Obituaries for Sat., Feb. 23, 2013
Published 12:00 am Saturday, February 23, 2013
NORMAN ROBINSON
Norman Robinson of Rockwood, Tenn., formerly of Paul, passed away Wed., Feb. 20, 2013.
Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later by Keahey Funeral Home.
LUCILLE DONALDSON
Lucille Donaldson, 89, died at her home Thurs., Feb. 21, 2013.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., today, Sat., Feb. 23, at Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home with the Rev. Harrell Cushing officiating and interment following at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at the funeral home at 1 p.m.
She is survived by her husband, A.W Donaldson Jr. of Andalusia; son-in-law, Jerry Kennedy of Andalusia; grandchildren, Missy (Thad) Chandler of Killen, Kim (Casey) Thompson and Matt (Nichole) Kennedy, all of Andalusia; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Clara Nell Wambles of Andalusia and Bonnie Norman of Montgomery; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Casey Thompson, Stinson Thompson, Corky Chandler, Blake Turman, Adam Robinson and Anthony King.
HARRY LAVON ECHOLS
Harry Lavon “Von” Echols, 72, of Andalusia, died Thurs., Feb. 21, 2013, in a local hospital.
Funeral services will be held on Sun., Feb. 24, at 2 p.m., from the Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Billy Boles officiating and interment following in the Carolina Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the services.
He was born in Covington County, the 10th of 11 children to Jake and Lula Echols. He always worked hard and believed if you want something, you have to work for it and never look for handouts. In school and as summer jobs, he caddied at the Andalusia Country Club, delivered newspapers and worked at the drive thru-restaurant Idle Hour, with the Covington Creamery, delivering milk door-to-door, and at the Trailways/Greyhound Bus Station.
At 18, he married Patricia “Pat” Griggs on July 25, 1958. He immediately began working to provide for his family by working as a delivery truck driver for Mann’s Laundry, selling insurance and delivering vet supplies with Andalusia Serum Company. In 1967, he went to work for Delta Electrical, which later became Lee Electric Supply. There, he served as manager until the owner retired and closed the business in 1988. He then went to work for Alston Electrical Supply Co. in Pensacola, Fla. In 1990, he talked Frank Henderson into opening an electrical company back in Andalusia. In September 1990, he became manager of Delta Lighting and Supply Co., retiring from there in May 2012 at the age of 72.
In addition to believing in hard work, he had a great love for his family. Though faced with many health issues since January 2000, he got up each day and thanked God for that day. His quality of life was flourished with the love his daughter and grandchildren have for him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat Echols; his parents, Jake and Lula Echols; sisters, Lucille Ramer and Annie Mae Davis; and brothers, Bill Echols and Ronald Echols.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Mark Maraman of Andalusia; his son, Kevin Lavon Echols of Andalusia; two grandchildren, Gus Maraman and Trish Echols; four sisters, Margie Echols of Andalusia, Ruby Jeter of Red Level, Fannie Lou Brown of Baker, Fla., and Esther Ramer of Brooksville, Fla.; and two brothers, W.C. Echols of Andalusia and Lee Echols of Mobile.
Pallbearers will be Norman Barefoot, Walt Baaske, Bruce Stinson, Mickie Davis, Don Jackson and Tommy Jackson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Henderson, Jeff Jeter, Chuck Jeter, Monty Jeter, Dewayne Jeter, James Ed Brown, Kyle Barefoot and Mike Jackson.
JAKE FREDDIE ‘BUSTER’ SHERIDAN
Jake Freddie “Buster” Sheridan, 65, of River Falls, beloved husband of Elizabeth Sheridan for 43 years and eldest son of Jake Sr. and Mattie Lou Sheridan, passed away peacefully surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for and loved, on Feb. 11, 2013.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., today, Sat., Feb. 23, at Kirks Funeral Chapel.
Anyone who knew him knew him as a gentle giant who loved to joke and laugh. Anyone who knew him knows that he loved sports, so it was not a surprise that he would make such a big name for the Sheridans in the world of high school sports at Woodson High School in Andalusia.
Anyone who knew Jake knows that if there were ever a time when “you” were in need, he was the type to give all he had and go without. He loved to travel, while listening to music from “back in his day.” He took pride in the way that he carried himself and his appearance, and especially how he treated others was a reflection of a good person with great character. Oh, and let’s not forget his favorite pastime – the nice cars that he spoke so highly of, that he worked so hard to acquire over his lifetime.
He was a loving father, very devoted to his kids and family. He was born on Aug. 8, 1947, to Mattie Lou Sheridan and the late Jake Sheridan in River Falls. He attended school there, and shortly after, he and his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth “Cheryl” Sheridan, began their life journey in marriage and moving to Connecticut. Shortly after settling in there, he began his career with the Coca-Cola Bottling Co., where he worked for 20 years.
He was a family man, first and foremost; a husband, a son, a father, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, and an individual with a big heart who could light up a room with his smile and his laughter.
He was predeceased by his father, Jake Sheridan Sr., and a brother, Donald Ray Sheridan. He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife and best friend, Elizabeth Sheridan; his mother, Mattie Lou Sheridan; five children; Laronda Leggett of Manchester, Conn., Juanita Jackson of Elba, Darrin (Catalina) Sheridan of East Hartford, Conn., Derrick Jackson of Mobile and Kimberly Sheridan of East Hartford, Conn.; one sister, Mary Francis Jackson; three brothers, Herman (Terry Ann) Sheridan, James Sheridan and Leslie (Brenda) Sheridan; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.
He will surely be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him and experiencing his love.
TED F. THOMAS
Ted F. Thomas, 81, passed away on Feb. 15, 2013, at a Montgomery hospital.
He was born on Jan. 24, 1932, and worked many years as a logger.
Funeral services were held on Mon., Feb. 18, at 2 p.m., at New Providence Baptist Church in the Paul Community. Burial was in the church cemetery with Cope Funeral Home directing and the Rev. Mike Ellis and the Rev. Cleveland Brown officiating.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sherry B. Thomas of Paul; two daughters, Angie Thomas and Donna T. (Grady) McClain; three grandchildren, Jamie Kimbro, Jeremy McClain and Garrett McClain; six great-grandchildren, Jordan Johns, Cayliegh Kimbro, Hunter Kimbro, Payton McClain, Addison McClain and Logan Thompson; one great-great-grandchild, Preston Jordan, all of Paul; two sisters, Janice Brewer and Nelda (Robert) Emmons, all of Pensacola, Fla.; and special friend and caregiver, Bernice Haskew of Andalusia.
Pallbearers were Grady McClain, Jeremy McClain, Garrett McClain, Mike Windham, Cheveron Thomas and Robert Emmons.
Flowers were accepted and memorial contributions may be made in his honor to New Providence Baptist Church’s building fund.