Harley Rogers

“Little Buddy” Wytch

Mr. Harley Rogers “Little Buddy” Wytch, age 53, of Andalusia, entered into the gates of Heaven on Sat., July 30. Days before his passing, the team of specialists at UAB hospital diagnosed him with a rare type of cancer. He fought the disease fervently.

A 1982 graduate of Straughn High School, Harley served in the U.S. Army. He worked with the Keahey family in various capacities intermittently for nearly 20 years. One of his favorite positions was driving a carriage for Kym during her time of operating a special occasion carriage service. He also periodically worked at McNeil Vault Co. and with the McNeil Horse Farm. Most recently, he was employed with Glidewell Lawn Care where he was revered for his unmatchable ability to operate a weed eater with unrelenting exuberance. Harley loved Alabama football, fishing and was extremely physically fit most of his adult life. At times, he could easily run from Andalusia to Gantt and back even in the extreme summer temperatures. He was an excellent equestrian and never met a stranger. During his brief stay at UAB hospital and amidst great sickness, he made many friends among the hospital staff. Harley’s laughter and friendliness will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

Harley happily resided with his mother most of his life. They shared many enjoyable hours fishing, most of which she “out fished” him. She passed away unexpectedly on a fishing trip. Harley greatly grieved her passing. In addition to his mother, Inez Smith Wytch, he was preceded in death by his father, Rodgers Galatians Wytch, who went to be with the Lord in 2015. Years earlier he was preceded by two brothers, Ricky Ricardo Wytch and Larry Wytch.

Left to cherish his fun-loving life are siblings, Theodore (Kathleen) Smith of Aurora, Colo., Shelia Wytch of Iowa City, Iowa, Royce (Jacqueline) Wytch of Birmingham, Lewis Wytch of Jacksonville, Fla., Jacqueline Wytch, Tammie Wytch and Michael Wytch, all of Andalusia; his uncles, Walter Lee Wytch and Harley Ray (Wanda) Wytch, both of Andalusia; aunts, Mary Smith, Florene Smith and Evangelist Shirley Robertson of Andalusia, nieces and nephews, Tierra, Isaiah, Roycelyn, Geralyn, LaQuisha, Teandra, Tenesia, Iesha, Aasiya, Lauren, Phillip-Michael and Ariyana; 14 great-nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family and many, many friends in Andalusia and any other place Harley had visited. He called the Keahey family his second family.

The funeral service will be held 1 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 4, 2016, at First Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Andalusia. The Rev. Alfagus Smith will provide the spiritual message. Remembrances will be shared by friends, the Rev. Tyrone Hunter and Kymberly Keahey, to whom he affectionately referred as “Little Mama.” The comfort prayer and scripture reading will be done by his uncle, Walter Lee Wytch.

Special music will be provided by Linda Benson, his nephew, Phillip-Michael Wytch, and friends, Allison Farris and guitar accompanist, R.J. Keahey. Interment will follow in Marshall Hammonds Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., Wed., Aug. 3, at Keahey Funeral Home.

Servings as pallbearers will be R.J. Keahey, Bridges Anderson, the Rev. Tyrone Hunter, Keith Anderson, Keith Parker, Bruce Trawick and Ray Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Christopher Fowler, Randy Keahey and Derrick Glidewell, and co-workers from Glidewell Lawn Care and Keahey Funeral Homes.

 

Billy W. Smithart, Sr

The Rev. Billy W. Smithart, Sr. age 76, of Geneva and formerly of Andalusia, passed away Sun., July 31, 2016 at, his residence.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Wed., Aug. 3, 2016, in the Keahey Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Joey Rodgers officiating. Burial will follow in the Long Branch Baptist Church cemetery with military honors and Keahey Funeral Home directing. The family received friends Tuesday in the funeral home chapel.

Rev. Smithart pastored many churches in Alabama and Louisiana and his last church was Long Branch Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Smithart of Geneva; son, Billy (Stacy) Smithart, Jr. of Geneva; daughter, Annette Carber of Ft. Payne, Ala.; brothers, Robert (Jean) Smithart of Andalusia, Jim Paul (Faye) Smithart of Massachusetts, and Cecil (Okie) Smithart of Andalusia; sister, Rachel Eddings of Andalusia; and grandchildren, Shelby Smithart, Luke Smithart, Ian Carber and Aaron Carber.

The Rev. Smithart was preceded in death by his parents, Cleve and Gladys Smithart; sister, Betty Smithart; brothers, Max, Leonard and Carlos Smithart; and his son-in-law, Chris Carber.