The Record-Journal Online
OBITUARIES
Kyle Dewayne Dennis
Services for Kyle Dewayne Dennis were held Thursday, August 27, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Robert
Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. David Byrd and Hal Hatton officiating. Burial
was held in Clay Memorial Cemetery in Cuba, Ala.
Kyle, 22, of Meridian, died in the early morning hours on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, in
Livingston, Texas. He was employed with Rowan Company of Houston, Texas. Kyle was a 2006
graduate of Southeast High School. Prior to Southeast, he graduated 6th grade from Sumter
Academy and attended Quitman High School from the 7th through 11th grades. Kyle worked off
shore for the last four years. He loved his friends, people and mud riding.
Survivors include his mother, Sandra Gray and her husband, Kerry, of Meridian; father, Scott
Kevin Dennis of Cuba, Ala.; brother, Michael Dennis and his wife, Karen, of Cuba, Ala.;
stepbrother, Matthew Gray of Meridian; stepsister, Kara Gray of Meridian; maternal
grandparents, Sarah Crandell of Meridian and Howard Dewayne Wright and his wife, Charlotte, of
Cuba, Ala.; paternal grandparents, Byron and Shirley Dennis of Cuba, Ala.; and numerous aunts,
uncles and cousins.
Barham Funeral Home of Meridian, Mississippi was in chage of arrangements.
Parker Clay Bragg, Jr.
Funeral Services for Parker Clay Bragg, Jr., age 68 of Butler, were held on Thursday, August 19,
2010 at 10 A.M. from the Chapel of Bumpers Funeral Home in York with Rev. Albert Creel
officiating. A Military Graveside will follow at the Shorts Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 P.
M. on Wednesday, August 18th at Bumpers Funeral Home in York.
Mr. Bragg passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2010 in Tuscaloosa. He was a U.S. Army Veteran.
He is survived by his sons Michael Bragg of Snell, Miss.; Dennis Bragg of Ward; sister Billie June
Gourges of Butler; grandchildren Shambra Lin Bragg, Tavin Anthony Bragg, Cody Dillion Bragg,
Step Grandchildren: Dalton Riley, and Travis Griffin.
Pallbearers: Randy Robinson, Dwayne Robinson, Otis Carney, Bobby Hatcher, Travis Griffin,
Neal Bullard. Honorary Pallbearers: Bill Bragg, Junior Robinson, Bobby Williams, Russell Williams.
Bumpers Funeral Home of York will be in charge of arrangements. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.
com to sign the online register.
Rep. Lucius Black, Sr.
Rep. Lucius Black, Sr., age 84, made his transition Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010. Services were at 11
a.m. Wednesday at Grants Chapel CME Church, 5290 Kinterbish 10 in Cuba, with Pastor Izea
Blanks officiating and Mildred Black, Eulogist. Burial followed in Cagus Cemetery. The body lied
in state Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Sumter County Courthouse in Livingston.
He was a lifelong resident of Sumter County and retired from Sumter County School System after
38 years of service. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and was elected to the Ala.
House of Representatives in 1983. He was a member of Grants Chapel CME Church in Cuba,
where he served in many leadership capacities.
His loving survivors are his devoted wife, Mrs. Mildred M.D. Black; three sons, Urey Rufus,
Lucius, Jr., and Don (Peggy) Black; three grandchildren, Ebony Eunice, Chad, and Kayla.
Westside Funeral Home of Fairfield directing.
Lillian Grey Johnson Elrod
Lillian Grey Johnson Elrod, age 88, a homemaker of Demopolis died July 26, 2010 at her home.
She was a member of Fairhaven Baptist Church and a former member of York Baptist Church.
She is survived by: a son, William B. Elrod, Jr. of Hoover; a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Elrod Brown
of Demopolis; four sisters, Rhonda J. Nunnally of Tuscaloosa, Mary J. Wurm of Tuscaloosa, Erion
J. Basinger of Linden, Catheryn J. Baily of Tuscaloosa; seven grandchildren and six great
grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Tuscaloosa Memorial chapel on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 11 a.
m. with Rev. Larry Nunnally officiating. Burial was in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers were: Roper Elrod, Philip Elrod, Dylan Roper, Ryan basinger, Cole Basinger,
Tex Johnson, Glenn Basinger, Don Basinger.
Honorary pallbearers were: Fred Johnson, Kip Garner, Danny Johnson, Lewis Abston, Tommy
Nunnally, Brian Abston.
