OPAL REEVES

Opal Reeves, 91, of Andalusia, passed away Fri., June 1, 2012, in the Opp hospital.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Mon., June 4, at Keahey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Billy Boles officiating. Special music was by Larry Holmes, and the eulogy was given by her daughter, Linda McNamara. Burial followed in Stone Lake Gardens Cemetery with Keahey Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include her daughters, Linda McNamara of South Carolina, Faye Bryan of Brantley, Barbara Taylor of South Carolina and Janice Grissett of River Falls; brother, Winford Lowe of Loango; sister, Maudine Hart of New Brockton; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Vickey Reeves Green; her sons, Ray Reeves and Don Reeves; and two great-grandchildren, Lakyn Rodgers and Jamie Taylor.

 

DR. BEN AVIS ADAMS ORCUTT

Dr. Ben Avis Adams Orcutt, DSW, 97, of Andalusia, passed away quietly at home on Fri., June 1, 2012, following a lengthy illness.

Dr. Orcutt was born Oct. 17, 1914, in the Falco Community, the fourth daughter of the late Benjamin A. and Emily Connell Adams. She spent her youth in Red Level, graduating from Red Level High School in 1932 as the salutatorian of her class. She matriculated to the University of Alabama where she was an active member of Alpha Delta Pi social sorority. Following graduation from the University (1936), with the degree, bachelor of arts, she went on to earn a masters of arts (1939) and a masters of social work (1942) from Tulane University.

During World War II, Dr. Orcutt was employed as a social worker at Lagarde General Hospital in New Orleans, and later as acting field director (social work) at Ft. Benning, Ga., Regional Hospital. In 1946, she married Capt. Harry Philos Orcutt (USA) and moved to Phoenix, where she served as chief of the social work service at the VA Regional Office. Following her husband’s death in 1952, Dr. Orcutt moved to Birmingham, where she served as chief of social work service, outpatient unit of the Veteran’s Administration office until 1957.

In 1958, she enrolled in Columbia University (NY) where she earned a doctorate in social work. Following graduation, she taught for three years at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., before being called back to Columbia as an associate professor in the School of Social Work. In 1976, she was offered the opportunity to initiate a doctoral program in social work at the University of Alabama. She remained in this position as a professor of social work until her retirement in 1984. Following the active phase of her career, Dr. Orcutt continued to be engaged in her profession as a lecturer, author and consultant.

Throughout her life, Dr. Orcutt contributed greatly to published literature on topics as varied as America’s Riding Horses, which she co-authored with her husband, to books and articles on death and dying, poverty and the treatment of alcoholism. Her final book, Science and Inquiry in Social Work Practice, was published when she was 76. As a consultant, she lent her expertise to numerous institutions, literary panels and advisory boards, which included Tavistock Center, London, England; University of Houston, Troy State University; Journal of Social Work, editorial board; National Institutes of Mental Health; memorial alumni board and Columbia University of Social Work.

After her retirement, she found numerous outlets for her energies in community service. She was a member of several service organizations in Tuscaloosa as well as the symphony guild; served on the altar guild of Christ Episcopal Church; and was a beloved alum advisor to Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She continued to remain active with the schools of social work both at Alabama and Columbia, being named to the Hall of Fame for the Alabama School of Social Work in 1999 and receiving the Centennial Award for leadership from Columbia University School of Social Work in 1998. In all her activities and throughout her life, she epitomized intelligence, grace, gentility, humility and a loving spirit.

In 2001, she returned home to Covington County and Andalusia.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., today, Tues., June 5, at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Dale Sallans officiating. Interment will follow in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Foreman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ben Avis Orcutt Scholarship Fund, School of Social Work, University of Alabama, P.O. Box 870314, Tuscaloosa, AL., 35487-0314.

Dr. Orcutt is survived by her sister, Ophelia Albritton of Andalusia; her niece and her husband, Emily and Dr. Kenneth Hill of Union, S.C.; a great niece, Alice Hill Haas and her husband, Christopher; and great nephew, Benjamin C. Hill. Dr. Orcutt will also be remembered by her loving friend and caregiver for nine years, Laura Clem, as well as her other caregivers and the people that she loved – Margie Elmore, Barbara Bradley, Charlotte Smith, Mollie Griffin, Wanda Hattaway, Devin Jones, the staff of Savannah Terrace and the nurses and aides of Comfort Care Hospice, as well as other numerous friends and colleagues.

