LILA RICHIE HOLSENBACK
After a brief illness, Lila Richie Holsenback passed away on Feb. 19, 2024.
She was born on Jan. 26, 1962, in Jackson, Alabama, and grew up in Demopolis, where she made lifelong friends and memories.
Lila graduated from Auburn University, where she met her husband of 37 years, Ken Holsenback, and they resided in Auburn until her death. She worked in the Auburn University Alumni Association and at First Realty for a number of years, with many close associates and friends, but her most rewarding and accomplished undertaking was as a mother to her three children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Jean Richie.She is survived by her husband, Ken Holsenback; a daughter, Emily Cline (Chris); and two sons Richie Holsenback (fiancé Carolyn Calder) and Patrick Holsenback (Rachel).
A graveside funeral will be held at Town Creek Cemetery at 1 p.m. CST on Thursday, Feb. 22. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a gift to the Food Bank of East Alabama.
TERESA “TRACY” RYBERG
Teresa “Tracy” Ryberg passed away peacefully Feb.18, 2024, at East Alabama Medical Center, following a battle with cancer. Her final journey was marked by the love and prayers of those who cherished her deeply.
A visitation will be held in the parlor at Frederick Dean Funeral Home, located at 1801 Frederick Road, Opelika, Alabama 36830, on Friday, Feb. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. CST.
She is survived by her son, Carl (Betty) Ryberg III of Auburn; two grandchildren, Ariel (Nathan) Ryberg of Opelika and Nina Pfeiffer of Auburn; brothers Robert (Carol) Frattalone of Hanover, Massachusetts, William Frattalone of Holbrook, Massachusetts, Dr. Thad (Fatima) Frattalone of Apple Valley, California, Mark Talon of Boca Raton, Florida; sisters Rosemary Gluckler of Mills, Massachusetts, Lynda (John) Krasnitski of East Hampton, Connecticut; and many nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl H. Ryberg Jr. of Hyannis, Massachusetts); brother Richard Frattalone of Grants Pass, Oregon; sisters Barbara Wyman of Dennis Port, Massachusetts, Betsy Porter of Hammond, Indiana; and her parents, Robert T. and Grace E. Frattalone.
Tracy, from Cape Cod Massachusetts, found her home later in life in the Opelika-Auburn area. A master seamstress with an unparalleled passion for creativity, Tracy’s nimble fingers breathed life into fabrics, transforming them into intricate works of art.
For many years, Tracy was the proud owner of Designing Women in Opelika, where she shared her gifts with the community. Her dedication to her craft was surpassed only by her kindness and generosity, as she often used her talents to uplift and support those around her.
Tracy’s life was defined by her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, and her love for Him was a guiding light that illuminated her path and touched the lives of those she encountered.
If you feel called upon to do so, please make a donation to a cancer research charity of your choice in Tracy’s honor, as she would have wished to continue supporting efforts to find a cure for this devastating disease.
RICHARD HARRIS PHELAN
Richard “Dick” Harris Phelan of Auburn, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, died Feb. 14, 2024, at the age of 81.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. CT at Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 South Gay St. Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home of Opelika is assisting the family with arrangements.
Born Sept. 20, 1942, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Martin and MaryKay Phelan, Dick graduated from Davenport High School in 1960. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 and pursued naval flight training in Pensacola, Florida, and Corpus Christi, Texas. One year later, he received his flight wings and naval aviator status while training to fly P-2s with Patrol Squadron 24 in Jacksonville, Florida.
A successful date to a Naval Ball brought Edna Moore into Dick’s life. One year later, in March 1966, the two were married in Orange Park, Florida, and over the next seven years became parents of four.
Their military family journey began in Norfolk, Virginia, prior to Dick’s deployment to the Mediterranean. He transitioned to flying P-3s and had further deployments to Iceland and Lajes Air Force Base in the Atlantic in 1968.
In 1969, he began a master’s program in operations analysis at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. In 1971, he was stationed in Coronado, California, where he attended Vietnamese language school and survival training. Dick served in the Vietnam War from January 1972 to January 1973, where he flew missions throughout the country and created reports for Ellsworth Bunker, U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Following Vietnam, Dick served with several Navy patrol plane squadrons, including an operational test evaluation squadron in Key West, Florida, and Patuxent River, Maryland.
From 1982 to 1983, he was commanding officer of Navy Squadron VP-45, consisting of 12 anti-submarine warfare planes, 75 officers and 300 enlisted men and women. The squadron was routinely deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. He served as chief of staff for Patrol Wing 11 in 1983 and 1984 and continued his education at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, obtaining two additional master’s degrees in national security and strategic studies and a Master of Science from Salve Regina College.
