ELLIE GRAY ODOM HENLEY

Ellie Gray Odom Henley, 75, of Andalusia, died Tues., Nov. 13, 2012, at her residence.

Funeral services will be held today, Fri., Nov. 16, at 10:30 a.m., from the Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Jim Wilson officiating and internment following in the Stone Lake Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, Glen Henley of Andalusia; her daughter, Lynne Brackins of Savannah, Ga.; her son and daughter-in-law, Jayson and Suzanne Henley of Andalusia; six grandchildren, Dale (Leah) Grimes, Kayla (Kyle) Lucas, Katie Grimes, Emma Henley, Madison Henley and Lyla Henley; three great-grandchildren, Laura Leigh Grimes, Charlie Grimes and Cooper Lucas; and two brothers and sister-in-laws, John Garlin and Marilyn Odom and Floyd and Mary Ann Odom, all of Andalusia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Velma Odom, and two brothers, Orester and Ishman Odom.

Pallbearers will be Scotty Henley, Chris Odom, Mark Odom, Pat Norris, Todd Maddox, Ricky Henley and Charles Hall.

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

 

BOBBY GENE MITCHELL

Bobby Gene Mitchell, 68, of Red Level, died Wed., Nov. 14, 2012, at his residence.

Funeral services will be held today, Fri., Nov. 16, at 2 p.m., from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in the Fairmount Cemetery in Red Level. Visitation will begin today at 12:30 p.m. at Foreman Funeral Home.

Survivors include his son, Bobby DeWayne Mitchell of Montgomery; two daughters, Judy Rebecca Mitchell of Red Level and Pamela Jean Garrett of Pascagoula, Miss; five grandchildren, Lacon Mitchell, Amanda Mitchell, Justin Garrett, Hannah Colvin and Kaitlyn Mitchell; his sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Billy Joe Baker of Red Level; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Mitchell, James Scruggs, Billy Joe Baker, Bobby Baker, David Baker and Darrell Baker.

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

 

RHONDA GORDON

Rhonda Gordon, 65, of McKenzie, passed away Wed., Nov. 14, 2012, in a Montgomery hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Sat., Nov. 16, at Keahey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Henry officiating and interment following in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Survivors include her sons, Donnie Gordon of McKenzie and Michael Gordon of Andalusia; daughters, Sherry Gordon of Andalusia, Cynthia (Albert) Fannin of McKenzie and Terri Holcomb of Andalusia; brother, Robert Cecil (Shirley) Carroll of Mobile; grandchildren, Sam Bass, Katie Bass (Nat) Pickron, Devan Holcomb, Dalton Holcomb, Tabitha Kelley, Alyssa Wiggins and John Dallas Gordon; and great-grandchildren, Natalie Bass, Blaklyn Bass and Khloe Pickron.

Serving as pallbearers will be Sam Bass, Albert Fannin, Dalton Holcomb, Devan Holcomb, Johnny Little and Donnie Gordon.

Serving as a honorary pallbearer will be John Dallas Gordon.

To sign the quest book for this family please visit keaheyfuneralhome.com.

 

WILLIE PEARL BLACKWELL CARNES

Willie Pearl Blackwell Carnes, 92, a resident of Brantley, died Wed., Nov. 14, 2012.

Funeral services will be held Sat., Nov. 17, at 11 a.m., from Turner Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Andy Carroll officiating. A private interment will follow in Brantley Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Saturday morning at the Turner Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.

Mrs. Carnes is preceded in death by her husband, Palmer Carnes; her parents, Lem and Orene Blackwell; her sister, Sara Beck; and two brothers, John Blackwell and Morris Blackwell.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Larene and John Wyatt of Andalusia; two granddaughters, Carole Reed and Susan (Mark) Hales; one great-grandson, Jon Reed; two step-great-grandchildren, Mark Hales Jr. and Melissa (Cameron) Belter; two step-great-great grandchildren, Caden and Carson Belter; and one brother, Pete (Peggie) Blackwell.

 

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.

 

THELMA PAYNE RIFFE

Thelma Payne Riffe, 86, of Andalusia, died Wed., Nov. 14, 2012, at her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Sun., Nov. 18, at Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home with ministers Buford Smith and Dwight Underwood officiating. Interment will follow at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be at Foreman’s one hour prior to the service.

Mrs. Riffe was preceded in death by her husband, Sheridan Riffe Jr.; son, Ronald Riffe, and son-in-law, David Signs.

She is survived by four daughters, Patricia Lucal of Andalusia, Rita Chaffee of North Fairfield, Ohio, and Amelia Signs and Bridget Signs, both of Andalusia; a daughter-in-law, Jackye Riffe of Norwalk, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Catherine Martin of Princeton, W.Va.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Comfort Care Hospice.

 

DEMESIA BLACKWELL LEE

Demesia Blackwell Lee, 54, of Andalusia, died Tues., Nov. 13, 2012, in a local hospital.

Funeral services were held Thurs., Nov. 15, at 10 a.m., from the Foreman Funeral Home Chapel and interment will follow in the Carolina Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, Allen Lee; two sons, Christopher Lee and Michael Peacock, all of Andalusia; her daughter, Casey Garrett of Opp; and 10 grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Cornell Morgan, Ray Bush, Bubba Lee, Chris Weaver, Brad Godwin and Kyle Butler.

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