Earl Miller Lancaster
Earl Miller Lancaster, 95, of Auburn, passed away on Nov. 22, 2023, having lived a long life, most of which he lived in Auburn. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to Edwin Bragg Lancaster and Lucile Morgan Lancaster.
He graduated from Lee County High School (Auburn) in 1945, and from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) in 1950 with a degree in Architecture. While a student at A.P.I., he served as President of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.) and was in the Scarab Architectural Honorary Society. He was a Life Member of the Auburn Alumni Association. He was a Corporate Member of the A.I.A. and a member of the Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, and East Alabama Chapters. He was registered as architect by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards of Certificate in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri over the years of his career.
Mr. Lancaster worked for architectural firms in Atlanta, Georgia, Macon, Georgia, and Birmingham. He returned to Auburn in 1960 when he and his father formed Lancaster and Lancaster Architects where he practiced until his retirement. His goal as an architect was to create environments that make people happy.
Mr. Lancaster served the Auburn community as vice president, president elect, and president of Kiwanis International and served on the Board of Directors. He served on the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as vice president and president. He served on the City of Auburn Planning Commission. Mr. Lancaster was a founding director of Auburn Bank & Trust Company and continued serving as director of SouthTrust Bank of Auburn. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Elks.
Mr. Lancaster served in the Alabama National Guard for 10 years, achieving rank of Second Lieutenant.
Mr. Lancaster was a private pilot and a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was an active participant in the Auburn community track meets into his 60’s. He also enjoyed photography and painting and was a bird watcher. He was an avid sports fan, particularly for Auburn University Tigers.
Mr. Lancaster was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Auburn, having served as a trustee. He previously served as a deacon and as an elder of Presbyterian Church USA. Mr. Lancaster sang in adult choirs for over 60 years. He served many years on building and grounds committees and oversaw numerous renovation and building projects.
Mr. Lancaster was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lucille Lancaster Barclay, a nephew, Lee, and a great grandson, Dylan.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine Cox Lancaster; his daughters, Lauren Walton Lancaster of Auburn, AL, and Wynn Lancaster-Brown (Keith) of Daphne, AL; stepdaughters Freda Cox Farrell of Roswell, GA, Lisa Cox Wilson (Michael) of Conyers, GA; and a stepson, Ken Cox (Lauren) of Athens, AL; grandchildren, Katie Moody (Brooks), Jonah Brown (Mihaela), Kristen Beverly (Josh), Hannah Jones (Anthony), Lena Brown, Lynn Nelson (Tommy), Brady Smith, Deborah Suggs (Evan), Beverly Keyton (John); great grandchildren, Jacob, Anthony Shonze’, Emily Kate, Antwan, Lizzy, Losha, Drew, Ellae, Josh, Samuel, Naomi, Nolan, Johnny, and Ezra; great, great grandchildren Brooks and Walker; nieces, Barbara, BJ, and Nancy, and nephew, Alan, all of whom he adored.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, beginning at 10 a.m. CST.
A service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Auburn, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m.
A graveside service will be held immediately following at Auburn Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.
William Pope Obituary
Dr. William “Stuart” Pope, 72, of Auburn, passed away on Nov. 22, 2023.
Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Eleanor. Stuart is survived by his wife of 52 years, Suzanne Watts Pope, two daughters; Laura Lowe (Jamie) and Amanda Pope, two beloved grandsons; Watts and William, and two dogs; Tucker and Tiger. He is also survived by two brothers, Mike Pope of Butler, AL, and Wayne Pope of Faunsdale, AL.
Stuart grew up in Linden, AL, but called Auburn home for almost 20 years. He received his Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Samford University, and he loved working with students as a professor in Auburn University’s College of Nursing. Stuart found his passion when he established the CAREing Paws program (canine-assisted research and education program).
A memorial service for Stuart will be held at Parkway Baptist Church on Nov. 27, 2023, at Parkway Baptist Church in Auburn, at 2:00pm, with a visitation at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Auburn University College of Nursing in memory of Stuart.
