Obituaries week of Sept. 7
Paul Lewis Humerick
Decatur
Funeral service for Paul Lewis Humerick, 81, of Decatur was held Wednesday,
August 31, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Eaton
and Bro. Virgil Crisp officiating with burial in the Roselawn Cemetery and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Humerick, who was born July 10, 1941 in Ohio to John Henry Humerick and Allean Cantrell Humerick, died Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. Paul was a dedicated and devoted Christian and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved music, especially gospel music, singing solos and attending church. He loved Jesus Christ and being an intentional witness. Paul was an avid Alabama fan, loved his grandchildren, Ty, Brody and Cheli with all of his heart and was so proud of them. Paul and his wife Lynda loved fellowship with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Owen and Evan Humerick and by eleven siblings. Survivors Include wife, Lynda Buckelew Humerick of Decatur; stepson Brent Dunham (Frani) of Madison; three grandchildren, Tyler Dunham, Brody Dunham and Cheli Cobb; brother, Thomas Richard Humerick of Miamisburg, Ohio; sister, Betty Joe Ryan of Greenville, Ohio; special cousin, David Ladd; sister and brother-in-law, Glynda Hardin (Marshall) and a host of nieces and nephews. Brent Dunham, Marshall Hardin, Sam Roberts, Wendell Allen, Randy Roberts and Jack McClanahan served as pallbearers. Ty and Brody Dunham were honorary pallbearers
Violet May (Burns) Knapp-1
Hartselle
Violet May (Burns) Knapp-1
Hartselle
Violet May (Burns) Knapp-1, 94, of Hartselle, reposed in the Lord at home early in the morning on Monday, August 22, 2022. Violet diligently attended Hartselle First Assembly of God for 30 years in reverence to Christ alongside her husband, Wilford Knapp-1. Violet delighted in her 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, whom she considered her joy and true wealth. Born of farmers, she labored for 37 years at the Bendix Electronics Corporation in Sydney, NY. Over the years, Violet developed a passion for technology and travel. She visited much of the United States, especially the eastern seaboard and as far as Alaska. She also refined a personal pleasure in reading, hand crafts and crossword puzzles. Through her travels and interests, Violet honed a quick wit, tenacity, Christian faith and profound memory of nearly a century, with which she had inspired and instructed those who knew her. We thank the Lord for her years and the stories she passed down to her family. Requiescat in Pace.
Born in Green, NY, on May 7, 1928, to Earl and Genevieve (Babcock) Burns, Violet came from a household of 15 siblings. She followed in death her husband of 58 years, Wilford “Spike” Murray Knapp-1 (1928-2009); her parents Earl and Genevieve; her brothers Earl, Edward, Charles, Ralph, Robert, George, and Jack; and her sisters, Marguerite Jennings, Irene Parisi, and Charlotte Saruew. Her family members who remain include, her brothers Raymond, Gerald, and Kenneth Burns, as well as sister, Beatrice Dickinson; daughters, Kaye Blankenship, Ellen Hosier and Judith Rowe; and sons, Michael Knapp-1 and Douglas Knapp-1. Violet’s celebration of life was held September 4, 2022, at 3 p.m at Hartselle First Assembly of God in Hartselle. The family had a gathering after the service.
