Benjamin “Marty” Childers
Decatur A funeral service for Benjamin “Marty” Childers, 43, was held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 3:30 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Steven Smith officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow in Lawrence Cove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM on the same day at Peck Funeral Home.
Mr. Childers passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. He was born on July 18, 1980, in Morgan County to Benny Hugh Childers and Sheila Bowen Childers. Marty attended Brewer High School and graduated from Hartselle High School before completing the Decatur Developmental Program in 2001. He was active in
See OBITS, page 3 basketball, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and excelled in the Special Olympics, earning Silver and Gold medals in swimming and equestrian events. He also held an Orange Belt in Karate and had a deep love for animals.
His family extends special thanks to Hospice of North Alabama.
Survivors include his father, Benny Hugh Childers; his mother, Sheila Bowen Childers; his brothers, Brent Childers and Ethan Childers; his sister, Emma Childers; his nephew, Weston Otwell; his niece, Adalynne Childers; and his grandmother, Gail Childers. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Marty was preceded in death by his grandparents, Birlen Childers, Charles Bowen, and Louise Bowen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Decatur/ Morgan County Special Olympics.
Jessie L. Wright, Sr.
Hartselle A funeral service for Jessie L. Wright, Sr., 76, was held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jeff Griffith officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow in Johnson Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home.
Mr. Wright passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at his residence. He was born on February 17, 1948, in Morgan County to Walter Samuel Wright and Mary Jane Garrison Wright. Jessie was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a retired U.S. Army veteran with 21 years of service, including during the Vietnam War, and later retired from Civil Service. He loved music, played in the “Sounds of Glory” Gospel band, recorded music, and enjoyed sharing his faith and reading the Bible.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Virgil Wright; a sister, Barbara Norwood; and grandchildren, Brandie Wright and Joshua Wright. Survivors include his wife, Gail Powell Wright; his sons, Jessie L. Wright II and Scott A. Wright; his sisters, Martha Rhea Dyer, Gloria Ann Russell, and Helen June Johnson; his grandchildren, Courtney Hester, Taylor Cowart, and Cassidy Wright; and his great-grandchildren, with three currently and one on the way. Pallbearers will be Victor Lamb, Jake Cowart, Jerry Dale Summerford, and other family and friends.
Thomas “Tommy” Arthur Adams
Somerville A funeral service for Thomas “Tommy” Arthur Adams, 62, was held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 1:30 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Equator Black officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow in Center Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM on the same day at Peck Funeral Home.
Mr. Adams passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born on March 12, 1962, in Richlands, Virginia, to James Joseph Adams and Erie Frances Mitchell Adams. Tommy was employed by Sonoco (Baker Wood Reels) in manufacturing wood reels and was a loving father, grandfather, and brother.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a daughter, Christy Lee Adams Vinson, and three sisters, Joyce Connors, Rebecca Gail Adams, and Brenda Burress.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine Wilhoite Adams; his son, Thomas Arthur Adams II (Jerrica); his daughter, Rose Marie Freeman (Shannon); his brothers, Jerry Adams (Patty) and David Adams (Jennifer); his sisters, Anne Whitt (Victor) and Kathy Mitchell (Randy); and his grandchildren, Hunter Ingersoll, Eric Adams, Alexsis Adams, Angel Adams, Austin Vinson, Dalton Adams, Addie Adams, Allie Adams, and Jeremiah Freeman. Pallbearers will be Hunter Ingersoll, Eric Adams, Bodie Adams, Donovan Case, Victor Whitt and Nick King.
Donna Hogan Smith
Danville Funeral service for Donna Hogan Smith, 64, was held Monday, June 3, 2024, at 1:30 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Joe David Bailey and Bro. Greg Compton officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Andrews Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Smith passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She was born July 29, 1959, in Morgan County, to Billy Frank Hogan and Helen Doyle Hogan Adair.
She was a beloved wife, momma and Nonna, and was employed by Bank Independent as a teller, prior to her passing. She was a member of Danville Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and her family whole-heartedly. She was preceded in death by her father. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Survivors include her husband, Johnny Smith; son, Jacob Smith (Tara); daughters, Brandi McCleskey (Lance) and Kayla Smith; mother, Helen Doyle Hogan Adair; brothers, David Hogan and Derek Hogan (Kim); sisters, Debbie Bell (Emmett), Daina Horton and Darla Kelsoe; grandchildren, Karlie McCleskey, Dylan McCleskey, Houston “Hooty” McCleskey, Evan Smith and Eason Smith. Pallbearers will be Terry Joe Crow, Garrett Kelsoe, Jeff Summerford, Blake Randolph, Eric Smith and Jessie Holt.
