DEBORAH (DEBBIE) MOORE HILL
It is with great sadness that we share Debbie went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. She was born July 3, 1952, to the late Dewey and Martha Moore in Monticello, Georgia.
Debbie (Nana) made a lasting impact and will be deeply missed by her husband of 53 years, Tommy Hill of Auburn; daughter, Christie (Tim) Shaddix of Auburn; granddaughter, Alli (Luke) Davis of Ocala, Florida; grandson, Will of Auburn; great-granddaughter, Mille Davis of Ocala, Florida; sister, Mary Brewer of Atlanta; brother, Stevie Moore (Alicia) of Cairo, Georgia; seven nieces and nephews and 17 great-nieces and nephews.
Debbie married Thomas (Tommy) Hill in 1971 and made their home in Auburn, where they raised their only child, Christie. Debbie loved her family dearly and put their needs above her own. Her husband Tommy, daughter Christie, as well as her two grandchildren Will and Alli, were always her top priorities. The final picture we have of her was with her first great-grandchild, taken just hours before her passing. She gave nothing but unconditional love. Debbie loved to cook and crochet. She got those skills from her late Aunt Eva (Bobo) Lindahl, who was like a second mom to her. She would always go overboard with dishes and desserts during the holidays.
During the spring and summer, she was always busy canning vegetables out of the garden. Debbie loved shopping/walking around Wal-Mart, Dollar General and Winn-Dixie, where she knew so many of the workers by name and considered them family. At night she enjoyed reading her Bible with her two fur babies, Mozie (Momo) and Maggie, in her lap.
We are heartbroken at this time, the loss has left a void in our lives, and our only solace is that one day we will be with her again. Her influence on our lives runs deep and will help steer us in our remaining days on this Earth. We love you, Nana.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. at Choctafaula Event Center located at 929 Lee Road 14 in Auburn. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home of Opelika is assisting the family with arrangements.
BETTY JO COBB BROWN
Betty Jo Cobb Brown, 88, of Opelika was born on June 11, 1936, to Larry and Minnie Pearl Cobb. Betty passed away at home surrounded by family on Oct. 25, 2024.
She was a beloved member of Auburn-Opelika Metro Seventh Day Adventist Church. Betty spent her life loving and taking care of others, most of all her husband, the late Robert Brown, and their four children. She worked at Diversified Products, Ampex and most recently as a caregiver to the young and old. She had the heart of a caregiver and was a true servant of the Lord.
In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Lamar Reeves, and a grandson, Matthew Blake.
She is survived by her daughters, Wanda Brown Reeves of Crestview, Florida, and Sandra Brown of Opelika; sons, Bobby (Tina) Brown of Beauregard and Mike Brown of Opelika; nine grandchildren, Wendy Grantham, Jeremy Brown, Gennie Honnell, Brittany (Danny) Tumlin, Chris (Natascha) Garcia-Brown, Patrick (Arline) Brown, DiAhanna (Josh) Allen, Josh (Katie) Hall and Jessie (Steve) Burke; 15 great-grandchildren, Ryan Grantham, David Grantham, Dylan Grantham, Trenton Westbrook, Billie Brown, Austin Brown, Micah Garcia-Brown, Kayla Garcia-Brown, Khloe Garcia-Brown, Alyssa Garcia-Brown, Easton Allen, Levi Allen, Conner Hall, BreAnn Coxwell and Andrew Coxwell; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. at Auburn-Opelika Metro Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 1201 South Uniroyal Drive in Opelika. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the church.
The family would also like to say a special thanks to the staff at Prime Home Health, including her nurses Rose and Niki, as well as her nurse, Brittany with Gentiva Hospice, all of whom provided her with great care over the last year and a half. We would also like to say a special thank you to Ms. Barbara, Ms. Kathy, Patrick Hones and family, as well as all the members of the Auburn-Opelika Metro Seventh Day Adventist Church.
