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.
Zella M. Dyar
BOAZ - Zella Mae Dyar, 88, of Boaz died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Faye Nell Hunt of Boaz; and three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Thelma E. Geckles
GUNTERSVILLE - Thelma Elizabeth Geckles, 85, of 584 Burroughs Road, died Friday at her home. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Claysville Holiness Church.
Burial will be in Old Prospect Cemetery with Carr Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include two daughters, Wilda Smith and Shelley Tapscott, both of Guntersville; three sons, Paul Geckles, J.C. Geckles and Norman Geckles, all of Guntersville; one sister, Katie Dunn of Guntersville; one brother, Cleo Pendergrass of Guntersville; and 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Airtis L. Kritner
FALKVILLE - Airtis LaWayne Kritner, 48, of 25 Douglas Road died Thursday at his home. The funeral will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at Roundtop Community Church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery with Blountsville Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Kritner was a former resident of Blountsville.
Survivors include three daughters, Samantha Beth Kritner, Sarah Lindsey Kritner and Jenna Jill Kritner, all of Birmingham; his mother, Merle Annie Junkins Kritner of Falkville; his former wife, Kristine Kritner of Birmingham; two brothers, Greg Kritner and Steven Kritner, both of Falkville; and three sisters, Pamela Kritner of Falkville, Cindy Rondeau and Kathy Cranor, both of Washington.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
James C. Lemley
NEW HOPE - James Calvin Lemley, 74, of 2130 Paint Rock Road died Thursday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at New Hope Funeral Home with the Rev. J.W. Atchley officiating.
Burial will be in Hayden Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, John Lemley of New Hope; and four sisters, Janie Atchley of Guntersville, Merline Dollar, Georgie Jones, and Lillian Posey, all of New Hope.
Jessica McAfee
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Jessica McAfee, 80, of 1307 Bagley Drive died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Sunday at 1 p.m. at McCauley Funeral Home with the Rev. Virgil Bailey officiating.
Miss McAfee was a native of Lincoln County. She was a retired school teacher and a member of Boonshill Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Clark McAfee, and two brothers, Stephen Joseph McAfee and James F. McAfee.
Survivors include two sisters, Marian McAfee and Frances Fitzsimmons, both of Fayetteville; one niece, Rose Ann Vowell of Monticello, Ga.; and one nephew, John Fitzsimmons of Petersburg, Tenn.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Karen Payne
HAZEL GREEN - Karen Payne, 57, died Thursday at her home. The funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home with the Rev. Thomas Perrin officiating.
Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery.
Mrs. Payne was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Payne of Hazel Green ; one daughter, Terry Lee Payne Alexander of Hazel Green ; one son, William Ray Payne of Hazel Green ; two sisters, Sandra K. Sanders of Hazel Green and Angela Cleckler of Millbrook; two brothers, Wayne Petty of Houston, Texas and Gary Petry of Trafford; and two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Philomena Purington
Philomena ''Doe Purington, 84, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local nursing home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Purington was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. George I. Purington.
Survivors include one son, Albert Bintliff of Florida; one daughter, Cecilia Troupe of Lancaster, Pa.; two sisters, Viola Tedeschi and Violet Pacana, both of Coatesville, Pa.; and 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Olath Rives
ALBERTVILLE - Olath ''Zac Rives, 78, of 418 Teague St., died Friday at his home. A graveside service will be Sunday at 4 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery with Adams Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his wife, Essie Rives; two sons, Lawrence Rives of Birmingham and Mike Rives of Northport; one stepdaughter, Brenda Levie of Memphis; one sister, Norma Garrett of Oneonta; three brothers, Deleath Rives of Gadsden and Eldon Rives and Ottis Rives, both of Tennessee; and four grandchildren.
Lucille Roberts
Lucille Roberts, 70, of Huntsville died Friday at her home. A graveside service will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Faith Memorial Park with the Rev. Jeff Cook and James Wessells officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruby J. Baker and Elsie Pezzano, both of Huntsville; two sons, Wayne Knighten and Clifton Knighten, both of Huntsville; one sister, Grace Flunory of Florida; and 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today at 2 p.m. until time of the service at 3410 7th Ave.
William E. Tate
JASPER - William Earl Tate, 77, died Wednesday at a local hospital. A graveside service will be today at 11 a.m. at Walker Memory Gardens with the Rev. Jonathan Mayhall officiating.
Mr. Tate was a former resident of Huntsville. He was a longtime resident and business man in Jasper and was owner and operator of Downtown Motors until his retirement. He was preceded in death by one son, Andrew S. Tate, and one sister, Kathleen Cobb.
Survivors include his wife, Hildegard Tate; five sons, Michael Tate, William Earl Tate Jr., James L. Tate, Nathan L. Tate and Lonnie G. Tate; three daughters, Margrit Tate of Boaz, Karen Shaw and Ronnie Elizabeth Ann Carroll; two sisters, Minerva Higgins and Vera Sue Weaver; and 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Brenda J. Thomas
LEBANON, Tenn. - Brenda Jean Thomas, 44, died Thursday at a Nashville hospital. The funeral will be today at 11 a.m. at Gallant Funeral Home in Fayetteville with the Rev. Donald Owens officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Thomas was a native of Lincoln County and a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Wade Thomas of Lebanon; her parents, Oscar and Christine Poole of Elkton; three sisters, Debra Kay Edens of Prospect, Pamela Gale Meadows of Nashville and Sherri Cashion of Fayetteville; and one brother, Bobby Poole of Fayetteville.
8/9/99
Icey Barrett
STEVENSON - Icey Barrett, 101, died Saturday at a Jackson County Nursing Home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home with the Rev. Jay Goodine officiating.