Following a three-year posting at the Pentagon where he served on the Secretary of Defense’s staff, he received orders to move to Auburn to become a professor of naval science and the commanding officer of the Naval ROTC program at Auburn University, where oversaw the program for three years before retiring from the Navy in 1991. Capt. Phelan received the Legion of Merit Award, the Meritorious Service Medal with a Gold Star and several other medals throughout his decorated 27-year military career.
After settling in Auburn for retirement, he started a second career in financial planning with Wilson Investment Group. His love for service through his military days led to his leading role over the last three decades in the Auburn community. He was chairman of the Auburn Veterans Committee, past president of the Rotary Club, past president of the Retired Officers Association and past chairman of the Auburn United Methodist Church Financial Committee and the Naval Academy Blue and Gold. For 15 years, he was on the board of directors for the Alabama Special Olympics, and he was selected as Lee County’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Boy Scouts of America in 2013. In 2023, Dick was named Distinguished Veteran of the Year.
He served as a member of the Auburn City Council for 16 years, eight of which he served as the Mayor Pro Tem. He retired from Wilson Investment Group in 2021.
While he had many roles, deployments and responsibilities throughout his life, it was serving along-side “MoMo” in the role of “Pops” that brought him the most joy and satisfaction. Grandfather to 10, Pops mastered the role. One of the highlights every Christmas was when he would serve as the master of ceremonies for the blind-draw for the “grands” to get one of his old caps or a cherished Peachtree Road Race t-shirt from when he ran for many years.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and MaryKay Phelan, and his beloved wife, Edna. Survivors include his daughters, Kelly Parkman (Mark) and Lindsay Dendy (David); his sons, Scott Phelan (Holly) and Todd Phelan (Alice); grandchildren Hannah Grace Dendy, Alex Parkman, Lyla Phelan, Conner Phelan, Will Parkman, Davis Dendy, Riley Phelan, Charlie Richard Parkman, Bennett Phelan and Ella Claire Dendy; and a brother, Jerry Phelan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Special Olympics of Alabama. To make the donation please use the link: https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved/donate/special-olympics-tribute-giving.
AARON D. LUCAS
Aaron Dewayne Lucas was born in Saraland, Alabama, on Aug. 6, 1940, and passed away peacefully at Bethany House in Auburn on Feb. 18, 2024.
He famously had to paint the classroom to pass his last class and earn his high school diploma. He went on to earn bachelor’s degrees from Alabama Christian College and Auburn University, a master’s degree from Troy University and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama.
He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Midway and spent 25 additional years in the Naval Reserve.
He spent most of his professional career in educational leadership as an academic dean at Faulkner University, as director of Troy University’s Southeast Region and as a professor of business for several universities.
He had a passion for building things and had an active construction project going at all times. For the last 10+ years, he quietly did home repairs for people who couldn’t afford to pay for them; he patched roofs, restored storm damage, built handicap ramps and completed countless other jobs to help people in the community.
His family, however, was his lifetime priority. He was a devoted husband, son, brother, father and grandfather. He was known as the family photographer, and despite eye rolls and protests, he made thousands of pictures that will be treasured forever.
He was so loved by friends and family and will be missed immeasurably.
He was preceded in death by his parents, T.J. and Sarah Lucas, and his brother, Perry (Donna Bissett) Lucas. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna Jones Lucas; his children, Eric (Kerri) Lucas, Gina (Robert) Smith and Amy (Matt) Grilliot; his grandchildren, Austin Lucas, Justin Lucas, Jake Smith, Evie Smith, Xander Grilliot, Lulu Grilliot and Dun Grilliot; and his brother, Daryl (Phyllis) Lucas.
To honor his request, there was a graveside service at Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika on Feb. 22, with Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the Auburn Christian Student Center, 439 S. College Street, Auburn, AL 36830 or a charity of your choice.
LARRY J. CONWAY
Larry J. Conway of Opelika was born in Columbus, Georgia, on Nov. 30, 1965, to the late Adolph and Clara Conway. He passed away at the Bethany House on Feb. 14, 2024, at the age of 58.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John Royal and Barry Conway.
He is survived by his sisters, Belinda DiLucchio and Debbie Cole, his brother, Beau Royal and many loving nieces, nephews, friends and other family members.
Larry was an avid University of Alabama football fan.
A graveside service was held at Rosemere Cemetery in Opelika on Feb. 20, with Pastor Cade Farris officiating. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home oversaw all arrangements.
