Obituaries
Obituaries
Mrs. Joyce Carolyn Stewart Henley Roberts of Simmons Road, Hartford,
Alabama, formerly of Damascus Hwy, Enterprise, passed away Monday,
November 5, 2012. She was 71.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 8, in the chapel
of Sorrells Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Rick Hayes officiating.
Burial will follow in the Goodman Baptist Church Cemetery with Sorrells
Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the
funeral home Wednesday, November 7, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Mrs. Roberts was born April 23, 1941, in Opp, Alabama to the late Joseph
William and Mary Madglene Jackson Stewart. For many years she worked
as a dietician at the Enterprise Nursing Home and also at Opp Nursing and
Rehab. At the time of her death she was the reigning 2012 Mrs. Wiregrass
Nursing Home. She was a member of Westview Baptist Church in Enterprise.
In addition to her parents her first husband and father of her children, Donald
Clifton Henley, her son, Kenneth Henley, and a nephew, Travis Cosby, as well
as her second husband, Hardy Roberts, all preceded her in death.
Survivors include one daughter, Rebecca Henley, Troy; four sons: Tony Clifton
Henley (Jodi), Pocatello, ID, Larry Dale Henley (Mary), Junction City, OR,
Stevie Lane Henley (Diane), Hartford, and Keith Hanner; two brothers: Billy
Joe Stewart (Janice) and Arthur Cosby (Denise), all of Opp; 13 grandchildren;
several great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other extended family and
friends.
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Mr. Grady Edwin Averett of Geneva, Alabama passed away Monday,
November 5, 2012 at Flowers Hospital. He was 88.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm on Thursday, November 8,2012
in the chapel at Sorrells Funeral Home in Enterprise with Elder Fred
Averett and Rev. Gene Hauser officiating. Burial will follow in the
Meadowlawn Cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from
1:30 pm until service time. Flowers will be accepted or donations
may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, c/o Angelyn Bowdoin,
444 RC Collins Rd., Chancellor, AL 36316.
Mr. Averett was born September 5, 1924 in Dale County, AL to the late
Henry Grady and Evie Love Byrd Averett and was raised in the Haw Ridge
Community in what is now the Ft. Rucker Reservation. He started farming
in Level Plains in the mid 1940’s and married Sarah Jeanette Auston on
February 1, 1944. They bought a farm in Enterprise in 1953, where they
resided until 1967. During this time he became known as an excellent
peanut farmer, winning numerous production awards, including the 1967
Alabama Peanut Farmer of the Year. In 1968 he and his family moved to
Geneva, AL where he continued to farm row crops in Geneva and Coffee
counties. Ed’s farming, and particularly peanut farming practices,
continued to be a standard that his peers strived to attain up until his
retirement in 1989. After retirement he was able to let his love of farming
wane and enjoy his love of dove hunting and tend to his prolific gardening.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Averett was preceded in death by a brother,
Dolan Averett and two sisters, Ennis Byrd and Bessie Merle Cain.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Sarah Jeanette Auston Averett,
Geneva, AL; one son and daughter-in-law, Edwin Lamar “Eddie” and
Dawn Averett, Chancellor, AL; three grandchildren: Ashley Nicole Powell
(Robin), Chancellor, Mallory Kay Mixon (Phillip), Geneva, Warren Tate
Sutherland, Auburn, AL; five great-grandchildren: Auston Lane Walden,
Chancellor, Ava Caroline Mixon, Geneva, Ethan Drake Powell, Ashley
Nichole Powell, and Emily Grace Powell, all of Chancellor; two sisters:
Edna Earl Byrd (Roscoe), Enterprise, AL, Elizabeth Pate (Wayne),
Birmingham, AL; several nieces and nephews.
Serving as pall bearer will be Jerry Byrd, Gary Bryan, RonnieMoore,
Robin Powell, Phillip Mixon and Tate Sutherland.
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Mrs. Emma Jean Kelley Yarbrough of Rum Road, Westville, Florida
passed away Sunday, November 4, 2012. She was 71.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 8, 2012,
at Midway United Methodist Church with Rev. Mike Burch and Rev.
James Lolley officiating. Mrs. Yarbrough will be placed into the
church one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow in the church
cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family
will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, November 7, from
6 until 8 p.m.
