MARY AGNES CHANDLER GATLIN

Mary Agnes Chandler Gatlin was born on Dec. 9, 1906, in the Coldwater Community, and died at her home in the Coldwater Community on Sept. 28, 2013.

She was 106.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 3, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Benji Wilson and Brother Bryan Pullin officiating and interment following at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. Graveside services will be held on Fri. Oct. 4, at 2 p.m., with Laughlin-Service Funeral Home Inc. directing.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Thursday at Foreman Funeral Home.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Buford Lee Gatlin; parents, Rebecca (Johns) and John William Eliphalet Chandler; and siblings; Oscar Lee Chandler (Margarite Bozeman), Rubie Etta (Robert Gantt), Mayme Estelle (Cancil Colvin), Vivian Amber (Raymond Thomas Garlington), and William Von Chandler (Florence Love) and (Elinor Certain).

She is survived by 13 adoring nieces and nephews and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

She attended Coldwater School, Straughn School and Alabama College (University of Montevallo) where she earned a bachelor of science in science and home economics in 1930. Her three sisters also graduated from Alabama College – Rubie in 1931, Mayme in 1933 and Vivian in 1935.

Upon graduation, she was offered the job of head of the Huntsville Division of the Alabama Public Health System where she worked until her retirement in 1973 when she returned to Coldwater.

She has had a remarkable life full of old and new friends – the oldest one was 104 and the youngest was three. For many years, she taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Coldwater Congregational Church and at Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Straughn. She was much admired by many people as a Christian who practiced Christ’s commandment and who dedicated many years to the work of the church.

In her words: “I have always tried to be honest and truthful; to respect the other fellow’s view; to seek to love all; to value good health; to be independent and take care of myself; to treasure the time to read God’s word daily and to live by its precepts, and be humble and remember my Creator for His many blessings.”

In lieu of flowers, one can contribute to the Mission Fund at the Mt. Zion Church or contribute to the Coldwater Congregational Church.

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

 

LANELL CAMPBELL FAISON

LaNell Campbell Faison, 95, of Dozier, died Sat., Sept. 28, 2013.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., today, Tues., Oct. 1, at the chapel of Turner Funeral Home with the Rev. Woody Clark officiating.  Interment will follow in Zion Cemetery with Turner Funeral Home of Luverne directing.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Comer B. Faison; son-in-law, Allison Hugghins; two brothers, Rheo Campbell and Carroll Campbell; and her parents, Bolden and Marjorie Robbins Campbell.

Survivors include her two daughters, Iris Faison Hugghins and Melinda F. (Steve) McCall; two grandchildren, Benjamin (Holly) Hugghins and Alicia H. (Ken) Reimer; and four great-grandchildren, Jacob Reimer, Andrew Reimer, Mary Allison Hugghins and Ashley Hugghins.

Active pallbearers will be Sammy Joe Dozier, Gary Harris, Jim Faison, Johnny Campbell, Dwight Rathel, Kevin McGee, Ricky Kimbro and Ken Cook.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Joyner and Noel Dozier.

 

CLIDY MAE MATTHEWS

Clidy Mae Matthews, 83, a resident of McKenzie, passed away Thurs., Sept. 26, 2013.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Sat., Sept. 28, from the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Pleasant Hill Cemetery with Johnson Funeral Home directing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Zephy Odom; son, Lee Horn; and sisters, Lois Wyrosdick and Lola Johnson.

She is survived by her husband, Billy Matthews, and brother, Ernest Odom, both of McKenzie.

Online condolences may be made at johnsongeorgiana.com.

 

CHRISTY LYNN WILLIAMS COPELAND
Christy Lynn Williams Copeland was born in Andalusia on March 23, 1977, and passed away on Sept. 24, 2013.  Funeral services were held Sept. 27, 2013 at Hopewell Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Boles officiating, with internment at Hopewell Cemetery.
She married Drexel Copeland on June 15, 1996.  Christy leaves behind her husband, Drex, Pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church; their son, Taylor; her mother, Marilyn Williams; and her sister, Melissa Robbins.  Christy is also survived by her father, Ronnie Williams; and her grandmothers, Hazel Williams and Evonne Watts.  Christy’s large extended family included Ken and Susie Baker, brothers-in-law Craig (Denise) Copeland, Shannon Copeland, and Ryan Copeland, as well as several aunts and uncles;  Tammy (David) Shubert, Ronnie Watts, Greg (Shirley) Watts, Ricky (Christy) Watts, Teddy (Shelline) Watts, Tim (Darlene) Watts, and JoAnn Jones, all of Andalusia; Becki (Stan) Tindal, Susie (Chuck) Epley, Johnny Williams, Angie Arnold, David (Sue) Williams, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Christy was preceded in death by her grandfathers, John Watts and Lester Williams, and by her uncles, Terry Watts and Stevie Watts.
Christy attended LBW Community College, where she met her husband, Drex, in 1995.  She also attended Florida Baptist Theological College in Graceville, Fla.  In addition to being a pastor’s wife, she worked at her family’s business, The Corner Market, and was director of Dimples Daycare Center
Christy was always involved in her community and volunteered at Save-A-Life Foundation and Community Christmas program. She volunteered her time and talents to paint a mural at the Andalusia Animal Shelter, reflecting her love of animals.
Christy was always involved in church activities and served the Baptists of Covington County as associate director for the Girls’ Auxiliary.  She taught Sunday School and Training Union and led women’s bible studies.
In her personal life, Christy loved to cook and to bake.  When she was only five, the women of Andalusia and Florala joined to raise funds for Christy’s medical expenses, and published a cookbook named, Christy’s Cookbook.  Desserts were her favorites. She was talented at cross-stitching and even designed her own patterns. Her life was full and her accomplishments were many. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
Contributions in Christy’s memory may be made to any of the following:  Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Save-A-Life Foundation, or the Andalusia Animal Shelter.