Obituaries for Wednesday
Wilmary Hitch Elliott, Talladega
Barbara Rollins Moon Odom, Woodland
Clyde Redding, Lincoln
Karen Newsome Smith, Anniston
TALLADEGA — Mrs. Wilmary Hitch Elliott, 81, died Sunday, August 3, 2008, at Autumn Trace in Talladega. Born on December 24, 1926 on a cotton plantation near Drew, Miss., to Donna Carter Hitch and William Anderson Hitch Sr. Riding on horseback with her father around the cotton fields, Wilmary developed a love for a nature and pastoral settings. At age four, she found her love of drawing. She received art instruction throughout grammar school and high school in Drew, Miss. At Southwestern University (now Rhodes College) at Memphis, Tenn., she received her BA in English, but continued her love of art, by also studying at the Memphis Academy of Art and later receiving one year of graduate study at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. Milmary moved to Talladega when she married Julian Lewis Elliott Jr., in 1949. At that time, she became fascinated with the beautiful old homes and the legends and legacies that accompanied each one. She became a friend of everyone and began to paint each of the old houses. This culminated with the publication of East Street South in 1975, a book of her own pen and ink drawings of old homes in Talladega with light documentary and comments in poetic prose.
In 1976, Wilmary illustrated in the cover of The History of Drew, a bi-centennial project for her hometown. Wilmary worked in all media and would paint or pen on almost any surface, including furniture, paper and fabric. Her paintings and art work hang in many private collections throughout the United States. She served on the Executive Board of the Talladega Landmarks Foundation and was instrumental in the formation of the Talladega Arts Council, serving on its first Executive Board.
In 1979, she helped the Revive the annual Pilgrimage of old homes under the name "April in Talladega" while helping to secure the Jemison-Carnegie Library building as the Heritage Hall Museum. Wilmary was married to Julian Lewis Elliott for 54 years, until he passed away in 2003. She is survived by her three sons, Julian Lewis Elliott III, of Victoria, British Columbia, Joel Thomas Elliott, of Talladega, and William Carter Elliott, of Atlanta, Ga.; two daughters-in-law, Lynne Minor Elliott, of Victoria, British Columbia, and Judy Hammond Elliott, of Talladega; three granddaughters, Kendall Elliott, of Los Angeles, Calif., Mary Margaret Allen, of Charlotte, N.C., and Elizabeth Armstrong Elliott, of Birmingham; a first cousin, Esther Read Miller, of Black Mountain, N.C. and her sister, Jean Hitch Banks, of Shthe Reveport, La.
Funeral services for Mrs. Elliott will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 7, 2008, at 1st Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Leeann Scarbrough officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at Usrey Brown-Service Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Barry Nicholls, Charles Montgomery, Anthony Meacham, Mike Walker, William Clark, Jim McIlwain. Honorary pallbearers are members of Talladega Club Argus. Donations to 1st Presbyterian Church or American Alzheimer's Foundation, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 1 F, Chicago, IL 60601-F633.
WOODLAND — Funeral services for Mrs. Barbara Rollins Moon Odom, 73, were held Tuesday, July 29, 2008, from Rocky Branch Baptist Church with Bro. Clayton Scott and Bishop Joshua Gill officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining church cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Odom died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at her home. Mrs. Odom is survived by one daughter, Charissa (husband George) Smith, of Woodland; one step-daughter, Janet Caldwell, of Indiana; one daughter-in-law, Hazel Moon, of Douglasville, one son, Keenan (wife Susie) Moon of Woodland; mother, Clara Hester Rollins, of Woodland; one brother, Arnold (wife Carolyn) Rollins, of Woodland; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; countless friends.
Pallbearers will be Rob Hampton, Luke Moon, Daryl Moon, Shane Lasseter, Anthony Rollins, George Smith, Charlie Caldwell and Russell Rollins. Mrs. Odom was born August 18, 1934, the daughter of Marvin Edward and Clara Hester Rollins. She was a member of Rocky Branch Baptist Church and had been a seamstress for Amalgamated Clothing. Mrs. Odom was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Odom; her father; sister, Geraldine Arrington; one son, Tony Moon.
LINCOLN — Services for Clyde Redding, 81, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Anniston Memorial Funeral Home, with the Rev. George Gray officiating. Burial will be in Anniston Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 this evening at the funeral home. Mr. Redding died Monday at Magnolia Place in Lincoln.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Redding; children, Steve Redding, of Eastaboga, Charlotte Buckner, of Irondale, David Redding, of Lincoln, and Susan Redding, of Eastaboga; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by six brothers and five sisters from Georgia.
Pallbearers will be Randy Adams, Todd Hill, Jimmy Dean Hill, and members of the Eastaboga Masonic Lodge #155. Mr. Redding served in the U.S. Army during World War II and retired after 34 years from the Anniston Army Depot.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Craig Memorial Methodist Church in Eastaboga or to your favorite charity. Anniston Memorial Funeral Home 3865 US Hwy 431 North Anniston, Ala. 36206 820-0024
ANNISTON — Funeral services for Karen Newsome Smith, 50, will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Gray Brown-Service Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Don Mattox and The Rev. W.H. Ford officiating. Burial will follow at Forestlawn Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11 a.m. until service at the funeral home. Mrs. Smith died Monday at Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Ray Smith of Anniston; two sons, Chris Smith and wife, Betty and Daniel Ray Smith and wife, Amber, all of Anniston; grandchildren, Brittany Denise Smith and DaKota Ray Smith; special godson, Chris Salinas; parents, Barney D. and Faye Newsome, of Anniston; special mother-in-law, Faye "Maw" Smith, of Anniston; two sisters, Kathey Thaxton and husband, Tim, of Anniston and Kim Garner and husband, Jay, of Oxford; six nieces and two nephews.
Pallbearers will be Chris Salinas, Brandon Spears, Little Ricky Smith, Mark New, Keiton Martin, Albert "Peanut" Johnsey, John Boy Bloodworth and Jason Deese. Mrs. Smith was a native of Calhoun County and a resident of Anniston. She was a member of Harvest Church of God. She was employed by Burton's Food. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her grandparents, Barney and Ruth Newsome and Jim and Hazel Messer. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. (256) 236-3441
