OLIVIA GRACE RISELING

Olivia Grace Riseling, the infant daughter of Wesley and April (Pate) Riseling of Andalusia, passed away Sun., July 11, 2010, in the Andalusia hospital.

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

WANDA M. CLARK

Wanda M. Clark, 89, of Babbie, passed away on July 9, 2010, at an Andalusia hospital.

She was a homemaker and preceded in death by her husband, William E. Clark.

Funeral services were held Sun., July 11, at Babbie Baptist Church with the Rev. Dewayne Seay officiating and burial following in the church cemetery. Special music was performed by Dennis O’Neal and the church congregation, directed by Linda Linton.

Pallbearers were the Babbie Baptist Church deacons.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Ann Clark of Andalusia; brothers, Don Greer of Macon, Ga.; her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Kevin and Michelle Clark; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the Babbie Baptist Church.

O.R. “RAY SUMMERLIN

O. R. (Ray) Summerlin, 92, of Selma, died at his home on July 9, 2010, after a five-month battle with cancer.

He was born July 30, 1917, in Covington County and was the eldest of the four children of Claude and Esther Summerlin.

He graduated from Straughn High School in 1934. He completed a night school business course and was hired by Taylor Parts Store in Andalusia. With this opportunity, he found not just a “job,” but, as it turned out, a “calling.” He was a parts man.

From then until he retired in 1997, he worked for and then owned automotive parts stores in Mobile, Andalusia, Brewton and finally, Selma. He bought Day Motor Supply in Selma in 1957. For nearly 40 years, he was the beloved “boss,” running a thriving business, employing as many as 10 to 12 employees, some of whom remained lifelong friends. Ray Summerlin loved the parts business.

In the summer of 1938, Ray experienced an acute attack of appendicitis, which resulted in a meeting that changed his life – the nurse on duty at Andalusia Hospital when he was brought in was Jennie Carol Lowman. Three months later their wedding launched a 62-year romantic adventure, that lives on in the minds and hearts of their daughters, grandsons and great-grandchildren. Ray lost Jennie in 1996, which was also the year he was forced to begin divesting himself of his business. His eyesight was failing due to macular degeneration.

But in the midst of all this loss, Ray’s optimism and his self-description as a “very fortunate man” prevailed, when he fell in love for the second time in his life. His love for Mary Lou Lumpkin and their courtship was the light of his life for 13 years; filled with travel, shared family, companionship and socializing that centered around their Elk’s Club friends and their church. Mary Lou’s devotion to Ray and his love for her was an inspiration to all who knew them.

Ray was a lifetime member of the Elk’s Club and served as a trustee for many years. He enjoyed the companionship of his friends at Vaughn Wellness Center, exercising and walking three times a week, but the best part was the daily ritual of the coffee time with his good friends afterward.

Fishing was a lifetime passion for Ray, and his good friend Ferrell Carter made sure that he got to go fishing whenever he could. He was a member of the Quarterback Club and was enthusiastically at all their programs and dinners. He was naturally social and truly enjoyed time over the years with his many friends. This was especially valued after his surgery when his Men’s Sunday school members were regular visitors, brightening his last months.

“Uncle Ray” or “Daddy Ray” was names that many related and unrelated children called him. For their first three years in Selma, Ray and Jennie were house parents at the Methodist Children’s Home. He was an advocate for children throughout his life. He was a man of great patience, sly humor and a heart that was truly kind. He was fun to hang out with because of his innate curiosity and love of learning. Finding the gift even in difficulty, he freely admitted to being a more interesting person from listening to endless books on tape after becoming sight impaired. He was a man of natural dignity and was always respectful towards others. This respect was returned to him in great measure, and he was held in the highest regard by all who knew him and truly loved by all who knew him well. Friends described him as a “true gentleman.” He will be greatly missed.

In his family of origin, Ray is survived by his brother, Gerald (Lena) Summerlin of Melbourne, Fla.; his sister, Hilda (William) Goodson and his brother, Claude (Marcia) Summerlin Jr. of Andalusia.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Esther Summerlin.

Ray is survived by his two daughters, Patricia Summerlin of Kula, Hawaii, and Michelle Annis of Selma; three grandsons, Thad (Juliana Ellman) Ziolkowski of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jason (Camila Vianna) Burke of Cave Junction, Ore., and Emery (Mary Thirsk) Annis of Houston. He leaves four great-grandchildren: Teo Ziolkowski, and Koa, Zadi and Bela Burke.

He is preceded in death by his second wife, Jennie, and his grandson, Adam.

Donations to AsceraCare Hospice in his name would be a tribute to the compassionate care, love and support during his long illness. His caretakers became his friends and brightened his last days.

