Obituaries for Sunday
Gary "Ragan" Alford, New Orleans, La.
Ruth Burgess, Anniston
Brandon Shawn Campbell, Munford
W.L. "Bo" Cates, Anniston
Evie Esters, Heflin
James Franklin "Jim" Estes, Birmingham
Kara Ledrue "Drue" Diggs Gravlee, Birmingham
John C. Hall Sr., Ohatchee
Victoria Vice Mintz "Tob", Glencoe
William Mitchell "Bill" Potts, Calhoun, Ga.
Laura Lee Nelson Steinbrook, Anniston
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Gary "Ragan" Alford, 51, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Northshore Regional Hospital in Slidell, Louisiana. He is survived by his mother, Doris Striplin Alford, of Anniston, Ala.; one uncle, Tom Striplin, of Ft Lauderdale, Fla.; aunts: Betty Jane (husband Roger) Landers, of Bowdon, Ga., Mary Nell (husband Ray) Powers, of Carrollton, Ga.; cousins, Thomas (wife Frances) Wright, of Anniston, Ala.; and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Perry C. Alford; aunts, Maurine Striplin and Margaret Johnson; and one uncle, Wayne Alford. A native of Anniston, Ala., a resident of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., for 16 years, and a longtime resident of New Orleans, Mr. Alford held degrees in Business and Computer Engineering from Delgado Community College in New Orleans, The University of New Orleans, The University of Tennessee, and had attended Tulane University in New Orleans. Graveside Funeral services will be at Tyus Baptist Church Cemetery in Carrollton, Ga., on Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 11 a.m. eastern time, 10 a.m. central time. Memorial gifts may be made to the Tyus Baptist Church. Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, La.
ANNISTON — Memorial service for Ruth Burgess, 89, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at Gray Brown-Service Chapel with The Rev. Andy Lambert officiating. Their will be a private Enurnment with the family at Forestlawn Gardens. Mrs. Burgess died Friday, August 1, 2008, at NHC.
Survivors include one son; Wayne Burgess and wife, Carol of Merritt Island, FL; two grandsons, Barton Burgess and Clinton Burgess and wife, Lisa both of Merritt Island, FL; two great-grandchildren; Cline Burgess and Stacie Burgess. Mrs. Burgess was a life long resident of Anniston, and a member of 1st Baptist of McClellan. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. (256) 236-3441
MUNFORD — Funeral services for Infant Brandon Shawn Campbell will be 2 p.m. Monday, August 4, 2008, at Church of Christ in Munford. Visitation will be at the church 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to service. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Munford. He died Friday, August 1, 2008, in Birmingham.
Survivors include his parents; Kayla and Wesley Campbell of Munford; grandparents; Jerry and Dianna Brown of Munford and Reba Dean of Oxford. Jeff Campbell of Canton, Michigan, great-grandparents; Marie Chambeless of Canton, Michigan; Mable Rager of Munford and Mildred Williams of Oxford.
Pallbearers will be Brad Dolan and Derick Rager. Usrey Funeral Home in Talladega is in charge of arrangements.
ANNISTON — Funeral services for Mr. W.L. "Bo" Cates, 68, will be 2 p.m. Monday, August 4, 2008, at Gray Brown-Service Mortuary. Burial will follow at Coldwater Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Cates passed away Friday at Stringfellow Hospital.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Nadine Denham Cates; one son, Gerry Cates and wife, Jean of Alexandria; one grandson, Tim "Scooter" Cates and girlfriend, Cynthia Waites of Saks; two sisters, Faye Hawk of Mt. Dora, FL and Bettie Davis of Clam Gulch, AK; one brother, David Cates of Rowlette, Texas; a special aunt, Marcell "Aunt Dot" Wright of Columbus, MS; several nieces and nephews; and he was Paw Paw to Misty Chastain Thacker and Melissa Chastain. Mr. Cates is preceded in death by his parents, W.L. Cates, Sr. and Anna Lou Cates.
Pallbearers will be Kenneth O'Dell, Stephen Thacker, Ronald White, Cary Roberts, Barry O'Dell, and Michael Hanvey. Mr. Cates was raised in Greenwood, MS and worked for many years at Union Foundry. He retired from Honeywell/AOD. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. (256) 236-3441.
