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.
David L. Carter
ARAB - David Lynn Carter, 27, of 1467 McKelvy Dr. N.W. died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral was to be today at 2 p.m. at Gilliam Springs Baptist Church.
Burial was to be in the adjoining cemetery with Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include his wife, Amy Carter; a son, Justin Thomas Carter of Arab; two daughters, Alicia Carolynn Carter and Diana Grace Carter, both of Arab; his parents, Charles Lynn and Bernice Carter of Arab; two sisters, Georgian Bithos of Indiana and Pauline Kladis of Texas; a nephew, Tony Kladis of Texas; a grandfather, Raymond Carter of Union Grove; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rev. Thurmon and Peggy Harris of Arab.
Katheline Cathey
GUNTERSVILLE - Katheline Cathey, 63, of 1719 Winston St. died Thursday at her home. The funeral was to be today at noon at St. Minor P.B. Church with Elder Benjamin Burt officiating.
Burial will be in Warrenton Cemetery in Guntersville with Royal Funeral Home in charge.
Survivors include three sisters, Barbara Hampton and Beulah Murray, both of Guntersville, and Lelia Paschel of Albertville; and one brother, Henry Howell of Guntersville.
The body will be at the church an hour before the funeral.
Erlene R. Clark
MT. PLEASANT, Wis. - Erlene Rochelle Clark, 63, died Thursday at a Wisconsin hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel in Huntsville with Tommy Rosenblum officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Clark, a native of Huntsville and a longtime resident of Racine, Wis., worked at Crestwood Hospital and St. Marys Medical Center more than 10 years before she retired. She was preceded in death by a brother, Herman Johnson.
Survivors include her husband, Harry Clark of Racine; one daughter, Tammy Thomas of Racine; one son, Randy Johnson of Racine; one brother, Leonard Johnson of Huntsville; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association or to the National Diabetes Association.
Carl L. Donaldson
Carl Lee Donaldson, 55, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. Burial will be in Ramsey, Ill., with Spry Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Donaldson lived in St. Louis, Mo., until moving to Huntsville in 1997.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Donaldson of Huntsville; two daughters, Kim Arkbauer of Witt, Ill., and Christine Ernst of Litchfield, Ill.; one son, Troy Donaldson of Hillsboro, Ill.; five sisters, Donna Price and Cora Bushert, both of Ramsey, Ill., Mary Harpster of St. Peter, Ill., Barbara Cook of Coffeen, Ill., and Carol Durbin of Payson, Utah; two brothers, Bob Donaldson of St. Elmo, Ill., and Donald Donaldson of Ramsey, Ill.; and two grandchildren.
Eva M. Downey
Eva M. Downey, 92, of Huntsville died Monday at her home. Spry Funeral Home will announce funeral arrangements.
Mrs. Downey, a native of Morgantown, W.Va., was retired from West Virginia University. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of the White Shrine, Ladies of the 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Masons and Order of the Amaranth. She was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Morgantown, W.Va. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. Loyd Downey.
Survivors include one daughter, E. Jeanne Richmond of Huntsville; two sons, William M. Downey of Huntsville and Arthur D. Downey of Berea, Ohio; and seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Family Care in Huntsville.
Martha C. Edwards
NEW MARKET - Martha Christine Edwards, 66, of Oscar Patterson Road died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home in Hazel Green with the Revs. Malcom Sylvester and Jerry Kimbrough officiating.
Burial will be in Rice Cemetery.
Mrs. Edwards, a native of Madison County, was a member of Patterson Road Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, James R. Edwards of New Market; one son, Steve Edwards of New Market; one daughter, Jo Guerin of Huntsville; her mother, Alta Reeves Norman; five sisters, Sadie Miller and Edna Campbell, both of Maysville, and Catherine Colbert, Ruby Swain and Mildred Calhoun, all of Huntsville; two brothers, Othan Norman of Maysville and William Norman of Brownsboro; and nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Janice L. Ellis
Janice Lee Ellis, 57, of Huntsville died Sunday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Twickenham Funeral Home South.
Burial will be in Twickenham Memory Gardens.
Ellis lived in Huntsville about 16 years.
