J.D. PARRISH

J. D. Parrish, 92, of Gantt, died Sat., June 2, 2012, in a Bay Minette hospital.

He was born on June 28, 1919, to William Oscar Parrish and Cora Lee Nowling Parrish. He retired from the U. S. Navy having served his country in World War II.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., today, Wed., June 6, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with eulogies given by Presley Boswell and Douglas Parrish. Burial will follow in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted at the graveside.

Visitation will be at Foreman Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Charles Wells of Oklahoma City, Okla.; his grandchildren, Tim Makela and Christina Estes; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Carmia Cannon; a very special friend, Jean Jones, both of Andalusia; nephews and nieces, Douglas (Delaine) Parrish of Houston, Hilda (Presley) Boswell of Andalusia, Andre (Marcia) Brown of San Francisco, Calif., Rebecca (Joe) Dworkin of Meford, Ore., Stephanie (Richard) Theus of Andalusia, Diane (Billy) Black of Creola and Susan (John) Stewart of Oakland, Calif.; and a special cousin, Ron Mills.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Parrish; a son, Jeffrey Parrish; a brother, Bobbie L. Parrish; and a sister, Bonnie Parrish Brown.

Pallbearers will be Ronald Mills, Douglas Parrish, Presley Boswell, Richard Theus, Michael Matthews and Vaughn Jones.

Those unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

 

DR. BEN AVIS ADAMS ORCUTT

Dr. Ben Avis Adams Orcutt, DSW, 97, of Andalusia, passed away quietly at home on Fri., June 1, 2012, following a lengthy illness.

Dr. Orcutt was born Oct. 17, 1914, in the Falco Community, the fourth daughter of the late Benjamin A. and Emily Connell Adams. She spent her youth in Red Level, graduating from Red Level High School in 1932 as the salutatorian of her class. She matriculated to the University of Alabama where she was an active member of Alpha Delta Pi social sorority. Following graduation from the University (1936), with a Bachelor of Arts degree, she went on to earn a Masters of Arts (1939) and a Masters of Social Work (1942) from Tulane University.

During World War II, Dr. Orcutt was employed as a social worker at Lagarde General Hospital in New Orleans, and later as acting field director (social work) at Ft. Benning, Ga., Regional Hospital. In 1946, she married Captain Harry Philos Orcutt (USA) and moved to Phoenix, where she served as chief of the social work service at the VA Regional Office. Following her husband’s death in 1952, Dr. Orcutt moved to Birmingham, where she served as chief of social work service, outpatient unit of the Veteran’s Administration office until 1957.

In 1958, she enrolled in Columbia University (NY) where she earned a doctorate in social work. Following graduation, she taught for three years at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., before being called back to Columbia as an associate professor in the School of Social Work. In 1976, she was offered the opportunity to initiate a doctoral program in social work at the University of Alabama. She remained in this position as a professor of social work until her retirement in 1984. Following the active phase of her career, Dr. Orcutt continued to be engaged in her profession as a lecturer, author and consultant.

Throughout her life, Dr. Orcutt contributed greatly to published literature on topics as varied as America’s Riding Horses, which she co-authored with her husband, to books and articles on death and dying, poverty and the treatment of alcoholism. Her final book, Science and Inquiry in Social Work Practice, was published when she was 76. As a consultant, she lent her expertise to numerous institutions, literary panels and advisory boards, which included Tavistock Center, London, England; University of Houston, Troy State University; Journal of Social Work, editorial board; National Institutes of Mental Health; memorial alumni board and Columbia University of Social Work.

After her retirement, she found numerous outlets for her energies in community service. She was a member of several service organizations in Tuscaloosa as well as the symphony guild; served on the alter guild of Christ Episcopal Church; and was a beloved alum advisor to Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She continued to remain active with the schools of social work both at Alabama and Columbia, being named to the Hall of Fame for the Alabama School of Social Work in 1999 and receiving the Centennial Award for leadership from Columbia University School of Social Work in 1998. In all her activities and throughout her life, she epitomized intelligence, grace, gentility, humility and a loving spirit.

In 2001, she returned home to Covington County and Andalusia.

Funeral services were held Tues., June 5, at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Dale Sallans officiating. Interment followed in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Foreman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ben Avis Orcutt Scholarship Fund, School of Social Work, University of Alabama, P.O. Box 870314, Tuscaloosa, AL., 35487-0314.

Dr. Orcutt is survived by her sister, Ophelia Albritton of Andalusia; her niece and her husband, Emily and Dr. Kenneth Hill of Union, S.C.; a great niece, Alice Hill Haas and her husband, Christopher; and great nephew, Benjamin C. Hill. Dr. Orcutt will also be remembered by her loving friend and caregiver for nine years, Laura Clem, as well as her other caregivers and the people that she loved – Margie Elmore, Barbara Bradley, Charlotte Smith, Mollie Griffin, Wanda Hattaway, Devin Jones, the staff of Savannah Terrace and the nurses and aides of Comfort Care Hospice, as well as other numerous friends and colleagues.

Pallbearers were David Darby, Edwin May, Tom Albritton, Roger Powell, Tommy Thompson and Rick Clifton.

Those unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

 

HORACE HAMMETT

Mr. Horace Hammett, 78, of Andalusia, passed away Wed., June 5, 2012, in a Dothan hospital.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete, and will be announced later by Keahey Funeral Home.

For more information, or to sign the guest book for this family, visit keaheyfuneralhomes.com.