LOWELL WILLIAMS
A memorial service for Mr. Lowell Williams will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, beginning at 2 p.m. CST in the chapel at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
A full obituary will be published at a later time.
ALVAH GENE TRAYLOR
Alvah Gene Traylor, 86, passed to his heavenly reward on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at East Alabama Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.
Gene is survived by Betty Berry Traylor, his wife of 63 years, his son, Phillip (Maria), his daughter, Tommie Jo Griswold (Tim), five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, two sisters, LaRhue Harbison and Dorothy Kennamer, and two brothers, Arley and James Traylor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. L. A. Traylor, his brothers, Edward, Wayne, and Ricky Traylor, and his sisters, Jessie Snider and Earlene Dennis.
Gene was born and reared on his father’s cotton farm just outside of Albertville, Alabama, the fifth of ten children, who all learned the value of family and hard work. Gene graduated from Albertville High School where he played football and ran track. While in high school he was voted Most Athletic.
Gene and his young family moved to Opelika in 1967. He worked at UniRoyal, retiring with 33 years of service. He loved his new hometown and especially loved First Baptist Church of Opelika, where he was a member for 56 years.
An avid outdoorsman all his life, Gene enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and camping. In his later years, Gene dealt courageously with serious health problems. No longer able to work or enjoy outdoor activities, he took great solace from his family, who showered him daily with loving care and affection. They always joined him in his favorite past-time, watching the Braves and the Crimson Tide on television.
The funeral service was led by Dr. Jeff Meyers at First Baptist Church of Opelika on Oct. 17, with burial following at Garden Hill Cemetery.
DONNA EDGE PORTER
Donna Edge Porter, age 66, of LaFayette passed away Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Donna was born Nov. 25, 1956, in Jasper and grew up blessed by her large family. She was the daughter of Donald Edge and Frances (Romine) Edge Hornsby.
Her life’s true passions were her family and serving others. Her hugs and compassion were well known, healing, and inspiring. Her kindheartedness and love for everyone in her life was what made her such a special person. She would often go out of her way to help other people and her infectious personality and caring spirit made the day of anyone who knew her. She was a devoted mom, Nonna, sister, cousin, and friend who adored her family, especially her three children and her seven grandchildren. She was blessed to have multiple cousins that she often referred to as her “sister cousins” because of their close bond. The times they spent together will always be held dear in the hearts of her loved ones. With a love of the outdoors, some of her hobbies included planting flowers, finding sea shells on the beach, spending time at the lake, taking girl trips, and crafting. She also enjoyed being a caretaker and volunteering at Kids Clothes Connection with her KCC family which she did for 22 years. Donna attended Auburn University and worked at East Alabama Medical Center in her earlier years.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, DeAnna K. Hand (Kenneth) of LaFayette and Kaylee Cole Yeomans (Jacob) of Opelika, her son, Josh Keebler (Jamie) of LaFayette and her seven grandchildren, Shelly Keebler Bullard (Tal), Lizzie and Layla Keebler, Kyle, Landon, Cohen Hand and 2-year-old granddaughter, Corey Cole Yeomans. She is also survived by her two sisters Debby Edge Mitcham, Diana Edge Sharp and brother Gabriel Hornsby. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, brother and husband Darrell Porter.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Penton Church of God.
WARREN ARMSTRONG
Jimmie Ree “Warren” Armstrong of Opelika was born Feb. 3, 1940, in Vina, Alabama, to Morty and Ophelia Warren. She died Oct. 27, 2023, at Bethany House in Auburn.
She was married to Joseph Aaron Armstrong, who predeceased her. Also predeceasing her was a son, Joey Stephen, and her parents as well as eight siblings. Jimmie is survived by a sister, Eloise Humphres of Vina; her sons Tony (Sheri), Randy (Darlene) and Terry (April); grandchildren and great-grandchildren Justin Armstrong (Allie, Olivia, Lillian), Mallory Cutts (Bowen, Lacy Lynn), Kyle and Nicole Armstrong (Hayes, Harper), Kevin and Laurel Armstrong (Lynlee), Kayla and Clayton Long (Emma, Everly), Peyton Armstrong and Paislee Armstrong.
The funeral was held Oct. 29 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, with Rev. Drue Tubbs officiating. Interment followed at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Opelika.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. John Abrams and the staff of Compassus Hospice and Bethany House for their kind, compassionate care.
