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.
Billie S. Alley
Billie Sue "Mama" Alley, 67, of Huntsville died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Valley View Memorial Gardens in Meridianville.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of burial Mrs. Alley was a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., and had lived in Madison County 30 years.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond Alley of Huntsville; one daughter, Rae Ann Hackett of Huntsville; three sisters, Norma Jean Hart of Cleveland, Tenn., and Bobbie Lovelace and Clio King, both of Chattanooga; two brothers, James A. Burkett of Gettysburg, Pa., and Thomas Ray Burkett of Cleveland, Tenn.; and two grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Odessa Bailey
GUNTERSVILLE - Odessa Bailey, 90, of 2083 Feemster Gap Road died Sunday at a local nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was to be in Hopewell Cemetery.
She was preceded in death by one son, L.D. Southerland.
Survivors include one daughter, Eloise Stone of Arab; and six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Aaron Barnett
Aaron "Bud" Barnett, 69, of Treemont Street in Huntsville died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home in Ardmore, Ala., with the Rev. Kinley Eittreim officiating.
Mr. Barnett was a Mason and a member of Scottish Rite.
Survivors include his wife, Drucilla Fowler Barnett of Huntsville; one son, James Barry Barnett of Huntsville; one daughter, Nancy Barnett Darnall of Huntsville; two sisters, Martha Philpott of Price ville and Rebecca Hardiman of Toney; and two grandsons and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lucille Chambers
ELKMONT - Lucille Chambers, 82, of Cabbage Ridge Road, died Sunday at her home. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Athens with James Bridges officiating.
Burial was in Dement Cemetery.
Mrs. Chambers was a homemaker and member of Mount Carmel Church of Christ.
Survivors include four daughters, Elizabeth Allen Miller and Flossie Pilk, both of Elkmont, and Sandra Darlene Byrd and Michelle Lee Kelley, both of Athens; five sons, Earl Chambers of Elkmont, Herbert Chambers of Veto and Floyd Chambers, James D. Chambers and Dewayne Chambers, all of Athens; one sister, Ola Mae Barnes of Athens; and 18 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Limestone County.
Alice V. Chandler
GRANT - Alice V. Chandler, 82, of 226 Second Ave. died Sunday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Grant Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was to be in Free Home Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, O.L. Chandler of Woodville, and two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Laura B. Clark
MAYSVILLE - Laura B. Clark, 84, died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Revs. James Harrell and Roland Lee officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Clark was a native of Madison County and a member of Wears Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Joseph R. Clark of Maysville; two sons, Robert Larry Clark of Huntsville and James Ray Clark of Maysville; and six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Alford Coleman
HAZEL GREEN - Alford Coleman, 92, of Ready Section Road died Sunday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 1 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home chapel in Hazel Green with the Rev. Charles Jones officiating.
Burial was to be in Stateline Cemetery.
Mr. Coleman was a native of Madison County, a retired farmer and a member of the Christian Fellowship Church.
Survivors include his wife, Bytha Sharp Coleman of Hazel Green ; one daughter, Betty Wilbanks of Fayetteville, Tenn.; one stepdaughter, Delma Hill of Hazel Green ; one stepson, Sidney Woodard of Tuscaloosa; three sisters, Mary Smith and Becky Cartwright, both of Nashville, and Sarah Batey of Mentone; and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care.
Otis L. Cook
Otis Luther Cook, 82, of Huntsville died Friday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham.
Angwin Mortuary Center in Birmingham is in charge of burial.
Mr. Cook was a native of Birmingham. He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and was active in several camping clubs.
Survivors include his wife, Emily D. Cook of Huntsville; three sons, Ross L. Cook of Boynton Beach, Fla., David N. Cook of Trussville and Randy Cook of Johnson City, Tenn.; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
Margaret J. Fann
IDER - Margaret J. Fann., 74, died Monday at a Fort Payne hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Kerby Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris Guinn officiating.
