Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Nora Mae Murray
Died: Friday, October 25, 2002
Age: 79
HAMDEN -- Nora Mae Murray, 79, of Hamden, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2002, at Holzer Medical Center, Jackson.
Born July 27, 1923, in Nelsonville, she was the daughter of the late Richard Bowman and Norma Lightfoot Bowman Napper.
She was a member and past worthy matron of Hamden Chapter 244 Order of Eastern Star.
She is survived by a daughter, Andrea (John) Coleman of Hamden; grandchildren Nora (Kenny) Brooks of Zaleski, Renate (David) Isaac of Dundas and Michael (Robin) Murray of Wellston; six great-grandchildren; a great-great grandson; a sister, Bertina Hurt (Gene Morrow) of Grove City; and a brother, Clifford (Jean) Bowman of Wellston.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert L. Murray; a son, Jack Murray; two brothers, Ivan and Clyde Bowman; and a sister, Westina Patton.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Garrett Funeral Home, McArthur, with the Rev. A.B. Maloy officiating. Burial will be in Hamden Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Eastern Star services will be held at 7:30 p.m.
George P. Jarjisian
Died: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Age: 79
JACKSON -- George P. Jarjisian, 79, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at his residence in Jackson.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., he served during World War II on the battleship U.S.S. Iowa and later worked as a civilian for the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of the Army.
Enchanted by rhythm and the sounds of jazz and big bands, he learned to play the drums and later performed at major dance clubs in the Philadelphia area, including the Latin Casino. In retirement, upon hearing that a school's jazz band might fold for lack of a drum set, he donated his own drums and gave free lessons to the teenager who would play them.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah M. Jarjisian; his son, Peter G. Jarjisian; a brother, Robert T. Jarjisian; and nephews Robert, Mark, David and their children. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Eisnaugle-Lewis Funeral Home, Jackson, with Pastor Mary Jo Yeakel officiating.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in his honor may be made to the Ohio University School of Music percussion scholarship fund, in care of the Ohio University Foundation, Athens, Ohio 45701.
Robert Lynn Riffle
Died: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Age: 48
POMEROY -- Robert Lynn Riffle, 48, of Pomeroy, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at Pleasant Valley Hospital.
Born Sept. 25, 1954 in Pomeroy, he was the son of the late Robert Lee Riffle and Donna Smalley Riffle Young of Pomeroy. He also is survived by his stepmother, Sybil Riffle, and a daughter, Tamiko Dawn Riffle.
There will be no calling hours. Burial will be in Chester Cemetery. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Ewing Funeral Home in Pomeroy.
Sara Williams
Died: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Age: 100
GLOUSTER -- Sara Williams, 100, of Courtyard at Lexington, formerly of Glouster, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002 at Salem Community Hospital.
Born Oct. 28, 1901, in Shawnee, she was the daughter of the late John Henry and Fanny Darby McDivitt. She was the wife of the late Ernest Williams, who died on Jan. 5, 1970. They were married on Feb. 18, 1922.
She was an elementary school teacher with Glouster, Jacksonville and Trimble Schools, retiring in 1965. She attended Ohio University and lived in Glouster from 1922 until 1997 when she moved to Salem.
She was a member of Glouster Church of Christ since 1922 and was a past worthy matron and secretary of Thea Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Athens County Retired Teachers Association and the Ohio Retired Teachers Association. She was a Gray Lady with the Athens County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
She is survived by her daughter, Juanita (Polly) Kendall of Salem; four grandchildren, Stuart Kendall of Westerville, Gordon Kendall of Coshocton, Sara Wajahn of Chesterland and Amy Kendall of Columbus; and six great-grandchildren, Bryan, Lauren, Megan and Tyler Kendall, and Caitlin and Jennifer Wajahn.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Grahan Kendall; a sister, Blanche Gibbon; and four brothers, Neil, William, Walter and Jerry McDivitt.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Cardaras Funeral Home, Glouster, with Don Seevers officiating. Interment will be at Millertown Cemetery, Corning.
Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to services.
The family suggests contributions be made to Thea Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, in care of Mary Simmons, 15 Broad St., Glouster 45732; Glouster Church of Christ, 32 Fairlawn Ave., Glouster 45732; or the Memorial Fund of the Salem Public, 821 E. State St., Salem 44460.
