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.
Carrol W. Balch
GUNTERSVILLE - Carrol Wayne Balch, 63, of 4106 Browns Valley Road died Wednesday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Mr. Balch was a machinist for the Mueller Co., a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Church of Christ and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline Balch; one daughter, Tammie Fox of St. Louis; two sons, Danny Balch and Marty Balch, both of North Carolina; his mother, Gladys Drumond of Capshaw; three brothers, Norman Balch of Huntsville, Steve Balch of Virginia and Grant Balch of Capshaw; and nine grandchildren.
Rachel Brazelton
GURLEY - Rachel Lynn Hampton Brazelton, 45, died Tuesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Acklin CME Church with the Rev. Adolphus A. Elliott Sr. officiating.
Burial will be in Berkley Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include her husband, Norris K. Brazelton of Gurley; her mother, Lelia M. Hampton of Guntersville; three sisters, Agnus Ewing of Huntsville and Mary Hampton and Sharon Stacey, both of Guntersville; and four brothers, Waymond Hampton of Albertville, Lawrence Hampton of Guntersville, John Hampton of Barksdale, La., and Terry Hampton of Aliquippa, Pa.
Her body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Letitia H. Burnett
DECATUR - Letitia H. Burnett, 74, died Wednesday at Parkway Medical Center Hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home with Ralph Stout officiating.
Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery with Roselawn Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Burnett was a native of Lawrence County, Tenn. She taught school in Tennessee before her family moved to Decatur in 1956. She was a homemaker and worked as a substitute teacher in Decatur for about 10 years. She also was a member of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, the Womens Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Federal Employees, Beltline Church of Christ and the American Association of Retired Persons.
Survivors include her husband, John S. Burnett of Decatur; three sons, Samuel M. Burnett of Tuscaloosa, William H. Burnett of Huntsville and Joseph S. Burnett of McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.; two brothers, Gene Holtsford of Iuka, Miss., and Troy Holtsford of Corinth, Miss.; and four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Wheeler Basin Regional Library.
Mary N. Dawson
SCOTTSBORO - Mary Nell Tubbs Dawson, 81, died Wednesday at her home. The funeral will be today at 7 p.m. at the Trinity Baptist Church with the Revs. Dwight Everett, J.A. Linville and Don Echols officiating.
Burial will be in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens with Scottsboro Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include her husband, O.C. ''Tommy Dawson; two daughters, Jurdy Michaeles and Pat Arnold, both of Scottsboro; one sister, Allie Mae ''Polly Matthews of Hollywood; two brothers, John W. ''Bo Tubbs of Scottsboro and Thomas G. ''Tom Tubbs of Hollywood; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation is today from 1 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Northeast Alabama.
Gene O. Dennis
MADISON - Gene Owen Dennis, 64, died Thursday at his home. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mr. Dennis was a native of Chilton County and a resident of Madison for 20 years.
Survivors include his wife, Nadejda P. Lioubomoudrov of Madison; one son, Stanislav Lioubomoudrov of Madison; and one sister, Patricia Stephens of Huntsville.
Posey Dennis
SCOTTSBORO - Posey Dennis, 76, of 5747 Columbus City Road died Wednesday at a Birmingham hospital. A graveside service was to be today at 2:30 p.m. at Free Home Cemetery with Grant Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include two sisters, Elizabeth Mayze of Guntersville and Ester Pendergrass of Dothan; and one brother, Oakland Dennis of Arab.
Debra H. Douthat
MADISON - Debra Hill Douthat, 47, of 102 Conger Road died Tuesday at her home. A memorial service was today at 11 a.m. at Madison United Methodist Church.
The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Mercer Funeral Home in Bluefield, W.Va., with Dr. I. Mark Conner officiating.
Burial will be in Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Green Valley, W.Va.
A native of Bluefield, Mrs. Douthat had lived with her family in the Madison area since 1983. She was an active member of Madison United Methodist Church for many years and was a volunteer for Madison Art League. She loved art and enjoyed painting watercolors, which she shared with friends and family.
Survivors include her husband, Charles David Douthat of Madison; two sons, Charles Reid Douthat of Madison and James Ashby Gochenour of Crimora, Va.; her parents, James and Hycenthia Hill of Bluefield; and two sisters, Deedy Hill Smith of Rock Hill, S.C., and Ginny Hill of Bluefield.
Memorial donations may be made to Salvation Army Citadel, 900 Highland Ave., Bluefield 24701 or to Trinity United Methodist Church, 401 College Ave., Bluefield, 24701.
Curtis E. Fletcher
ARAB - Curtis E. Fletcher, 73, of 263 Belair Drive died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Arab Memorial Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Ann Fletcher; two sons, Don Fletcher and Gary Fletcher, both of Missouri; one brother, Garland Fletcher of Florida; and four grandchildren.
Leon Grubbs
DAWSON - Leon Grubbs, 88, died Wednesday. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Pendergrass officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Tabor Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Edna Grubbs; two daughters, Ann Deese of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mary Andrews of Dawson; two sons, John E. Grubbs of Scottsboro and Bill Grubbs of Green Cove Springs, Fla.; and 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Gladys S. Hall
Gladys Sharp Hall, 81, of Stevens Avenue in Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Benny Berry officiating.
Burial will be in Bevills Chapel Cemetery with Gallant Funeral Home in Hazel Green in charge.
Mrs. Hall was a native of Madison County and a housewife. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Hall.