Matthew Strozier
On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, Matthew Steven Strozier left his wheelchair and ventilator behind and walked into Heaven praising God in person. He was born on May 8, 1997, in Opelika, Alabama. He is survived by his parents, John and Tracy Strozier, his sister and very best friend, Shelby; his grandparents, Nick & Grace Abbett (Papa Nick & Nana) and John W. Strozier (Pappy); his aunts Susan (David) Voss and Cheryl Strozier. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Ellen Strozier (Grandma), his grandfather, James A. Treadwell (Granddaddy), and his uncle, Bobby Treadwell. Our family expresses our deepest gratitude to Mattman’s wonderful, loving care attendant, Denese Easley. She truly became, and will continue to be a part of our family.
Matt attended Southview Primary School and graduated from First Baptist Opelika Christian School in 2015. He has been a blessing and encouragement to his family, friends, and community in so many ways. Matt enjoyed many years of Miracle League baseball. He also spent lots of time at Storybook Farm riding horses. He briefly volunteered with Way 2 Serve Ministries performing data entry. Matt became a Christian on August 30, 2005 and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Opelika. He had a special place in his heart for his youth Bible study led by AJ Richardson and continued weekly Bible study with his close friends, and brothers in Christ, Josh Gatlin and Gunter Nawrocki.
Matt also had a special bond with the Waddell family of Sharpsburg, Georgia. A life highlight for Matt was our two families going on a 14 day, out-West adventure where he was able to see the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Yellowstone, and Mount Rushmore. His favorite part of the trip was watching Old Faithful erupt. He enjoyed attending Magic Moments Family Camp at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin each Memorial Day weekend.
His visitation will be held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Sunday, Nov. 26th from 4 to 6 p.m. The life celebration will be held at First Baptist Church Opelika on Monday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. with Dr. Jeff Meyers officiating. A private burial will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Storybook Farm, The Way2Serve, The Miracle League of East Alabama or Magic Moments in memory of Matt.
Hazel “Jean” Parker Obituary
Hazel (Jean) Parker passed away at the age of 88 on November 20, 2023. Jean was a native of Opelika, Al. She was the daughter of RM Roberts and Ethel Ennis. Jean was preceded in death by Don Parker, her devoted and loving husband of 63 years and her daughters Cecilia (Cece) Whitman and Connie Whitman, her sister Katheryn (Kathy) Muncus and her brother, Bruce Roberts. She is survived by her caring son Steve and wife (Shelley) of John’s Creek, Georgia. She loved her grandchildren, Casey Pagliarulo (husband Alec) and Colin Parker. Along with her son, they were the pride of her lifetime.
A graveside service will be held at Garden Hills Cemetery on Monday, November 27 at 1 PM.
Dr. Harriet Elizabeth Haynie Chappell (Lisa) Obituary
Dr. Harriet Elizabeth Haynie Chappell (Lisa) stepped into the arms of Jesus on Nov. 21, 2023, in Auburn, Alabama after a brief illness. Lisa is preceded in death by her father, Bobby Ray Haynie, and her husband of 48 years, David Bryson Chappell. Lisa was born in Opelika on July 17, 1955. She was a lifelong resident of Opelika, leaving only briefly to live in New York. Lisa’s calling was to be a nurse. She graduated from Southern Union Community College with her LPN certificate in 1975, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Auburn University in 1992, a Master’s Degree in Nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1995, and a PhD in Nursing Research from the Medical College of Georgia in 2007. She worked at East Alabama Medical Center for 20 years before moving into academia. She has been with Frontier Nursing University since 2009 where she was the Associate Dean of Family Nursing. She touched the lives of hundreds of people through her nursing career, and later as an educator and mentor. She was an avid reader with a large collection of books and a music lover, as well. Lisa was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and friend. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her mother, Jane Leverett Haynie; two sons, John (Laurel) Chappell and Nathan (Kelly) Chappell; grandchildren Olivia and Bryson Chappell; siblings Linda (Tom) Caudle and Rob (Carolyn) Haynie; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Pepperell Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m.
The family wishes to thank the staff at East Alabama Medical Center and Bethany House.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lisa’s honor to Bethany House in Auburn, AL.