JAN ELIZABETH “BETH” GAY
Jane Elizabeth “Beth” Gay, née Jones, of Auburn, died peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at the UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care in Birmingham, at the age of 73.
Beth is survived by her husband Joseph “Gill” Gay after more than 52 years of marriage; her two younger sons Joseph and Austin; her grandson Jackson; and many friends and family who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Jane and Austin; her eldest son David; her younger sister Josephine “Jo” DeVane; and many cherished friends and relatives.
Beth was born on Saturday, Aug. 26, 1950, in Selma, Alabama, to Jane Elizabeth Coker and Joseph Austin Jones. She met her future husband Gill in Auburn and they were married Oct. 10, 1970.
She graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She worked first as an insurance adjuster and for much of her middle life as a homemaker. She was a skilled genealogist and researcher and contributed many findings in the histories of her own family and those of others. She loved, in no particular order, fishing, her Auburn Tigers, bird watching, being near the water, attending yearly church feast services, games with friends and family, and led a rich life full of love and laughter.
A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at Hayneville Cemetery in Hayneville, Alabama. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Beth’s name to the Spencer Cancer Center (www.eastalabamahealth.org/location/spencer-cancer-center) or to a charity of your choice.
GERALDINE K. PUGH
Gerry Pugh, 84, of Opelika, entered her heavenly home on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 — To God be the Glory. We rejoice that she is finally home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, and welcomed by so many of her loved ones that she has longed to see again.
Gerry was born on Sept. 18, 1938, in Macon County, Alabama. She is survived by her two children, Randy (Roxanne) Pugh and Rhee (Steve) Clemmons; five grandchildren, Eric (Lana) Clemmons, Ryan (Amanda) Pugh, Amy Pugh, Erin Clemmons, and Ashlee Pugh; two great-grandchildren, Zeb and Annie Pearl Pugh; one sister, Jeanelle (Charles) Sargent and several brother and sister in laws, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Floyd Pugh; her parents, Lee and Erma King; brothers Waymon (Willadean) King; Paul King; and sister Loette (Bud) Johnson.
Gerry first worked as an administrative secretary at Lee County Hospital, and later worked at Opelika City Hall for many years. She was the secretary to Mayors Thompson, Freeman and Patton before retiring. Gerry is best known for her gracious hospitality and especially for being a wonderful cook, homemaker and hostess. She is so loved and famous in her family, particularly with her grandchildren, for Sunday lunch after church — every Sunday as far back as can be remembered.
Gerry was a faithful member of Wesley Memorial UMC (now Oak Hill Church) in Opelika for more than 50 years where she enjoyed her Sunday school class and their monthly fellowship suppers, Bible studies and women’s ministry events.
Celebration of Life services will be 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Oak Hill Church in Opelika, with visitation beginning at noon, prior to the service. Pastors Craig Lee and Paul Ferrell will officiate. Burial will follow in Garden Hills Cemetery. Gerry loved flowers, so they are gratefully accepted as memorials or gifts made in her memory to The Harbor at Opelika Memory Care or Bethany House in Auburn are also wonderful considerations.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is directing.
CAROL (GAMES) RAIFORD
Carol (Games) Raiford passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on Sunday, Sept. 10, in Auburn, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Carol was a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, born to Mary Joyce (Duvall) Games and Walter Thomas Games in 1953. The second of five siblings, she graduated from Franklin County High School in 1971 and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1974 as an air traffic controller where she met her future husband, John Raiford, marrying that same year. Married for 49 years, she was a lifelong military spouse, homemaker and deeply-devoted mother of three children and four bonus children. She had the joy of being “Gran” to her seven grandchildren.
A gifted cook, seamstress, gardener and event planner, she elevated homemaking to an art form… touching all of those blessed to know her with her dedication and love. Carol loved to travel, her favorite places being the beach and her beloved home of Kentucky, noted for beautiful horses and the Kentucky Derby.
She is preceded in death by her father; sisters Nancy (Games) Perry, Mary Margaret (Games) Hawkins, and Barbara Jean (Janie) Games.
She is survived by her husband John Raiford; Daughter Kelly (Raiford) Moore and son-in-law Brian Moore, daughter Kristen Raiford, son John Raiford and daughter-in-law Donna (Cross) Raiford. Bonus children include daughter Heather (Clayton) Clemons and son-in-law Chase Clemons, daughter Sara (Clayton) Oliver and son-in-law Scott Oliver, son Dan Clayton and daughter-in-law Alannah Clayton, son Colin Clayton and daughter-in-law Anna Clayton and seven grandchildren, Luke, Ben, Elliott, Margot, Henry, Nolan and Benjamin.
Funeral services will be held at Jeffcoat-Trant in Opelika. Visitation on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., and the memorial service on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 11a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
BARBARA ANN MARGAVIO
Barbara Ann Margavio, 79, of Opelika, Alabama, passed away on Sept. 14.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Sebron and Ruth Phipps, LE Ledbetter, John(McCray) and George Margavio. She is survived by her three children Lee (Jamie) Ledbetter, Stacey (Robin) East and Tyler (Danielle) Ledbetter; her seven grandchildren Ashlee (Dyron) Johnston, Rana (Robert )Gregg, Haley (Leon) Blomeley, Allison (Paul) Ricks, Peyton Ledbetter, Chapman Ledbetter, Channing Ledbetter and her beloved great-grandchildren.
Barbara lived her life to the fullest. She loved shopping, eating crab legs and just spending time with her family and friends. She made everyone who knew her laugh and smile. We will miss her more than words can say but are thankful for the memories we have with her.
Our family is grateful to know that Barbara is finally at peace.
Arrangements are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 24, at 1:30 p.m., at Beulah Baptist Church in Dadeville, Alabama.
HOPE HAMPTON WEAVER SHANNON
Hope Shannon, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, cook, tennis fanatic, crossword puzzle genius and expert splinter and tooth remover passed away at home, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, after battling cancer for 10 years.
She was predeceased by her parents, Charlie and Ann Weaver, and her granddaughter Andie Shannon. She is survived by her husband and business partner, Mike Shannon, to whom she was married for 53 years. She is also survived by her children Ann Shannon (Dan Sexton), Mandy Shannon Wisdom (Travis) and John Michael Shannon (Elizabeth), as well as her eight grandchildren Jack, Hope and Ann Baldwin Wisdom, Charlie and Sam Sexton and Joe, Pete and Billy Shannon. She also leaves behind her siblings Hadley Weaver, Jess Weaver and Amy Tourville, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Hope was an extraordinary and quietly brilliant person. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee in 1969 with Phi Kappa Phi honors. She had years of continuing education classes afterwards. She was a business manager, general contractor, regional real estate and land developer, golf course manager and everyone’s problem solver during her varied and interesting career. Mike and his friends credit her for his law degree; he claims he only graduated because she deciphered and explained everything to him.
Despite all of her accomplishments, Hope always said her greatest achievement was her family. She was happiest when surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren. Her love, her intellect, her wisdom and her wonderful sense of humor will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her.
Hope’s favorite charities were St Jude’s Hospital for Children, The Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers.