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.
Elizabeth L. Cooper
MADISON - Dr. Elizabeth Lowrey Cooper, 64, died Saturday at her home. The funeral was today at 10 a.m. at Harris Funeral Home chapel of Geraldine with the Rev. Larry Wright officiating.
Burial was in Geraldine Cemetery.
Mrs. Cooper was formerly of Boaz.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Cooper of Madison; two daughters, Beth Keij of Mountain View, Calif., and Becky Palek of Madison; two sisters, Eleanor Lindsay of Hilderbran, N.C., and Shirley Collins of Decatur, Ga.; and two grandchildren.
Richard O. Crutcher
HAZEL GREEN - Richard Oscar Crutcher, 84, died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Huntsville Memory Gardens with the Rev. Brooks Barkley officiating.
Gallant Funeral Home of Hazel Green is in charge of burial.
Mr. Crutcher was a native of Madison County, a retired carpenter and farmer, a World War II Army veteran and a member of West Huntsville Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lelon Brooks Crutcher of Hazel Green ; one daughter, Mary Ann Cantrell of Hazel Green ; two sons, Donald R. Crutcher of Hazel Green and Richard O. Crutcher Jr. of Taft, Tenn.; two brothers, Thomas R. Crutcher Jr. of Huntsville and David M. Crutcher of Toney; and six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Rex Culpepper Jr.
FORT PAYNE - Rex Culpepper Jr., 63, died Sunday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel in Rainsville with the Rev. Jerald Townsel officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Survivors include three daughters, Deloris Ann Thompson of Dawson, Christine Godwin of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Linda Younger of Detroit; two sons, Rex Bruce Culpepper of Fyffe and Michael Culpepper of Gaylesville; three sisters, Barbara Benton and Pauline Benefield, both of Chattanooga, and Lucille Bradley of Leesburg; two brothers, Jim Culpepper of Rainsville and Dan Culpepper of Trion, Ga.; and 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be today at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lovenia M. Edwards
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. - Lovenia M. Edwards, 86, died Sunday at a Hartford, Conn., hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. John Sayer officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Edwards was formerly of Madison County and was a member of First Assembly of God Church and Madison Assembly Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruth Rosborough of Connecticut and Dr. Deborah Barnhart of Florida; one son, David A. Edwards of Virginia; and six grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Huntsville/Madison County Botanical Garden, Salvation Army or the Downtown Rescue Mission.
Walter C. Haney
VALHERMOSO SPRINGS - Walter C. ''Pat'' Haney, 84, of 153 Mount Moriah Circle died Sunday at a Huntsville hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Morgan City Church of God.
Burial was to be in Rescue Cemetery with Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Haney; two daughters, Patsy Cruce of Jasper and Sandra Steadham of Morgan City; two sons, Jerry Haney of Arley and Steve Haney of Morgan City; one sister, Mildred Stone of Beaverton; two brothers, Benny Haney of Mississippi and Roland Haney of Sulligent; and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Myrtle Helton
ARAB - Myrtle Helton, 89, of Arab died Sunday at a local hospital. The graveside service was today at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Iuka, Miss.
Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of burial.
Survivors include one daughter, Pat Nelson of Arab; and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Francis M. Hill
DECATUR - Francis Marie Hill, 69, died Sunday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Shelton Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Gentry officiating.
Burial will be in Johnson Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by one son, Allen Hill.
Survivors include her husband, Van B. Hill of Decatur; two sons, Kenneth Wayne Hill and Tony Michael Hill, both of Decatur; two daughters, Margie Ellen Rogers and Jean Hammack, both of Decatur; two sisters, Brenda Stone and Joyce Russell, both of Decatur; and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Linda S. Hines
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - Linda Sartain Hines, 54, of 52 West Prospect Road died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Curtis Ivey officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Hines was a native of Grundy County, Tenn., but had lived in Lincoln County, Tenn., 35 years. She was a homemaker and a member of Park City Church of Christ.
Survivors include her husband, Ronnie Hines of Fayetteville; one son, Michael Ray Hines of Hazel Green ; one daughter, Holly Hines Kirkland of Hazel Green ; one sister, Carolyn Bowen of Fayetteville; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
David C. Hornsby
David Charles Hornsby, 48, of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be today at 6 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel.
