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December 24, 2005
James Ramsey Martin
PELL CITY — James Ramsey Martin, 81, of Pell City, died Thursday, Dec. 22, following an extended illness. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course; I have kept the faith." (II Timothy 4:7)
He is predeceased by his parents Harvey A. Martin, Sr. and Mildred Martin, and a brother, Eddie L. Martin. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife Sylvia Giglio Martin; daughter, Julie Martin Funderburg (Erskine); son, Jeff G. Martin (Shelly); adored grandchildren Julia Funderburg, Miles and Reed Martin; brother Harvey A. Martin, Jr. (Mathilda); sister-in-law, Martha Martin and numerous nieces and nephews. He kept a strong focus on family and relished time and travel with them.
Jim was an entrepreneur who first honed his skills at the family owned Martin Biscuit Company in Birmingham. He expanded and bought Anniston Baking Company, actually baking king cakes and managing it himself to achieve success. In 1955, he founded Blue Springs and was president until 2000. Blue Springs became the sole supplier of tropical fish to Wal-Mart Corporation east of the Mississippi River. Mr. Martin developed a trusting relationship and friendship with Sam Walton. In 1968, his love of boats brought him to Logan Martin Lake where he operated Riverside Marina until 1978. It was during this time that he moved his family to the Pine Harbor area.
Jim was a patriot who proudly served his country in the Air Force during WWII training to become a pilot. He held a strong interest in politics and was an active Republican.
Jim’s love of music was evident throughout his life. As a senior at Ramsey High School, his band director was called to active duty in the military. The administration appointed him to lead the school orchestra. Later, he formed his own band and played trumpet with many of the big bands of the era. His thirty-year friendship with Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass was a highlight of his life he shared by graciously hosting performances for families and friends.
Jim was a philanthropist who loved his community. He was a generous supporter of many causes and charities, often asking for his donations to remain anonymous. His compassion for animals was evident in his efforts to help found the St. Clair County Animal Shelter.
He was an active member of The Masonic Lodge #643, York Rite Chapter #76, and the Zamora Shrine. He served on the Director’s Staff and was selected to the Royal Order of Jesters, court #127. He received the honor of having the Shriners 2005 Spring Class named for him.
Mr. Martin was an avid supporter of the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide football program. He and his wife, Sylvia, invested in the Navarre Beach, Fla. Community and became active in civic development. They were very involved in the annual Mardi Gras parade and celebration. In 2003, they were honored to be chosen as King and Queen of Mardi Gras.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Pell City, and conscientiously served as treasurer for Chapel in the Pines for almost twenty years.
A graveside service at Valley Hill Cemetery
is planned for 11 o’clock Saturday. In case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Kilgroe Funeral Home. The services will be officiated by the Reverend Mark Parish and Shriner Chaplain Reagan Bowling. Immediately following Masonic rites will be performed by Alabama Grandmast Frank Little. Kilgroe Funeral Home will direct.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Gideons International, the Kidney Foundation or Pell City Animal Shelter.
John David Henderson
BOAZ — Funeral services for Mr. John David Henderson, age 62, of Boaz,, Ala., formerly of Talladega, will be Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at 12:00 noon, from the Talladega Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Tim Dial officiating. Burial will follow from the Ironaton Church of Christ Cemetery.
Mr. Henderson passed away December 22, 2005 at Marshall Medical Center in Boaz, Ala. Survivors are his wife Gertie Shirley of Marshall County, Ala., his parents James and Idell Ashberry of Talladega, Ala., 2 sisters Vonnie Jones of Lincoln, Ala., and Margaret Hornbuckle of Mobile, Ala.
Active pallbearers are Jerry Hornbuckle, Junior Medley, Mark J. Versch, Taylor Gurley, Zack Dial, Gene Suttle, Joe Hudgins. Mr. Henderson was a native of Marshall County, Ala., and had lived in Talladega for some 20 years. He was of the Baptist Faith and was retired from the Walt Disney Company in Buena Vista, Fla., as a construction artist.
The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home Saturday from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m.
Linda McKelvey Littleton
CHILDERSBURG — Linda McKelvey Littleton, born Dec. 8, 1942, died on Dec. 23, 2005. She was 63 years old and lived in Childersburg, Ala. She died at Alabaster Health Care Center.
She is survived by her husband, Melvin Littleton of Sylacauga; 3 sons, Anthony Wayne Vickers of Jacksons Gap, Terry Lynn Vickers of Madison, and Robert L. Vickers of Jacksons Gap; 2 daughters, Tammy Annette Kinney of Dadeville, and Kathy Elizabeth Lashley of Camp Hill; step-son, Randall Scott Littleton of Huntsville; brother, Leonard McKelvey of Eagle Creek; 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren.
You may contact the family at www.radneysmith.com. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 26, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at Mt. Sharon Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Johnson officiating. Interment is at Evergreen Cemetery
in Sylacauga, Ala.
James Virgil Long Sr.
SYLACAUGA — James Virgil Long, Sr., was born Aug. 6, 1923 and died Dec. 22, 2005. He was 82 years old. He was a Sylacauga, Ala. resident and died at Sylacauga Health Care Center.
He is survived by his wife, Weston J. Long of Sylacauga; son, James Virgil Long, Jr. and wife, Shirley, of Rainbow City; daughter, Linda Long Bice and husband, Tim, of Sylacauga; 3 sisters, Vivian L. Abrams of Huntsville, Ruby L. McCain of Tuscon, AZ, and Clarice L. Newby of Greenville; 4 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren.