Memorials may be made to The Amen Ministry at Fairhaven Baptist Church, 1504 Cardinal
Street, Demopolis, AL 36732.
O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Linden directed.
Lena Gertrude Stewart Powell
Funeral Services for Lena Gertrude Stewart Powell, age 78 of Semmes, were held on Tuesday,
July 27, 2010 at 10 A.M. from the Chapel of Bumpers Funeral Home in Butler with Reverends
Charles Fail and Molly Fulford officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Ward,.
Visitation will be at Bumpers Funeral Home on Monday, July 26, 2010 from 6 to 8 P.M.
Ms. Powell passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the Allen Memorial Home in Mobile. She
was a retired Cafeteria Worker for the Public School System.
She is survived by her daughter Virginia G. Lyndall (Michael Thomas) of Semmes, Alabama;
brother Otis Howard Stewart of Tupelo, Miss.; sister Shirley Jean Williams of Aberdeen, Miss.;
daughter-in-law Jean Terry Powell of Semmes; and two grandchildren Alvin Jessie Powell of
Semmes; and William Michael Lyndall of Semmes.
She was preceded in death by her husband William Alvin Powell.
Pallbearers: Scott Powell, C.B. Powell, Dakota Ledden, Perry Parden, A.J. Powell, Andy Skelton.
Honorary Pallbearers: Lester Powell and Leslie Radcliff
Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler was in charge of arrangements. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com
to sign the online register.
Ira Seldon Rogers, Jr.
Funeral Services for Mr. Ira Seldon Rogers, Jr., age 69 of York, were held on Friday, July 9, 2010
from the Siloam Baptist Church with Re. Brad Campbell officiating. Burial followed in the Siloam
Cemetery.
Mr. Rogers passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Anderson Regional Medical Center in
Meridian, Mississippi. Mr. Rogers was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
He is survived by his wife Nancy C. Rogers of York, Ala.; mother Hazel R. Rogers of York, Ala.;
son John Lee Rogers of Columbia, S.C.; daughter June Ann Rogers of Hattiesburg, Miss.;
brother David Rogers of Savannah, Ga.; Michael Rogers of Jackson, Tenn.; sisters Sharon
Parous of York, Ala.; Linda May of Forest, Miss.; and one grandchild Kevyn Alex Rogers.
Pallbearers: Military (U.S. Air Force.)
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Siloam Baptist Church Cemetery Fund
Bumpers Funeral Home of York were in charge of arrangements. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com
to sign the online register.
William Langford Stephens
Funeral Services for William Langford Stephens, age 93 of York, were held Monday, July 19,
2010 at 2 P.M. from the York Baptist Church with Rev. David Wilkinson officiating. Burial followed
in the York City Cemetery.
Mr. Stephens passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at his residence. He was a retired
Investigator for the State of Alabama and a U.S. Army Veteran.
He was survived by his wife Marjorie P. Stephens of York, Alabama; daughter Linda Studdurd of
Ocean Springs, Mississippi; brother Melvin Stephens of Equality, Alabama; sisters Juanita Yerby
of Gordo, Alabama; Eunice May of Anniston, Alabama; granddaughter Mae Beth Tappin and
Husband George of Houston, Texas; great grandchildren Elizabeth Stiglet of Seattle,
Washington; Kathryn Stiglet of Houston, Texas, and Mallory Stiglet of Houston, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his grandson Warren C. Grant, III.
Pallbearers: Ed Spears, Charles Richardson, Billy Carney, Robert Ben Webb, David Jones, David
Hatcher.
Honorary Pallbearers: York Lions Club, Deacons of York Baptist Church, Trail Blazers Sunday
School Class of York Baptist Church.
Bumpers Funeral Home of York was in charge of arrangements. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com
to sign the online register.
Kathleen LeGrande Tucker
Kathleen LeGrande Tucker, age 94, a retired bus driver and cafeteria worker of Linden, Ala. died
Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at Marengo Nursing Home in Linden, Ala. She was born August 1, 1915
in Rembert Hills, Ala. She was a member of the Half Acre Community Church.
She is survived by her son Charles Barrett (Deborah) Tucker, Jr. of Half Acre, Ala.; her
daughters, Betty T. White of Livingston, Ala., Nell T. (Bobby) Kirkham of Huntsville, Ala., Sandra
T. (Dean) Booen, of Demopolis, Ala., Ellen T. (Dell) Davidson of Meridian, Miss.; sisters, Maxine
Andrews of Picayune, Miss., Jean Spears of Demopolis, Ala.; thirteen grandchildren, 2 great
grandchildren.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Charles Elliot Tucker and her daughter, Anne T.