Mrs. Yarbrough was born July 1, 1941, to the late J.D. “Buck” and
Mamie Jackson Kelley. After 22 years of service she retired from Van
Heusen as a sewing machine operator and later worked for the Opp News.
She was a very loving and devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and sister.
She was a member of Midway United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents her husband, Jerry Wayne Yarbrough, her brother,
Charles Kelley, a niece, Wendy Thomas and her special friend, Minnie Crews,
all preceded her in death.
Survivors include two daughters: Becky Hollobaugh (Jerry), Westville, and
Lisa Sutherland (Jason), Coosada, AL; three sons: Lamar Yarbrough (Cindy),
Bruce Yarbrough, all of Westville, and Michael Yarbrough (Connie), Yuma, AZ;
a special lady whom she loved as one of her own daughters, Leslie Yarbrough,
Swansboro, NC; three sisters: Christine Tyler (Tex), Andalusia, Sue Owens
(Howard), Red Level, AL and Patsy George (Gene), Sanford, AL; 12 grandchildren;
5 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be William Brewer, Roger Yarbrough, Eric Craft,
Jarrett Yarbrough, John Commander, and Allen Russell.
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Mrs. Debra Lynn Tindell Pippin of Hartford passed away Saturday, November 3, 2012
at her home. She was 43.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7, in Sorrells
Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Clayton Nowell delivering the eulogy and Brother
Travis Free and Brother Ricky Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Hartford City
Cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m.
until service time.
Debra Lynn was born on January 21, 1969 in Houston County, AL to Dan and
Demaris Reeves Tindell. She was a member of Coffee Springs Baptist Church
and attended Bethel Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Stephen Kyle Tindell.
Survivors include her husband of 20 wonderful years: Steven Pippin; one son
and daughter-in-law: Jonathan and Ashley Pippin; her parents: Dan and Demaris
Tindell; one brother: Stanley Tindell all of Hartford; two nieces: Shelby Tindell
of Hartford and Danielle Tindell of Maryville, TN; other extended family and many friends.
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Frank Travis Hornsby and Rudolph Hornsby of Tallahassee, FL
and formerly of Bellwood died recently in Tallahassee. Funeral
services will be held Saturday, Nov 10th, at 11:00 a.m. from
Bethlehem Temple Church of God In Christ in Bellwood with
Elder Larry Hutcherson officiating. Burial will follow In Mt.
Mariah Cemetery under the direction of Wiregrass Funeral
Home of Geneva. The family will receive friends at the church
Saturday morning from 10: 00 a.m. until funeral time.
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Mr. Wilbur Hugh "Buddy" McCormick of Samson passed away
Saturday, November 3, 2012. He was 78. Funeral services will be
held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at the Shady Grove
Assembly of God Church with Rev. Gene Hauser and Rev. Keith
Chamblee officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with
Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing. The family will receive
friends at the funeral home on Monday, November 5, 2012 from 6:00
until 8:00 p.m.
Mr. McCormick was born in Florala, AL on January 21, 1934, the son
of William David and Etta Mae Morris McCormick. He retired from Van
Heusen after 33 years of service. He was preceded in death by his wife,
Atris Lawson McCormick; three sisters, Pauline Stanley, Lorene Johnson
and Voncille McCormick.
He is survived by his son, Kevin McCormick and wife, Elizabeth;
two grandchildren, Matthew McCormick and LeighAnn Wood, all of
Geneva; brother, Bennie McCormick of Hacoda and his very special
friend, Idell Bedsole of Samson.
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Mr. Lewis Comer Sanders of Curry Ferry Road, Bonifay, Florida passed
away Friday, October 26, 2012. He was 88.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 29, in the chapel
of Sorrells Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Wade Green officiating.
Burial will follow in the East Pittman Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery
with Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive
friends at the funeral home Sunday, October 28, from 3 until 5 p.m.
Mr. Sanders was born April 24, 1924, in Munson, Florida to the late Lewis
and Estelle Henderson Sanders. He was a diesel mechanic by trade and he
was a proud Army veteran serving in WWII.
In addition to his parents, his wife Jean Curry Sanders, two grandchildren,
Connie Martin Leavins and Stafford Lee Still, Jr., as well as a sister, Inez
Leavins all preceded him in death.
