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. Beierle
William Frank Beierle, 78, of Huntsville died Saturday. The memorial service will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Hal Oakley officiating.
Burial will be in Hollywood Memorial Park in Union, N.J., with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Beierle was a University of Alabama graduate. He was a deacon and trustee at the church and was a retired environmental engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers.
Survivors include three daughters, Kathleen Beierle Obra of Cypress, Calif., Deborah Beierle Dunlap of Hillsboro, Texas, and Cheryl Beierle Browning of Hollywood, Fla.; one son, Robert Beierle Browning of Diamond Bar, Calif.; and six grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the churchs Helping Hand Fund at 301 Drake Ave. S.E. in Huntsville, 35802.
Robert L. Birdsong
HARVEST - Robert Louis Birdsong, 57, died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Beaver Dam Independent Church with the Rev. Eric Peeples officiating.
Burial will be in St. James Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include two sons, Roger Birdsong and Robert Birdsong Jr.; his mother, Zera Birdsong of Harvest; three sisters, Mary Crutcher of Harvest, Joyce Sales and Kathy Birdsong Brooks, both of Huntsville; his grandmother, Lillian Maples of Huntsville; and eight grandchildren.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Gertrude L. Counts
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Gertrude Langford Counts, 83, died Saturday at a local nursing home. A graveside service was to be today at 3 p.m. at Flintville Cemetery with Pastor Tommy Graham officiating.
Higgins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Counts was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Lee Counts.
Survivors include one son, Mack Counts of Fayetteville; one daughter, Janice Thompson of Fayetteville; and two grandsons and two great-grandchildren.
Hazel Duke
HENAGAR - Hazel Duke, 86, died Sunday in Chattanooga. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Kerby Funeral Home.
Burial will be in New Home Cemetery.
Mrs. Duke was a member of New Home Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Wesley Duke; one son, Ned Duke of Ringgold, Ga.; three sisters, Norene Fuller of Rossville, Ga., and Odie Reeves and Jeanette Cox, both of Trenton, Ga.; one brother, Cecil Gilbreath of Trenton; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Joseph M. Gentle
Joseph Melvin Gentle, 64, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at East Huntsville Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Woodward officiating.
Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Gentle was a lifelong Huntsville resident and worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 32 years.
Survivors include his wife, Bettie Gentle of Huntsville; one son, Mickey Gentle of Huntsville; one brother, Leonard Gentle of Huntsville; five sisters, Edna Jones and Stella Buffaloe, both of Huntsville; Frances Neeley of Scottsboro; Katherine Parton of Bessemer; and Christine Costin of Menifree, Calif.; and several other relatives.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
William J. Gibson
ALBERTVILLE - William Junior Gibson, 73, of 142 Lazy Creek Road, died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Albertville Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in South Cemetery of Blountsville.
Survivors include his wife, Ida Mae Gibson; two daughters, Mary Sampson and Diane Chamblee, both of Albertville; five sons, Larry Gibson, Terry Gibson and Ricky Gibson, all of Albertville, Jimmy Gibson of Cullman and Ted Gibson of South Carolina; four sisters, Iva Lee Breedlove of Boaz, Marie Turner of Albertville, Viola Trussell of Cullman and Mary Harris of Hanceville; one brother, Jesse Gibson of Cullman, and 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Betty Grayson
FINGER, Tenn. - Betty Wilson Parks Grayson, 84, died Sunday at a Selmer, Tenn., hospital. The funeral was to be today at 3 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Home in Savannah, Tenn.
Burial was in Lebanon Cemetery near Michie, Tenn.
Mrs. Grayson was a native of Madison County.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Noles of Lafayette, Tenn., and Annie Lee Fanning of Tullahoma, Tenn.; one son, Roger Grayson of Guys, Tenn.; one sister, Pearl Oliver of New Market; and six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.
