Publisher’s Note: I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for the kind words, thoughts, prayers and support show to me and my family during my mother’s recent illness and subsequent passing. Much love to all, Michelle Key and family
MARY ALICE WELLS
Mary Alice McMullins Wells, age 81, of Boaz, Alabama, was born Dec. 4, 1942, and passed away June 19, 2024, at Marshall Medical Center North.
Mrs. McMullins is survived by her children, Debra Yarbrough of Albertville, Alabama, Chuck (Norma) Wells of Guntersville, Alabama, and Michelle (Bill) Key of Opelika; grandchildren Corey Yarbrough of Albertville, Jonathon (Brittaney Cochran) Wells of Boaz, Destin (Matthew) Charles of Albertville and Nathan Key of Semmes, Alabama, Emily and Jared Key of Opelika; eight great-grandchildren; sister Sarah Shrader of Detroit, Michigan, and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Ray Wells; parents William and Alma McMullins and brothers Kenneth McMullins and J.W. McMullins.
A funeral service was held June 22 at Albertville Memorial Chapel. She was laid to rest at Beulah Cemetery. Bro. Tony Holcomb officiated, and Pallbearers included Bill Key, Jonathon Wells, Nathan Key, Matthew Charles, Corey Yarbrough, Jason McCullars and Stanley Sumners.
In honor of Nana’s special grands Corey and Jared and great-grand Hudson, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory be made to The Maker’s Child.
LINDA FAY LEE
Mrs. Linda Fay Lee, 78, of Opelika passed away June 21, 2024, at Arbor Lake Health and Rehab. She was born Aug. 5, 1945, in Lagrange, Georgia.
Mrs. Linda Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Caler East and Vergie (Matheny) Jones, and six siblings.
She is survived by her children, Danny (Selina) Lee, Juanita (Jeff) Franklin and Michael (Lynn) Lee; her former husband, Roland Lee; nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held June 23 at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home, with burial following in Garden Hills Cemetery.
CAROLYN ADAMS WILSON
Carolyn Adams Wilson passed away peacefully at Bethany House in Auburn on June 15, 2024. Her infectious smile and wonderful soul will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing her.
Carolyn was born on Aug. 22, 1933, in Andalusia to Morgan Andrew Adams and Madelyn Mills Adams. She attended Auburn University, graduating in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. Carolyn worked as a dietitian until she met and married the love of her life, Charles Wilson, in 1959. She enjoyed travel, cooking, reading, going for long walks and mostly being with her family. Carolyn was an advocate for eating right and exercising every day. She had a sparkle in her green eyes, a determined spirit, and sharp mind every day of her 90 years.
Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband Charles Wilson, her twin sister Marilyn Adams Mosley and her brother, Lt. Col. Ben Adams, (USMC, ret.). She is survived by two loving daughters, Diane Wilson (Tom) DeSee and Barbara Wilson Whiteside; grandchildren Samuel Whiteside, Scott Whiteside, Rachel Whiteside and Devin DeSee; brother-in-law Bob Mosley, nephews Robert (Chip) Mosley, Cameron (Andy) Mosley, and niece Carol Mosley White.
A small memorial service for family and friends was held June 25. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests any gifts in Carolyn’s honor be directed to any one of her favorite charities: The American Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, the Ocean Conservatory and the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
RICHARD PAUL DOWNEY JR.
Richard Paul Downey Jr. passed away on June 15, 2024. He was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Sept. 16, 1950, to Richard Paul Downey and Evelyn Joyce (Waters) Downey.
Richard graduated from Alta Loma High School in Alta Loma, California, in 1968. He then attended Chaffey Jr. College, where he received his associate degree in art. During this time Richard worked several jobs to pay his own way through college.
On Sept. 9, 1970, he began working for B.F. Goodrich in the city of Industry, California, until 1990 when the company was purchased by Michelin. In 1992, Richard moved his family to Opelika, where at that time he worked at Uniroyal-Goodrich. In 2006, he accepted a manager position for the inspection center in Phenix City. He retired June 1, 2016, after 46 years of service.
Richard was preceded in death by two daughters, Rachell Lynn Downey and Tamara Ann Downey; his parents Richard (Dick) Downey and Evelyn Joyce Downey and brother Timothy P. Downey.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Teresa Hardesty Downey; his three children, Christopher Downey, Lisa Marie Downey and Kimberly Michelle Downey; 11 grandchildren, Jessica (Joe) Peer, Nichole Lee (Craig Agee), R.J. Holland(Paris), Olivia Downey, Samantha Yates (Sergì), Dalton Manning, Madison Jones (Greg), Aylei Clayton (Michael), Sarah Plunket (Amari), Brylee Hughes (Elise) and Kadely Robertson; 18 great-grandchildren, Haley, Khole, Isabelle, Allen, Cameron, Braylee, Ivory, Feliks, Scarlet, Noah, Jude, Jeremiah, Jazlayah, Nevaeh, Lukas, Ryker, Rylee, Aurora and #19 Kaelynne due July; three sisters, Janet Grand (Dennis) of California, Nancy Cameron (Ian) of Idaho and Sandra Downey of Las Vegas; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held June 19 in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.
