William Hall Kelly
William (Bill) Hall Kelly, 55, a 35 year resident of Auburn passed away at home on November 4, 2015.
Bill was born in Aliceville on October 4, 1960, and he grew up in Mobile. He was a graduate of McGill Toolen High School and the University of South Alabama. After earning a degree in Computer Science, he worked for 33 years at Auburn University as a systems analyst. Bill was a volunteer at the Crisis Center of East Alabama for ten years, and he served as a member of the St. Michael’s Haiti Committee for another ten years. During the last two years, he was a member of the EAMC Cancer Support Group. Bill’s great loves were his wife, his friends, his extended family, the New Orleans Saints, and Auburn football.
Bill is survived by his wife Rebecca Nealy Kelly, brothers Pat (Valerie) and Mike Kelly, and his sisters Beth Kelly and Anne Scheurich (Hal). He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Stephanie Sedlecky, Jeffery, Madeline, and Krista Scheurich, Jennifer and Jimmy Nealy, Melissa Santos (Chris), and great niece Ashlyn Gwin.
Visitation was held on November 6 at 11:30 a.m. at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home. The memorial service followed at 12:30 p.m.
The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers and suggests memorial donations to EAMC foundation.org (334) 528-5923.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com.
Kenneth
William Walters
Kenneth William Walters, a teacher of philosophy, a dancer of Tango, a man of kind and calm spirit, died peacefully at Bethany House on Sunday, All Saints Day, November 1, 2015. He died at the age of 81 after suffering a stroke on October 9.
Ken was born in Wadena, MN, in Otter Tail County on December 2, 1933. His father, Lloyd, was a farmer and a minister in the Evangelical Free Church. His mother, Lillian, a talented photographer, raised the family. Ken began his studies at Trinity Bible College in Chicago with the intention of becoming a minister. He went on to Roosevelt University and earned his PhD. in philosophy at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He worked his way through college and held more jobs than you can imagine. He canned corn, parked cars, worked at a map company and a Coca-Cola bottling plant, drove a laundry truck, was a janitor (dismissed for being too thorough), was a dishwasher at William’s Bay Bible Camp, WA, and drove Chicago Transit Authority buses for three summers.
Ken began teaching in the Department of Philosophy at Auburn University in 1964. He was hired to teach Aesthetics but also taught all the core classes from Ethics and Logic, to Phenomenology, to Ancient Philosophy. Teaching is what he loved. He always said that his favorite class was the one he was teaching.
He retired from Auburn in 2000 and began writing poetry. He wrote over 400 poems. His friend, Robert Greenleaf, took six of his poems and composed a song cycle called “ A Modern Woman’s Life and Loves”. It premiered at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC in March of 2012.
Ken was a member of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for over 30 years. He served the Fellowship in many capacities, but mostly loved teaching Religious Education and sending birthday cards to the children there.
Ken embraced the belief that our souls are reincarnated many times, that we meet each other again and again on our journeys to achieve oneness with God. He loves all his friends and looks forward to seeing us again.
Bethany House is an amazing resource for the dying. Our gratitude is immense to all who helped to care for Ken. In the spirit of being of use to others, Ken has donated his body to the Medical Education and Research Institute.
Ken is survived by his wife of 29 years, Teresa Elaine Rodriguez; his daughter, Julie Vanderwilt (Randy) of Americus, GA; his son, Scott William Walters (Elizabeth Saviteer) of Seattle, WA; his step-daughter, Jessica Glasscock (Dennis Shealy), Brooklyn, NY. He is also survived by two brothers, Richard Walters (Carolyn) of Abbotsford, BC; Larry Walters (Evy), of Brooklyn Park, MN; five grandchildren, Katherine Burmudez (Greensboro, NC), Meaghan, Liam, Caleb, and Seth Walters, (Sanford, NC), one step-grandchild, Malcolm Shealy (Brooklyn), one great-grandchild, Emma Marie Burmudez (Greensboro, NC); and many nieces and nephews.
His son, Nicholas Kendrick Walters; his first wife, Patricia Anne Walters; his sister, Lloyanne Kovenesky; and his brother, Charles Lloyd Walters preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 450 E. Thach Avenue on Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, you may send contributions to the AUUF Memorial Plaque Fund.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com.
Eleanor Catherine
Bak Cherry
Eleanor Catherine Bak Cherry, 92, of Opelika, Alabama, passed away at home on November 4, 2015. She was born on October 22, 1923, in Thompsonville (Enfield), Connecticut. Eleanor was first generation American with her parents having migrated from Poland. She is survived by her daughters Eleanor Kathryn Cherry Spicer (James) and Lily Auston (Nee Nee) Cherry; her grandchildren Will Spicer (Elizabeth), Eleanor Rice (Gregory), Ellen White (Elmer), Susan Snead (John), Karen Powell (Lane), Christopher Cherry (Jessica) and Matthew Cherry; six great-grandchildren; beloved nieces Cherry Auston and Julie Le Duc; and adopted daughters Ella Simpson and Donna Harper.
She was preceded in death by Victor Parsons Cherry, Jr., her husband of 53 years; son, Victor Parsons Cherry, III; her parents, John and Aniela Bak; four brothers and three sisters.
After graduating with her RN degree from Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, Eleanor enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve as a nurse during World War II. Her patients referred to her as “Nurse Sunshine.” She was honorably discharged at the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Eleanor and Victor made their home in Opelika where she was involved with various community and church activities. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, long time volunteer at East Alabama Medical Center, East Alabama Historical Society and the Red Cross. She enjoyed her membership in the Blue Stocking Club and her 69 years as a member of the “Tuesday Afternoon” bridge club.
Eleanor will always be remembered for her loving spirit and her sense of humor. She loved all music, whether in bird song, the Opelika Park concerts or her church. She lived her life in service to others. She cared for all and shared her love daily through notes, calls, visits, and prayers. Her great love was measured in small acts, felt by many and will be missed by all.
A memorial service was held at First United Methodist Church November 7 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Tim Thompson and Reverend Randy Woodham officiating. Visitation with the family was at 10:00 a.m., before the service, in fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 702 Avenue A, Opelika, Alabama, or to a charity of your personal choice.
Special gratitude to Dr. Michael Gunter and his staff and to caregivers Deborah Dowdell, Johnnie Mae Williams and Dell Grady.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com