BILLY JOE WELLS

Billy Joe Wells, 72, of Tuscaloosa, passed away Sept. 10, 2010, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind.

Services will be held at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Tuscaloosa on Thurs., Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dwayne Marcum of West Palm Beach, Fla., officiating. Visitation will be held on Wed., Sept. 15, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with burial at Memory Hill Gardens.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Tyler Wells and Mrs. Edna Simms Wells; and his three brothers: Marlin J. Wells, Larry D. Wells and Robert G. Wells.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Geri Wells; and his stepdaughter, Barbara (John) Plott. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Joyce Wells Curlee, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was born at home on Aug. 27, 1938, in Gantt. He graduated Rawls High School in 1957. He was a member of Rawls Baptist Church. He served in the Armed Forces in Germany during 1958 and 1959 alongside Elvis Presley. Those who knew him best always enjoyed hearing of his encounters with the famous entertainer. He went to work for Lance Corporation, formerly Lance Cookie Company Inc. in 1961. He worked there for several years as a top salesperson, and in 1969, founded his own company, Speedmart Oil Company. After success with several business and real estate ventures, he formally retired in 1988.

He was a devoted and caring husband, and a generous and giving man to those who knew him. He enjoyed travel, good food and anyone to share a story with or to tease with his good-natured ribbing and humor. He was loved deeply by his family and will be missed greatly.

Pallbearers will be Dave Riley, Freddy Tyree, John Little, Chad Law, Mel Curlee, Kevin Wells, Jim Wells and Bryan Wells. Honorary pallbearers are Mrs. Aleene Riley, Mrs. Earlene Flores, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Cline Brown, Mr. Joe Pete Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Shannon, Mrs. Mary Nell Hallman, Mr. Paul Dunn, Mr. Mike Dunn, volunteers and nurses at DCH Cancer Treatment Center, Dr. William Hill, Mr. Jerry Brewer, tenants and associates who shared stories and spent time with Billy Joe over many decades of business, and the 1957 Class of Rawls High School.

Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Phil Cobb and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Riley for their care of Billy Joe during his accident and hospitalization.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The American Heart Association or The American Diabetes Association.

JOHN EDWARD OGLESBY

John Edward Oglesby, 68, of Red Level, passed away Sat., Sept. 11, 2010, in a Birmingham hospital.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., today, Tues., Sept. 14, at Keahey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Knowles officiating and Burial following at Providence Cemetery in Glennwood.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Oglesby of Red Level; three daughters and sons-in-law,

Debbie (Ralph) Bush of Red Level, Patricia Dean of River Falls and Marlon Oglesby (Ronnie) Worrels of Red Level; six grandchildren, Jessica Bush (Alvie Ainsworth), Patricia Allison Oglesby, Wesley Dean, Brittany (Phillip) Anderson, Vickie Worrels and Santana Storm Oglesby; six great-grandchildren, Ivy Goolsby, Abby Goolsby, Saben Elmore, Will Anderson, Chloe Anderson and Brady Ainsworth; special relatives, Leroy Odom, James Brown, Martha Harden, Virginia Oglesby, Doc Oglesby, Butch Oglesby and Oren Oglesby.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Oglesby, and a sister, Jekelyn Hicks.

Pall Bearers will be James Brown, Phillip Anderson, Randall Dean, Justin Morrison, Kenneth Odom, Chad Williams, Alvie Ainsworth and Ronnie Worrels.

COLONIA GRIFFIN

Colonia Griffin, 87, passed away on Aug. 19, 2010, at Opp Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Services were held on Aug. 28, at Andalusia’s St. Peter Baptist Church, and she was laid to rest in the cemetery at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Andalusia.

A retired school teacher, she was born in Pike County on Jan. 3, 1923, to the late Lem and Lena Bell Mahone Griffin. On Dec. 13, 1947, she wed the late Rev. Willie Samuel (Son) Berry and became stepmother to the late Willie James Berry. To the union were born Fredrick Douglas, Lena Yvonne, Jocelyn Avonne and Sandra Louise.