Mr. Hornsby was a native of Jacksonville, Fla., but spent most his life in Madison County. He worked at C.B. Batts Garage and was a Vietnam War veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Hornsby of Huntsville; three stepsons, Troy Baker, Chad Baker and Johnny Paul Baker, all of Huntsville; his mother, Margaret B. Hornsby of Conyers, Ga.; one sister, Dianne H. Still of Conyers; and one brother, Robert "Don" Hornsby of Huntsville.
Ruth W. Jones
Ruth W. Jones, 81, of Huntsville died Sunday at a local hospital. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Coy Hallmark officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Mrs. Jones was a native of DeKalb County, member of First United Methodist Church, volunteer for the American Red Cross and was active with Meals on Wheels. She was preceded in death by her husband, William D. Jones.
Survivors include one daughter, Charlotte Doyle of Huntsville; one sister, Bonnie Beatus of Birmingham; one brother, Ralph Wilson of Gadsden; and one granddaughter, Carla Doyle of Huntsville.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.
Newman Jordan
The Rev. Newman Jordan, 101, of Huntsville died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Center Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles L. Hutchinson officiating.
Burial will be in Center Grove Cemetery with Nelms Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
The Rev. Mr. Jordan was a member of the church and a graduate of Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He was pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Triana, Mount Moriah United Methodist Church in Valhermoso Springs, St. Peter United Methodist Church in Madison, Antioch United Methodist Church in Atalla and St. Paul United Methodist Church in Stevenson.
Survivors include his wife, Estella Jordan of Huntsville; one son, Arthur Lee "Jack" Jordan of Huntsville; and three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
His body will be at the church one hour before the funeral.
James G. Lynch
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - James Glenn Lynch, 74, died Saturday. The funeral will be announced later.
Moss Feaster Funeral Home in Clearwater, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Lynch was a native of Madison County and had lived in Indianapolis.
Survivors include two sons, Gerald Lynch and Steven Lynch, both of Indianapolis; three daughters, Carol Brackin-Brewer and Pam Lynch, both of Indianapolis, and Judi Johnston of Harvest; one brother, Jesse Lynch of Zionsville, Ind.; one sister, Mildred Jean Ryan of Green field, Ind.; and six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 300 East Bay Drive, Largo, Fla., 34640.
Visitation was to be today from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Bonnie Mauk
Bonnie Mauk, 65, of Huntsville died Saturday in Birmingham. The funeral was Monday at Poplar Springs Church Cemetery in Tallapoosa, Ga., with Randy Pate officiating.
Miller Funeral Home of Tallapoosa is in charge of burial.
Mrs. Mauk was a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and had lived in Huntsville more than 25 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Leon Mauk.
Survivors include one son, Alan Mauk of Huntsville; one daughter, Susan Hicks of Birmingham; three sisters, Frances Holmes and Ben Ann Tomayko of Fort Worth, and Patricia Taylor of Carrollton, Ga.; two brothers, Jack Fuller of Morgantown, Ga., and Danny McCullough of Powder Springs, Ga.; and two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library Heritage Room, 915 Monroe St., Huntsville, 35801.
Joann G. Mosby
Joann Gray Mosby, 65, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church with the Rev. Phil O'Kennedy officiating.
Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mrs. Mosby was a native of Springfield, Mo., and had lived in Huntsville since 1976.
Survivors include one son, Randy Mosby of Sebastian, Fla.; two daughters, Andrea Morard of Madison and Kim Priest of Huntsville; one brother, Jack Gray of Springfield; two sisters, Mary Jean Berry of Arkansas and Margo Walsh of Springfield; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service following at the funeral home.
Willie E. Murphree
BLOUNTSVILLE - Willie E. Murphree, 81, of Blountsville died Sunday at an Arab nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Roswell Creek Baptist Church.
Burial was to be in the adjoining cemetery with Gober Funeral Home of Arab in charge.
Survivors include two daughters, Euither Mayo and Juanita Harris, both of Blountsville; two sons, Leon Murphree of Blountsville and Deon Murphree of Arab; four sisters, Nina Mayes of Cullman, Dossie Voss and Ollie Barbee, both of Arab, and Nalavay Smith of Blountsville; three brothers, Floyd Smith, Gene Smith and J.B. Smith, all of Blountsville; and seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Zora Patterson
SECTION - Zora Patterson, 85, died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Welcome Hill Baptist Church in Macedonia with the Rev. Lee Earl Thompson, the Rev. J.T. Williams and the Rev. Edwin Dean officiating.