Pallbearers will be David Darby, Edwin May, Tom Albritton, Roger Powell, Tommy Thompson and Rick Clifton.

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

 

KENNETH WAYNE MOSELEY

Kenneth Wayne Moseley, 45, of Andalusia, died Wed., May 30, 2012, at Troy Regional Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held today, Tues., June 5, at 11 a.m. at Black Water River in Baker, Fla. Friends and family can meet at the Gator Café from 10 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., and signs will lead to the river.

He was part of the Million Mile Club in the trucking industry and was a master carpenter.

He is survived by his wife, Keitha Howland-Moseley; father, George and Kathy Moseley of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; three sons, Christopher Gene Rogers of Jackson, Fla., Herbert Rogers of Brundidge and Jacob Martin Moseley of Andalusia; two daughters, Nikita Lynn Wheeler of Lowville, N.Y., and Sonni Rae Rogers of Troy; brother, Robbie Moseley of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; niece, Meghan Rowland; great-niece, Laykin Rowland, both of Warren, Pa.; grandchildren, Tommy Ray and Gabriel; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emerald Coast Christian Center, Holly Chapel Road, Santa Rosa, FL 32549.

Family and friends can sign the guest book on the website at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net.

 

J.D. PARRISH

J. D. Parrish, 92, of Gantt, died Sat., June 2, 2012, in a Bay Minette hospital.

He was born on June 28, 1919, to William Oscar Parrish and Cora Lee Nowling Parrish. He retired from the U. S. Navy having served his country in World War II.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wed., June 6, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with eulogies given by Presley Boswell and Douglas Parrish. Burial will follow in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted at the graveside.

Visitation will be at Foreman Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Charles Wells of Oklahoma City.; his grandchildren, Tim Makela and Christina Estes; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Carmia Cannon; a very special friend, Jean Jones, both of Andalusia; nephews and nieces, Douglas (Delaine) Parrish of Houston, Hilda (Presley) Boswell of Andalusia, Andre (Marcia) Brown of San Francisco, Rebecca (Joe) Dworkin of Meford, Ore., Stephanie (Richard) Theus of Andalusia, Diane (Billy) Black of Creola and Susan (John) Stewart of Oakland, Calif.; and a special cousin, Ron Mills.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Parrish; a son, Jeffrey Parrish; a brother, Bobbie L. Parrish; and a sister, Bonnie Parrish Brown.

Pallbearers will be Ronald Mills, Douglas Parrish, Presley Boswell, Richard Theus, Michael Matthews and Vaughn Jones.

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

 

ANN SPHINKS

Ann Sphinks of Andalusia passed away Thurs., May 31, 2012, in the Luverne hospital.

Funeral services were held Sun., June 3, at noon, at Keahey Funeral Home Chapel with Keahey Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include her son, James Jordan of Andalusia; daughter, Linda (John) Watson of Florida, Glenda Henderson of Red Level and Sandy Estes of Andalusia; brother, James (Jeanette) Odom of Andalusia; grandchildren, Monolito Alvarado, Juan Alvarado, Nichole Amerson, Thomas Smith, Dickie Ray Lambert, George Jordan, Jessica Cook, Hubert McCann, Susan Clark, Jeremy Shelton, Cimmy Redmond, James Jordan, Melissa Jordan, Lacey Jordan and Ivey Jordan; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Brenda McGowen, and her grandfather, Tess Jordan.

 

LEON CROWE

Leon Crowe, 75, of Auburn, formerly of Andalusia, died Thurs., May 31, 2012.

Graveside services were held on Sun., June 3, at Stone Lake Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Buddy Poe officiating.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy Cauley Crowe of Auburn; sons, Greg (Patti) Crowe of Tuscaloosa, Justin Crowe, Jeremy (Lauren) Crowe and Jonathon Crowe, all of Auburn; daughter, Teresa (Adrian) Suarez of Tuscaloosa; sisters, Lois Hudson of Birmingham, Emma Jean Nunez of Tuscaloosa, Darlene (Ray Lee) Tate of Anniston and Debra Rivers of Mobile; and grandchildren, Spencer, Caitlin, Collin and Carson.

Sign the guestbook for the family at www.keaheyfuneralhome.com.