EVELYN OWENS

Evelyn Owens, 87, of Andalusia, passed away Wed., Nov. 2, 2011, at her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Fri., Nov. 4, 2011, at Keahey Funeral Home Chapel. Vistation will be tonight from 6 to 8 at Keahey Funeral Home.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, H. B. and Melissa Owens Jr. of Phenix City, Boyd Owens of Grand Bay and Gary and Mae Owens of Phenix City; daughter, Barbara Faye Dozier of Andalusia; daughter-in-law, Debbie Owens; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many neices and nephews; and a great-granddaughter reared as her own, Dashay Owens.

She was preceded in death by her husband, H. B. Owens Sr., and a son, Chris Owens.

 

WILLIAM HAROLD ALLEN

William Harold Allen, 69, of Evergreen, died on Nov. 1, 2011, in an Evergreen nursing home.

Funeral services will be held today, Wed., Nov. 3, at Evergreen Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with interment following in Magnolia Cemetery, with arrangements by Cope Funeral Home of Evergreen. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service.

He is survived by two sons, Scott (Genny) Adams of Andalusia and Billy Adams of Kennasaw, Ga.; three brothers, Fred Adams, Leon Adams and Butch Adams; three sisters, Laurice Gladwell, Nelda Faulkner and Cheryl Johnson, all of Evergreen; and four grandchildren, Jordan Elizabeth Adams, Madison Nicole Adams, Mary Elizabeth Adams and William Bailey Adams.

 

JOE HELMS

Joe Helms, 60, of Branson West, Mo., son of Charles and Julia Helms, was born Feb. 6, 1951, in Andalusia, and departed this life Oct. 29, 2011, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Mo.

He was born and raised in Andalusia, graduating from Andalusia High School in 1969. He was a popular student and excellent athlete and earned a basketball scholarship to Jacksonville State University.

He recently renewed his friendships from high school by traveling from Missouri to Andalusia for his 40th class reunion two years ago. His bravery in facing his failing health over the last several years of his life will continue to be an inspiration to his family and friends. He is loved and will be missed.

He was united in marriage to Roberta “ Bobbi” Jones on Aug. 23, 1992, and he had lived in the Branson area since 1987 coming from Mobile. He was a member of Talking Rock Road Baptist Church in Branson West.

He was an inspiration and will be missed so much by his wife, family and friends who became his chosen family and his beloved Sophie, Doodle Bug and the Rooney cat.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include: his wife, Bobbi; one son, Brad Lehn Helms of Hollister; one daughter, Trisha Helms Skal, and husband, Fred John of Baton Rouge, La.; one brother, Craig Helms, and wife, Phyllis of Bay Minette; brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Henrietta Kifer of Arnold, Mo.; niece, Becky Kifer of California; two other nieces; one nephew; four grandchildren, Joshua, Katelyn, Lauren and Madison; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., today, Wed., Nov. 2, 2011, at Talking Rock Road Baptist Church with Pastor Delbert Davis officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to American Diabetes or Talking Rock Road Baptist Church in Branson West.

 

WILLIAM W. AVANT

William W. Avant, 89, of Andalusia, died Fri., Oct. 28, 2011, at his residence.

He was born in Andalusia on Jan. 8, 1922, and attended Andalusia grade and high schools. He was graduated the University of Alabama as an aeronautical engineer. During World War II, he served as an Army officer with the American 9th Army and British 2nd Army, and was in three battles as a combat engineering officer on the mainland of Europe. He received three medals for his service.

After honorable discharge from the Army, he obtained his pilot’s license in 1946 and accumulated many hours of private flying.

His career as an aeronautical engineer began at North American Aviation, Los Angeles Division, in the supersonic wind tunnel for four years; then continued as a pulse-jet power plant engineer with American Helicopter Company’s XH-26, a jet powered helicopter.

At his retirement in 1984, he had completed 31 years of service as an aeronautical engineer with the Garrett/Airesearch Company in their Phoenix, Ariz., pneumatic control system product line. During this time, he was awarded three U. S. patents for his inventions.

After retirement, he returned to Andalusia and was engaged in refurbishing the “Avant House” which is now listed on the Register of Historic Places, and managing the land and timber of the Avant-Crittenden Timberlands.

His lifelong interest was with anything that could fly in the air from insects to the biggest jets and spacecrafts. “For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been and there you long to return.”

Funeral services were held on Wed., Nov. 2, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Cynthia Howard officiating and burial following in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Andalusia Public Library.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, William Watts and Therese Avant III of Birmingham; his daughters and son-in-law, Caroline Patricia and Gerald McCall of Birmingham and Leslie Ann Avant of Orinda, Calif.; stepdaughter, Joanne Terry Kuhnlein; and grandchildren, Leslie Ann Dervan, Lathan Williams McCall, Alexander Avant McCall and Rebecca Caroline Wartz.

Pallbearers were Randolph Kyzar, Bill Swartz, Gerald McCall, William Avant, III, Alexander McCall, Jurrell Davis and Harvey Kelley

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