By Staff
Aug. 18, 2007
Ottis Wayne Thomas, age 75, of Nauvoo, passed away Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007 at UAB Hospital. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War , where he was awarded numerous medals. He was a retired school teacher, where he taught at the Walker County Vocational School. He was a cattle farmer, a faithful member of Old Union Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and Sunday School director.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 20, 2007 at Old Union Baptist Church in Nauvoo with Bro. Kenny Sudduth officiating. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Thomas; and children, Rhonda Womack and husband, John, of Hartselle, Teresa Olson and husband, Chris, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Cindy Harbin and husband, Lee, of Haleyville, and Kevin Thomas and wife, Susan, of Nauvoo; brothers, Edward, Wallace and Travis Thomas; sister Irene Thomas, Minnie Mae Barton, Peggy Dover, and Ruby Gilbreath; and grandchildren, Craig Womack, Ashley Womack, Heather Harbin, Justin Harbin, Andrea Olson, and Ashton Thomas.
Pallbearers included Keith Alsup, Aarron Hopson, Ricky Thomas, Eric Gilbreath, Scott Thomas, and Lonnie Thomas.
She was preceded in death by parents, John and Isabell Thomas, and sisters, Ernestine Raley, Doris Jean Thomas, and Illa Faye Richardson.
Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville assisted the family.
Bennie P. Whitehead
Aug. 17, 2007
Bennie Pearl Whitehead, age 94, of Russellville, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2007 at Russellville Health Care.
She was a charter member of the First Freewill Baptist Church of Russellville.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 20, 2007 at Pinkard Funeral Home chapel in Russellville with Phillip Kimbrough officiating. Burial was in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery.
She is survived by daughters, Bobbie Martin of Russellville, and Syble Vinson of Huntsville; grandchildren, Ranny Vinson and wife, Jenny, of Huntsville, Danny Vinson, Lisa Clement and husband, Doug, of Russellville, and Eddie Martin and wife, Melanie, of Muscle Shoals; great-grandchildren, Bailey Vinson of Huntsville, Taylor Vinson and wife, Amy, of Huntsville, Bonnie Marshall and husband, Wade, of Russellville and Britney Clement of Russellville; great-great-grandchild, Rowe Vinson of Huntsville; sister, Laura E. Key of Muscle Shoals, several nieces and nephews and a host of special friends, especially her church family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.B. Whitehead; parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Stephenson; brothers, Veto, Willard, Hodge, Elton, Blan and Eudon Stephenson; and sister, Nellah Mae Balentine.
Special thanks to Mid South, Alabama Cares Support for Caregivers, the staff of Russellville Health Care, and special friends, Olene Warhust and Ila Gilley.
Betty P. Alsbrooks
Aug. 17, 2007
Betty Pickett Alsbrooks, age 77, of Russellville, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2007 at Russellville Health Care.
She was a lifelong resident of Russellville and a member of First Baptist Church of Russellville. She was one of ten children born to Cal And Ruby Pickett of Waco.
She was a secretary for both Alabama DPS and Champion Paper, and a master seamstress. She served her community by being part of the ladies VFW and volunteering for Wiregrass Hospice.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 at Pinkard Funeral Home Chapel in Russellville with Richard Parker and Josh Miles officiating. Burial was in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery.
She is survived by daughter, Donna Alsbrooks Miles and, husband, Greg; grandchildren, Joshua Miles and wife, Tiffany, Sarah Miles Cosby and husband, Justin, Nathan Miles; great-grandchildren, Noah Miles and Owen Miles; sisters, Francis Grant and husband, Howard, Pat Waldrop and husband, Steve, Peggy Olive and husband, Raleigh, Sarah Thompson and husband, Hank; and sisters-in-law, Kate Pickett and Margie Pickett.
Pallbearers were Josh Miles, Nathan Miles, Justin Cosby, David Alsbrooks, Wally Pickett, and Hank Thompson. Honorary pallbearers were Howard Grant, Raleigh Olive and Steve Waldrop.
She was preceded in death by her husband, H.E. Alsbrooks; siblings, C.D. Pickett, Jr., Billy Pickett, Bruce Pickett, Judy Creamer and Tommy Pickett.
Special thanks to the Angels of Mercy at Russellville Health Care. There are no words of express thanks for the family of love who work there. Her "second" daughter Collins Ledgewood, her price is far above rubies, Trenelia Malone and the Ruth Sunday School Class.
Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville assisted the family.
John C. Cummings, Jr.
Aug. 18, 2007
John C. Cummings, Jr., age 72, of Spruce Pine, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007 at Russellville Hospital. He was born in Chilton County. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Hornet during the Korean War. He received a B.S. degree in Education from Livingston State College in 1961. He taught school in Georgia for 30 years, the last 26 in Thomasville, Ga. Since retiring from teaching, he devoted his time to hybridizing daylilies.
He wrote for many newspapers and was currently a weekly columnist for The Chilton County News and The Red Bay News.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 20, 2007 at Mt. View Baptist Church in Phil Campbell with Sammy Taylor officiating. There was another service Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 at Mulberry Baptist Church in Maplesville, Ala. Burial was is the adjoining cemetery of Mulberry Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Lucy Cummings of Spruce Pine; sons, John Cummings, III of Florence, Glen Cummings and wife, Caprice, of Maryville, Tenn., Phillip Cummings and wife, Julia, of Brentwood, Tenn.; grandchildren, Jeremy Cummings, Jennifer Cummings, Brooke Cummings, Bradley Cummings, Joshua Cummings, Justin Cummings; sister, Jean Morgan and husband, John Hugh, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Conger and Evelyn Cummings of Maplesville, Ala.
Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville assisted the family.