Burial will be in Long Acre Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Peggy Tim of Atlanta; one son, Herman Emmett Barrett of Stevenson; two sisters, Irene Helton of Hollywood and Ila Coffey of Virginia Beach, Va.; and eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild.
Visitation will be Tuesday at 2 p.m., followed by a wake from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Kevin L. Bone
Kevin Lamar Bone, 18, of Huntsville died Friday. The funeral will be Wednesday at noon at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in New Market with the Rev. Leroy Cole officiating.
Burial will be in Indian Creek Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his mother, Cynthia Bone Tibbs of Huntsville; his father, William Larry Garth Sr.; two sisters, Lybrease Bone and Ramona Tibbs, both of Huntsville; five brothers, Dwight Tibbs Jr., William Garth Jr., Boris Garth and Maurice Garth, all of Huntsville, and Quentin Garth of Austell, Ga.; and grandparents, David and Sara Bone and Dan Tibbs Jr., all of Huntsville.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Florence S. Byars
MADISON - Florence S. Byars, 75, died Sunday at a Fayetteville, Tenn., nursing home. No funeral is planned.
Valhalla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse L. Byars.
Survivors include one son, Edwin E. Butler of Huntsville; one brother, Charles O. Seiler of Truth or Consequences, N.M.; and one grandson, Kevin L. Butler of Huntsville.
Mason S. Dyar
Mason Smith Dyar, infant son of Peter and Bobbie Jo Dyar of Huntsville, died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Huntsville Memory Gardens with Pastor Washio Ishii officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Other survivors include grandparents, Connie Cloud King of Fayetteville, Tenn., Mary Dyar of Huntsville and Berry Dyar of Boaz; and great-grandparents, Betty and Bud Cloud of Huntsville.
J.V. Gilbert
HENAGAR - J.V. Gilbert, 82, died Saturday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Kerby Funeral Home with the Rev. Greg Phillips, the Rev. Edgar Brown, the Rev. Ralph Heard and the Rev. Hubert Wilburn officiating.
Burial was to be in Green haven Memorial Gardens in Henagar.
Mr. Gilbert was retired from Concrete Forms of Chattanooga. He had served 10 years on the Henagar City Council.
Survivors include his wife Gerlene Gilbert; two daughters, Lucretia Murdock and Sandra Phillips, both of Henagar; one son, Jimmy Gilbert of Henagar; one sister, Geneva Garner of Henagar; three brothers, Thomas Gilbert, Junnie B. Gilbert and Hansell Gilbert, all of Henagar; and six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Evelyn M. Hanning
WETUMPKA - Evelyn M. Hanning, 36, died Saturday. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Alabama Heritage Cemetery in Montgomery.
Alabama Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Survivors include her husband, David M. Hanning of Wetumpka, formerly of Huntsville; one daughter, Evelyn Grace Hanning of Wetumpka; and her father, John Marcinowski of Cullman.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Charles W. Knight Jr.
Charles Wrenshall "Chip" Knight Jr., 51, of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mr. Knight was a graduate of Vanderbilt University, a retired grants coordinator for the City of Huntsville, a historian and author, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and Lodge No. 1648 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and was featured in the "Whos Who of American Business Leaders 1994-1995."
Survivors include one sister, Jane Knight Lanyon of Birmingham; several cousins, including Robert Bruce Culver of Huntsville; and several aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Charles Knight Charitable Trust in care of Church of the Nativity Episcopal, 208 Eustis Ave., Huntsville, 35801.
Willie L. Murphree
ARAB - Willie Lee ''Bud Murphree, 82, of Arab died Saturday at a Guntersville nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Rock Springs Methodist Church.
Burial was to be in the adjoining cemetery with Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include one daughter, Freda Sims of Guntersville; two sons, Gary Murphree of Arab and Wade Murphree of Chattanooga; two sisters, Cora Henry of Arab and Lena Mount of Tarrant; one brother, Claudie Murphree of Brooksville; and five grandchildren.
Bessie A. Pendley
BOAZ - Bessie Ann Pendley, 86, of 344 West Road died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 3:30 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Burial was to be in Bethany Cemetery.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Zona Blackburn, and one son, Travis Pendley.
Survivors include seven daughters, Betty Spinks and Sandra Hetherington, both of Georgia, Shelby Hayes of Sylacauga, Linda Hammett and Cindy Williams, both of Boaz, Sherry Sutphin of Gardendale and Deborah Greeson of Florida; three sons, Bill Pendley and Gary Pendley, both of Albertville, and Bobby Pendley of Georgia; and 29 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Nan Posey
FLINTVILLE, Tenn. - Nan Posey, 63, of Stewart Chapel Road died Saturday at a Fayetteville, Tenn., hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home chapel in Fayetteville with the Rev. Benny Berry officiating.
Burial will be in Britton Cemetery with Gallant Funeral Home of Fayetteville in charge.
Mrs. Posey was a native of Madison County and a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and had worked for Chrysler Corp.
Survivors include one son, Rickey Posey of Flintville; four sisters, Ann Corie of Hazel Green, Rachel Rutledge of Flintville and Vera Murdock and Sara Coble, both of Fayetteville; and five brothers, David Britton of Elora, Tenn., Rufus Britton of Paint Rock, Joseph Edward Britton of Winchester, Tenn., and Robert Britton and Charlie Britton, both of Hazel Green .
Visitation will be today from 4 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Sue R. Ross
HARTSELLE - Sue R. Ross, 68, died Saturday at a local hospital. Peck Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Cymanthia M. Sisco
NEW HOPE - Cymanthia Mae Sisco, 95, died Saturday at a local nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at New Hope Funeral Home chapel with Bill Gipson officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Sarah Koger of Huntsville; three grandchildren, Eddie Koger, Karen Koger Duncan and Danny Koger, all of Huntsville; and three great-grandchildren.
