Kristie Marie Westfall 1972-2012

 

A funeral service for Kristie Marie Westfall, 39, of Opelika, was held at 11 a.m. on May 19, 2012 at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Reverend Rick Lane officiated. Burial was held in Garden Hills Cemetery. Visitation was Friday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.

Mrs. Westfall was born on June 20, 1972, in Chambers County. She passed away on May 16, 2012, at her home in Opelika. She had lived most of her life in the Opelika area. She was a graduate of Opelika High School Class of 1990,and was a graduate of Columbus State University. Westfall was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Captain Brian Westfall of Opelika; three sons, Taylor, Ford and Dane Westfall; parents, Stanley and Donna Potts of Opelika; and grandmother, Bettie Cobb of Lanett.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed. www.jeffcoattrant.com

 

 

Sara R. Waid 1933-2012

 

Sara Roberta Waid, a resident of Auburn, died peacefully at Bethany House on May 12, following an extended illness. She was 78 years old.

A memorial service was held in the parlor at Oak Park Nursing Home at 2 p.m. on May 24. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oak Park Auxiliary Garden Fund.

Waid was born on Aug. 1, 1933, in Blount County, and graduated from Walker County High School in Jasper. She later moved to Birmingham and worked as a tax administrator for U.S. Pipe and Foundry for nearly 40 years.

While in Birmingham, Waid actively pursued her lifetime commitment of support for Auburn University athletics. She was a lifetime member of the Birmingham/Jefferson County Auburn Club. She chaired many events and was awarded the president’s award twice.

In 1993, Waid was awarded the Pamela Wells Sheffield Award by Auburn University. This award is presented to a woman who best embodies selfless service and commitment to Auburn University and the Auburn family.

Upon retiring from her career at U.S Pipe and Foundry, Waid moved to Auburn in 1997. She was involved in the Lee County Auburn Club and worked closely with the Auburn University Alumnae Association before transferring to Tigers Unlimited. From 2002 to 2008, Ms. Waid served as the front line contact for all ticket holders, donors and fans. In 2009, Ms. Waid became a charter member of WINGS – Women Inspiring and Nurturing Greatness in Student-Athletes, a mentoring program for female student athletes.

Waid was predeceased by her parents, Alton Bernard Waid and Bertie Lee Griggs Waid and a brother, H. Allen Waid. She is survived by her sister, Norma Waid Buckalew, Kennesaw, Ga., and her brother Lander Waid (Montez) of Birmingham. She is also survived by three nieces and six nephews; Waid Buckalew (Mary), Tel Aviv, Israel, Robbie Gibson (Alan), Calgary, Canada, Allen Buckalew (Barbara), Atlanta, Doss Buckalew (Kris), Atlanta, Celeste Waid Cooper (Marion) St. Petersburg, Fla., Charles Waid, Dothan, Cathy Waid Johnson, (Chuck) Auburn, Phillip Waid (Jennifer), Lillian, Steve Waid (Mandy) of Pelham. Their families include 15 great nieces and nephews and five great great nieces and nephews, all of which were very special to her.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.

 

 

Jimmy Gavins 1972-2012

 

Jimmy Gavins, 40, of Opelika, passed away on May 15, 2012 at UAB Hospital. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Jimmy was a longtime resident of Opelika. He graduated from Beauregard High School and received his masters degree from Embry-Riddle University. He was employed for the past 14 years at Pratt & Whitney in Columbus, Ga. as an inspector. Jimmy was an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and served as Director of the Grounds Committee.

Gavins is survived by his wife, Amy Gavins of Opelika; three sons, Jonathan, Justin, and Brendan Gavins of Opelika; daughter, Traci Gavins of Opelika; two sisters, Teresa Gilbert (Bill) of Opelikia, Robin Chadwick of Opelika; brother, Dennis Gavins (Connie) of Ackerman, Miss.; and several nieces and nephews.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

 

 

Willie “Pee Wee” King 1936-2012

 

A funeral service for Mr. Willie “Pee Wee” King, 76, of Auburn, was held on May 24, 2012, at 12 p.m. at White Street Missionary Baptist Church with interment in Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery. Pastor Jamal Oliver officiated.

King passed on May 18, 2012, at the East Alabama Medical Center. He was a member of White Street Missionary Baptist Church. After more than 30 years, he retired from Winn Dixie.

A family hour was held at 6 p.m. His remains laid in state at the church one hour prior to the service.

Survivors include his wife, Frankie King, Auburn; seven children, James (Kathy) Richardson, Tuskegee, Willie (Marjorie) King, Acworth, Ga., Mark Anthony (Carol) King and Stanley King both of Atlanta, Timothy King, Auburn, Stephen (Joan) King, Washington, D.C. and Bettye (Lorenza) King-Dorsey, Auburn; 23 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; his caregivers, a special brother-in-law, Ronnie C. Brundage, Auburn; a special niece, Odessa Berry, Auburn; a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Peterson and Williams Funeral Home directed.

