Lynn Ann Lawson Branham
Decatur
 

Lynn Ann Lawson Branham, 70, of Decatur passed away Feb. 9.  

She was born June 15, 1949 in Gillette, Wyoming, to the late James Liming Lawson and Leona Stout Broaddus. She was raised in coastal Texas with her sister, Chiselle Curwick (Montgomery, Texas) and brother, James Lawson (Austin, Texas). This is where she spent her teen years, learning to surf and working in a surfboard rental shop on the beach before attending Alvin Community College.  

Later she moved to Houston, Texas, where she worked for the telephone company. In 1968 she was drawn back to Gillette, Wyoming, where she worked as a meter maid. She met her parking ticket quota in spades, even writing tickets for police cars, which wasn’t done, and she gained a lot of notoriety in town. Boys would follow her up and down the street asking for dates and would dedicate songs to her on the radio.  

Lynn went on to have five daughters: Charlotte Sims (Mark), Sharlene Downs (Dan), Karen Rose, Jeannie Hahl and Jessica Strating (Byrne). She has nine grandchildren:  Megan, Brianna, Carson, Murl, Cameron, Aron (Willow), Kristen, Valerie and Keegan. She has two great-grandchildren: Shiloh and Willow.  

She married Howard “Buster” Branham in April 1990. They would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this year.  

Lynn was a beloved member of her family and loved by all who knew her. Her beautiful smile and warm personality drew people in and made them feel special. Her encouraging words and positivity in all situations will be forever in our memories and in our hearts. 

A memorial service was held in the Peck Funeral Home Chapel Feb. 15 at 4 p.m.  

Lynn Branham

Mary F. Bolan Johnson
Danville
 

Funeral service for Mary F. Bolan Johnson, 77, was Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Martin Poe officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Johnson Chapel Cemetery.  

Mrs. Johnson died Feb. 9. She was born July 8, 1942, in Morgan County to James Henry Bolan and Francis Elizabeth Weaver Bolan. She was a homemaker and a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister. She was a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Decatur.  

Preceding her in death were her husband, Billy Dee Johnson, who passed away in July of 2015; three brothers, Frank Bolan, John Henry Bolan and Jimmy Johnson; two sisters, Hazel Welborn and Pauline Alexander; her parents; and her stepfather, Elmer Johnson. 

Survivors include one daughter, Sonya Melissa Johnson, Decatur; one son, Billy Michael “Mike” Johnson (Lisa), Danville; two brothers, Leamon Bolan, Moulton, and Raymond Johnson, Decatur; three sisters, Wilma McLemore, Moulton, Dorothy Latham, Moulton, and Inez Alexander, Moulton; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. 

Pallbearers were Michael Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Brandon Scott, Ethan Standridge, Jeremy Sons and Steve Sons. 

The Rev. Homer Jones
Danville 

Funeral service for the Rev. Homer Jones, 80, was Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Hovis, the Rev. Doug Raburn and the Rev. David Roper officiating. The Rev. Ricky Ball officiated at the graveside, and Peck Funeral Home directed.  Burial was in Johnson Chapel Cemetery.  

The Rev. Jones went to be with Jesus Feb. 9 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born Nov. 9, 1939, in North Carolina to Guy Jones and Audrey Ray Jones. Mr. Jones was a sheet-metal mechanic at Alfabco prior to his retirement.  

Homer and his wife, Betty, spent almost their entire marriage of more than 60 years in ministry. Homer faithfully served the Lord. He shared the gospel both from the pulpit and through his daily life. He was serving as pastor at Pleasant Hill Community Church in Houston. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Lucille Trivett, Inez Miller and Christine Jones Ayers.  

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jones; one son, Homer Jones Jr. (Jackie); two daughters, Tammy McCoy (Jim) and Alicha “Snook” Dupree (Ricky); four brothers, Landon Jones (Faye), Boyd Jones (Pat), Charles Jones (Trevia) and Robin Jones; one sister, Maple Williams; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.  

Her grandsons served as pallbearers. 

J.D. Harper
Eva 

Funeral service for J.D. Harper, 90, was Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Eaton and the Rev. Wiley Kitchens officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens. 

Mr. Harper died Feb. 10 at his residence. He was born April 23, 1929, in Cullman County to Grover C. Harper and Mattie Lee Meadows Harper. He was an accountant and secretary–treasurer for the Universal Construction Company prior to his retirement. He was an active member of the Eva community and a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Hartselle.  

As a veteran of the United States Army, he served in the Korean War in the 47th M.A.S.H. surgical hospital. He also was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 52 of Hartselle.  

Preceding him in death were his first wife, Eulene Harper; his parents; three brothers, Arthur Harper (killed in World War II) and Grady Harper; six other brothers and sisters, who passed away
at young ages, and one nephew, William (Billy) Harper. 

Survivors include his wife, Jane Holmes Harper, Eva; two stepsons, Kenneth Russell, Falkville, and Ronnie Russell (Janet), Falkville, two stepdaughters, Wanda Segler (David), Moulton, and Tammy Nichols (Tim), Vinemont; a niece, Gloria Irene Kitchens; a grand-niece, Cynthia Hyde; a grand-nephew, Greg Mickle; and a host of other nieces and nephews. 

