Obituaries
Blenda Gail Bell
Blenda Gail Bell
Aug. 29, 2025
Blenda Gail Bell, 74, of East Franklin, passed away Friday, August 29 at home surrounded by her loving family. Gail was a member of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. She was an avid collector of Noah’s Ark and Elvis figurines and artifacts. Gail loved to travel. She was known as “Maw Maw Gail” to many of her “babies” and her grandchildren.
A joint visitation with her late husband, Rodger, was held Sept. 2 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Akins Funeral Home in Russellville. A service directly followed. Burial was at East Franklin Cemetery. Bro. Jason Burcham officiated.
Gail is survived by her son, Rodney Bell; grandson, Hayden Bell (Emily); granddaughter, Abigail Bell (Jackson); great grandson, Palmer Bell; brother, Barry Jones (Theresa); sister-in-law, Sheila Jones; nieces, Ashley Jones, Summer, and Raegan; and a host of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Quinton Rodger Bell; son, Jeff Bell; parents, Vernon and Willodean Jones; and brother, Wendell Jones. Memories and condolences may be shared at akinsfh.com
Helen Denise Wells
Helen Denise Wells
Aug. 28, 2025
Helen Denise Wells, 72, of Russellville, passed away Aug. 28. She was born April 3, 1954, in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to James and Grace Jolly.
Denise enjoyed sewing and all kinds of crafts, and she especially loved watching college football.
A graveside service will take place Sept. 3 beginning at 11 a.m. at Franklin Memory Gardens in Russellville.
Pallbearers will be Gary Messer, Zachary Wells, Matt Glass, Chad Wells, Norman York and George Johnson. Charlie Messer will be an honorary pallbearer.
She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, James Wells; her sons, Jason (Traci) Wells and Michael (Amanda) Wells; her daughter, Suzanne (Gary) Messer; and her brother, Jimmy Jolly.
She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Zachary Wells, Alyssa Wells, Katie Messer and Charlie Messer, along with a host of extended family and friends who will cherish her memory.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Grace Jolly.
Memories and condolences may be shared at akinsfh.com
Quinton Bell
Quinton Bell
Aug. 27, 2025
Quinton Rodger Bell, 76, of East Franklin, passed away Aug. 27 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Rodger was born Sept. 19,1948, to Opal Bell. He was an avid coin collector and loved to hunt. Rodger was a member of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church.
Visitation was Sept. 2 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Akins Funeral Home in Russellville. A service was held directly after in the chapel. Burial was at East Franklin Cemetery. Pastor Jason Burcham officiated.
Quinton is survived by his wife of 57 years, Blenda Gail Bell; son, Rodney Bell; grandchildren, Hayden and Emily Bell, Abigail (Jackson) Bell; and great grandson, Palmer Bell.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Opal Bell, and his son, Jeff Bell
Memories and condolences may be shared at akinsfh.com
Charles William “Rock” James
August 27,2025
Charles William “Rock” James, 82, of Spruce Pine, passed away Aug. 27. Visitation was held at Spry Memorial Chapel on Aug. 29 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. with a service immediately following. Burial was in Franklin Memory Gardens.
Robert Newbury, Jr.
Aug. 27, 2025
Robert Newbury, Jr., 72, of Russellville, passed away Aug. 27. Visitation was held Sept. 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Spry Memorial Chapel. He will lie in state Sept. 3 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Russellville First Methodist Church. A service will be held Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. at Russellville First Methodist Church. Burial was in Franklin Memory Gardens.
Dr. Wayne Thomas Ray
Dr. Wayne Thomas Ray
A ug. 27, 2025
Dr. Wayne Thomas Ray, 82, of Russellville, passed away Aug. 27 at his home. Visitation was held Sept. 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Russellville First Baptist Church with a memorial service and celebration of his life directly following. A graveside service will be held at the Cedar Tree Cemetery in Hackleburg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Dr. Ray’s Russellville City Schools Foundation scholarship or to Russellville First Baptist Church.
Born March 24, 1943, he was a member of Russellville First Baptist Church where he served as deacon for many years. He attended Florence State on a football scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education. At the University of North Alabama, he worked on his administrative degrees and at Mississippi State, he received his doctorate in educational research.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 60 years, Lela Wright Ray; his children, Wayne Thomas Ray, Jr. (Lajeanna), Amanda Grace Ray Rushing (Heath); Jacob Ray (Harley); Heath Rushing (Corinne), McKenna Ray Joyner (Nate); Jon Douglas Rushing, Dylan Ray (Camryn), Brayden Ray, Thomas Rushing and Carolyn Rushing; and great- grandchild, Alice Caroline Ray and many Ray, Wright and Honeycutt nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, PJ and Reccie Cleveland Ray of Hackleburg, Alabama; and his 14 siblings: sisters – Lois Young Hughes, Mildred Penter Hire Fleming, Ruth McCall, Guynall Sanders, Ann Vickery and brothers: Carl, Shorty, Emmitt, Owen, Pete, Jimmy, Paul and Max.
Depending on the era in which you graduated from Russellville High School, “Coach Ray,” “Mr. Ray,” or “Dr. Ray,” was synonymous with Russellville City Schools. He first moved to Russellville as an assistant football coach and teacher in 1965, joining the football program that his brother, Pete, once led as head coach. Dr. Ray, a Hackleburg native, played a key role in the most successful era in Russellville football history, which included three state championships in 1966, 1967 and 1968.
He later served as head football coach of the Golden Tigers from 1973-1974 before moving into administration. He served as RHS principal until 1994 when he moved to the central office as assistant superintendent and later served as superintendent from 2000-2008. He has been recognized throughout the state of Alabama and the nation for his accomplishments.
Ray served Russellville schools for a total of 44 years in the roles of assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. As a coach, teacher and mentor he left an indelible mark on the community.
Dr. Ray was instrumental in the progress of the Russellville City Schools educational park during his tenure as superintendent and shaped countless lives through his leadership. Known for his unwavering dedication to education, he inspired students, families and colleagues alike.
During a career that spanned more than four decades, Dr. Ray’s leadership was a driving force in many key initiatives for Russellville City Schools and our community. His entire educational career was with Russellville City Schools. To Dr. Ray, there was nothing more important than supporting Russellville and the Golden Tigers, and he lived out that philosophy on a daily basis. It’s always great to be a Golden Tiger!
Woodrow Taylor
August 26, 2025
Woodrow Taylor, 76 of Phil Campbell, passed away Aug. 26. Visitation was held at Spry Memorial Chapel Aug. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a service immediately following. Burial was in Jonesboro Cemetery.
John Luther Harvey
August 24, 2025
John Luther Harvey, 87, of Russellville, passed away Aug. 24. Visitation was held at Spry Memorial Chapel on Aug. 27 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. with a service immediately following. Burial was Aug. 28 at 12 p.m. at Parkway Cemetery in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
Victor Wallace Caldwell
August 21, 2025
Victor Wallace Caldwell, 70, passed away Aug. 21. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home on Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a service immediately following. Burial will be in Corinth National Cemetery in Corinth, Mississippi, on Sept. 4.
