Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
1:35 pm Monday, July 29, 2002

Obituaries for Monday, July 29, 2002

By Staff
M.L. GRIFFIN
QUITMAN Graveside services for M.L. "Hoss" Griffin were to be held today at 11 a.m. at Odd Fellows Cemetery with the Rev. Stan Wilson officiating. Wright's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Griffin, 76, of Clinton, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, in his home.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Griffin of Clinton; a daughter, Dianne Zimmerman and her husband, Jon, of Clinton; a son, Richard Griffin and his wife, Joan, of New Castle, Colo.; three grandsons, Michael Zimmerman and his wife, Shannon, James Griffin and Wade Zimmerman, all of Clinton; three great-grandchildren, Cody Zimmerman, Elizabeth Griffin and Alex Zimmerman, all of Clinton; three brothers, Pete Griffin and Glenn Griffin, both of Quitman, and Jack Griffin of Gulfport; two sisters, Lois Ivey of Quitman and Jewel Lample of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Visitation will be today after 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
KENNETH L. LAVENDER
Retired
Services for Kenneth L. Lavender will be held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Kevin Jones officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr. Lavender, 47, of Meridian, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, in his home. He was a member of State Boulevard Baptist Church. He was a member of LEMA and worked in the medical field most of his life.
Survivors include his mother, Naomi Lavender of Meridian; a sister, Jan Williams Madden and her husband, Richard, of Collinsville; a nephew, Tyler Williams; a niece, Terrica Williams; his former wife, Ruby Mitchell of Meridian; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Garland "Bishop" Lavender; and his grandparents, Arthur and Edith Sisson, and Huey and Mary Lavender.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, or State Boulevard Baptist Church Building Fund.
Pallbearers will be members of LEMA.
Visitation will be today 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
WILLIAM HIRAM GILES
Services for William Hiram Giles will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel. Burial to be in Coker's Chapel Cemetery.
Mr. Giles, 81, of Meridian, died Sunday, July 28, 2002, in his home.
Visitation will be Tuesday 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
GORDI RAYNER
Graveside services for Gordi Rayner will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Meridian Memorial Park Cemetery. Barham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Rayner, 100, of Meridian, died Monday, July 29, 2002, at King's Daughters and Sons Rest Home.
Visitation will be Wednesday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the funeral home.
GEORGE HALBERT SOULE SR.
Arrangements were incomplete at James F. Webb Funeral Home for George Halbert Soule Sr., 90, of Meridian, who died Monday, July 29, 2002, at Rush Foundation Hospital.
CELESTIA HOBBS
Arrangements were incomplete at James F. Webb Funeral Home for Celestia Hobbs, 100, of Meridian, who died Sunday, July 28, 2002, at King's Daughters and Sons Rest Home in Meridian.

Also on Franklin County Times
Legislative session opens Jan. 13; Kiel prefiles 2 bills
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- State Rep. Jamie Kiel has prefiled two bills ahead of the 2026 Alabama legislative session. The bills, which will be considered when l...
Hollimon reflects on 40 years in education
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Dr. Deanna Hollimon always felt she was called to be an educator. After 40 years as a teacher, reading coach, administrator and educati...
Firefighters train for vehicle rescues
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City firefighters trained last week on how to stabilize overturned vehicles and remove trapped occupants. Fire Chief Joe Mansell said t...
Neighbors helping neighbors, one soda pop tab at a time
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 7, 2026
Most people don’t think twice about the small aluminum tab on top of a soda can. But those tiny pieces of metal have quietly helped families stay clos...
2025: A year of results for Alabama families
Columnists, Opinion
January 7, 2026
The past year has certainly been a memorable one — and, more importantly, a rewarding one. Beginning the year by leading the Laken Riley Act through t...
Author’s collapse was motivation for comeback
News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
When Pete Key collapsed on the bathroom floor in 2024, it didn’t feel like a turning point. It felt like an ending. He had been sick for days — dehydr...
Phil Campbell’s Elliott hits 1,000th career point
News
Bart Moss For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
The Phil Campbell Bobcats kicked off the 2026 calendar year in style Saturday night, securing a decisive 54-37 victory over the visiting Belgreen Bull...
Russellville PD honors 10 for achievements
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Five members of the Russellville Police Department were honored last week at the annual Christmas dinner and awards banquet at Hilltop ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *