~ Obituaries ~
1891
A Tribute of Respect
Whereas it has pleased an Alwise Creator to Remove from our Midst our esteemed brother Wm H. BRASHER who died on the first day of Apr in his 70th year and while wee bow to the will of our heavenly father who doeth all things well yet we feel wee have sustained a great loss therefore be it
Resolved [...] that in the death of Brother Wm H. BRASHER dailey Alliance No 705 Realizes that it has lost a useful and exemplary member one who was ever true and loyal to the interest of the order and one whom we knew to be an affectionate Husband and Father and a kind and conscientious friend and neighbor be it further
Resolved that he was also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years and was a true believer of the word of God be it further
Resolved that he also belonged to the Masonic fraternity for 37 years and was ever true to the order be it further
Resolved that he had not dranked a dram of Whiskey in 44 years
Resolved that our heartfelt sympathies are hereby extended to the Berieved family of our departed Brother and as a token of our esteem to his memory a page in our Minute book be dedicated to the commemeration of his death by having these Resolutions recorded thereon and that a coppy be furnished his family and one to the Alabama Alliance Herald also to the weekly News for Publication.
~ J.L. FOWLER
~ D.H. FOWLER
~ Henry BRASHER
~ J.H. BRASHER
~ J.W. DOBBS
Committee
Source:
Handwritten "coppy" of tribute in family papers. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 30 Jul 2006.
Note: W.H. "Billy" Brasher was buried at Zion Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayette County. The dates on his headstone read: Mar 19, 1821 - Apr 1, 1891.
1897
Mr. Wash STROTHER died Monday at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. J.A. JINKINS, at the advanced age of 88 years. He was one of Fayette county's best citizens.
Note: George W. Strother lived in Fayette County from before 1840 until his death. His place of burial is unknown. His daughter Martha (1849-1899) and her husband, James A. Jenkins, were buried at Bethlehem Methodist Church Cemetery, so perhaps "Wash" was interred there as well.
1901
Perhaps you would not object to a few lines from this side of the creek, Mr. Editor. / On the evening of the 7th inst two burials occurred the same hour at Mt. Pleasant church. The remains of Miss Carrie GRAY and Mrs. Leonard KIZZIRE were deposited in our country church-yard, side by side, on the same day and the same hour, Rev. G.H. WHITE officiating at the burial of Miss GRAY, and Rev. HOSMER conducted the service over the remains of Mrs. KIZZIRE. The bereaved families have the sincere sympathy of this entire community. / S.M. KIZZIRE, who has a position at the Insane Hospital, has returned to his post at Tuscaloosa.
Source:
"Sipsey Dots," Fayette Banner, 14 Feb 1901. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 17 Apr 2006.
Note: Miss Gray and Mrs. Kizzire reportedly were buried "side by side" at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, yet no inscribed headstone marks either grave there.
1904
The subject of this notice, to wit Elder M.J. ABERNATHY, departed this life August the 5, 1904, being about 93 years old and having been a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church about 70 years and having labored in the ministry about 66 years. Bro. ABERNATHY came from Georgia to this country and has bin here as long as the writer of this sketch can remember. And we feel that we speak the sentiments of the entire boddy of this association when we say that in all things, he was faithful and ernest, contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. In all his long life, if there was ever a charge against him either in church or state, the writer has no knowledge of it. So we can say, as David did at the grave of Abner, know ye that a great man is falen this day. So we say to the sorrowing ones, weep not. Bro. ABERNATHY has gone home.
~ Elder C.H. DAVIS
~ Elder G.W. BERRY
Source:
Handwitten copy of obituary in family papers. Contributed by Susan Holt, 25 Feb 2006.
Note: Rev. Miles J. Abernathy was buried at Old Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Fayette County. The dates on his headstone read: Mar 3, 1811 - Aug 5, 1904.
1913
On January 10th 1913, the spirit of Mrs. Martha A. POE took its homeward flight. She had been in failing healty for several years, and owing to her advanced age, her loved ones and friends were not altogether unprepared for the end.
She was born in 1832, was married to J.T. POE in 1852, was the loving mother of five children, only two of whom remain to mourn her death.
Sister POE joined Concord Church September 23, 1852, and lived a consistent Christian life for fifty-one years. She was faithful to her church, and ever ready to perform her duties as a Christian. God saw fit to call her from among us. Her remains were laid to rest in Concord Cemetery on January 11, in the presence of many sorrowing relatives and friends, the funeral
service being conducted by Revs. L.R. HALLMAN and J.J. PATTERSON.
Her voice is hushed, but her work will follow on. May God’s Spirit comfort the.
Note: "My records show Martha A. Poe was born 3 Dec 1832 ... [She] was the mother of Phebie M. Poe, 1st wife of my grandfather James Andrew Hinton. They had two daughters: Amanda Arstrilla "Trillie" Hinton married Joseph Lester "Pat" Patterson; Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hinton married George Harve Patterson, brother of Pat. James Andrew Hinton married 2nd to Hattie Bell Norman and had four children, the last one being my mother Ressie Lee (Hinton) Frazier." ~ Lorene
1978
Name:
SAWYER, Emily Frances
Birth:
["age 75" ~ DOB not provided]
Death:
21 Jan 1978 at Fayette County Hospital in Fayette, AL
Burial:
Cleveland Church of Christ Cemetery in Fayette Co., AL
Survivors:
One daughter: Gaynell JOHNSTON of Bankston, AL; two sons: James Thomas SAWYER of Bossier City, LA, and Hubert SAWYER of Berry, AL; two sisters: Mrs. Verna WEST of Jasper, AL, and Mrs. Merty BOWEN of Bessemer, AL; three brothers: Hulon LOWERY [sic] of Mobile, AL, George A. LOWERY [sic] of Bankston, and Robert LOWERY [sic] of Nashville, TN; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
In life:
[No details provided]
Source:
Loose newspaper clipping dated 26 Jan 1978. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 15 Mar 2008.
Note: Emily LOWREY (not LOWERY) was born to James Monroe LOWREY & Barbara Allen BRANDENBURG on 07 Feb 1902. She was the wife of Verris Henry SAWYER.
1979
Military services for Sgt. Thomas D. PINION Jr., age 26, were held November 3, 1979, at 11 a.m. at Norwood Chapel in Fayete, Alabama. Ministers were Rev. Sidney MURPHY and Rev. John F. WILSON. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Berry, Alabama. Sgt. Pinion of Ft.Carson, Colorado, died Oct. 27, 1979, in Angleton, Texas, from an automobile accident. He was born July 28, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. He had lived in Chalmette, Louisana, and was a member of the Chalmette Baptist Church. He was a Sgt. in the U.S. Army for the past six years. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Janet M. PINION, two daughters, Lisa and Terrie PINION, all of Ft. Carson, Colo.; his parents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. PINION Sr. of Fayette, Alabama, and Mrs. Billy HANKS of Morgan City, La.; four sisters, Miss Tracey PINION of Fayette, Alabama, Mrs. Bobby CUVILLIER of Homa, La., Mrs. Jimmy D. CANNON of Berry, Ala., Mrs. Robert BEARD of Chalmette, La.; paternal grandparents are Mr.and Mrs. Virgil PINION of Berry, Ala.; maternal grandmother, Mrs. A.V. DORROUGH; three nephews and three nieces and close friends, Mr and Mrs. K.C. WALTERS and family of Chalmette, La.
Source:
Memorial Obituary (A tribute published in the pages of Fayette County Broadcaster,
Fayette, AL, 08 Nov 1979).
Contributed by Rhonda Smith Gay (Sgt. Pinion's niece), 26 Jan 2005.