Jordan.
Funeral services were held at O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Linden, Ala. on Friday, July 16,
2010 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Parker Chancellor officiating. Burial was at Half Acre Cemetery in
Sweet Water, Ala.
Active pallbearers were: Chuck White, Jim White, Gary Kirkham, Mark Kirkham, Michael Jordan,
Rick Jordan, Ray Jowers, Trey Davison, Matthew Davison.
O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Linden, Ala. directing.
Minnie Lee Ward
Minnie Lee Ward, age 82, of Birmingham, Ala., a former resident of Sumter County, passed away
July 5, 2010. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 11 a.m. from Mt.
Pleasant Baptist Church, York, Ala. Rev. Ronnie Walk, pastor, officiated. Interment followed in
the adjacent Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Ms. Ward was in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
Visitation for family and friends was Friday, July 9, 2010 from 3-6 P.M. at the Weatherly Chapel.
On Saturday morning, the funeral cortege left from the residence of Willie Ward, located 1945
Sunter 27, Cuba, Ala. at 10:40 a.m.
Weatherly Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charles Copeland Grafton
Funeral Services for Mrs. Charles Copeland Grafton, age 68 of Griffin, Georgia, will be held on
Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. from the Chapel of Bumpers Funeral Home in York with Rev.
Drew Dockery officiating. Burial will follow in the Clay Memorial Cemetery in Cuba. Visitation will
be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Mrs. Grafton passed away on June 28, 2010 at Spalding Regional Medical Center in Georgia.
She was a retired school teacher for the Spalding County Board of Education.
She is survived by her husband Thadis Grafton of Griffin, Georgia; son Gary Speed of Griffin
Georgia; step sons Wayne Grafton of Jackson, AL; Joseph Grafton of Boston, MA; step
daughters Alicia Grafton Cortes of Cookson, OK; Alana Grafton Wellons of Miami, FL; brothers
Richard Stringer of Chatom, AL; Charles Stringer of Citronelle, AL; 13 grandchildren and 6 great
grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents James Stringer and Carrie Copeland Segall; her son
Paul Speed in 1975; and daughter Beverly Dian Grafton in 2008.
Pallbearers: Billy Brewer, Don Wilborn, Jim Autry, Thomas Beard, Andy Roberts, Wayne Grafton.
Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register.
C. W. Jones
Memorial Services for C. W. Jones, age 89 of Gainesville, Ala. were held on Monday, June 28,
2010 at 1 P.M. from the Gainesville Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ray Taylor officiating.
Mr. Jones passed away on Friday, June 25, 2010 at his residence.
Mr. Jones was born on November 29, 1920 and was a retired accountant and storekeeper. He
was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during WWII.
He is survived by his sons Kevin Jones of Gainesville, Larry Jones of Miss; and step son Beau
Holt of Seattle, WA; brothers Clyde Jones of Fla.; Ray Jones of Huntsville, Ala; sister Rachael of
Birmingham, Ala.; and one grandchild Cody Milligan of Tenn.
Bumpers Funeral Home of York was in charge of arrangements. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com
to sign the online register.
Bobby G. Rainer
Graveside service for Bobby G. Rainer, age 44 of York, were held on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at
9 A.M. from the Mt. Herman Cemetery in York.
Mr. Rainer passed away on June 22, 2010 at Hill Hospital in York.
He is survived by his mother Allie Rainer of Marion, Miss.; brothers Gary Lee Rainer of
Livingston; Jimmy Rainer of Marion, Miss.; Jack Rainer of Iowa; Junior Rainer of Columbus, Ohio;
sisters Katie Robinson of Meridian, Miss.; Rosie Rainer of Kinterbish, Ala; and Sarah Lynn Rainer
of Meridian, Miss.
Bumpers Funeral Home of York was in charge of arrangements. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com
to sign the online register.
Winston Dubose
Funeral services for Winston Dubose, 69, were held Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Ward Chapel A.
M.E. Zion Church in Ward with Rev. Charles Phillips officiating. Burial followed in the church
cemetery.
Mr. Dubose, a resident of Cuba, was born July 27, 1940 to the late Louis and Libberty T. Dubose
in Sumter County, Alabama. He departed this life on June 10, 2010 at Jeff Anderson Regional
Medical Center in Meridian.
He was united in Holy Matrimony to Lizzie C. Thomas on July 25, 1959. He came to know God
late in his life, following his spiritual path to join Ward Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.
