HERSHEL MORRELL CARROLL
Hershel Morrell Carroll, 90, passed away peacefully on Dec. 6, 2024, in his home in Opelika, surrounded by family and friends. He was born July 8, 1934, in Reeltown to the late Lurleen and Raymond Carroll, the second oldest of 11 children.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Nita, and his youngest son, Richard.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; children, Thomas (Alice), Linda Fay Garner (Ronnie) and Kenneth (Wynona); two brothers and four sisters; eight grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was an avid sportsman and especially loved fishing, deer and squirrel hunting and all sports. He was a lifelong singer and guitarist. He played in his church, several organized groups throughout the years and many community group events.
Throughout his life, he had several careers. He was an auto body worker, worked 11 years at West Point Pepperell, was a tree surgeon and then retired as a logger.
He was a member of the Lakeside Church of God in Opelika for more than 68 years, including serving as clerk for 38 years.
A funeral service was held Dec. 8 at Lakeside Church of God. Burial will be on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. at Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeside Church of God in Opelika.
BRUCE KENNETH PECKHAM
Bruce Kenneth Peckham, 77, passed away Nov. 25, 2024.
He was born Sept. 20, 1947, in Cobleskill, New York, to the late Ellsworth and Daisy Jacobs Peckham. He attended Sharon Spring Central School and received his GED. He served in the Army in Vietnam. He worked at Woodbury Lumber Company in Schenectady from 1968 to 1981. He worked for Harvest Homes in Delanson, New York, from 1984 to 2022, and well as Capitol Vial New York and Twin City Security Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his son, Bruce Kenneth Peckham II; sister, Carol Peckham; and brothers-in-law, Arnold Mickle, George Bender and Gary Dobson.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 55 years, Glenna Dobson Peckham; stepson, Derak Clark Handy; son, Kenneth Paul Peckham; grandchildren, Kenneth J. Peckham, Nikki Peckham Eilers, Derak A. Handy, Ryan Handy and Rene’e Handy Riggs; three great-granddaughters; sister, Joyce Peckham Mickle; sister-in-law, Gail Dobson Bender; daughters-in-law, Dawn Nirsehi Handy and Debbie Reynolds Peckham; four nephews and two nieces.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
JUDY S. TICE-RUSHING
Judy S. Tice-Rushing, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, peacefully left us on Dec. 3, 2024.
Judy was born June 12, 1940, in Opelika. She and her late husband, James H. Tice, raised their family in Metairie, Louisiana, and returned to Opelika for their remaining years together. In 2023, she married Lester “Buddy” Rushing.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson “Nub” Smith and Margaret “Maggie” Jackson, her husband of 57 years, Jimmy, and their daughter, Barbara Graye.
Judy is survived by her loving daughters, Susan (Charlie), Carolyn (Robby) and Kirstie (Jay); grandchildren Angela (Blake), Daniel (Cassidy), Will (Kayla), Leila, Sammy and Maggie; seven great-children; her devoted second husband Buddy and his daughters, Shanon (Doug), Stephanie (Steve), Robyn (Bill) and Jennifer (Jeff).
Judy was an avid Scrabble player and loved reading biographies. She loved traveling, ushering at Opelika Performing Arts and spending time with her New Orleans Bridge Club and Opelika Book Club friends. Her greatest joy, beside holding Buddy’s hand and having a glass of wine, was watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.
A funeral service was held Dec. 7 at St. Michael The Arch Angel Catholic Church in Auburn, followed by interment at Garden of Memories in Metairie, Louisiana. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika assisted the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to American Heart or Lung Associations.
LUCY DISMUKES RICE
Lucy Dismukes Rice passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 2, at the age of 89.
Mrs. Rice was born Oct. 14, 1935, to Mr. and Mrs. Granville Sumner Dismukes of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She attended Central High School where she was a member of the high school band and flag corps, girls basketball team, 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and more. She graduated high school with honors and continued her education at Middle Tennessee State College, where she worked for the campus’s student ran radio station, WMTS.
In 1956 Lucy’s brother, Zack, introduced her to a nice young man from Opelika. Three months later she married the love of her life, Walter L. Rice Jr. She joined him in Opelika and they welcomed five children. She worked alongside Walter in the family construction company and was a devoted wife and mother, very present and involved in her children’s lives. From football to cheerleading to swim team to horse shows she was right there cheering them on. Even the neighborhood children referred to her as “Mama Rice.”
Lucy loved sports. Many may remember that she was the pitcher for Rice’s Rookies, a local sports league in Opelika.
After the death of her husband, she moved back to her hometown of Murfreesboro, where she active in the community as a volunteer with hospice and supporter of the Boys and Girls Ranches.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Rice was preceded in death by two of her children, Deborah L. Rice and Lucy Ann Barnes, and seven brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Rice is survived by her son Walter L. Rice III (Julie) and his family: grandson Broc Rice (Samantha), great-grandchildren Easton, Dallas, Bo and Blane Rice, granddaughter Rebec-ca Knowles (Brandon) and great-grandson Carter Knowles; her son Edwin S. Rice (Kathy) and his family: grandson Stewart Rice (Alison), great grandson Tripp Rice, grandson Garrett Bass (Rachel), great-grandchildren Kalyn, Dane, Trevor and Sadie Bass; her daughter Laura Medders and her family: granddaughter Shelby Briggs (Josh), great-grandchildren Anderson, Caleb, Brooks and Barrett Briggs, grandson Cole Medders, granddaughter Lucy Medders and grandson Brandon Medders; her grandson Bradley S. Barnes (Amanda) and great-grandson Jackson Barnes; and her sister Laura Hooper.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ivy Creek Hospice and special thanks to her care-givers, Dee Roberson and Hazel Chapman, who Mrs. Lucy loved as family.
A service was held Dec. 7 at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home in Opelika.
In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ivy Creek Hospice of Dadeville, 201 Mariarden Road, Dadeville, AL 36853.
CORA FULLERTON REAMES
Cora Fullerton Reames,81 of Opelika, passed away Wednesday Dec. 4 at her residence. Ms. Reames was born June 15, 1943, to the late George (Freck) Fullerton and Sybil Story Fullerton.
She is survived by three daughters, Cherrie (Guy) Smith, Rhonda (Bob) Boothe and Melinda (Kenneth) Whitaker; and nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; six special nieces; one nephew; and many special friends and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Leroy Hall, George Fullerton; and son David Eastridge.
Three things she loved were Atlanta Braves Baseball, Alabama Football and baking cakes. She ran a successful family business, Mrs. Story’s Dairy Bar in Opelika for thirty years.
She also loved keeping up with the Pepperell Kids. She was very active in her church and community until her declining health.
A Celebration of Life Service is planned for a later date.
