Obituaries Sept. 21 – 28
The Rev. Eddie R. Wotton
Hartselle
Funeral service for the Rev. Eddie R. Wotton, 89, was held Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor George Sawyer and Pastor Raymond Rhodes officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. A private family committal was held in the Hartselle Memory Gardens.
The Rev. Wotton died Sept. 19 at his residence. He was born Dec. 15, 1930, in Monticelle, Maine, to George W. Wotton Jr. and Frances Esty Wotton.
The Rev. Wooton entered the United States Army in 1955 and in 1957 received an honorable discharge with the rank of sergeant. He moved from Monticello, Maine, to Dover, New Hampshire, in 1959 and worked at Moore Business Forms as the foreman of the packing department until he went into the ministry.
The Rev. Wotton became a licensed and ordained minister in 1970. He served as a presbyter for the Northern District Assembly of God. He, along with the congregation, built the Rochester Assembly of God Church in Rochester, New Hampshire, where he pastored for more than 12 years. Under God’s leadership, he incorporated the Living Hope Fellowship, and under this incorporation he formed the Wolfeboro Full Gospel Fellowship in Wolfeboro, NH. Along with his congregation, he built the church where he pastored until his retirement in 2000.
In 2004 he moved to Decatur, and under the direction of the Rev. George Sawyer of Calvary Assembly of God, Eddie pastored the Town Creek Assembly of God for a year.
For the past 11 years, he has lived with his wife, Joann, in Hartselle and attended the South Decatur Church of God under the leadership of the Rev. Raymond Rhodes.
Preceding him in death were two daughters, Faye Richardson of Forkland and Marilyn Dixon of Greenville, N.C., his brother, Dale Wotton of Monticello, Maine; and his sister, Ruth Sargent of Somersworth, N.H.
He is survived by his wife, Joann; his sons, Daniel Wotton and wife Julie of Vanceboro, N.C., Steven Rogers and wife Annie of Fayetteville, Tennessee, Joel Wotton and wife Kathey of Ossipee, N.H., and Craig Rogers and wife Jennifer of Hartselle; a daughter, Pamela Adams and her husband Dennis of Sanbornville, N.H.; and a spiritually adopted daughter, Martha Bentley of Decatur. He also leaves 17 grandchildren and 11 great–grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.
Jane Haynes Thompson
Lexington
Jane Haynes Thompson – a resident of Lexington – went to be with her Heavenly Father Sept. 18.
She had a kind and loving heart, was a mother to many and was loved by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry Thompson. She is survived by her son, Phillip Haynes; daughters Kim Phillips (J.A.) and Xan Hartleroad (Toby); two sisters, Betty McLarty and June Black (Bobby); one brother, Jackie Hays (Sue); four grandchildren, Christopher Haynes (Emily), Erin Phillips, Jamie Phillips and Luke Hartleroad; and two great-grandchildren, Adalynn and Sadie Haynes.
Funeral services were held Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at Elkins East Chapel, officiated by Bro. Wendell White. Interment followed at Springfield Cemetery in Rogersville.
Mavis Hyatt Lott
Decatur
Funeral service for Mavis Hyatt Lott, 95, was held Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Cooke VanDyke officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Bethel
United Methodist Cemetery.
Mrs. Lott died Sept. 19 at NHC Healthcare. She was born Dec. 12, 1924, in Morgan County to William Grady Hyatt and Rosa Isabelle Shaddix Hyatt. She was a homemaker and a wonderful wife, mother
and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Calvin Lott; her parents; two brothers, Marlin and Donnie Hyatt; two sisters, Glora Gene Hyatt and Thessa Ruth Morrow; and a son-in-law, Tom Nixon.
Danny Lee Barnett
Somerville
Funeral service for Danny Lee Barnett, 59, was held Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Danny Ricks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Cook Cemetery.
Mr. Barnett died Sept. 22 at his residence. He was born Aug. 25, 1961, in Morgan County to Rufus Lee Barnett and Willie Ruth Holbert Barnett.
Danny loved his family with everything he had. He was a rebel soul with a heart of gold. He was self–employed as a roofer prior to his passing.
Preceding him in death were his mother, Ruth Barnett; two brothers, Kenneth Jones and Wayne Jones; and two sisters, Martha Jean Skidmore and Marie Butner.
Survivors include his wife, Connie Blackwood Barnett, Somerville; son, Joshua Barnett (Bryanna), New Hope; daughter, Tiffany Garman, Shelby; father, Rufus Lee Barnett, Falkville; sister, Jewel Stover (Thomas); three grandchildren, Landin Barnett, Brooklyn Steverson and Macie Steverson; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Noel Bailey, Caleb Steadham, Ron Stevenson, Mike Stacy, Mark Boudousquie and Bobby Adams.
In lieu of flowers, Danny would like for everyone to go out and buy themselves a steak dinner and spend time with their family.
Valerie Gooch Wright
Hartselle
A graveside funeral service and interment for Valerie Gooch Wright, 42, were held Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. at Bluewater Cemetery in Killen, with James Tyler officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Valerie passed away Sept. 21 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She was born June 3, 1978, in Mississippi to Dennis Wayne Gooch and Sheila Walton Gooch. Valerie was employed as a dispatcher for Kirby Towing prior to her passing.