He leaves to cherish his memories: a devoted wife, Lizzie C. Dubose of Ward, AL; two daughters,
Ruby (Tony) Parker, Dorothy (Edward) Woodard both of Ward, AL; six sons, Winston (Maggie)
Dubose, Jr. of Ward, AL, Lorenzo (Beverly) Dubose of York, AL, Keith (Comeka) Dubose of
Ward, AL, James Thompson of Meridian, MS, Tommie Dees of Milwaukee, WI, Kenneth
Thompson of Choctaw, AL; two sisters, Dorothy Dubose, Gloria Dubose, both of York, AL; four
brothers, Louis (Mary Lee) Dubose, Jr, James (Geneva) Dubose, Lawrence Dubose, all of York,
AL, Alphonso (Renee) Dubose of Tuscaloosa, AL; a very special great- granddaughter, Jaila
Dubose; a special friend, Jeanette Ingram; three sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law; and a host
of devoted grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Family and friends served as Pall Bearers and Flower Bearers. Weatherly-Studdard Memorial
Chapel of Butler handled the arrangements.
Jessie Lee Ezell May
Funeral services for Jessie Lee Ezell May, 73, were held Friday, June 11, 2010 at Ward Chapel A.
M.E. Zion Church with Rev. Charles Phillips officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. May was born March 14, 1937 to the late Oliver Ezell and Johnnie Mae Green of Jefferson,
Alabama. She departed this life on June 6, 2010 at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, Miss.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James May; two sisters, Annie Ezell, Mary Ezell; four
brothers, Ollie Ezell, Joe Clark Ezell, Cleveland Ezell, and Oliver Ezell.
She was a faithful member of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church even when her health began to
fail her. She still believed in helping her church and prayer. She served as a Class Leader, and
a member of the Trustee and Steward Boards.
She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter, Lucy Ezell, Ward, AL; two devoted sons,
Tracy (Doris) May, Marcus Ezell, both of Ward, AL; two sisters, Bobbie Ezell, Florine Ezell, both of
Mobile, AL; three brothers, William (Mary) Ezell, Winfield, AL, Roy (Shirley) Ezell, Mobile, AL; Joe
Louis Ezell, Mobile, AL; three grandsons, Trashun May, Lisman, AL, Antwain Adams, Tuscaloosa,
AL, Devante' Ruffin, Thomasville, AL; three step-daughters, Laura Hines, Josephine Johnson,
Eva Robinson, all of York, AL; one step-son, Tommy Lewis, Butler, AL; a very devoted friend who
she thought of as a son, David Chaney, Ward, AL; and a host of half sisters and brothers,
nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Family and friends served as Pall Bearers and Flower Bearers. Weatherly-Studdard Memorial
Chapel of Butler handled the arrangements.
Hattie Kate Bell
Hattie Kate Bell, age 92, of Livingston, Alabama passed May 21, 2010, at Hill Hospital, York,
Alabama. Funeral services for Mrs. Bell were held on Friday, May 28, 2010 at First Baptist
Church, Livingston, Alabama. Rev. Edmond Bell officiated with burial Elmwood Cemetery, York,
Alabama.
Mrs. Bell leaves to celebrate her memory her children; namely, Carolyn B. Murphy, Will Oliver
(Ardell) Bell, Wynnifred (Jimmy) Frazier, Eleanor (Joseph) Cooper, Sterling (Callie) Bell, Clarence
(Norma) Bell, and Edmond (Dianna) Bell and daughter in law, Theresa Bell. Hardaway’s Funeral
Services, Inc. of York, Alabama was in charge of arrangements.
John Houston
John Houston, age 97, of Panola, passed away on June 4, 2010 at his residence. Funeral
services will be held Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 12 noon. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery in
Panola. Visitation is Friday, June 11 at St. John Baptist Church in Panola from 6:30 until 8 p.m.
Gandy Funeral Home is directing.
Robert S. Larkin
Funeral Services for Robert S. Larkin, age 74 of Huntsville, will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010
at 12 P.M. from the Christian Valley Church in Coatopa, Alabama with Rev. Matt Kelley officiating.
Burial will follow in the Brewersville Cemetery in Coatopa. Visitation will be at the church from 11
until service time.
Mr. Larkin passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at his residence.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was a retired auditor for NASA.
