Obituaries week of July 12

Cecil Howard Turner 

Decatur 

On June 29, 2023, Cecil Howard Turner peacefully passed away, summoned to his heavenly abode by our Lord and Savior, after bravely battling a prolonged illness. Cecil was born on November 20, 1940, in Roswell, New Mexico, to the late Cecil C. Turner and Nora Ella Sharp Turner.  

Cecil served his country with honor and dedication, proudly enlisting in the United States Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963. Following his military service, he embarked on a successful career and eventually retired from Wolverine Tube. Cecil was a devoted member of Decatur Methodist Church, where his faith and love for God were evident to all who knew him. 

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Thomas Michael Turner, his daughter Gayla Turner Bailey, his stepmother Hilda Champion Turner, and stepbrother Mike Champion. Although he has left this earthly realm, his memory will forever be cherished by those who remain. 

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 61 years, Jo Ann Sivley Turner, who stood by his side through thick and thin. Cecil’s legacy lives on through his daughter, Robin Turner Higdon, and her husband Michael, who have treasured memories of their time together. Cecil was a devoted grandfather to his granddaughters Brooke Higdon Spearman (Ben), Bryn Higdon, Julie Bailey Means (Will), Jodie Bailey Scheffler (Sam), and his grandson Braxton Higdon. His great-granddaughter Charlotte Means brought him immeasurable joy and delight. Cecil is also survived by his niece Mollie Turner Baldwin, sisters-in-law Linda Turner and Sandra Little, and stepsisters Lori Weeks (Roger), Connie Perry (Tommy), and Gayle Jacobs (Larry). 

In memory of Cecil’s life and the love he shared, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley at P.O. Box 2745, Decatur, AL 35602, Decatur Methodist Church at 701 Oak Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601, the Dementia Society of America, or any preferred charity of choice. 

The funeral service to honor Cecil Howard Turner was held at Decatur Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 1 p.m. Rev. Jack Lovelace, Rev. Mark Haines, and Rev. Ronald Manly officiated the service, providing solace and guidance to those in mourning. Following the service, Cecil was laid to rest at Center Springs Methodist Church in Somerville. 

During the funeral proceedings, Cecil was honored by pallbearers Bill Brazelton, Jim Callahan, Hoyt Condra, Braxton Higdon, Will Means, Sam Scheffler and Ben Spearman.  

 

Barbara Sue Looney Hamilton 

Decatur 

Barbara Sue Looney Hamilton, beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at her residence. She was 61 years old. 

Barbara was born on June 18, 1962, in Morgan County to Raymond Looney and Stella Garrison Looney. She grew up in a loving family, and her compassionate nature was evident from an early age. Barbara was a devoted member of Fellowship Baptist Church, where she found solace and strength in her faith. She had a heart for helping people, always willing to lend a hand to those in need. 

Barbara’s devotion extended to her own family, whom she cherished deeply. She leaves behind her loving husband, Michael Hamilton, who stood by her side throughout their journey together. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter and shared memories. Their union was blessed with two children, a son, Samuel Jacob Hamilton and a daughter, April Leighan Hamilton. Barbara’s children were the pride and joy of her life, and she poured her heart into raising them with love and guidance. 

In addition to her husband and children, Barbara is survived by her sister, Wilma Ann Cavanaugh, sister-in-law, Judy Looney, and brother-in-law, Jerry Quillen. She will also be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Kris Mason, Willie Campbell, Katie Mya Mason, Damarow Campbell, and Marvin Bolden (MJ). Barbara’s presence in their lives brought warmth, wisdom, and unwavering support. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Stella Looney, as well as her brother, Charles Wayne Looney, and three sisters, Linda Fay Quillen, Betty Jo McGregor and Dorthy Louise Barnett. 

The funeral service to honor Barbara’s life was held on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Tony Riley officiated the service, offering words of comfort and solace to all who gathered to pay their respects. The burial took place in the serene Ebenezer Cemetery in Morgan County. 

Pallbearers, who had the privilege of carrying Barbara to her final resting place, were Kris Mason, Willie Campbell, Tommy Mason, Clay Mayo, Tommy McGregor, and Alex Wilt.  

