Columnists, Opinion
 By  Staff Reports Published 
6:16 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Your friend Bobby Bolton

Hi friends,

In the past few weeks we have had several citizens pass away who were approaching one hundred years of age. It’s remarkable to think of the many changes that have taken place in the last hundred years. I am sure all of these folks saw some difficult times in the years they lived. MRS. MARY KATHERINE DAVIS            was 99 years of age when she passed on January 28. I heard so many wonderful things said about this dear lady. Many remarked of the beautiful smile, her kind deeds, and the good example she left for all. One of the workers at Burns Nursing Home said “you can’t help but get attached to a dear lady like Mrs. Davis.”

DR. WAYNE HYATT passed away on January 26 at the age of 100. Dr. Hyatt had practiced medicine in Russellville for a number of years, and was certainly loved by so many people. Most doctors don’t live to be really old, but Dr. Hyatt beat the odds. He served his country in the armed forces and was a member of many different organizations her in Franklin County. His wife worked with him in the office on Montgomery St. here in Russellville. She was a dear sweet lady and I always felt she was a real leader in their home.

Another great lady passed away this past week, who was a friend to everyone she would meet, MRS. RUTH WEST age 92. Mrs. West certainly had a beautiful smile and one of the greatest personalities everyone could image. She graduated from Phil Campbell School and also attended Northwest Junior College. She was always young at heart and she was absolutely a professional seamstress. She could take a needle and thread and work wonders. Ruth worked at the shell plant in Rockwood during World War II. She and her husband Lanny were married in 1941.  Lanny was in the war, and was reported missing in action for a period of three months. He returned home from the military in 1944, and they lived here in Franklin County until he passed in 1990. They were a beautiful couple and great citizens of our county.

The three people I have spot lighted today saw some different times during their life. They lived during presidents of Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt and many others.

This generation of people were real survivors and were determined to make the best of everything. I believe we all could take lessons from these old timers and we also owe a debt of gratitude for what they did to make and keep us free. It’s a great honor to keep the memory of the ones we have named today.

 

Till Next Time

Your Friend

Bobby

Thought of the day: The memory of the just is blessed. Prov. 10:7

Also on Franklin County Times
The sky turned black, and he lived to tell it
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Brady Petree, Addie Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — By the time April 27, 2011, arrived, Rodney Smith had already grown accustomed to the warnings. For days, sirens had gone off across F...
EMA warns: Don’t rely on storm sirens
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County EMA Director Mary Glass said outdoor warning sirens should not be residents’ primary alert system during severe weather...
Ex-principal recalls lost students, teacher
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
SEARED IN THEIR MEMORIES
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — On the morning of April 27, 2011, Phil Campbell Elementary School (PCES) Principal Jackie Ergle was aware of the threat of severe weat...
West Elementary hosts Careers on Wheels
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — West Elementary students climbed into concrete trucks, explored emergency vehicles, and learned about skilled trades during the school’...
Cultura Garden Club spotlights pollinators
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
April 29, 2026
Bees, butterflies and plenty of garden talk filled the room as Cultura Garden Club members gathered at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellvill...
State should broaden its readiness definition
Columnists, Opinion
April 29, 2026
Families across Alabama are asking hard and necessary questions about what’s next for their high school students. What’s the right path for my child? ...
Local group seeks to help veterans
Franklin County, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Veterans in Franklin County who need help with groceries, transportation, meals, wellness checks and caregiver support may not always k...
Free CPR, home safety programs offered
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Fire Department is offering free CPR classes, smoke detector installation and home safety inspections as part of an ex...

Leave a Reply

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