Alice West

By Staff
November 18, 2009
Alice Opal Cochran West, age 84, of Red Bay died November 18, 2009. She was born May 4, 1925 to Rueben Cleveland and Tempie Jane Hulsey Cochran. She was a retired secretary of Vina High School, a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, faithful friend, and blue ribbon apple pie baker. She was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Hodges.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Community Center Baptist Church in Red Bay with Bro. Billy Turbyfill and Bro. Lowell Baggett officiating.
Ms. West was preceded in death by her husband, Henry H. "Hobby" West; her parents; a brother, Odis Cochran; and sisters, Mae Collins, Lucille Wilson, Margie Cochran and Nova Price, and an infant sister.
Ms. West is survived by son, Van (Deborah) West; daughters, Rosalind (Ron) Harris and Sandra (Larry) Smith, all of Red Bay; sister, Ann Cantrell of Hamilton grandchildren, Sonya Justice of Huntsville, Joy (Mickey) Ashford and Bryant (Miriam) West, all of Florence; Billy (Lisa) Turbyfill, Whitney West, Rhett Smith, and Ian Smith, all of Red Bay; great-grandchildren, Britney (Jack) Nelson of Jacksonville, Fla., Drew Ashford and Jackson West, both of Florence, Ashley Justice, Aaron Justice and Addison Justice, all of Florence, all of Huntsville, Jordan Turbyfill, Bailey Turbyfill and Tyde West, all of Red Bay.
Pallbearers for the service included Robert Moomaw, Billy Ray Childers, Alton Hester, Wade Humphries, and Arthur Hardin. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.
The family would like to thank the staff of Care Center of Red Bay for their devotion and care. A special thanks to Dr. Kristy Crandell and her staff. A heartfelt thank you to nurses, Patricia Henley, Sandy Wiggins, Shelia Brannon, and Jessica Jackson and CNAs, Helen Harris, Wanda Vasallo, Misty Strickland and Terry Allen.
Rosa Blackburn
November 20, 2009
Rosa Nell Blackburn, age 65, of Vina, died Friday, November 20, 2009 at ECM Hospital. She was born March 8, 1944 in Alabama to Will and Lemell Shewbert Horton. She was a homemaker and a member of Halltown Methodist Church.
Funeral services were held Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Halltown Methodist Church with Bro. Rex Manasco officiating. Burial was in the Burnout Cemetery in Vina.
Ms. Blackburn is survived by her husband, Barney Blackburn of Vina; sons, Tim Holcomb of McAllen, Tex. and Ken Holcomb of Corpus Christi, Tex.; step-daughters, Brenda (Gene) Thorn of Red Bay and Leisha (Don) Inman of Florence; step-sons, Dwight (Jerri) Blackburn of Caledoni, Miss., Norris (Wanda) Blackburn and Kenny Blackburn, all of Burnout and Charles (Patti) of Columbia, Tenn.; brother, John Robert (Carolyn) Horton of Belgreen; 19 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Nathan Hardy
November 20, 2009
Nathan E. "Dood" Hardy, age 88, died Friday, November 20, 2009 at Russellville Hospital after an extended illness. He was born July 23, 1921 and was a lifelong resident of Franklin County. At 18, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked in South Alabama and then Idaho to support his family. He enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was captured by the Japanese on the Philippine Island of Corregidor in 1942. He was a Japanese prisoner for three and a half years until he was liberated in 1945. He was truly an American hero, and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and numerous other honors for his heroic efforts. After the war, he worked at Reynolds Aluminum as a machinist and retired after 25 years of service.
As a testament to his integrity and character, he never held any animosity toward Japanese people. He will best be remembered for his enthusiastic outlook on life, and his determination to do everything to the fullest of his ability. A 'never quit' attitude was the foundation of his life.
Mr. Hardy is survived by his wife, Betty Wimberly Hardy; sons, Fletcher Eugene "Pete" (Debbie) Hardy, Michael D. Hardy; daughter, Patricia "Pat" Hardy (Bobby) Williams; grandsons, Chris (Angela) Williams, Brad (Lauren) Williams, Trevor (Mindy) Hardy; great-grandsons, Noah Williams, Ben Williams, Jake Williams, Josh Williams, and great-granddaughter, Elana Hardy.
Graveside services were held Saturday, November 21, 2009 at East Franklin Cemetery with full military honors.