HEFLIN — Funeral services for Evie Esters, 89, will be 11 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2008, at Dryden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Buford Gaines officiating. Burial to follow at Pleasant Ridge in Anniston. Visitation will be this evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Dryden Funeral Home. Mrs. Esters died Friday, August 1, 2008, at Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Esters is survived by her husband, Oscar Esters of Heflin; daughter, Sybil (Neal) Skinner of Heflin; grandchildren; Marsha Busby and Derrick Busby; several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be family and friends. Mrs. Esters was born in Anniston. She was a native of Calhoun County. She was a resident of Cleburne County for most of her life. She was a home maker. She was a member of Abel Baptist Church and a former Children's Sunday School Teacher. She also had been a Substitute School Teacher. Dryden Funeral Home "Caring Service Since 1962." 256-463-2287
BIRMINGHAM — James Franklin "Jim" Estes, 61, died Tuesday afternoon, July 29, 2008, at his residence in Birmingham from complications associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Mr. Estes was born in Piedmont, May 2, 1947, the son of the late Willa Jo Bullock Estes and the late Aaron Foster Estes. Jim was an alumnus of Jacksonville High School, served his country with the U.S. Air Force for over 10 years and was a disabled Vietnam veteran. Jim had been active with the Birmingham Vet Center, was an accomplished carpenter, dog lover and friend to all he meet. He demonstrated his love of life by the gift of himself to the Gift of Body program through the Alabama Organ Center. Mr. Estes is survived by his wife, Gaye Joyce Estes and his sister-in-law, Gayle Hamilton, both of Birmingham; two sisters, Pamela Jo Renda and husband, Chris, of Birmingham and Sandra Beth Gillespie and husband, Paul of Chantilly, Va.; two daughters, Alicia Estes-Garza and husband, Raul, of Grand Prairie, Texas and Christina Mendez and husband, Gnaro, of Sharyland, Texas; one son, James Estes and wife, Mollie, of Donna, Texas; step-children, Ramsey, Cary, Scott and Stacey, all of Birmingham; 11 grandchildren; three nieces; one nephew; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. A private memorial service will be at by the family. Donations can be made in his memory to Life Care Hospice, 2108 Alabama Hwy 157, Cullman, Ala. 35058.
For The Record Mrs. Marhea O'Keeffe Evans of Anniston, will receive friends Sunday evening, August 3, 2008, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at K.L. Brown Memory Chapel in Golden Springs.
BIRMINGHAM — Kara Ledrue "Drue" Diggs Gravlee of Destin, Fla. and Birmingham, Ala. passed away on July 31, 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Edward Diggs and Harri Wilson Diggs of Lincoln. She is survived by her children, Macon Gravlee, III and Nikki, of Birmingham, William Edward Gravlee and Ashleigh, of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Nicholas William Gravlee and Kara Nicole Gravlee, of Birmingham and Tyler James Gravlee of Dallas, Texas. Mrs. Gravlee graduated from Anniston High School in 1961. After graduating from the University of Alabama, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Mrs. Gravlee spent the majority of her life in Fayette, Ala., where she raised her children. She served as President of Progress Club II, was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fayette County Memorial Library and President of the Band Parents Club. She also served 3 years as President of the Kappa Alpha Order Mothers Club at Mississippi State University. Mrs. Gravlee also taught French and Chinese cooking classes and was a Certified Master Florist. She volunteered her time to many different organizations and hosted many fundraisers for different charities. Service will be at Monday, August 4, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham.
In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Gravlee requests a donation in her memory to the Big Oak Ranch, P.O. Box 507 Springville, Ala. 35146, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 100 Chase Park South Suite 220, Birmingham, Ala. 35244, or the charity of your choice.
OHATCHEE — Memorial services for John C. Hall Sr., 70, will be 3 p.m. today. August 3, 2008, at Greater Faith Out Reach in Jacksonville. Mr. Hall died on Friday, August 1, 2008, at Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include his son, John C Hall Jr., and his wife, Penny of Weaver, and a daughter, Cathy Dunston of Ohatchee, 8 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren. Personal Condolences may be written at: www.millerfuneralhomeoxford.com.