Survivors include two sons, Warren Rieber of Huntsville and Jeff Rieber of Atmore Ala.; two daughters, Terri Aldrich and Shauna Jenkins, both of Huntsville; her father, Fred Ellis of Michigan; four brothers, Lawrence E. Ellis of Howell, Mich., Freddie Ellis of South Lyon, Mich., Roger D. Ellis of Edgerton, Wis., and Robert D. Ellis of Fenton, Mich; four sisters, Bonnie Northam of Taylor, Mich., Barbara M. Brosch of Harvest, Ruth A. Madigan of Glendale, Ariz., and Carol Sue Powers of Romulus, Mich.; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Marsha D. Hollis
GADSDEN - Mrs. Marsha Diane Hollis, 42, of 2598 White Chapel Road died Sunday at her home. The funeral was to be today at 1 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home of Boaz.
Burial was to be in the old Fairview Cemetery.
Mrs. Hollis was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Gadsden.
Survivors include her husband, Robbie Hollis; a brother, Don Collins of Blountsville; two sisters, Terri Carr of Albertville and Elaine Parker of Boaz; and her grandmother, Omie Collins of Georgia.
Jorell B. Howard
Jorell Bates Howard, 82, of Huntsville died Monday at a local nursing home. The graveside service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Valhalla Memory Gardens with Bro. Charles Jones officiating.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home will be in charge of burial.
Mrs. Howard was a member of Pineview Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, JoEllen Gray and Janice Fowler, both of Huntsville; two sons, William C. Sipes of the Philippines and Donald Howard of Montgomery; and nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Maxine G. Kelley
ARAB - Mrs. Maxine Gladys Kelley, 84, of 2662 Mt. Oak Road died Sunday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Arab Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be in the Mt. Oak Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Firman F. Kelley; two daughters, Nell Hawthorne of Arab and Jenna Spurlock of Boise, Idaho; a brother, Gaylon N. Cummings of Snider, Texas; a sister, Syble Howell of San Angelo, Texas; and six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5:30 until 9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home.
Herbert M. Kenny
FORT PAYNE - Herbert Michael Kenny, 87, died Sunday. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Sand Mountain Funeral Home in Rainsville with the Rev. Kevin McCreless officiating.
Mr. Kenny played semi-professional baseball and was a Little League baseball coach for several years. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening.
Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Naomi Kenny; five daughters, Geraldine Ryden of Montana, Tavi Kulcke of Jackson, Miss., Melanie Elliott of Rainsville, and Judy Lee and Carmen Felchak, both of Richmond, Texas; and two sons, William ''Butch Kenny of Hanahan, S.C., and Herbert K. Kenny of Lexington, Ky.; and 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Randolph R. King
UNION GROVE - Randolph R. King, 80, of 141 Kings Drive died Sunday at a Gadsden hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Gober Funeral Home of Arab.
Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Lois King; a brother, Rodwell King of Union Grove; a sister, Mary Fann Couch of Union Grove; and several nieces and nephews.
Lena Lanier
Lena Lanier, 95, of Huntsville died Monday at a local nursing home. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Robert Mayo officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Lanier, a native of Jackson County, was retired from Huntsville Manufacturing Co. and was a member of Pleasmount Baptist Church.
Survivors include four granddaughters, Glenda Houk Lawrence of Madison, Ind., Chee-Chee Houk Moon of Scottsboro, Shelia Houk Hunter of Ocean Side, Calif., and Lisa Lanier Pepper of Athens; three grandsons, Jim Lanier and Mickey Lanier, both of Huntsville, and Clarence Houk Jr. of Lewisburg, Tenn.; and 15 great-grandchildren, 21 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 3:30 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Wayne R. Lauster
GURLEY - Wayne Russell Lauster, 56, died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home with Robert Mayo, James Wilbourne and Dr. George Cobb officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Lauster, formerly of Seymour, Ind., had lived in Gurley 16 years. He was an Army veteran, a member of the American Legion and a member of Shipps Baptist Church. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and formely worked at Engineering and Manufacturing Services in Huntsville.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Elmore Lauster of Gurley; one son, Sgt. Barry Wayne Lauster of Clarksville, Tenn.; his mother, Lucile Lauster of Seymour; one brother, Michael Lauster of Green wood, Ind.; and one grandson.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Judy G. Little
Judy Gail Little, 49, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel.
Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Little, a native of Ardmore, Ala., lived most her life in Huntsville. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Pam Dawn Little.
Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Little of Huntsville; two daughters, Donna Little Saint of Owens Cross Roads and Jennifer Little Pederson of Huntsville; her parents, Leamon and Omae Bailey of Huntsville; one brother, Howard Keith King of Huntsville; and two grandsons.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
John L. McDonald
John L. McDonald Jr., 45, of Huntsville died Saturday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the North Houston Street Church of Christ in Scottsboro with Harold Wells officiating.
Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro with Rudder Funeral Home directing.
Mr. McDonald was a native of Jackson County and a member of the North Houston Church of Christ.
Survivors include one daughter, Jamie McDonald of Huntsville; one son, John L. McDonald III of Huntsville; one sister, Trudye Matthews of Scottsboro; one brother, John Lee Dillard of Indianapolis; and one granddaughter.
Eunice Moore
PISGAH - Mrs. Eunice Moore, 84, died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Rainsville Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Johnson and the Rev. Steve Davis officiating.
Burial will be in Kirk Memorial Gardens in Rainsville.
Survivors include one son, Rodney Moore of Sylvania; one sister, Edith Tanner of Jeffersonville, Ind.; and two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation was to be today from 4 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
David Morgan
HEFLIN - David Morgan, 90, died Saturday. The funeral was Monday at the Rainsville Church of Christ Cemetery with the Rev. Steve McFall officiating.
Survivors include two stepsons, Wayne Mullins of Long Beach, Calif., and Mackey Mullins of Welborn, Ala.; four stepdaughters, Marthel Smith of Carrollton, Ga., Dorothy Brown of Anniston, Ala., Faye Parris of Marietta, Ga., and Judy Stephens of Rising Fawn, Ga.; and one sister, Florence Forshee of Florence, Ala.
George A. OReilly
George Alexander OReilly, 77, of Huntsville died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Mel A. Strain officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. OReilly, a lifelong resident of Huntsville, was a World War II veteran. He retired from U.S. Army Missile Command in 1979 after 38 years of service. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he had served as a deacon and an elder. He was preceded in death by one son, Patrick Steven OReilly.
Survivors include his wife, Louise Brooks OReilly of Huntsville; two sons, George Alexander OReilly Jr. and Michael Charles OReilly, both of Huntsville; one sister, Lois OReilly Nichols of Sandy Hook, Miss.; one brother, Robert Earle OReilly of Brunswick, Ga.; and four grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church or to Hospice Family Care.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
J.R. Porch
SCOTTSBORO - J.R. Porch, 84, died Monday at his home. The funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Scottsboro Funeral Home with Dr. Tim Lovett officiating.
Burial will be in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens in Hollywood.
Mr. Porch was a teacher and coach for 36 years and a World War II veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Avis Kilgore Porch; two daughters, Jackie Tatum of Jackson, Miss., and Jill Burt of Huntsville; one brother, Rev. Quentin Porch of Marion, Ala.; and four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Robert L. Reeder
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Robert L. Reeder, 80, died Monday at a Georgia hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Grady McCollogh officiating and with a Masonic service arranged by Val Stapler.
Mr. Reeder was a 32nd-degree Mason and was active in the Scottish Rite as a secretary. He had worked in civil service 35 years.
Survivors include his wife, Marian Reeder of Lawrenceville; one son, David Reeder Sr. of Lawrenceville; and one grandson and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital, 3229 Burnett Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229-3095.
Gertrude D. Thrasher
KELSO, Tenn. - Gertrude Davis Thrasher, 81, of Crystal Springs Road died Monday at her home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with the Revs. Buddy Payne, Roy T. Moore and Malcom Gardner officiating.
Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Thrasher, a native of Alabama, was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Jesus.
Survivors include her husband, Arbie C. Thrasher of Kelso; three daughters, Christine Owens of Fayetteville, and Imogene Shields and Betty Mann, both of Flintville; two sons, Chester Thrasher of Elora and Tommy Thrasher of Kelso; one brother, Flemon Davis of Fayetteville; one sister, Frances Burrows of Fayetteville; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Billy H. Yarbrough
Billy Hugh Yarbrough, 62, of Huntsville died Monday at a local hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home chapel with Samuel L. Spry Jr. officiating.
Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens.
Mr. Yarbrough, a native of Tupelo, Miss., was a Korean War Air Force veteran, a sales engineer, a control specialist and a member of several model train clubs.
Survivors include his wife, Elanor Yarbrough of Huntsville; one daughter, Kelly Glosson of New Market; his mother, Jewel Yarbrough of Huntsville; and one grandson.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
