Obituaries week of March 22

Rosalie McDonald
Vinemont
Funeral service for Rosalie McDonald, 81, was held Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at
11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Duke officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Piney Grove Cemetery.
Mrs. McDonald went to her eternal home Thursday, March 9, 2023 at her
residence. She was born August 28, 1941, in Morgan County, to Ray Young and
Erma Willodean Carter Young. Mrs. McDonald started her nursing career at Bankstreet Hospital in 1959 and retired from Decatur General Hospital in 2006. After retiring from her
nursing career, she was a homemaker. She loved to garden, can her vegetables and raise deer at JM Deer Farm. She also enjoyed taking care of her kids and grandkids. She and her husband, Johnny, were married for 63 years.
Preceding her in death were her parents, sisters, Erma Fagan and Hettie
Werdebaugh, grandson, Jay McDonald, great-grandson, Jack Johnson, great-granddaughter, Jayci Howard-Evans and daughter-in-law, Nadine McDonald.
Survivors include husband, Johnny McDonald; sons, Johnny McDonald, Jr. (Cheryl)
and Jimmy McDonald (Kim); daughter, Cindy Goodwin (Dewayne); step-daughter,
Myra Powell (Pat); grandsons, Justin McDonald, Colby Murray and Zach Baldwin (Natasha);
granddaughters, Jana McDonald, Brittany Evans (Michael) and Jamie Robinson (Larry);
great grandchildren, Zoey McDonald, Macey Pritchett, Ava Howard, Landon Robinson,
Kevin Baldwin and Ethan Baldwin; sisters, Julia Flannagin, Claudia Spillers and
Patricia Tipton (Mike). Pallbearers were Jimmy McDonald, Mike Minor, Sonny Millier, Joe Pirtle,
Mike Tipton and Johnny Laney.

James “Tommy” Gray

Hartselle

Memorial service for James “Tommy” Gray, 58, of Hartselle was held Monday, March 13, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Decatur with Bro. Chris Martin and Bro. Walley Blackmon officiating with Peck Funeral Home assisting the family. Mr. Gray was born December 20, 1964 in Houston County, Ala. to James Espy Gray and Ruth Tolar Gray. He passed away Friday, March 10, 2023 at his residence. James was the minister of music and member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for the past three years. He was the minister of music for East Highland Baptist Church for 23 years. James loved doing Santa visits and was a member of the Cotton States Santas. Survivors include wife, Jeannean Gaddy Gray; two sons, Christopher Gray and Benjamin Gray; two daughters, Alicia Gray and Mary Elizabeth Gray; parents, Espy and Ruth Gray; brother, John Gray (Sherry.)

Susan Mary Puckett Sims
Hartselle

Susan Mary Puckett Sims

Hartselle

Memorial Service for Susan Mary Puckett Sims was held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 4 p.m. at First Independent Methodist Church in Decatur with Bro. Hal Daigre officiating. Peck Funeral Home is assisting the family. Mrs. Sims was born November 6, 1941 in Springville, in St. Clair County, Ala. to Jesse “Bill” Willard Puckett and Edith Ester Rogers Puckett. She passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 at her residence. Susan graduated from Springville High School in 1959 and received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Jacksonville State College in 1963. She taught school in Norcross, Ga., Madison Crossroads, Ala. and Crestline Elementary School in Hartselle where she retired from teaching in May 1968 to raise her family. Susan was a Cub Scout Den leader for Pack 92 in Hartselle. She was a very active member at Forrest Chapel Methodist Church where she served as a pianist, organist and teacher for many years. Susan transferred her church membership to First Independent Methodist Church where she was the organist for many years. She was an active supporter of the Woodall Bridge Camp # 296 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Hartselle. Survivors include two sons, David Sims (Debbie) and John Sims (Susie); four grandchildren, Jonathan Croley (Courtney), Mary Grace Sims Watson (Hunter), Will Sims and David Sims; two great-grandchildren, Sadie Watson and Piper Watson. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley.