TERESA “TERRI” GILBERT
Teresa “Terri” Gilbert, 65, of Opelika passed away on Oct. 26, 2024. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Teresa was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, grandmother and aunt. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She had a passion for crafting and enjoyed crocheting blankets for her family and friends. Teresa was a loyal employee of Joe’s Grocery and Hornet Quick Stop for many years.
Teresa was preceded in death by her late husband, Robert Gavins; her mother, Margean Gavins (Pop); and her brothers, Earl Geiger, Ricky Maisel and Jimmy Gavins. She is survived by her husband, William Gilbert; her sister, Robin Paul (Norman); sons, Chris Maisel, Bobby Gavins (Jessica) and Jesse Gavins (Anna); grandchildren, Brianna, Parker, Aubrey, Jonah and Molly; and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Teresa’s name.
EMILY E. SANDERS
Emily E. Sanders was born Aug. 30, 1952 and passed away Oct. 22, 2024.
A service was held Oct. 25 at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home, with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
KAREN FRENCH WALSH
Karen French Walsh, 74, of Gadsden died at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital after a sudden illness on Oct. 17, 2024.
Karen was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1950 to John Donald French and Frances Crouser French. The family moved around a bit. Karen attended school in Fort Worth (first grade), Baton Rouge (second grade) and Auburn City Schools (grades 3-12). She graduated with the class of 1968.
Karen loved singing and the theatre. She participated in community, school and college theatre and choir early in life. At Auburn High School Karen was first soprano in the school choir. In theatre, Karen played Rhoda in The Bad Seed (1960), The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (1965) and multiple roles in and was assistant director of AU’s A Christmas Carol (1965). Later, when the family spent a summer semester at Penn State University, Karen became costume manager in Time Out for Ginger (1965) at the Boal Barn Playhouse. Upon returning to Auburn, Karen scored the role of the Witch of the West (1966) in Wizard of Oz at AU Theatre, as well as other productions. In 1968, Karen received a scholarship to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, but she didn’t really like New York and returned to college at Auburn. She graduated from Jacksonville State University with a B.A. degree in Education.
Karen also worked in JOB Corp as a substitute teacher and late in life she became active with OLLI teaching classes in jewelry making. Karen was a bit of an activist, having organized a Vietnam War protest at AU’s Bibb Graves Amphitheater in 1968.
Karen married Ed Walsh in 1976 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Auburn. They enjoyed vacationing in Gulf Shores, walking on the beach to dining on great seafood.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Michael Richard French. She is survived by her husband; her daughter and son-in-law, Victoria (Tori) Walsh Roberson and Daniel Roberson of Memphis, Tennessee; and her grandsons Wes and Jake Roberson. She is also survived by her brothers William (Bill) French of Miami and Robert French of Auburn.
The family held a private burial service at Memorial Gardens in Auburn on Oct. 26, with Frederick Dean Funeral Home assisting with arrangements,
In place of flowers please consider a donation to your charity of choice.
PAUL D. RINGER
Paul D. Ringer was born on Feb. 14, 1968, and died on Oct. 22, 2024.
Son of Kenneth and Joyce Ringer, he is survived by his brothers ,John and Pat, and by his nieces, Alexandra and Gabrielle, and nephew, Ethan.
Paul was a longtime resident of Hawkinsville, Georgia, and for the last 13 years lived in Five Points. Paul loved working outdoors and enjoyed his work beautifying lawns in the landscaping industry. For several years he held his CDL and drove trucks across the United States. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed country living. He had many strong opinions about many topics.
Before his death, Paul chose to become an organ donor. In respect of Paul’s wishes, there will not be a traditional funeral service. He wished to have his ashes spread outdoors surrounded by close friends and family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the AUMC food pantry in Paul’s memory: https://aumc.net/give.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home of Opelika is assisting the family with arrangements.
CHESTER D. RIDDLE
Chester D. Riddle was born Nov. 11, 1943, and passed away Oct. 21, 2024.
A memorial service was held Oct. 24 at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika.