Burial will be in Macedonia Cemetery.
Survivors include four daughters, Eva Nell Robinson, Betty Jean Patterson and Thelma Kay, all of Section, and Sybil F. Wilborn of Rainsville; one son, Dennis Ray Patterson of Section; four sisters, Zona Gilliman of Higdon, Delora Wooten of Rome, Ga., Maxine Carol of Section and Jean Guinn of Fyffe; two brothers, Hobert Phillips of Rossville, Ga., and Luke Phillips of Fyffe; and 20 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
De'Sean Pride
De'Sean Marquize Johnson Pride, infant son of Danila Johnson and Jonquin Pride, both of Huntsville, died Friday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Royal Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Endia J. Scruggs officiating.
Burial will be in Meadowlawn Garden of Peace.
Other survivors include gandmothers, Cheryl L. Johnson and Barbara Pride, both of Huntsville.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 7 p.m at the funeral home.
H. Cotton Ray
H. Cotton Ray, 59, of Huntsville died Sunday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Nativity with Dr. Roderic L. Murray and the Rev. Jack Wilson officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Dr. Ray was a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and recently received the Silver Medal from the Alabama Chapter of Radiology. He was active with the University of Alabama School of Medicine and the Huntsville Hospital School of Radiologic Technology, serving as professor, instructor and director. Dr. Ray was involved with the Medical Association of Alabama, the Alabama Space Exhibit Commission and the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Judith Rebmann Ray; three sons, Arthur Franklin Ray II of Montgomery, Geoffrey Michael Ray of Tuscaloosa and Christian Morley Ray of Brevard, N.C.; one brother, Joe Dixon Ray of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Music Department at The Church of the Nativity.
Ramie Sherrell
DAWSON - Ramie Sherrell, 87, died Sunday at his home. The funeral was today at 11:30 a.m. at Liberty Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Griffin officiating.
W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel is in charge of burial.
Survivors include one sister, Louise Clayton of Gadsden; one half-sister, Evelyn Culver of Gadsden; and one grandson.
Charles W. Taylor
CHATTANOOGA - Charles W. Taylor, 61, died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home in Rainsville with the Rev. Bud Durham and the Rev. Ronnie Day officiating.
Burial will be in Pisgah Cemetery in Pisgah.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia C. Taylor; one daughter, Kim Faulkner of Chattanooga; three sons, Wayne Taylor Jr., Charles M. Taylor and Michael Patrick Taylor, all of Chattanooga; three sisters, Patsy Burkhalter, Lee Reed and Kay Camp, all of Pisgah; and three grandchildren.
Lillian B. Troy
Lillian B. Troy, 96, of Huntsville died Monday at a local nursing home. The funeral will be later in California.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Mrs. Troy was formerly of California and was active in Seventh-Day Adventist activities. She moved to Huntsville in 1995.
Survivors include one son, James L. Troy of Huntsville; one sister, Ruby Jannasch of South Bend, Ind.; one brother, John McCullough of South Bend; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Marianne Whisenant
UNION GROVE - Marianne Whisenant, 75, of 8284 Union Grove Road died Sunday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Brocks Chapel Church of Christ.
Burial was to be in the adjoining cemetery with Gober Funeral Home of Arab in charge.
Survivors include her husband, James Whisenant; two daughters, Karen Whisenant of Southside and Pamela Hemphill of New Market; one son, James Richard Whisenant of Union Grove; and four grandchildren.
R.J. Vealey
ORLANDO, Fla. - R.J. Vealey, drummer for Atlanta Rhythm Section, which played in Huntsville at Panoply this year and Big Spring Jam in 1998, collapsed and died Saturday from a heart attack shortly after a performance. He was 37.
Vealey studied music at West Virginia University and Ohio State University. He received a fine arts scholarship at West Virginia, where he was a featured soloist in the West Virginia University Jazz Ensemble.
Vealey performed at the 1984 Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, toured Japan with "Percussion 80" and won the outstanding soloist award at Ohio State University.
After college, Vealey toured with the techno-dance band Fashion Reaction. He also recorded with artists including Section Eight, Zaccaria, Tone Poets and Stonefish.
Vealey joined the Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1995.
