Obituaries for Tues., Dec. 11, 2018

Published 1:15 am Tuesday, December 11, 2018

RACHEL KIMBRO RILEY

Mrs. Rachel Kimbro Riley, age 91, formerly of Andalusia, passed away on Sun., Dec. 9, 2018, in Arkansas.

She was born on June 28, 1927, to Lucile Clark Kimbro and Homer Thomas Kimbro in Dozier, Ala. She was raised in Dozier and attended Dozier High School and later Troy State University.

She married Joseph Harmon Riley in 1948, and they had three children; Joe Jr., Lynn, and Mary Jane. They lived in Andalusia until moving to Crestview, Fla., in 1958. They raised their family in Crestview until 1989, when she retired and moved to Gantt, Ala.

She was a housewife and mother and retired from the Okaloosa County School Board where she served in the Accounting Department of the Superintendent’s Office.

Mrs. Riley was a dedicated member and loved her church family at the First Baptist Church of Crestview, where she raised her family all as members. After retiring to Gantt, they became lifelong members of Gantt First Baptist Church, where the church family became a very important part of her life for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Riley, son, Joe Riley, Jr., and grandchildren, Lindsey and Joelle.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Lynn and Cindy Riley of Crestview, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jane and Joe Bowers of Fayetteville, Ark.; daughter-in-law, Dee Riley; six grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close family friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Thu., Dec. 13, 2018, from Gantt First Baptist Church with Brother Shawn Bentley officiating the service, interment will follow in Able Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be sent to the Gantt First Baptist Church Building Fund, 28776 Central Street, Gantt, Ala., 36038.

Those unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

JAMES ALFRED HURST

Mr. James Alfred Hurst, age 72, of Andalusia, passed away on Sat., Dec. 8, 2018, in Mizell Memorial Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Thu., Dec. 13, 2018, from Harmony Baptist Church.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and David Deveny of Andalusia; sons and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Tammy Hurst of Opp and Johnny Hurst of Andalusia; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; brother, Larry Hurst; sisters-in-law, Doris Morgan and Juanita (Johnny) Stewart.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Hurst; sons, Tony and Carlton Hurst; parents, AJ and Avis Hurst; grandson, Anthony Pierson; and brother, Dennis Hurst.

Those unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

MARTHA ANN HUMPHREY CARTER

Martha Ann Humphrey Carter of Auburn, Alabama, passed away in the early morning hours on Friday, December 7, 2018, after celebrating her 81st birthday.  Martha Ann had suffered a stroke three years ago and never fully recovered. Her health rapidly declined after losing her husband in March of this year.  They would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on November 21.
Martha Ann was born on December 5, 1937, to Eddie Lee Humphrey and Annie Lillian McFarland Humphrey in Little Texas, Alabama.  Having moved to Auburn, Alabama, as a toddler, Martha Ann made Auburn her home for the majority of her life.
Martha Ann graduated from Lee County High School (the precursor to Auburn High School) in Auburn, Alabama, in 1956.  Martha Ann attended Auburn University after graduating high school and remained a fan, donor, and supporter of all Auburn University athletics for the remainder of her life.  While attending Auburn University, Martha Ann met her future husband, Jimmy Carter.  They were married in Auburn, Alabama, in 1965.
Martha Ann joined Jimmy after he graduated and relocated to pursue his teaching positions in Moundville, Alabama, and Samson, Alabama. However, they soon returned to make their home in Auburn.
Martha Ann worked as an administrator for the U.S. Forest Service at Auburn University and received an early retirement after completing over 25 years of service to the Federal Government.  After retiring, Martha Ann and Jimmy relocated to Andalusia, Alabama.
While in Andalusia, Martha Ann began a second long term career as the executive director of the Andalusia Housing Authority where she flourished in serving underprivileged families by providing safe and affordable housing.  Her lifelong love of children was exemplified in her dream to establish a pre-school and family center for the residents of the Housing Authority.  With an average seventh grade dropout rate at the time, her dream was that the pre-school would prepare the children to start school with the foundation to excel along with their peers.  Representing the families of the Housing Authority, Martha Ann traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, and Washington, D.C., in pursuit of funding to make her dream of a pre-school a reality.  In 1991, construction of Bright Beginnings was complete and Martha Ann’s efforts were rewarded at the building dedication in her honor.  A talented musician, Martha Ann and Jimmy donated a beautiful baby grand piano during the dedication for use by and to share her love of music with the residents of the Housing Authority. After 19 years of service, Martha Ann retired from the Andalusia Housing Authority in 2004.  As of 2013, a subsequent director reported that only two graduates of Bright Beginnings had not completed their high school graduation.
Martha Ann and Jimmy returned to their long awaited and well deserved home on the plains of Auburn after their retirement to live closer to family and Auburn University.  This allowed them many years of enjoyment participating in alumni, donor, and athletic events supporting Auburn University at home and traveling with their favorite team as lifetime members of the Auburn Alumni Association.
Not having children of her own, “Aunt Moss” viewed her nieces and nephews as her children.  A woman of many talents, she shared those talents with her family and community.  An accomplished seamstress, she would make clothes for her family for special events such as Easter, weddings, and births.  She was equally talented at handwork such as crocheting and knitting.  She shared her love of cooking with her family by creating a Humphrey Family Cookbook that combined the most delightful account of family history along with “secret” family recipes.  She was a gardener, each season canning vegetables, fruits, pickles, sauces, and jellies.  When they returned to Auburn, she served many years on the flower and bereavement committee at Grace United Methodist Church making sure the church was beautiful each Sunday, donating flowers to the elderly at local nursing homes, and attending to the needs of others who had lost loved ones.  Martha Ann also took great pride in hosting the Carter Family Reunion for Jimmy at the Carter Family Farm each year in Brundidge, Alabama, until her health no longer allowed her to do so.
Martha Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Carroll Humphrey, her brother and sister-in-law Harold and Betty Humphrey, her niece Wanda Humphrey, and her husband Jimmy.  Martha Ann had also lost a special nephew by marriage, Sammy Carter, who she and Jimmy helped raise after the death of his father.
Martha is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Jim Parker of Charlotte, N.C.; their children, grandchildren, and great-grandson – Johnny and Cathy Keistler, Jay and Angie Parker, Katie and Jason King, Cameron and Katelyn Keistler, Kellie and Wesley Sellers, Cody Keistler, Joshua Parker, and Jaxon King; Harold and Betty’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Auburn, AL, and Albany, GA – Tonia and Don Barron, Tami and Rob Routhier, Terri and Eric Carson, Jami Routhier and Toni Flynn, Robyn and Joey Tabb, Jacob and Jeremy Carson, Ryan, Robert, Reid, and Ryder Routhier, and Grace and Griffin Tabb; Sammy’s wife, children, and grandchildren  – Monty Carter, Katy and Jeremy Barbaree, and Sam, Allie Kate, and Lucy Barbaree.
The family will forever be grateful for Martha Ann’s caregivers who cared for her following her stroke and became extended family: Shawana Philpot, Hillary Ward, Ruth Durr, and Kizmet Dinkins Calloway.
Services celebrating Martha Ann’s life were held Sunday, December 9, 2018, 1:30 pm, at Dillard Funeral Home in Brundidge, Alabama.  Visitation was at 1:00 pm prior to the service.
The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers.  For those choosing to donate, a gift of remembrance may be sent to the American Heart Association.