JACOB BERRY

Jacob (Jake) Berry passed away on April 18 from injuries sustained from a vehicle accident. Jake enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and had yet to master turkey hunting. He loved the days on the riverbank, riding the back roads with his wife, Penny, spending time with family-friends and those Florida Gators. Jake always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell.

Jake and Penny moved to Alabama in 2007, where they made more friends and memories than most people do in a lifetime.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Berry.

He is survived by his wife, Penny Berry; son, David Berry; daughters, Kaitlynn and Kailee Berry; sisters, Nicole (Brian) Richards and Tracy (Russell) Bailey; mother, Greg (step father) and Teresia Berry; stepchildren, Miranda Harvey and Ryan Braddock; shared grandchild, Sadie Lou; nieces, Stormy Richards, Gracy Richards, Jessica Fortner, Kayla Spears, Cheyenne Spears, Heather Bailey, Ashyln Green and Rebecca Beitz;
nephews, Cole Richards, Wade Richards and Cody Dispenett; and paternal grandfather, Jessie Berry.

He also has great nieces and nephews.

Jake’s services were held on April 30, 2015, at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City Fla.

Penny Lynn Berry (wife) is having a Celebration of Life for Jake on Mon., May 11, 2015, at Oak Grove Baptist Church, at 2 pm.

 

RONNIE L. EDSON

Mr. Ronnie L. Edson, 65, of Red Level, passed away on Sun., May 3, 2015, in Andalusia Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Mon., May 11, 2015, at 1 p.m. from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Brothers Glen Vaughn and Keith Parker officiating. Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. prior to services.

Mr. Edson is survived by his wife, Ruth Edson of Red Level; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Ashley Edson of Andalusia; daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Clint Veasey of Andalusia; grandchildren, Clay Stacks, Cayleigh Stacks, Emily Edson, Ethan Edson, Mason Anderson and Emma Grace Anderson, all of Andalusia; sisters and brother-in-law, Josephine McCormick of Gantt and Midge and Cliff Barnes of Daleville; sisters-in-law, Veleria Hitson and Ruby Jeter, both of Red Level; brother-in-law, Donnie (Mary Ann) Hitson of Georgiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rona Edson.

Pallbearers include Ricky Harrelson, Brent Wiggins, John Chandler, Jimmy Chandler, Jeff Jeter, Monty Jeter and Wayne Aughtman. Honorary pallbearers include Alex Chandler, Clay Stacks, Ethan Edson and Mason Anderson.

The family will accept flowers or donations may be made to Shriner’s Hospital.

Family and friends unable to attend may sign a guest register at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

 

ROBERT LEWIS GRUVER

Mr. Robert Lewis Gruver, 65, of Andalusia, passed away on Wed., May 6, 2015, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gruver is survived by his wife, Kathleen Collins Gruver; sisters and brother-in-law, Jayne Smith and Barbara and Arthur Mattes all of Bethlehem, Pa.; nieces and nephews, Christine (Richard) Palmisano, Heather (Russell) Glanz, Gretchen Mattes, Arthur (Sarah) Mattes, Jr., James (Tia) Mattes, Niko Stefanides and Katarine Stefanides.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Charlotte Gruver.

Family and friends unable to attend may sign a guest register at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

 

MILDRED CRAIG

Mrs. Mildred Craig, 80, of Andalusia, passed away on Tues., May 5, 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Fri., May 8, 2015, in the Keahey Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Andalusia Memorial cemetery with Keahey Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include sons, Rickey (Debi) Smithart of Columbus, Ga. and Kenny L. Craig of Andalusia; daughter, Debra (Donny) Smith of Andalusia; brothers, Jerry D. (Ina) Hall Sr. of Mobile and Larry (Linda) Hall of Phenix City; sister, Hazel Scruggs of Gantt; grandchildren, Tiffany (Robert) Nicholas, Jenna (Matthew) Olesin, Jeremy (Kristen) Craig, Jarrod (Jessica) Craig and Ty Smith; great-grandchildren, Kayden Eggie, Addison Nicholas, Reagan Nicholas, Brooklyn Olesin, Skylar Olesin, Gibson Craig, Adelyn Craig, Ellie Craig and Ezra Craig.