She was a beautiful soul with a free spirit and a heart of gold. She was always willing to help anyone in need and never held a grudge for any reason. She was a wonderful, loving person who will be missed dearly by her family.
Survivors include her husband, Doug Borden; father and step-mother, Dennis Gooch (Julia); mother, Sheila Walton Gooch; three sons, Clay McElroy, John Keith Wright and Cash Farnsworth; one daughter, Zoe Gooch; brother, Nathan Pitts; three sisters, Stephanie Tyler (James), Melanie Parker (Donnie) and Natalie McGown (Dustin); and her mother-in-law, Deb Douglas.
Pallbearers were Trevor Slaten, Gunner Slaten, Brennon Gooch, Donnie Parker, Robert Walton, Rickey Hale.
Donald G. Henry
Somerville
Funeral service for Donald G. Henry, 52, was held Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. at Valhermoso Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Edward King officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Valhermoso
Springs Cemetery.
Mr. Henry died Sept. 23 at his residence. He was born Feb. 9, 1968, in Morgan County to Roy Joe Henry and Martha Sue Limley Henry. He was employed by Goodyear Tire in Gadsden, building tires, prior to his passing.
He was a loving husband and family man, a coon hunter and a big Alabama fan. He was loved by his community, his many friends and his classmates.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Miranda Henry; two sons, Kaleb Medders and Zac Medders; three brothers, Tommy Henry (Tammy), Ronald Henry (Julia) and Huey Smith (Tammy); three sisters, Kathy Henry, Arlita Pennington and Teresa Lambert; and his dogs, Sissy, Pinky, Stella, Hershey, Kit Kat and Henry.
Pallbearers were Don Benefield, John Ferguson, Justin Tarpley, Mike Chambers, Danny Langham and Mike Maghan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Miranda Henry Special Fund at Peoples Bank of Alabama.
His family requested everyone wear Alabama or Brewer shirts and their Crocs.
JoAnn Johns
Hartselle
Funeral service for JoAnn Johns, 78, was held Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Roger Ammons officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Johns died Sept. 24 at her residence. She was born Dec. 23, 1941, in Marshall County to Harvy Homer Kendrick and Eva Lorene Currie Kendrick.
She was employed as a cafeteria worker for the Hartselle City School System prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Tunsel Road Baptist Church. She loved the outdoors and gardening, and she loved to sew. She was an incredible wife, mother and grandmother who loved her family with all her heart.
Preceding her in death were her parents and a daughter, Latitia Ann Vest.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, James Marvin “Johnny” Johns; three daughters, Lasonja Dawn Pinkston, Laresa Lynn Johns and Marlee Beavers; one son, Colt Beavers; three sisters, Doris Jean Taylor, Patricia Darlene Cook (Randall) and Brenda Kay Wills (Butch); four grandchildren, Olivia Ann Blackburn (Jesse), James Daniel Beavers, Lucas James Vest (Amanda) and Tiffany Lynn Beavers Webb (Danny); and five great–grandchildren.
Robert L. Fricks
Falkville
Funeral service for Robert L. Fricks, 66, was held Sept. 27 at 1:30 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Gunter officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Herring Cemetery.
Mr. Fricks died Sept. 23 at Grandview Medical Center. He was born Feb. 24, 1954, in Lakeworth, Florida, to Charles Rite Fricks and Opal Louise Lindley Fricks. He was employed by and retired from the City of Hartselle Public Works Department, where he served 37 years.
Mr. Fricks never met a stranger. He loved country music, loved to fish and loved to spoil his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Barbara A. Champion Fricks; his parents; a brother, Doyle Fricks; and two brothers-in-law, Larry Champion and Larry Leathers.
Survivors include one son, Charles Fricks (Melissa); one daughter, Miranda Gillespie (Blake); mother-in-law Angie Champion; three brothers-in-law, Maverick Champion, John Champion and Harold Champion; one sister-in-law, Nancy Leather; and five grandchildren, Robert Fricks, Noah Gillespie, Gabrielle Jones, Britni Bates and Jordan Bates.
Pallbearers were Byron Turney, Roger Aldridge, Lance Sandlin, Jason Stutts, Garland Gilman and Glen Hollingsworth.
Veronica Bates Clark
Decatur
Veronica Bates Clark of Priceville went to be with the Lord Sept. 24. She was the loving wife of Ken Clark, a long–time resident of Priceville.
Veronica was born in Decatur to Washington Hall (Dick) Bates and Ilean Legg Bates May 16, 1949. She graduated from Austin High School in Decatur and Athens College. She worked many years at International Paper Company in Courtland.
She enjoyed meeting with her husband’s motorcycle club and taking long rides with Ken. She loved traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Veronica is survived by her husband, Ken Clark; her brother, David Bates (Barbara); her step-daughter Suzanne Counts (Tom); three grandchildren, Devin Wynn (Jessica), Grace and Olivia; one great–grandchild, Roman; nieces Wendy Bates Lawler, Alexandra Rossi and Anna Lawler; nephews Matthew Rossi and Ryan Lawler; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss her greatly.
Veronica is preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Ilean Bates; her sister, Kimberly Bates Rossi; and her son, Jason Brent Pitt.