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.
Leamon Bailey
ARDMORE, Ala. - Leamon Bailey, 72, died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Sammy Brister officiating.
Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, Phillip Bailey of Athens; one daughter, Deborah Watts of Ardmore, Ala.; three brothers, Roy Lee Bailey of Ardmore, Ala., and Dalton Bailey and A.D. Bailey, both of Louisville, Ky.; three sisters, Vera Smith of Huntsville, Lily May Brooks of Ardmore, Ala., Robbie Dell Whitt of Cary, N.C.; and one grandson and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Margaret F. Barnhart
LA CENTER, Ky. - Margaret Frances Barnhart, 90, died Sunday. A graveside service was to be today at 2 p.m. in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, Ala., with the Rev. Ed Dell officiating and Morrow Funeral Chapel in charge of burial.
Mrs. Barnhart was formerly of Huntsville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G. Barnhart.
Survivors include one son, Kerness Chapman of White Springs, Fla., and two daughters, Frances Grigsby of North Palm Beach, Fla., and Betty Powers of West Paducah, Ky.
Verdie Bedingfield
ATHENS - Verdie Bedingfield, 87, of 1405 Coffman Drive died Monday at an Athens nursing home. Limestone Chapel Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
William J. Britz Sr.
William J. Britz Sr., 79, of Huntsville died today at a local hospital. A graveside service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Valhalla Memory Gardens with the Rev. Louis Giardino officiating.
Valhalla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Britz was a native of New Jersey and retired from NASA as an electrical engineer. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Marie Britz-Masi of Woodside, Calif., Madeleine Britz of Frankfort, Ill., and Jennifer Britz of Laurens, S.C.; two sons, Michael Britz and William J. Britz Jr., both of Huntsville; one sister, Emma Britz of Charleston, S.C.; and one grandson.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Road, Huntsville, 35802.
Ruth Crowe
CHATTANOOGA - Ruth Crowe, 77, died Monday at a Chattanooga nursing home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Pastor Don Hawkins officiating.
Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
She was a native of Florence, Ala., and was preceded in death by her husband, Conard Crowe.
Survivors include one daughter, Diane Crone of Hot Spring, Ark.; one stepson, Mickey Crowe of Decatur, Tenn.; one brother, Tommy Lee Harris of Huntsville, Ala.; and three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Grady L. Dawson
HOLLYWOOD - Grady L. Dawson, 81, died Saturday at his home. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home with Charles Cobb officiating.
Burial was in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens in Hollywood.
Mr. Dawson was preceded in death by his wife, Canna Mae Dawson.
Survivors include one daughter, Peggy Dawson; two sisters, Mozell Derrick of Scottsboro and Roma Kate Davis of Arab; three brothers, James ''Chick Dawson and Creed Dawson, both of Scottsboro, and Leonard Dawson of Fackler; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Virginia R. Glass
UNION GROVE - Virginia Ruth Glass, 58, died Sunday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Sweet Home Baptist Church.
Burial was to be in the adjoining cemetery with Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include her husband, Olen Glass; two sons, Jamie Glass of Arab and Jason Glass of Union Grove; two sisters, Betty Gable of Cullman and Virginia Towles of Union Grove; six brothers, Billy Abercrombie and Jimmy Abercrombie, both of Mississippi, Larry Abercrombie of Tennessee, J.C. Harvell of Scant City and Gary Harvell and Dossie Harvell, both of Arab; and two grandchildren.
Thomas L. Harber
ARDMORE, Ala. - Thomas Lafayette Harber, 84, of 27601 Sterling Road died Monday at his home. Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Annie Lee Harber of Ardmore; one daughter, Edna Crook of Harvest; one brother, James Harber of Memphis; and two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Jordan M. Jeans
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Jordan McKade Jeans, infant daughter of Michael and Sonya Mann Jeans of 91 West Point Drive, died Wednesday at a Nashville hospital. The funeral was Saturday at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Dennis Kimery officiating.
Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery.
Other survivors include one brother, Landon Kale Jeans of Fayetteville; her grandparents, Jerry and Shirley Mann of Flintville and Raymond Wayne and Shirley Jeans of Fayetteville; and her great-grandparents, Robert and Essie Mann of Flintville and Thomas and Eleanor Smith of Fayetteville.
Don W. Lakey
Don W. Lakey, 65, of Huntsville died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with Gary Bradley officiating.
Burial will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Jasper.
Mr. Lakey was a charter member of the Owens Cross Roads Civitan Club, an assistant scoutmaster and a member of the Owens Cross Roads Press Club and Mayfair Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara A. Lakey of Huntsville; two daughters, Starla Lakey Wilson of Jasper and Dawn Tipton of Shelbyville, Tenn.; one son, Todd Lakey of Huntsville; and three grandsons.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mayfair Church of Christ building fund or to AGAPE.
Clifford R. Langley
ATHENS - Clifford Roy Langley, 74, of 21585 Holt Road died Saturday at a local hospital. A graveside service will be at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, Texas, with McConnell Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Langley was a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars and retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service.
Survivors include two sons, Loren Langley of Athens and Clifford Roy Langley Sr. of Oceanside, Calif.; three sisters, Alice Cooper of New Mexico, Jean Welch and Connie Edward, both of Nebraska; three brothers, Lloyd Langley of New Mexico, Norman Langley and Loren Langley, both of Missouri; and six grandchildren.
Chalmus B. Mauk
LACEYS SPRING - Chalmus Buford Mauk, 71, died Friday. The funeral was Sunday at Mount Zion West Baptist Church Cemetery in Tallapoosa, Ga., with the Rev. Randy Pate officiating.