2004
Name:
BLACK, Jack
Parents:
James Spencer BLACK & Ruth SIDES Birth:
21 Oct 1925 in Cordova, Walker Co., AL Death:
31 Aug 2004 at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL
Burial:
Heritage Memorial Gardens in Fayette, Fayette Co., AL
Survivors:
Wife, Margaret (ALEXANDER) BLACK of Fayette, AL; daughter, Claire (BLACK) WILSON of Tuscaloosa, AL; grandson, Alexander Black WILSON of Tuscaloosa; and sister, Hilda (BLACK) BROWN, and her husband, Rex, of Cordova
In life:
Served in World War II; graduated from University of Alabama; started radio station WWWF in Fayette and served as station manager for nearly 40 years; received numerous awards for his lifelong achievements in civic affairs and the fine arts
Source:
Daily Mountain Eagle, Jasper, AL (online), 01 Sep 2004
* * *
Name:
SMITH, Mae Jewell McGuff
Parents:
Sam HARDESTY & Elzada BIRCHEAT
Birth:
09 Jan 1933
Death:
23 Dec 2004 in Fayette, Fayette Co., AL
Burial:
Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayette Co., AL
Survivors:
Three sons: James E., James W., and William T. McGUFF, all of Fayette; five daughters: Emma Dean NICHOLS, Mary A. HARRIS, Jeanette ZOLMAN, Mae Lou Ann COOK, and Tonia Kay DODD, all of Fayette; one brother, Bobby WATKINS, of Fayette; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren
In life:
[No details provided]
Source:
Loose newspaper clipping. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 26 Mar 2008.
2006Catherine Patterson Skoglund
Name:
SKOGLUND, Catherine Patterson
Parents:
W.C. PATTERSON & Sarah Alta WEAVER Birth:
07 Jun 1920 in Fayette County Death:
01 Oct 2006 at Fayette Medical Center Long Term Care in Fayette, Fayette Co., AL
Burial:
Fayette Memorial Gardens in Fayette, AL
Survivors:
Daughter, Greta {SKOGLUND) BEAUCHAMP, and her husband, Rex, of Fayette; granddaughters, Mary (BEAUCHAMP) LAWHORN, and husband, Joshua, of Tuscaloosa, and Elizabeth (BEAUCHAMP) SHELTON, and her husband, Andy, of Birmingham; and one great-granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth SHELTON, of Birmingham.
In life:
Raised in Fayette and graduated from Fayette County High School; attended The University of Alabama; taught school briefly in Hubbertville, AL, and in Portland, OR; resided in Guin, AL, for 50 years; member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Guin; active in youth mentoring and civic work; former small business owner and government employee; preceded in death by her husband, William F. SKOGLUND, in 2004 and two infant sons.
Source:
Funeral notice. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 21 Nov 2006.
2008Willie C. Godfrey
Willie C. "Bill" GODFREY, 80, went to be with his wonderful Lord and Savior, at 9:45 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2008 with his family at his side. Willie C. was born at Belk in Fayette Co., AL, to James Albert and Ethel May PRICE GODFREY, on December 29, 1927. His passing leaves behind a host of family and friends. He graduated High School in Vernon, AL, class of 1945, and was a graduate of Howard College in Birmingham Alabama, where he received a degree in Music. He was a very talented playing the piano and singing. He lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico for many years, and most recently in Rio Rancho, NM. Bill's greatest joy was his Lord, his family, his friends and his dogs. He served in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, CA. He was an ordained minister of the Gospel and served many years as Music Director in his church. He worked in Television and Advertising for many years. Bill was married to the love of his life, Gwyn Ellen SHERMAN GODFREY, in Enid, Oklahoma. They were married November 23, 1947, almost 57 years before she preceded him in death. Other family members who preceded him in death are, his parents, three brothers, Hubert (Hettie), Franklin (Addine), and James Roy (Armetta) GODFREY, four sisters, Addie Lou MOORE (Charlie), Effie Mae TRULL (Gray), Mary Ruth PEDDICORD (Ed) and Ratha GODFREY. Surviving Bill are two sons, James Andrew GODFREY (Sue) and Michael Wilson GODFREY (Pam), Albuquerque, NM, two daughters, Melissa Jane ALA (Wally), Edgewood, NM and Suzanne Charmaigne ZAHN (Tahoe), Rio Rancho, NM. There are seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends in Lamar and Fayette Co., Alabama and Lowndes Co., Mississippi. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 2 pm at Meadow Branch Baptist Church in Lamar County, AL just north of Kennedy. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.
Source:
The Lamar Democrat, 12 Mar 2008.
Written/contributed by Helen Moore Webster (Mr. Godfrey's niece), 08 Mar 2008.