Ruby Jean Howard
Falkville
Funeral service for Ruby Jean Howard, 86, was Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Delmer Peebles officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Ebenezer Cemetery.
Mrs. Howard died Jan. 3 at Summerford Nursing Home. She was born Nov. 20, 1933, in Morgan County to John William Grant and Virginia Snow Suit Grant.  

She was a secretary for a Huntsville moving company prior to her retirement. She was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the Stone Creek Band.  

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, T.H. Howard; a son, Jimmy Howard; and several brothers and sisters.
Survivors include two sons, Don Howard and Gary Howard; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Belinda (Lynn) Fulmer Nichols 

Hartselle 

Funeral service for Belinda (Lynn) Fulmer Nichols was Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. at Speake Christian Fellowship Church with the Rev. Jonathan Proctor officiating. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery South of Danville, with Peck Funeral Home directing.  

Belinda was born Nov. 4, 1966, in Lawrence County to Aldon Ray Fulmer and Geraldine Prater Fulmer. She passed away Jan. 3 at Decatur-Morgan Hospital. She attended Speake Christian Fellowship Church and was preceded in death by her father and husband, Tony Nichols. Belinda worked as a bank teller at BBVA Compass Bank. Lynn loved her dog, Shasha, and her nephews, and all her great–nephews were her joy. She loved Christmas and being able to give gifts out to the kids.  

The Smoky Mountains were Lynn’s favorite place to be, and she always looked forward to our mother/sisters trip in November.  

Lynn was a kid at heart! 

Survivors include her mother, Geraldine Fulmer; three sisters, Sheila (Randy) Johnson, Cynthia Lindley and Bonnie (Larry) Hill. 

 Pallbearers were Jeremy Johnson, Chris Lindley, Brad Lindley, Casey Hill, Cody Johnson, Zack Hill, Austin Lindley, Nathan Lindley. Honorary pallbearers were great–nephews. 

Dorothy Nell Thompson Parker 

Danville 

Funeral service for Dorothy Nell Thompson Parker, 80, of Danville was Jan. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ralph Henderson officiating. Burial was in the Herring Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.  

Mrs. Parker was born Nov. 28, 1939, in Morgan County to William Earl Thompson and Ona Vest Thompson. She passed away Jan. 5 at Decatur-Morgan Hospital. She was a member of Tunsel Road Baptist Church.  

She preceded in death by her parents; husband, Billy Joe Parker; and two daughters, Jodie McCormick and Janet Lewis.  

Before she became physically disabled, she was an excellent cook. Dorothy was passionate about her vegetable garden and canning and freezing what she harvested. She adored her family. 

Survivors include her daughter, Doris Thrasher; four grandsons, Justin Linderman,        Jonathan Thrasher, Jake Linderman and Cody McCormick; one granddaughter, Dallas Pierce; and a number of great–grandchildren. 

Pallbearers were Jake Linderman, Cody McCormick, Conner Pierce, Brian Dean, and Kenny McCormick. 

Honorary Pallbearers were Jonathan Thrasher, Justin Linderman and Dallas Pierce. 

Linda Smith Clemons
Hartselle
Funeral service for Linda Smith Clemons, 75, was Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Glen Miller officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.  Burial was in Shoal Creek Cemetery. 
Mrs. Clemons died Jan. 5 at Huntsville Hospital. She was born Dec. 14, 1944, in Morgan County to Thurman Smith and Opal (Johnson) Smith. She was employed by AAA Travel Agency, as a travel agent,
prior to her retirement.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Clemons; her parents; and a sister, Julia Ann Smith.
Survivors include one son, Jay Bell (Ronda), Decatur; one daughter, Nikki Bell, Hartselle; three sisters, Alice Nace (Larry), Hartselle, Connie Pope, Minor Hill, Tenn., and Bonnie Thompson, Falkville; two grandchildren; and 10 great– grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Ross Murphy, Alan Thompson, Jay Johnson, Jeremy Pagan, Gage Stutts and Sawyer Watts. 

Edith Josephine Howard Fortenberry 

Hartselle 

Memorial visitation for Edith Josephine Howard Fortenberry, 77, was Jan. 9 from 6–8 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. No other services are scheduled. 

Mrs. Fortenberry died Jan. 5 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born July 12, 1942 in Morgan County to Minnie Howard. Mrs. Fortenberry was formerly a teacher for the Morgan County School System and a psychiatric therapist at Decatur General West. She was a great woman; she was strong, independent, loving and caring and will be missed by many.  

Mrs. Fortenberry was preceded in death by her mother and her husband, James Loyal “Shorty” Fortenberry. 

