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. Baxter
William Forrest Baxter, 87, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Oakwood College Seventh-day Adventist Church with Elder Eric C. Ward officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Royal Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Baxter was a World War II veteran and retired from the U.S. Army after more than 30 years of service. He was also a police officer in Chicago for 33 years.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Bland Baxter of Huntsville; two sons, Julian Baxter of Atlanta and Dale Baxter of Huntsville; and two daughters, Lorna June Baxter of Racine, Wisc., and Darcel Baxter of Huntsville.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Visitation will be today from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Damaris Blaha
MADISON - Damaris Blaha, 78, of 116 Cherry Road died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Huntsville Memory Gardens with the Rev. Tony Tidwell officiating.
Madison Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Survivors include her husband, Stephen Blaha of Madison; two daughters, Jerry Lee Martin of Baileyton and Retha Terre of Jacksonville, Fla.; and three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Jewel E. Boles
ATHENS - Jewel Earlene Boles, 78, of 19412 Wells Road died Monday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Resurrection Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Werdebaugh officiating.
Burial was to be in Pines Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home of Hartselle in charge.
Mrs. Boles was a member of Pines Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, David H. Boles of Athens; three daughters, Laura Watson of Birmingham and Faye Willis and Bernice Fuller, both of Somerville; five sisters, Margaret Dudley and Eleanor Price, both of Owens Cross Roads, and Ruby Garrison, Bertice Bolden and Geneva Miller, all of Laceys Spring; one brother, James Gullion of Laceys Spring; 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Byron Brown
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. - Byron Brown, 89, died May 13 in Pennsylvania. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Boaz.
Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Boaz.
Survivors include one son, James B. Brown of Pennsylvania, and seven grandchildren.
Charlene D. Campbell
PIKEVILLE, Tenn. - Charlene Dawn Campbell, 26, died Friday in Chattanooga, Tenn. The funeral will be Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Trenton Baptist Church.
Burial will be in Trenton Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Campbell was a native of Chicago and had lived in Tennessee most her life.
Survivors include her mother, Dorothy L. Davis of Arab; four sisters, Loretta Vann of Arab, Kathie Osburn of Paint Rock, Marie Campbell of New Market and Lisa Sanders of Huntsville; and three brothers, J.C. Campbell of North Carolina, Wayne Campbell of Waynesboro, Tenn., and Timothy Campbell of New Market.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Richard Cyr Jr.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Richard Cyr Jr., 41, died May 12 in Kentucky. A graveside service was to be today at 2 p.m. at Union Cemetery at Woodville with Carr Funeral Home of Guntersville in charge.
Survivors include several uncles and aunts.
Bertha M. DeArmond
DECATUR - Bertha Mae DeArmond, 82, died Tuesday at her home. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Shelton Funeral Home with Jake Franks and Richard Craft officiating.
Burial will be in Dancy Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. DeArmond was a native of Morgan County.
Survivors include her husband, Odell DeArmond of Decatur; four daughters, Virginia Peden of Trinity, Virgie Watson and Margaret Solway, both of Decatur, and Sarah Stoltz of Huntsville; and 46 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Margreat E. Dotson
Margreat E. Dotson, 81, of Huntsville died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Billy Jenkins officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Dotson was a native of Sewanee, Tenn., but spent most her life in Huntsville.
Survivors include four daughters, Joan Spangler of Overton, Texas, Scarlett Leach and Judy Moore, both of New Market, and Pamela Gipson of Sewanee; two sisters, Dorothy Perry of Huntsville and Faye Sherrill of Middleton, Fla.; one brother, William Gold of Ardmore, Ala.; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and her special friend, Nancy Hereford of Huntsville.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Eva M. Eschenberg
Eva M. Eschenberg, 80, of Huntsville died Sunday at a Colorado hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Latham United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gary Ward officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Eschenberg was a native of Burnsville, W.Va., and had lived in Huntsville 23 years. She was a graduate of Glennville State Teachers College and a member of Latham United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Kent Eschenberg of Vicksburg, Miss., and Gary Eschenberg of Colorado Springs; one brother, Robert Amos of Manington, W.Va.; three sisters, June Tucker of Canton, Ohio, Rose Barnett of West Middlesex, Pa., and Sue Keener of Fairmont, W.Va.; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Latham United Methodist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the church.
Nicholas S. Flynn
MADISON - Nicholas S. Flynn, 20, of Madison died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Alan Weatherly officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hil Cemetery.
Mr. Flynn was a student at Eastern Kentucky University.
