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.
Bobby Bayless
Bobby Bayless, 67, of Huntsville died today at his home. Valhalla Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Retha O. Bell
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Retha O. Bell, 91, died Sunday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Higgins Funeral Home in Fayetteville with the Revs. Claude Hunsucker and James Holt officiating.
Burial will be in Lebanon Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Peggy Smith of Harvest; four sons, Tom Bell, Bobby Bell, Jimmy Bell and Cole Bell, all of Fayetteville; and 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Elcie L. Bevil
ATHENS - Elcie Lavonia Bevil, 88, of 611 West Market St. died Sunday at an Athens hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home with Dale Mitchell officiating.
Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery.
Survivors include three sons, J.T. Mealer of Knoxville, Tenn., James Mealer of Buena Park, Calif., and Theo Mealer of Bremerton, Wash.; one daughter, Anglean Dockery of Knoxville; two sisters, Clara Mae Page and Lurlene Reyor, both of Birmingham; and 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Marguerite C. Bush
Marguerite Cornelius Bush, 80, of Huntsville died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with Dr. Jimmy Jackson officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Bush was a native of Marshall County and retired from nursing after 25 years at Huntsville Hospital. She was a member of Whitesburg Baptist Church and Senior Horizons. She was also active in aerobics.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Buford Bush.
Survivors include two daughters, Martha Wiencek of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Becky Grant of Bradenton, Fla.; two sons, William Franklin Bush and John Michael Bush, both of Huntsville; one brother, Wiley Cornelius of Nashville; and eight grandchildren, one step-grandchild, four great-grandchildren and 14 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to BMA Huntsville Dialysis Center, 2325 Pansy St., Huntsville 35801, or to Hospice Family Care, 2225 Drake Ave., Huntsville 35805.
Obera R. Clark
UNION GROVE - Obera Royster Clark, 76, of 826 Mount Olive Church Road died Saturday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was to be in Rescue Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Layne Rodowick of Union Grove and Linda Damron of Michigan; one sister, Canola Bray of Morgan City; and eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Ella F. Cox
ARAB - Ella Fare Cox, 87, of Arab died Sunday in a Guntersville nursing home. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Gober Funeral Home in Arab.
Burial was in Arab Memorial Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, Carl ''Pete Cox Jr. of Arab; and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Lonnie Crews
GROVE OAK - Lonnie Crews, 91, died Sunday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 2:30 p.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with the Revs. Mary Stevens and Odell Sawyer officiating.
Burial was to be in Kirk Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda White of Grove Oak and Lillian Evans of Crossville; one son, Arnold Miller of Hot Springs, Ark.; one sister, Wella Bell Bass of Fyffe; and six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Axel O. Esser
Axel O. Esser, 57, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Mike Carroll officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Mr. Esser was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Moose Lodge. He worked at Teledyne Brown Engineering for 17 years.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine Elaine Esser of Huntsville, and two daughters, Beth Esser Alaoui of Boston and Carole Eyler of Huntsville.
Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Ernest George
Ernest George, 70, of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross-Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church with the Rev. Eugene Shockly officiating.
Mr. George was in the restaurant business 50 years in Birmingham and Huntsville.
Survivors include his wife, Alexandra George of Huntsville; one sister, Mary Marmaras of Washington, D.C.; one aunt, Helen Hagestratou of Birmingham; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross-Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
Mae B. Graham
Mae Budenz Graham, 89, of Huntsville died Monday. The memorial service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Monte Sano United Methodist Church with the Revs. Glenn Parkin, Samuel Hardie III and Carl Malm officiating. A reception will follow at the church fellowship hall.
Valhalla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Graham was a native of Mississippi and had lived in Huntsville since 1976. Her career in tourism and hospitality spanned more than 35 years. She was known as a hostess and communicator on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi and in Huntsville. She was a member of Monte Sano United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Graham Sr.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Budenz Wallace of Huntsville; one sister, Vinnie Samara of Ocean Springs, Miss.; three grandchildren, Chris Wallace of Dallas, Karen Wheaton of Danbury, Conn., and Scott Wallace of Williamsburg, Va.; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Childrens Home in care of Monte Sano United Methodist Church, 601 Monte Sano Blvd., Huntsville, 35801.
Jeff C. Hayes
Jeff C. Hayes, 65, of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Meridianville Bottom Primitive Baptist Church with Bro. Charlie Humphrey Jr. officiating.
Burial will be in Blutchers Ford Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include one friend, Odell Sheckles of Huntsville; and several stepdaughters, cousins and other friends.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Lawton C. Kennamer
SCOTTSBORO - Lawton C. Kennamer, 87, died Monday at a local nursing home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Kaye Johnson and Sandra Wallingsford, both of Scottsboro; one sister, Marie Whitaker of Henderson, N.C.; one brother, L.E. Kennamer of Scottsboro; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Eldridge Loudermilk
GUNTERSVILLE - Eldridge Loudermilk, 68, of 1131 Signal Point Road died Sunday in Guntersville. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville.
Entombment will be later in Murphy, N.C.
Mr. Loudermilk was the owner of Elbo Floral Co. in Etowah County and had been a florist in Huntsville and Guntersville.
Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Loudermilk.
Rose M. McAfee
ATHENS - Rose Marie McAfee, 69, died Sunday at a local hospital. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, John Whalen of Buffalo, N.Y., and Gary Whalen of Athens; one daughter, Sandy Little of Athens; one brother, Thomas Julius of Florida; three sisters, Gloria Julius, Ardath Lucca of Florida and Beverly Pepe of Buffalo; and five grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Chad W. Moore
NEW MARKET - Chad Wayne Moore, 6, died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Benny Berry officiating.
Burial will be in New Church Cemetery in Plevna.