Survivors include one son, Brian Fortenberry; nieces, Patricia Redding Judy Martin Trexiler and Sonya Roberts Williams; nephew, Craig Roberts; and four grandchildren, Jacob Fortenberry, Alana Smith, Aubrianna Morrow and Anastasia Wallis. 

Kenneth Wayne Grantland
Decatur
Funeral service for Kenneth Wayne Grantland, 62, was Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Center Springs Cemetery. 
Mr. Grantland died Jan. 6 at his residence. He was born Nov. 19, 1957, in Morgan County to and Jewel B. Champion Grantland. He was employed as a laborer for Parr Contracting Inc., prior to his passing.  

He was preceded in death by his mother.
Survivors include one daughter Kendra Summerford (Jerry); two sons, Scotty Grantland (Victoria) and Jeremy (J.R.) Atkins; two brothers, Bobby Champion and David Champion; two sisters, Mary Magdalene Tidwell and Gloria Ann Callahan; three  grandchildren,Nathaniel Cowart, Kimber Green and Bella Summerford; and one great  grandchild, Landon Cowart.
Pallbearers were Nathaniel Cowart, Steve Oden, Andy Tidwell, John Tidwell, and Tim Tidwell. 

The Rev. Dr. Jerry Coleman Smith
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for the Rev. Dr. Jerry Coleman Smith, 84, were held Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. at Hartselle City Cemetery with the Rev. John Mobley, the Rev. Jerry Ridling and the Rev. Tim Clark officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
The Rev. Smith died Jan. 6 at River City Center. He was born April 12, 1935, in Jefferson County to Hugh Coleman Smith and Eva Creel Smith.
Bro. Jerry graduated from Murphy High Schol in Mobile. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johnson Bible College in 1958 and his Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry degrees from Vanderbilt University Divinity School.
He was a minister, pastor and a disciple for Christ for the Christian Church for 58 years prior to his retirement. He served and pastored congregations in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.  

He began his first full-time ministry at First Christian Church in Hartselle from 1958-1960. He returned to Hartselle to serve from 2003-2009, when he began preaching in the area as a supply minister. He was honored as pastor emeritus in May 2018.  

He served First Christian Church of Decatur for many years, where he became very active in civic organizations and youth sports programs. He also served Cedar Plains Christian Church in Massey.
He was a member of the Hartselle Rotary Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Smith, and his parents.
Survivors include one son, John Smith (Staci), Prattville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the First Christian Church of Hartselle or to the SNAP Playground in Hartselle. 

Herman “Buddy” Brewer 

Hartselle 

Funeral for Herman “Buddy” Brewer, 64, of Hartselle was Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Aaron Warnick officiating. Burial was in the Piney Grove Cemetery, and Peck Funeral Home directed.  

Mr. Brewer was born Nov. 18, 1955, in Morgan County to Herman Brewer and Mary Woods Brewer. He was a member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church.  

He retired from General Electric after 38.5 years. Herman was a loyal husband, unwavering father, affectionate grandfather and resilient man.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joseph Brewer.  

Survivors include his wife, Monica Smith Brewer; two sons, Thomas (Christina) Brewer and     Justin (Tesha) Brewer; daughter, Julia (Jeff) Brewer; three brothers, Alton “Bunky” Brewer, Paul “Johnny” Brewer and Burt Brewer; sister, Kathy Davis; six  grandchildren, Cayden Brewer, Avery Brewer, Ava Brewer, Mason Brewer, Sullivan Brewer and Raelyn Brewer; and great-uncle, Thomas “Bud” Hill. 

Pallbearers were Nathan Steele, Billy Malone, Jeremy Brewer, Nick Easter, Jeff Grandstaff and Drew Sims. Close friends served as honorary pallbearers. 

Nancy Latham
Eva
Funeral service for Mary Nancy Latham, 74, was Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. at Rock Creek Baptist Church in Eva, with Bro. Randy Sellers and Bro. Jeff Allred officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Her body laid in state for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial was in Rock Creek Cemetery. Mrs. Latham died Jan. 9 at her residence. She was born March 24, 1945, in Morgan County to Earl Vann Woodall and Eva Lorene Mooney Woodall. She was a homemaker, a loving wife of 56 years, mother and
grandmother.  

Known as “Ms. Nancy” by her church family and friends, she served as the church secretary for many years at Rock Creek Baptist Church. She enjoyed many hobbies such as sewing, crocheting, making things and cooking for her family, whom she loved and cared for dearly.  