Albie M. Hanzlik
Albie Marjorie Hanzlik, 84, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Valhalla Memory Gardens Chapel of Devotion with Chaplin Mark Brown officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Hanzlik was a native of Cicero, Ill., and was a resident of Madison County for 40 years. She was an art teacher with the Senior Center, member of the Huntsville Obedience Training Club and the National Humane Society. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Carl J. Hanzlik III.
Survivors include one son, Carl J. Hanzlik of Huntsville; one granddaughter, Valerie Davis of Huntsville; and two great-grandchildren and a number of other relatives.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society or to the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Beulah M. Hastie
Beulah Mae Hastie, 93, of Huntsville died today at a local nursing home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce arrangements.
Mrs. Hastie was a resident of Huntsville since 1976, a member of First United Methodist Church and the Hospitality and Friendship Club.
Survivors include one sister, Pearl Brennaman of Huntsville; and several nieces and nephews, including Donald Becher of California.
James C. Jackson
ROGERSVILLE - James Countis Jackson, 81, died Saturday at a Florence hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Athens with Jimmy Grisham officiating.
Burial was to be in Wallace Cemetery.
Mr. Jackson was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was a retired farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Jackson; five sons, James Jackson of Stevenson, Robert Earl Jackson of Smyrna, Doyce ''Buck Jackson of Greenville, N.C., Turner Jackson and Lynn Jackson, both of Rogersville; four daughters, Annette Davis of Athens, Virginia Irene McKelvey of Rogersville, Deborah Elaine Thompson of Center Star, Corrine White of Decatur; one stepson, Danny Fincher of Toney; two stepdaughters, Shirley Emery of Tampa, Fla., and Susan Kay Whitfield of Deatville; one brother, W.T. ''Junior Jackson of Rogersville; one sister, Nadean Waddell of Rogersville; 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Porter E. Kirkland
GRANT - Porter E. Kirkland, 76, died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Grant Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Kennamer officiating.
Burial will be in Free Home Cemetery.
Mr. Kirkland was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II. He worked as a brick mason for most of his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Theda Kennamer Kirkland; one sister, Pauline Wagle; and one brother, Gordon Kirkland.
Survivors include one son, Thomas E. Kirkland of Woodville; one daughter, Rhonda Gail Meadows of Madison; three brothers, James W. Kirkland, Jack Kirkland and Samuel Kirkland, all of Grant; three sisters, Ruby Lonas and Sue Treadwell, both of Sweetwater, Tenn., and Joyce Kennamer of Woodville; and two granddaughters.
Visitation is today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Helen V. Moore
GRANT - Helen Virginia Moore, 60, died Saturday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at New Hope Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Wilmon officiating.
Burial was to be in Panquin Cemetery in Grant.
Survivors include her husband, Rayburn Burrough; one daughter, Mickey Moore of Arizona; two sons, Rocky Randles of Grant and Tony Randles of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; two brothers, Billy Martin of Grant and Houston Martin of Albertville; one sister, Ruby Walls of Grant; and three grandchildren.
Ralph L. Ogle
Ralph L. Ogle, 65, of Huntsville died Saturday in El Paso, Texas. The graveside service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Huntsville Memory Gardens with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Ogle was retired from the U.S. Army and was employed with SCI for more than 20 years. He was a member of Huntsville Park Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Charlene M. Ogle; one daughter, Felicia Sisk of Huntsville; one son, Allan Ogle of Huntsville; his mother, Lora Ann Ogle of Maryville, Tenn.; two brothers, Don Estell Ogle of Ackworth, Ga., and William Clell Ogle of Strawberry Plains, Tenn.; and three grandchildren, Matthew Durham, Bryan Durham and Savannah Ogle.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Floyd S. Shelton
Floyd S. ''Jug Shelton, 82, of Huntsville died today in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Bishop officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Shelton was a native of Jackson County but was a lifelong resident of Madison County. He was retired from the City of Huntsville and was a World War II veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Shelton; two sons, Ricky Shelton of Huntsville and Wayne Shelton of Dallas, Ga.; two brothers, Howard Shelton and Thomas Shelton, both of Huntsville; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Charlotte F. Still
Charlotte Falconnier Still, 76, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Hal Oakley officiating.
