Wayne Tyler 1962-2012
Wayne Tyler, 49, of Opelika, passed away on Aug. 12, 2012. He was born on Nov. 29, 1962, in Columbus, Ga., and had lived most of his life in Columbus and Dalton, Ga. Tyler had been a resident of Opelika for the past seven years. He worked with his beloved sister, J.P. Lemay, at Mike & Ed’s Barbeque of Auburn.
Tyler is survived by his wife, Dawn Souther Tyler of Opelika; daughter, Ms. Erin Bartley (Josh Marshall) of Dalton, Ga.; son, Bryan Bartley of Dalton, Ga.; brother, Bobby (Terri) Hatcher of Smith Station; two sisters, J.P. Lemay of Auburn, Sandra (Curt) McMenamy of Sebring, Fla.; stepfather, Robert Hatcher of Columbus; three grandchildren, Brynleigh Bartley, Kaleigh Vaughn, Stryker Marshall; special nieces and nephews, Mandy Reed, Chloe Lemay, Taylor Hatcher and Ryan Hatcher; several other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; special friends, Amy and Wesley Moore, and all the employees at Mike & Ed’s Barbeque. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse H. Tyler and Pearl Hatcher.
Visitation for Tyler was on Aug. 14, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika and on Aug. 15, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Julian Peeples Funeral Home in Dalton, Ga. at Pleasant Grove Chapel.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory of Opelika and Julian Peeples Funeral Home Pleasant Grove Chapel were in charge of arrangements.
James L. “Bubba” Parker 1930-2012
A funeral service for James L. “Bubba” Parker, 81, of Opelika, was held 11 a.m. on Aug. 10, at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Dr. Rusty Sowell officiated. Burial was in Garden Hills Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Parker was born Sept. 4, 1930, in Lee County. He passed away at his home on Aug. 7, 2012. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. Parker was retired from Pepperell Mill, and was the owner/operator of Spring Villa Grocery Store for 18 years. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, L.C. and Fannie Mayberry Parker; brothers, Clayton and Donald Parker; and son-in-law, Jimmy Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Shirley Roberts Parker of Opelika; daughter, Bonnie Smith of Opelika; three sons, Ray (Sherry) Parker of Opelika, Tony (Christina) Parker of Auburn, Chris Parker of Panama City, Fla..; brother, Johnny Parker of Salem; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Providence Baptist Church Building Fund 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika, AL 36804.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
Henry Hammond Swatts 1926-2012
A funeral service for Henry Hammond Swatts, Jr., 85, of Opelika was Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Reverend Steve King officiated. Visitation was from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., one hour prior to the service at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Swatts was born on Nov. 22, 1926, in Lee County. He passed away on Aug. 11, at East Alabama Medical Center. He had lived most of his life in Auburn-Opelika. After retirement from Uniroyal, he moved to Lake Martin, and was a member of Sardis United Methodist Church. He was a mason, loved hunting, fishing and playing dominoes. For the past seven years he enjoyed residing at Azalea Place in Auburn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry H. Swatts, Sr., and Mary Ethel Whatley Swatts Brawner; wife, Mary Ann Swatts; son, Hank Swatts; and brother, John Swatts.
Survivors include a son, David (Delana) Swatts of Opelika; daughter, Susan Swatts (Bill) Murphree of Opelika; six grandchildren, Carley Gunn Clark, Drew Gunn, Chloe and Camden Swatts, Billy and Michelle Murphree; and several nieces and nephews.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
Barbara Ann Varner Mixon 1932-2012
Barbara Ann Varner Mixon, 79, went to be with the Lord on Aug. 14, after an extended illness. She was born to Mazie Pierce and Alvin Varner on Dec. 9, 1932, and grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn.
She had a love for music, camping, and reading, but above all loved her family and friends. She was a teacher in the Butler County School System for many years prior to her retirement. A career highpoint was her being named the, IBM Alabama Teacher of the Year, in 1989. Coupled with this award was a Commemorative Proclamation by the Alabama State Legislature. She was an active member of dulcimer groups in Mobile and Loachapoka where she continued her lifelong interest in music. Cherishing her memory is her husband of 59 years, Bill; children Bill (Dianna) of Auburn, Wendy of Mobile, David (Karen) of Pike Road and Doug of Daphne, her grandchildren Ben (Janie) Mixon, William (Laura) Mixon, Jill, Brian and Kimberly Mixon and Whitney (Zach) Stillwell; great grandchildren, Jacob Mixon and Noah Stillwell, her sister Ruth (Jack) Simmons brother-in-law Charles Mixon and sister-in-law Frances (Bill), special daughters Melanie Stonestreet and Amy Toler, and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be today in Auburn at Auburn United Methodist Church Founder’s Chapel. Service at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m. A graveside service will be held in Greenville at the Saint Paul United Methodist Church on Highway 10. Service at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Lee County Humane Society or to the charity of your choice.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is directing.
