Obituaries Jan. 25 – Feb. 1
Betty Joyce Patterson
Vinemont
A graveside service for Betty Patterson of Decatur was held Jan. 26 at Etha Baptist Church, Eva, with Carlos Wilhite officiating. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bronco and Pearl Patterson, and five siblings, John, Warren, Reba, Ted and Loretta. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sisters, Eleanor Bailey of Decatur and Pauline Gilmore of Birmingham, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
The family held a private service.
Lt. Col. Lawrence H. (Buddy) Brown
Hartselle
Graveside service was held Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Guntersville. The Rev. Bueal Hunkapiller officiated.
Mr. Brown was born April 22, 1942, to Lawrence Haden and Alzie Mae Brown. He worked all his life, beginning in childhood. He was a modest gentleman who believed in helping others, his community and his country.
He was known for his generosity, kindness and sense of humor. He often provided anonymous assistance to others. He took pride in helping farmers and homeowners as an FHA supervisor. He was a lifelong reader, a master woodworker, able electrician and radio operator and a crack shot, and he designed his own house.
He loved his family, bluegrass and gospel music, reading the Wall Street Journal and his dog Baxter.
He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Alabama National Guard and served as commander of the 131st Signal Battalion at Graysville, Hanceville and Birmingham. He retired as personnel officer at the 142nd Signal Brigade in Decatur.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Hartselle, Morgan County Personnel Review Board, Hartselle City Utility Board and Oden Nunn Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Brown attended Marshall County High School then worked his way to a degree at Auburn University. He was a graduate of Alabama Military Academy and Command General Staff College, where he was on the commandant’s list.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice; daughter Stephenie; son-in-law Peter; grandsons Matthew and Steven; and sisters Jeanette, Louise (Lumpy), Sarah (Sally) and Rachel.
Preceding him in death were his parents, infant son David-Blankenship Haden and sisters Mary Love and Virginia (Ginger).
His family requests that rather than sending flowers, please make a donation to the First Baptist Church of Hartselle Ramp Building Fund or to a charity of your choice.
Cleo Holmes Long
Hartselle
Cleo Holmes Long passed peacefully in her sleep and into the arms of her Savior at the well-lived age of 92.
Born in Eva to Oliver and Sybil Holmes Dec. 17, 1928, Cleo was known by many and loved by all who were blessed to spend time with her.
She was a 1947 graduate of Eva High School and an attendee of Arlington Baptist College in Texas. The wife of the Rev. James O. Long, Cleo was the proud mother of Jonathan Long (wife, Judy Kirby-Long) and grandmother of Emily “Emme” Long.
Known for her jovial soul, big smile and even bigger heart, Cleo was happiest when she was taking care of others. Whether she was cooking a meal for a sick church member, mending the clothes of a loved one with care or teaching Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church (Hartselle), Cleo’s joyful spirit enveloped all who were blessed to be near her. Cleo found much joy in tending to her garden and singing weekly with the residents of Summerford Nursing Home for more than 40 years.
She is now reunited with her husband, the Rev. James O. Long; twin brother, Leo Holmes; and her granddaughter, Jordan Kirby Long.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her son, Jonathan Long; her daughter-in-love, Judy Kirby-Long; granddaughter, Emily “Emme” Kirby Long; sister, Shirley Forrester of Bladenboro, N.C.; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
The family would like to thank the church family at Calvary Baptist Church and her many friends for their love and support.
In memory of her, we ask that you smile at a stranger, pass along a kind deed and spend a moment of thanks with God, just as she would have wanted.
A masked and socially–distanced graveside ceremony was held at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Eva Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. with Brother Mike Eaton officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Psalm 100 (KJV): “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Kay Cobb
Falkville
Funeral service for Kay Cobb, 62, was held Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Roger Ammons officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Roundtop Cemetery.
Mrs. Cobb died Jan. 24 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born Dec. 28, 1958, in Lawrence County to John R. Lindley and Mary Ruby Louise Upton Lindley. She was employed at C & S Foodland (Hometown) in food preparation prior to her passing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Monroe Lindley and brothers Clifford Lindley, Ray Lindley and Curtis Lindley.