Survivors include his parents, James and Sandra Flynn of Madison; one sister, Amy Suzanne Flynn of Madison; his grandmother, Gladys Gross of Kentucky; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Rachel A. Hahn
FALKVILLE - Rachel A. Hahn, 64, of Plo Road died Monday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home chapel with Dr. Milan Dekich officiating.
Burial will be in in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Ardmore, Ala.
Survivors include her husband, Bert Hahn of Falkville; two sons, Jeff Davis of Falkville and Dion Hahn of Nashville; one daughter, Melanie White of Falkville; one stepson, Roy Newsome of Livingston, Calif.; one brother, Richard Hastings of Tulsa, Okla.; three sisters, Bertha Gross of Ardmore, Ala., Kathleen Vaughn of Athens and Martha Smith of Huntsville; and 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Annie R. Hickman
PROSPECT, Tenn. - Annie Ruth Hickman, 72, of Prospect Road died Wednesday at her home. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Carr and Erwin Funeral Home in Pulaski, Tenn.
Burial will be in Giles Memory Garden.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marston Luther Hickman.
Survivors include two sons, James Leroy Hickman of Pulaski and Michael "Pete" Hickman of Prospect; two daughters, Linda H. Melton of Huntsville and Patsy H. Chapman of Pulaski; four brothers, Leroy Riggins of Ethridge, Reuben Riggins and Johnny Riggins, both of Columbia, and Jimmy Riggins of Pulaski; and seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Liberty United Methodist Church.
Robert E. Hugus
HARVEST - Robert Edward Hugus, 81, died Wednesday at his home. The memorial service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Huntsville with the Rev. Coy Hallmark officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of burial arrangements.
Mr. Hugus was a native of Findlay, Ohio, and had lived in either Madison or Limestone county for the last 37 years. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, served in World War II and received a presidential citation for his work at Bremerton Naval Yard. He earned a masters degree from Harvard, retired from NASA in 1981 and was a fruit farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Bliss Hugus of Harvest; three daughters, Kathryn Elizabeth Adair and Patricia Lynn Evans, both of Colville, Wash., and Anne Marie Wooldridge of Seattle; one son, Richard Mantz Hugus of Chewelah, Wash.; two brothers, Russell Wikoff Hugus of Rushville, Ohio, and the Rev. Harold Meredith Hugus of Riverton, Wyo.; and 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the church at 120 Green e St., Huntsville, 35801.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.
Rosa B. Humphrey
FLORENCE - Rosa Beckman Humphrey, 74, died Tuesday. The funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Florence with the Rev. David Buchanan officiating.
Burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery with Green view Funeral Home of Florence in charge.
Mrs. Humphrey was a native of Lauderdale County, went to nursing school in Gadsden and lived in Decatur 32 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Humphrey.
Survivors include two sons, Phil Humphrey of Madison and David Humphrey of Chattanooga, Tenn.; one daughter, Maria Eckl of Florence; seven brothers, Tom Beckman of Madison, Bill Beckman of New Market, Bob Beckman of Florence, Tony Beckman of Houston, Texas, Chris Beckman of Huntsville, Raphael Beckman of Arab and Leo Beckman of Littleville; three sisters, Mary McBride and Bernadette Ramsey, both of Huntsville, and Evelyn Gentry of South Carolina; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A prayer service will follow at 8 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph School Foundation fund, 115 Plum St., Florence, 35630.
Ethel M. Johnson
VALHERMOSA SPRINGS - Ethel Marie Johnson, 75, died Tuesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home chapel.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Johnson was a member of Valhermosa Springs Baptist Church and was a retired cafeteria worker for Riverton School.
Survivors include four sisters, Nell Bonds and Flora Dudley, both of Valhermosa Springs, and Hazel Hawes and Violet Woodard, both of Fairfield, Me.; three brothers, Nuby Woodard of Laceys Spring and Richard Woodard and Jack Woodard, both of Somerville; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Alean Looney
GUNTERSVILLE - Alean Looney, 92, of 1805 May St., died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Burial was to be in Guntersville City Cemetery.
Survivors include two sons, Billy Looney and German Looney, both of Guntersville; and two sisters, Evelyn Baker and Margaret Watkins, both of Guntersville.
Howard W. Luton
LOUDON, Tenn. - Howard William Luton, 76, died Monday at a Knoxville, Tenn., hospital. A memorial service was to be today at 2 p.m. at the Tellico Village Community Church with the Rev. Marty Singley officiating. A graveside service will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with the Rev. John Dees officiating.