Survivors include three daughters, Jo Ann Nash of New Hope and Nancy Jean Mitchell and Tammy Hill, both of Hazel Green ; one son, Roy Rosebrough Jr. of Raleigh, N.C.; one sister, Minnie Armstrong of Florida; four brothers, Floyd Sharp of Knoxville, Tenn., Homer Sharp of New Market, Clarence Sharp of Birmingham and Billy Sharp of Guntersville; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation is today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Johnie L. Harris
TONEY - Johnie Lee Harris, 69, died Thursday at a local hospital. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Nadine Harris of Toney; one daughter, Elaine Becker of Marietta, Ga.; three brothers, Floyd Harris of Huntsville, James E. Harris of El Paso, Texas, and Ben H. Harris of New Hope; two sisters, Dessie Atkinson and Stella Mae Howe, both of Huntsville; and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Maurice E. Holland
DECATUR - Maurice Edward "Casey" Holland, 92, died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Shelton Funeral Home with the Revs. Ronnie Bullard and Ray Duvall officiating.
Burial will be in Decatur City Cemetery.
Mr. Holland was a native of Lawrence County, a retired farmer and a Baptist.
Survivors include four sisters, Mildred Holland Smith of Lindale, Texas, Ida Mai Holland Baber and Alberta Holland, both of Decatur, and Celia Holland Walter of Somerville.
Visitation is today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ona H. Johnson
SOMERVILLE - Ona Huskey Johnson, 88, of 5965 Highway 36 East died Thursday at her home. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home with Dr. David W. Parker and the Rev. Tom Larson officiating.
Burial will be in Red Oak Grove Cemetery.
Mrs. Johnson was a native of Morgan County. She was a member of the Cotaco United Methodist Church and was retired as a lunchroom worker at Cotaco High School.
Survivors include a daughter, Jean J. Brown of Somerville; a sister, Helen Williams of Austell, Ga.; and three grandchildren.
Elmer Kolle
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Elmer Kolle, 65, of North 23rd Street died Thursday at a Louisville hospital. Gallant Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Cassie P. Landers
Cassie P. Landers, 97, of Huntsville died today at her home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
John W. Manley
ARDMORE, Ala. - John William Manley, 66, died Thursday at a Fayetteville, Tenn., nursing home. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel.
Burial will be in Bevills Chapel Cemetery.
Mr. Manley was a native of Madison County and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Manley of Ardmore, Ala.; one son, Jimmy Manley of Athens; three stepsons, Numa Latham of Laceys Spring, Michael Latham and Andrew Albis, both of Huntsville; his mother, Birdie May Manley of Huntsville; one sister, Doris Camper of Huntsville; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation is today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Robert S. McBay Sr.
ATHENS - Robert Stanley McBay Sr. 37, of 15120 Wright Road died Wednesday at a local hospital. Services were to be today at 1 p.m. at McConnell Memorial Chapel with Pastor Neil Dye officiating.
Burial was to be in Limestone Memorial Gardens with McConnell Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. McBay was a native of Limestone County. He was the owner and operator of Quality Tree Service in Athens and was a member of Athens Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Huffman McBay of Athens; two daughters, Patricia Kathleen McBay and Rebecca Danielle McBay, both of Athens; a son, Robert Stanley McBay, Jr., of Athens; his parents Bobby Earl and Reba K. McBay, both of Athens; and a sister, Kathie Marie Holt of Orange Park, Fla.
Alf Mellberg
Alf R.W. Mellberg, 92, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local nursing home. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mr. Mellberg was a native of Cheboygan, Mich., and a resident of Huntsville for the past seven years. He was retired as a chief machinist mate for the U.S. Coast Guard after 26 years.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth B. Mellberg of Huntsville; one daughter, Marilyn Ann Franzen of Orlando, Fla.; two sons, David A. Mellberg of Huntsville and Robert L. Mellberg of Santa Clara, Calif.; three brothers, Arthur Spencer of Cheboygan, Mich., Anner Spencer of Flint, Mich., and Carl Mellberg of Glendale, Ariz.; and eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Josephine M. Stansbury
CHATTANOOGA - Josephine Miller Stansbury, 85, died Thursday at a Chattanooga hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Revs. John Cupp and Steve Campbell officiating.
Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Stansbury was a member of Hixon Church of Christ and Senior Friends. She retired from Coca-Cola Co. and was a foster grandparent with the Chattanooga Hamilton County School System. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh E. Stansbury.
Survivors include three sons, Bobby W. "Bob" Stansbury of Chattanooga, Samuel E. "Sam" Stansbury of Nashville and Jimmy L. "Jim" Stansbury of Ringgold, Ga.; two daughters, Betty Butcher of Huntsville and Carolyn Bell of Ooltewah, Tenn.; and 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation is today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to David Lipscomb University, 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville 37204-3951.
Cecil N. Sulser
TAFT, Tenn. - Cecil Newton Sulser, 87, died Wednesday at a Lincoln County nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home with the Rev. Claude Hunsucker officiating.
Burial was to be in Blanche Cemetery.
Survivors include two brothers, G.W. Sulser of Taft and Arthur Sulser of Ardmore, Tenn.; two sisters, Emma Ruth Philpot of Ardmore, Tenn., and Irene Hay of Eagleville; and several nieces and nephews.
Viola B. Thomas
Viola B. Thomas, 91, of Huntsville died Thursday. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Thomas was a native of Madison County and a 60-year member of Jackson Way Baptist Church.
Survivors include six nephews, Armon Barlow of Birmingham, Charles Milton Allen of Auburn, A.J. Ulysses Allen, John Henry Allen and Billy Barlow Allen, all of Opelika, and William Kenneth Allen of Athens; and four nieces, Alberta Howell and Margie Caslin, both of Birmingham, Jackie Brown of Opelika and Mary Jones of Dothan.
Visitation is today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
