H. “Tubby” Hall

H. “Tubby” Hall, aged 95, passed away Thurs., Dec. 15, in the Opp Health and Rehab Center, Opp, Ala. He was born on March 8, 1921, in Pickens County to Oren Lee and Robert Lee Hall.

He and his brother, Gray, shared a life-long love of baseball inherited from their father. Tubby, known as Coach to many, helped manage a Pickens County baseball team at age 13, and played both baseball and football in high-school. After graduating high school in 1938, he went into the Civilian Conversation Corps but was encouraged to apply to college. He attended the University of Alabama, graduating with a bachelor’s degree and dreams to become a career baseball coach.

While in school, and also working, he met his wife, Erna Davis, and they married in 1942. In 1943, he entered the Army where he served with George S. Patton’s Third Army in World War II; several years later, he served again during the Korean Conflict.

He moved his family to Opp in 1949 when he was hired to teach and coach the high school baseball team. In the 50s, he joined Henry S. Morgan in the tire business. They had a wonderfully successful business (Auto-Sav) and friendship until both retired. He never lost his love for baseball, and in 1953 he helped organize Opp’s Little League program; he coached the Pirates until the mid 1990s.

He loved Opp — the community and its people. He was a committed member of the First Methodist Church from 1949 until his death; served with the Opp Lions Club for more than 50 years and Alabama Lions Sight for more than 20; was on the Covington County School Board for 15 years; and served as an officer of the American Retread Association, to name a few of his professional and civic associations.

He personified the quote: “The purpose of life…is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make a difference that you have lived and lived well.”

He is survived by his daughters, Beth H. Shaw, and Anne H. Landon; grandchildren, Heather (Jeff) Dennis, Corey (Robyn) Landon, Blake (Miraya) Landon, and Paige (Luke) Pawlikow; great-grandchildren, Brian, Connor, Taylor Lee, Edward, Kaylin and Bryson Landon; nephews, Robbie (Sherry), Doug (Gillian) and Jeff Hall, Butch Hudson and Snap Hudson; and niece, Lisa (Jimmy) Hall.

He is predeceased by his wife, parents, brother (listed above) and sister, Winnie Jane Johnson.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Mon., Dec. 19, at the First United Methodist Church in Opp with burial following in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens. The family will begin receiving friends 1:30 Monday at the church.

Wyatt Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Please send any memorials to the Opp First United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.

 

Earnestine Mitchell Simmons

Mrs. Earnestine Mitchell Simmons, 86, of Red Level, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Andalusia Regional Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Sat., Dec. 17, at Foreman Funeral Home Chapel, interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the funeral home.

She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Donnie R. and Charlotte Simmons of Andalusia; daughters and sons-in-law, Faye and Wayne Bush of McKenzie and Jeanette and Nicky Pierce of Red Level; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Dean) Peavy, Wendy (David) Reid, Tracey (Julie) Simmons, Jamie (Pam) Simmons, Jessica (Kenny) Hudson, and Joshua Pierce; 10 great-grandchildren, Taylor Mitchell, Gracie Simmons, Tucker Simmons, Walker Simmons, Wyatt Simmons, Weston Simmons, Lillian Hudson, Kaylee Peavy, Abbie Williams, and Cassidy Williams; sisters and brother-in-law, Voncille and Lester Lee and Willine Josey; and brother, Aubrey Smith.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Simmons, and brother, Ray Smith.

Pallbearers will include Jeff Palmer, Jonathon Bush, Michael Bush, Shane Cook, Dennis Allred, and Darrell Lee.

Family and friends unable to attend may sign an online registry at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.