Royce D. Turney
Somerville
Funeral service for Royce D. Turney age 78 of Somerville was held Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Center Springs Methodist Church with his children, Don Murphy, Eric Brown and Barry Dunn officiating with burial in the adjoining cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Turney, who was born June 10, 1944 in Morgan County to Robert Louis Turney and Ruby Mildred Sharp Turney, died Sunday, March 12, 2023 at his home. Royce lived his life by the quote “He carried his troubles in a pocket with a hole in it.” He retired after 39 years of service from the 3M Company, after retirement he started driving a school bus for the Morgan County School System and retired after 18 years. He was a lifetime member of Center Springs Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, chairman of the cemetery
committee and numerous other leadership roles. Royce was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves as an E-6, Staff Sgt., past president of the Cotaco Community League Youth Sports where he served as a basketball and baseball coach and he worked as the basketball
clock operator for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Fran Johnson and Leta Turney and a stepson, Forrest Johnson. Survivors Include wife Gail Allen Turney;
two sons, Stacy Cale Turney (Carol Nix Turney) and Kevin Grant Turney (Kristyn White Turney);
stepson, Terry Johnson (Lisa Willingham Johnson); one daughter, Kimberly Montez Turney Young (Scott); one brother, Byron Turney; one sister, Ireta Hogan; twelve grandchildren, Amber Johnson Spears, Miles Turney, Graham Turney, McKinley Turney, Patrick Johnson, Olivia Turney, Owen Young, Nate Turney, Reece Young, Lincoln Turney, Ella Turney and Rainie Phelps; one great-grandchild Cooper Spears. Miles Turney, Graham Turney, Owen Young, Reece Young, Nate Turney, Lincoln Turney and Patrick Johnson will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Don Murphy, Kenneth Roberts, Jerry Pendergrass, Stanley Butler, Robert Freeman, Ted Dunaway, James Childers, Lanier Sherrill, Wayne Whitlock, Lonnie Williams, Raymond Breeding and Carleton Turney.

Zack Holmes
Eva
A graveside funeral service and interment for Zack Holmes, 80, was held Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Hamby’s Chapel with Bro. Randy Sellers officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Holmes died Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. He was born December 31, 1942, in Cullman County, to Emern A. Holmes and Clyde Maddux Holmes. Mr. Holmes served in the U.S. Air Force from November 18, 1963 until July of 1965. He was employed for 32 years, as a chemical operator, for BP Amoco prior to his retirement. He loved fishing, camping and sitting in his swing. He loved his family most of all, especially his grandkids who all lived by “What happens at Papaw’s, stays at Papaw’s.” He was saved sitting on the No. 3 Engine of a B-52 bomber while stationed at Homestead Air Force Base. Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers, Emern A. Holmes, Jr., and Hughes Holmes and sisters, Barbara Neal, Martha Bentley and Dorthy Oglesby.
Survivors include wife, Jeanette Kinney Holmes; sons, Greg Holmes (Kimberly) and Jason Holmes (Jill); brother, John Holmes; sisters, Alice Johnson, Mary Edith Griffin Judy Fortenberry, Cathy Turner and Sandy McClesky; four grandchildren, Allison Holmes, Jacob Holmes (Kayla), Haden Holmes (Ally) and Carter Holmes (Bailey). Three great grandchildren who served as Honorary pallbearers, Brody Wheeler, Shawn Michael Holmes and Lance Holmes.
Pallbearers were Jacob Holmes, Haden Holmes, Carter Holmes, Dennis
Holmes, Donald Holmes and William Neal.

Carrol Gene Humphries
Decatur
Funeral service for Carrol Gene Humphries, 88, was held Wednesday, March 15,
2023 at 12 p.m. at Center Springs Church with Elder John Lee and Elder
Robert Lee officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in
Center Springs Cemetery. Mr. Humphries died Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Decatur Health & Rehab Center. He was born February 20, 1935, in Morgan County, to Irving Chester
Humphries and Arrena Mae Cobbs Humphries. He was employed by Wolverine Tube as a Millwright, prior to his retirement. Preceding him in death were his wife, Nancy Winton Humphries, his parents, brothers, Everett Humphries and Levoyd Humphries and sister, Sara Sue
Eddleman. Survivors include sons, Lynn Humphries (Carla), Barry Humphries and Randy Humphries; brothers, Hulond Humphries (Linda) and Bill Humphries (Willodean); sister, Yvonne Hughes; six grandchildren, Chris Humphries (Lindsey), Jamie Humphries, Nick Humphries (Kelsey), Caleb Humphries (Carly), Nathan Humphries and Sonja Humphries; two great grandchildren, Cohen and Calloway Humphries. Pallbearers were grandsons and Byron Winton.