Mr. Larkin is survived by his daughters Liz Bouchard (Leo) of Decatur, Alabama; Lee Embry (Jim)
of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and their mother Patricia Steinwinder Larkin of Decatur, Alabama;
grandchildren John Bouchard, Anna Bouchard, and James Embry; niece Lyn Larkin and nephew
Johnny Larkin; and exwife Amy Larkin of Huntsville, Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bessie Dumas McVay and John Turner Larkin, Sr. and
brother John Turner Larkin, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brewersville Cemetery Fund or the Huntsville
Track Club.
Bumpers Funeral Home of York will be in charge of arrangements.
Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register.
Ledyard Thomas “L.T.” Rolison, Jr.
Funeral services for Ledyard Thomas “L.T.” Rolison, Jr. age 80 of Livingston were held on
Friday, June 4, 2010 at 2 P.M. from the Chapel of Bumpers Funeral Home in Butler with Dr.
Archie Hooper and Rev. Brad Carter officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Sterling Cemetery.
Visitation was at the funeral home from 12:30 until service time.
Mr. Rolison passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at his residence. He was a U.S. Navy
Korean War Veteran and was the owner of the Handy Dandy Food Store.
He is survived by his son: Thomas W. Rolison of New Orleans, LA; three daughters: Tammy
Rolison Behles of Livingston, AL; Angela Rolison Lewis (Norman Allen) of Gallion, AL; Connie
Rolison McKinney (Mike) of Gallion, AL; brothers: E.T. “Bud” Rolison of Pushmataha, AL;
Rudolph Rolison of Riderwood, AL; sisters: Lolita Rolison and Troy Rolison of Pushmataha, AL;
five grandchildren: Brad Carter, Rollie Carter, Reed Nixon, Nicki Nixon and Amanda McKinney;
two great grandchildren: Sadie Rose Carter and Chase Carter.
Mr. Rolison was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Frances White Rolison; daughter, Melanie
Rose Rolison; parents, Ledyard Thomas Rolison, Sr. and Lula Boykin Rolison; sisters, Lucille
Johnson, Rolinda Rolison, Willodean Jones, and Gynell Moffett; and one brother, Carl Rolison.
Pallbearers were Dr. Gray Scott, Dr. Steve White, Ed White, Andy White, Ricky Carter, Mike
McKinney, Norman Lewis, Wendy Kuykendall Clark and Paula Whitcomb.
Honorary Pallbearers were Mary Wilson, Lacheshia Wilson, Laura Wilson, LaSandra Patrick,
Deborah Allen, Delinda Crockett and the Employees of Southern Care Hospice.
Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler was in charge of arrangements.
Allen McMillan Tartt
Allen McMillan Tartt Jr., age 72 of Livingston, Alabama, descendant of a pioneer Sumter County
family, died Sunday, June 6, 2010 at Riley Hospital in Meridian, Miss. A Memorial Service was
held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 11 A.M. from the Livingston Presbyterian Church with Rev.
Neil McCarter officiating. Visitation was Tuesday evening from 5 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. at the
Livingston Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Tartt was born on June 29, 1937 to Allen M. Tartt and Louise Newton Tartt. He was raised in
Sumter County amongst his uncles, Thomas Tartt, Ted Tartt, Jo Tartt, and their wives Gladys,
Orlean and Dorothy and his many cousins. Livingston was a special place for all of them. And
as an adult, Livingston was the only place he ever wanted to be.
He attended Livingston High School, where he was known as a good student and constant cut-
up. He went on to graduate from The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn. and the University of
Alabama. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, where he made many life-long
friendships. While there he met his wife, Mary Williams Tartt of Oxford, AL. They were married
on June 13, 1959. Together, they moved to Birmingham, AL where Mr. Tartt began his banking
career with First National Bank, and shared many good times and continued to make dear
friends. In 1964, Mr. and Mrs. Tartt moved to Livingston to continue his banking career at
McMillan & Company Bankers alongside his father, Allen M. Tartt and uncles Ted and Tom.
Through his 36 years, he saw the transition of McMillan & Company to First Alabama Bank, and
finally to Regions Bank.
Mr. Tartt was a pillar of the community, involved in numerous civic and social organizations. He
was a deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. One of his
favorite Livingston traditions was the annual DUD parade on New Year’s Eve. He missed
marching only one year, when he was serving in the United States Air Force in France.
Mr. Tartt is survived by his wife, Mary Tartt, children, Allen M. Tartt III, Jody Tartt White, and Mary
Adams Tartt, son-in-law Jack White, and sisters, Louise Tartt Robinson and Anne Tartt Lyons,
his grandchildren, Blakely Tartt, Bill Tartt, Kate Hightower, Mary McCollum White, and Henry Tartt
White, and many nieces and nephews.
