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.
Charles R. Bolt
DUTTON - Charles Ray Bolt, 63, died Sunday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Scottsboro Funeral Home with the Revs. Dale Haynes and Melvin Dawson officiating.
Burial will be in New Canaan Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Sue Bolt of Dutton; one daughter, Tina Cheryl Hancock of Scottsboro; one son, Michael Ray Bolt of Dutton; three sisters, Ella Mae Gant of Geraldine and Wilma Parham and Cathy Davis, both of Dutton; four brothers, David Bolt of Valparaiso, Ind., and Jimmy Bolt, Bobby Bolt and Leroy Bolt, all of Dutton; and two grandchildren.
Elsie F. Brewer
Elsie Florence Brewer, 91, of Huntsville died Saturday at her home. A graveside service was to be today at 1 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with Bro. Lee Moore officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Brewer was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Rosson Brewer, and one son, William Brewer.
Survivors include five sons, Junior T. Brewer of Somerville, Whitney S. Brewer of New Market, Ray Brewer of Virginia and Dennis R. Brewer and Bobby W. Brewer, both of Huntsville; and a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Roy L. Brooks
Roy Lee Brooks of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home chapel with Dr. R. Laurence Dill officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Mr. Brooks was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He had retired from the U.S. Air Force and PPG Industries. He was a member of the Shriners and Scottish Rite.
Survivors include his wife, Imogene Maples Brooks; one daughter, Patricia Lee of Schaumburg, Ill.; five brothers, E.O. Brooks of San Francisco, Neal Brooks of Decatur, Ga., Paul Brooks of Columbia, S.C., James Brooks of Hartselle and W.T. Brooks of Bernice, La.; four sisters, Ludy Mance of Zionsville, Ind., Lucille Jackson of Waverly, Tenn., Bervene Brooks of New Hope and Ruth Mitchell of Grant; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care, 2225 Drake Ave., Huntsville, AL 35805.
Millie J. Calhoun
MADISON - Millie J. Calhoun, 76, died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Gary Schrimsher officiating.
Burial will be in Faith Memorial Park with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Calhoun was a member of Harmony Baptist Church. She had retired from civil service at Redstone Arsenal.
Survivors include her husband, Willie C. Calhoun; two sons, Wayne Calhoun of Beaumont, Texas and Mike Calhoun of Virginia Beach, Va.; one daughter, Carolyn L. Schill of Huntsville; one brother, Ray James of Orange, Texas; two sisters, Norma Calcote of Rose Pine, La. and Dorothy Willis of Gravens, La.; and seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Frances Coffman
ARDMORE, Tenn. - Frances ''Spookie Coffman, 83, died Saturday at a Pulaski nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Sammy Brister officiating.
Burial was to be in Gatlin Cemetery.
Mrs. Coffman was a member of Ardmore First Baptist Church.
Survivors include one granddaughter, Milissa Doggett of Engelking, Mo.
Ridley F. Crawford
SMYRNA, Tenn. - Ridley Foster Crawford, 51, died Saturday at a Winchester hospital. A graveside service will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home in Stevenson, Ala., with the Rev. Chris Brewer officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery near Bridgeport, Ala.
Mr. Crawford was a Vietnam veteran and was employed by CSX Railroad as a conductor. He was preceded in death by one daughter, April Crawford.
Survivors include his wife, Kayla Crawford of Smyrna; one daughter, Angie Rodgers of Mount Juliet; one son, James Crawford of Smyrna; two sisters, Joan Creighton of Monteagle and Joyce Hailey of Bridgeport; four brothers, Jimmy Crawford of Stevenson, Robert Crawford of Jasper, Tenn., and George Crawford and Roy Crawford, both of Bridgeport; and three grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Judes Children Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Ila D. Cross
ARDMORE, Tenn. - Ila Drucilla Cross, 75, of Union Hill Rd. died Friday at a Fayetteville nursing home. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home with the Rev. William Suddarth officiating.
Burial was in Gatlin Cemetery with Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home in charge.
