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.
Ibbie K. Bradford
Ibbie King Bradford, 95, of Huntsville died Wednesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Woodrow Harbin officiating.
Burial will be in Madison Cross Roads Cemetery.
Mrs. Bradford, a native of Texas, was a retired school teacher, head of the Alabama State Education Science Department and a member of Toney Methodist Church.
Survivors include four nieces, Virginia Garrison and Carolyn Ledford, both of Huntsville, Amy Burks of Decatur and Betty Stogner of Normandy, Tenn.; one nephew, Benny Sanders of Ardmore, Ala.; and 17 great-nieces and great-nephews, 20 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews and one great-great-great-nephew.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Jeffery L. Byrd
UNION GROVE - Jeffery Lee Byrd, 33, of 1310 Green briar Cove Road died May 24 at his home. A memorial service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Beach Spring Baptist Church.
Survivors include his mother, Callie Byrd of Laceys Spring; one sister, Anita Campbell of Union Grove; and four brothers, Wayne Byrd of Somerville and George Byrd, Tim Byrd and Wayne Byrd, all of Laceys Spring.
Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Ardis D. Cameron
MADISON - Ardis Darlene Cameron, 62, died Tuesday at her home. A private memorial service took place.
Spry Funeral home will be in charge of burial.
Mrs. Cameron, a native of Minnesota, had lived in Madison County since 1977.
Survivors include her husband, John H. Cameron of Madison; three sons, Randy Cameron, Danny Cameron and Chad Cameron, all of Harvest; two brothers, James Gilbertson and Stanley Gilbertson, both of Wisconsin; and two grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Audubon Society.
Nevell L. Edwards
BOAZ - Nevell Lawrence Edwards, 83, of 8809 Alabama Highway 168, died Tuesday in a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home in Boaz.
Burial was to be in Hillcrest Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Ovada Reid.
Survivors include his wife, Inez Edwards; two daughters, Barbara Hennigh of Madison and Linda Edwards of Huntsville; one sister, Euleen Snead of Boaz; and a special friend, Jack Pettit.
Dorothy J. Jackson
Dorothy Jeanette Jackson, 63, of Huntsville died Tuesday at a local hospital. The funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home in Russellville with the Rev. Charlie Thorn officiating.
Burial will be in Cedar Tree Cemetery in Hackelburg.
Mrs. Jackson was a native of Russellville and had lived in Huntsville since 1963. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Virginia Lee Jackson.
Survivors include her husband, Archie L. "Roy" Jackson of Huntsville; one daughter, Vicki Lee Jackson Battles of Hazel Green ; one son, McKinley David "Mack" Jackson of Huntsville; one sister, Patsy King of Russellville; two brothers, Charles Freeman of Russellville and Gene Freeman of Tuscumbia; and four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Marguerite McDuffie
GUNTERSVILLE - Marguerite H. "Faith" McDuffie, 85, formerly of Tuscaloosa died Wednesday at a Boaz hospital. The graveside service was to be today at 3 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery with Deacon Lee Roy Hoekenschnieder officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Mrs. McDuffie was a registered dietitian and was retired from the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tuscaloosa. She was a former president of the Alabama Dietetic Association and had worked at the University of Alabama dietary department. She was also a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa.
Survivors include two sons, Glenn McDuffie of Tuscaloosa and Michael McDuffie of Foley; one sister, Brownie Davoren of Huntsville; and three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three nieces and one nephew.
Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity.
Betty J. Pittinger
MONTGOMERY - Betty J. Pittinger, 73, died Wednesday at a Montgomery hospital. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home chapel in Moulton with the Rev. Gary Britton officiating.
Burial will be in Green wood Cemetery.
Survivors include two sons, Gordon D. Pittinger of Montgomery and Dr. William F. Pittinger Jr. of Huntsville; and three grandsons.
Visitation is today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Annie M. Prater
ATHENS - Mrs. Annie M. Prater, 94, of Athens, died Wednesday at an Athens nursing home. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mollie Rithmire
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Mollie Ann Gipson Rithmire, 87, of Haynes Drive died Wednesday. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jeffery L. White officiating.
A graveside service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at State Line Cemetery.
Mrs. Rithmire, a native of Madison County, moved to Murfreesboro in 1990. She was a member of First Church of God and she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Rithmire.
Survivors include one son, Al Canterbury of Murfreesboro; one daughter, Nadine Wood of Titusville, Fla.; and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.
John W. Seals
ELORA, Tenn. - John W. Seals, 57, of 274 John Hunter Highway died Wednesday at a Winchester hospital. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Cleo Moon officiating.
Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Seals was a native of Madison County and was an auto mechanic.
Survivors include three sons, Christopher Seals of Texas, Michael Seals of Haleyville and David Seals of Birmingham; his mother, Vera Louise Helem Seals; three sisters, Linda Allen of Elora, Martha Shelton of Arab and Phyllis Grondin of Farmington, N.H.; two brothers, Thomas Seals of New Market and Jerry Seals of Elora; five half sisters, Alma Walker and Alta Walker, both of New Market, Hassie Holder of Templeton, Ga., and Addie Mae Owens and Becky Jean Painter, both of Elora; three half-brothers, Jackson Seals of Rogersville, Vernon Seals of Decatur and Melvin Seals of Flintville; and two grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today at 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
Carolyn Moore Speer
DECATUR - Mrs. Carolyn Moore Speer, 83, died Tuesday in Athens. The funeral will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home with the Rev. Hal Noble officiating.
Burial will be in the Decatur City Cemetery.
Mrs. Speer was a member of Central United Methodist Church and was a retired librarian and teacher.
Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn Russell of Athens; two stepsons, Robert Speer of Greenville, S.C. and John Speer of Jackson, Miss.; and eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Limestone County, Central United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.
7/3/1998
David M. Bafford
David Martin Bafford, 37, of Huntsville died Wednesday at a local hospital. Valhalla Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Barbara and Ronnie Britton of Huntsville; his father, Earl Holland of Tuscumbia; two daughters, Melissa Bafford and Christina Bafford, both of Huntsville; one sister, Kathy Bafford of Huntsville; one half-sister, Gail Davenport of Muscle Shoals; one brother, Rick Holland of Waldorf, Md.; his grandmother, Jewell Holland of Tuscumbia; a very special friend, Patricia Haymes of Huntsville; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Bert R. Ball
HENAGAR - Bert Ray Ball died Tuesday. The funeral was Thursday at Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church in Section.
Burial was in Macedonia Cemetery with Kerby Funeral Home in Henagar directing.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Ball; one daughter, Karen Ball of LaFayette, Ga.; three stepdaughters, Vicki Davis of Valley Head, Melissa Shipp of Fort Payne and Amy Akins of Gatlinburg, Tenn.; two sisters, Mamie Robins of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Martha Hixon of Ringgold, Ga.; and eight step-grandchildren.
Mary B. Cowden
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Mary Burns Cowden, 76, died Thursday. No funeral is scheduled.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, W.C. Burns, Thomas C. Burns, Aytchie Burns and Kenneth Charles "Jethro" Burns.
Survivors include two sisters, Ann Burns Johnson of Huntsville and Jean Burns Brewer of Blacksburg, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
Freddy J. Farmer
Freddy Jack Farmer, 62, of Huntsville died Thursday at his home. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Don Woodward officiating.
Burial will be in Albertville Memory Gardens.
Survivors include one sister, Lavonis Smith of Huntsville; one brother, Melvin Farmer of Albertville; and five neices, five nephews, 22 grand-nieces and grand-nephews and seven great-great-grand-nieces and great-great-grand-nephews.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lynn C. Gay
ALBERTVILLE - Lynn Chapman Gay, 74, of 1344 Alabama 75 North died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville.
Burial will be in Marshall Memorial Garden.
Mr. Gay was a veteran of World War II and a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Imogene Gay; one daughter, Angela Hilsman of Albertville; one son, Mark Gay of Guntersville; and two sisters, Mary Jarrell of Lake Martin and Mildred Roden of Gadsden.
Allie Germany
DUTTON - Mrs. Allie Germany, 89, died Tuesday. The funeral was Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Revs. Nolan Ford, Alan Crawford and David Hairston officiating.
Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas P. Germany; one daughter, Lanora Shankles of Guntersville; three sons, John Germany of Rainsville, Novel Germany of Riverdale, Calif., and Alfred Germany of Henagar; three sisters, Ruby Smith of Dutton, Violet Hairston of Henagar and Maggie Lou Hicks of Pisgah; and eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Lula Gilbert
RAINSVILLE - Mrs. Lula Gilbert, 93, died Wednesday. The funeral was Thursday at the Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Orien Ledford officiating.
Burial was in Asbury Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Virginia Ragsdale of Browntown; one son, C.A. Gilbert of Rainsville; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dorris W. Hamilton
ATHENS - Dorris Wayne Hamilton, 75, of 22491 Howard St., died Thursday in Huntsville.
McConnell Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Patsy R. Pethoud
Patsy Ruth Pethoud, 65, of 8003 Benaroya Lane died Thursday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Walker Cemetery with David Clemons officiating.
New Hope Funeral Home is in charge of burial.
Survivors include one son, Rick Cain of Micaopy, Fla.; two daughters, Kathy Clemons of Hazel Green and Susan Wampler of Brownsboro; and six grandchildren.
Betty J. Pittenger
MONTGOMERY - Betty J. "Betsy" Pittenger, 73, died Wednesday at a Montgomery hospital. The funeral was to be today at 11 a.m. at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home chapel in Moulton with the Rev. Gary Brittain officiating.
Burial was in Green wood Cemetery.
Survivors include two sons, Gordon D. Pittenger Jr. of Montgomery and Dr. William F. Pittenger Jr. of Huntsville; and three grandsons.
Annie Mat Prater
ATHENS - Mrs. Annie Mat Prater, 94, died Wednesday at an Athens nursing home. The funeral was to be today at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home with Barry Dunn officiating.
Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Prater was a native of Limestone County, a retired homemaker and a member of Isoms United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Prater.
Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews.
Mary F. Pritchard
IDER - Mrs. Mary Francis Pritchard, 52, died Wednesday at his home. The funeral was Thursday at the Kerby Funeral Home with the Revs. Robert Jones and Chris Guinn officiating.
Burial was in Henagar Cemetery.
Survivors include her parents, James Huland and Burma Lou Pritchard of Ider, and one sister, Anna Christine Hord of Covington, Ga.
J.D. Shockley
J.D. Shockley, 77, of Huntsville died Thursday at his home. Laughlin Service Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Muriel Fox Shockley of Huntsville; one son, James "Jim" David Shockley of Huntsville; three daughters, Shirley S. Reed, Gaye S. Haynes and Debbie S. Corum, all of Huntsville; and 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Elbert L. Smith
BLOUNTSVILLE - Elbert Louis Smith, 67, of 109 Finis Murphree Road died Wednesday at a Birmingham hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was to be in Roswell Creek Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Audrey Smith of Blountsville and Delores Byrd of Illinois; one son, John Smith of Blountsville; two sisters, Blanche Chappell of Tennessee and Kathy Lee Michko of Ohio; two brothers, Bobby Brockwell and Don Brockwell, both of Ohio; and four grandchildren.