He was married for 61 years and was a member of First Baptist Church. He was retired from Avondale Mills after 42 and a half years of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Youth Choir mission trip at First Baptist Church, 10 S. Broadway Ave., Sylacauga, Ala., 35150.
You may contact the family at www.radneysmith.com.
Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 26, from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Dec. 26, 2005 at Radney-Smith Chapel. Clergy is Rev. Bill Gresham and Rev. Keith Pugh.
Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery
in Sylacauga, Ala.
Sula Green "Little Mama" Robinson
SYLACAUGA — Funeral service for Sula Green "Little Mama" Robinson will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at Shelvin Rock Baptist church with the Rev. Tony McGrady officiating. Burial will be in Shelvin Rock Cemetery.
Mrs. Robinson was born on Nov. 1, 1905, died Dec. 23, 2005. She was 100 years old and lived in Sylacauga, Ala. She died at Sylacauga Health Care Center.
She is survived by her sons, Byron Joe Robinson and wife, Edna, of Sylacauga, and Jack Robinson and wife, Clara, of Orlando; grandchildren, Jane R. McCune and husband, Bradd, of Sylacauga, Jenny R. Usrey and husband, Bobby, of Sylacauga, and Jackie R. Vinson and husband, Mike, of Orlando; great-grandchildren, Jennifer McCune Davis and husband, Lee, of Birmingham, Chris McCune of Tuscaloosa, and Raylee Usrey, of Sylacauga.
She was the oldest active member of Shelvin Rock Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for a number of years. She was preceded in death by her husband, S.V. Robinson; her parents, George Ad and Virginia Martin Green; daughter, Dorothy R. Pitts; brothers, George Green, Virgil Green, Hobson Green, Gordon Green, Paul Green, and John Green; sister, Hazel Peters; and grandson, Billy Ray Robinson.
You may contact the family at www.radneysmith.com.
Radney Smith funeral Home will direct the funeral service.
Rena Simmons
CULLMAN — Mrs. Rena Simmons, 73, of Cullman, Ala., passed away Dec. 22, 2005, at The Princeton Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Talladega Funeral Home.
Opal C. Stephens
SYLACAUGA — Mrs. Opal C. Stephens, 75, of Sylacauga, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005 at Coosa Valley Medical Center. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. The Rev. Cary Brown will officiate.
She is survived by four sons, Wayne Stephens and wife Wendy of Pell City, Charles Stephens and wife Sherry of Sylacauga, Thomas K. Stephens and wife Amy of Carrollton, Ga., and Chris Stephens and wife Dana of Sylacauga; six grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband Howard C. Stephens.
Curtis and Son Funeral Home North Chapel will direct the services.
Paul Smith Walton
SYLACAUGA — Mr. Paul Smith Walton, 88, of Sylacauga, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at Sylacauga Health and Rehab. Services will be held Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Curtis and Son North Chapel.
Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 26, 2005 from 10-11 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. The Rev. Todd Reaves will officiate.
Mr. Walton is survived by his son, David Walton, of Sylacauga; two sisters, Ann Hill of Sylacauga and Faye Thompson of Birmingham; and two grandchildren. He was a member of Mignon Baptist Church and was retired from Avondale Mills. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army and served during WWII.
Curtis and Son Funeral Home North Chapel will direct the services.
December 27, 2005
CHARLES "COOLEY" HORN
TALLADEGA — Funeral service for Cooley Horn, 45, will be Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. at Midway Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. John Renda Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Midway Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Mr. Horn died Dec. 25 at his residence. He was native and life long resident of Talladega. He was employed by Stephens Carpet in Talladega.
His is preceded in death by his mother Betty Renda and his sister Stephanie Williamson. He is survived by his wife Gina Horn of Talladega, daughters Brandy Studdard of Talladega, Jessica Horn of Talladega; sons, David Horn of Texas, Seth Horn of Talladega; father John Renda of Talladega, birthmother Sandra Roberson of Talladega, sisters Amanda Corbett of Talladega, Joy Blankenship of Talladega, Angela Galloway of Talladega, Nina Bills of Talladega, and Cheri Harris of Talladega; brothers Greg Horn of Georgia, Tim Horn of Kentucky, Jason Roberson of Talladega, John Renda Jr. of Renfroe, Mark Renda of Talladega, and Tim Renda of Talladega; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Blake Cook, Brian Galloway, Tim Renda, Mark Renda, Randy Covington, and Joe Bills.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Midway Memory Gardens Funeral Home will direct the service.
NETTIE MAE WOODALL
VINCENT — Funeral services for Nettie Mae Woodall, 78, will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, Calcis with Elder W.E. Frazier officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Woodall died Dec. 22nd at Beverly Health Care Ingram.
She is surved by three sons, Robert Woodall, Earnest Woodall, Jimmie Woodall; two brothers, Willie Woodall Sr., James Woodall; three sisters, Dorthena Howard, Julia Hawkins, Reatha McConico; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives.
Sims Funeral Home will direct.
MARGRETTE ALEXANDER
LEEDS — Funeral service for Mrs. Margrette Alexander, 77, will be Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. at Kilgroe Chapel. Burial will be in the Dunnavant Community Cemetery.
Mrs. Alexander died Dec. 25.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Alexander.
Visitation will be Dec. 27 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
She is survived by a daughter, Sherry Gayle Gulledge; a son, Billy Gene Gulledge; a sister, Alma Jo Danner; brothers, Marlin L. Harris, Johnny C. Harris and Jerry Joe Harris; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
KilgroeFuneral Home will direct the service.
