ANN MARIE DELOACH HAYES
Ann Marie DeLoach Hayes passed away on Feb. 25, 2024, in Opelika, at the age of 78.
Ann was born and raised in Walnut Grove (Etowah County) Alabama. She lived for 46 years in Arab, Alabama, before moving to the Opelika area.
She finished high school in Walnut Grove in 1964. Ann was a 1966 graduate of Snead College in Boaz, Alabama, and graduated from Florence State College (changed to Florence State University by the end of her senior year) in 1968 with a BS teaching degree in home economics.
She started her teaching career at Vinemont High School Cullman County (changed from junior high to high school her starting year). Ann was the very first home economics teacher at Vinemont and was the annual advisor. She taught for five years before deciding to start a family. She did substitute teaching in the Arab School System for more than 20 years.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Earl DeLoach and Altha Thompson DeLoach, one brother Thomas Henry DeLoach, and one sister Fran DeLoach Brown.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years Edward S. Hayes (raised in Cullman), one son Michael Hayes and wife Monica Thrash Hayes of Trussville, one daughter Michelle Morton and husband Philip Morton of Pike Road, grandsons Hunter Morton and Mitchell Hayes and granddaughter Melissa Hayes.
A memorial service will be at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in the Chapel on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Mark Grizzard officiating. Visitation will immediately follow the service in the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association (Alz.org).
ROBERTA SELMAN YOUNG
Roberta Selman Young, 97, passed away peacefully on Feb. 18 at Summer Village – Magnolia Place in Auburn.
A funeral was held Feb. 26 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, with Tom McClendon leading the service.
Born in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, in 1926, Hazel Roberta Selman attended and graduated junior college there. She married Frank Young, also from Hazelhurst, in December 1945 prior to his enlistment in the Navy Air Corps. They were married for 62 years until his death in 2007. They had two sons, Frank Chester Young and Philip Kent Young.
She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, which she felt was her greatest calling in life.
In 1971, they moved to Auburn, where Frank served as a football coach for the Auburn University for 18 years. Roberta was an active member in both the football and church communities. Her strong faith led her for many years to be an active member of Farmville Baptist Church, and for a time she sang in the choir. She volunteered at the Achievement Center in Opelika alongside her son, Philip, and was also a former member of the Pilot Club.
She is survived by her son, Frank, of Denver; granddaughters, Heather Rose Young of Brooklyn, New York, and Helen Roberta Young of Prunedale, California; and two great grandchildren, Sofia Carmona Young and Lucas Carmona Young. A warm and nurturing soul, she will be missed by her family and surviving friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in Roberta Young’s name to: Rainbow Omega, P.O. Box 740, Eastaboga, AL 36260-0740.
JERRY RUSSELL GARRETT
Born on Sept. 4, 1940, Jerry Russell Garrett of Auburn died peacefully in his home on Feb. 21, 2024.
The son of Jerry Hicks Garrett and Mary Agnes Pitchford, Jerry was a personable and successful district sales manager for a major glass company whose career took him to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee and Florida. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, sailing and golfing. He also enjoyed watching Auburn University and Ohio State University sports and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by Jerry Hicks Garrett, Mary Pitchford Garrett and Molly Rendle of Toledo, Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie Jean Garrett, daughter Debra Garrett Deery (Todd), brother Terry Wayman Garrett (Pat) of Denton, Texas, and granddaughter Harper Deery Kelley (Andy) of Guntersville.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Village Friends in Auburn by visiting their website at www.vfv-v.clubexpress.com or by making your check payable to Village Friends (indicate that it is intended to be a donation and send to P.O. Box 314, Auburn, AL 36831-0314).
THOMAS HARREE SMITH
Thomas Harree Smith, was born in 1940 in Society Hill to parents Wilson Harree Smith and Bertie Johnson Smith.
He was the oldest of his siblings. He graduated from Beauregard High School and completed a few years of college. After high school, he worked on helping build I-85. He later joined the Air Force in 1962, where he served four years between Texas and Alaska.
His son, Thomas Jr (Tommy), was born during his years at Uniroyal Goodrich, where he worked for many years before going to the Census Bureau.
He was married to the love of his life, the late Sandra Ann Smith. They opened and ran Beauregard Corner Market and Fireworks stand, where they quickly became a staple within the community. They spent the rest of their lives running their business, which was built on the joys of putting smiles on familiar faces within their small hometown, where Mr. Smith became known as “the Firecracker Man.”
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death and by his brother, Harry Smith (Marylou).
He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Preston Smith (Maria), Charles Smith (Pat), Donald Smith (D. Martha), Jenny Kay (Paul Nichols), James Ray (Beth) and Brenda Williams; his sons, Tommy, Rot C Long (Noni) and Mike King; his daughters, Tammy Hall (Jon), Denise Long, Cindy Best (Darren) and Lisa Lira (Rich); his precious granddaughters, grandsons and great grandchildren. He had a number of nieces and nephews he also adored dearly.
