Obituaries
Thomas Nathaniel Melton
Nov. 13, 2025
Thomas Nathaniel Melton, 72, of Russellville, passed away Nov. 13. A graveside service took place Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. at the Knights of Pythias Cemetery.
James Brent “JB” Hooper II
Nov. 12, 2025
James Brent “JB” Hooper II, 21, of Russellville passed away Nov. 12, 2025. Visitation took place at Spry Memorial Chapel on Nov. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The service immediately followed. Burial was in Franklin Memory Gardens.
Therica Rochelle Mangino
Therica Rochelle Mangino
Nov. 11, 2025
Therica Rochelle Mangino, 88, of Russellville and Tuscumbia, passed from this life Nov. 11. She lived near three of her daughters in Birmingham, Alabama. Now with her God, her Savior and her beloved family members who have gone before, Mrs. Mangino lived a whole and grateful life, remaining faithful to the trust God placed in her.
Mrs. Mangino was preceded in death by her first son, Michael John Mangino (d. 1967), her husband of 43 years, Billy Seay Mangino (d. 1997), her parents, Thomas Hansel Boyles and Evie Ophelia Henson Boyles, her brother, Qualand Boyles, her sisters, Kay Boyles Green and Sheila Boyles Lewey, a niece and six nephews, along with many precious extended family members and cherished longtime friends. There is quite a gathering in the Great Beyond, and she told her children that she anticipated a wonderful reunion with those she loved so dearly.
Left to love and cherish her memory in this life, Mrs. Mangino is survived by her dear sister, Janice Boyles Bragwell (Alaska), and her remaining children, Rene Mangino Kretzer (of Tuscumbia, Rita Mangino Kollars (Craig & daughter, Jessica, of Birmingham), Robin Mangino Love (Clint, of Warrior, AL), Matthew Mangino (Stephanie, of Tuscumbia, AL), and Andrea Mangino Kring (Tim, of Trussville, AL).
She also left a legacy of love to her precious eight grandchildren: Ava Kretzer Blevins, Michael (Molly) Smith, Brock (Andrea) Kollars, Tyler Mangino, Cory (Michaela) Mangino, Shelby (Adam) Rutledge, Eli Kring, and Mia Mangino. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Mrs. Mangino’s legacy extended even further to her eight precious great-grandchildren (Brylee Haynes, Gavinn Haynes, Lydia Blevins, Jon Adam Rutledge, Roselyn Rochelle Kollars, Kit Rutledge, Chloe Kollars, and Luca Mangino).
Born in Frankfort, Alabama, in 1936, she was the first child of Hansel and Evie Boyles, Mrs. Mangino spent most of her years in Russellville, Alabama. She was an active member and Sunday School teacher at Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville.
She contributed to her community for many years in her various careers (in the banking industry, as a dental assistant, and even as the former business owner and founder of Ava’s Antiques and Gifts). After her husband’s death in 1997, Mrs. Mangino went on to complete her GED, take college courses at Northwest Junior College, and travel the world with friends. Her most important accomplishment in this life was to be a good mother and grandmother, and she was undoubtedly one of the very best.
As the later years of her life were filled with family and travel abroad, one thing was always constant. Mrs. Mangino loved the Lord and spent every morning of her life studying Scripture and praying for her children, her family, her community, and the world over a hot cup of coffee.
Many prayers have been offered in those quiet wee morning hours for so many people, and always with a humble and earnest heart. We know she will continue to intercede for us all on the other side of the veil until we have a rendezvous, one great day.
Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville, Alabama, officiated. There was a public graveside service on Nov. 15 at Franklin Memorial Gardens in Russellville, Alabama at 2:30 p.m.
In place of flowers, Mrs. Mangino and her family requested donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in her cherished memory. Children were her heart.
Gary Monroe Cravens
Nov. 9, 2025
Gary Monroe Cravens, 77, of Tuscumbia, passed away Nov. 9. Visitation took place at Spry Memorial Chapel Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The service immediately followed. Burial in Jonesboro Cemetery.
Wanda Bradford
Dr. Wanda Elizabeth Bradford
Nov. 5, 2025
Dr. Wanda Elizabeth Bradford, 72, died Nov. 5, after a long battle with dementia. Wanda is survived by her husband, Howard Bradford, her daughters Donna Hines (Shawn Sr.) and Katina Bradford Petree, grandchildren Brooke Vandiver, Patrick Hines, Hollie Hines, Shawn Hines Jr. (Savannah), Brady Petree (Stacy), Carson Petree (Gracey) and Macy Holt (Devin).
She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Chance Hines, Lakely Hines and Elizabeth “Ellie” Petree, along with her aunt, Doris Sockwell Craig and a host of other friends and family.
Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, Billy and Mary Quinn, siblings Steve and Randy Quinn, grandson Chance Vandiver and stepson Stephen Bradford.
A graduate of Tharptown Junior High School, Wanda graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama in 1980 before pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH).
During her time at UAH, Wanda was selected to be the first school nurse in Franklin County. She established a countywide health program, which included health screenings, home visits and health education programs.
In 1989, she was named “Alabama School Nurse of the Year” by the Alabama Association of School Nurses. In 1993, Bradford accepted an assistant professor position to teach Community Health Nursing at UNA and began working on UNA’s online RN to BSN program. Wanda and the College of Nursing established the first graduate program for nursing at UNA, which is taught completely online.
In 2004, Bradford received her Doctor of Nursing degree at Rush University in Chicago and she was eventually promoted to Department Chair of the Online Nursing Department.
In her spare time, Wanda loved nothing more than to spend time with her family, often hosting get-togethers for holidays, birthdays, family reunions and a plethora of other events. When she wasn’t hosting family, Wanda enjoyed vacationing with her husband, kids and grandchildren, more often than not at her oasis in St. George Island, Florida.
Wanda also took pride in her garden, as she possessed the “green thumb” of the family, oftentimes being able to nurse plants back to health when seemingly no one else could.
She enjoyed Alabama football, her dog “Lucy,” and spending time with her husband, Howard, often sitting on their front porch talking and keeping watch on what was going on in Bethsaida.
Wanda’s family would like to thank the staff at NHC Moulton, Decatur Morgan Hospital and Brentwood Retirement Community for their care and compassion.