GLENCOE — Funeral service will be conducted by Crestwood and will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Oak Grove Baptist Church for Victoria Vice Mintz "Tob", 96, who died August 1, 2008. the Rev. Noel Vice will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Victoria was a lifelong resident of Calhoun County and a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. She, as a Christian, attended regularly when she was in good health. Victoria loved doing things for people and nothing pleased her more than to prepare a meal in her home for her extended family of neighbors, friends and anyone who dropped in. This is what made her happy the most. Living on a farm, she was an avid lover of the outdoor and loved working in her vegetable and flower gardens. Her winter passion was piecing patch work quilts and quilting them with friends and neighbors when the weather was too bad to be outside. There are not many in the neighborhood that do not possess one of her beautiful quilts today. Victoria loved animals especially, her cat "Minnie". It seemed her home was a haven for strays, all of which were fed and treated kindly. This is who she was, a kind, passionate person. She was loved by all who knew her and will be missed for a long, long time. She is preceded in death by her parents, Will and Ida Vice; her husband of 61 years, Roy Mintz; three infant sons and one infant daughter; brothers, Jack, Greg, Linder, Woodrow, Luther Otis (Red) and Cornell Louis (Fuzzy) Vice and sister, Hattie Baker. She is survived by a brother, Floyd Vice, of Wellington, and a sister, Dorothy Smith, of Farmville, Va.; sisters-in-law, Clara and Minnie Lou Vice, of Glencoe; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family extends a special thanks to the nurses and staff on 100 Hall at Coosa Valley Healthcare where she had made her home since July of 2007. Another special thanks to her friend, neighbor, and care giver of many years, Brenda Nail.
Pallbearers will be Terry Vice, Buddy Rawls, B.J. Vice, Bronson Vice, Randy Vice, and Joey Vice. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening from 6 until 8 p.m. Mrs. Mintz will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service.
CALHOUN, Ga. — William Mitchell "Bill" Potts, 46, died Sunday morning, July 27, 2008, at his residence in Calhoun, Ga. Mr. Potts was born in Anniston, Ala., October 14, 1961, a son of Beatrice Plummer Woodruff and the late Thomas Sims Potts. He was an alumnus of The Donoho School, Oak Hill Academy and Bthe Revard College. He was an active member of Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church of Calhoun, Ga. Mr. Potts is survived by his mother and step-father, Beatrice P. Woodruff and Dr. Gerald G. Woodruff, Jr. of Anniston, Ala.; one brother, Thomas Sims Potts, Jr. and wife, Candice Michele Potts, of Anniston; one sister, Marian Potts Foster and husband, William G. Foster, Jr., of Savannah, Ga.; two nieces, Hellen Lloyd Willett and Laura Landon Foster, both of Savannah; a nephew, James M. Potts, of Anniston; step-brothers and sisters, Gerald G. Woodruff III, Lt. Harold Bowen Woodruff, CHC, USN, Rhett Woodruff Warner, David Campbell Woodruff and Margaret Woodruff Sealy. Local Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2008, at Grace Episcopal Church in Anniston with the Rev. Tom Jones officiating. The family will receive friends in Tyler Hall at Grace Episcopal Church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. that day.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church, 224 Trammell Street, Calhoun, Ga., 30701 or to a favorite charity. Thomas Funeral Home in Calhoun, Ga. is in charge of the arrangements.
ANNISTON — Funeral services for Laura Lee Nelson Steinbrook, 88, will be 11 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2008, at Gray Brown-Service Mortuary Chapel with The Rev. Greg Walker officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Munford. The family will receive friends on Monday one hour prior to service. Mrs. Steinbrook died Friday, August 1, 2008, at her residence.
Survivors include two daughters; Beverly Dianne Huebner of Sun Prairie, WI and Debbie Baldwin of Anniston, one son; Jimmy Nelson of Munford, eight grandchildren; Brian Nelson, Kaye O'Connor and Tamara Bean all of Munford, Darrell Nelson of Jacksonville, Zachary Armstrong, Aarron Huebner of Sun Prairie, WI, Anthony Baldwin of Gaylesville and Regina Reynolds of Leesburg, five great grandchildren; Jessica O'Connor, Thomas O'Connor, Louisa Nelson and Victoria Nelson all of Munford and Gatlin Nelson of Jacksonville, caregivers; Debbie Baldwin, Jeff Smith and Allan Gill all of Anniston. Mrs. Steinbrook was a native of Anniston. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Weaver. Mrs. Steinbrook was preceded in death by her husbands; Willie Nelson and Harley Steinbrook. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. (256) 236-3441