  

Carolyn O. Toney 

Somerville  

Carolyn O. Toney, a beloved resident of Somerville, passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2023, at the age of 74. She was born on April 30, 1949, in Morgan County to Ellie Red and Iva Ivy Oden. Carolyn was a lifelong resident of Morgan County and dedicated much of her life to her family, career and community. 

Carolyn worked as a production manager for Delphi prior to her retirement. She was known for her hard work and dedication to her profession. Outside of her career, Carolyn had a passion for gardening, cooking, and reading. She found solace and joy in cultivating beautiful plants, preparing delicious meals for her loved ones, and diving into the pages of a good book. Carolyn was also a faithful member of the Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church.  

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ellie Red and Iva Ivy Oden, as well as her brothers, Charles E. Oden and John L. Oden, and her sister, Iva Nell Douglas.   

She is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, John B. Toney, who supported her throughout their marriage. Carolyn’s legacy lives on through her children: son Jason G. Day, stepson Caleb B. Toney (Michelle), daughter Leslie D. Schultz (Scott), stepdaughters Denise Yarbrough and Katherine Toney, and sister Rita Ann Oden Harvell. Carolyn was a cherished grandmother to Rainey Day, Henry Schultz, Nathan Helms, Lexie Orr, Emily Cole, Jacob Day, John (Clay) Toney, and Elijah Toney. 

The graveside service for Carolyn O. Toney was held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Forman Cemetery. Father Merrill and Father Deering officiated the service. 

Honoring Carolyn’s memory, the pallbearers for her service will be Tim Brockwell, David Toney, Verlie Benefield, David Harvell, Marc Kirkland, and Ben Toney. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Carolyn’s name to St. Jude’s Hospital. 

 

Johnny McDonald

Vinemont

Funeral service for Johnny McDonald, 83, was held July 6, 2023 at
11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Duke officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was at Piney Grove Cemetery. Mr. McDonald died on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Huntsville Hospital.  He was born Tuesday, October 24, 1939, in Morgan County to William Riston McDonald and Myrtle Ann Sullivan McDonald.

Mr. McDonald began his career working as a machine operator for Automatic
Screw then for Fruehauf.  From there until 1992 he was employed by A & E
Inc. After working at A & E Inc., Mr. McDonald and his two sons Johnny Jr.
and Jimmy started a business named JM Door Corp. There they all would work
side by side until the business sold in 2008. In 1971, Mr. McDonald with wife Rosalie made their dream come true.  They purchased a farm in Vinemont. There they had chicken houses where they raised broiler and layers until the year 2000.  Along with the chicken
business, Mr. McDonald loved to raise, buy and sell deer.  The farm
eventually became known as JM Deer Farm. Mr. McDonald loved to hunt. He,
his sons, grandsons and son-in-law gathered many times over the years at
their tree stands for a day of hunting, when actually they were having great
bonding sessions.
Johnny and his wife Rosalie who preceded him in death were married for 63
years.  Also preceding him in death were his parents, William Riston
McDonald, and Myrtle Ann Sullivan McDonald, Son, James (Jimmy) McDonald,
Brother, William R. McDonald Jr., Sister, Janice Dianne Davis.  Grandson,
Jay McDonald, Great-Grandson, Jack Johnson.  Brother-in-law Gary Busby,
sister-in-law Ernestine McDonald, great-granddaughter, Jayci Howard Evans,
daughter-in-law, Nadine McDonald.

Survivors include, son Johnny McDonald, Jr.; daughters Cindy Goodwin and Myra Powell; one brother James W. McDonald; sisters Sandra Miller, Charlotte Busby and Susan Minor. Six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Mike Minor, Mike Tipton, Joe Pirkle, Lindy Hampton, Johnny Laney and Cody Hampton. 

