Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967 - 1814-1935
Ernest Going Williams
TUSCALOOSA - Ernest Going Williams, 85, died on Monday, June 11, 2001 at his residence, 156 The Highlands. His life is best remembered through the following text of his induction into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame on October 12, 2000:
"When Ernest Going Williams received The University of Alabama's Distinguished Alumni Award, The Tuscaloosa News, in a congratulatory editorial, said Williams 'joins the ranks of UA legends….' Indeed, his service to the University, to his community and to humanity is legendary.
Paper company executive, University treasurer and trustee, banker and outstanding citizen, Williams' roots go deep into the soil of the Southeast. His great grandfather, Nicolas Gaines Augustus, was a Mississippi planter and attended The University of Alabama in the 1840's. His father was an owner of Consolidated Lumber Company, which had sawmills throughout Mississippi, Alabama and Florida but did not survive the depression of the 1930's.
Williams was born in Macon, Mississippi, on September 24, 1915, the son of Augstus Gaines and Mary Sanford Williams. The family moved to Tuscaloosa when he was five. He attended Tuscaloosa schools and graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelor of science degree in business. In 1942… he entered the Navy… as an Ensign. He served aboard the U.S.S. Kaskaskia and the U.S.S. Severn in the South Pacific. After three years of active duty, he returned to Tuscaloosa to become assistant treasurer at the University. He soon was selected treasurer and established the reputation for fairness and openness, as well as shrewdness in financial matters. In 1951, he married Cecil Butler, Jacksonville, Florida, who he met while she was visiting her sister in Tuscaloosa. He was active in community, as President of the University Club, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Exchange Club.. and in 1956 Williams left the University and joined First National Bank of Tuscaloosa as a vice president and a member of the board. But the University recognized the importance of having Williams close at hand an in August 1956, he was elected to the Board of Trustees an became the school's third local trustee.
In 1958 Williams…became vice president for finance and treasurer at Gulf States Paper and a member of its board of directors. In 1977, Williams left Gulf States and organized Affiliated Paper Companies, where he became chairman and chief executive officer. Under his leadership for 17 years, the corporation grew to 264 affiliated companies with total sales of more than $2.2 billion in 1994, the year Williams retired at age 70.
In 1957, he chaired a selection committee to search for a new football coach. Paul W. Bryant was high on the list and Williams, along with Dr. Frank Rose, Fred Singleton and Marc Ray Clement, persuaded Bryant to return.
Williams was honored as Tuscaloosa's Outstanding Citizen in 1973; by the University's Board of Trustees with a dinner and resolution of appreciation on his retirement; as a recipient of an honorary LL.D. degree from the University in 1987; and by induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 1987.
He is an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, and a past chairman and past president of numerous business and civic organizations. He is also a member of the Newcomer Society of North America. In 1998, he was selected as the Distinguished Alumnus by the University's National Alumni Association and in 1999 the University presented Williams the Algerian Sydney Sullivan Award, which recognizes excellence of character and the service to humanity.
Throughout his career, his wife, Cecil, has been at his side. The couple has made significant gifts to The University of Alabama, including the Cecil B. and Ernest G. Williams Faculty Enhancement Fund. They have three children, Ernest Sanford (Ford) and Wife Audrey Bennett (Bunny) Williams, Turner Butler and wife Elizabeth Ann (Libba) Williams, and Elizabeth Cecil (Cece) and husband, Charles Kenneth Hartley, Jr.; and grandchildren, Christopher Gentry and Mary Sanford Williams, Turner Butler, Jr., Harris Bushnell, Elizabeth Ann and Sanford Robertson Williams, and Charles Kenneth III, Gaines Williams, and Turner Butler Hartley."
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, June 14th at 11:00 a.m. Honorary Pallbearers are University of Alabama Trustees, Trustees Emeritus, and Chancellor, Elders of the First Presbyterian Church, members of the Exchange Club and members of the ROMEO Luncheon Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the DCH Foundation, the UA Office of Advancement, or the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund.
Heritage Chapel Funeral Home is directing.
Gerald Michael Heacock
DESTREHAN - Gerald Michael Heacock, 63, of 41 Rosedown Drive, Destrehan, La., died June 7, 2001, at his residence. Graveside services will be held Monday at 11 a.m., in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. Sunset Funeral Home is directing.