LOUISE C. MORRIS
Louise C. Morris, 97, of Auburn passed away Feb. 16, 2024, at Arbor Springs. A funeral service was held Feb. 19 at Lakeview Baptist Church with burial following in Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery. Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home of Opelika assisted the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Morris is survived by her son, Michael Hugh Morris Jr.; grandchildren James Wyatt Morris (Kristen), Mark Edward Morris and Matthew Lewie Morris (Joane); daughter-in-law Jennifer Chambliss Morris; sister, Mary Bess; and sisters-in-law Judy Carnley, Betty Carnley and Mary Sue Carnley.
She received a B.S. degree in education from Troy State University and a master’s degree in education from Auburn University. She taught school for 35 years and retired at the age of 60, after which she traveled and enjoyed being with family members and especially the grandchildren.
JIMMY CHARLES THOMASTON
Jimmy Charles Thomaston, 80, of Opelika was called peacefully from his earthly home to be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 14, 2024. Born in Opelika on Feb. 4, 1944, to Jim and Gladys Thomaston, he had many cherished memories growing up as one of the “Pepperell Kids.” Jimmy lived a life full of dedication and kindness to others. He devoted many years of his career to Auburn University’s Facilities Management Department. His friendly demeanor and sense of humor left a lasting impression on all who worked alongside him.
Outside of his professional life, Jimmy was a man of simple pleasures. In his earlier years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved being outside, reading a good book and studying the Bible. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Opelika and the Berry Dudley Sunday School class for many years. His favorite pastime in the fall was watching his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Jim Thomaston and Gladys Hyatt Thomaston. He is survived by his cherished wife, Sanda Kay Thomaston, and his stepson, Walt Taylor (Sandra) of Opelika. “Poppy” will be missed by his grandchildren, Walton Taylor (Jeralisse) of Warner Robins, Georgia, Sara Kate Taylor of Montgomery, Will Taylor of Opelika, and great-grandson Nathan of Warner Robins, Georgia.
A celebration of life was held Feb. 18 at Pepperell Baptist Church. Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home of Opelika assisted the family with arrangements. Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice in Jimmy’s memory.
LORETTA HORNE HENDERSON
Ms. Loretta Idonia Horne Henderson passed away at the age of 78 on Feb. 14, 2024. She was born in Opelika on Jan. 6, 1946, to parents Delmas and Inez Horne of Lee County.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Vance Horne. She is survived by her daughter, Taryne Sedberry (Charles), and son, Lloyd Smith (Rina); grand-children Charles Sedberry, Jr. (Sabrina), Carson Sedberry, Audrina McAfee (Dakota) and Bryce Smith, as well as his brothers, Quinton and Charlie Horne.
A graveside service was held on Feb. 17 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Salem. Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home of Opelika assisted the family with arrangements.
LEONARD DUGGAR McCORMICK
Leonard Duggar McCormick, 77, of Warrenton, Virginia, formerly of Opelika, passed away at home surrounded by his family in Virginia on Feb. 11, 2024.
Leonard was born in Auburn on Sept. 23, 1946.
He was a longtime member of Lakeview Baptist Church, where he forged lasting friendships and deepened his faith and the faith of others. His commitment to Christ set a powerful standard for his family and many others with whom he came in contact.
He proudly served his country with honor in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. The selfless service that he learned and exemplified during his time in the Corps carried over into all other areas of his life, blessing his family, friends, and so many more throughout his journey.
Upon returning from Vietnam, he joined the U.S. Postal Service, delivering the mail, rain or shine, for several years in Montgomery and then for two decades in Opelika. In retirement, he became a champion weightlifter, breaking national records in the master’s division and mentoring multiple younger athletes to break through their own boundaries along the way.
Lovingly known to his family as “Pappy,” Leonard is survived by his children, Alex (Nicole) McCormick of Warrenton, Virginia, and Julie (Spencer) Veal of Bremen, Georgia; his grand-children, Conlan, Noah, Isabella and Nicholas McCormick and Aija and Ava Veal; his sisters, Margaret (Greg) Sauer of Orlando, and Royce Glass of Plano, Texas; and nephews and nieces, Michael, Brian, Diana, Eric, Leslie, Coral and Makalae.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul D. and Edith L. McCormick of Opelika.
A funeral service was held Feb. 18 in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, with a graveside service following at Pine Hill Cemetery in Auburn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ministries of His Place and Hosannah Home (under the umbrella of Harvest Evangelism) in Opelika, or Hero’s Bridge in Warrenton, Virginia.