Click Funeral Home in Lenoir City, Tenn., is in charge of burial.
Mr. Luton was a native of Erie, Pa., and a World War II veteran. He worked for the General Electric Co. for 25 years in the light military and Apollo space programs. He also worked for TVAs Nuclear Division 11 years.
Survivors include his wife, Lucille Luton of Loudon; two daughters, Ann Elizabeth Hunter and Sue Ellen Vanhook, both of Huntsville; one son, William Howard Luton of Murfreesboro; his mother, Kaye Hall Luton; and three grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to the Tellico Village Community Church, American Cancer Society or Willowbrook Baptist Church in Huntsville.
Jack Mitchell
GRANT - Jack Mitchell, 68, of 133 Nelson Road died Tuesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Grant Church of Christ wwith Bros. Roland Roberts and Harold Kelly officiating.
Burial will be in Panquin Cemetery with Grant Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Mitchell was the area coordinator for retired teachers in the state, representing 23 North Alabama counties, and was named retired teacher of the year in Marshall County for 1998-99. He served on the Marshall County Emergency Telephone Service Board 1996-98 and was a member of the Simpson Point Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Keel Mitchell of Grant; two daughters, Beverly Harrison of Knoxville, Tenn., and Sherry Knight of Diana, Tenn.; one son, Greg Mitchell of Fayetteville, Tenn.; and three sisters, Audrey Moore of Monford, Nita Heath of Anniston and Shirley Rounds of Daleville.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jack Mitchell Scholarship Fund at New Hope High School.
Visitation will be today at 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Patricia C. Morris
NEW HOPE - Patricia Correine Morris, 63, of 4287 Old Highway 431 died Tuesday at her home. New Hope Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Burton E. Morris of New Hope; three daughters, Rebecca Lee Mathews and Kimberly K. West, both of Kwajalein, and Faith Marie McLendon of Owens Cross Roads; one son, Kenneth Earl Morris of Owens Cross Roads; her mother, Carrie Lowe of New Hope; and five grandchildren.
Ruby M. Peter
ATHENS - Ruby Mauvoline Peter, 74, of 1600 West Hobbs St. died Monday at her home. The graveside service was today at 11 a.m. at Romine Cemetery in Rogersville with Spry Funeral Home of Athens in charge.
Mrs. Peter was a native of Lauderdale County and had retired from Redstone Arsenal.
Survivors include two daughters, Virginia Scott of Athens and Anne Campbell of Toney; one brother, James McMeans of Danielsville, Ga.; one grandson, Joseph Garner of Athens; and two great-grandchildren.
Pete J. Rampello
ARDMORE, Ala. - Pete Joseph Rampello, 84, of Mitchell Loop died Monday at his home. Hodapp Funeral Home in Cincinnati, Ohio, will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Louise Emerson Rampello of Ardmore, Ala.; two daughters, Linda Smith of Cincinnati and Karen Myers of Athens; one son, Ron Rampello of Cincinnati; and six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Franklin Robinson Sr.
LACEY'S SPRING - Franklin D. Robinson Sr., 65, of 92 Moss Trail died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in New Canaan Cemetery in Morgan County.
Survivors include his wife, Florida Robinson; three daughters, Pamela Bice of Huntsville and Barbara Wright and Melinda Guffey, both of Union Hill; two sons, Franklin D. Robinson Jr. and Brian Robinson, both of Union Hill; one sister, Mary Shivers of Texas; and five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Paula A. Starling
Paula Ann Starling, 52, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 5 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Steve R. Pettey officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of burial arrangements.
Mrs. Starling was a native of South Carolina and had lived in Huntsville seven years. She was a member of Sherwood Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Hal Starling of Huntsville; one daughter, Jennifer Starling of Huntsville; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bailey of Charlotte, N.C.; one sister, Karen Cobb of Knoxville, Tenn.; and two granddaughters.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Eudora S. Traglia
Eudora Spurlock Traglia, 73, of Huntsville died Tuesday at her home. The funeral will be Thursday at noon at Valhalla Funeral Home chapel with Don Cox officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Survivors include one daughter, Concetta Traglia Hines of Huntsville; five sons, Pat Traglia and Ronald Traglia, both of Huntsville, Duane Traglia and James Traglia Jr., both of Florence, and Lawrence Traglia of Hazel Green ; one sister, Alice Adcock of Huntsville; two brothers, Dillard Spurlock of Huntsville and Lawrence Spurlock of Taft, Tenn.; and 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care, 2225 Drake Ave. SW, Huntsville 35805.
