MYRTLE SPEED BUITT

Myrtle Speed Buitt, 92, of Andalusia, died May 19, 2015. Myrtle was born to Luther Monroe Speed and Lillie Estelle Speed in McComb, Miss., on July 16, 1922, and was the third of 16 children. By nature of this rank, she helped raise her siblings and was always a helper and caretaker. She valued her family, and for many years returned to attend the large family reunions each summer in Mississippi.

Myrtle graduated from high school in Magnolia, Miss., and went on to graduate from business school at Saint Mary’s of the Pines. Born of the generation where it was uncommon for women to work outside the home, she had a full life as wife and mother of five children, as well as a business career. Her employment began with a W.P.A. office job, and marriage to James Buitt. Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile was next and she ended her career in Austin, Texas, with the I.R.S. In addition to being an avid reader, Myrtle found time to sew and make clothes for her children and grandchildren.

Upon retirement, Myrtle moved to Andalusia near her daughter, Judy Bryant, a kindergarten teacher, and volunteered in the school for 15 years.

Myrtle spent her lifetime loving and caring for her children, grandchildren and friends. Surviving are her daughter, Judith (William) Bryant of Andalusia; sons, David Jerome Buitt of Andalusia and James Stephen (Mary) Buitt of Elizabeth, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and five siblings. Preceding her in death were two daughters, Janis Elizabeth Fix and Donna Janeen Felch.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sat., May 23, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Presbyterian Children’s Home, P.O. Drawer 577, Talladega, AL 35161.

 

SHIRLEY ELAINE WOOD PEEK

Mrs. Shirley Elaine Wood Peek, 70, a resident of Dozier, died on Sun., May 17, 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Thurs., May 21, 2015, from Turner Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dwight Underwood officiating. Interment will follow in Providence Cemetery with Turner Funeral Home of Luverne directing.

Mrs. Peek is preceded in death by her parents, Kip and Mary Alice Wood. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Donald F. Peek; two sons, Donald Wayne Peek and William H. (Tammy) Peek; two grandchildren, Brittany and Emily Peek; two sisters, Evelyn “Patsy Ann” (Jerry) Chandler and Barbara Ann (Joe) King; and one brother, Jerald D. (Sandy) Wood.

Active pallbearers will be Jerald Wood, Jr., Byron Williams, Johnny Williamson, Michael King, Michael Carbonella and Bobby Carbonella.

 

RUSSELL EUGENE PEPPERS

Mr. Russell Eugene Peppers, 38, of Andalusia, passed away on Thurs., May 14, 2015, in the Mobile Infirmary.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Thurs., May 21, 2015, in the Keahey Funeral Home Chapel.

The Rev. Robert Canant will be officiating.

Survivors include a wife, Centina Peppers of Andalusia; father and step-mother, Gene (Sally) Peppers of Athens, Ga.; sons, Justin Peppers of Opp and Austin Peppers of Andalusia; daughter, Destiny Peppers of Andalusia; sisters, Robin (Charlie) Hudson of Elba and Rebecca Peppers of Andalusia; four nieces; and four nephews.

Mr. Peppers was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Peppers; and his niece, Santana Walker.

 

MADELYN POWELL

Madelyn Powell passed away in hospice care at her home in Red Level. Born on April 5, 1921. She met the love of her life, Ralph Powell, on the dance floor at Old Riverside Inn in River Falls, Alabama. They Married at her home in Danely Crossroads near Elba.

Madeline came to Red Level as a third grade teacher. She taught in Covington County schools for 40 years. She spent many faithful years in the town of Red Level. She was involved in the Red Level Women’s Club, the Women’s Society of Christian Service, the Red Level Methodist Church, and various local festivals, parades and Red Level High School ball games. She devoted many hours to family, friends and relatives. She loved cooking for her family and friends. Her flower beds overflowed with beautiful flowers for arrangements for chuch, home, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, H. Sturgeon and Amy Lindsey Grimes, her two brothers James Edwin and Patrick O. Grimes, as well as her beloved Ralph. She will also meet her family Patricia Connally, Robert E. Connally, and Mary Daniel at the crossing.

She took great joy in her many nieces, nephews, and their children. They remain here to mourn her loss. Madelyn is survived by her first cousin Lucy Grimes Martin of Andalusia, her nieces Joanne Rhoads, Lillian Connally Renfroe (Jake), her nephews Mike Purnell (Kathy), Donald Pullin, her nephew-in-law Frank G. Daniel and their numerous children – E.L. Wingo, Jr., Michael Connally Wingo, Connie Huggins, Donnie Stinson (Phillip), Mary Ann Lambert, Frank G. Daniel Jr. (Cindy), Sharon and Kay Connally, Keith Connally, M. Dee Renfroe, John William Renfroe III(Jane), and J. Ben Renfroe (Tammy), and Kathy Rhoads. The family wishes to also honor and thank her very special friends Carolyn Ivey, Jeanette Huber, Pam Nolan, Rhonda Patterson, as well as Diane and Melanie.

Madelyn instilled in her 3rd grade students the attributes of responsibility, respectfulness, courtesy, cleanliness and physical fitness. She began every day with the Pledge of Allegiance to our Nation’s Flag and a reading from The Bible. She believed strongly in the benefits of education. She contributed generously to a scholarship at Troy University in honor of Patrick O. Grimes.

She will be buried next to her beloved Ralph after a funeral service at Foreman Funeral Home in Andalusia, Alabama.

Details of the arrangements will be announced by Foreman’s.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Red Level First United Methodist Church, 30017 County Road 107, Red Level, Alabama, 36474.

We Love You,

We Will Miss you,

We Will Never Forget You.