Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:00 am Monday, May 1, 2017

Jerry Carl Hovater

Jerry Carl Hovater, 67, of Russellville, passed away April 28 at Russellville Hospital. A native and lifetime resident of Russellville, Mr. Hovater was a graduate of Russellville High School and retired from the Franklin County Board of Education after over 31 years of faithful service.  He was an active member of Jonesboro Baptist Church. Mr. Hovater was also a farmer, an equipment operator and a member of the Duncan Creek Hunting Club. Both adults and children will miss his visits as Santa along with Mrs. Santa during the holidays.

Visitation for Mr. Hovater was April 30 from 5-8 p.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville. Services will be May 1 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Kent Walker and Billy Thorn officiating. Burial will be at Jonesboro Cemetery, Russellville.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Bragwell, Jerry Hall, W.G. Cochran, Jimmy James, James Hester and Dwight Boyles.

Mr. Hovater is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Martha Prince Hovater; two sons, Greg Hovater and wife Kathy and Gary (Bo) Hovater and wife Danielle; two brothers, Houston Hovater Jr. and wife Jean and Billy Joe Hovater; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of friends, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carson Houston and Lurlie Mae Bendall Hovater.

Also on Franklin County Times
Drone contraband is becoming a problem
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Area law enforcement officials say they support the idea of more authority to stop drones from delivering contraband into jails. Alabam...
Oliver: Too many children are being abused
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County deputies investigated 85 cases involving child and sexual abuse in 2025. “For a county the size of Franklin County, tha...
Sentencing delayed again in manslaughter trial
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Brandy Dowdy will have to wait even longer to learn how long she will serve in prison after her sentencing was delayed for the second t...
Garden club hosts plant, bake sale
Columnists, News, Red Bay
In the Community
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RED BAY — The Red Bay Garden Club held its annual plant and bake sale Saturday at the high school greenhouse to raise funds for projects across the ci...
Has the city on a hill lost its shine?
Columnists, Opinion
April 15, 2026
Ronald Reagan used the “Shining City on a Hill” as a metaphor for the United States as a beacon for freedom and democracy in the world. Joe Biden ofte...
Delta Kappa Gamma learns gardening tips
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
April 15, 2026
Our April meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma at Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville featured a lively and practical program by Trace Barnett, a native of...
TVA president, CEO announces retirement
News
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
Less than a year after he was named president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Don Moul told members of the board of directors he will be re...
Students’ art selected for State Capitol exhibit
News, Russellville
By Maria Camp camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The art of three Russellville Elementary School students is on display at the Alabama State Capitol through April 28. Khloe Ball, a fou...

Leave a Reply

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