sons, Ralph Petterson of Sylvania, Ray Patterson of Martling and Loyd Patterson of Rainsville; one sister, Flora Heitt of Henagar; and 42 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren and 47 great-great-grandchildren.
Louise S. Payne
Louise S. Payne, 82, of Huntsville died Wednesday at a local nursing home. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home with Dr. Rick Stevens officiating.
Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Survivors include two sons, Winston Payne of Huntsville and Charles Payne of Alexandria, Va.; two brothers, Sam G. Simmons of Chattanooga and Robert B. Simmons of Chattanooga; and seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchilden.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
LaDarius L. Ragland
LaDarius Latrell Ragland, 3, of 1606 Calvary St. in Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hurricane Chapel M.B. Church with the Rev. Michael Rice officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Royal Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his mother, Wanda Vaughn of Huntsville; his father, Donell Ragland of Huntsville; eight sisters, Tanika Ragland, Tracy Ragland, LaShan Adams Jackson, Arrie Vaughn, Deitra Moore, Donna West, Dalaira Vaughn and LeSia Harris, all of Huntsville; two brothers, Donell Ragland Jr. and Yumond Kibble, both of Huntsville; and grandparents, Fannie Ragland of Hunstville and Annie Kibble of Nashville.
Emmett W. Rice
Emmett Walter Rice, 75, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mr. Rice was a World War II veteran and had received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
Survivors include his wife, Betty L. Rice of Huntsville; one son, Boyd A. Rice of Huntsville; three brothers, Albert Rice of Sumpter, Ore., Everett Rice of Fort Gratiot, Mich., and Joseph Rice of Kemp, Texas; one sister, Evelyn Adams of Hazel Green ; and two granddaughters.
Visitation will be Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Alberta H. Richardson
ATHENS - Alberta Holland Richardson, 92, of 1407 South Houston St. died Wednesday in Athens. The funeral was to be today at McConnell Funeral Home.
Burial was to be in Copeland Cemetery.
Mrs. Richardson was a native of Limestone County, was a member of First United Methodist Church, was a retired school teacher with the Limestone County Board of Education, was twice voted Alabama teacher of the year and was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas E. Richardson.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Limestone County or to First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Margaret Holland Burleson of Decatur and Mamie Holland Bitting of Athens; one brother, James Harmon Holland of Athens; and seven nieces and nephews.
Eva F. Rogers
Eva Foree "Eve" Rogers, 87, of Huntsville died Wednesday at a local hospital. The memorial service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Wyndham Park with Mel Tobias officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
Miss Rogers graduated from Chattanooga High School when she was 16 and became the first secretary of Kirkman Vocational School. She later became the first person in Chattanooga to score a 100 on a civil service exam. She retired in 1976 with 46 years of government service, most of which was with the U.S. Interior Department. At retirement she was given a certificate of meritorious service by California Senator George Murphy. She then worked five years as secretary to the director of National Presbyterian Center in Washington D.C. before moving to Huntsville. She was an avid bird fancier and was known as the "bird lady of Wyndham Park."
Survivors incldue one sister, Mamie Duncan of Huntsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Jonathan T. Swann
DECATUR - Jonathan Taft Swann, 21, died Wednesday at his home. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home with his grandfather, the Rev. Ted Swann, officiating.
Burial was in Roselawn Mausoleum.
Mr. Swann was a 1996 graduate of Austin High School and a member of the band. He attended Calhoun Community College, was a volunteer at Decatur General Hospital and a member of Parkview Baptist Church.
Survivors include his parents, Dr. Dyrc and Anita Sibrans of Decatur and Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Swann of Cairo, Ga.; six sisters, Kellee Swann, Kristy Swann, Karen Swann, all of Cairo, Heathe Provost of Greenville, S.C., Leslie Tiffany of Yuma, Ariz. and Mary Ross Sibrans of Clemson, S.C.; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Buford Sanders of Madison, the Rev. Ted Swann of Morganton, N.C. and Nell Godsey of Madison; and a great-grandmother, Mildred Sanders of Huntsville.
Memorial donations may be made to Decatur General Hospital Foundation.
Robert W. Yockel
Robert Wayne Yockel, 58, of Huntsville died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home in Athens with Rick Davis officiating.
Burial will be in Limestone Memorial Gardens in Athens.
Mr. Yockel was a native of Cleburne, Texas, a former resident of Athens, a graduate of Grand Prairie High School in Texas, received a masters degree at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, was an Army veteran and a member of Eastside Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Sue U. Frith; one daughter, Teresa Bell of Madison; three brothers, Jimmy Yockel of Florence, John Yockel of Dallasand Darrell Yockel of Scottsboro; one stepsister, Sherryn Davis of Decatur; and three step-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association.
