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.
Pauline Baker
ARAB - Pauline Baker, 80, of 421 Baker St. died Wednesday at a Boaz nursing home. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Richard Baker; three sons, Richard K. Baker of Arab and Gary Baker and Alan Baker, both of Illinois; five sisters, Barbara Butcher and Josephine Whetstone, both of Wisconsin, Mary Kampmeier of Missouri, Joy Guido of Utah and Anna Dehnicke of Illinois; three brothers, John Tesser and Kenneth Tesser, both of Wisconsin, and William Tesser of Oregon; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mattie K. Bobo
SCOTTSBORO - Mattie Kyle Grigg Bobo, 90, died Thursday at her home. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home with the Rev. George Cobb officiating.
Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Bobo was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was a Democrat. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kinzie Bobo.
Survivors include one brother, Frank Grigg of Scottsboro; one nephew, Jim Grigg of Scottsboro; and three great-nieces, two great-great-nephews and one great-great-niece.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church in Scottsboro.
Audie M. Burks
HARVEST - Audie M. Burks, 87, died March 11 at a local nursing home.
Burial was in Stantonville Cemetery in Stantonville, Tenn., with Shackelford Funeral Home in Selmer, Tenn., in charge.
She had lived in Harvest more than 2 years and was formerly of McNairy County, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earrett Burks.
Survivors include one daughter, Mary Ruth Fullwood of Harvest.
Alexis Caldwell
Alexis Caldwell, 23-month-old daughter of Bruce Clark Jr. and Shakeyda Caldwell, both of Huntsville, died Tuesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Sunday at 1 p.m. at Oakwood College Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor James Doggett officiating.
Royal Funeral Home is in charge of burial arrangements.
Other survivors include two sisters, QuDaisha Caldwell and Shakira Caldwell, both of Huntsville; her grandparents, Cristal Caldwell, Camron Dewalt, Bruce Clark Sr. and Emily Denise Clark; and her great-grandparents, Betty Clark, Leon Clark, Evelyn Ellis, Reginald Ellis, Ruth Simmons and Johnny Caldwell.
Visitation will be Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.
James Chambers
RAINSVILLE - James Chambers, 69, died Wednesday at his home. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Revs. Wayne Young and Chester Shankles officiating.
Burial was in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Jean Chambers; two daughters, Deborah Hanna of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Lynn Woods of Ringgold, Ga.; one son, James Larry Chambers of Chattanooga; three stepsons, Randy Stewart, Danny Stewart and Alan Stewart, all of Rainsville; eight sisters, Bernice Alverson and Dorothy Williams, both of Albertville, Faye Brown of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Sue Green of Jefferson, La., Elza Boykin of San Diego, Calif., and Jean Worley, Helen Barny and Hazel Smith, all of Rockford, Ill.; and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Chester J. Durham
SKYLINE - Chester J. Durham, 81, died Wednesday at a veterans home in Huntsville. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Skyline Memorial Chapel.
Burial will be in Skyline Cemetery with Skyline Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Durham was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was formerly employed as a line worker at the Revere aluminum plant in Scottsboro.
Survivors include two daughters, Donna Brown of Skyline and Lynn McTyre of Birmingham; one son, Scott Durham of Skyline; two sisters, Winnie Campbell of Boaz and Lorene Pace of Decatur; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Rayburn Fortenberry
GUNTERSVILLE - Rayburn Fortenberry, 60, of 442 McDonald Circle died Wednesday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Burial will be in Walker Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Fortenberry; three daughters, Brenda Cameron, Ruby Cooper and Tammy Martin, all of Albertville; one son, Donald Fortenberry of Albertville; one sister, Frankie Latham of Guntersville; and seven grandchildren.
Elizabeth Gahr
Elizabeth Gahr, 92, of Presbyterian Apartments in Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. A memorial service will be Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Church with the Rev. Tim Burns officiating.
Ms. Gahr was a longtime resident of Kentucky and a retired teacher. She moved to Huntsville in October 1996.