ALICE FAYE WALKER
Alice Walker, a beloved mother, wife, sister and friend, passed away on June 11, 2024. She was born on July 28, 1947, to Marshall Grady Jenkins and Lorene Kilpatrick Jenkins in Macon County, Alabama.
Alice was a nurturing wife to the love of her life for 56 years, her husband, James Richard Walker, and a dedicated mother to her three daughters, Kimila Motley, Amy Coulter (Robert) and Jill Weldon (Eric). Alice was a proud and loving grandmother to Chase Eastridge, Clay Brewer, Jade Motley, Jensen Motley Cole Coulter and Lexi Coulter and great grandmother to Isabella Johnson and Annaleigh Eastridge. Alice shared a close bond to her family, including her siblings, who survived her: Barbara Trivoli, Joyce Moseley, Dorothy Hudmon, Rebecca Watkins and Brenda Holt, and numerous nieces and nephews, who were very special to her.
Alice was preceded in death by her half siblings, Katherine Dubose, Betty Dubose, Marilyn Smith, Gene Jenkins, Larry Jenkins and Roy Jenkins.
Alice’s family was her greatest joy, and she found immense fulfillment in caring for them. Alice was known for her meticulous nature and impeccable sense of style, always presenting herself with grace and elegance.
Alice had numerous hobbies including cooking, exercising and especially gardening. She took great pride in growing fresh tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of vegetables and sharing the fruits of her labor with her family and friends. Her garden was not only a source of nourishment, but also a place of peace and beauty, reflecting her nurturing spirit. Alice was deeply committed to helping others and embodied the spirit of compassion and generosity, always going out of her way to help someone in need. Her selfless nature touched countless lives, leaving a legacy of love and service.
Alice’s life was guided by her Christian beliefs. She faced many hurdles in life, but through faith in God, she found the strength she needed to rise above her circumstances. Her resilience and determination were inspirational to all who knew her.
The family held a celebration of life on June 20 at Frederick- Dean Funeral Home, with interment following at Garden Hills Cemetery.
ALMA MCRAE LONG
Mrs. Alma McRae Long, 100, of Opelika passed away June 19, 2024, at Arbor Lake Health and Rehab. Mrs. Long was born June 13, 1924, in Georgia.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, John William Long, Jr.; daughter, Rhoda L. Wilson; parents and siblings: Euartis Lowe, Minnie Harrison, James H. (Buck) Lee and William Bruce Lee.
She is survived by her children, Gerald B. Long, Sr., Cordelia L. Walker, Eudora L. Martin and Olin S. Long; nine grandchildren, several great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held June 24 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, with burial following in Garden Hills Cemetery.
DANESE JENKINS CONSTAN
Danese Jenkins Constan, 92, met her Lord and Savor Jesus Christ June 19, 2024, surrounded by family who adored her. Her beautiful smile and kind heart will be missed by those fortunate enough to know her.
Danese was born April 23, 1932, in Alderson, West Virginia, to Walter and Leah Jenkins. The family moved to Columbus, Georgia, where Danese grew up attending Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She graduated Baker High School in 1950, then worked at Tom’s Toasted Peanuts, where she met her future husband of 54 years Nick Constan. They married in 1959 and lived in Opelika until 1970, then moved to Norcross, Georgia, where they spent eight years. In 1978, the family moved back to Opelika where they owned and operated MNC Corporation for many years.
Danese was a member of Saugahatchee Country Club in Opelika and a member of the Ladies Golf Association. She loved playing golf and she especially loved her friends she played with, many of them becoming like family to her. She also spent many hours playing golf with her two grandsons, teaching and helping them with their game, a treasured memory for all. Her last golf game was played at age 90, a proud moment.
She spent many hours watching her grandsons play baseball, football and basketball. From t-ball through college she was there cheering for them, rain or shine. She also enjoyed watching her granddaughters at their dance recitals and riding horses. She loved watching the Braves and spending Sunday afternoons watching the Falcons with her grandson.
Danese was preceded in death by her husband, Nick Constan, her parents Walter and Leah Jenkins, and her sister and brother Geneva Cason and Jimmy Jenkins.
She is survived by her older brother Maurice Jenkins; two sons, Phil Constan (Regina) and Ken Constan (Susan); four grandchildren, Nicholas (Emily) Constan, Cooper (Libby) Constan, Grace Constan and Madelyn Constan; and a former daughter-in-law, Suzanne Constan.
Anyone who knew Danese would know she loved her family, she loved her friends and she loved life. She will be missed by many.