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
2 pieces of turnout gear lost during fire
Main, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Two turnout jackets were damaged during a Thanksgiving Day structure fire while firefighters were conducting an interior attack. Fire ...
Council to renew fines and notices
Main, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Enforcement actions for a group of deteriorating downtown buildings will resume after council members voted Dec. 16 in favor of the ac...
Public donations make baby box possible
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
December 24, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — City Council members have approved the purchase of a Safe Haven Baby Box using funds donated for that purpose. Two different families, ...
EMS train for K-9 emergency treatment
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
December 24, 2025
FLORENCE – Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jaret Yancey and his K-9 officer Mateo have only been together for a few months, but the pair have already...
West Elementary hosts ‘Polar Express’ celebration
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- West Elementary School marked the Christmas season with a series of activities centered on music, generosity and long-standing holiday...
Innovate Alabama critical to state’s economic future
Columnists, Opinion
December 24, 2025
Alabama has long been recognized for its success in industrial and manufacturing recruitment. Our state offers aggressive incentives and support to at...
Cultura Garden Club celebrates Christmas
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
December 24, 2025
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist Christmas for Cultura Garden Club members this year meant gathering around a table, sharing food made with care and ...
THS assistant principal gets championship ring
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Tharptown High School’s faculty surprised Assistant Principal Sherry Parker with a championship ring recognizing her role on the 1981 V...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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