Virginia "Lady" Cook Butler

Virginia "Lady"

Cook Butler, 72, of Demopolis and Andaluisa, died Monday, May 5, 2003 at her residence.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2003 at Keahey Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Butler family cemetery in the Harmony Community.

Survivors include her daughter, Mitzi Butler of Andalusia; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Debbie Butler of Demopolis; three grandchildren, Brooks, Blake and Bart; one sister, Edna Earl Edgidio of Ovedio, Fla.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray and Irene Butler; brother-in-law, Henry Seymour of Andalusia; sister-in-law, Blanche Cook of Mobile; sister-in-law, Mary Butler.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Brooks Butler.

Pallbearers included Rex Butler, Rhett Butler, Raymond Earl Mitchell, Eddie Willingham, Jerry Seymour, Rick Northey and Derrick Carter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Comfort Care Hospice or the charity of one's choice.

Videlia Batchelor

Videlia Batchelor, 78, of the Sanford Community, died Monday, May 5, 2003 in a Dothan hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2003 at the Keahey Funeral Home chapel with burial following in Andaluisa Memorial Cemetery with Keahey Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Harold and Carolyn Batchelor of Andalusia; one brother, Mercer Ham; two sisters, Cathryn Bailey Clements of Andalusia, Tosie Barton of Andalusia; two grandchildren, Michael Batchelor and Nicholas Batchelor.

Ruby Tucker Dewrell

Ruby Tucker Dewrell, 64, of Andalusia died Tuesday, May 6, 2003 in a Dothan hosptial.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2003 at Zion Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Johnny Dewrell of Andalusia; a son and daughter-in-law, Max Zane and Cynthia Tucker of Andalusia; a daughter and son-in-law, Roxana and Lamar Sasser of Elba; two brothers, Grover Gunter and Buddy Gunter, both of Andalusia;

step son and step daughter-in-law, Mark and Jennifer Dewrell.

Mrs. Ruby Tucker Dewrell was preceded in death by a spouse, Max Wayne Tucker in 1991.

Flowers will be accepted or make contributions to Zion Hill Baptist Church.

Bessie Irene Dubose Pittman

Bessie Irene Dubose Pittman, 100, of Crestview, Fla., formerly of Straughn died Tuesday, May 6, 2003 in a Crestview nursing facility. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2003 at Foreman Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Pittman is survived by two daughters and son-in-laws, Myrtle Jimmerson of Andalusia; Emma Jean and Delmer Fuqua of Crestview; seven grandchildren, Lydia Johnson of Opp, Steve Jimmerson of Andalusia, Vickey Roberts of Crestview, Larry Fuqua of Talahassee, Flora Fountain of Crestview, James Smith of Crestview and Ricky Smith of Crestview; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Heathie Dauphin of Opp.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 8, 2003 after 5:30 p.m. at Foreman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Steve Jimerson, Steven Jimmerson, Phillip Johnson, Butch Roberts, Ricky Smith and Lary Fuqua.

Charles Hubbard Strickland

Charles Hubbard Strickland, a longtime resident of Andalusia and Gadsden passed away peacefully after an extended illness, Sunday, May 4, 2003.

Charles Strickland born April 6, 1923, in Montgomery was a World War II veteran. During high school at Gadsden and Greenville High School, he was double promoted twice because of his high academic mark and was also an Eagle Scout. During World War II, he served in General George Patton's Army with distinction as a Staff Sergeant in the 417 Infantry Regiment of the 76th Infantry of the 3rd Army Corps. His army experience included combat the Battle of the Bulge, in Bastogne and in Belgium.

After the war he returned home to Gadsden where he applied and was admitted to Wharten School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Economics in June of 1949. During his career, he filled positions such as secretary, treasurer, vice-president and president of various insurance companies and retired as president of a finance company in 2001. He was a long-term member of Central Methodist Church in Gadsden and First United Methodist Church in Andalusia. He was an avid tennis player and also a 47-year member of the Lions Club, joining in 1952 in Gadsden and then in Andalusia in 1963. He had been the club's President, chaired several times on the board of directors and last served as secretary. He received the "Lion of the Year Award," in May of 1999.

Survivors include one sister, Doris Virginia S. (Edwin) Norwood of Hardy, Ark.; two daughters, Paula Gale S. (John) Reynolds of Montgomery, and Dale Charlene S. (Bill) Brown of Atlanta; two sons, Bruce Reynolds Strickland and Wayne Norman Strickland of Athens, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; two uncles, Curtis Miller of Columbus, Miss. and Hubert Miller of Greenville; and many cousins.

Honorary pallbearers include the Andalusia Lions Club, the Andaluisa Tennis Association, Bill Tadlock, Mark Murphy, Bill Brown, John Reynolds and Frank Johnson. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are requested to donate to their favorite charity.

Graveside services will be held Monday, May 12, 2003 in the Magnolia Cemetery with Harrison Funeral Home directing.

Visistation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2003 at Harrison Funeral Home in Greenville.