LILLIAN COOPER OVERTON
Lillian Cooper Overton received her heavenly promotion early in the morning of Sept. 22, 2023.
She was born Oct. 29, 1922, to James Edwin and Ester Darnell Cooper in Franklin, Alabama, (Macon County). She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Herman Overton; her parents; siblings, Mildred, Elmer, George and infant Thomas; and grandson infant Charlie Jones. She is survived by her daughter Kathy (Tommy) Hadaway; sister Geraldine Jackson; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and great-great-great nieces.
Mrs. Overton has been a member of First Baptist Church of Opelika since 1996. She was active in Sunday School, WMU and loved her volunteer job of rocking babies in the Nursery for the 11 a.m. service. She served as a “Pink Lady” volunteer at EAMC for 38 years in escort services. She loved her volunteer work at EAMC. She met many folks and made many friends for life. She loved life and people and when she was able enjoyed playing dominos, visiting and providing transportation for her “old folk” friends (who were all younger than she was.) Her last years were spent at assisted living facilities (Azalae Place and Morningside of Auburn). She leaves behind many dear, cherished friends (residents and employees) from these facilities.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Opelika.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to:
FBCO WMU
301 S 8th Street; Opelika, AL 36801
Samaritan’s Purse P.O.Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607-3000 or to your favorite charity.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
SELWYN M. BOLTON
Selwyn M. Bolton “Roho”, 63, of Auburn, entered his heavenly home on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Mr. Bolton is preceded in death by his wife, Debra M. Bolton of Auburn, and parents, J.T. “Jake” and Louise Bolton of Munford, Alabama. He is survived by two children Ashley Conway of Auburn, and Brett Beckwith (Sherree) of Owensboro, Kentucky; grandchildren Derrick Conway (Tori Simmons), Alicia Conway, Alaya Edwards, Alana Edwards, Skyla Edwards, Jayden Edwards, Quin Edwards Jr., Logan Harper, Will Beckwith and Danielle Beckwith; and two great-grandchildren Dexter Conway and Vaden Conway; sisters, Joda Mann (Randy), Cynthia Watts (John) and brother Dana Bolton (Tirissa).
Selwyn graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1981 with a bachelor of science degree. He retired from Matrix Wire in 2018. He grew up in Munford, and soon after graduating college he moved to Auburn where he married the love of his life, Debbie. His most prized possessions were his grandchildren and great grands. They brought so much joy to his life. He supported every type of sports event that they were participating in.
Selwyn will be remembered for his love of the Auburn tigers and most importantly his love for his family and friends. Being a friend to Selwyn meant a lifelong friendship filled with memories and laughs. This was especially evident if you were ever around him and his “high school” buddies. Those stories that they would often share were real.
Pallbearers were Roy Swafford, Eugene “Blue” Stephens, Thad Core, Harold Washington, Steve Strother and Charles “Corky” Stephens.
A graveside service was held at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at 4 p.m. Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home directed the service.
CHARLES THURMAN “SONNY” SOLOMON
Charles Thurman “Sonny” Solomon, age 90, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at his Auburn home after an extended illness. Graveside services was held at Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept 23, 2023, with Rich Street conducting the service offering tribute to his memory. The family received visitors at the cemetery at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service.
Sonny, also known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Papa, was born in Eutaw, Alabama, on Aug. 14, 1933, to Emmett and Theodosia Solomon. He was the youngest sibling to Sue, Jackie, Emmett and Hazel Solomon.
Always a hard worker, he worked for his father delivering medicines from Solomon Drug Company, milked cows and delivered milk from the dairy farm before and after school. After graduating from Greene County High School in 1951, he attended Auburn Polytechnic Institute before joining the Air Force. He worked in the pharmacy while in the Air Force. He met the love of his life, Betty Joyce Clark, in Montgomery while stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base and they married on Feb. 21, 1957. After leaving the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant, he and Joyce moved to Auburn, where he earned a bachelors of science degree in pharmacy in June 1960 from Auburn University. He served in the Air Force Reserves from 1957 to 1961.
He worked for Price Drug in Montgomery until he and Joyce moved back to Eutaw to raise their family and take over the family business, Solomon Drug Company, in 1965. He loved to farm and raised cattle and catfish. His work in his pharmacy helped citizens in Eutaw until his retirement at 78 years old.
Sonny was an avid sports fan which included anything Auburn and outdoor activities like hunting and fishing at their farm, Thurman Oaks. He excelled in turkey hunting and often served as a teacher and guide. His best advice to a turkey hunter was to “Learn the talk of the hens and learn to imitate them perfectly.” He, Greg, and his friends enjoyed hunting and fishing trips in South Dakota, Alaska, Canada and South Africa.
He was proud of his children and family and loved spending time with people, telling stories about his life, loved the outdoors and adventure, loved sports and enjoyed laughter with his friends. He and Joyce spent time traveling between Eutaw, Gulf Shores, and Auburn so that they could have quality time with their family. Sonny embodied the Auburn University creed, “I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.“
He was a member of Eutaw Methodist Church, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the Alabama Pharmacy Association.