Burial will be in Green Haven Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Fann was a member of Ider Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Edward W. Fann; two daughters, Linda Baker of Alexander City and Gail Grider of Mentone; one son, Larry Fann of Ider; and three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Margaret Holmes
SECTION - Margaret Holmes, 87, of Section, died Sunday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Merril Akins and Dr. Kevin McCreless officiating.
Burial was to be in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens in Hollywood.
Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Anderson of Rainsville and Mona Lorene Przytulski of Detroit; 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Toni R. Knight
Toni Renee Knight M.D., 31, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. A memorial service will be held in March and will be announced later.
Dr. Knight was a native of Tarboro, N.C., and had received a medical degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She was a family practice resident at Huntsvilles University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
Survivors include her mother, Peggy Knight of Tarboro; her father, Willard Leroy Knight of Washington D.C.; one brother, Andre Knight of Tarboro; her grandmother, Georgeianna Knight of Tarboro; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Memorial donations may be made to the local or the North Carolina chapters of the Sickle Cell Foundation.
Dorothy Letore
FORT PAYNE - Dorothy Letore, 74, died Feb. 12. A memorial service was to be today at 4 p.m. at Walkers Chapel Cemetery.
W.T. Wilson Funeral Home in Rainsville is in charge of arrangements.
Douglas K. Martin Sr.
ALBERTVILLE - Douglas Kyle Martin Sr., 59, of 307 Baltimore Ave. died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Burial will be in Marshall Memorial Garden.
Survivors include his wife, Martha B. Martin; one daughter, Anita K. Janke of Washington; three sons, Mark W. Martin and Douglas K. Martin II, both of Albertville, and David K. Martin of Georgia; four sisters, Eloise Ware of New Mexico, Peggy Ivy of California, Sara Bellamy of Hokes Bluff and Frances Simpson of Gadsden; three brothers, Jerry Martin, George Washington and Robert Washington, all of Gadsden; and six grandchildren.
Edra O. Meeks
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Edra ONeal Meeks, 84, of 708 Scenic Drive died Sunday at a Fayetteville nursing home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Maurice ONeal officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Mrs. Meeks was a native of Lincoln County, a homemaker and a member of Washington Street Church of Christ.
Survivors include one daughter, Diane Spackey of Brentwood; two sons, Wayne Meeks of Fayetteville and Teddy Meeks of Alaska; one sister, Hazel Haislip of Fayetteville; and nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Frances ONeil
Frances ONeil, 89, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Vicksburg, Miss.
Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements.
Survivors include one daughter, Beth Hinds of Huntsville; three grandchildren, Joseph Miller Hinds III of Decatur, Ga., Frances Joyce Elrod of Huntsville and Mary Elizabeth Hinds of Nashville; and four great-grandchildren.
Mary F. Patterson
Mary F. Patterson, 85, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local nursing home. A graveside service was Monday at Valhalla Memory Gardens with the Rev. Jason Strong officiating.
Valhalla Funeral Home was in charge of burial.
Mrs. Patterson retired from Sears, Roebuck and Co. and attended North Hills Presbyterian Church in Meridianville.
Survivors include one son, John "Jay" Patterson of Huntsville, and one brother, Sam Towns of Gadsden.
Memorial donations may be made to the North Hills Presbyterian Church building fund.
Rosie Reynolds
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Rosie F. Tate Reynolds, 89, died Monday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Charity Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Wood and Otis Graves officiating.
Burial will be in Charity Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Reynolds was a native of Madison County and was preceded in death by two husbands, Herman L. Tate and Roscoe Reynolds, and one son, Edward Tate.
Survivors include three sons, James L. Tate and Robert Tate, both of Fayetteville, and Larry Koley of Foley; three stepsons, W.T. Reynolds and Charlie Reynolds, both of Odessa, Texas, and Jimmy Reynolds of Foley; one half-sister, Louise Middelton of Chattanooga; and 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Melba B. Richardson
ANDERSON - Melba B. Richardson, 72, of Union Hill Road died Sunday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Athens with Chuck Hood officiating.
Burial was to be in Mitchell Cemetery.
