The following are obituaries for April 23.

By Staff
Johnnie E. Murray
April 18, 2008
Johnnie E. (Gene) Murray, 83, Russellville died Friday, April 18, 2008, at Russellville Hospital.
He lived in Franklin County his entire life and was a member of Tharptown Baptist Church. He was retired from the United States Postal Service as a rural letter carrier and was a veteran of the United States Army.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 21, 2008, at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville with Jim Johnson officiating. Burial was in Tharptown Cemetery.
Mr. Murray is survived by stepchildren, Stephen Aycock (Pam) of Fredericksberg, Va., Kenneth Aycock (Martha) of Mobile, Janet Thorn, of Birmingham, and Randal Aycock (Esther) of Russellville; sisters, Kathleen Taylor of Louisville, Ky., and Marie Green of Russellville; twelve grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will nephews.
Mr. Murray was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Leila Mae Murray; wife, Joree Murray; and brother, Hubert Murray.
A special thanks to the employees of Russellville Health Care.
Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville assisted the family.
Doris Blackburn
April 18, 2008
Doris Irene Blackburn, 79, Russellville, died Friday, April 18, 2008, at Russellville Hospital. She lived in Franklin County her entire life and was a member of the Church of Christ. She was a retired furniture salesperson.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville with Andy Cansler officiating. Burial was in Franklin Memory Gardens.
Ms. Blackburn is survived by her husband, William Blackburn of Russellville; stepson, Jon Blackburn of Las Vegas, Nev.; step-daughter, Dawn Blackburn of Las Vegas, Nev.; brother, Kenneth Gandy of Russellville; sisters, Ella Hargett of Russellville, Betty Fuller of Hartsville, Nadine Balentine of Birmingham. and Martha Winstead of Russellville, one step-grandchild, Kyle DeDaulk; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Maybell Gandy.
Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville assisted the family.
Marie Creel Waldrep
April 19, 2008
Marie Creel Waldrep, 86, Golden, Miss., died Saturday, April 19, 2008, in Birmingham.
She was born September 13, 1921, in Golden to Rufus and Ida Hale Creel. She was a bookkeeper and was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Edward Waldrep, her parents, brother, William Hale Creel and nephew Ray Creel.
Graveside services were held Monday, April 21, 2008, at Red Bay City Cemetery with Bro. Billy Credille officiating.
Ms. Waldrep is survived by daughter, Patty W. Royal of Birmingham; sister-in-law, Joyce Creel of Golden; two nieces, Rebecca Bridges of Iuka, Miss., and Melissa Creel of Golden, Miss.
Billy White
April 19, 2008
Billy Ray White, 65, Red Bay, died Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Red Bay Hospital.
He was born Oct. 23, 1942, in Hamilton to Noland and Annie Lee Chandler White. He was retired from Sunshine Mills and was preceded in death by his father and sister, Barbara Sue White.
Graveside services were held Monday, April 21, 2008, at Old Union Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Jerry Ginn officiating.
Mr. White is survived by his wife, Shirley Timbs White of Red Bay; son, Vander Wayne White of Red Bay; mother and step father, Annie Lee White Barrett and Caleb Barrett of Fulton, Miss.; sister, Margaret Timbs Pitts of Golden; brother, Donald Wayne White of Red Bay; four grandchildren, Savannah Hope White, Haley Deann White, Raeanna Leigh White and Montana Casey White, all of Hamilton.
Deaton Funeral Home of Red Bay assisted the family.
David W. Graham, Sr.
April 19, 2008
David W. Graham, Sr., 64, of Russellville died Saturday, April 19, 2008, at his residence.
He was a lifelong resident of Franklin County and a member of Tharptown Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 21, 2008, at Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville with Wayne Boyles officiating. Burial was in Duncan Creek Cemetery.
Mr. Graham is survived by wife, Beverly Sharon Graham of Russellville; children, David Graham, Jr. (Teresa) of Russellville, Susie Stockton (Terry) of Russellville. Benjamin Graham of Boonesville, Miss., and Barry Graham (Melissa) of Russellville; brothers, Charles Graham of Clarkville, Tenn., Tommy Graham of Russellville, Donald Graham of Decatur, Ralph David Graham of Florence; sisters, Betty Glenn of Russellville, Elaine Fritz of Pace, Fla., and Patsy Manley of Muscle Shoals; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Viva Graham, and brother, Benny Graham.
Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville assisted the family.
Brandon O'Kelley
April 19, 2008
Brandon MC O'Kelley, 28, of Russellville, died April 19, 2008.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 21, 2008, at Akins Funeral Home with Bro. Jim Poss officiating. Burial was in the Blue Springs Cemetery.
Mr. O'Kelley is survived by his wife, Brenda Lee O'Kelley of Russellville; son, Frankie Alexander O'Kelley of Russellville; mother, Brenda Gail O'Kelley of Phil Campbell; brothers, David F. O'Kelley and wife, Michelle, of Phil Campbell; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frankie MC O'Kelley.
Pallbearers for the service included Kevin McGee, Jerry McGee, Jr., Anthony McGee, Donnie McGee, Greg Marshall, Michael Marshall. Honorary pallbeares included David O'Kelley and Andrew Raper.
Akins Funeral Home assisted the family.
Betty Swinney
April 18, 2008
Betty Joyce Swinney, 68, of Cicero, Ill., formerly of Liberty Hill, died Friday, April 18, 2008. She was a member of the Baptist Church and a 1958 graduate of Phil Campbell High School. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at 1 p.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville with Dr. Ralton McCarley officiating the service. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the funeral home prior the service.
Ms. Swinney is survived by son, Douglas Hammer of Cicero, Ill.; brothers, Ralph Swinney of Michigan, and Talph Swinney of Mississippi; sister, Bertie McCarley of Muscle Shoals and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Austin and Irene Swinney; brothers, W.C. Swinney, Elvin Swinney, and Junior Swinney.
Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville assisted the family.