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.
Randall W. Beyer
Randall W. Beyer, 47, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The memorial service will be Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Billy Loveday officiating.
Mr. Beyer was a native of Pontiac, Mich., and had lived in Huntsville 20 years. He was an Army veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Elaine Beyer of Huntsville; one daughter, Rebecca Beyer of Huntsville; one son, Randall Beyer Jr. of Huntsville; his mother, Ruth Turner of Michigan; one brother, Rob Beyer of Michigan; one stepsister, Judy Brewer of Indiana; one stepson, Jim Turner of Michigan; and two grandchildren.
Robert G. Boyer
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Robert George Boyer, 72, died Wednesday. Dobies Funeral Home of New Port Richey handled arrangements.
Mr. Boyer was a native of Malone, N.Y., and had moved to Huntsville in 1980 where he worked as a computer engineer at Marshall Space Flight Center for 13 years. He was a World War II Army veteran.
Survivors include one son, Robert Boyer of Alabaster; one daughter, Mary Beth Blakey of New Port Richey; and four grandchildren.
Robert F. Brender
Robert F. Brender, 76, of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. There will be a private funeral.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Rathia Fields Brender of Huntsville; two stepdaughters, Sherry Wiesener of Las Vegas and Marcia Harbin of Huntsville; one stepson, J.B. Russell Jr. of Collinsville, Ill.; one brother, Johnny Brender of Peoria, Ill.; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Richard H. Bush Jr.
Richard H. Bush Jr., 56, of 3308 Delia Lane N.W. died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Julius R. Scruggs officiating.
Burial will be in Indian Creek Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Bush was an active member of the church, where he served on the Senior Usher Board. He was in the Marine Corps 10 years, served two tours of duty in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart. He was also retired after 21 years as an Alabama state trooper. He graduated from William Hooper Councill High School, the first public school for blacks in Huntsville. He was also a member of the William Hooper Councill Alumni Association.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Fitcheard Bush of Huntsville; two daughters, LeAnn Bush Covington and Felecia Bush Brooks, both of Huntsville; three sisters, Margaret B. Darwin, Annie B. Burwell and Daisy B. Jefferson, all of Huntsville; one brother, James Bush of Pulaski, Tenn.; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be today at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Ozela V. Collier
Ozela V. Collier, 78, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Charity Cemetery with Pat Fanning officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mrs. Collier was a native of Neptune, Tenn., and had lived in Huntsville since 1950. She was a member of Heritage Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, A.F. Collier.
Survivors include one son, Gary Collier of Marietta, Ga.; two daughters, Faye Collier and Vicki Brigman, both of Huntsville; and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lenore M. Eacret
REIDLAND, Ky. - Lenore M. Eacret, 75, died Sunday. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Reidland United Methodist Church in Paducah with the Rev. Glenn Hill officiating. The graveside service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Brenton Cemetery in Piper City, Ill., with the Rev. Dori Hudson officiating.
Milner and Orr Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Survivors include her husband, Jay L. Eacret of Reidland; one son, Steven T. Eacret of Madison; and two granddaughters.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to the church.
William A. Fischer
William August Fischer, 70, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church with the Rev. Bernard Ansorge officiating.
Burial will be Friday at 11 a.m. at West View Cemetery in Atlanta with Spry Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Fischer was a native of Georgia and had lived in Huntsville 26 years. He retired from Lockheed after working there 40 years.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Fischer of Huntsville; two sons, William Harry Fischer of Birmingham and John David Fischer of Augusta, Ga.; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ruby L. Frazier
ARDMORE, Ala. - Ruby L. Frazier, 82, of Gatlin Road died Sunday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 1 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home chapel in Hazel Green with Richard Harp officiating.
Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery in Hazel Green .
Mrs. Frazier was a native of Jackson County, a member of Mastin Lake Church of Christ and a homemaker.
