SHIRLEY IRENE KIRKLAND

Shirley Irene Kirkland, 79, of Gantt, died Tues., Nov. 13, 2012, at the Andalusia hospital.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., today, Wed., Nov. 14, at Macedonia Cemetery in Union Springs with Foreman Funeral Home directing. The family will visit with friends at the cemetery.

Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Glenn Steele of Loango, Wendie and Alvin Varner of Evergreen and Tisa Kirkland of Gantt; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

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

 

ANNIE RUTH ATWELL

Annie Ruth Atwell, 95, of Andalusia, died Mon., Nov. 12, 2012, at Andalusia Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 15, at Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. John Eiland officiating and interment following at Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens in Opp. Visitation will be held at Wyatt Funeral Home one hour prior to the services.

She is survived by her daughter, Terry Anne Jones; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clilton D. Adwell.

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

 

MARY EMMA SIMPSON JOHNSON

Mary Emma Simpson Johnson, 95, formerly of Andalusia, died Sat., Nov. 10, 2012, in Melbourne, Fla.

Mary Emma, or “Babe” as she was known by the Simpson family, was born on March 18, 1917, in Ohatchee, to David Thomas and Maggie Paul Simpson. She was the third youngest child of 12 siblings in a close and loving family that lived on a farm. Although the family was large, she remembered how her parents made sure each child felt special. There was no shortage of love and laughter, and the “Simpson Dozen” could keep everyone laughing for hours at family reunions with their stories of growing up in rural Alabama.

When she left her beloved childhood home to work in the “city,” she took a job as a legal secretary. With the help and encouragement of her sisters, she succeeded. She had a special flair for shorthand and could make a manual typewriter sing. She took great pride in her secretarial skills and used them throughout her life.

She fulfilled her greatest dream when she became a wife and mother. She met the love of her life, C. Herbert Johnson, while he was in the Air Force during World War II. Two people could not have loved each other more. Even after his death 40 years ago, she remained faithful to him and missed him every day. She was his soul mate and helpmate, working tirelessly as his secretary for many years.

After her husband’s death, she worked as a secretary for the Soil Conversation Service, retiring after 10 years.

Although she grew up in a Southern Baptist home, she joined the Methodist Church since her husband was a son of a Methodist minister. Those who knew her appreciated her devotion to First United Methodist Church in Andalusia. She was a woman of faith and service. She always thought of others first and did whatever she could to help others feel the love of God. Even in the final months of her life, she continued to attend Bible study groups.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Johnson, as well as her 11 brothers and sisters, Jennie Mae Collins, Paul Simpson MD, Elva Abrams, Sarah Day, Corinne Russell, Alex Simpson, James Simpson, Tom Simpson, Cecile Scoggins, Yvonne Acker and Nan Hall; and one great-grandchild, Melissa Marie Garver.

She is survived by her daughters, Alice Garver of Macon, Ga., and Mary Ann Kuntz of Melbourne, Fla.; her grandchildren, Christi Jackson, Stephanie Garver, Nick Garver, Angela Schmillen and Alicia Kuntz Murphy; and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held on Sat., Nov 17, at 11:30 a.m., at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Trent officiating and Johnny Macon giving a special eulogy.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at Foreman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate contributions in her memory of Mary to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 403 E Three Notch St., Andalusia, AL 36420.

Those unable to attend the services are invited to sign the registry online at afcfcare.com.

 

MARJORIE RAINES MOORE

Marjorie Raines Moore, 91, of Andalusia, passed away Sun., Nov. 11, 2012, in a local nursing home.

She was born October 2, 1921, to Pearl and John Raines of Brantley.

Funeral services were held Tues., Nov. 13, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Fred Karthaus officiating. John David Thompson provided special music. Interment followed in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.

Survivors include her daughter, Norma Moore Jackson and her husband, Charles; her son, David Moore and his wife, Carol; grandchildren, Dawn (John) Jackson Thompson, Jill (Drew) Jackson Gay, Jody (Nicole) Jackson, Allison Moore Stroud and Meredith (Tim) Moore Jordan; great-grandsons, John David Thompson, Jackson Thompson, Whitman Jackson, Haden Jackson, Ander Gay, John David Stroud, Spencer Stroud and Wilson Stroud; and her sister, Elizabeth Johnson of Brantley.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Clark Moore; her parents, and her sister, Evelyn Murphy.

She worked at First Federal Savings and Loan for many years. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Andalusia and the Altrusa Club. She loved her family, friends and church.

Pallbearers were Jody Jackson, Drew Gay, John Thompson, John David Thompson, Jimmy Johnson, Mickey Pitts, and Craig Hill.

The family would like to thank Mrs. Pearl Owens for her loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the First Baptist Church or the First United Methodist Church.

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

 

ROBERT RYALS

Robert Ryals, 59, of Dozier, passed away Wed., Nov. 7, 2012, in the Andalusia hospital.

Private memorial services are being handled by Keahey Funeral Home.

Survivors include his father, Kenneth E. Ryals of Houston; daughters, Monica Ann Monday of Mississippi and Beth Ann Ryals of Dozier; brother, Joseph Ryals of Brewton; sisters, Donna Lefort and Sarah Armstrong, both of Enterprise, and Emilee Robinson of Houston; and six grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Jeanette Padgett Ryals, and brother, Kenneth Dwaine Ryals.

To sign the quest book for this family, visit keaheyfueralhome.com.