By Staff
February 19, 2009
Zelma Sumerel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, passed peacefully to Heaven to be with the Lord on February 19, 2009 at the age of 96.
She was born and raised in Spruce Pine, Ala. She and O.M. "Boose" Sumerel lived in Bear Creek for the better part of the last 50 years of their lives, and she lived the last five years of her life in Orlando, Fla., with her daughter. She was a loving Christian woman who loved the Lord and spent her life serving Him and helping others. She was a member of the Bear Creek Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, O.M. "Boose" Sumerel; parents, Willie and Janie Stone King; and siblings, Robert King and Clara King Grissom.
She is survived by her children, Marcelene Sumerel of Florence, Faye Sumerel Dodd of Winfield, Jerry Don Sumerel of Birmingham, Martha Sumerel Williams of Gadsden and Carole Sumerel Lathem of Orlando, Fla.; grandchildren, Kathy Berry Hays, Shelia Sumerel Draper, Steve Berry, Sharon Dodd Sullivan, Tammy Williams,
Wesley Williams, Pat Sumerel Brasfield, Laura Dodd White, John Williams, Alan Sumerel and Kyle Lathem; great-grandchildren, Blake Hays, Micah Berry, Meredith Berry, Jake Goolsby, Rachael Hays, Logan Brasfield, Taylor Berry, Leigh Ann White, Grant Williams and Claire Williams; and great-great-grandchild, Mary Vivian Hays.
Services and interment were held Saturday, Feb. 21 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Cemetery in Spruce Pine.
In her memory, the family dedicates John 3:16, "Jesus saves those who will believe and accept Him as their personal Savior …"
Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville assisted the family.
Nohelia Isabel Alay
February 25, 2009
Nohelia Isabel Alay, infant daughter of Luis Alay and Flora Martin of Phil Campbell, Ala., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at Akins Funeral Home in Russellville. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at Akins Funeral Home. Interment will be in Edgar's Chapel Cemetery.
William Gene Vandiver
February 25, 2009
William Gene Vandiver, 77, of Russellville, Ala., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009. He was a member of the Baptist Church.
The 2 p.m. funeral service will be Friday, Feb. 27 in the Akins Funeral Home Chapel in Russellville with Bro. Roger Bond and Bro. James McCullar officiating. Interment will be in Knights of Pythias Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Andy Pickett, Geoff Wright, Dewayne Smith, Bill Smith, Gary Smith and Rodney Smith. Pete Hill will be an honorary pallbearer
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Eugene and Pearl Malone Vandiver, and son, Ronnie Lee Vandiver.
He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Searcy Vandiver; sons, Donny Vandiver and Terry Vandiver and wife Debra; sisters, Bernice Whitehead and husband Tony and Betty Jo Thornton and husband Ollie; and grandchildren, Kassie Vandiver and Katie Vandiver.
The family wishes to thank Hospice of North Alabama and the nursing staff, Dr. Kevin Kelly and family and friends for their visits, prayers and support during his illness.
Doris S. Taylor
February 25, 2009
Doris Faye Sparks Taylor, 78, of Russellville, Ala., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at Russellville Hospital.
She lived all her life in Franklin County and was a member of North Highlands Church of Christ. She was a member of Frankfort Home Demonstration Club.
The funeral service will be Friday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville with Bro. Keith Barnett officiating. Burial will follow in Franklin Memory Gardens.
She is survived by her husband, Faris E. Taylor; daughter, Kathy Taylor Hester and husband Gerald; son, Neal Taylor and wife Pam, all of Russellville; sisters, Martha Lindsey of Huntsville, Billie Malone and husband Amos of Tuscumbia; grandchildren, Leigh Hester, Amy Overby, Melanie Hellums and Greta Boutwell; step-grandchildren, Abraham Goggans, Daniel Goggans and Joseph Goggans; eight great-grandchildren; niece, Jill Malone; and great-nieces, Ayla and Isabella Chamorro.
She was preceded in death by parents, William and Ruby Sparks.
The pallbearers will be Abraham Goggans, Daniel Goggans, Joseph Goggans, Brent Overby, Clayton Hellums and Dan Rice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alabama Arthritis Foundation, Suite 180, Birmingham, Alabama 35223 or www.arthritis.org.