Rosa Sexton Hicklen
NORTHPORT - Rosa Sexton Hicklen, 76, of 4760 Watermelon Road, died June 9, 2001 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Graveside services will be held at Bethel Presb. Church Cemetery, Monday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Jerrod Rarrick officiating and Sunset Funeral Home directing. Visitation is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hosie and Mirtie Sexton; sisters, Loreen Meggs, and Ruth Duren, and brother, Bobby Sexton.
Survivors include her daughters, Yvonne Ballard (Thomas), and Ginger Walby (Terry), both of Northport; brothers, Raiford Sexton, Penn., and Horace Sexton (Shirley), of Chesapeake, Va.; grandchildren, Connie (Tim) Shields, Pam (Dodie) Morris, Richard (Laura) Ballard, Rodney (Vera) Ballard, and Wesley (Tina) Walby; great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Brandon Shileds, Tarah and Tanner Morris, Brandon, Jessica and Kaleb Ballard, and Myrrick Walby.
Reedie Dodd Hollingsworth
NORTHPORT - Mrs. Reedie Dodd Hollingsworth, age 93 of Northport, formerly of Fayette Co. (White's Chapel area), died Tuesday, June 5, 2001 in the Baptist Medical Center Montclair at B'Ham. Mrs. Hollingsworth was born on October 11, 1907 in Fayette Co. a daughter of Virgil Ray Dodd and Laura Jane Whitehead Dodd, resident of the White's Chapel area most of her life, resident of Northport past nine years, widow of Tom Hollingsworth, co-owner of Hollingsworth Grocery in Fayette, Co. and a member of White's Chapel Church of Christ. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Jo Ingle and all her brothers and sisters. Survivors include her daughter Mrs. Ruby Couch, Northport; five grandchildren, Chad Ingle, Randall Ingle, Jeff and John Meredith Couch and Kathy Ann Hollis; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; hosts of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, June 8, 2001 at 1 p.m. from the McGraw Memorial Chapel of Miles Funeral Home. Larry Alexander was the officiating minister. Burial followed in the New River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Miles Funeral Home of Winfield directing the service. Active pallbearers were Ray Dodd, John Hollis, Ethan Couch, Charlie Sayre, Bobby Dodd and John McCaleb.
Phyllis L. Johnson
NORTHPORT - Phyllis L. Johnson, 61, of 15369 Hwy. 171, died June 8, 2001, at her residence. Complete arrangements will be announced at a later date by Sunset Funeral Home.
James W. Thacker
FAYETTE - James W. Thacker, 70, of 820 5th Ave. N.E., died June 8, 2001, at Fayette Medical Center. Services will be held at Nelson Funeral Home, Monday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Larry Woods officiating. Burial will follow in Bethabara Cemetery, with Nelson Funeral Home of Fayette directing. Visitation is tonight night from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Survivors include his daughter, Vickie Thacker Stough, Fayette; his sons, Rickie Thacker, Cottondale, and James W. Thacker, Jr., Northport; sisters, Betty Sue Auker, Ga., Mary Ann Woods and Lynn Martin, both of Oakman, Donna Jo Collins, Jasper, and Doris Ann Thomas, Mobile; a brother, Kerry Hall Thacker, Berry; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Chris Rawls, Josh Mazingo, Ricky Stough, Boyd Stough, Danny Stough, and Bo Woods.
Ezelle J. Webb
DEMOPOLIS - Ezelle J. Webb, 86, of 708 North Main Street, died June 8, 2001 at Bryan W. Whitfield Hospital. Services will be held at First United Methodist Church today, at 2 p.m. with the Dr. Art Luckie officiating. Burial will follow in Demopolis Memorial Gardens. Kidd-Robbins Funeral Directors are directing. The body will lie in state one hour prior to services.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kay Baker; parents, Rev. and Mrs. Lennie Jones; a brother, Archie Jones, and a sister, Iva Lee Jones.
Survivors include her husband, J.W. Webb, Demopolis; daughters, Sylvia V. (Frank) Malone, Demopolis, and Sandra V. (George) McDaniel, Decatur, Ala.; a son-in-law, Blair (Cynthia) Baker, Demopolis; sister-in-law, Christine Jones, Springville; a brother, Bruce Jones, Decatur, Ga.; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Ezelle J. Webb was a native of Cullman, Ala. and a resident of Demopolis, Ala. She was employed by Vanity Vair of Demopolis for over 30 years.