After the Rev. Berry’s death, she married and later divorced Mr. John Parrish. She was the second of three children and the only daughter. She was preceded in death by her elder brother, James Frederick Griffin, who married the late Foree Flowers and was father to Jacquelyn Alcester, Michael Lavon, the late James Robert and Janice Dianne. She was also preceded in death by her younger brother, Willie Luther (Bay) Griffin, who married the late Mildred Flowers and was father to James Edward, Donald, Jacquelyn and Ravonne.

At an early age, she united with the Lily Hill Baptist Church near Brundidge, where she remained until she married the late Rev. Berry, moved to Andalusia and united with the First Baptist Church on Andalusia’s Southside. She remained a faithful member of First Baptist until the couple relocated to Monroe County, where she joined the Sylvester Baptist Church and remained a faithful member until again relocating to Montgomery in 1953. In Montgomery, she united with the Zion Hill Baptist Church and upon returning to Andalusia in 1963, united with the St. Peter Baptist Church, where she remained until her death.

She graduated from Alabama State College in Montgomery in 1961. She began her teaching experience on an emergency basis at the close of World War II in Pike County. A lifelong Alabama resident, in later years she taught in schools in Covington, Choctaw and Coffee counties and continued her educational pursuits. She became disabled and retired from teaching on June 1, 1977.

Left to mourn her loss are her four children, Fredrick Douglas (Peggy) Berry, Lena Yvonne Berry Dorsey, Jocelyn Avonne Berry and Sandra Louise Berry Jackson; eight grandchildren, Chalavonne and Deanna Berry, Tiffany Berry (Peter) Obara, Dilliki (Milton) McGaskey, Prometheus Holley, LaCheryl Dorsey, Cory Chambers and Jocelyn (Sheldon) Hines); two step-grandchildren, Willie Ann Minter and Sherry Berry (Edward) Powell); eight great-grandchildren; 11 step-great grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing, 18 nephews, 10 nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

MERVIN ELLIS

Mervin Ellis, 74, of the Harmony community, died Fri., Sept. 10, 2010, at the Andalusia Hospital.

Funeral services were held Sun., Sept. 12, at the Harmony Baptist Church with the Rev. Greg Cotter officiating and burial following in Harmony Cemetery.

Survivors include his sister and brother-in-law, Mertha and James Carter of Andalusia; his nephews, Hank Carter, Shane Carter and Cody Carter, all of Andalusia; several great nieces and nephews; a step-grandson, Bobby Clark of Opp; and many special friends.

Pallbearers were Cody Carter, Hank Carter, Shane Carter, Austin Carter, Anthony Carter and Nelson Allen.

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

JOANNA RICHARDELLA

Joanna Richardella, 94, of Saddle Ridge Apartments, died Fri., Sept. 10, 2010, at her residence.

Private services will be held at a later date. She was preceded in death by her son, Roger Anthony.

She is survived by her brother in Belgium and eight grandchildren. Local survivor is her grandson, Roy Mohon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Andalusia Ballet Association.

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

DONNIE HUE “CORKY” BUSH

Donnie Hue “Corky” Bush, 72, of Opp, died Fri., Sept. 10, 2010, at his residence.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., today, Tues., Sept. 14, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Horace Franklin officiating and burial following in Sanford Cemetery.

Survivors include his sons, Tony Bush, Donnie (Karen) Bush, Tony (Donna) Kervin and Shawn (Kim) Bush; his daughters, Polly (James) Martin, Cindy Stampley, Terri (William) Martin, Linda (Edward) Lupian and Tammy (Terry) Jeffery; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Max (Joyce) Bush of Sanford.

He is preceded in death by his parents, A.J. and Gertrude Bush; a son, Rickey Kervin; and a brother, Harry Bush.

Family and friends unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

VIVIAN LOFTON WARD

Vivian Lofton Ward of Bay Springs, Miss., died at her residence Thurs., Sept. 2, 2010. Funeral services were held Sun., Sept. 5, at Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home with Minister Jack Lunsford officiating. Interment followed at Mobley Creek Cemetery.

She is survived by three daughters, Gayle (Jack) Lunsford of Taylorsville, Miss., Dale Whatley of Birmingham and Anita (Jim) Summers of Jena, La.; two sons, Gary (Judy) Ward of Soso, Miss., and Craig Ward of Pelham; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and sister, Lillian Wilt.

Friends and family unable to attend services may sign a guest register at foremanfuneralhome.com.