Survivors include six children: Gail Jones (Charles), Westville, Marlene Howell,
Gary Luquette Sanders (Bobbie Jo), all of Bonifay, Terry Sanders (Gina), Ponce
de Leon, Vickie Sanders (Rudene), Bonifay, and Renay Gilmore (Greg), Westville;
one sister, Nettie Houston (Flem), Bonifay; one brother, Dewey Sanders (Pat),
Arab, AL; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren;
several nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.
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Mrs. Mary Louise Thomas Mims of Hwy 163, Westville, Florida went
home to be with the Lord Thursday, October 25, 2012, with her loving
and supportive family at her side. She was 77.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 27, at Poplar
Head United Methodist Church with Rev. Chuck Grantham and Rev.
Jim Mashburn officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery
with Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will
receive friends at the funeral home Friday, October 26, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Mrs. Mims was born June 12, 1935 in Geneva County, Alabama to the
late John Henry and Mary Etta Jackson Thomas. She enjoyed fishing,
canning, and freezing vegetables. When anyone needed vegetables, fresh
or frozen, they would always call Louise. She was a very giving person
and would do anything she could for you. She loved her family dearly.
Everyone was always welcome at her home and she will be greatly missed
by her family and many friends. For many years she was a member of
Poplar Head United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents her husband Earl Mims, two sisters, Lucille Mims
and Debra Thomas, as well as three brothers, John H. Jr., James and Joe
Thomas, all preceded her in death.
Survivors include six children: Mary Jo Craft, Westville, Billy Wayne Mims
(Caroline), Westville, Carolyn Holloway (Danny), Geneva, John W. Mims
(Teresa), Westville, Kathy Harker (Robert), Westville, Barbara Marsh (Joey),
Bonifay; eight grandchildren: Eric Craft (Shirl), Jonathan Mims (Kathy),
Amy Hambric (Thomas), Shannon Harris (Michael), Andrea Mims, Austin
Harker (Kendall), Ashley Harker and Ryan Mims; four great-grandchildren:
Kathlyn Lucille and Jenna Mims, Wyatt and Wayden Harris; four sisters:
Pat Childs (Waymon) and Margie Harrison, all of Geneva, Margaret Hamilton
(Russ), Avon, SD, Martha Sue Locklear, Westville; one brother, Billy Thomas
(Ethel), Samson; several nieces, nephews, other extended family and a host of
friends.
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Mrs. Dora Kathryn Knight Herring of Geneva, AL passed away Tuesday,
October 23, 2012 at her home. She was 85. Funeral services will be held
at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the First United Methodist
Church of Geneva with Rev. Bill Kidwell officiating. Burial will follow in
the Geneva City Cemetery with Pittman Funeral Home of Geneva directing.
The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday beginning at 1:00
p.m. Flowers will be accepted or donations call be made to First United
Methodist Church of Geneva.
Mrs. Herring was born on Dec. 19, 1926 in Century, FL to Theo Knight
and Arcola Johnson Knight. Upon graduation from Century High School
in 1944, she went to work for the War Dept at Brookley Field in Mobile, AL
as a key punch operator. On Aug 13, 1946, she married Hugh Herring, Jr
and moved to Geneva, where she worked at Van Heusen, Benson Wholesale
and with Civil Service at Ft Rucker, where she retired after 26 years as a
senior computer operator. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling, painting,
cross stitch, and Auburn football. She also enjoyed and is probably best
remembered for the Christmas decorations at the Junction.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 62 years, Hugh
Herring, Jr.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Herring McLain (Jim)
of Charleston, SC and Dee Dee Herring Trudeau (Rob) of Spartanburg, SC;
one son, Steven Jay Herring of Geneva; five grandchildren, Kelly Shannon (Paul)
of Mechanicsville, VA, Dena Mullinax (Bill) of Charleston, SC, Ashley Powell
(Robin) of Chancellor, Courtney Short (Josh) of Minneapolis, MN, Jada Herring
(Steven Joel) of Geneva, eleven great-grandchildren, sister, Martha Dobbs; several
nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Herbert Herring; and special friends Faye
Smith and Diane Smith.