CHARLES RICHARD WOOD
On Oct. 24, 2023, (Charles) Richard Wood, longtime resident of the Auburn area, passed away peacefully at the age of 65 after a brave, hard fight with failing health.
Richard, known by many as R.W., graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Ag Econ. He lived his life fully, enjoyed travel, loved the beach, water skiing, rock ‘n’ roll, live music, sports of most any kind, especially Auburn, the Braves, golf and shooting pool, also enjoying arrowhead hunting, bicycling, fishing, skydiving and even scuba diving. Richard had a passion for photography and gardening, growing some of his own food and sharing with others. Also, he was diligent about leaving the smallest carbon footprint on earth possible. He will be missed by many.
KWANG YUN “KIM” STONE
Kwang Yun “Kim” Stone, 77, passed away peacefully on Oct. 23, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on Nov. 14, 1945, in Daejon, South Korea, and immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1968. She was married to her sweetheart, Thomas Stone for over 41 years. Since moving to Opelika in 1986, Kim was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and worked with Opelika City Schools. She later became an active member of Auburn Opelika Korean Church.
Kim was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Stone.
She is survived by her three children: Kim Gilliland (Steve), Lorraine Eaton (Carlton) and Thomas Stone, Jr. (Ashley); along with 2 grandchildren: Tommy Riggs and Thomas Stone III; her sister, Kwang Wun Brazeau (Arthur) and several nieces, nephews and her family in South Korea.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Garden Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the Stone family asks that donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Opelika or Auburn-Opelika Korean Church in Opelika.
RHONDA SUE COLEMAN
Rhonda Sue Coleman, also known as Rhonda, passed away on Oct. 27, 2023, at the age of 72 in Dadeville. She was born on July 22, 1951, in Langdale, Alabama, to Anne and Carey Corley Jr. Rhonda was a homemaker and had a variety of interests and talents. She enjoyed arts, crafts, cooking, sewing, and had a green thumb for gardening.
Rhonda is survived by her children, Brian Hatton (Karen Kirby), Michelle Coleman Anthony, and Richard Nelson. She is also survived by her brothers, Billy Corley (Aranelle) and Ricky Corley (Beverly), as well as her grandchildren, Dawson and Audrey Anthony.
Rhonda was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Leonard Michael “Mike” Hatton, her second husband, Timothy Wayne Coleman Sr., her son Christopher Michael Hatton, her step-son Timothy Wayne “Little Wayne” Coleman Jr., her mother and father Anne and Carey Corley Jr., her sister Patricia Bugg, and her brother Randy Corley.
She received her education at Brown School for primary education and later attended Opelika High School.
During her working years, Rhonda was employed at Russell Mills in Alexander City, Alabama. She worked in the Sewing Quality department and was an inspector.
Rhonda worshipped at Beulah Baptist.
A graveside service was held on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at Tallapoosa County Memory Gardens. The service was officiated by Pastor Tim Davis. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home & Crematory of assisted with the arrangements.
WILLIAM “BILL” CRAWFORD
William H. Crawford also known as Bill was born on Dec. 3, 1940, in Tuscaloosa and resided in Beauregard in his adult life. He passed on Oct. 28, 2023, in Opelika.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ruby Crawford. His siblings Helen (Lamar) Harpe, Celina Marcom, David (Nora) Crawford
Bill will be deeply missed and is survived by Barbara, his wife of 50 years. His children are Wesley (Denise) Causey, Jack Causey, Angela (Jason) Smith, Teresa Hodges, all of Beauregard. He has 12 grandchildren, Charity (Josh) Averhart, Chasity (Chris) Tierney, Constance Fuller, Chyenne (Brandon) Parker, Steven ( Kayla) Causey, Haylee ( Danny) Causey, Dylan (Katie) Smith, Kendall Smith, Grady (Taylor) Walden and Jessica Walden, Jared Hodges, Cameron (Meagan) Hodges and Landen Hodges. He was preceeded in death by grandson Austin Hodges. Bill has 28 great grandchildren.
His surviving siblings are Pete (Sue) Crawford, Luther (Penny) Crawford, Willie (Corinthia) Crawford, Daniel Crawford, Maxine (Walter) Pynes and Ellen (Kent) Young
Bill served in the U.S. Navy and later in life retired from Uniroyal Goodrich.
The funeral service was held Nov. 1 at the West Campus of Providence Baptist Church, with Brother Rusty Sowell officiating.