Survivors include her husband, Michael Ray Cobb; daughters Angie Louise Ball (Chris) and Kaila Leshay Mullins; brothers, Jimmy Lindley and Ricky Lindley (Darlene); sisters, Peggy Jones and Deborah Lindley; and grandchildren, Garrett Ball, Wyatt Ball, Kyren Mullins and Annabelle McDonald.
Pallbearers were Alton Weaver, Dale Weaver, Terry Champion, Cody McDonald, Bradly Letson and Justin Ruth.
Peggy Faye Moran
Hartselle
Funeral service for Peggy Faye Moran, 81, was held Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Marty Hand officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Ms. Moran died Jan. 24 at her residence. She was born March 20, 1939, in Georgia to Winnie Williams and Gladys (Medders) Williams. She was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church. She was employed as a registered nurse for 43 years, working mostly in Florida Hospital in Orlando. She came to Hartselle in 2002 and worked for Hospice of North Alabama as a hospice nurse.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include daughter Tanya Hollingsworth; son Clyde Smith; brothers, Larry Williams and Tony Williams; and grandchildren David-Blankenship Hollingsworth, Natasha Hollingsworth and Kyle Smith.
James Lamar “Buddy” Waits
Decatur
Funeral service for James Lamar “Buddy” Waits, 78, of Decatur was held Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Bobby Newman officiating. Burial was in the Burningtree Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Peck Funeral Home directed.
Mr. Waits, who was born Aug. 2, 1942 in Moulton to James Anderson Waits and Lennie Elsie Lackey Waits, died Jan. 25 at The Sanctuary at the Woodlands in Cullman. He was a big Auburn Tigers football fan and enjoyed old Western movies and old country music.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and four sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Waits and a son, Toney Waits (Nicole) of Decatur; a daughter, Rebecca Maples, of Somerville; four sisters, Polly Nelson (J.P.) and Betty Allen (Donald) of Decatur, Hellen McBride of Toney and Doris “Tilly” Goree of Huntsville; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Linda Carol Logan Aaron Isbell
Hartselle
Funeral service for Linda Carol Logan Aaron Isbell, 71, was held Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. B.K. Jones officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Burningtree Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Isbell died Jan. 25 at Hospice Family Care. She was born July 26, 1949, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Richard Logan and Evelyn Parker Logan. She was employed as an assembly line worker for General
Electric, working 32 years, prior to her retirement.
She was loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, with a wonderful Christian faith and a loving heart for all, including all of her pets.
Preceding her in death were her first husband, Jon Aaron; second husband, Dwight Isbell; and her parents.
Survivors include a daughter, Leslie Compton (Greg); stepdaughters Jennifer Brook and Teena Bradbury (Carl); brother Richard Logan; grandchildren Aaron Compton, Beth Ann Etzkorn and Anna Claire Compton; and step-grandchildren Alex Brooks, Rylee, Darbi and Carlee Bradbury and Alison and Baylee Hanley.
Pallbearers were Greg Compton, Aaron Compton, Gunnar Etzkorn, Mason Dillard, Stanley Hogan and Alex Brooks.
Stephen Kelley Hamlin
Decatur
Funeral service for Stephen Kelley Hamlin, 65, was held Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Todd Evans officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens.
Mr. Hamlin died Jan. 25 at his residence. He was born Jan. 15, 1956, in Talladega County to Nolen Hamlin and Esther Alice Goss Hamlin. He was a graduate of the Austin High School Class of 1974. He retired from General Electric after 25 years of service as a processor II at their Decatur plant. He also served as a deacon at Parkview Baptist Church in Decatur.
His parents preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie W. Hamlin, Decatur; son, Stuart Kelley Hamlin, Decatur; granddaughter, Sorea Kelley Hamlin; brother, Michael Hamlin, Pensacola, Fla.; sister, Deborah Cooper, Quitman, Miss.; and in-laws, Noah Webster and Peggy Webster and Donna Bradley.
Pallbearers were his nephews and the Ladd Sunday School class.
David-Blankenship Blankenship
Hartselle
Funeral service for David-Blankenship Blankenship, 73, was held Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. at New Center Baptist Church with Bro. Ben Bates officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in New Center Cemetery.
