Obituaries week of Dec. 28

Shirley Jean Tucker
Hartselle
Funeral service for Shirley Jean Tucker, 81, was held Wednesday, December 21,
2022 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Clayton Speed officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Lebanon Baptist Cemetery. Ms. Tucker died Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Hospice Family Care. She was born September 27, 1941, in Morgan County, to Charles Grady Tucker and Anna May Reeder Tucker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hartselle since 1984 and led a beloved ladies’ Sunday School class for many years. She enjoyed singing in the choir and working in missions for the Lord. Ms. Tucker attended UAH earning degrees in math, science and engineering. She had a successful career as aerospace and system engineer at the U.S. Army Missile Command and the Missile Defense Command in Huntsville. Her work was published and she was featured in the IEEE for unique analysis techniques. After retiring in 1997, she went back to college to study art. She served on the board of directors and as president of the Watercolor Society of Alabama to promote and advance the art of watercolor painting nationwide. Her watercolor portraits have been juried in art competitions and several were selected for awards. She was preceded in death by her parents and her four siblings, James L. Tucker of Florida, Estelle Tucker Lindley and Onnie Tucker both of Hartselle and Kenneth D. Tucker of Georgia. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Pallbearers were Harrison Whitley, Tucker Whitley, James Dodd, Josh Bryan, Paul Morgan and Tom Whitley. 

Derek Watts
Decatur
Funeral service for Derek Watts, 58, was held Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at
11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. James Watts officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery (Cullman Co.). Mr. Watts died Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born April 27, 1964, in Morgan County, to Charles Eugene Watts and Dorothy Lucille Johnson Watts. He has worked 28 years for the Decatur City Fire Department and taught fire college classes. He was a longtime manager of the Morgan County Fairgrounds for the Jaycees and was a 1982 graduate of Albert P. Brewer High School, where he excelled in playing football. He loved his boys and was a great daddy. He was a big Alabama football fan and a UNA Lions fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Kathy Tidwell, great niece, Savannah Johnson, a niece, Angel Grindle and an uncle, Cecil Vernon Johnson. Survivors include sons, Charles “Brent” Watts and Jonathan Watts (Nikki); sisters, Jennifer Grindle (Terry), Christie Appleton and Dana Blankenship; several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were members of the Decatur Fire Service. In lieu of flowers, family requests make memorial contributions to “Brothers for Life Fund.” 

 

Michael Allen “Rooster” Reeves
Danville
Graveside service and interment for Michael Allen “Rooster” Reeves, 60, was held Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 3 p.m. at New Center Baptist Cemetery with Bro. Stanley Reeves and Bro. Steve Barber officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mr. Reeves died Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born January 30, 1962, in Morgan County to Merl Reeves and Bernice Smith Reeves. Mr. Reeves was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Steve “Pete” Reeves. He was a member and former chaplain of the Redeemed Motorcycle Club, Decatur Chapter. No public visitation is scheduled. Survivors include his
wife, Teresa Terry Reeves, wife of 42 years; two sons, Brandon Reeves and Nathaniel Reeves;
mother-in-law, Virginia Terry; two brothers, Stanley Reeves and Dan Reeves (Linda); four sisters,
Patricia Mason, Sue Engle, Beverly Jones (Joe) and Jan Clark (Aaron). Pallbearers were nephews. 

 

Frances C. Hartwig
Cullman
A graveside funeral service and interment for Frances C. Hartwig, 81, was held Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Flint Creek Cemetery in Vinemont, with Greg Cain officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Hartwig died Monday, December 19, 2022 at Summerford Nursing Home. She was born September 20, 1941, in Cullman County, to Odis Monroe Chambers and Gertrue Frances Burns Chambers. She was employed doing abstract and title work for Fidelity- First National Financial Title Service, prior to her retirement. She attended Promiseland Church in Hartselle and loved her children and especially her grandchildren
with all of her heart. Her parents preceded her in death. Survivors include sons, Bryan Cain (Michele) and Greg Cain (Cindy); four grandchildren, Chris Cain (Jana), Amanda Robinson (Taylor), Grace Williams (Andrew) and Hope Lackey (Tyler); five great-grandchildren,
Wilder, Sawyer, Olivia, Wyatt and Elijah. 

 

Michael Ray Higdon 

Hartselle 

A funeral service for Michael Ray Higdon, 64, was held Thursday, December 22, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home with Bro. Harold Coomer officiating and burial at Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church. Mr. Higdon died Sunday. December 18, 2022, at his home. He was born March 30, 1958, in Morgan County to Howard Richard Higdon and Helen Faye Miller. He was a self-employed electrician and could play any instrument you handed him. Well known in the music community, Mike and his sister Rhonda travelled in their younger years singing as “Mike and Rhonda Higdon.” He was a husband, stepfather, brother, grandfather, uncle, and lover of all things music. He was preceded in death by parents, Howard Richard and Helen Faye Higdon; wife, Teresa Holmes Higdon and brother Wayne Higdon. Survivors include wife, Karen Gilchrist Higdon; two stepdaughters, Megan Tucker (William) and Heather Owens (Harrel); stepson, Chad Childers; two sisters, Rhonda Higdon and Sandra Goodwin (Anthony); step grandson, Hudson Tucker; two nephews, Christopher Higdon (Kelley) and Chad Collins; niece, Robin Brewer (Mark.) Pallbearers were Chad Collins, Christopher Higdon, Mark Brewer, Ben Higdon, Levi Higdon, Jake Higdon and David Higdon.  