A funeral service was held Feb. 27 at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home, with internment at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery.
JAMES “DON” McSPADDEN
James “Don” Donald McSpadden of Auburn, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, was called from his earthly home to be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 22, 2024, at the age of 76.
He was born on May 12, 1947, in Dothan to James Thomas McSpadden and Laverne Godwin. He graduated from Auburn University and spent most of his career as an Engineer and a Plant Manager and obtained his Real Estate License after retirement. He was affectionately known as “Daddy Don” to those closest to him.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Glenda Baker McSpadden, and his brother, Larry McSpadden.
He is survived by his daughters, Kim Petrina and Angie Caldwell (Keith), both of Auburn, and Leigh Ann Tripp of Florida; his grandchildren, Heather Ayers (Tobin), Katie Lawler, Brandon Bonds, Kelsey Puckhaber (Johnny) and Blake Tripp; several great-grandchildren; his sisters, Brenda Ogletree of Statesboro, Georgia, and Yvonne Martin of Cohutta, Georgia; and his brother, Gregg McSpadden of Cleveland, Tennessee.
A graveside service was held Feb. 27 at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn, with Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home of Opelika handling arrangements.
CAROL EDWARDS DAVIS
Carol Edwards Davis, age 90, of Auburn, passed on Feb. 27, 2024, at Bethany House. A graveside service will honor her life at Town Creek Cemetery on Feb. 29, at 1 a.m.
Born Sept. 22, 1933, in Cartersville, Georgia, Carol was the daughter of the late Arthur and Gladys Watkins Edwards. Mrs. Davis was a resident of Auburn, Alabama for 60 years. She and her family were devout members of the Auburn United Methodist Church, where she was a faithful member of the choir for 50 years, taught Sunday-School and served with multiple ministries.
Mrs. Davis was active in the Auburn community. She was a long-time member of the Auburn Women’s Club and worked with the Tidy Tigers and the Auburn Beautification Council. She taught an aerobics class through the Auburn University Continuing Education Program during the 1970’s. An accomplished artist who dedicated many years to painting in oils, her work brought joy to countless friends who cherished her artistic talent.
Carol is reunited in the heavens with her beloved husband of many years, James Ernest Davis Sr., who passed in 2003. Left to cherish her memory are her children: James Ernest Davis Jr. (Dusty) and wife Mary Lou of Birmingham, Alabama; Christopher Edward Davis and wife Penney of Hood River, Oregon; Valarie Davis McCalman and husband Patrick of Andalusia, Alabama. Her legacy also lives on through her six grandchildren: Cole Timmons Davis and wife Camille of Durango, Colorado; Hannah Davis McNaughton and husband Caleb of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Chase Buck Davis of Birmingham, Alabama; Christopher Aaron Davis of Hood River, Oregon; Patrick Steven McCalman, II (Cal) of Atlanta, Georgia; Jack Davis McCalman of Auburn, Alabama; and one great-granddaughter, Renee James Davis of Durango, Colorado.
She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Marsha Davis Arrington of Cartersville, Georgia, and niece, Susan Arrington Brown, and nephew, John Davis Arrington, both of Atlanta, Georgia. Carol’s life was also enriched by her dear friend and companion, James Burleson.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions to the EAGLES Foundation at theeaglesfoundation.org.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
IRENE CARTHON OBITUARY
Irene Jones Carthon, 100 years old, passed away on Monday, Feb. 26, at the Bethany House after an overnight stay.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2, at noon with visitation from 11 a.m. to noon in the Jeffcoat-Trant chapel.
She was born in Eclectic, Alabama, on Feb. 4, 1924, to Glatis Messer and Vander D. Jones. She married Leonard Oliver Carthon on Dec. 3, 1945. They were married until his death on Nov. 22, 1999. She and her husband both retired from Opelika Manufacturing on First Avenue. Her strong faith led her to be an active member of Central (formerly Southside) Baptist Church for 78 years. She loved her time spent with friends in the KIT club doing activities and going on trips. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She loved attending family functions. She was lovingly referred to as “Grandmommy” or “Cinnamon” by her grandchildren, great- and great-great-grandkids. She enjoyed attending church, traveling, reading, playing Bingo and going out to eat.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Glatis and Vander, her husband, Leonard “Steamboat” Carthon and her siblings, JB, Idella, Joseph, Charles and Shirley.
She is survived by her son Leonard F. Carthon, a daughter Kay Fortin (Frenchy), granddaughters Terri Edwards (Jimmy), and Tanya Longfellow (Chuck); five great-grandchildren, Jonathan Miller, Josh Miller (Julie), Amber Hester (Zack), Kane Garner and Ginny Cox; seven great-great-grandchildren, Jessica, Chance, Jalen, Jordan (Miracle), Jacob, JR and Waylon; one great-great-great-granddaughter Mary Austin; and niece Jan Greer and nephew Charles Starnes (Melinda).