Vernon Hall “Buddy” Pitman 

Hartselle 

Funeral service for Vernon Hall “Buddy” Pitman, 75, was held Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Salem Cemetery.  

Mr. Pitman died Oct. 13 at his residence. He was born July 23, 1945, in Morgan County to Doctor Chester “D.C.” Pitman and Ella Bodley Pitman. He was a funeral director and embalmer for Peck Funeral Home for 43 years prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church.  

He loved his wife and family dearly. He loved to fish and garden and loved horses.  

Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Thearman Pitman; and two sisters, Corene Smith and Annie Jean Praytor. 

Survivors include his wife, Sondra Higdon Pitman; one son, Eric Jason Pitman (Andi Pitman); one daughter, Tammi Dawn Azizian (Ricky Azizian); brother, Charles Truman Pitman; sister, Aliene Eaton; and six grandchildren, Ella Pitman, Morgan Pitman, Alex Ransom, Ben Pitman, Maddie Pitman and Lucas Azizian.  

Pallbearers were Alexander Ransom, Benjamin Pitman, Rickey Joe Smith, Gary Pitman, Marlin Pitman, Alan Praytor, Scott Holladay and Randy Praytor.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Southern Care New Beacon Hospice or to First Baptist Church of Decatur. 

Janie Mae (Fitzgerald) Holmes 

Falkville 

Graveside service for Janie Mae Fitzgerald Holmes, 99, of Falkville was held Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. at Piney Grove Cemetery in Falkville with Brother Phillip Gilbert and Brother Clint Lee officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.  

Mrs. Holmes, who was born Jan. 25, 1921, in Morgan County to Frank Wood Fitzgerald and Bertie Cornelia Almon Fitzgerald, died Oct. 2 at her home.  

She was a member of the Cedar Plains Christian Church and loved gardening, flowers and quilting.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett O. Holmes; a son, Joey Holmes; brothers Frank Almon Fitzgerald, Robert Henry Fitzgerald, Jesse Ashton Fitzgerald and Patrick Dale Fitzgerald; and sisters Lucy Laney, Frances Laney and Bertie Ferrell.  

She is survived by three sons, Allen Holmes (Jan), Gerry Holmes (Linda) and Greg Holmes (Pam); two daughters, Linda Alldredge (Dwight) and Debbie Cumings; a daughter-in-law, Lasanna Holmes; a sister, Leah Oakley; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.  

Mike Holmes, Rodney Holmes, Jeff Holmes, Todd Irwin, Jackson Holmes, Thomas Alexander, Bryson Parker and Riley Irwin served as pallbearers. 

Mitzi Diane Dobbins 

Hartselle 

Funeral service for Mitzi Diane Dobbins, 49, was held Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Johnson Chapel Cemetery. 
Miss Dobbins died Oct. 11 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was born May 30, 1971, in Morgan County to Charles Dobbins and Annie Key Dobbins.  

Mitzi’s passion was softball.  

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Dobbins, and a brother, Darrel Dobbins.  

Survivors include her mother, Annie Key Dobbins; one brother, David Dobbins; her significant other, Larry Dutton; and several nieces and nephews, Kimberly Proctor, Leah Maxwell, Steven Prater, Hunter Dobbins, Kiah Dewey and Betty Jean Erich. 

Pallbearers were Steven Prater, Robert Key, Tommy Key, Roger Hollaway, Jerry Dutton and Buddy Dobbins. Honorary pallbearers were the Alabama State Champion 2006 Hartselle Lady Tigers and Encore Elite Travel Team. 

Mal Patterson 

Addison 

Wesley Malcolm “Mal” Patterson III, 65, died Oct. 13. He was born January 3, 1955, in Cullman County to Wesley Malcolm Patterson Jr. and Dorotha Nell Summerford Patterson. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator, and he loved to work and enjoyed the outdoors. He loved feeding and providing for the animals.  

He was preceded in death by his parents.  

Survivors include two sons, Welsey Malcolm Patterson IV and John Kelly Patterson; one daughter, Mala Patterson; one brother, Mike Patterson (Tammy); one sister, Susan Smith (Craig); four grandchildren; his nephew, Landon Patterson; and his niece, Lindsey Puckett (Derick).  

There will be a private service held at a later date. 

Lewis Ebron Mason 

Somerville 

Funeral service for Lewis Ebron Mason, 89, was held Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. at Center Springs United Methodist Church with Bro. Michael Mason officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Center Springs Cemetery.  

Mr. Mason passed away Oct. 14 at Keller Landing Healthcare. He was born April 26, 1931, in Morgan County to Johnny Talmadge Mason and Florence Victoria (Lynn) Mason. Mr. Mason was a lifetime attendee of Center Springs United Methodist Church. He loved his family dearly and enjoyed building birdhouses, gardening and painting. He was employed as a homebuilder and painter prior to retirement. 

His wife, Joy Ellawee Mason, and his parents preceded him in death.  

Survivors include one son, Michael Mason (Dawn); one daughter, Diana White (Tony); one brother, Warner Mason (Pat); seven grandchildren, Kandi, Will, Grayson, Jordan, Hunter, Alyssa and Garrett; and nine great–grandchildren, Cooper, Rhett, Zoe, Zander, Zaylee, Hattie, Harper, Magnolia and Levi.  

