WILLIAM BRUCE LEE
William Bruce Lee, of Opelika, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Emmett Jackson and Lucille Hagan Lee, siblings Euartis Lowe and her husband Robert, Minnie Harrison and her husband John Jr., James H. (Buck) Lee; brother-in-law J.W. Long.
Bruce is survived by his spouse, Mary Helen Smith Lee, whom just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on July 25; three sons William Terry (Sharon), Jackson Keith (Susan) and Michael Craig (Hollie); sister Alma Long; four grandsons Trey (Dana), Bruce (Bridget), Robert (Dacy) and Hollis; great-grandchildren Alyssa, Rachel, Alyson, Dacy Caroline, Isaac, Jonah, Anna Kathryn and Robert.
Mr. Lee began working at West Point Pepperell upon completing school and worked there until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Lee always loved spending time with his family. After retirement you could always find him sitting on the porch in the rocking chair or swing or fishing in his pond. Regardless of the situation you could always expect him to want to crack a joke to make everyone laugh. There will be a huge void in everyone’s life that loved him.
The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Oak Hill Church Opelika, at www.oakhillopelika.com.
A graveside service for Mr. Lee was held Oct. 23. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
FRANCIS EDWARD “ED” FOSTER
Francis Edward “Ed” Foster, of Opelika, passed away Oct. 19, 2023. Mr. Foster is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Foster; parents Elizabeth Daniel Foster, John Foster; sister Beth Damato. He is survived by his children Michael Foster, Frances Franks; grandchildren Sydney Pritchard, Jack Pritchard and Paxton Franks.
Ed retired in 2010 from Internal Medicine as the lab director. He enjoyed fishing, golf, camping, dove hunting and watching college football especially Alabama football. He was a scout master for Troop 45 at Trinity Church for many years. Ed was a man of faith and believed in God’s promise of eternal life trough His Son Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Oct. 28, 2023, at Trinity Church in Opelika with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in Garden Hills Cemetery.
JULIANNE “JULIE JUJU” HILLIS STROH
Julianne “Julie, Juju” Hillis Stroh, 62, went to be in Heaven on Oct. 18, 2023. Julie fought a long and difficult battle against cancer. She was born Sept. 30, 1961, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Seaborn and Winifred Hillis. She was married to her heart, Gerald Stroh, for 40 years full of love and happiness.
Gerald and Julie met in 1980 and married June 4, 1983, at First Baptist Church of Montgomery. During the first 10 years of marriage, they traveled extensively. Some of her favorite places were Hawaii, Bermuda and San Fransico to name a few. On March 11, 1993, they welcomed their “angel” Katy Lee into the world. Julie wanted to be a mother for as long as she could remember, and she truly devoted her life to Katy Lee and Gerald. She never missed the opportunity to be active in Katy Lee’s life. Whether to be a classroom mom, at dance lessons or cheerleading, she was always there! Katy Lee blessed Julie and Gerald with four grandchildren: Oliver McClung, Anna Kate Britt, Julianne Britt and Andrew Britt. She was truly the best Juju to her grandchildren.
Julie attended Brenau University and Auburn University. She was an active member in her sorority where she was a Chi Omega at Brenau and Auburn. Julie has worn many “hats” throughout her beautiful life. In her younger years, she worked for her father Seab at Franklin Life. She was active in Mongomery Junior League and Springfield Junior League and was honored by starting a Holiday Market in Springfield, IL. Julie also helped start Birthday Club with 11 of her friends, each month they would go out for lunch to celebrate each other together. In her recent years, she has been an Independent Health Insurance Agent with Medicare. She truly enjoyed the time spent with her clients and the impact she felt she was making with them.
Julie is survived by her husband Gerald Stroh, daughter Kathryn Britt; grandchildren Oliver McClung, Anna Kate Britt, Julianne Britt and Andrew Britt. Her sister Kathy Patterson; nieces and nephews, Blake Patterson (Joanne), Taylor Holsembeck (Brett), Cole Patterson (Ashlyn), Eric Stroh (Candy), Evelyn Stroh, Alyson Phillips (Andrew) and Keely Calixtro (Robert). Her brother in laws Sammy Stroh (Emmie) and Al Stroh (Brenda); aunts Margaret Kerns and Shirley Love.
Her family truly meant the world to her, and she loved them more than anything. Preceding her into heaven are her father and mother Seaborn and Winifred Hillis; her grandparents Fred and Kathryn Taylor; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Ed and Evelyn Stroh.
In Celebration of Julie’s life, a service was held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory
Donations can be made to Pilots for Christ in honor of Julie. Pilots of Christ and the wonderful people with this organization have truly been a blessing getting Julie and Gerald to and from Alabama and Texas. Pilots for Christ PO Box 707/107 Airport Road, Monroeville, AL (251) 575-9425.
JESSICA LYNN WHITE
Jessica Lynn White passed away on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at East Alabama Medical Center. She was 39 years old.
She was preceded in death by her mother Lori Green White.
She is survived by her father Joseph White (Renai); aunts Cheryl White and Chris Matthews (Bruce) and numerous cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, from noon until 1:45 p.m. in the parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.
A graveside service and interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Garden Hills Cemetery.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
MARIANNE RONEY
Marianne Roney, age 88, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Oct. 19, 2023. She was born and raised in Troy, Alabama.
Marianne was a devoted wife to her late husband, Lafayette Roney, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children Scott (Clearice) Roney of Auburn, Reid (Claudia) Roney of Huntsville, and Paige (Chris) Buttrill of Cornelius, North Carolina. Marianne was a cherished grandmother to Daniel (Michelle) Roney, Rachel Roney-Rivera, Ross (Jamie) Roney, Larke Roney, Clint (Abigail) Roney, Layne Roney, Austin Buttrill, Hampton Buttrill, and Hollyn Buttrill. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Kyia, Cam, Piper K, Sophia, Desi, Riggs and Scout.
Marianne was a woman of faith and worshipped at Trinity Lutheran Church. She found solace and strength in her religious community.
During her lifetime, Marianne was first employed in banking by the First National Bank of Montgomery, moving to Auburn in 1965, and accepting a position with Central Bank of Auburn and then the First National Bank of Auburn, where her areas of responsibility included cashier, branch manager, lending director of business development and public relations; and whereas, in 1981, Marianne joined Auburn National Bank as vice-president and loan officer, in charge of real estate mortgage lending and relationship banking. She was awarded by the Senate of the Alabama Legislature for outstanding professional achievement and elected to the office of Alabama Bankers Association where she was responsible for the Alabama’s Bankers School which is located on the Mobile Campus of the University of the South.
Marianne made many friends and influenced the lives of so many in the Auburn community. She served as the President of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in 1978, awarded as the first woman in the state of Alabama to become a member of the Kiwanis Club and a long member of the Auburn Beautification Council, where she was dedicated to keeping Auburn the loveliest village on the plains.
After retiring, she was known and loved for her work in the offices of the Dean of Engineering and Athletic Department at Auburn University.
In her spare time, Marianne found joy in knitting and French hand sewing, especially for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. She poured love and care into every stitch, creating beautiful and meaningful pieces. Marianne also had a passion for Auburn sports and could often be found cheering on the teams with enthusiasm.
Marianne Roney will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will forever be cherished by her family and friends.
There was a graveside service at Auburn Memorial Park Oct. 23,2023; pastor Corey Grunklee officiated.