 

 

Jeffery L. Thrower 1968-2012

 

Jeffery L. Thrower, age 43, of Auburn, was born in Lee County on June 4, 1968, and passed away in Valley on May 17, 2012.  He was the beloved son of Peggy Hicks and the late John E. Thrower. He had a heart of gold and will be missed by many.

Thrower is survived by his daughter, Brittany Thrower; son, Matt Thrower; mother and stepfather, Peggy and James Hicks; and brother, Ken (Dana) Thrower.

A funeral service was held on May 22, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at Fredericks Funeral Home.  Interment followed in Garden Hills Cemetery.

Visitation was held on Monday, May 21, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Fredericks Funeral Home.

Fredericks Funeral Home directed. www.fredericksfh.com

 

 

Col (Ret) Grady H. Carroll, Sr. 1926-2012

 

A graveside services for Grady H. Carroll, Sr., age 86, of Opelika, was held on May 23, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Garden Hills Cemetery. Rev. Gerald Sykes officiated. Visitation was held held prior to the service from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at Fredericks Funeral Home.

Carroll died on May 21, 2012, at Bethany House in Auburn after an extended illness. A World War II veteran, he continued his military service in the Alabama Army National Guard and the US Army Reserve. He was retired from the US Postal Service having worked at the Opelika Post Office for over 30 years. He was also a 32nd degree Mason with the Twin City Masonic Lodge #76.

Mr. Carroll is survived by his wife, Dean Carroll; one son, Grady H. Carroll, Jr. and wife Peggy; two daughters, Gayle Ryan and husband Pat and Cynthia Avery and husband Steven; one granddaughter, Jessica Ryan; LTC Greg Townsend and family; Suzanne Taylor and family; two sisters, Doris Watson and Peggy Colvard; two brothers, Kerry M. Carroll and wife Barbara, and R. Wayne Carroll and wife Ginger; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be accepted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to local veterans organizations or Bethany House.

Fredericks Funeral Home directed. www.fredericksfh.com

 

Helen Jane Locy 1922-2012

 

Helen Jane Locy, 90, of Auburn, passed away on May 19, at Bethany House.

She was born Jan. 31, 1922, in Toledo, Ohio. A funeral service will be held today, May 25, at 10 a.m. at Hanenkrath-Clevenger-Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, Ohio. Burial will be held in Riverview Memorial Gardens. Visitation was yesterday, May 24, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hanenkrath-Clevenger-Schaffer Funeral Home.

Locy is survived by two sons, Bob (Marcia) Locy of Auburn, Jack (Sandy) Locy of Defiance, Ohio; five grandchildren, Michelle (Bruce) Mitchell of Madison, Ian (Beth) Locy of Madison, Erin (Steven) Gladden of Sharpsburg, Ga., Heather (Noah) Hampton of Defiance, Ohio, Morgan (Marissa Snyder) Locy of Columbus, Ohio; nine great grandchildren; three brothers, Jesse ‘Bud” Brown, Jr. of Anacortes, Wash., Richard Brown of Parkersburg, Va., Willard Brown of Defiance, Ohio; and sister, Mary Bell Lang of Phoenix, Ariz. She was preceded in death by husband, Robert Locy in 2006; and sister, Catherine Little in 2012.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of local arrangements.

 

 

Veda Avery Long 1920-2012

 

Veda Avery Long was born on Oct. 8, 1920, and passed away on May 18, 2012, at Bethany House in Auburn. Veda was born in Andalusia.

She grew up in Alabama and West Texas. Veda attended Montevallo for two years before graduating from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn) in 1941 with a BS in economics. She earned her master’s degree from the University of South Florida.

After her marriage to Leland L. Long, she was the first church secretary of Auburn Baptist Church. During WWII, while her husband was overseas, Veda worked in Washington D.C.

In 1950, she and her husband moved to Central Florida where she became a high school and community college business teacher/professor. She became president of the Florida Business Education Association and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She loved teaching, growing a wide assortment of flowers and traveling.

Veda was preceded in death by her parents Marion Russell (M.R.) Avery and Elwa L. Rea Avery; her husband of almost 70 years, Leland; two sisters Dena Chopoorian and Vennis Tullis; and a brother Marion Russell Avery, II. She is survived by two daughters, Rena Long, Kay (Ron) Spriggs; two grandsons, Travis (Kayla) Spriggs of Missoula, Mont.; and Avery (Melissa) Spriggs of Spanish Fort; one sister Doris Bain of Raleigh, N.C.; one brother-in-law Jack Chopoorian, R.I.; and many loving and supportive nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held on May 21, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on May 22, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Parkway Baptist Church. Reverend Chris Bunts officiated. Burial followed at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery at 1 p.m.

Flowers will be accepted or a memorial contribution may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000 or In Touch Ministries, P.O. Box 7900 Atlanta, GA 30357.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory were in charge of arrangements. jeffcoattrant.com