Please sign the guest book at www.pittmanfuneral.com
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Mr. William Edward “Bill” Ward of Mound Road, Black, Alabama passed
away Friday, October 19, 2012. He was 79.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 22, in the First Baptist
Church in Geneva with Rev. Nathan Carroll officiating. Burial will follow
in the Esto Community Cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva
directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday beginning
at 2:00 p.m. and continue until service time.
The family asked that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be made
to the First Baptist Church, 309 S. Commerce Street, Geneva, AL 36340.
Mr. Ward was born March 6, 1933, in Geneva County to the late William
Claud and Fannie Sundy Ward. After 21 years of service he retired from the
U.S. Army. His military service included Korea and Vietnam as well as various
other tours. After his retirement he moved to Geneva and established Bills
Starter and Alternator automotive business in 1981. He enjoyed outdoor
activities especially gardening. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and
many friends.
In addition to his parents two daughters, Lisa Ward and infant Pam Ward,
one son, Bruce Ward, a grandson, Samuel Ward, a brother, J.D. Ward, as
well as four sisters: Annie Bell, Oma Lee, Earline and Geraldine, all
preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Solora Sain Ward, Black; one son,
Danny Ward and one daughter, Shelia Ward, both of Houston, TX; one step
son, Royce Yeomans (Sue) and one step daughter, Sylvia Mercer (Richard),
all of Black; 19 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-
grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.
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Mrs. Hortense P. Minshew passed away Sunday. October 14, 2012 at
Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Center, Funeral services will be
held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 16,2012 in the chapel of Pittman
Funeral Home in Geneva. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, October
15,2012 from 6 until 8 p.m. A complete list of survivors will be announced
later by Pittman Funeral Home of Geneva.
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Mrs. Marie Terrell Williamson of Geneva went home to be with her Lord
and Savior Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at her home. She was 101.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by
Wiregrass Funeral Home of Geneva.
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Mr. Jerald Farris of Stephenson Road, Samson, Alabama went home
to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, September 7, 2012. He was 72.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 10, in the Piney
Grove Assembly of God Church with Rev. Mike Medley, Rev. Calvin
Sherrouse, Rev. Travis Hudson and Rev. Jack Chancey officiating.
Mr. Farris will be placed into the church one hour prior to service time.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home of
Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home
Sunday, September 9, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the
Piney Grove Assembly of God Church Cemetery Fund.
Mr. Farris was born December 9, 1939, in Coffee County, Alabama to the
late Ralph and Mary Ruth Patrick Farris. After 32 years of service he
retired from the Alabama Department of Transportation as an engineer.
After his retirement he worked with Charles H. Peters Municipalities in
Dothan for five years and later was employed with Thompson Engineering
in Mobile for more than 10 years. Mr. Farris was a faithful member of
Piney Grove Assembly of God Church.
In addition to his parents, a brother James Patrick Farris preceded him in
death. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Betty Joyce Preachers Farris,
Samson; three children: Lisa Mock (Jim E.), Enterprise, Chris Farris
(Debra Hutchings), Panama City Beach, FL and Denise Ward (Terry),
Samson; two brothers: Olin Farris (Phyllis), Andalusia and Don Farris
(Barbara), Hartford; five grandchildren: Heather Beverley (Andy), Todd
Mock (Amber), T. J. Ward (Lacy), Danielle Ward and Tabitha Davis
(Michael); seven great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other
extended family and friends.
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Mrs. Louise Simmons DeBice of Hacoda passed away Monday,
September 03, 2012. She was 94.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September
7, 2012 at Corner Creek Cemetery with Rev. Norman Simmons
officiating and Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing. The
family will receive friends prior to the service Friday at the
funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to the Corner Creek Cemetery Fund, c/o Jimmy Lowery,
4357 County Rd 10, Samson, AL 36477.
Mrs. DeBice was born in the Hacoda Community in Geneva County
on November 24, 1917 to the late Horace Greely and Scitie Cooper
Simmons. She attended Hacoda School and graduated from Samson
High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Parney Lee DeBice;
three sisters, Lee Spivey, Nora Mills and Cora Lowery; and four
brothers, Hilson Simmons, Carley Simmons, Doug Simmons and
Mathis Simmons.
She is survived by her daughter, Theda Hahn; son, Carnie DeBice;
brother, Horace Jr. Simmons and wife, Ellen, all of the Hacoda
Community; and sister, Irene Baker of Geneva; and many loving
nieces and nephews.
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