DEMPSEY “JACK” STALEY

Dempsey “Jack” Staley, 84, was called home to the Lord on Thurs., Dec. 2, 2010.

Born Sept. 10, 1926, to Bessie Crowell Staley and the Rev. John Staley, he was one of 14 children. His parents and eight siblings precede him in death.

Funeral services will be held Sat., Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. at Zion Chapel AME in Gantt with Marshall Hammond Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be held tonight from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

He was affectionately known as “Jack” to his family and friends.

In 1945 during World War II, he served with the 602 Air Engineer Squadron, earning the Victory Medal and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corps. In the mid-1950s and 1960s, he traveled throughout the states as one of the lead vocalists with the Silvertone Gospel Singers. On Aug. 17, 1974, he experienced a reaffirmation of his faith in Christ. He was employed as a forklift operator with Avon Products in Cincinnati, Oho. In the 1980s, he left and returned to his hometown of Gantt. He later became a member of the Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church.

He leaves to celebrate his life, four sisters, Lucy Gardner of Andalusia; Bessie Louise White of Niagara Falls, N.Y., Iola Bryant of Andalusia and Lillie Bonam of Gantt; and one brother, Douglas Staley of River Falls.

He was married to the late Minnie Pearl Cargile in 1945, and through that union were born two daughters, Loretta Ernest of Oakland, Calif., Wanda (the Rev. Lymon) Gaines of Cincinnati; and three sons, Huston D. (Theresa) Staley of Cincinnati, Terry Staley of Jacksonville, Fla., and Wayne Staley of Auburn.

Through another union was born twins, Selena and Sabrina Florence of Gantt. He has 24 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

TIMOTHY WILLIAM TILLMAN

Timothy William Tillman, 55, of Wing, died Tues., Dec. 7, 2010, at his residence.

Funeral services were held Dec. 9 at Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home with the Rev. Fred Kelley officiating and interment following in Wing Cemetery.

He is survived by two daughters, Christina Veasey of Opp and Melissa Tillman of Andalusia; six grandchildren, Darion Jacob Veasey, Leigh Anne Veasey, Sophia Grace Veasey, Ariana Barnes, Ivy Griggs and Zachary Tull; and brother, John Tillman of Wing.

Pallbearers will be John Holloway, Ricky Jacobs, David Davis, Larry Stallings, Chad Stewart, and Donald McCranry.

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

LUCY COPELAND

Lucy Elizabeth Ward Bodie Copeland, 93, of Andalusia, passed away Wed., Dec. 8, 2010, in a Pensacola hospital.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Sat., Dec. 11, at West Highland Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Boles, the Rev. Drexel Copeland and the Rev. Larry Stewart officiating and interment following at Mobley Creek Cemetery with Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

Visitation will be tonight from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Foreman’s.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Nikki Bodie of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., and Frankie and Barbara Bodie of Mobile; three stepchildren, Ann Hilton of Mobile, Eugene (Emma) Copeland of Andalusia and Jerry (Carol) Copeland of Titisville, Fla.; four grandchildren, Bem Bodie, Anna Adams, Sarah Ashley Bodie and Graham Bodie; nine great-grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; brothers, Wiley (Elaine) Ward of Andalusia and Richard (Mavis) Ward of Pensacola, Fla.; and sister, Bessie (Pete) Riley of Andalusia.

Pallbearers will be Randall Copeland, Shannon Copeland, Ryan Copeland, Craig Copeland, Joel Hare, Mike Ward, Warren Ward, Craig Ward, Rickey Ward and Gary Ward.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to West Highland Baptist Church or Gideon International.

HORACE DANIEL SMITH

Horace Daniel Smith, 76, of Red Level, died Tues., Dec. 7, 2010, at his residence.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m., today, Fri., Dec. 10, at the Pine Level Cemetery with Ray Newton officiating and Foreman Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be at the cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Tomessa Faye Smith of Red Level; his daughters, Marilyn Mecham of Lampasas, Texas, Janice Smith of Apache Junction, Ariz., Twyla and Larry Shoemaker of Chandler, Ariz., Lori and Brit Dyer of Chandler, Ariz., Lisa and Duane Bahr of La Crosse, Wis., and Beth and Daryl Chapman of Chandler, Ariz.; his son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Michelle Smith of Pagosa Springs, Co.; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters and brother-in-law, Joyce and J.B. McClain of Pensacola, Fla., and Linda Scott of Red Level.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Morgan and Mayomie Smith; his brother, Harold Smith; and granddaughter, Ashley Martinez.

Pallbearers will be Charles Holcomb, J.C. McClain, Kenney Smith, Larry Shoemaker, Daryl Chapman and Henry Brundidge.

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

KRESZENA CINDY BUSH

Kreszenz Cindy Bush, 89, of Andalusia, passed away Tues., Dec. 7, 2010 at Andalusia Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., today, Fri., Dec. 10, at Keahey Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Pleasant Home Baptist Church Cemetery.

Survivors include sons, Robert (Ursula) Kappel and Wesley G. (Anne) Bush Jr.; daughters, Elizabeth (Mike) Deadly and Debra J. Bush; grandchildren, Jenifer (Sean) Pflughaupt, Heather (Chris) Jeffcoat, Kevin (Sheryl) Deady, Joshua Bush Douglas, Thomas (Betina) Kappel and Annettte (Stephan) Schubert; brother, Mike Scherer; sister-in-law, Mattie Howitt; special niece, Christina Taguba; and several other nieces and nephews.

LENARD SMITHART

Lenard Smithart, 77, of Andalusia, passed away Mon., Dec. 6, 2010, at his residence.

Funeral services were held Thurs., Dec. 9 at the Keahey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ed Ganus officiating and special music provided by the Good News Quartet. Burial will follow in the Carolina Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Riley Smithart of Andalusia; sons and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Debbie Smithart of Columbus, Ga., and Rocky Smithart of Andalusia; daughters and son-in-law, Leslie Corbell of Andalusia, Lori and Jason Bailey of Andalusia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Cecil and Okkie Smithart, Carlos and Betty Smithart, Billy and Madelene Smithart, Jim Paul and Faye Smithart, Robert and Jean Smithart; sister, Rachel Eddins of Andalusia; grandchildren, Breanna Corbell, Ashton Bailey, Jaden Smithart, Tiffany Nicholas and Jenna Eggie; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleve and Gladys Smithart; brother, Mac Smithart; and sister, Betty Smithart.

JAMES LAWSON JR.

Mr. James Lawson Jr., 83, of Andalusia, passed away Mon., Dec. 6, 2010, in a Montgomery hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., today, Fri., Dec. 10, 2010, at the Keahey Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. John Hunt will officiate. Special music will be provided by Louise Jordan and Michelle Norris. Burial will follow in the Carolina Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors.

Survivors include, son, Johnny Mack (Cynthia) Lawson, of Titus, Ala.; daughters, Judy Joann Hammonds of Montgomery, Rebecca Ann Terry of Andalusia, Jennifer Dianne (Pat) Bye of Montgomery and Sandra Lynn (Rickey) Byrd of Andalusia; eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; brothers, Glenn Lawson of Andalusia, Steve (Linda) Lawson of Andalusia; and sister, Mary Emer (George) Bass of Andalusia.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Hammonds, Donnie Hammonds, Dylan Hammonds, Jason Terry, Matt Lawson and Scotty Smith.