Karen McBay Bynum

Decatur

Karen McBay Bynum, 63 of Decatur, went to her eternal home on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. She was a member of Calvary Assembly Church in Decatur and she was a retired nurse from Hartselle City Schools. Services were held at 12 p.m. Saturday at Spry Funeral Home Chapel in Athens, with Pastor Tony Willis officiating and burial in Limestone Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Matt Thomas, Scott Sandy, Sam Sandy, Jack Thomas, Donnie McBay and Blake McBay and Shaw Sandy. Survivors include daughter, Miriam (Nikita) Stover of Decatur; sons, William Bynum of Hartselle and Matthew Bynum of Atlanta, Ga.; brother, Barry McBay of Birmingham; sister, Linda (Bill) Pajaanen of Goodsprings, Tenn.; grandson, Tra Stover; lifelong friend, Gail Williams Bowen; nieces and nephews, Scott (Kelli) Sandy, Jada (Matt) Thomas, Beth (Mark) Dameron, Brandon McBay. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alabama Kidney Foundation or St. Jude Children Hospital.

Horace M. Crawley

Hartselle
Funeral service for Horace M. Crawley, 79, was held Wednesday, March 15, 2023
at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Lynn Harvel officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Pittman Cemetery. Mr. Crawley passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born June 1, 1943, in Jefferson County, to Charles Leon Crawley and Helen May Faggard Crawley. He was employed as a truck driver for AAA Cooper Transportation, prior to his retirement and was a member of the Tunsel Road Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Glennis Crawley, a brother, John Crawley and his parents.
Survivors include sons, Kevin Crawley (Stephanie) and Michael Crawley (Sabrina); brother,
Howard Crawley; sisters, Gail Finley and Lois Stephenson; grandchildren, Brannigan Edde (James), Conner Crawley, Brandon Crawley and Patrick Crawley; great-grandchild, Brighton Edde. Pallbearers were Mike Flowers, Brandon Crawley, Corey Steele, Artie Dutton, Dan Mackey and Matt Briggs. Honorary pallbearers were Conner Crawley, Patrick Crawley and James Edde.

George Thomas Kelley
Hartselle
Funeral service for George Thomas Kelley, 80, was held Monday, March 20, 2023
at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Lonnie Bennett officiating
and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Alabama National Cemetery.
Mr. Kelley died Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He
was born January 25, 1943, in Davis County, Kentucky, to Joseph Allen Kelley
and Louise Mitchell Kelley. He was a pastor for over 45 years. He was the Pastor of Grace Missionary Baptist Church for several years and up until two weeks prior to his passing
he was the Pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Decatur. He was married
for 59 years to the love of his life, Cora Alice Norris Kelley. He like
technology and loved to tinker with computers, was mechanically minded,
liked old westerns, had a really good sense of humor and liked to travel
with surprise trips. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Preceding him in death were three children, George Thomas Kelley, Jr., Donna
Lou Kelley and Deanna Lynn Kelley and his parents. Survivors include wife,
Alice Kelley; daughters, Debra Jean Owen (Paul) and Patricia Ann Lichti (Keith);
brothers, Joseph Kelley and Donald Kelley; six grandchildren, Gracee, Naomi, Clara,
John, Ava and Caitlynn. Pallbearers were family members.