He is survived by his wife of 66 and a half years, Joyce Clark Solomon, his daughter Leesa (Rich) Street, his son Greg (Anna) Solomon, and five grandchildren Jessica (Adam) Street Nicholson, Gabrielle (Stewart) Street Neely, Clark (Christina) Solomon, Leigh Anna (Patrick) Solomon Smyth and Sterling (Chelsea) Street. His beloved great-grandchildren include Mamie Nicholson, John Stuart Nicholson, Jude Nicholson, Chip Nicholson, Ezra Neely, Oak Neely, Eden Neely, Emma Solomon, Avery Solomon, Hazel Solomon and Parker Smyth.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring his memory with a contribution to Eutaw Methodist Church in Eutaw, Alabama, or the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy.
CHARLES H. GILLIAM
Charles H. Gilliam of the Beauregard Community went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.
Charles was born in Lexington, Tennessee, on Oct. 14, 1952, to James Wallace and Joy Clifford Gilliam. He was preceded in death by both parents, brother Jim Gilliam, and son-in-law Brent Cobb.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gail Cross Gilliam; son, Jeremy Gilliam (Jenny); daughter, Catherine Cobb Morrow (Jamie); brothers Denny Gilliam (Janet) and Jeff Gilliam (Tammy); sisters-in-law Cathy Gilliam and Brenda Scott; and brother-in-law Norman Cross (Barbara).
Charles was blessed with eight grandchildren: Carleigh, Andrew and Jack Gilliam, James and Matthew Cobb; step-granddaughters Meredith and Margaret Morrow and foster grandson Dustin.
Growing up on the farm, Charles hoed, picked cotton, and learned the joys of hunting and fishing as a child.
Charles attended The University of Tennessee at Martin, where he received a bachelors degree in agricultural education. He continued his education at Virginia Tech, earning both a master’s degree and his doctorate in horticulture. After a teaching and research appointment of three years at The Ohio State University, Charles joined the faculty at Auburn University in 1980.
During his 38 years at Auburn, Charles was extremely active in both the college and horticultural industry as a whole. He served as horticulture department head from 2000 to 2005. Charles’ main areas of research were weed control and alternative substrates for nursery crops.
Charles loved Jesus and was an active member at Lakeview Baptist Church. He enjoyed sharing his faith with these acronyms: Are you being a F.R.O.G.? Fully Rely On God. Are you being a D.O.G.? Depend On God. Do you know how important C.O.F.F.E.E. is? Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere.
A visitation was held at Lakeview Baptist Church, Sept. 23, 2023, with a memorial service following
A private family burial will be held in Lexington, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to
Lakeview Baptist Church Benevolence Ministry
1600 E. Glenn Ave.,
Auburn, AL 36830 or to:
Women’s Hope Clinic
832 Stage Road
Auburn, AL 36830.
DR. GERALD HALPIN
Dr. Gerald Halpin, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away on Sept. 24, 2023, at age 83. He was preceded in death by his brother Buddy Halpin; his father Wallace Halpin, and his mother Flois Halpin. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Glennelle Halpin; his two sons, Michael of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mark of Auburn; and his sister Carolyn Kimbrough of Troy, Alabama. He has two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Dr. Halpin served in the United States Army and received his doctoral degree from the University of Georgia. He was a professor at Auburn University for 35 years until his retirement in 2009.
Funeral services for Dr. Halpin were held Wednesday Sept. 27, 2023, in the Founder’s Chapel of the Auburn United Methodist Church followed by burial in the Pleasant Grove Church cemetery in Lineville, Alabama,.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of their choice.
DEBRA HORNE
Debra Horne, age 70, of Opelika, passed away peacefully on Sept. 24, 2023. She was born on March 21, 1953, in Gadsden, Alabama. Debra attended Emma Sansom High School and went on to marry Larry Horne, with whom she shared 48 beautiful years of marriage. Together, they built a loving family and made countless cherished memories. Debra had a zest for life and a love for travel. Exploring new places and experiencing different cultures brought her great joy. However, her greatest happiness came from spending time with her family. Whether it was gathering for holidays, birthdays, or simply enjoying each other’s company, Debra treasured these moments dearly. Debra will be deeply missed by her children Don (Tara) Waddell, Wendy Waddel, Tracey (Rob) Machen, Kevin (Kristen) Horne; as well as her grandchildren Courtney (CJ) Johnson, Cassidy (Derek) Davis, Carley (Zach) Oliver, Jasmine (Wes) Taylor-Bowen, Savannah (Sam) Taylor-Fisher, Kelsey (Andrew) Eidson, Alex Machen, Austin (Bri) Horne, Brailey (James) Horne; and numerous great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many other family members and friends who were touched by her kindness and warmth. A memorial service visitation to celebrate Debra’s life as held Sept. 26, 2023, at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home & Crematory. In this time of mourning, let us come together to remember Debra’s vibrant spirit and the love she shared with those around her. May her memory live on in our hearts forever.