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.
William F. Arendale
William Frank Arendale, 77, of Huntsville died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Eddie Levick officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Arendale was a member of Twickenham Church of Christ. He worked for Thiokol for 11 years, retired as a chemistry professor for the University of Alabama in Huntsville and was a longtime member of the Huntsville Rotary Club.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Arendale; three daughters, Martha A. Griffith of Kennesaw, Ga., Betty A. Keeney of Clemmons, N.C., and Nancy A. Laing of Monrovia; one brother, Charles Arendale of Jackson, Tenn., and five grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Ruby Bailey
ATHENS - Ruby Lee Walton Bailey, 94, died Friday at an Ardmore, Tenn., nursing home. The graveside service will be today at 3 p.m. at Roselawn Cemetery with Rev. Don Osborne officiating.
Limestone Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mrs. Bailey was a member of Eastside Church of Christ.
Survivors include one son, Marion Barnett Bailey of Athens; one granddaughter, Karen Kordic of San Ramon, Calif.; and three great-granddaughters.
Visitation will be today from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
James L. Brewton
James Louis Brewton, 63, of Huntsville died Tuesday at his home. The funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at Draper Memorial Church of God in Christ with Elder Dave Draper Jr. officiating.
Burial will be in Meadowlawn Garden of Peace Cemetery with Royal Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include one daughter, Tammy White of San Diego; three sons, James Horton of Huntsville, James L. Brewton and Raymond Brewton, both of San Diego; four sisters, Laura Lee Kelly, Brazola Spencer and Carrie D. Clay, all of Huntsville, and Bertha L. Spencer of Tampa, Fla.; two brothers, Ira Brewton Jr. and Alfonzo Brewton, both of Huntsville; and 10 grandchildren.
Douglas A. Brummitt
ATHENS - Douglas Anna Brummitt, 83, of 9399 Barker Road died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Revs. Dennis Ivy and Leamuel Green officiating.
Burial will be in Bottoms Cemetery.
Mrs. Brummitt was a member of Full Gospel Tabernacle Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Tina Moss of Athens, Reba Moss of Elkmont and Pauline Brummitt of Shelbyville, Tenn.; one stepdaughter, Rosa Lee Cramer of Decatur; eight sons, John Henry Brummitt, Carlos Brummitt, Donnie Brummitt, Lonnie Brummitt, James ''Peachie Brummit and Jerry Brummitt, all of Athens, Charlie Price Brummit of Decatur and Dwight Allen Brummitt of Lester; one stepson, Benny Brummitt of Detroit; two sisters, Georgie Mills of Athens and Rheta Burns of Winter Haven, Fla.; two brothers, Ruben Burns of Athens and Woodrow Burns of Winter Haven, Fla.; 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Ruth W. Carroll
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Ruth W. Carroll, 98, died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with Rev. Jay Archer officiating.
Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with Higgins Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Carroll was a housewife and member of First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Martha Carroll Pylant of Fayetteville; two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters.
Visitation will be today from 3 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
Tye Cobb
HARTSELLE - Tye Cobb, 80, of 1079 North Cedar Cove Road died Friday at Decatur General Hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home with the Rev. Troy Puckett officiating.
Burial will be in Gum Springs Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Cobb was a member of the Gum Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Joe Cobb of Eva and Larry Cobb of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Jane Dutton of Hartselle; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
W. Cockerham
Wilhelmina Cockerham, 91, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local nursing home. The graveside service will be today at 2 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with Dr. Ralph Langley officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mrs. Cockerham was a native of Norwood, La., and resident of Madison County for the past 20 years. She was a school teacher for 25 years at E.E. Bass Jr. High in Greenville, Miss.
Survivors include one son, John M. Cockerham of Huntsville; one daughter, Robbie Lightsey of Laurel, Miss.; one brother, John Ripley White of Centreville, Miss; and six grandchildren.
Donations may be made to Girls Inc. of Huntsville, 4600 Blue Springs Road, Huntsville, Ala., 35810.
James Roy Cooley
ATHENS - James Roy Cooley, 58, of 20442 Huntsville-Brownsferry Road died Friday at Athens-Limestone Hospital. The funeral will be Monday at 2 p.m.at McConnell Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Rodney Britton and the Rev. Randy Robinson officiating.
Burial will be in Limestone Memorial Gardens with McConnell Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Cooley served in the U.S. Army and was a member of Cartwright Church of Christ.
Survivors include his life partner, Patty Williams of Elkmont; a daughter, Melissa Byrd of Scottsboro; six sisters, Margaret King of Athens, Bobbie King of Elkmont, Nahoma Abernathy of Killen, Jane Daughterty of Sparta, Tenn., Kawani Poss of Rogersville, and Deborah Davis of Tanner; and two brothers, Charles Cooley of Elkmont and Michael Cooley of Tanner.
Rena J. Gary
STEVENSON - Rena Joseph Gary, 66, died Wednesday at an area hospital. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home with Rev. Jay Goodine officiating.
Burial will be in Stevenson Community Cemetery with Rudder Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandra Venable of Atlanta; one son, Ronald E. Gary Jr. of Memphis; her mother, Stella Bynum Joseph of Stevenson; one sister, Rosa Joseph Jolly of Stevenson; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ralph L. Keith
RAINSVILLE - Ralph Lewis Keith, 65, died Saturday. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Rev. C.L. Wilborin officiating.
Burial will be in Mt. View Memorial Garden.
