ZELMER L. JONES

Zelmer L. Jones, 85, of Andalusia, passed away Tues., Feb. 14, 2012, at his son’s residence in Dothan.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., today, Fri., Feb. 17, at First Baptist Church of Andalusia with Dr. Fred Karthaus and the Rev. John Foster officiating, with special music provided by his grandson-in-law, David Coram, and Don Lingle. Burial will follow in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery with Zelmer’s brother-in-law, James Kilpatrick, officiating. Keahey Funeral Home will be directing and full military honors will be presented at the gravesite, as Jones was an Air Force veteran.

The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church two hours prior to the service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hillary Washington Jones and Barbara Connell Jones; his wife, Katherine Kilpatrick Jones, in 2009; grandson, Brian Lloyd Jones, in 2008, and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Anne Coram, in 2011. He was the last survivor of 13 siblings.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Clare Jones of Dothan; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, James (Charlotte) Kilpatrick of Opp, June Kilpatrick (Winston) Blackmon of Crestview, Fla., and H. Gaston (Bonita McCormick) Kilpatrick of Andalusia; granddaughter, Erin Jones (David) Coram Jr. of Pelham; great-granddaughter, Sarah Katherine Coram; and many nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 700 Century Park South Suite 129, Birmingham, AL 35226.

Serving as pallbearers will be Derek Blackmon, Kevin Blackmon, Mike Lord, H. Gaston Kilpatrick, Rex Jones and Buddy Wilkes.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be members of the Baracas Sunday school class and the Kiwanis Club of Andalusia.

Through the years, Jones received many accolades for his outstanding dedication and commitment in business and in civic involvements.

In 1967, Jones began his life’s career as a insurance salesman for Southern Life and Health Insurance. In 1968, he was named to the company’s Century Club. In 1976, he received his qualification from the National Association of Life Underwriters for his outstanding sales performance.

In 1987, Southern Life and Health named him Agent of the Year for the Andalusia district. In 1988, he was named ‘Person of the Year’ by the Andalusia Life Underwriters Association.

In 1988, Southern Life and Health recognized Jones for 30 years of employment. He received an award from NASA for 22 years of service. He was recognized at an insurance seminar for having the largest debit for 23 years. He received an award for 20 years in the Leader Circle.

In 1994, Andalusia Kiwanis Club honored him with the award of “Top Grocery Bagger for Jerry’s Kids.” In 1997 the Kiwanis Club Muscular Dystrophy Association of Greater Alabama awarded him with an appreciation award. Jones became recognized as a “Celebrity Bagger” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for raising more than $100,000 for Jerry’s Kids over the years. His driving force was his grandson, Brian, who had M.D.

In 2001 and 2008, the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce awarded him the Distinguished Service Award.

In 1998, Kiwanis International named him a George F. Hixson Fellow.

In 1990-1991 and 1997-1998, he was named Kiwanian of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Andalusia.

Mr. Jones was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Andalusia, where he served as a deacon from 1990 and also drove the church’s bus for the after school youth choir ministry.

After retiring from Southern Life and Health Insurance Company, he began working for Keahey Funeral Home in 1992 and worked until his health declined a few months ago. He was also known in the community for his successful vegetable gardening.

Friends may sign the guestbook for this family at keaheyfuneralhome.com.

 

MARIE NORRIS KELLEY

Marie Norris Kelley, 85, of Andalusia, died Thurs., Feb. 16, 2012, in a local nursing facility.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Sat., Feb. 18, at Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home with the Rev. Randy Kelley officiating. Interment will follow at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation is tonight at Foreman’s Funeral Home from 5 to 7.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Kelley, and son, Jerry Kelley.

She is survived by sons and daughter-in-laws, Jimmy (Judy) Kelley of Red Level and Joel (Mary) Kelley of Andalusia; daughter and son-in-law, Janice (Bill) Moore of New Brockton; grandchildren, Jody (Jan) Kelley, Clay (Miranda) Kelley, Lana Kelley, Adam Kelley, Cathy Kelley and Kellie Jean Moore; a number of great-grandchildren; brothers, Foy (Loyce) Norris, Ferris (Barbara) Norris of Andalusia, T.J. (Margaret) Norris of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Carl (Joy) Norris and Paul (Ruth) Norris of Andalusia; sisters, Cora Byrd of Mobile, Evelyn (George) Schbert of Lafayette, La., and Hazel (Pete) Soles of Savannah, Ga.; and a large number of nieces and nephews.