Pallbearers were Randy Berry, Randy Breeding, Will McSpadden, Tony White, Garrett Mason and Grayson Wakefield. 

Melba Jane Long 

Eva 

Funeral service for Melba Jane Long, 77, was held Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Alred officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Gum Pond Cemetery. 

Mrs. Long died Oct. 15 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She was born Aug. 11, 1943, in Morgan County to Talmadge Cobbs and Pauline Hopper Cobbs. She was a wonderful wife, mother and homemaker for her family.  

Her parents preceded her in death.  

Survivors include her husband, Donnie Long; two sons, Anthony Long (Lynn) and Stuart Long (Malenia); one daughter, Kaylyn Long (Kevin); three brothers, Milford Cobbs (Faye), Jerold Cobbs and Clifford Cobbs; one sister, Susan Holmes (Jerry); six grandchildren, Zachary Long (Kristi), Drew Long (Kristen), Jesse Long, Tyler Long, Kagan Long and Blakely Long; and five great–grandchildren, Reese Long, Bryant Long, Sawyer Long, Harper Long and Teag Long.  

Pallbearers were her grandsons. 

Wayne Roden 

Hartselle 

Funeral service for Wayne Roden, 69, was held Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jimmy Reeves and Bro. Stanley Reeves officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in New Center Cemetery.  

Mr. Roden died Oct. 12 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born Dec. 25, 1950, in Lawrence County to Thomas Alex Roden and Olgie Leester Reeves Roden. Mr. Roden was a loving husband, father, brother
and friend to many. He had recently turned his life back over to the Lord. 

He has spent his life working hard to provide for his family. He raised several children, that were not biologically his, as his own. 

He will be greatly missed. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas (Radio) Roden and Olgie Freeman; two sisters; and two brothers. 
Survivors include wife Cathy Roden; two sons, Wayne Roden and Kenny Roden; five daughters, Yvette Roden, Yvonne Roden, Teri Simms, Jessica West and Gabrielle Roden Marsh; two brothers, Robert Roden and Kenneth Roden; 15 grandchildren; and six great–grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Joe Ray, Freddie Ray, Danny Ray, Jonathan Roden, Rodney Wright and Michael Borden. 

Mary Margaret Gully 

Hartselle 

Funeral service for Mary Margaret Gully was held Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. at East Highland Baptist Church in Hartselle. Interment followed at Hartselle City Cemetery.  

Mary went to be with her heavenly father Oct. 17.  

She was a very kind and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mary adored all her grandchildren. She was loved by all who met her due to her humorous and humble spirit.  

Mary was born June 15, 1933, to Lee Heard and Ethel Malone Griggs in Marion, Louisiana. She finished Marion High School before her marriage and later moved to Hartselle. She retired after working for Valley Steel and Brooks Mixon in Decatur for several years. After retirement she spent several years as a private sitter. She loved being of service to other people.  

Mary was a member of East Highland Baptist Church. Until her health failed, she was active in the church choir, Alma Sunday School Class, Happy Highlander Senior Adult Program and the youth program, helping especially with youth retreats and mission trips. 

Preceding her in death were her parents; daughter Cheryl Slaughter, a nurse in Huntsville; three brothers, Lelon Lamar Griggs, Barney Dale Griggs and Morris Don (Sonny) Griggs; and two sisters, Twiler Rae (Betty) Miller and Reita Louise Griggs.  

Surviving Mary are a son, Sam Gully; five grandchildren, Clark Gully (Macey), Clay Gully, Conner Gully, Andrew Slaughter (Cachet) and Rachel Slaughter Thury (Mike); and one great–grandchild, James Archer Thury.  

Pallbearers were her grandsons, Mike Thury and Randy Stepp. 

A special thanks to Oneda Peace of Community Action, who was a faithful caretaker along with the help of several friends. Also, a special thanks to Dr. Jay Pohl for his kindness and professional service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East Highland Baptist Church, P.O. Box 888, Hartselle, AL 35640 or to Mental Health Association of Morgan County, Alzheimer’s Program, P.O. Box 1502, Decatur, AL 35602. 

John Daniel Powell 

Falkville 

Funeral service for John Daniel Powell, 78, was held Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church with Malcolm Carter II and David Sheaver officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Powell’s Chapel Cemetery.  

Mr. Powell died Oct. 18 at his residence. He was born March 13, 1942, in Morgan County to Walter Jasper Powell and Daisy Ellen Powell. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Cullman and a respected member of the Powell’s Chapel community. He was a loving husband and father.  

Mr. Powell was preceded in death by his parents, 12 brothers and sisters and one adopted niece. 

Survivors include his wife, Janice Powell; son, Mark Powell (Kelli); daughter, Robin Powell Green (Randy); sister, Dortha Shadix; grandchildren, Garrett Powell (Shea), Marli Powell, Seth Ward (Nikki) and Rheagan Hipp; nine great–grandchildren; and niece Hazel Twilley.  

Pallbearers were Dennis Shadix, Brian Murphy, Kim Ball, Glenn Cobb, Lee Duke, Michael Campbell and Joe Powell.