Mr. William Lee
“Bill” Southers
Mr. Bill Southers, 85, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Bethany House in Auburn, Alabama. He was born March 9, 1930, in Chambers County.
Mr. Southers had been a resident of Opelika, Alabama, for most of his life where he was a member of Providence Baptist Church. He retired in 1992 from the City of Opelika after 43 years of service. Most of those years, he was Superintendent of the Street Department. After his retirement, he worked for Jeffcoat-Trant funeral home for 20 years. He was well known for his fish fries where he would serve as many as 600 people at a time.
Bill served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was active in the Civitan Club where he served as president.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Jeff Southers and Epsy Ruth Andrews Southers.
His survivors include his loving wife, Doris Wheeler Southers; daughter, Laurie Leigh Southers (Warner) Williams, of Opelika; grandchildren, Lindsey Leigh Pickren (Robert) Colvin, of Alabaster, Alabama; Adam Layfield Pickren of Jacksonville, Alabama, Mary Margaret “Maggie” Williams, and William Warner “Bo” Williams, III, both of Opelika; great-grandchildren, Junah Leigh Colvin, Evelyn Marie “Evie” Colvin; sister, Sara Inez Rutledge of Auburn; and brother, Robert Olin Southers of Pensacola, Florida.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Visitation was 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the building fund of Providence Baptist Church, 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika, Alabama.
Jeffcoat-Trant directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com
Floyd A. Hilyer
Floyd A. Hilyer born September 26, 1936, in LaGrange, Georgia, to G. C. and Josie Hilyer passed away January 24, 2016, at Lafayette Nursing Home.
Mr. Hilyer is preceeded in death by his father G. C. Hilyer; mother, Josie Mae Fant Hilyer; siblings, Date Hilyer, Linda Pigg, and Terrell Hilyer.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Camelia Hilyer; daughters, Angie Trillet, Teresa Smith (Larry); son, David Hilyer (Jeanne); brothers, Doug Hilyer, Earl Hilyer (Glenda), Alton Hilyer (Linda); 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 1 great great-grandchild.
Floyd began working at the Opelika Fire Department in November 1957 and retired as Assistant Chief in 1988. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He liked meeting and eating breakfast with his friends at Tylers Restaurant. He and his friend Jay Stokely loved helping others.
He was a beloved husband to his wife and a hero to his children and grandchildren. God gained a hero and the family will miss their hero dearly.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 27, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Interment followed the service in Garden Hills Cemetery. Reverend Ray Dunn officiated. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com
Caroline
Roberts Dean
1918-2016
Caroline Roberts Dean, 97, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at her home in Opelika, Alabama.
Mrs. Dean had been a resident of Opelika for over 70 years, where she was active in the First Presbyterian Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and numerous gardening organizations. She served as president for the Alabama Wildflower Society. For years, she developed and maintained the Wildflowers of Alabama website and presented lectures throughout Georgia and Alabama. In 2004, she and her garden were featured on Erica Glasner’s “A Gardener’s Diary” (HGTV). Her modest advocacy for Alabama’s unique plants and their endangered habitats garnered her national recognition. In 2008, she traveled to Washington DC—on her first plane ride—to receive a National Wetlands Award from the Environmental Law Institute for her work in education and outreach. The Caroline Dean Wildflower Trail in Opelika Municipal Park is named in her honor. Her activities in OLLI of Auburn and Alabama Archaeological Society, East Alabama Chapter won her numerous friends. She was a gracious hostess whose annual Easter egg hunt for extended family built abundant joyful memories.
Mrs. Dean was born on July 7, 1918, to Cicero and Sarah Roberts of Mobile, Alabama. She met her husband, Augustus Baker Dean, Jr., while living in Auburn shortly before World War II. She is survived by her sons William Dean (Linda) of Auburn, Baker Dean III (Theresa) and Robert Dean of Opelika, her brother Henry Roberts of Mobile, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and loving caregivers. She was pre-deceased by her husband, August Baker Dean, Jr., her son Daniel Dean, and her granddaughter Caroline Dean Humphries.
Visitation was held Friday, Jan. 22, from 5 – 7 pm at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika.
A graveside service was on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 1:30 pm in Rosemere Cemetery, Opelika. Dr. Chris Duncan, Trinity Presbyterian Church, will officiate.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed. Flowers were her life and will be accepted, or donations in her memory to a charity of your choice.
www.FrederickDean.com
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