Miller Funeral Home in Tallapoosa was in charge of burial.
Mr. Mauk was a native of Haralson County, Ga.
Survivors include one son, Evan Mauk of Atlanta; one daughter, Dona Carothers of Raleigh, N.C.; his former wife, Delarace Mauk of Huntsville; his mother, Lillie Mauk of Tallapoosa; three brothers, Bobby Mauk of Tallapoosa and Ralph Mauk and Doyle Mauk, both of Bremen, Ga.; two sisters, Aileen McBride of Marietta, Ga.; and two grandchildren.
Leroy W. Mizell
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Leroy W. Mizell, 55, died Saturday at a Fayetteville hospital. The graveside service was today at 10 a.m. at Gum Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Sonny Moore officiating.
Higgins Funeral Home was in charge of burial.
Mr. Mizell was a native of Walterboro, S.C., a surveyor for the S.C. Highway Department and a member of First Baptist Church in Walterboro.
Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Mizell of Cottageville, S.C., and Faye Buchanan of Walterboro; one son, Timothy Mizell of Brancheville, S.C.; one sister, Barbara Beach of Walterboro; one brother, Marion Mizell of Barnwell, S.C.; and seven grandchildren.
Mary L. Murphy
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Mary Lou Murphy, 84, died Sunday in Memphis. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mrs. Murphy was formerly of Huntsville and a member of Christ United Methodist Church and the Variety Club in Memphis. She was also a charter member of Huntsville Heritage Club.
Survivors include one daughter, Charlane Lane of Memphis; five stepsons, Kevin Murphy, Brian Murphy, David Murphy, Mark Murphy and Colin Murphy, all formerly of Huntsville; and two granddaughters.
Memorial donations may be made to the Variety Club or Childrens Charities, 3294 Poplar Ave., Memphis, Tenn., 38111.
Edward J. Saflover
Edward J. Saflover, 84, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The graveside service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Ill.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Saflover was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a life member of the America Legion. He retired from the Social Security Administration and First National Bank of Chicago. He was a Catholic and had lived most his life in Cicero, Ill. He was also a charter member of Citizens Flag Alliance.
Survivors include one daughter, Ann Haibach of Huntsville; one sister, Emily Balik of LaGrange Park, Ill.; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Elizabeth Sammons
DECATUR - Elizabeth Ann Maxwell Sammons, 76, died Monday at a Decatur hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Shelton Funeral Home with the Rev. Ron Wilson and Dr. Buddy Champion officiating.
Burial will be in Hartselle City Cemetery.
Mrs. Sammons was a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur and was a retired teacher.
Survivors include three daughters, Roberta Ann Peek of Alexandria, Va., Lenora Sammons Black of Decatur and Elizabeth Turner Sammons of Cape Canaveral, Fla.; one sister, Roberta Maxwell of Decatur; and five grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Alberta F. Sielski
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Albert Fitch Sielski, 83, of 2000 West College St. died Sunday at a Fayetteville nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at McCauley Funeral Home with the Rev. Randy Watts officiating.
Burial will be in Prospect Cemetery in Park City, Tenn.
Mrs. Sielski was a native of Madison County, a homemaker and a member of Prospect Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Susie Kelly of Montgomery; one brother, Ernest Fitch of Fayetteville; and 17 grandchildren.
Horace W. Tucker
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Horace Wilson Tucker, 79, of 207 East Maple St. died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. James Barnes officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Tucker was a native of Lincoln County, Tenn., a retired chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, a retired electrician for Heil Quaker and a Baptist.
Survivors include one son, James Tucker of Fayetteville; and one brother, Ernest Tucker of Fayetteville.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
J.W. Whisenant
J.W. Whisenant, 85, of Huntsville died Monday at his home. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mr. Whisenant was a native of Madison County and had lived in Huntsville since 1962. He retired from Teledyne-Brown Engineering Co. and was a member of East Huntsville Church of Christ.
Survivors include three sons, Charles N. Whisenant of Eugene, Ore., Kendall Whisenant of Arab and Ronald L. Whisenant of Huntsville; one daughter, Karen R. Stough of Huntsville; two brothers, Manuel Whisenant of Cullman and Leon Whisenant of Hulaco; one sister, Christine Hosh of Duncan, Okla.; and 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Scott A. Winans
Scott Addison Winans, 81, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with Scott Winans, Justin Winans and Lee Winans officiating.
Burial will be in Valley View Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Winans was a native of New York and had lived in Huntsville 40 years. He retired from Sikorsky Aircraft Co. and was a member of Lakewood Presbyterian Church and a World War II veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Winans of Huntsville; one daughter, Lynn Winans of Huntsville; three sons, Scott Winans of Nashville, Justin Winans of Clinton, Conn., and Lee Winans of Decatur; one sister, Marjorie Dedie of New York; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
James B. Wright
WATER VALLEY, Miss. - James Barlow Wright, 74, died Sunday at an Oxford, Miss., hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Browning Funeral Chapel in Water Valley with Billy Ray Stonestreet officiating.
Burial was to be in Bethlehem Cemetery in Coffeeville, Miss.
Mr. Wright retired from the U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal as chief engineer of the Hellfire Missile System. He holds six patents for components designed for various early rockets developed with the Wernher von Braun team.
Survivors include his wife, Opal Williams Wright of Water Valley; one daughter, Joyce Wright Knudson of Pascagoula, Miss.; one son Dr. Benson George Wright II of Water Valley; one brother, A. Morris Wright of Olive Banch, Miss.; and three grandchildren.