Mrs. Richardson was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Dennis Otha Richardson; two daughters, Melinda Richardson McBride of Madison and Angela Druschel of Anderson; one son, Dennis Richardson of Madison; one sister, Norma Fisk of Anderson; and two grandchildren.
Thomas L. Shankles
ALBERTVILLE - Thomas Lee Shankles, 46, of 130 Goodwin Road died Sunday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 1 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Burial was to be in Marshall Memorial Garden.
Mr. Shankles was a Vietnam War veteran.
Survivors include one son, John C. Shankles of Louisiana, and one sister, Denise Vaughn of Albertville.
J.W. Smith
SCOTTSBORO - J.W. ''Jake Smith, 75, died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home with the Rev. Pete Hess officiating.
Burial will be in Gant Cemetery.
Mr. Smith was a Baptist. He worked for Word Lumber Co. for 20 years and was a retired farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Viola Smith; two daughters, Barbara Evett and Hattie Thompson, both of Scottsboro; one son, Jimmy Smith of Scottsboro; one brother, Alfred Smith of Hollywood; 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Vivian M. Southard
ARDMORE, Ala. - Vivian Marie Southard, 62, died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Gurley Church of God.
Burial will be in Plesmont Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Southard was a native of Madison County, had worked at Budget Inn and was a member of Gurley Church of God.
Survivors include four daughters, Sandra K. Morrison of Ardmore, Ala., Sharron M. Schrimsher and Tammy Jones, both of Toney, and Patty Rice of Huntsville; her mother, Julie Holder of Huntsville; one sister, Martha Green of Huntsville; three brothers, the Rev. Earl Holder of Gurley, Bobby Holder of Huntsville and Eugene Holder of Maysville; and 16 grandchildren.
Her body will be at the church 30 minutes before the funeral.
William A. Tielking
HAZEL GREEN - William A. "Dude" Tielking, 82, died Sunday at his home. The fuenral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with Tommy Rosenblum officiating.
Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery.
Mr. Tielking was a native of Madison County and had retired form Vulcan Materials. He was a member of Plainview Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret E. Tielking of Hazel Green ; five sons, Marvin E. Tielking of Huntsville, Charles W. Tielking of Helena, Mont., and Ray L. Tielking, Kenneth R. Tielking and Benny Tielking, all of Hazel Green ; two sisters, Jessie Helms and Margie Boyett, both of Toney; one brother, Wilburn Tielking of Toney; and 12 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Sylvia J. Weaver
GARLAND, Texas - Sylvia Jane Weaver, 60, died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jimmy Jackson officiating.
A graveside service will be Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Tri-City Memorial Gardens in Florence.
Mrs. Weaver was a native of Nashville and had lived in Huntsville.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Weaver Sr. of Garland; two sons, Paul J. Weaver Jr. of Dallas and Gannon E. Weaver of Birmingham; one sister, Gerry Carpenter of Green hill; one brother, Bobby Higgins of Atlanta; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Thelma White
RAINSVILLE - Thelma White, 77, died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Old Sardis Holiness Church with the Revs. Charles Willmon and Oron Whitney officiating.
Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Virginia James of Section and Leisa Bunch of Rainsville; two sons, Fred White of Rainsville and Rickey White of Madison; one sister, Era Phillips Summerford of Trenton, Ga.; and five grandchildren.
Charles Zimmerman
Charles W. Zimmerman, 74, of Huntsville died Monday at a Fayetteville, Tenn., nursing home. Twickenham Funeral Home South will announce funeral arrangements.
Frederick W. ZurBurg
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Frederick William ZurBurg, 63, died Feb. 14 in Fernando Beach, Fla. Hatcher Cremations in Jacksonville, Fla., was in charge of burial arrangements.
Mr. ZurBurg was an aerospace engineer at Marshall Space Flight Center until he retired.
Survivors include his wife, Renee Janin ZurBurg of Asheville, and one sister, Peggy ZurBurg of Asheville.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, North Carolina Western Area, 31 College Place, Asheville, N.C., 28801.
