Mary Holder Obituary
JoAnn Holder passed away peacefully on Dec. 10, 203, at the age of 86. JoAnn was born to William D. Jones and Mary Lou Jones in Clay County, Alabama.
JoAnn worked many years eventually retiring from Briggs and Stratton Auburn, Alabama. She had a smile that made you warm inside.
JoAnn loved working in her flowerbeds and garden. She was always up for a family trip to the beach and mountains.
Preceded in death are her beloved husband, Jimmy L. Holder; daughter, Deborah Baker; son, Kenneth Culligan; and her parents.
JoAnn is survived by her brother, David Jones and daughter Elaine (Terry) Triplett, daughter-in-laws Tammy Culligan, step-daughters, Pam Nichols, and Nancy (Steve) Winslett, daughter-in-law Sharie Holder. Also, 21 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Charles Blue Obituary
Charles (Buddy) W. Blue peacefully passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.
Buddy was a one-of-a-kind individual who touched the lives of all who knew him. No one who met him ever forgot his larger-than-life personality and his passion for his family and his friends. Buddy was a genuine example of how to love, serve, and live life fully. He was also a patriot in the truest sense of the word and will be missed by many.
Born on April 23, 1936, to Dawson and Elvie Blue in Pepperell, Alabama. Buddy grew up in Pepperell Mill Village where he attended Pepperell School. He went on to attend Clift High School in Opelika where he played football and baseball and was involved in the R.O.T.C. Buddy also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during his youth. As a Master Mason, he achieved the 32° in the Scottish Rite and was also a member of the Alcazar Shrine.
Buddy joined the military in 1959, later going into the 11th Special Forces Group. He then transferred to the 20th Special Forces Group. He founded their military freefall program and led the Demonstration Parachute Team. He built an impressive military career over the years that included many years of service in the Alabama National Guard. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major.
In addition to his military service, Buddy completed his undergraduate degree at Athens State and his Master’s degree at Troy University which enabled him to teach air conditioning and refrigeration courses at Opelika Trade School (later to become Southern Union State Community College) for 28 years.
Buddy was also an experienced pilot and expert parachutist. As a major figure in the Cotton Belt Parachute Council and PCA/USPA, he promoted the sport at every opportunity. His impact on the area’s parachuting community was extensive, starting clubs in Opelika and Auburn, as well as his own business, Skydive Opelika. He trained generations of skydiving enthusiasts and military personnel alike, many of whom would go on to become a part of the Army’s Golden Knights. After more than 10,000 jumps, Buddy fully retired from the sport in 2017.
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Dawson and Elvie Blue, sisters Nan Marie B. Weldon [Jim] and Jean B. Phillips [Bobby], brother, Robert Blue and infant daughter, Nanette Blue.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diane Blue, brother, John (BoBo) Blue, children Charles (Chuck) Blue II, Ami [Steve Sandlin], and Kim [Morris Smith], and his grandchildren, Tucker Sandlin, Riley Sandlin, Foster Hulsey, Elvie Smith, Kelsey Hamby, and Taylor Hamby.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Providence Baptist Church, 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika, AL. 36804.
Suggested memorials may be made to Providence Baptist Church Building Fund or to the charity of your choice.
James Baker Obituary
James Allen Baker “Jim”, a resident of Lanett Alabama, passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the age of 75. He was born March 3rd, 1948 in Elamville, Alabama, to Gaston and Ruby Baker.
Mr. Baker is survived by his wife of 57 years Doris Baker, three children; Dana (Tony) Hurst, Chris (Tina) Baker, Gary (Amy Jaye) Baker. Grandchildren; Ryan Hurst, Brad Hurst, Kayla (Jonathan) Williams, Auburn Barker, Bentley Baker, Kelsey (Wood) Jinwright, Katlyn Jaye, and two great grandchildren Lawson and Ridge Barker. And several special nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gaston and Ruby Baker and brother, Chuck Baker.
Mr. Baker served in the Alabama National Guard and spent most of his career working in the trucking industry. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family on Lake Martin and watching Alabama football and NASCAR with his “little buddy” Brody.
The family will receive friends and family for visitation on Tuesday, Dec. 12 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. CST at Jeff Jones Funeral Home in Lafayette, Alabama.
Graveside service will be held on Dec. 13, 2023, at Lafayette Cemetery in Lafayette, Alabama at 1 p.m. CST.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The Spencer Cancer Center:
2501 Village Professional Drive, Opelika, Alabama 36801.