Pallbearers were Jesse Hyde, Jacob Hyde, Caleb Hyde, Tim McWhorter, Todd Russell, Kevin Russell, Landon McWhorter and Junior McCrary. 

Melinda Gay Blankenship
Somerville 

Funeral service for Melinda Gay Blankenship, 56, was Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Chris Crow and Bro. Shane Williams officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Valhermoso Springs Cemetery.  

Miss Blankenship died Feb. 12 at her residence. 

She was born May 30, 1963, in Morgan County to Raymond Frazier and Linda Brown Frazier. She was employed by Trinity Machine in an office administrative position prior to her passing. In her spare time, she loved to crochet and read. She was a wonderful person and will be missed dearly by her family. 

Survivors include her parents, Linda Brown Frazier and Raymond Frazier; four brothers, Dewayne Adkins, Ron Frazier, Joe Blankenship (Christy) and Jerry Blankenship (Misty); and three sisters, Vanessa Johnson (Timothy), Tamatha Wood (Adam) and Angie Sandlin. 

Maud Odell McGlocklin 

Athens 

Maud Odell McGlocklin Brooks was born in Limestone County, July 1, 1926. Recently, she said she needed to get a “new life,” which she received Feb. 14. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, William Alexander and Hassie Lou Ezell McGlocklin; sister Doris; brothers Will, James and Price; her son Rodney Brooks; and her husband of 65 years, Jim Brooks. 

 She is survived by her children, Ricky (Amy) Brooks (Hartselle), Sharon (Duane) Farmer (Murfreesboro) and Lori Sheppard and Lisa Brooks (Dallas, Texas); her grandchildren, Jared Brooks, Anthony (Danielle) Brooks, Adam (Tina) Sheppard, Chase Sheppard, Eric (Jackie) Farmer, John (Tabitha) Farmer, Rebecca (Colton) Stinson and Nathan Brooks; 10 great-grandchildren, Melinda, McKenzie, Zoe, Ella, Sophia, Sean, Brooke, James, Caroline and Evelyn; daughter-in-law Lynne Brooks; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Maud spent her childhood growing up near Athens in the Coxey community. Maud was a hard worker, abundantly blessed with determination and grit.  

She graduated from Athens College with her bachelor’s degree and later during her career earned her master’s degree from Alabama A&M. She taught 30-plus years in Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties. For most of those years, she taught first grade at Crestline Elementary in Hartselle. Hundreds of children over the years learned reading, writing and arithmetic under her instruction.  

Maud enjoyed reading stories in an expressive and dramatic fashion, making characters come to life. She enjoyed working with children and observing their interactions and learning. She also loved sewing, crocheting, doll making and taking care of her flowers, plants and vegetable garden. 

Maud loved the Lord and for many years served at Union Church of Christ in Somerville. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school classes and Vacation Bible School. Her home and kitchen were always welcoming to friends and family, old and new. Most Sunday mornings would find her in the kitchen preparing food for her family and lunch guests after church. Caring hands prepared food for the sick and grieving in her community. We will miss her angel biscuits and yeast rolls, but most of all we will miss her being here with us.  

Her family would like to thank all the staff and residents of Woodland Village Health Care Center in Cullman for their caring and compassionate hands and hearts. We are also grateful for all who have touched her life over the years. She enjoyed each of you. 

Her funeral service was Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tom Larkin officiating. Burial was in Burningtree Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing. 

Pallbearers were John Farmer, Eric Farmer, Adam Sheppard, Chase Sheppard, Jared Brooks, Anthony Brooks and Nathan Brooks. Honorary pallbearers were Rebecca Stinson and Colton Stinson. 

Franklin John Archer 

Decatur 

Graveside service for Franklin John Archer, 88, of Decatur was Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. at Burningtree Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Rich Thompson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.  

Mr. Archer was born Jan. 7, 1932, in Canada to Elmer Archer and Glyde Clement Archer. He passed away Feb. 15 at his residence.  He was a supervisor for Jax Mold and Machine Shop. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eva Archer; three brothers, Roy Archer, Elgin Archer and Ross Archer; and sister, Grace Mangen.  

Survivors include his son, David Glenn (Barbi) Archer; daughter, Doreen Janet Glyde (Tim) Tice; sister, Phyliss Cummings; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. 

Vincent Eugene Thigpen
Hartselle 

Mr. Vincent Eugene Thigpen, 59, died Feb. 17 at his residence. He was born Nov. 13, 1960, in Colbert County to David Elmo Thigpen and Mary Pratt Phillips. He was a landscaper prior to his passing. 

Preceding him in death were his father and a brother, Wayne Thigpen. 

No services are scheduled at this time. 

Survivors include three daughters, Kimberly Hargrove (Daniel), Christy Terry (Chris) and Tracey Speakman (Josh); his mother, Mary Pratt Phillips; a brother, Gary Thigpen; three sisters, Karen Sharp, Tewana Thigpen and Sherry Thigpen; and five grandchildren.