He was a devoted husband, loving and caring father and grandfather, and loyal friend. He will be
missed at home and among the community for his keen wit, integrity, loyalty, and sense of
humor. All who had the pleasure of knowing him will remember him fondly.
Junie Kate Davis
Junie Kate Davis, age 80, of Cuba died Sunday, May 2, 2010 at Popular Springs Nursing Home in
Meridian, Miss. Services were held Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church
in Cuba. Rev. Howard Thomas officiated burial in the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Arrangements and
professional care entrusted to McInnis Mortuary in Livingston.
Thomas Taylor
Thomas Taylor of Jena, formerly of Sumter County died Monday, May 3, 2010 at his residence.
Services were held Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Mt. Carmel baptist Church in Coatopa.
Arrangements and professional care entrusted to McInnis Mortuary in Eutaw.
Phennie Mae Campbell
Phennie Mae Campbell, age 70, of Birmingham, formerly of Epes, died Monday, April 12, 2010 at
Baptist Medical Center Princeton in Birmingham. Services were Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 12
noon at Jones Creek Baptist Church in Epes. Rev. John Meeks officiated. Burial followed in the
adjoining cemetery. McInnis Mortuary was in charge of arrangement.
Jim Allen Dial, Sr.
Graveside services for Jim Allen Dial, Sr., age 83, of Emelle were held held on Wednesday, April
21, 2010 at 11 A.M. from the Boyd Cemetery in Boyd. Visitation for Mr. Dial was at 10:30 A.M. on
Wednesday at the cemetery.
Mr. Dial passed away on Monday, April 19, 2010 at Rush Hospital in Meridian, Miss. Mr. Dial was
a self employed farmer who served in the U.S Navy during WWII.
He is survived by two sons Jim A. Dial, Jr. and William Leland Dial both of Livingston; one brother
William Lawrence Dial of Gulf Shores; 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Belle Aust Dial and son Jerry Lynn Dial.
Pallbearers were Jimmy Dial, Christopher Dial, Lucas Dial, Mike Cole, Bram Fuller and Brian
Rumley.
Bumpers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Minnie Lee Nettles
Funeral services for Minnie Lee Nettles were held Saturday, April 17th at St. Thomas A.M.E. Zion
Church in Ward with Pastor Kennith Jefferson officiating. Interment followed in the church
cemetery.
Mrs. Nettles, 94, was born January 12, 1916 in Edna to the late Dan and Sally White. She
departed this life on April 10th at Willow Trace Nursing Center.
She was a longtime member of Edna Mission A.M.E. Zion Church, which was later moved and
renamed St. Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church. She served faithfully as a choir member, class leader,
and Mother of the church. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Doc Leo Nettles, Sr. To
this union ten children were born, six of which preceded her in death, Bennie Nettles, Peggy
Nettles, Otha N. Ruffin, William Nettles, Doc Nettles, Jr., and Louise N. Chess.
Ms. Nettles was also preceded in death by one brother, Robert White, two sisters, Cornelius
Alston & Lucy Johnson, and one child, Dan Johnson, who she had the joy of rearing as her own
son.
She leaves to cherish her memories four daughters: Sallie (Joe) Spencer, Lillie Harper, Mary
(Thomas) Jackson, Nellie (Perry) McNeal; one brother, Jimmy (Aretha) White; one precious niece,
Lue Ella May; one special nephew, Issaac Johnson; thirty-three grandchildren (one she reared as
her own, Tronda (James) Prestage); seventy-three great- grandchildren; twenty-eight great,
great- grandchildren; one great, great, great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Grandsons served as Pallbearers.
Weatherly-Studdard Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Lee Thurn
Memorial Services for Richard Lee Thurn, age 73, of Livingston were held on Sunday, April 18,
2010 at 2 P.M. from First Presbyterian Church of Livingston with Dr. Neil McCarter and Rev. Jerry
Hall officiating. Visitation was held at the church immediately following the memorial service.
Mr. Thurn passed away on Thursday, April 15 at his residence. He was a professor for the
University of West Alabama and a Vietnam Veteran serving in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife Madoline J. Thurn of Livingston; sons: Algie Earl Morgan and wife Mary
Jayne of Bryan, TX; Russell Kevin Morgan and wife Petra of Plano, TX; and four grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice.
Bumpers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.