Larry George Cooper 1939-2012
Funeral services for Larry George Cooper, 72, of Auburn were at 1 p.m. on Aug. 14, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn.
Cooper, who passed away on Aug. 11, at Arbor Springs Health and Rehab Center, was born Aug. 26, 1939, in Auburn. He graduated from Lee County High School, Auburn in the class of 1959. He was a retired grocery manager for Winn Dixie.
Public viewing was on Aug. 13, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Survivors include: wife Nadine Hale Cooper of Auburn, three children: Larry G. Cooper, Jr. (Brandy) of Auburn, Andrew D. Cooper (Patty) of Auburn, and Paige Cooper Hilley (Tracy) of Athens, Ga.; six grandchildren: Max Cooper of Auburn, Kacie Cooper of Wetumpka, Cason Cooper of Auburn, Jessica Cooper of Auburn, Jackson Hilley and Sabrina Belle Hilley of Athens, Ga.; two brothers: Claude Cooper (Willadean) of Opelika, and David Cooper (Cheryl) of Opelika; two sisters: Betty Cooper Etheridge of Sylacauga, and Jeanette Cooper Burdette of Opelika; and many very special and much loved nieces and nephews.
Cooper was preceded in death by his parents Claude P. and Georgia Belle Whitten Cooper, one brother: Charles Robert Cooper; and two sisters: Jane Cooper Hill, and Glenda Cooper Powers.
Cooper was a long-time member of the War Eagle Lions Club where he received the coveted Melvin Jones Fellow Award by Lions Club International Foundation for dedicated humanitarian service. He was a member of Knight Patrol International and enjoyed talking to and making friends with radio enthusiasts from all over the world. He was a true nature enthusiast, and enjoyed working in his yard, spending countless hour nurturing his flowers and plants. He was a long time member of Auburn First Baptist Church where he served on various committees through the years.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimers Foundation of America, 322 Eight Ave. 7th FL, New York, NY 10001. http://www.alzfnd.org
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
Ledell Hughley Jackson 1953-2012
A funeral service for Ledell Hughley Jackson, 59, of Opelika, was held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 14, at Green Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Pastor Roland Austin officiated.
Jackson passed on Aug. 8, at the East Alabama Medical Center. She was a member of Green Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Missionary Board and was the Parish Nurse. Ledell not only worked faithfully in the church, but she gave so much through her sorority, Theta Phi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi and The Esquerettes Social Club. In 1971, she graduated from Opelika High School and after completing college; she was employed with Lee County Hospital (now known as East Alabama Medical Center). For 38 years, she was an RN and most importantly a friend to many.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Fred D. Jackson Jr.; her parents, David and Leo Hughley; and brothers, Warren Hughley and Clarence Hughley.
Her remains laid in state at the church one hour prior to the service.
Survivors include two children, Orletta J. (Kenneth) Rush, Birmingham and Marcus D. Jackson, Opelika; two grandchildren, Jordan Darrell Rush, Birmingham and Jada Preston, Douglasville, Ga.; one brother, James (Gail) Hughley, Opelika; her mother-in-law, Johnnie Mae Jackson, Opelika; two aunts, Lenora Coles, Opelika and Channie Coles, Atlanta; three sisters-in-law, Lou Hughley, Columbus, Ga., Susie Hughley and Luvenia (Jack) Robinson both of Opelika; five brothers-in-law, Roy Lee (Mary) Jackson, Eddie (JoAnn) Jackson and Tommy Jackson all of Auburn, Michael Jackson, Opelika and Jerry Jackson, Alpharetta, Ga.; one sister-in-law, Pamela (Percy) Hill, Smiths; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Peterson and Williams Funeral Home directed.
Eloise J. Kendrick Ortiz 1928-2012
A private graveside service was held for Eloise Kendrick Ortiz, at the Kendricks Cemetery in Lee County. She was the daughter of the late Mr. Benjamin F. Kendrick and Mrs. Ceola Heard Kendrick.
Ortiz passed on Aug. 3, at her home. She was born Nov. 14, 1928, in Lee County. She was of the Baptist faith and was a graduate of Alabama A&M University in Normal. She did further study at New York University in New York City, N.Y. She was a former teacher in the Lee County school system, and was a retired adult investigator in the Los Angeles County Probation department in Los Angeles, Calif.
Survivors include a daughter, Andrea M. (David) Benton of Acworth, Ga.; three grandchildren, Adena Benton, Daud Benton, and Daylon Benton all of Atlanta; a sister, Etheldra K. Miller of Swainsboro, Ga.; a host of other relatives and friends.
Peterson and Williams Funeral Home directed.
Cynthia Lorraine Thomas Carter
953-2012
A funeral service for Cynthia Lorraine Thomas Carter, 59, of Valley, was held at 11 a.m. on Aug.15, at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church in Phenix City with interment in Mason Cemetery in Union Springs. Rev. Richard Carter Jr., Presiding Elder Joseph A. Hall and Rev. Johnny Rutledge officiated.