Bill Reese
Hartselle
Bill Reese passed away at his home on August 25. Visitation was held at
West Hartselle Baptist Church on Sunday, September 4 at 1 p.m. with memorial
service at 2 p.m. and a celebration of life following in the Family Life Center
at the church. William Thomas Reese was born in Talladega, Ala., on May 1, 1938. Bill was
the only child of Ruth Carter Reese. His grandmother, Annie Carter, raised him
after the death of his mother. He graduated from Lincoln High School and Southern
Union College. He entered the building profession and retired after 30 years as vice
president of Valley Home Builders in Priceville, Ala. He helped many young
families with affordable housing and oversaw the construction of many
apartment complexes in North Alabama. VHB built the first high rise on West
Beach in Gulf Shores. He later retired as owner and president of Reese
Construction and Appraisal. He was a member of the board of directors and
the contractor of record for Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County. For his
70th birthday, contributions by friends and family paid for the slab of a
new house for a family in Hartselle. When he was 52, he became a believer and fell in love with Jesus and West Hartselle Baptist Church. There, he was brotherhood director, Sunday school teacher and chairman of the building committee for the addition of the Family Life
Center. This was his greatest building accomplishment. Bill was a story teller and if he needed to embellish the story to make it better, he was happy to do so. He loved making people laugh even at his own expense. He lived life to the fullest and had a big heart. He loved for his generosity to be anonymous and was always very giving. Thirty-one years ago, he married Mary Anne Rakestraw and they became a loving and successful team; appraising, building and selling property. They spent many hours bass fishing together. If the fish weren’t biting, they just
enjoyed being together outdoors. They had many happy years even after Alzheimers stole his mind. He kept his sense of humor until the end, even dancing a few steps as he was being helped from the chair to the bed just before his death. His three grandchildren delighted him. He loved being a grandfather. In addition to his wife, Mary Anne, he is survived by Myscha and Bill Crouch, Beth and Robert Brown, Tom Reese and Ryan Sullivan, Amy Rakestraw, Alyson and Bart Busch, grandchildren, Will Brown, Andrew Reese, and Anna Grace Brown and
special families, Johnny, Lawanda, Grayson, Owen, and Maggie Burgess and
Tommy, Dana, Logan and Luke Brown, his extended family, Mary Anne’s large
family and numerous friends. His body was donated to science in order to further Alzheimer’s research. Special thanks to Hospice of the Valley, Tonya Hudgins, Tonya Duke, Karen
Brock, Carol Brown and the Esther Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Habitat for Humanity or Hospice of the Valley.
Mavis Lelderine Lacey
Danville
Funeral service for Mavis Lelderine Lacey, 90, was held Monday, August 29,
2022 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tom Campbell
officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Johnson
Chapel Cemetery. Lacey died Friday, August 26, 2022 at Decatur-Morgan Hospital. She was
born Sunday, April 17, 1932 in Morgan County to Leonard Long and Ruby Long.
She was a member of Johnson Chapel Methodist Church. She was employed by
Pineview Hospital as a nurse, prior to her retirement. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Odis Junior Lacey, her parents, several brothers and
sisters, a daughter, Pat Hudgins and a son, Joe Lacey. Survivors include sons, Tim Lacey, Buddy (Ruby) Lacey, Jerry (Gloria) Lacey, Mike (Ann) Lacey, and Alex Lacey; twenty-three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Buddy Lacey, Jerry Lacey, Tim Lacey, Mike Lacey, Alex Lacey, and Jerry Betterton.
Brenda Brack
Decatur
Funeral service for Brenda Brack, 71, was held Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at
11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Brad Killough officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Hartselle City Cemetery.
Visitation was Monday, August 29, 2022 from 6-8p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. Mrs. Brack died on Friday, August 26, 2022 at her residence. She was born April 2, 1951 in Morgan County, to Roy B. Denson and Dona Robinson Denson. She was a member of the Rural Grove Baptist Church, was a homemaker for her family and was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and
friend, that will be greatly missed. Preceding her in death were her husband: Donald Brack, her parents and brothers, Royce Denson and Allen Denson. Survivors include daughters, Brenda Lee Clay and Melissa Brack; brother, Billy Denson; sister, Sue Lindley; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Lee Cook, Dalton Eskew and Audie McCallum.
Lela A. Powell
Bryson City, NC
A graveside memorial service for Lela A. Powell, 71, of Bryson City, NC will be held Saturday, September 24 at 2 p.m. at Powell Chapel Cemetery in Morgan County, Ala. with Bishop Samuel Parker officiating. She was born October 13, 1950 to Jasper Newton Powell II and Aretas Childers Powell. Lela passed away July 18, 2022.
Lela was a graduate of Lee University of Cleveland, Tenn., and served as Juvenile Probation Officer in both Cullman and Auburn. She decided to make a career change and received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina. As a Registered Nurse she spent many years caring for the needs of others.