Pallbearers will be Joe Hill, James Williams, Ken Malone, Tom Malone, Eddie McDaniel, and Allen Fowler.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr.'s and staff of Holifield Clinic and employees of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital.
Family will accept flowers or Donations to First United Methodist Church, 200 East Decatur Street, Demopolis, Ala. 36732.
Kermit Hilt Harris
TUSCALOOSA - Kermit Hilt Harris, 89, of 418 30th St., died Jan. 10, 2001, at the VA Hospital in Birmingham. Services will be at Memory Chapel on Jan. 13, at 3 p.m. with Phil Boyles and John Mills officiating. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. Visitation is tonight from 6-8 at the funeral home. Memory Chapel Funeral Home is directing.
Survivors include his wife, Victoria Bennett Harris, Tuscaloosa; daughter, Linda Morrison Mills (John) Birmingham; sons, Reggie Harris (Evelyn) and Joe Harris, Tuscaloosa; sister, Doris Halligan, Hueytown; grandchildren, Vicki Morrison Langston, Highland Home, Dawn Morrison Roper (Todd) Siler City, N.C., Tim Morrison, Matt Morrison, Birmingham, Michael Baygents (Kara) and Ross Harris, Tuscaloosa; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mr. Harris was retired from B.F. Goodrich, a WW II veteran of Company C., 110th Infantry, 28th Division and saw action in the Battle of Huertgon Forrest. He was also a member of Holt Baptist Church, a past member of Holt Lions Club, an avid fan of all sports, especially football.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers are Daniel Bishop Sunday School Class and NGO Club of Holt Baptist Church and other members of Holt Baptist Church, also friends and neighbors of Holt and Southpark.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Holt Baptist Church building fund.
Clyde Freeman
FAYETTE - Clyde Freeman, 93, of 1035 Temple Ave. South, died Jan. 9, 2001, at his residence. Services will be at Nelson Funeral Home on Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Fayette City Cemetery. Visitation is tonight from 6-8 at the funeral home. Nelson Funeral Home of Fayette is directing.
Kellie Rae Foster
KENNEDY - Mrs. Kellie Rae Foster , 86, of 5124 Mt. Pleasant Ch. Road, died Jan. 11, 2001, at Fayette Medical Center. Services will be at Dowdle Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Meadow Branch Cemetery. Visitation is tonight from 6-9 at the funeral home. Dowdle Funeral Home of Millport, is directing.
Celia Barber Marasco
TUSCALOOSA - Celia Barber Marasco passed away on June 17, 2001 at her residence in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the age of 79. Mrs. Marasco lived most of her life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she attended local schools, She was an outstanding student at South Division High School and led the class of 1939 as valedictorian. Both she and her late husband, Michael "Mickey" were longtime business owners founding a leading craft supply store in Midwest, Marasco's Craft King. Celia was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother (nana), and great-grandmother (nana grande) known for her kindness and generosity. In recent years, she moved to Tuscaloosa where she made many new friends and enjoyed quiet retirement.
Mrs. Marasco was a member of Christ King Perish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin for forty years. She was active in the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee and was a member of the Ladies of Unico. Mrs. Marasco generously contributed to local charities and established several scholarship funds for high school graduates and medical residents at Mayo Clinic.
Survivors of Mrs. Marasco include her daughters, Francine Marasco and her companion William D. Coons of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Corrine Wolfrom and her husband Robert of Raleigh, North Carolina, her grandchildren, Monica Chrysandreas and her husband Stelios of Fort Worth, Texas, Luis Pavon and his wife Judi of Knoxville, Tennessee, Anthony Pavon and his wife Sharon of Tuscaloosa, and Cecily McGinnis and her husband Francis of Raleigh. Her precious great-grandchildren, Elena Chrysandreas, Alexa and Maya Pavon, Julia and Michael Pavon, also survive her as well as many relatives and friends.
A very special thank you to her devoted caregivers Heather Lineberry, Brenda Brasher and Alma Tutwiler. In addition, sincere appreciation to Dr. Isabel Oldshue and staff, personnel of Hospice of West Alabama along with many friends who offered support and kindness during her illness.
