Ernest Lamar Kelley

Ernest Lamar Kelley, age 71, a former resident of Elba, died Monday September 24, 2018, at his home in Gantt. Funeral services will be held at Hayes Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, September 28, 2018, beginning at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Diana White officiating. Burial will follow in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home. Visitation will be at Hayes Funeral Home on Thursday evening, September 27th, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Lamar is survived by his wife Lin Kelley; daughters, Sherry Miserendino and Kerry Kelley; sister, Tina Morgan ( Billy); stepdaughters, Anna Cassady (Marc), Elizabeth Spicer (Mark); step grandchildren, Zach Cassady, Marie Cassady, Lillie, Dylan, and Raylen Spicer; step great grandchildren, James Cassady, Kaiden and Lawton Ferrell.

Lamar was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; father and mother, Aaron and Myrtle Kelley; and sister, Mary Alice Crowell (Bill).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to the church or charity of your choice.

PATRICIA ANN

HAMILTON WHEELER

Mrs. Patricia Ann Hamilton Wheeler, of Andalusia, passed away Tues., Sept. 25, 2018, at the Andalusia medical facility. She was 74.

Earlier this year, Patricia married Donald Wheeler, the love of her life, and sadly he passed away the day after their marriage.   

Patricia was a loving mother, wife, and friend. She worked as a manager at Dollar General, at J.C. Penny, and as a beautician for many years.

She survived by her children, Lenora Hamilton of California, Pamela Hamilton (Gary Skanes) of Andalusia, Leonard Hamilton of Loxley, and Keith Hamilton of Andalusia; her brother, Minister James (Sarah) Ward of Andalusia; her sisters, Sharon (Comer) Daniels of Andalusia, and Debra Ward of Andalusia; her grandchildren, Jasmine Salter, Uniqua Hamilton, Brian Clarke, Brittany Clarke, Brandon Clarke, Keshawn Hamilton, and Courtney Hamilton; her great-grandchildren, Ramiya, Rakalya, Majesty, and Elijah; and her mother, Mrs. Alice Ward of Andalusia.

Patricia is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Wheeler; her father, King Solomon Ward; her sisters, Mary Ann Mattos, and Minnie Pearl Staley; her aunt, Annie Pearl Staley; and her first husband, Leonard Hamilton.

Funeral services are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Keahey Funeral Home of Andalusia.

Please join us in remembering Patricia by visiting her memorial page at www.keaheyfuneralhome.com.

GEORGE PATTON GANTT

George Patton Gantt, a lifelong resident of Andalusia, went to be with his heavenly Father on Sept. 23, 2018, at the age of 72.

George is survived by his wife of 50 years, and the woman he loved like no other, Brenda Ann Hicks Gantt; his son, Dallas Gantt and his wife, Anna, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and their two children, Isabella and William; his daughter Hannah Gantt Merrell and her husband, Walt, of Andalusia, and their three daughters, Bay, Cape and Banks; and, his siblings, Caton Gantt of North Carolina, Mary Ann Carter Gantt, and Kyle Gantt, both of Andalusia.  He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Sheriff Pollard “Pap” Revenel Gantt and Edra May Worley Gantt, and his brother, Joe Gantt, all of the Straughn Community.

George was born on April 6, 1946, in Andalusia. He graduated from Andalusia High School in 1964, and then went on to Livingston University, where he earned a degree in business. After a courtship through college, he and Brenda married in 1968, where after, George entered into service in the United States Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged, George began his career in law enforcement as an agent for the Alabama Beverage Control Board. After 25 years of faithful and dedicated service to the people of the State of Alabama, George retired as the chief and director of the law enforcement division of the ABC Board.

Aside from running Hickory Ridge Lodge and Sweetgum Bottom Antiques, George found plenty to do outside of his profession, and in retirement. Not only did he serve as a deacon and deacon chairman, he taught the same Sunday School class at Bethany Baptist Church in Heath, for 30 years. George loved to walk the aisles of the church on Sunday morning, hugging folks and telling them how much he loved them. He had a servant’s heart, having served in most every capacity one could within the church – from teaching the youth to taking out the trash… George’s heart was to give of himself to others.  To say that he lived what he preached would be an understatement.  He loved people, strangers and friends alike, because that is what Jesus asked of him.

George had many talents. An accomplished antiquarian, people often sought his expertise from far and wide. He was also an exceptional athlete in his day, recently having been inducted into the Andalusia High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was a great storyteller, captivating his audiences with fictional facts and factual fiction on a regular basis. George was certainly a great husband, father and grandfather. Famous for his foot rubs and back scratches, there was no safer place to be than in his arms. He taught his family what it meant to live for Jesus and to sacrifice himself for others. He was a kind and loving man who, despite his many great accomplishments in life, was quick to tell anyone who asked that he was simply a sinner saved by the grace of his Lord and Savior, and who made it clear to even the most casual of observers that his faith and his family were the two most important things that he had.

The family received visitors from 6 until 8 p.m., Tue., Sept. 25, 2018, at Foreman Brown Funeral Home. The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m, today, Wed., Sept. 26, 2018, at Bethany Baptist Church in Heath.

Visitors will also be received at Bethany Baptist Church for one hour immediately preceding the funeral.

Brother Lawrence Phipps will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate George’s triumphant entry into his heavenly home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Crossover Ministries at 508 Hwy 52 East, Opp, Alabama, 36467.