 

Lisa Wilcutt
Hartselle

Funeral service for Lisa Wilcutt, 62, was July 5, 2023 at
11:30 a.m. at graveside at Mt. Tabor Cemetery with family with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.  Ms. Wilcutt passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at her residence.  She was born August 19, 1960, in Morgan County, to John Norman Puckett and Doris Margean Howard Puckett. Lisa was a teacher for Crestline Elementary School in the Hartselle City
School System, prior to her retirement. She loved her students and loved
teaching them science and math, which were her favorite subjects.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Phillip Norman Penn and
her first husband Byron Penn. Survivors include son, Matthew Penn; daughter Christy Penn; sisters Teresa McGhee and Shelia Parker; grandchild Byron Norman Penn. Pallbearers will be family and friends.  

 

William B. Wallace
Hartselle

Mr. William B. Wallace, 75, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at Floyd
“Tutt” Fann Veterans Home.  He was born on December 17, 1947, in South
Weymouth, Massachusetts, to James E. Wallace and Elsie Cookson Wallace. He was a police detective and officer for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, prior to his retirement. He served his country as a United States Marine in the Vietnam War. Mr. Wallace was a loving husband, father and provider and had a good sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carolyn Stone. Survivors include his wife Becky Wise Wallace; son Kevin Johnson; nieces Kim Wallace (Phil) and Marci Goldman (Stephen); nephew Jimmy Stone; great nieces and nephews Mackenzie Goldman, Erica Wallace, Christopher Wallace, Bobby Heighton and Sam Stone. No services are scheduled at this time. 

 

Sue Hawkins 

Hartselle 

Funeral service for Sue Hawkins, 75, was held Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery in Marshall County. Mrs. Hawkins died on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at her residence. She was born July 31, 1947, in Morgan County, to John Ben Brinkley and Bessie Lois Oden Brinkley. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, who never met a stranger. She was a member of the Soul Harbor Baptist Church and she loved flowers especially roses. She was employed by General Motors as a Machine Operator, prior to her retirement. Preceding her in death were her husband, Ray Hawkins; parents, John and Bessie Brinkley; son, Johnathan Gaylon Garrison; and a granddaughter, Hannah Suggs. Survivors include her son, James Garrison; daughter, Stephanie Suggs (Jamie); sisters, Margie Melson and Bobbie Millwood; four grandchildren, Caleb Suggs, Hailee Suggs, Adam Garrison and Jennifer Cobbs; two great-grandchildren, Kaden Cobbs and Nash Suggs. Pallbearers will be Adam Garrison, Caleb Suggs, Elton Johnson, Kaden Cobbs and other family and friends. 

  

James “Jim” Edward Lawson 
 
Hartselle 
 
Funeral service for James “Jim” Edward Lawson, 72, was held Saturday, July 8,
2023 at 3 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. R.B.  Chandler
officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Oak Ridge
Cemetery.  Mr. Lawson died on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at his residence.  He was born May 7, 1951, in Whitley County, Kentucky, to Eugene Lawson and Goldie
Cordelia Prewitt Lawson. He was a member of the VFW, was an Atlanta Braves fan, an Alabama Football fan, an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his family, especially his
granddaughter and his family always came first. He was a father to many and
was known as Papaw and Poppie-Jim to the little ones and he loved their
visits. He was employed with General Electric as a machine operator, prior
to his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his wife Christine Lawson, a daughter Jami
McNutt and his parents.
Survivors include, daughter Kimberly Alexander (Charles), son-in-law Christopher McNutt, brothers Elmer Lawson, Walter Lawson (Donna) and Roy Lawson (Freda);
sisters Gail Owens (Henry), Lois Lawson; granddaughter Victoria McNutt.
Pallbearers will be family and friends. 

 

Wilda Louise Jackson
Hartselle

Funeral service for Wilda Louise Jackson, 86, was held Saturday, July 8, 2023
at 2 p.m. at East Highland Baptist Church with Bro. Walter Blackman, Andy
Ward and Keith Jackson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.  Burial
will be in Hartselle City Cemetery. Mrs. Jackson passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Summerford Nursing Home.  She was born November 3, 1936, in Morgan County, to James Leslie Willis and Margarite Elizabeth Oden Willis.

Mrs. Jackson was a loving wife, mother and friend to all, throughout her
life. She was a Baptist and was active with the Happy Highlanders and was
involved in other activities at East Highland Baptist Church, where she had
been a member for many years.  She loved to travel.
Preceding her in death were her husband Ralph Jackson, her grandsons
Anthony and Joey Ward, her parents, a sister Bessie Wray and a brother
Buddy Willis.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to East
Highland Baptist Church.