Miss Cross was a member of Cash Point Baptist Church.
Survivors include four nieces, Fannie Mae Helums and Allene Roper, both of Ardmore, Tenn., and Joann Carpenter and Becky Hasting, both of Louisville, Ky.; one nephew, Wayne Hargrave of Huntsville, Ala.; and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.
John W. Elsea Jr.
John W. Elsea Jr., 70, of Huntsville died Wednesday at a local hospital. His family will announce a memorial service.
Mr. Elsea was retired civil service from Redstone Arsenal and from the U.S. Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Billie Elsea; one son, Paul Elsea of Falkville; two daughters, Barbara Swanson of Atlanta and JoAnn Milam of Germantown, Tenn.; three stepdaughters, Terry Adcock and Phyllis Carman, both of Huntsville, and Susan Wynne of Texas; two brothers, Dan Elsea of Bristol, Tenn., and Fred Elsea of Costa Rica; and 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Diabetes Trust Fund, 1-800-537-1383.
Myrtle A. Fergerson
Myrtle Aner Fergerson, 89, of Huntsville died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Revs. Oliver Ashley and Melvin Pelham officiating.
Burial will be in Walker Cemetery in Marshall County with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Fergerson was a native of Morgan County and a lifelong resident of Madison County. She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Fergerson.
Survivors include two daughters, Ina Leasure and Inez Jones, both of Huntsville; two sons, Alvin Fergerson and Leo Fergerson, both of Huntsville; and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Alyxander Gellineau
MADISON - Alyxander Ezner Gellineau, infant son of Antonio and Anne Martyne Gellineau, died Saturday at a Huntsville hospital. A graveside service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Huntsville Memory Gardens with the Rev. Michael Sexton officiating.
Madison Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Other survivors include one brother, Hendryck Antonio Gellineau of Madison, and his grandfather, Egner Esriviere of Haiti.
Michael Hayasi
ATHENS - Michael Hayasi, 65, died Monday at a local hospital. Valhalla Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Ada Hunt
ATHENS - Ada Hunt, 87, died Saturday at her home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home with Billy Taylor officiating.
Burial will be in Fowlkes Cemetery.
Mrs. Hunt was a native of Madison County and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Hunt, and one daughter, Nancy Wray.
Survivors include two sons, Gene Hunt of Athens and James ''Doby Hunt of Toney; two daughters, Carolyn Meadows of Toney and Shirley Andrews of Madison; and 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Harvey L. Langford
Harvey Lee Langford, 64, of Huntsville died Thursday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Lowes United Methodist Church with the Rev. Susie Ward officiating.
Burial will be in Meadowlawn Garden of Peace Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include three children, Angie, Sharon Denise and Don, all of Huntsville; one sister, Lillie M. Langford of Huntsville; five brothers, Charles Langford of Los Angeles and William Langford, John Langford, Cornell Langford and Clevonia Langford, all of Huntsville; and three grandchildren.
His body will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral.
Stella Lively
Stella Lively, 82, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Ridouts Brown-Service Chapel in Decatur with the Rev. Scott Gossett officiating.
Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.
She worked at Gibson Barbecue for 28 years and was a member of Huntsville Baptist Church. She was formerly of Decatur.
Survivors include one sister, Nancy Barns of Decatur, and several nieces nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Don Mayfield
MADISON - Don Mayfield, 54, of 217 Thomas Drive died Saturday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. at St. Johns Catholic Church with the Revs. Michael Sexton and Patrick Murphy officiating.
Madison Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of burial arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Caryl Mayfield; two daughters, Valerie Sheffield and Erin Mayfield, both of Florida; one son, Graydon James Mayfield of Florida; and one sister, Margaret Rigers of Nottingham, England.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church.
Laverne McElroy
HARTSELLE - Laverne McElroy, 91, of 1900 Sparkman St. died Saturday at her home. The funeral service was held Sunday at Peck Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Hal Daigre officiating.
Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. McElroy was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Bobbie Summerford of Hartselle; four sisters, Rubye Smith of Hartselle and Sadie Roper, Melba Regan and Tercia Patterson, all of Birmingham; and one grandchild, two great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley in Decatur.
Thomas J. Russell II
Thomas J. "Tommy Jack" Russell II of Huntsville died today in Huntsville. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Zelpha Smith
TONEY - Zelpha Ruth Tribble Smith, 88, of 21747 East Limestone Road died Sunday at an Athens hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Roselawn Cemetery with the Rev. Gerome Hilliard officiating.
Limestone Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mr. Smith was a member of Midway Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, A.L. "Alvie" Smith of Toney and Wayne Smith of Athens; three daughters, Naomi Walker of Harvest, Martha Jackson of Lester and Bettie Lewis of Athens; one brother, U.W. Tribble of Mount Gilead, Ohio; and nine grandchildren, eight grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Midway Baptist Church.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mary V. Spake
GUNTERSVILLE - Mary Vada Spake, 88, of 100 Terrace Lake Village died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral was today at 10 a.m. at Guntersville Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews.
Richard W. Stoner
HARTSELLE - Richard Ward Stoner, 69, died Saturday at his home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with the Revs. W.G. Henry and Grad Tanner officiating.
Burial will be in Hartselle City Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Stoner was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, served in the Army reserve and retired as a major with more than 30 years service. He was a civilian employee of the Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal and retired in 1995 with 38 years of service.
He was an organizer of the Hartselle school system and served on the city Board of Education for 20 years, including six years as chairman, and was board chairman of First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Pattillo Stoner; two sons, Richard Stoner and M.K. Stoner, both of Hartselle; one daughter, Alice Elizabeth Stoner of Hartselle; one brother, Charles E. Stoner of Sylacauga; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Effie Taylor
Effie Taylor, 94, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Holmes Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dalton Styes officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Taylor was a lifelong resident of Madison County. She was retired from First Alabama Bank, a member of Holmes Street United Methodist Church and a member in the Business and Professional Womens Club.
Survivors include one brother, O.J. Taylor of Huntsville; and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and Tuesday from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at the church.
Memorials may be made to the Holmes Street United Methodist Church Women.
Michael R. Taylor
HAZEL GREEN - Michael Ray Taylor, 49, of 138 Gaines St. died Friday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was Sunday at Gallant Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Emerson Lyle officiating.
Burial was in Huntsville Memory Gardens with Gallant Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Taylor was a native of Madison County, and was a driver for Brannum Excavating.
Survivors include three daughters, Jamie Hartmann of New Market, Crystal Webster and Ashley Taylor, both of Hazel Green ; and two grandchildren.
Syble L. Waldrop
SYLVANIA - Syble Lee Waldrop, 79, died Sunday at a Fort Payne hospital. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at the Rainsville Funeral Home with the Revs. James Grindstaff and Donny Johnston officiating.
Burial was to be in Kirk Memorial Gardens in Rainsville.
Survivors include four daughters, Norma Jean Smalley of Valley Head, Maude Ellen Ellis of Sylvania, Marcille Dutton of Collinsville and Kathleen Godwin of Henagar; two sons, Roger Dell Waldrop of Sylvania and James Durell "Shorty" Waldrop of Fort Payne; and 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
Col. George Papadopoulos
ATHENS, Greece - Former Col. George Papadopoulos, who rose from obscurity to become the feared ringleader of Greeces 1967-74 military dictatorship, died Sunday. He was 80.
The cause of death was not immediately announced by hospital officials, but Papadopoulos had been under medical care for three years for a degenerative muscle disorder.
Imprisoned and chronically ill, Papadopoulos had been out of the public eye for years. But his name still stirred intense emotions among Greeks, especially the thousands of leftists and intellectuals who fled during the junta or endured imprisonment and persecution at home.
Papadopoulos masterminded the bloodless 1967 military coup that toppled the parliamentary government after years of political instability.
He was toppled by his military police chief, Brig. Dimitris Ioannides, in November 1973 after a student uprising was quelled by army tanks. He was sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to life in prison.