Pallbearers will be Thad Ziolkowski, Jason Burke, Emery Annis, Ferrell Carter, Jerry Harrison, John Lide and Joe Hamilton.

Flowers may be sent to Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home today, Tues., July 13, at 11 a.m. with graveside services following at New Live Oak Cemetery.

Those unable to attend the services may make online condolences at lawrencebrownservice.com.

VERNON WARD SARGE

Vernon Ward Sarge, 81, of Andalusia, died Mon., July 12, 2010, in Pensacola, Fla.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thurs., July 15, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Judge Ashley McKathan officiating. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foreman Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Ann Sarge of Andalusia; his daughters, Katherine Rose Antill of East Liver Pool, Ohio, Vickey Nguyen of Wellsville, Ohio, and Peggy Wilson of Bedford, Ohio; a son, Vernon Ward Sarge Jr. of Irondale, Ohio; stepdaughters, Linda Marie Nichols of Red Level, Joanne Michelle Sullivan of East Liver Pool, Ohio, and Donna Elizabeth Goins of Andalusia; 23 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, and eight nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Steven Douglas Sarge and Scott Alan Sarge.

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

MARJORIE ANDREWS MIMS

Marjorie Andrews Mims, 81, of Andalusia, died Fri., July 9, 2010, in the Opp nursing home.

Funeral services were held Sun., July 11, from Foreman Funeral Home with interment in Harmony Cemetery.

Survivors include her sister, Frances A. Owens of Opp; her nephews, Doyle Andrews and Wesley Andrews of Opp; her nieces, Patricia Watson and Bernice Donaldson of Opp

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Mims; and three brothers, Harold, Howard, and Authur Andrews.

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

ELEANOR BENTON PARKS

Mrs. Eleanor Benton Parks, 83, of Andalusia, died Fri., July 9, 2010, in the Opp hospital.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., today, Tues., July 13, at the Andalusia Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Trent officiating and Foreman Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Foreman Funeral Home.

Survivors include her son Bill Parks of Whittler, Calif.; a daughter and son-in-law, Maribel and Warren Brown of Andalusia; and three grandchildren, Marsha Gladden, Sarah Brown, and Phillip Brown.

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

JOHN WILLIAM “BILLY” WOOD

John William “Billy” Wood, 85, of the Carolina community and formerly of Ozark died Thurs., July 8, 2010, in a local hospital.

Funeral services were held Sat., July 10, at Carolina Baptist Church with the Rev. Matt Brady officiating. Interment followed at Carolina Cemetery with Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

He retired from M. O. Carroll Wholesale Grocery Co. in Ozark after 38 years as a salesman.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel Wood of the Carolina community; son, Dexter (Martha) Wood of Buford, Ga.; daughter, Lisa Wood (Charlie) Hoke of Birmingham; grandchildren, Rachel (Jeff) Norris, Ryan (Erin) Wood, Charles Hoke Jr., William Hoke, and Julia Hoke; and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Campus Crusade for Christ, Account # 0532050, 305 Vicksburg Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 or to the Carolina Baptist Church building fund.

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

MELVIN EUGENE “GENE” JEFFCOAT

Melvin Eugene “Gene” Jeffcoat, 79, of Andalusia, passed away July 8, 2010.

Funeral services were held Mon., July 12, at Foreman Funeral Home with Wesley Jeffcoat officiating, and a private family burial following

After serving in the Army during the Korean Conflict, he was employed by Southern Craftsman for 10 years. He retired from the Andalusia Post Office after 28 years of service.

He is survived by “the girls,” Barbara (Mike) Rogers and Diane (Jerry) Jackson of Pensacola, Fla., and Brenda Johnson of Andalusia; grandchildren, Brandy (John) Boutwell and Jarrett Rogers of Pensacola and Anna Johnson and her daddy, Donnie Johnson of Andalusia; great-grandchildren, Braden Boutwell and Kyler Boutwell of Pensacola; devoted sister, Marzelle (Ralph) Simpler and brother, Charles Jeffcoat of Andalusia; half-sister, Eloise Richardson; half-brother, Reynolds (Melba) Jeffcoat of Rutledge; and also numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Jewel Elaine Ballard Jeffcoat; his parents, Dossie B. H. and Kate Hawkins Jeffcoat; brothers, William Jeffcoat and James Jeffcoat; and grandson, Logan Johnson.

Pallbearers were his grandsons, Jarrett Rogers and John Boutwell of Pensacola, and nephews, Raymond Jeffcoat, Melvin D. Jeffcoat, Tracy Simpler and Steve Grissett of Andalusia. Honorary pallbearer was Logan Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Good News Baptist Church Youth Group Fund, 29812 Good News Chapel Road, Dozier, AL 36028.

Foreman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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