She was a woman who loved the Lord and always made time to attend church and serve the Lord. Her amazing strength and positive outlook were admired by many, especially her family.
Preceding her in death were her daughter, Sharon Vanette Latham, and her parents.
Survivors include husband, Vann Scott Latham, Eva; one son, Matthew Latham (Emily), Eva; one daughter, Michelle Baker (Danny), Eva; one brother – Danny Woodall (Edna), Eva; one sister, Catherine Livingston (Donald), Priceville; and four grandchildren, Anna Baker, Cole Baker, Carter Latham and Walker Latham.
Pallbearers were grandsons Carter Latham and Walker Latham, son-in-law Danny Baker, and nephews Keith Livingston, Ray Latham and Marcus Woodall. 

Patricia Ann Alford
Falkville
Ms. Patricia Ann Alford, 75, died Jan. 10 at Summerford Nursing Home. She was born May 15, 1944, in Gerogia to Woodrow Wilson James and Pauline Posey Smith James. She was self-employed as a housekeeper and was a wonderful mother and grandmother.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bobby James; and a sister, Sheila James.
Survivors include two sons, Stephen Alford and Michael Morris (Pamela); two brothers, Woody James and Jerry James; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
No services are scheduled at this time. 

Tharon Franklin Speegle 

Hartselle 

Tharon Franklin Speegle, 84, of Hartselle, passed away Jan. 8 after a short illness, just two weeks away from his 85th birthday.  

He was born Jan. 22, 1935, to Thad and Ethel Speegle.  

At the age of 18, he met DeLorese Cole, and July 5, 1958, the two were wed. They were blessed to have celebrated 61 years of marriage in 2019. 

Tharon is preceded in death by his oldest son, Gordon Dewayne Speegle; brothers Tommy Wayne Speegle and Windall Leon Speegle; sisters Jewel Irene Goss and Nancy Marie Smith; and by his parents, Thad and Ethel Speegle. 

He is survived by his wife, DeLorese Cole Speegle of Hartselle, and his son, Jeffrey Wayne Speegle (Amy) of Muscle Shoals. He was grandpa to Bradley DeWayne Speegle (Melissa) of Scottsville, Kentucky; Raine Gardner of Fountain Run, Kentucky; Anna Beth Crump (Nathan) of Nashville, Tennessee; and John Garrison Dooley of Muscle Shoals. He was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren.  

He is also survived by his brother, John D. Speegle of Layton, Utah, and his sisters Sadie Mae Robertson of Panama City, Florida, Wanda Lou Harris of Tuscumbia and Juanita McSherdon (Carson) of Hanceville. 

Tharon served in the US Army as a communication specialist, stationed in Japan. Once he started his career back home, he was very proud to have been an active contributor during the early days of NASA. He worked in large scale computing until his retirement in 1992. 

For those who knew and loved Tharon, he will best be remembered for his intellect, quick wit and love of music, especially playing his guitar. 

There will be a remembrance service at Salem United Methodist Church, in Hartselle, Jan. 18 with fellowship from 2-3 p.m. and service from 3-4 p.m.
All family and friends are cordially invited. Please come and celebrate the life of Tharon Speegle!
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Salem United Methodist Church, Hartselle. 

Stanley Prentiss Clark
Decatur
The Rev. Stanley Prentiss Clark, 83, of Decatur, died Jan. 11 peacefully at home. Service was Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dorothy Ann Webster, the Rev. Fred Webster, the Rev. R. G. Lyons and
the Rev. Joe VanDyke officiated. Burial was at Roselawn Cemetery.
The Rev. Clark was an elder in the North Alabama United Methodist Conference. He preached his first sermon at age 18 at Central United Methodist Decatur, where he was licensed to preach. He served churches for 48 years in north Alabama.
The Rev. Clark is survived by his wife, Dr. Kathy Vernon Clark; son, Stanley Martin Clark and wife Anita Brown Clark; daughter, Jennifer Clark-Larsen and husband Dean Garrett Larsen; sisters, Doris Clark Wilhite (husband Richard Wilhite, deceased) and Dr. Katherine Clark Hollingsworth and husband Dr.
Jerome Hollingsworth; brother, Dr. Eugene Clif Clark and wife Terri Parslow Clark; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walt and Barbara Vernon; grandchildren, Michael Copen, Ashley Clark Parker and husband Cody Parker, Maddox Larsen, Walter Larsen, Lexianna Larsen, Teresa Clark, Mallory Clark and their mother Lisa Townsend Clark; great-granddaughter, Emma Grace Parker; and nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers were members of Central Methodist Men’s Wesley Bible Group.
The family thanks members of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Central United Methodist Church, and the staff of Hospice of the Valley for their loving care and support.  

The family requests memorials be made to Hospice of the Valley or the Civitan International Research Center.