A private Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Still was a native of Nashville, grew up in Knoxville and had been a resident of Huntsville since 1962. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and served four years as a mission volunteer to establish Hope Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Westbury Garden Club, Hospitality Club and Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.
Mrs. Still was past president of the Huntsville Womens Club and worked for 20 years as a volunteer at Huntsville Hospital, serving once as president of the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, James E. Still Sr.; one daughter, Anne Still Gardepe of Orlando; three sons, James E. Still Jr. of Tucson, Ariz., Joe A. Still and Stanley A. Still, both of Huntsville; one sister, Lucinda Duggan of Maryville, Tenn.; and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the church or the American Diabetes Association.
Dorothy M. Watson
DESTIN, Fla. - Dorothy McPherson Watson, 64, died Tuesday at a Fort Walton Beach hospital. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Kimbro Funeral Home in Marks, Miss.
Burial will be in Marks Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Ted Watson; one son, Bill Watson of Buford, Ga.; one daughter, Nancy Watson of Memphis; and two sisters, Helen Boyd and Ann Parent, both of Huntsville.
Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.
Paul Webb
SCOTTSBORO - Paul Webb, 57, died Saturday at his home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home with the Rev. Johnny Woodall officiating.
Burial was to be in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens in Hollywood.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Webb; one daughter, Jennifer Cox of Huntsville; one son, Charles Webb of Huntsville; one stepdaughter, Cindy Kent; one sister, Linda Webb of Scottsboro; two brothers, David Webb of Scottsboro and Charles Webb of Neward, Del.; and six grandchildren.
Lovie Williams
BOAZ - Lovie Odell Higgingbotham Williams, 93, of 84 Mount Vernon Homes, died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 11 a.m. at Albertville Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was in Lathamville Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Umphrey of Boaz and Jewell Lackey of Gadsden; two sons, Jerry Williams of Boaz and A.V. Williams of Florida; one half-brother, Jason Higgingbotham of Gadsden; and 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren. Other Deaths
Glen Payne
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Gospel singer Glen Payne, the lead vocalist of the Cathedrals, died Friday. He was 72.
Payne was diagnosed with liver cancer six weeks ago.
During Paynes nearly 60 years in gospel music, his group won numerous awards and was nominated for 11 Grammys.
His work was honored by the Gospel Music Associations Hall of Fame, the Texas Music Hall of Fame, the Southern Gospel Music Associations Hall of Fame and the Radio Music Hall of Fame.
From 1951 to 1957, Payne sang in the Stamps-Ozark Quartet before leaving to join the Weatherfords.
In 1963, Payne formed a trio to perform at evangelist Rex Humbards Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio. George Younce joined the trio and it changed its name to the Cathedral Quartet.
Payne and Younce became constants in the group that would feature 17 other members over the next 35 years on its way to becoming a pre-eminent gospel group.
Jean Shepherd
NEW YORK - Jean Shepherd, the prolific radio raconteur whose easy storytelling style earned comparisons to Mark Twain, died Saturday near his home in Sanibel Island, Fla. He was 78.
Shepherd, once described by media critic Marshall McLuhan as "the first radio novelist," spent 21 years on WOR-AM in New York City, attracting a large, loyal following along the Eastern seaboard.
He worked without a script, conjuring tales based on his Indiana upbringing, creating characters like his alter-ego, Ralph Parker, and his neighbors, the Bumpuses.
In a move that likely inspired the climactic scene in the movie "Network," Shepherd would tell his listeners to crank up the volume on their radios and scream along with him. "Drop the tools, weve got you covered!" was one of Shepherds favorite shout-along phrases.
Shepherd, while best known for his radio work, excelled as a multimedia performer. His films included the 1983 classic "A Christmas Story," a sardonic account that he wrote and narrated.
His writing appeared in a vast assortment of publications, from The New York Times to the National Lampoon. He wrote several books, including 1966s "In God We Trust" and the 1971 story collection, "Wanda Hickeys Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters."