Mr. Blankenship died Jan. 27 at his residence. He was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Morgan County to Thad Blankenship and Margaret Nave Blankenship. He was a member of New Center Baptist Church.
David-Blankenship was employed by Monsanto/Solutia as a machine operator and later was a bus driver for the Morgan County Board of Education. He loved being on his farm and enjoyed his chickens, horses, mules and his tractors. He liked to go camping, and he enjoyed having fun telling jokes and laughing. He loved going to Dog Days Trade Day at Ardmore and Lacon Trade Day.
David-Blankenship loved his family and was a good neighbor to all.
His parents and sister Thaleen Blankenship preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Thompson Blankenship; son, Harley Gregory; daughter, Stephanie Parker (Stacy); brother, Tommy Blankenship (Marilyn); sister, Sherry Adcock (Tommy); grandchildren, Dakota Linderman and
Haley Chaney; and great–grandchild Brennex Chaney.
Pallbearers were Harley Gregory, Stacy Parker, Dakota Linderman, Runt Graham, Robert Hopper and Dan Blankenship. Honorary pallbearers were Buddy Rutherford, Richard Dunn, Rayford Morgan and James Alan Hill.
Regina M. Ficklin
Trinity
Funeral service for Regina M. Ficklin, 54, was held Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bobby Smith officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. Ficklin died Jan. 27 at her residence. She was born Feb. 13, 1966, in Morgan County to Willard Mason Miller and Helen Neal Sharp Miller.
Regina was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter-in-law, sister and friend. She was an avid Alabama fan and had a great love for flowers and working in her yard, but she was happiest when she had family to visit, especially her grandkids. She was an employee of the Volunteers of America, helping in the care of children with special needs.
Preceding her in death were her parents and her grandparents, O’Neal and Crucie Sharp.
Survivors include her husband, Garvin M. Ficklin; sons, Austin Ficklin and Steven C. Ficklin (Amber); daughter, Wendy N. Stockdale (Aaron); brothers, Mason Miller, Markham Miller and Monte Miller; grandchildren Landyn Ficklin, Grayson Ficklin and Emory Ficklin; father-in-law, Marvin D. Ficklin; and loving aunt, Brenda Sharp Page.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
Mae Blankenship
Decatur
A graveside funeral service and interment for Mae Blankenship, 82, was held Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. at Etha Baptist Cemetery with Wayne Jackson giving the eulogy and Pastor Ryan Mouser officiating. Peck Funeral Home directed.
Mrs. Blankenship passed away Jan. 28 at her residence.
She was born April 2, 1938, in Calhoun County to Orbie Humphrey and Lela Kemp Humphrey. She was employed in nursing, with the Decatur General Home Health Agency, prior to retiring. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great–grandmother, daughter and sister.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Neal Blankenship; her parents; brothers Leroy, Elton, David-Blankenship and Melvin Humphrey; and sisters Faye Cox, Vena Mae Widner and Mary Voyles.
Survivors include her sons, Wayne Jackson (Ann) and Dylan Jackson (Patti); daughter, Donna Letson; brothers, Harold Humphrey (Martha), Morris Humphrey (Peggy) and Raymond Humphrey (Sharon); sister, Doris Self; seven grandchildren; 13 great–grandchildren; and two great–great–grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Wayne Jackson, Kenny Hetrick, Tim Self, Ryan Mouser, Matt Taylor and Jim Estes.
Jimmy Judson Johnson
Hartselle
A private funeral service for Jimmy Judson Johnson, 89, was held by his family, assisted by Peck Funeral Home. A public Celebration of Life will be announced and held at a later date.
Mr. Johnson died Jan. 28 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. He was born Sept. 13, 1931, in Morgan County to John Tollie Johnson and Ora Lee “Sookie” Gurley Johnson. He made contributions to the aerospace and defense industries for 34 years, prior to his retirement. He was a man of few words, but when he talked, it was worth listening. He was a mentor and role model to many and a wonderful husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Matt Johnson and Leo Johnson.
Survivors include his wife, Sue W. Johnson; daughter, Regina Johnson Layton (Kevin); and sister, Sally Williams.
Pallbearers were Kevin Layton, Lonnie Williams and Johnny Williams.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the “Bosom Buddies” at Cullman Regional Medical Center.
