Obituaries
Fred Donald “Don” Claunch
June 14, 2025
Fred Donald “Don” Claunch, 78, of Russellville, passed away June 14. Visitation took place June 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at North Highlands Church of Christ. The funeral directly followed. Burial was in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery.
Bessie Mae Keplinger Messer
June 10, 2025
Bessie Mae Keplinger Messer, 88, of Phil Campbell, died June 10. Visitation was held June 12 from noon to 2 p.m. at Spry Memorial Chapel, with the funeral at 2 p.m. Burial followed at Liberty Chapel Cemetery
Dannie Carl Smith
June 10, 2025
Dannie Carl Smith, 75, of Tuscumbia, formerly of Belgreen, died June 10. Visitation was held June 13 from 11 a.m. to noon at Spry Memorial Chapel. A graveside service followed at 12:30 p.m. at Franklin Memory Gardens.
Rickey Leon Hughes
June 8, 2025
Rickey Leon Hughes, 64, of Phil Campbell, passed away at his home on June 8. Born on June 8, 1961, to Author Leon and Lorene Ann Cole Hughes, Rickey was a kind and loving soul known for his generosity, gentle spirit and devotion to others. He gave freely of his time and his heart, always placing the needs of others before his own.
Whether through a quiet word of encouragement or a shared laugh, he made those around him feel valued and cherished. Visitation was held Thursday, June 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Akins Funeral Home in Russellville, with the funeral service following at 3 p.m. Burial was at Dempsey Cemetery in Belgreen.
He is survived by his sisters, Sharon (David) Baker, Mary Williams and Teresa Fugate (Danny Cole); his brothers, Nickey (Kathy) Hughes and Tim Hughes; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family who loved him dearly. Rickey was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Leamon and Grace Hughes and William Riley and Lottie Mae Cole; his brother, Michael Hughes; and sister-in-law, Sherry Hughes.
Calvin Clayton Whitfield
June 6, 2025
Calvin Clayton Whitfield, 68, of Tuscumbia, died June 6. Visitation was held June 11 from 11 a.m. to noon at Spry Memorial Chapel. A graveside memorial service was held at 5 p.m. at Mars Hill Cemetery in Phil Campbell.
Robert Jerry Greenhill
June 5, 2025
Robert Jerry Greenhill, 82, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Russellville, died June 5. Visitation was held June 14 from noon to 2 p.m. at Akins Funeral Home, with the service at 2 p.m. Burial followed at Cedar Creek Cemetery in Red Bay.