Visitation will be held on June 18, 2001 from 6 to 8 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 811 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35403. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on June 19 at noon also at St. Francis. Mrs. Marasco's grandchildren and their spouses will serve as pallbearers. Encryption will follow at the Sunset Mausoleum, which is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center, P.O. Box 21231, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35402 or the charity of your choice.
Terry Jo Dawson
TUSCALOOSA - Terry Jo Dawson, 43, of 2239 4th Street, East died June 14, 2001 at her home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 11 a.m. from the Beard's Chapel AME Zion Church. Rev. Singrid Sanders will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Gallion, AL. With Rollins' Mortuary directing.
Survivors include her daughter, Tamara L. Dawson of Tuscaloosa, AL; her father, Evans Dawson, Sr., of Tuscaloosa, AL; four brothers, Evans Dawson, of Detroit, Mich., LaBrauche Dawson, of San Antonio, Texas, Erskine Dawson, of Chesapeake, Va., and Brian Dawson, of Orlando, Fla.; three sisters, Jaxqueline Curtis, of Arnold, Md., Vicki Dawson, and Janice Tyree, both of Tuscaloosa, AL.
She will lie in state at the church one hour prior to funeral time on Tuesday.
Lula Dunham
REFORM - Lula Dunham, 95, died Jan. 5, 2001, at Pickens County Medical Center. Services will be at Mt. Olive Baptist Church on Saturday at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation is today from noon until 8 p.m. The body will lie in state one hour prior to services. Lavender Funeral Service is directing.
William Crowder
REFORM - William "Billy" Crowder, 63, of the Stansel Community, died Jan. 10, 2001, at Northport Medical Center. Services will be at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation is tonight from 6-8 at the funeral home. Skleton Funeral Home of Reform is directing.
Joseph Corso
ENDICOTT, N.Y. - Mr. Joseph Corso, 82, died Jan. 9, 2001, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital of Binghamton, N.Y. Services will be at Dowdle Funeral Home Chapel in Millport, Ala., on Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery in Lamar County, Ala. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home. Dowdle Funeral Home is directing.
Celia Barber Marasco
TUSCALOOSA - Celia Barber Marasco passed away on June 17, 2001 at her residence in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the age of 79. Mrs. Marasco lived most of her life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she attended local schools, She was an outstanding student at South Division High School and led the class of 1939 as valedictorian. Both she and her late husband, Michael "Mickey" were longtime business owners founding a leading craft supply store in Midwest, Marasco's Craft King. Celia was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother (nana), and great-grandmother (nana grande) known for her kindness and generosity. In recent years, she moved to Tuscaloosa where she made many new friends and enjoyed quiet retirement.
Mrs. Marasco was a member of Christ King Perish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin for forty years. She was active in the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee and was a member of the Ladies of Unico. Mrs. Marasco generously contributed to local charities and established several scholarship funds for high school graduates and medical residents at Mayo Clinic.
Survivors of Mrs. Marasco include her daughters, Francine Marasco and her companion William D. Coons of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Corrine Wolfrom and her husband Robert of Raleigh, North Carolina, her grandchildren, Monica Chrysandreas and her husband Stelios of Fort Worth, Texas, Luis Pavon and his wife Judi of Knoxville, Tennessee, Anthony Pavon and his wife Sharon of Tuscaloosa, and Cecily McGinnis and her husband Francis of Raleigh. Her precious great-grandchildren, Elena Chrysandreas, Alexa and Maya Pavon, Julia and Michael Pavon, also survive her as well as many relatives and friends.
A very special thank you to her devoted caregivers Heather Lineberry, Brenda Brasher and Alma Tutwiler. In addition, sincere appreciation to Dr. Isabel Oldshue and staff, personnel of Hospice of West Alabama along with many friends who offered support and kindness during her illness.
Visitation were held on June 18, 2001 from 6 to 8 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 811 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35403. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on June 19 at noon also at St. Francis. Mrs. Marasco's grandchildren and their spouses will serve as pallbearers. Encryption will follow at the Sunset Mausoleum, which is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center, P.O. Box 21231, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35402 or the charity of your choice.