Survivors include his father, James Moore of New Market; three brothers, George Moore of New Market, Randy Moore of Huntsville and Michael Smith of Hazel Green ; his grandparents, J.W. and Jo Sharp of Atlanta; and his great-grandmother, Minnie Armstrong of Florida.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Beth A. Murphy
Beth Ann Murphy, 9, of Huntsville died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Rev. Louis Giardino officiating.
Burial will be in Twickenham Memory Gardens.
Miss Murphy was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Survivors include her parents, John and Carol Murphy of Huntsville; one sister, Amanda Murphy of Huntsville; and her grandparents, Ralph and Florence Murphy and Charlie and Betty Davidson.
Memorial donations may be made to her memorial fund at Regions Bank in care of John Murphy.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
James Pirkle
DECATUR - James ''Bruce Pirkle, 80, of Shoal Creek Road died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle with the Revs. Laverle Buckelew and Billy Robershaw officiating.
Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery near Eva.
Mr. Pirkle retired from Wolverine Tube, where he was a tool and die operator, and from Screen Design Inc.. He was a member of Ninth Street United Methodist Church and a veteran of World War II.
Survivors include one son, Larry Bruce Pirkle of Decatur; three daughters, Linda Morris of Smyrna, Tenn., Jane Coley of Hartselle and Dinah Lee of Decatur; three sisters, Geneva Williams of Fairview, Mattie Lou Summerford of Eva and Wanza Guhrie of Birmingham; and 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Lura H. Reeves
SUMMERVILLE, Ga. - Lura Hill Reeves, 90, died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Ralph Long officiating.
Burial will be in New Home Cemetery in Rainsville.
Survivors include two sisters, Corine Hughes of Summerville and Ruby Blalock of Mentone; three brothers, T.H. Hill of Rainsville, Charlie Hill of Trion, Ga., and Freeman Hill of Rome, Ga.; and two granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
Frank R. Schmidt Frank Robert Schmidt, 38, of Huntsville died Saturday in Haleyville. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Fla.
Burial will be in Curlew Hills Memory Gardens in Palms Harbor, Fla., with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Schmidt was a native of Jacksonville, N.C., and moved to Safety Harbor, Fla., in 1984 from Flint, Mich. He moved to Brooksville, Fla., in 1989 and to Huntsville in 1994. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a master welder in the aerospace industry in Huntsville. He was also a Lutheran.
Survivors include his parents, Sylvia M. and David R. Camburn of Clearwater, Fla.; three brothers, John W. Schmidt of Palm Harbor, Fla., Michael F. Schmidt of Flint and David E. Schmidt of Columbia, Tenn.; one sister, Donna J. Schmidt of Tampa, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Vision Funeral Home in Tarpon Springs, Fla.
Gordon O. Swint Jr.
ATHENS - Gordon O. Swint Jr., 74, of 301 South Briarwood Road died Monday at his residence. A private graveside service will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.
McConnell Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mr. Swint was a native of Nashville, a longtime resident of Athens and Limestone County and a retired farmer and businessman. He attended Belle Mina Methodist Church. He served in the Marines in World War II and fought at Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Anderson Swint; one son, Andy Swint of Athens; three daughters, Linda Swint of Athens, Sandra Earthman of Nashville and Jan Jeffreys of Gulf Shores; one brother, Shayne Swint of Madison; one sister, Margaret VanLear of Nashville; and four grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Belle Mina Methodist Church, Hospice of Limestone County or the Athens Humane Society.
Robert V. Taylor
ALBERTVILLE - Robert V. Taylor, 64, died Wednesday at his home. A private family service was held Saturday at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Survivors include one daughter, Libby Seaver of Huntsville; three sons, Edmund Taylor III and Chris Taylor, both of Albertville, and Thomas Taylor of Ohio; one sister, Katherine Taylor of Tennessee; one brother, James Taylor of Memphis; and five grandchildren.
Minnie L. Twilley
FORT PAYNE - Minnie L. Twilley, 57, died Sunday at a DeKalb county hospital. The funeral was Monday at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel in Rainsville.
Burial was in Black Oak Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Royce Phillip Twilley of Fort Payne; one daughter, Amanda Michelle Overstreet of Fort Payne; two sons, James Kenny Henderson and Larry Phillip Twilley, both of Fort Payne; one sister, Ruth Bell of Rosalie; two brothers, Holley Henderson of Ohio and Duvard Henderson of Dawson; and four grandchildren.
Lucille G. Wallace
Lucille George Wallace, 69, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Dill officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Twickenham Funeral Home South in charge.
Mrs. Wallace lived in the Huntsville area for 39 years.
Survivors include her husband, Carroll Davis Wallace of Huntsville; two daughters, Paula Distler of Huntsville and Karen Wallace of Harvey, La.; her mother, Daisy George of West Monroe, La.; three sisters, Louise Sinclair of West Monroe, Doris Marcus of Onalaska, Texas, and Carol Schaffer of Cave Creek, Ariz.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library or the church.
Sara E. Wilks
ALBERTVILLE - Sara E. Wilks, 70, of 889 Hustleville Road died Sunday at a Chattanooga hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Burial was to be in Marshall Memorial Garden.
Survivors include her husband, Bill R. Wilks; two sons, Shane Wilks and Craig Wilks, both of Albertville; one sister, Virginia Phillips of Eclectic; one brother, Bob Schrimsher of Texas; and four grandchildren.
Jack J. Wolfe
Jack James Wolfe, 63, of Huntsville died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Roland Lee officiating.
Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery.
Mr. Wolfe was a native of Kempton, Md., and had lived in Huntsville since 1971. He retired from the General Shale Plant.
Survivors include his wife, Doretha Wolfe of Huntsville; one son, Daniel Wolfe of Huntsville; and one sister, Barbara Hastie of Wisconsin.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