Survivors include three daughters, Carol F. McNair and Robbie Frazier, both of Ardmore, Ala., and Joyce Foster of Muscle Shoals; one son, Dennis Ford of Florence; one brother, Clay W. Barnett of Birmingham; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation was to be today from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Daisy D. Harrison
MADISON - Daisy D. Harrison, 82, died Monday in Gallatin, Tenn. Madison Chapel Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Glasgow of Madison and Willa Dean Brann of Gallatin; three brothers, Hardin Cagle of Tiptonville, Tenn., and Ulliys Cagle and Elton Cagle, both of Brilliant; and six grandchildren and eight grandchildren.
Elizabeth V. Herrin
Elizabeth V. Herrin, 87, of Huntsville died Monday at a local nursing home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Holmes Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dalton B. Styes officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Herrin was a lifetime member of the church, where she taught Sunday school and was active in United Methodist Women. She was a member of the board of the Friends of the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library and was preceded in death by her husband, Claude U. Herrin; and one son, Joe Donald Herrin.
Survivors include one son, James N. Herrin of Vestavia Hills; one daughter, Barbara Mason of Ocean Springs, Miss.; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Her body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
Memorial donations may be made to the church or a favorite charity.
Billy L. Higginbotham
SCOTTSBORO - Billy Lee Higginbotham, 79, died Wednesday. The funeral was Friday at First United Methodist Church in Scottsboro with the Rev. George Cobb officiating.
Burial was in Cedar Hill Cemetery with Scottsboro Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Higginbotham was the owner-operator of Higginbotham Wholesale, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Scottsboro Masonic Lodge No. 357.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Higginbotham; four daughters, Peggy Drews of Richmond, Va., Billie Maples of Toledo, Ohio, and Rachel Turner Elizabeth Annette Wayne, both of Scottsboro; three sisters, Mattie Bush of Chattanooga, Ruth Clapper of Oxford, Ala., and Edith Woodall of Rossville, Ga.; two brothers, Jessie Higginbotham of Cullman and Robert Higginbotham of Scottsboro; and nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Don E. Jewell
Don Edward Jewell of Huntsville died Monday. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Freida Jewell of Huntsville; three sons, Jeremy Jewell, Jeffrey Jewell and Jesse Jewel, all of Huntsville; two sisters, Charlene Todd and Pat Goode, both of Athens; and one granddaughter and several aunts and uncles.
Louise H. Jones
PULASKI, Tenn. - Louise Hall Jones, 73, died Sunday. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Taylor-Ardmore Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery.
Mrs. Jones was a member of Cash Point Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, James Clinton Hall of Elkmont, Ala.; two daughters, Brenda Vasser of Atlanta and Sandra Roper of Toney; one sister, Trudell Jones of Madison; one brother, William Davis of Toney; and eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Opal V. Kelley
GUNTERSVILLE - Opal Virgie Kelley, 73, died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Gober Funeral Home in Arab.
Burial will be in Rice Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Kelley; two daughters, Wanda Tacker and Linda Mason, both of Guntersville; two sons, Frank Huff and Odis Huff, both of Albertville; one stepdaughter, Rebecca Marsh of Guntersville; two stepsons, Phil Kelley and Jud Kelley, both of Guntersville; mother, Ethel Royster of Morgan City; two sisters, Willodeyan Sanders of Grassy and Nadine Smith of Arab; four brothers, Richard Royster of Ruth, Grady Royster of Huntsville, Albert Royster of Morgan City and Williams Royster of Texas; and 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Eula P. LaFevor
GUNTERSVILLE - Eula Pearl LaFevor, 86, of 520 Point of Pines died Sunday at a local nursing home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Guntersville Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Happy Home Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Myrtle E. Morris of Guntersville and Nettie F. Bodine of Albertville; two sons, Charles E. LaFevor of Texas and Rev. Howard E. LaFevor of Huntsville; one half-sister, Doris Small of Texas; and 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 6 p.m. tonight.
Joseph Nolan
ATHENS - Joseph Nolan, 60, of 23164 Black Road died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Tim Keenum officiating.
Burial will be in Sardis Springs Cemetery.