Survived by one brother, Miles Tilmon Powell and numerous nieces and nephews.
Carter DeMartin
Hartselle
V. Carter DeMartin, 77, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Decatur
Morgan Hospital. He was born January 14, 1945, in Jefferson County, Ohio,
to Michael DeMartin and Pauline Stubbs DeMartin, who preceded him in death.
He was employed by Weirton Steel, as a Millwright, prior to his retirement.
He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and grandfather, who loved his
family and will be missed. He was an “all around family guy.” Survivors include wife, Shirley DeMartin; son, Todd DeMartin (Keisha); brothers, Michael DeMartin and Edward DeMartin; three grandchildren, Clayton, Caitlyn and Mallie DeMartin. No services were scheduled at this time.
Marie Estell Kaylor
Maryville, Tenn.
Marie Estell Kaylor
Maryville, Tenn.
Funeral service for Marie Estell Kaylor, 81, was held Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. James Watts officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Powell’s Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Kaylor died Friday, August 26, 2022 at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, Tenn. She was born February 4, 1941 in Morgan County, to
Will Watts and Annie Powell Watts. She was a loving mother and a lover of animals. She was employed as a private sitter and nurse’s aide, caring for others, prior to her retirement. Preceding her in death were her husband, Ray Kaylor, daughters, Gail Kaylor
and Phyllis Marie Watts, sisters, Ruby Makemson, Helen Thomas, Lois Morgan
and Opal Suther and brothers, Jim Watts, Loyd Watts and Harold Watts.
Survivors include son, Vance Kaylor (girlfriend, Tora Oliver); several nieces and nephews
Pallbearers were Tim Watts, Shannon Thomas, Jason Worthy, Josh Berriman,
Todd Morgan and Larry Don Watts.
Dacoda “Cody” Chasteen
Decatur
Dacoda “Cody” Chasteen
Decatur
A funeral service for Dacoda “Cody” Chasteen was held Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 1p .m. in the chapel of Peck Funeral Home with Dr. John Bain. Cody was born to Randy Chasteen and Robin Evans Hopper in Morgan County on November 19, 1987. Cody was baptized and was a member of the Oak Park Baptist Church in Decatur, At the age of 15, he was awarded Eagle Scout status of America (2003.) He was a graduate of Danville High School in 2006. In 2008, he applied for admission into the U.S. Coast Guard and graduated from the Academy on June 18, 2008. He was assigned to Kings Bay Base in Georgia. He was honorably discharged from the Guard and returned to his home in North Alabama. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Bernard and Harriet Chasteen of Hartselle. He is survived by mother, Robin Hopper; father, Randy Chasteen; stepfather, Daniel Hopper; son, Phoenix Ray Chasteen; sister, Kira Hopper-Randall (Anthony); niece, Aliyah Randall of Guam; grandparents, Bob and Beth Evans of Hartselle; aunts and uncles, John and Terri Bain, Joey and Lori Evans, Ginger Chasteen and Sabrina Stover; cousins, Charise Buel, Jonathan Bain, Bethany Chancelor, and Lacey Weaver. Pallbearers were Jonathan Bain, Joey Evans, Devon Jones, Tank Sullivan, Codie Johnson, Brandon Mosely, Caleb Steadham, Casey Wilson.
Erica Cartee Allen
Hartselle
Funeral Service for Erica Cartee Allen was held Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 5 p.m. in the chapel of Peck Funeral Home with Paul Cheshier officiating. Visitation was held on Friday, September 2, 2022 from 6-8p.m. Mrs. Allen was born July 17, 1982, in Decatur to Gary Wayne Cartee and Robbyn Brewer Cartee. She died August 31, 2022 and was preceded in death by her father. Survivors include husband, Jason Allen; mother, Robbyn Cartee; sister, Heather Cartee Haggermaker (Stanley); uncle, Bill Cartee; nephews, Damon Stewart, Kayden Stewart, Cody Haggermaker, Dennis Haggermaker and Grant Haggermaker; niece, Emilee Haggermaker; great nephew, Hendrix Haggermaker and a host of cousins and other loved ones.