 

 

 

Sandra Kay Aubin
Decatur
A memorial service for Sandra Kay Aubin, 69, was held Friday, December 23, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Son Rise Fellowship Church at Moulton with Bro. Wendell Owens officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Mrs. Aubin passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Decatur Morgan Hospital.  She was born June 5, 1953, in Augusta, Ga., to Virgil Arnold Brittain and Geneva Nadine Copeland Brittain. She was employed in the Fan Factory, prior to her retirement. She was a member of Son Rise Fellowship Church. Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother: Robert Thomas Brittain. Survivors include husband, Richard Leonard Aubin; son, Eddie Lee Preslar; two daughters, Stacey Renee Scroggins (Rhonda) and Lisa Lavone Preslar (Jason); two sisters, Wilma Holloman and Gloria Diann Baird (John); two grandchildren, Shelby Nicole Stark and Hailie Jade Stark.  

 

Terry Schmitt
Falkville
Funeral service for Terry Schmitt, 86, was held Monday, December 26, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was held in Bell Springs Cemetery. Mr. Schmitt died Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. He was born May 27, 1936, in Tennessee, to Herbert Conrad Schmitt and Minnie Bell Graham Schmitt. He was employed by Branch Motors as a truckdriver, prior to his retirement. He was a “die hard” teamster (union for truckdrivers), loved baseball and was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Preceding him in death were his parents, a daughter, Terie Lietz and a grandson, Joshua. Survivors include wife, Betty Reed Schmitt; sons, Brian Schmitt and Anthony Schmitt; sister, Pat Hodges; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers were family and friends. 

 

Mary Frances Johnson Pope 

Falkville 

Funeral service for Mary Frances Johnson Pope was held Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 11 a.m. in the Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Paul Lawler, Bro. Mike Pope, Bro. Keith Pope and Bro. Jeff Pope officiating with Peck Funeral directing. Burial was in Eulaton UMC Cemetery in Anniston, Ala. Frances was born in Anniston on August 14, 1934 and went to her heavenly reward on December 20, 2022 at Summerford Nursing Home in Falkville. She was 88 years old. She graduated from Oxford High School in Calhoun County in 1952. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irvin and Eula Johnson and her husband of 55 years, Rev. Clark Pope. Clark was a faithful gospel preacher and pastored several Methodist churches in north Alabama. Mrs. Pope is survived by her four children, Mike Pope (Susan), Keith Pope (Cindy), Jeff Pope (Leah) and daughter Melissa Lawler (Paul.)  She has 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Frances was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and a godly mother. For more than 40 years she was the perfect pastor’s wife. She was a stay-at-home mother who was devoted to her children. Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise up and call her blessed…” Her grandsons served as pallbearers. 

 

Alfred Webb Langston 

Hartselle 

Alfred Webb Langston passed away peacefully December 22, 2022, at his home in Hartselle surrounded by his loving family. Fred was born on December 18, 1937, to D.O. and Pearl Holleman Langston in Ashville, Ala. He was the fifth and last child with four older sisters. Fred graduated from Asheville High School in 1956. He graduated from Samford University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and then from Samford University’s School of Pharmacy. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. Fred married Joan Elrod in 1964 and they had two sons, Grant Holleman and David Webb. The Langstons moved to Hartselle in 1969 and Fred was a pharmacist in Hartselle for more than 45 years. Fred was a part owner of Gilchrist Pharmacy for many years and thoroughly enjoyed the interactions and friendships that he developed through the years. It was not uncommon for Fred to get up in the middle of the night to fill a prescription for someone in need. He retired in 2014 but still enjoyed the many friendships he developed through the years. Fred is predeceased by his parents and sisters Jere Simpson, Wilma Shine and a host of loving family members. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Joan Langston, who still lives in their home in Hartselle. He is also survived by his son Grant (Catie) of Los Angeles, Calif. and his son David (Jan) of Hartselle. He also leaves his grandchildren Andrew Holden (Lexi), Ryan David, Elizabeth Pearl, Ethan Dempsey and a great grandson, Jackson Webb. Fred has two remaining sisters that survive him, Grace Battles (Uncle Rooney) of Ashville, Ala., and Nell Bain (Gene) of Tyler, Texas. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Fred’s family was very important to him and he was very proud of his sons and his grandchildren. Fred was a long time, faithful member of First Methodist church of Hartselle, and he had a deep and abiding faith in God and in Jesus Christ. He taught a men’s Sunday school class there for many years. Fred was the remaining patriarch of the Langston family and was a steady presence for many years. His family will miss him tremendously. A memorial service will be held for Mr. Langston on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 1 p.m. at First Methodist Church of Hartselle. In lieu of flowers the family would request that a gift be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Hartselle First Methodist Church or to Hospice of the Valley. The family would like to express a special thanks to Hospice of the Valley.

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PowerGrid Services in Hartselle evacuated for bomb threat

Morgan County

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20 under 40: Spencer Bell

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20 under 40: Shelby Keenum

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20 under 40: Maggie McKelvey

Decatur

20 under 40: Maegan Jones

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20 under 40: Lindsey Tapscott

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‘He lets us have sex’: More details emerge on Hartselle man accused of child exploitation 

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Hartselle church creates Easter-themed escape rooms 

Danville

Family tradition: State livestock show legacy spans generations

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Baseball for Beau: More than $8k raised for scholarship named after Hartselle child  

Falkville

20 under 40: Lela Weeks

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20 under 40: Kalleigh Thomas

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Hartselle

Veteran Hartselle firefighter charged with possessing child porn

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Cerrowire expansion named finalist in Business Alabama Awards  

At a Glance

Work begins on repairing two bridges over I-65 in Morgan County in coming weeks

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Tickets for Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame banquet available

Falkville

Morgan County volunteers celebrated at annual fire department banquet 

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Man jailed for stealing car from jail after earlier release 

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Police: Hartselle man encouraged children to have sex inside his apartment

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