Marvel Post
Died: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Age: 83
CORNING -- Marvel Post, 83, of Corning, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Born Feb. 5, 1919, in McLeish, Athens County, she was the daughter of the late Keller and Maude Anderson McGee. Mrs. Post was a partner in Post Logging for over 30 years. She was a devoted member of Spencer Ridge Church and enjoyed singing with the Perry County Senior Citizens Goldenaires.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert "Bob" Post of Corning; six daughters, Dixie (John) Craig of Hemlock, Carolyn (Donald) Weidner of Hockingport, Sue (Bill) Merckle of Moxahala, Kay (Bobby) McClelland of Glouster, Dottie Post of Jacksonville and Debbie (Rodney) Mick of Drakes; two sons, George "Buck" (Barbara) Post and Bobby (Diana) Post of Corning; a sister, Maxine McGee of The Plains; 27 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by five sisters, Floss Vore, Hazel Long, Mary Six, Gertrude Hogue and Dolly McGee; three brothers, Harry, Lenord and Sheldon McGee; two grandchildren, Beth Ann West and Billy McClelland; and two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Colin Post.
Funeral services will be today at 2 p.m. at Spencer Ridge Church with Arnold Van Horn officiating. Interment is at Dew Cemetery. Arrangements are by J.E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Shawnee.
Charles Franklin Gross
Died: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Age: 87
THE PLAINS -- Charles Franklin Gross, 87, of The Plains, a longtime resident of Athens, died early Wednesday evening, Oct. 23, 2002, at Southern Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth.
Born in New Lexington on July 18, 1915, he was the son of the late Ernest R. and Esther Brown Gross Sr. A 1933 graduate of Athens High School, he attended Ohio University. He was retired from McBee Corp., where he was senior printing estimator. He was formerly employed at Athens Lumber Co. and was a member of Athens First United Methodist Church, the Quarter Century Club and Athens York Rite Bodies, and was a 50-year member of Paramuthia Lodge 25 Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio.
He is survived by his son, Dan (Constance) Gross of Wheelersburg; a grandson, Adam (Jennifer) Gross of Richmond, Va.; a granddaughter, Gretchen (Mark) Kendall of Portsmouth; great-grandchildren Megan Bernthold, and Sarah and Adam Kendall, all of Portsmouth; a sister, Jane Elizabeth Miller of Englewood; a niece, Jan (Mike) Hild of Englewood; and a nephew, Robert (Donna) Miller of Englewood.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 2001; and a brother, Ernest Rennard Gross Jr.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Jagers and Sons Funeral Home, Athens, conducted by the Rev. Robert E. Miller and Pastor Mike Hild. Burial will be in West Union Street Cemetery, where Paramuthia Lodge 25 F&AM will hold Masonic services.
Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
William M. Betcher
Died: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Age: 74
ATHENS -- William M. Betcher, 74, of Athens, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, 2002, at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on May 6, 1928, son of the late Larry W. and Hazel A. Myers Betcher. He retired from Ohio University in 1996, where he had been associate dean of services at Alden Library.
He graduated from South Hills High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh. He received bachelor of science and master library science degrees from Carnaige Mellon University.
He served in public and special libraries prior to coming to Athens, where he taught library science classes at Ohio University. He served on the Administrative Senate when it was first established and was an active Ohio and American Library Association member. He was a member and past secretary of the Athens Rotary Club and a member of the Emerti Association.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; a daughter, Melissa (Andy) Lodge of Columbus; and a grandson, Andrew Lodge.
Private graveside services will be held Saturday at West Union Street Cemetery, Athens, conducted by Rev. Katharin Foster. A celebration of his life will be held Nov. 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. at his residence.
Memorial contributions can be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2225 City Gate Drive, Columbus, 43219.
Arrangements are by Jagers and Sons Funeral Home, Athens. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Albert Burns
Died: Friday, August 23, 2002
GLOUSTER -- The cremains of Albert "Crabby" Burns of Cleveland, formerly of Glouster, will be buried with his wife, Bessie, in a graveside service to be held Saturday, 11 a.m., in Maplewood Cemetery.