Mrs. Craig was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Aubrey Craig; brothers, Don Hall and Bobby Hall; and sister, Evelyn Smelley.

 

JEFFERSON DIGE BISHOP

Jefferson Dige Bishop, born July 1, 1913, in Chambers County, Ala., died May 4, 205, at age 101.

He was predeceased by his parents, U.S. and Alverta Roberts Bishop; his beloved wife of 54 years, Julia Higgins Bishop; brother, Harty Bishop; and son, Jeff Bishop.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ivan and Jean Bishop of Andalusia; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Richard Brent of Pensacola; grandson, Ty Cowen (Debbie) and great-grandson, Cody, of Pensacola Beach; and grandson Drew Cowen (Kara) and great-granddaughters, Samantha and Rabecca, of Gulf Breeze; and close friend, Annette Bryant of Pensacola, formerly of Andalusia.

He moved to Andalusia with his family in 1946 to help bring a local radio station to his new hometown. During his years in radio, he had interests in stations in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. In 1965, he founded TV Cable Company of Andalusia. He actively participated in that business until his 98th birthday. During his career, he served as president of the Alabama Broadcasters Association and the Alabama Cable Television Association.

He loved his community and worked hard to make it a better place. He was proud to have been a part of bringing Lurleen B. Wallace Community College to Andalusia. He was recently honored for more than 60 years as a Scottish Rite Mason and Master Mason.

He always loved music. A lover of the “Big Band” sound, he would say, “Now that is REAL music.” As a young man, he played piano, trumpet, and tenor sax, and sang in five different dance bands. His wife, Julia, said he was “happiest man in the world when he was playing.” Even after leaving his involvement in bands, he continued to enjoy his music and share his talent. He played piano for the Men’s Bible Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church for more than 40 years, and at the Lion’s Club for the musical part of their meetings.

He was a loving and encouraging family man; an employer who helped many of his employees strive for personal growth and success; an active member of his community; a friend of many; and an example for others to follow. A friend described him as “a true Southern gentleman.”

A celebration of his life will be held today, Fri., May 8, at Foreman Funeral Home in Andalusia. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with his funeral service to be held at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be Bob Brooks, Jimmy Faulkner, Ty Cowen, Drew Cowen, Cody Cowen, Tommy Thomas, Mike Russell and Jamie Hawkins.

In lie of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1066, Andalusia, AL 36420.

 

STEVE EDWARD

HENDERSON

Mr. Steve Edward Henderson, 50, of Aiken, S.C., passed away on Mon., May 4, 2015, at his home.

Shellhouse Funeral Home in Aiken will be in charge of arrangements. A memorial was held on May 5 at Shellhouse Funeral Home for family and friends. A graveside service will be held today, Fri., May 8, 2015, at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery, where Steve will be buried with his parents. Officiating will be the Rev. Tony Xavier from Christ the King Catholic Church in Andalusia.

Steve was born in Augusta, Ga., on May 27, 1964. He lived in Aiken since 2007 and worked for Tri-Development Center.

Steve is survived by a sister, Debbie (Jim) Rhodes of Aiken; brother, Charles (Melissa) Henderson; niece, Chapman Henderson of Sharpsburg, Ga.; nephew, Stephen Mack Bates (stationed in Nicaragua in the United States Marine Corp.); aunt, Marilyn O’Neal of Andalusia; uncle, Edward (Janet) Henderson of Birmingham; cousins, Anne (Tommy) Wright of Andalusia, Lynne (Mark) Dayton of Andalusia, Bob (Katie) O’Neal of Andalusia, Rebecca (Kevin) Giadrosich of Birmingham, Daniel (Ellison) Henderson of Birmingham and David Henderson of Birmingham.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dorothy Henderson; grandparents, Charles and Abbie Henderson; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hobson; and uncle, Bond O’Neal.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tri-Development Center of Aiken, P.O. Box 698, Aiken, S.C. 29802.

Steve’s online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com.