Survivors include two sisters, Virginia Fowler and Grace Parker, both of Fort Payne; and one brother, Ronnie Berry of Fort Payne.
Andrew Kolbe
LEBANON, Tenn.- Andrew D. Kolbe, 92, of Lebanon died Friday at Margie Anna Nursing Home. The funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at Bartons Creek Cemetery with the Rev. Mike Cantrell officiating and Nave Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Kolbe was born in Nashville, Tenn. He was a 85-year resident of Lebanon, a heavy equipment operator and mechanic, and a member of Bartons Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Frances Suddart of Elkton, Tenn., Louise Jones of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., and Annie Sue Whited of Lebanon, Tenn.; a son, Jack Kilbe of Lebanon, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Charles R. Matney
SCOTTSBORO - Charles Ralph Matney, 75, died Saturday at a Chattanooga hospital. The funeral will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home with Rev. Johnny Mack Young officiating.
Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery with Rudder Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Matney was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran and a retired employee of General Motors.
Survivors include his wife, Charlene Matney; one son, David Charles Matney of Abingdon, Va.; one stepdaughter, Patricia Dextrom of Battle Creek, Mich.; two granddaughters and two step-granddaugters.
Visitation will be today from 3:30 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pearl C. Matthews
DECATUR - Pearl Cunningham Matthews, 91, died Friday at a Tuscumbia nursing home. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home chapel.
Burial will be in Goosepond Cemetery.
Mrs. Matthews was a former resident of Scottsboro.
Survivors include two sons, Stanley Matthews of Chattanooga and David Matthews of Decatur; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Donations may be made to a favorite charity.
Claudie Morris
HARTSELLE - Claudie Z. Morris, 87, of 1219 New Cut Road died Friday at Decatur General Hospital. The funeral will be today at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Henderson and the Rev. Virgil Bohn officiating.
Burial will be in Herring Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Morris was a retired electrician and farmer and was a member of the Cedar Plains Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Robbie Morris of Hartselle; a brother, Thurman Morris of Massey; and two sisters, Evelyn Speake of Danville and Ellen Hogan of Falkville.
Kathleen S. Morris
SKYLINE - Kathleen Sanders Morris, 76, died Friday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Skyline Free Holiness Church with Bros. Ray Davis and Willis Brown officiating.
Burial will be in Morris Family Cemetery with Skyline Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Morris was preceded in death by one daughter, Bonnie Lou West.
Survivors include her husband, James Orville Morris; six daughters, Annie Mary Sells of Huntland, Tenn., Veda Mae Denson of Scottsboro, Billie Kate Lemley of Grant, Lillian Fay Stephens, Sheilia Gail Gifford and Marcella Lynn McLain, all of Skyline; two sons, James Leverl Morris of Hazel Green and Orville Don Morris of Skyline; two sisters, Marie Jones of Skyline and Francis Stephens of Hytop; five brothers, William ''Bud Sanders of Fackler, Gordon ''Burrhead Sanders of Pleasant Groves, John T. Sanders of Skyline, Bobby Sanders of Hytop and David Sanders of Huntsville; 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Clarence E. Payton
GUNTERSVILLE - Clarence Edward Payton, 72, of 6025 Alabama 69 died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 3 p.m. at Sweet Home Baptist Church.
Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery with Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline Payton; two daughters, Barbara Thornton of Georgia and Linda Walker of Arab; four brothers, James Payton and Bobby Payton, both of Huntsville, Earl J. Payton of Michigan and Aaron Payton of Illinois; one sister, Mary McDaniel of Huntsville; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Audrey Sarah Ray
HARTSELLE - Audrey Sarah Decker Ray, 72, of 7 North Cedar Cover Road died Friday at Decatur General Hospital. Peck Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Ray worked and lived in Hartselle for the last 20 years.
Survivors include three sons, Robert Taylor of Sun Valley, Nev., Larry Stricklin of Los Angeles, Calif., and John C. Ray III of Hartselle; a daughter, Mary Lou Miner of Santee, Calif.; two sisters, Vera Boland of San Diego, Calif., and Ester Balir of Spring Valley, Calif.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Annie G. Rochelle
ATHENS - Annie Gilbert Rochelle, 100, died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Revs. Bobby Turner and Glen Keenon officiating.
Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery with Limestone Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Rochelle was a member of Northside Church of Christ. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion. She was preceded in death by her husband, George G. Rochelle.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas Rochelle of Ardmore and Walter Rochelle of Decatur; three daughters, Martha Barran of Decatur, Annelle Wales and Ethel Wales, both of Elkmont; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Doris Scott
ALBERTVILLE - Doris Scott, 72, of 6-B Alameda Courts died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Albertville Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Old Clear Creek Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Elmer Scott; two daughters, Janice Brooks of Boaz and Shelia Spurling of Albertville; one son, Mark Spurling of Albertville; two sisters, Antha Ellis and Iva Lee Breedwell, both of Albertville; one brother, George W. Woodman of Rainbow City; and nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Ronald L. Singleton
ATHENS - Ronald Lee Singleton, 53, of 15549 Mooresville Road died Thursday at a local hospital. No funeral services are planned.
Mr. Singletons remains will be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 19 years of service. He received the Good Conduct Award and Meritorious Service Award.
Survivors include one daughter, Melissa June Weston of Midland, Texas; two brothers, Bary Singleton of Pikeville, Ky., and Joe S. Singleton of Columbus, Ohio; two sisters, Jean Carolyn Zinn of Bainbridge, Ohio, and Linda June Haynes of Columbus; and three grandchildren.
