James Norris “Jimmy” Delamar, Sr.
Jimmy DeLamar was born in Opelika, May 14, 1943, to William M. “Billy” DeLamar and Eugenia Lee DeLamar. Following a recent illness, he passed away peacefully on Oct. 15, at his residence.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Joyce Campbell DeLamar; daughter, Stacey Lucas (Todd) and son, James N. “Jamie” DeLamar, Jr (Shannon), all of Opelika; grandchildren: Peyton Brewer, Andrew Brewer, Abby Lucas, Dalton Lucas, Rylee Lucas, Paxton DeLamar, Landon DeLamar, Raley Morris; brothers, Charles DeLamar (Gwen) of Opelika, Gary DeLamar (Nancy) of Birmingham, AL, and sister, Carla DeLamar Kirkland (Chip) , aunt, Martha Stanford (Royce), sister-in-law Billie Oliver (Sam), cousins, nieces and nephews. Jimmy took great joy in all his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
An Opelika native and businessman, Jimmy was president of General Maintenance Contractors. He graduated Opelika High School 1962, served in the Alabama National Guard and worked with Alagasco as a young man. He established his own utility construction business in 1976. As the business grew, his wife Joyce and son Jamie joined him in the operation of the business. He was a skilled builder, and in his spare time, he enjoyed gardening and sharing the bounty with others. He and Joyce recently moved residency back to Opelika from their home on Lake Martin. Jimmy was a member of Red Ridge Methodist Church, Lake Martin. He was also a member of the Auburn-Opelika Elks Lodge #1834 and formerly a member of the Opelika Exchange Club.
Jimmy’s generous heart and welcoming smile will always be remembered by friends and family.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Oct. 18, at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Rev. John Mann officiated.
Visitation was one hour prior to the service at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Interment was held at LaFayette City Cemetery.
Pallbearers were John Oliver, Kerry Oliver, Jay Pritchard, Matt Campbell, Tommy Campbell and Jerry Woodruff.
Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com
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Joan Cecile Kinstler Rosen
Joan Cecile Kinstler Rosen, who kept her New York accent despite living in Auburn, Alabama, for 57 years, passed away Oct. 15.
A “Celebration of Life” and story sharing was held Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Mrs. Rosen was born on Nov. 10, 1930. She was a Manhattan secretary when she met Mel Rosen at Fire Island. They married in 1957 and she moved to Auburn, which at that time did not have bagels or corned beef. The sheriff later taught her to drive.
An avid reader, Mrs. Rosen served on the Board of the Auburn Public Library. She played bridge, where she was the life of the party, and was an enthusiastic world traveler. She also delighted in writing poems to family and friends to mark special occasions.
Mrs. Rosen collected thimbles and little boxes, loved Broadway, especially Les Miserables (third row!) and wore bows in her hair until she could no longer find the style she liked. She then switched to headbands.
She was a longtime lunch lady at Auburn City Schools, from junior high to kindergarten, and as cashier made sure everyone paid, even the superintendent.
She was a diligent walker who finished the Cooper River Bridge 7K in Charleston and proudly wore the T-shirt.
Mrs. Rosen liked to say, “I tell it like it is” and enjoyed being called “feisty.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Sadie Kinstler, and her sister Helene Fox.
She is survived by her husband, Mel Rosen, daughters Laurie Lami (Chris) and Karen Rosen, granddaughter Chelsea Payne (Nathan), grandson Nathaniel Lami, great-granddaughter Avery Payne and many loyal friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Friends of the Auburn Public Library, 749 E. Thach Avenue, Auburn, Alabama, 36830, or to a charity of your choice.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
www.jeffcoattrant.com.
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James Perry Jimmerson
James Perry Jimmerson, age 80, of Opelika passed away on Oct. 15 at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
Funeral Service was held at Shady Grove Christian Church in Opelika Oct. 18, 2014, at 11 a.m.
Burial followed at the church cemetery.
The family recieved friends Oct 17, 2014, from 5-7 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral home in Opelika.
He is preceded in death by parents William J. and Minneola Jimmerson, Brother William J “Bill” Jimmerson, Jr. and great-grandson Jackson Presley Jimmerson.
Survivors include wife Elizabeth Lumpkin Jimmerson; children Cindy Jimmerson Rochford and Jim Jimmerson (Glenda Ree Watkins); grandchildren Matthew (Katie) Rochford, Michael (Sarah) Rochford, Elizabeth Rochford, Amanda Rochford, Gina Ree Milner, Candace Jimmerson (Stanley Roberson), James (Amanda) Jimmerson III, Wesley Jimmerson, Jonathan Jimmerson, Gianna Jimmerson, Andrea Jimmerson and Brycen Jimmerson; 9 great-grandchildren; siblings Beth Brazeal Chambliss, Marie Tullos, Paul (Diane) Jimmerson and Kenneth “TK” (Lynda) Jimmerson; brothers-in-law James “Butch” (Evelyn) Lumpkin and Freddy (Ramona) Lumpkin and numerous nieces and nephews.
Perry was a lifelong member of Shady Grove Christian Church and member of Opelika Civitan Club for over 40 years.
He was the owner/operator of Perry’s Alignment Service and operated Auburn Wheel Alignment.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com.
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Darrell Delano Penrod
Darrell Delano Penrod, 77, of Smiths Station, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Oct. 14 at Bethany House in Auburn.
Darrell was born on April 5, 1937 in Vienna, Ill. (Johnson County). He is the son of Darrell Samuel Penrod and Sybil Marie (Lingle) Penrod.
Darrell graduated from Evanston Township High School and earned his B.S. in Science Engineering from Northwestern University. He completed his Master’s degree in Mathematics at Washington State University and his PhD. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois.
Darrell was first and foremost an educator. He treasured his students and believed teaching to be a noble profession. As a college professor, he taught at Notre Dame University, the University of Iowa, George Mason University and Auburn University. Darrell worked with many government defense contractors and served as an expert witness in legal cases.
Darrell had a love for amateur radio, chess and bridge. Darrell’s competitive nature led to his success in contract bridge. He was a Grand Life Master and National College Pairs Champion (1963). Licensed as K9MUG in 1958, Darrell loved Morse Code and was nicknamed the “fastest fingers” in the South. He participated in annual Emergency Awareness Broadcast drills and many competitions.
Darrell took an interest in performing arts and acted in Auburn University theater productions of “The King and I”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and “The Music Man”. He also performed in community theaters in Georgia and Florida.
Darrell married Joan Alice Conley in 1956. He is survived by his ex-wife, their two daughters, Laura Jean Penrod Stock and Linda Carol Penrod Brandt, four grandchildren, Michelle Ann Graaf, Anthony Michael Kempisty (Amanda), Brian “Sonny” Eugene Graaf, Jr. (Lora), and Ada Celeste Stock (Tyrone), a great grandson, Nathan Anthony Kempisty, his sister, Janet Marie Penrod Hodnett (Nick), his brother Jack Ray Penrod (Mary Lou), four nephews and a niece.
Darrell was an active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Smiths Station, Alabama where he served as a lector and member of the vestry.
The funeral rite will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 25 10 a.m. Central Time at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. John Klein officiating.
Visitation will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. Central time and reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service.
Honorary Pallbearers are Nels Madsen, Anthony Kempisty, Brian Graaf, Jr., John Penrod, Jacob Penrod and Joseph Penrod.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 45 Lee Road 567, Smiths Station, AL 36877, the American Cancer Society, Bethany House or a charity of your choice.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is directing.
www.jeffcoattrant.com.