Survivors include one nephew, Fred Gahr of Huntsville, and two great-nephews and one great-niece.
Lettie M. Hughes
ATHENS - Lettie Mae Hughes, 96, of Hoffman Street died Wednesday at a nursing home. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Athens with Glenn Keenon officiating.
Burial will be in Brown Cemetery in Bethel, Tenn.
Mrs. Hughes was a native of Lincoln County, Tenn., and was a homemaker.
Survivors include one daughter, Doris Laymon of Marion, Ind.; three sons, Marvin Leon Hughes of Fayetteville, Tenn., David Hughes of Pulaski, Tenn. and Charles Hughes of Athens; and seven grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Walter L. Johnson
MADISON - Walter Lee Johnson, 78, of 185 Crutcher Drive died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Royal Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Langford Jr. officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Survivors include her husband, Edward H. Johnson of Madison; five daughters, Nannie B. Oliver, Patricia Noble and Libby McCrary, all of Huntsville, and Hattie Holden and Margaret Johnson, both of Madison; three sons, Edward Johnson Jr. and W.O. Johnson, both of Huntsville, and Jack Johnson of Madison; and 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Mary Jordan
Mary Kate Boswell Jordan, 78, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Church of the Nativity with Dr. Roderic L. Murray officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Jordan was a native of Huntsville and a graduate of Randolph Macon Womens College. She was a member of Church of the Nativity, a founding member of the Grace Club Auxiliary and former president of the Study Circle.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. James L. Jordan of Huntsville; four daughters, Berta Hargett, Katherine Brooks and Louise Reynolds, all of Huntsville, and Mary Lee Sullivan of Athens; and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to Church of the Nativity or a favorite charity.
Nancy A. OLeary
FLETCHER, N.C. - Nancy Anne OLeary died Tuesday in Gulfport, Miss. The funeral will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at Bent Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Harris officiating. There will be a memorial service in Huntsville to be announced later.
Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery with Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, N.C., in charge.
Mrs. OLeary was a native of Rutland, Vt., and was project director for the Southern Regional Childrens Advocacy Center. She was a former board member for the National Network of Childrens Advocacy Centers and member of the American Professional Society for Abused Children, the National Council for Children and the National Association of Social Workers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce A. OLeary; and one daughter, Patti OLeary.
Survivors include one brother, Brad Flanders of Charlotte, N.C., and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to National Childrens Advocacy Center New Training Academy Fund, 200 West Side Square Suite 700, Huntsville, 35801.
Marian D. Pagano
MADISON - Marian Dorothy Pagano, 67, died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral was today at 11:30 a.m. at Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
Spry Funeral Home was in charge of burial arrangements.
Mrs. Pagano was a native of New Jersey and had lived in Huntsville since 1993. She was a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Fern Tavalin of Putney, Vt.; two sons, David Pagano of Stafford, Va., and Lester Pagano of Annapolis, Md.; one brother, John Higgins of Harvest; and four grandchildren.
Martha Pinkston
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Martha Aleene Hayes Pinkston, 74, of 73 Old Bethel Road died Thursday at a local hospital. The graveside service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Fayetteville with Bro. Elven Hensley officiating.
McCauley Funeral Home in Fayetteville is in charge of burial.
Mrs. Pinkston was a native of Fruitvale, Tenn., and was a member of West Fayetteville Church of Christ.
Survivors include one son, William "Bill" Pinkston of Fayetteville; one sister, Mary Frances Hensley of Morgantown, Ga.; and two brothers, James "Jim" Buchanan Hayes Jr. and Maurice Alfred Hayes, both of Bells, Tenn.
Visitation will be Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lawrence Pressnell Jr.
ATHENS - Lawrence Leland Pressnell Jr., 76, of 611 West Market St. died Wednesday at an Athens nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Tim Kennum officiating.
Burial will be in Bottoms Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Freeda Mae Pressnell.
