Obituaries April 13 – 20
John Freeman Hopkins
Valhermoso Springs
A private family service for John Freeman Hopkins, 67, will be held at a later date.
Mr. Hopkins died April 14 at his residence. He was born Dec. 26, 1952, in Morgan County to Robert Pink Hopkins and Lillie Mae Hammack Hopkins. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Joe Hopkins.
Survivors include daughter Ashlee of Decatur, son Jonathan of Somerville, sisters Maxine Kilgore (Fred) of Madison and Lynda Ares of Huntsville, brother Robbie Hopkins (Tracie) of Trinity and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hopkins was a self-employed carpenter in construction. Mr. Hopkins was an independent, fun–loving guy who loved fishing. He will always be remembered and missed by his family and friends.
Peck Funeral Home assisted the family.
Linda Diane King Hill
Hartselle
A private Celebration of Life service with family and friends for Linda Diane King Hill, 71, will be held at a later date with Gabe Ross officiating.
Mrs. Hill died April 15 at her residence. She was born Sept. 2, 1948, in Morgan County to William Darby Haggermaker and Nora Reba Elrod Haggermaker. Mrs. Hill retired from Goodyear Rubber & Tire Company after 30 years of service.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Gene, Gary and Lloyd Haggermaker.
Survivors include husband Ronald King; four loving kids, Glenn Gertsman (Regina), Sherry Oliver (Bradley), Al Hokett and Kelly Smith; sister Regina Reding; three brothers, Mike, Randy and Rickey Haggermaker; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Peck Funeral Home assisted the family.
Bob Patton
Grand Blanc, Michigan
Graveside service and interment for Samuel “Bob” Patton, 86, of Grand Blanc, Michigan, was April 18 at 1 p.m. at Lawrence Cove Cemetery in Eva with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Bob was born May 22, 1933, in Decatur to William and Polly Patton. He went to meet Jesus face to face April 11 at Pines Memory Care in Grand Blanc.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Geneva; two brothers, Billie and Jimmie; and a sister, Edith.
He loved his Alabama, and he loved to travel with his wife Geneva. He was retired from General Motors, and he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by two sons, Robert Patton (Carolyn) of Decatur and David Patton of St. Paul, Texas, and a daughter, Donna Summers (John) of Flint, Michigan; a sister, Jean Smith (Perry); grandchildren, Crystal, Eric (Shari), Justin (Kristen), Todd, Kristen (Roger), Katie and Sam; and great-grandchildren Micah, Kyle, Madelyn, Noelle, Jordan and Justin.
Phyllis Johnson Woodall Castile
Hartselle
A graveside service and interment for Phyllis Johnson Woodall Castile, 70, were held April 17 at 1 p.m. at Herring Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing. Ms. Castile passed away April 15 at her sister’s residence. She was born Sept. 28, 1949, to Homer R. Johnson and Ora M. Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Jacquelyn Singleton; three nephews, Michael Penn, Phillip Penn and Daryl Singleton; and a niece, Lahoma Singleton.
Survivors include one brother, Hoyt Johnson, and two sisters, Gloria Penn and Nancy Speegle (Eugene), all of Hartselle, as well as a special friend, Jimmy Ray Looney, Falkville. She also has a host of nieces and nephews.
Phyllis was a 1967 Falkville High School graduate, where she was an avid cheerleader. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Florence State University (UNA) and two master’s degrees at Alabama A&M in education and elementary education. She was a member of Kappa Delta PI and Phi Kappa Delta at the University of North Alabama. She taught school for 28 years at Ryan, Hartselle Junior High and Danville Elementary. She was a member of the Retired Teachers’ Association.
Phyllis loved playing piano for several churches for many years. She also played for the Linda Guyton singers at Falkville Healthcare for 14 years. She had a ministry of sending cards to the sick and elderly in the community and being an encourager.
Pallbearers were Keith Johnson, Kent Johnson, Len Williamson and Marty Hand. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Sandlin, Darrin Speegle and Brett Speegle.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude or Wounded Warriors.
Because of the health and safety regulations concerning the COVID-19 virus, no public visitation or service will be held at this time. There will be a memorial service at a later date.