Mr. Burns passed away in 1974 in Cleveland, at the age of 54. He was born Dec. 18, 1919, in Logan County, W.Va., son of the late Albert and Grace Botkins Burns. He was the husband of Bessie Burns, who passed away on July 31, 1978. He was a railroad worker for many years and a member of Glouster Missionary Church.
He is survived by two sons, Albert "Sonny" Burns of Florida and Robert Burns of Cleveland; three daughters, Barbara Maynor of Florida, Bernice Stalling of Nelsonville and Mary Jankowski of Trimble; 21 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, a brother and two sisters.
Arrangements are by Cardaras Funeral Home, Glouster.
Anna Joy
Died: Friday, August 16, 2002
NELSONVILLE -- Anna Irene Joy, 83, of Lancaster, formerly of Nelsonville, passed away on Friday, Aug. 16, 2002, at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster.
Born July 18, 1919, in Athens County, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Myrtle Wyskiver Stufflebean. She was the widow of the late John Alfred Joy and a member of Nelsonville First Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Judith A. and Joe Grinstead of Columbus, Jean and William Hellyer of Lancaster; nine grandchildren, David, Jeffrey and Tim Stanley, Elaine Ryan, Darren, Shawn and Kelly Grinstead, Leanna and Michael Hellyer; 19 great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Marie Stufflebean of Doylestown; and a sister and brother-in-law, Daisy and Earl Wilson of Applecreek.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Arvilla Stanley; a grandson, Dayne Grinstead; four brothers and four sisters.
Services were held Monday at Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home in Nelsonville, with Pastor Michael Thomas officiating. Interment was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Nelsonville.
Letters and cards of condolence may be sent to Anna's daughters: Judith A. Grinstead, 5986 Hampstead Lane, Columbus, 43229; Jean Hellyer, 2511 Lake Road S.E., Lancaster, 43130.
Alice Reeves
Died: Tuesday, August 06, 2002
ALBANY -- Alice Reeves, 87, of Reynolds Road, Albany, died Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2002, at Kimes Convalescent Center, Athens.
Born June 11, 1915, in Crown, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Plummer and Bess Cline Lax. She was a retired employee of Athens Mental Health Center and a member of Alexander Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by nephews and nieces John W. Lax of St. Charles, Ill., and Gary Lax, Sherry Weeding and Mary Ann Miller of California; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Reeves of Albany.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rex Donald Reeves; a brother, Jack T. Lax; and an infant sister, Florence Lax.
Services will be Friday, 10 a.m., at Bigony-Jordan Funeral Home, Albany, with Pastor Ed Brown officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Alta Gerbrick
Died: Friday, August 02, 2002
HAMDEN -- Alta "Dot" Gerbrick, 88, of Hamden, died Friday, Aug. 2, 2002, at Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus.
Born April 20, 1914, in St. Louis, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Verne and Pearl Goode Jones.
Funeral services are Friday at 1 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Chapel, Wellston. Burial will be in Hamden Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday prior to services.
Baggs Alan
Died: Tuesday, July 30, 2002
NELSONVILLE -- Alan E. Baggs (USN Retired) of Jacksonville, Fla., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Originally from Ohio, Mr. Baggs served 20 years in the Navy before retiring. He worked at Duval and St. Johns Regional Detention Center for the past nine years. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and special friend.
He is survived by wife, Robbin; five daughters, Kathyren (Sean) Mueller, Kimberly (Tommy) Rowe, Danielle (Rex) Brown, Kristy (Andrew) Bell and Donna Baggs; loving parents, Tom and Donna Baggs of Chauncey; a sister, Marlene (Steve) Potkoski; and three brothers, Thomas (Dorothy) Baggs Jr., Mark (Beth) Baggs and Joe Baggs. Also left to mourn his passing are his cherished grandchildren, Kayla, James, Rebecca, Kristan and Brittany.
Services will be held this evening, at 7, at East Pointe Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
The family will receive visitors at Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home in Nelsonville on Monday, from 1 to 3 p.m., with graveside services held at 3 p.m. in Greenlawn Cemetery, Nelsonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida Inc., 4266 Sunbeam road, Jacksonville, Fla., 32257.