She passed on Aug. 10, at her home. Carter, the First Lady of Gaines Chapel AME Church of Phenix City, served faithfully as a member of Stewardess Board, Emma Issac Butler Missionary Society, Sunday School and Bible study class.
She was a graduate of Tuskegee Institute and Troy State University. Prior to her illness, she was employed with the Chambers County School System as an Early Childhood Educator.
A family hour was held on Aug. 14, at 6 p.m. at Peterson and Williams Funeral Home. Her remains laid in state at the church one hour prior to the service.
Carter was preceded in death by her parents, the late Henry O. and Sallie Mae Thomas, Sr.; siblings Etta Carol Harris, Richard Austin Thomas, Rosalyn Denise Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Thomas Smith.
Survivors include her husband, Rev. Richard Carter, Jr. Valley; two daughters Crystal S. Carter, Huntsville; Cynae C. (Jabulani) Tarver, Austell, Ga.; one grandson, Caleb R. Sanders; her siblings, Henry O. (Valerie) Thomas, Jr., Union Springs; Louise (Johnnie) Scott, Los Angeles, Calif.; Julius (Dorothy) Thomas, Montgomery; and Edith T. Miles, Union Springs; four brothers-in-law Walter Harris, William (Carol) Carter, Dr. Charles Carter and Bruce(Diana) Carter; one sister-in-law, Wanda Carter (George) Huguley; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Peterson and Williams Funeral Home directed.
Malchester P. Reeves 1937-2012
Funeral service for Mr. Malchester P. Reeves, 75, of Auburn was held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 16, at Peterson and Williams Chapel with interment in Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. Benjamin Torbert officiated.
Reeves passed on Aug. 8, at his home. Born and raised in Syracuse, N.Y., Reeves graduated from St. Lucy’s High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Audrey Reeves, Auburn; four children, Paula (Anthony) Reeves-Koonce and Tracey (Benjamin) Reeves-Lumpkin both of Columbia, Md., Cynthia Reeves of Malden, Mass. and Mark Reeves (Netta), Cambridge, Mass.; four grandchildren, Cameron and Matthew Lumpkin, Bryant Koonce and Danielle Reeves; two sisters, Betty Jean Owens and Marcia Neal Thomas both of Raleigh, N.C.; a host of other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Malchester P. Reeves New England Community Service, Inc., (NECS) Youth Scholarship Fund, 1197 Adams Street, Boston, MA 02124
Peterson and Williams Funeral Home directed.
Gladys Cook Black
1934-2012
Gladys Cook Black, 78, a resident of Auburn, passed away on Aug. 8, at East Alabama Medical Center.
Funeral services were held on Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. from White Street Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Jamal Oliver officiating. Interment followed in Westview Cemetery.
Black was a member of White Street Missionary Baptist Church, The Missionary Society and former church pianist. She retired from Auburn and Lee County school systems as a teacher.
Survivors include: first cousins, Jimmie (Etta) Nunn, Marietta, Ga., Clifford (Emma) Nunn, Minnie Slaughter both of Buffalo, N.Y. and Henderson (Dotsey) Slaughter, Southfield. Mich.; other relatives, Dorothy Slaughter, Stevie Slaughter, Lorenzo (Barbara) Terrell and Alfreda Cosby; care givers, Juanita Williams, Sarah Richardson-Henderson, Casonia Henderson, Shiauna Williams and Josephine Lynch; a host of relatives and friends.
James David
Strickland 1930-2012
James David Strickland, age 81, of Opelika, was born in Georgia on Sept. 2, 1930, and passed away at his home Aug. 3. He was of the Baptist faith. He was the son of Mr. James Alexander Strickland and Mrs. Lee Ella Odom Strickland. He served in the Air Force for 13 years and retired from West Point Pepperell.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Strickland; sons, Dallas, Hermon and Danny Strickland; daughters, Irene and Barbara Strickland, and Latrell Snipes; stepchildren, Gary Warren, Vanessa Nuffer and Eric Lawler; sisters, Irene Burton and Ann Allen; brother, Tommy Stickland; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on Aug. 11, at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Auburn. Rev. Henry Dawson officiated. Visitation was held prior to the service from 12:15 p.m. until the funeral hour.
Lois T. Watson
1926-2012
A funeral service for Lois T. Watson, 86, of LaGrange, Ga. was held on Aug. 15, at 1 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church in LaGrange. Reverend Brad Thompson officiated. Burial was held in Shadow Lawn Cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at Faith Baptist Church.
Visitation for friends and family was Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Watson was born March 3, 1926, in Troup County, Ga. She passed away on Aug. 12, at East Alabama Medical Center. She was a lifelong resident of LaGrange. She was owner of Alabama Novelty Store and was of Baptist Faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake Watson; two sons, Toney Watson, Carey Watson; two step-sons; and a step-daughter.
Survivors include two sons, Ronnie (Karen) Harris of Opelika, Jack (Linda) Harris of Milledgeville, Ga.; daughter-in-law, Debbie Watson of Hogansville, Ga,; 18 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.