Survivors include her sons Jimmy Jackson (Lisa), Keith Jackson (Lori); daughters Janet Berryman, Patricia Jackson Ward (Tony), Susan Closson (Tim), Stacy Burns (Brian). Pallbearers will be Jamey Jackson, Tler Burns, Tim Segars, Wes Stipe, Tyler
Berry and Hunter Ward.Honorary Pallbearers will be Fletcher Burns, Layton Lewis and Lawson Lewis.
 

 

Jean Ruley

Hartselle

Funeral service for T. Jean Ruley, 91, was held Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at
1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Chris Staub officiating and
Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle City Cemetery.
Mrs. Ruley died on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at her residence.  She was born
December 31, 1931, in Lodgepole, Nebraska, to Oscar Rhine and Flora May
Adams Rhine.  She was employed by Bergan Mercy Hospital as a Surgical Scrub
Technician, prior to her retirement. She was a member of Sovereign Grace
Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her husband James Ruley, her parents, daughter:
Patsy White, son Bruce Brauer, stepdaughters: Mary Lou Sinclair, Barbara
Ann Allen, Dorothy Charest and stepson James Ruley, Jr., brothers: Lloyd
Rhine and Edward Rhine, and sisters Dorothy Spotts, Arwanna Fisher and
Charlotte Ruley. Survivors include son, Keith Ruley; daughters Wanda Santos (David, Sr.); Donnallee Prior and Pamela Staub (Chris); sister Marie Sain, 25 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren.
 

 

Timothy D. Hollaway

Hartselle

Funeral service for Timothy D. Hollaway, 61, of Hartselle was Tuesday,
July 11, 2023, at 3 pm at Peck Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Hollaway, who died on Saturday July 8, 2023, at his home in Hartselle was born October 5, 1961, in Morgan County. He loved his dogs and was previously employed by Bentley Pontiac in Huntsville as a mechanic. His
father William Darrell Hollaway preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Charlotte S. Hollaway and a brother, Rodger D. Hollaway and a grandchild, Cordelia Jenkins. David Starr, Daniel Alvis, Daniel Hopper, Gene Roper and Jon Durand will
serve as pallbearers. 

 

Claude A. Anders 

Hartselle 

Claude A. Anders, age 92, passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at his residence. He was born on December 31, 1930, in Morgan County, to the late John Forrest Anders and Alma Christine Murphree. 

Claude was a man of many talents and accomplishments. He dedicated his working years to Dunlop Tire Company, where he contributed to the production of tires. Additionally, he was the esteemed Founder of Anders Machine Shop and also pursued a fulfilling career as a farmer. Claude served his country with pride as a United States Army Veteran, bravely fighting in the Korean War. He was a man of faith and was a devoted member of the Baptist church. Claude was an active Mason at Nunn-Oden Lodge, embodying the values of brotherhood and service. 

 Claude was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret Lorene Holmes Anders, his parents, John Forrest Anders and Alma Christine Murphree, his brother James Anders, his sister Rachel Ransom, and his grandson Brandon Crocker. 

He leaves behind a loving and cherished family, including his wife, Lois Jena Arnold Anders. Claude will forever be remembered by his sons: Mike Anders (Keli), Kenneth Anders, David Anders (Melissa), and Danny Anders (Rhonda). He is also survived by his brother, Danny Anders (Rhonda), and daughter, Kay Anders Crocker (Brac). His memory will be treasured by his brother, Bobby Anders, and sisters: Doris Jernigan, Marietta Johnson, Patricia Pettus (Don), and Gloria Brown (Buddy). 

Claude’s legacy extends to his 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His grandsons, Brandon Hendrix, Brackett Crocker, Jr., Forrest Anders, Lane Anders, Tyler Anders, and Caleb Anders will have the honor of serving as pallbearers during the funeral service. 

The funeral service, officiated by Bro. A. Ray Lee, was held July 11 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel, with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will take place in Herring Cemetery. 

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