Rosa “Darlene” Morgan
Danville
Funeral service for Rosa “Darlene” Morgan, 57, was held Saturday, March 18,
2023 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ronnie Bullard, Bro.
Clyde Ledlow and Bro. Lynn Morgan officiating and Peck Funeral Home
directing. Burial was in Midway Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Morgan went to be with the Lord, Monday, March 13, 2023 at UAB Hospital. She was born July 8, 1965, in Georgia, to Tony Elzie Patterson and Rebecca Marie Parker Patterson. She was a day care worker for Mother’s Friend Day Care Center and was a homemaker for her family. She loved cooking, baking cookies and cakes, loved everybody, especially her family and she absolutely adored her
granddaughter! She loved the Lord and had been active in the church’s,
Walden’s Chapel, Stoney Acres and most recently at New Beginnings Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include husband, Dewey Lynn Morgan, Sr.
Son, Lynn Morgan, Jr. (Marla); brothers, Wade Patterson, Steve Patterson, David Patterson
and Anthony Edgar; grandchild, Rebecca Alice Morgan. Pallbearers were Priestley Thomas,
Ridgley Thomas, Brinkley Thomas, Wade Patterson, Kolby Patterson and Blake Patterson.

Morgan Danielle Knox Kent
Somerville

Morgan Danielle Knox Kent
Somerville
Funeral service for Morgan Danielle Knox Kent, 28, was held Sunday, March 19,
2023 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Henderson
officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Bethlehem
Baptist Cemetery. Mrs. Kent passed away Monday, March 13, 2023. She was born July 4, 1994,
in Indiana, to Donald Knox and Charlene Ranel Smith Weems. She was employed as a hostess for Dave and Buster’s, prior to her passing. Morgan was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter and sister that will be missed greatly by all who knew her. Preceding her in death were her grandparents, Earlane Moss and Gary Moss and a stepfather: Andy Pugh. Survivors include,
husband, Jeffery Wayne Kent, Jr.; sons, Lennox Kent and Salem Kent; father, Donald Knox;
mother and stepfather, Charlene Weems (Joseph); brothers, D.J. Knox (Katie), Dylan Knox (Lexi)
and Phillip Sublett; sister, Kayela Brewer; grandparents, Charles Smith (Terry), Donald E. Knox (Tammy) and Marilyn Knox and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were Josh Smith, Austin Smith, John Fisher, T.J. Hernandez, Andrew Sutton and Thomas Kitchen.

Rachel Joy Elliott
Decatur

Rachel Joy Elliott
Decatur
Funeral service for Rachel Joy Elliott will be Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at
3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. Burial will be at Hartselle Memory Gardens.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. at
Peck Funeral Home. Ms. Elliott passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023. She was born November
7, 1970 in Alabama. Rachel was a loving mother and grandmother. She loved to
travel and hike but most of all, she loved spending time with her grandkids.
Ms. Elliott was preceded in death by her son Jeremy Miller and her parents.
Survivors Include son, Trevor Sharpley; daughter, Olivia Miller; brother, Christopher Bledsoe
sister, Shanna Chamblee and three grandchildren, Emerie Muhammad, Myleigh Mallard, and Braxton Coleman.

Brenda Hawkins May
Somerville

Brenda Hawkins May
Somerville
Mrs. Brenda Hawkins May, 80, of Somerville, passed away March 19, 2023
peacefully at home. A graveside service for Mrs. May will be 2 p.m,
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at New Friendship Cemetery at Somerville. She was
born June 18, 1942 in Morgan County to David Mason Hawkins and Ida Lou
Leeman Hawkins. Mrs. May will be buried next to her husband, Troy May and son, Keith May,
who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents and
brother, Ray Hawkins. She is survived by sisters, Nancy Hawkins and Shirley Waddell;
brothers, Johnny Hawkins (Cheri) and Tommy Hawkins (Rosie); sister-in-law, Helen Hawkins;
grand dog, Kimber Brown; her girls, Misty Brown, Tiffany McMinemon, Tea, Oakleigh and Sydney. Pallbearers will be Steven Waddell, Brandon Hawkins, Heath Hawkins, Steven
Buchmeyer, Cody Waddell, and Ken Hawkins. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mason T. Hawkins, Gus Waddell, Lane Hawkins, and Eli Hawkins.

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