Justin Conley Ransom
Falkville
Funeral service for Justin Conley Ransom, 32, was held Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Yeager officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Rice Family Cemetery.
Mr. Ransom died Jan. 22 at Crestwood Medical Center. He was born Aug. 16, 1988, in Madison County to Conley Wilson Ransom and Sharon Ann Davis Ransom. He was employed by Aerotek as a plumber
and pipefitter prior to his passing.
Justin was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother and friend who had a big heart and was a selfless individual. He enjoyed hunting and bowfishing and working on cars and firearms. He came into this world fighting and has fought his whole life to stay here. He was a giver to others, even in the end, as he was an organ donor.
Survivors include his wife, Crystal Hitt Ransom; parents Conley W. and Sharon Ann Davis Ransom; sons Ace Alexander Ransom, Justin Dallas Ransom and Levi Kohl Ransom; daughter Baylee JoAnn Ransom; brothers Joseph Brown and Eric White; and sisters Keely Ransom, Savanah Brindley, Ashley Montgomery and Katlynn Ransom.
Pallbearers were Ronnie Johnson, Joseph Brown, Eric White, Timmy Weir, Caleb Couch, Bradley Simmons and Brannon Garrison. Honorary pallbearers were Maddox Ausley and L.J. Ausley.
Marie-LeMay Nethery LeMay
Hartselle
Marie-LeMay Nethery LeMay, 88, passed away Jan. 29 at Valley View Health & Rehab.
She was born March 11, 1932, in Morgan County to William Oscar Nethery and Vera Mae Johnson Nethery Drake. She worked for 20 years for Cummings Trucking Company as the office manager. She was a wonderful wife and mother and was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Hartselle, where she was very active in several ministries. She never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband, William Ralph LeMay Jr.; a sister, Patricia Drake Crow; and her parents.
Because of COVID-19, a memorial service will be held by her family at a later date.
Special thanks are expressed to Columbia Cottage and the Terrace at Priceville for the care that she received for the past several years.
Survivors include daughter Phyllis LeMay Thurman (J. Frank), Priceville; brothers Mike Drake (Janice), Hartselle, and Bill Drake, Hartselle; grandchildren Allen Pendleton, Hartselle, Wesley Workman, Jacksonville, Fla., and Bethany Workman, Falkville; great–grandson, Chris Pendleton, among other great–grandchildren; and special friend Ruth Cottrell, Falkville.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be sent to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Society or First United Methodist Church.
Angel Renee McDearmond
Baileyton
A memorial service for Angel Renee McDearmond, 47, will be held Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mrs. McDearmond died Jan. 28 at Huntsville Hospital.
She was born Feb. 24, 1973, in Marshall County to Marcus Harold Foster and Dorothy Faye Briscoe Foster. She was a homemaker for her family and a wonderful wife, mother, sister and friend. She loved to laugh and play games. She loved her family and her dogs. She enjoyed fishing and people, in general.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Teresa Foster.
Survivors include husband Terry McDearmond; sons Brandon McDearmond (Lauren) and
Gavin Cravens; daughters Destyni Cravens and Amber Hyde; brothers Davis Foster and
Benny Foster; sisters Susan Foster and Melissa “Lisa” Miller (Rusty); two grandchildren, Sawyer and Ryland McDearmond; and several nieces and nephews.
Felton Bell
Decatur
Funeral service for Felton Bell, 78, was held Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Angela Baldwin officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Center Springs Cemetery.
Mr. Bell died Jan. 29 at his residence. He was born May 2, 1942, in Lawrence County to Johnny and Mary Bell. He was employed with the City of Decatur prior to his retirement. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his son, Ricky Riggins, a brother, J.W. Bell, and his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy Simmons Bell; son, Greg Bell; daughters, Mavis Brown (Kevin), Vicky Brookover-Brewer (Paul) and Sabrina Wright (Junior); brother, Willard Bell; sisters, Birchie Suggs and Berthie Bell; 14 grandchildren; 27 great–grandchildren; and five great–great–grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Gene Tidwell, Jeff Tidwell, Nathan Riggins, J.J. Mears, Austin Bell and Gregory Bell.