Mr. Nolan worked at Testing Inc. in Decatur and was a member of Elkton Road Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Nanci Nolan of Athens; three sons, John Nolan of Reading, Pa., David Hall of Nashville and Bobby Hall of Huntsville; three daughters, Gwyn Nolan of New Orleans, Marcy Bell of Philadelphia and Brandi Hall of Huntsville; one sister, Beatrice Miller of Allentown, Pa.; five brothers, Mike Nolan of Newfoundland, Canada, Cyryl Nolan of Canada, Willie Nolan of England, John Nolan of Calgary, Canada, and Frank Nolan of Scotland; and seven grandchildren.
Walter L. Power
MADISON - Walter Lee ''Walt Power, 67, died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Valhalla Memory Gardens with the Rev. Joe Tallyn officiating.
Spry Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mr. Power was a native of South Carolina and had lived in Madison County 33 years. He retired from Boeing and was a Navy veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Power; one daughter, Fonda Young of Huntsville; one son, Walter Power Jr. of Huntsville; five sisters, Joyce Humphries, Lamatrell Smith, Marcia Power and Myrna Mann, all of South Carolina, and Shirley Gore of North Carolina; five brothers, Wallace Power of Huntsville, Wayne Power, Michael Power and Gene Power, all of South Carolina, and Larry Power of Washington; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Family Care.
Joseph L. Roberson
OWENS CROSS ROADS - Joseph L. Roberson, 40, died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Bill Cowley officiating.
Mr. Roberson was a native of Versailles, Ky., and had lived in Madison County 13 years. He worked at Luna Tech Inc. and was an Air Force veteran and a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his father and stepmother, Joseph and Linda Roberson of Laceys Spring; his mother, Mary E. Gastiger of Florida; three sisters, Elisha Howard of Laceys Spring and Kimberly Gastiger and Cindy Gastiger, both of Florida; four brothers, Jesse Roberson, James Roberson and Clay Roberson, all of Laceys Spring, and Gary Potts of Florida; and grandmother, Helen Roberson of Elizabethtown, Tenn.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the AIDS Action Coalition or SouthernCare Hospice.
Hulen L. Sanders
NEW ALBANY, Miss. - Hulen Louis Sanders, 60, died Monday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at United Funeral Service chapel with the Rev. Larry Harrison officiating.
Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery.
Mr. Sanders was formerly of Huntsville. He was the retired manager of Ultraclean Dry Cleaners in Huntsville.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Medlin Sanders of New Albany; three daughters, Lorrie Mayo of Arcadia, Wis., Missy Dillard of Gulfport, Miss., and Glenda Moyers of Huntsville; three sons, Junior Sanders and Adam Sanders, both of New Albany, and Danny Sanders; two sisters, Irene Tucker of Amory, Miss., and Juanita Campbell of Chunky, Miss.; one brother, Jerry Sanders of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and six grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Buster Smith
ATHENS - Buster "Buck" Smith, 87, died Monday at his home. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with Jimmy Clark officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Grace Smith.
Survivors include one son, Carey B. Smith of Atlanta; four daughters, Faye Menefee and Pat Statum, both of Athens, Frances Carter of Toney and Betty Bryant of Madison; four sisters, Melvina Foster, Lois Smith, Gertrude Reavis and Mary Byars, all of Huntsville; and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Virginia C. Ward
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Virginia Counts Ward, 62, of 133 High Ave. died Sunday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 1 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Van Johnson and the Rev. James Barnes officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Ward was a member of Flintville Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Reynolds Ward Jr. of Fayetteville; one son, Steve Ward of Fayetteville; her mother, Margie Wells Counts of Flintville; three sisters, Laura Mae Goosby of Fayetteville, Anneva Holland of Blanche, Tenn., and Marie Walker of Birmingham; three brothers, Barkley Counts and Lawson Counts, both of Fayetteville, and Lonny Counts of Flintville, Tenn.; and one granddaughter.
Norton Weems
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Norton Weems, 88, died Monday at his home. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mr. Weems was formerly of Hartselle.
Survivors include one daughter, Dorothy Sue Weems Alvord of Charlotte; one son, Lindsey Weems of Birmingham; and two sisters, two brothers, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