Survivors include one son, Randy Pressnell of Athens; one brother, Clifford Pressnell of Decatur; one sister, Mabel Rigel of Decatur; and four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, one great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
John H. Samies
MADISON - John H. Samies, 71, of 127 Champions Green Drive died today at his home. Madison Chapel Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Samies of Madison; one son, Dr. John H. Samies Jr. of Orangeburg, S.C.; one daughter, Linda Lyons of Madison; and four grandchildren.
Jessie M. Sykes
MADISON - Jessie Milton Sykes, 98, died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Bass Funeral Home chapel in Gordonsville, Tenn., with the Rev. Ray Carson officiating.
Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery with Madison Chapel Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Sykes was preceded in death by his wife, Frankie Grandstaff Sykes, and two sons, Billy Milton Sykes and Bernice Wilson Sykes.
Survivors include one daughter, Shelley Faye Williams of Madison; one son, Fantley Gene Sykes of Brush Creek, Tenn.; one brother, Alton Sykes of Brush Creek; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Madison Chapel Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Grace Baptist Church building fund, 122 Walnut St., Madison, 35758.
Mary Turner
Mary Elizabeth Holliman Turner, 89, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local nursing home. The funeral was Tuesday at Fayette First Baptist Church with Bros. David Cullison and James Walden officiating.
Burial was in Heritage Memorial Gardens with Norwood Chapel Funeral Home in Fayette in charge.
Mrs. Turner was a native of Fayette and lived there until she moved to Huntsville six years ago. She was a public school teacher at Berry, Hubbertville and Kennedy schools for about 20 years and was a case worker for the Department of Pensions and Securities. She was a True Daughter of the Confederacy and a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Survivors include one son, Dr. Jon Douglas Turner of Huntsville; one sister, Janet Williams of Fayette; and five grandchildren.
Alton L. Twilley
FORT PAYNE - Alton L. Twilley, 63, died Thursday at a DeKalb County hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Home chapel in Rainsville.
Burial will be in Blackoak Cemetery in Dogtown.
Survivors include his wife, Fay Lea Twilley of Fort Payne; one daughter, Regina Twilley of Fort Payne; two sons, Ledon Twilley and Michael Twilley, both of Fort Payne; one sister, Shelbie Coe Partridge of Rainsville; two brothers, Jason Twilley of Forest Park, Ga., and Joel Twilley of Dacula, Ga.; and four grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
C. Franklin Weakley
C. Franklin Weakley, 91, of Huntsville died Thursday at his home. The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Woodfin Chapel in Smyrna, Tenn., with the Rev. Edward Holt officiating.
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Mr. Weakley was a native of Smyrna and moved to Huntsville in 1998. He was a partner at Marable and Weakley Department Store 26 years before he retired in 1978.
He was an U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II and was honored by his church for years of service with the C. Franklin Weakley Scholarship Fund at Middle Tennessee University in Murfreesboro.
Survivors include his wife, Lenora Edwards Weakley of Huntsville; two daughters, Martha Len W. Hamilton of Fayetteville, Tenn., and Libby Weakley Whisenant of Huntsville; four sisters, Adeline W. Anderson, Effie W. Barrett, Lucy W. Jones and Bennie W. Maddox, all of Nashville; and four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the C. Franklin Weakley Scholarship Fund at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, 37132.
Emma Whitt
VERO BEACH, FLA. - Emma Velma Hughes Whitt, 95, died Tuesday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Albertville Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was to be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Boaz.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty Burchfield of Vero Beach, and four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Pauline Willoughby
MAYFIELD, Ky. - Pauline Willoughby, 91, died Wednesday at a Kentucky hospital. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Mayfield Memory Gardens with Byrn Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Willoughby was a member of First Baptist Church in Mayfield and had worked at Wyatt Drugs and Prescription Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Willoughby.
Survivors include two sons, Jack A. Willoughby of Paducah, Ky., and Grover Willoughby Jr. of Huntsville; and 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
