SARA “SALLY” MCDONALD
Sara “Sally” Kinney McDonald, 82, of Auburn passed away peacefully at Bethany House surrounded by a few special friends and her beloved daughter-in-law, Nancy. She enjoyed a long life focused on family, friendships, sewing, crafting and Jesus. She died on Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness.
Sally was born to Howard B. Kinney and Sara J. Kinney, lovingly referred to as “Gangy and Gran,” on May 29, 1942, in LaGrange, Georgia. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery and Troy University. She married Charles J. McDonald of Clayton, Alabama, 60 years ago, in 1964.
She leaves as her legacy two children, Laura M. Beene (Eric) of Burke, Virginia, and Howard A. McDonald (Nancy) of Auburn; four grandchildren, Patrick Beene of Chestertown, Maryland, Michael Beene of Franklin, Massachusetts, Blair DeRuiter (Alex) of Auburn and Lauren Patterson of New York City.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Helen A. “Betsy” Kinney.
Sally was a stay-at-home mother, active support parent and then a professional seamstress. She worked for some of the most sought-after interior designers in Auburn. For several years, she provided whole sororities at Auburn University with rush dresses and pledge class favors. No project was ever too big or too intricate for Sally. She was passionate about family, traditions, all kinds of crafting especially sewing and the family dog, Floppy. She loved collecting thimbles and making her home lovely for all to enjoy.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Founder’s Chapel at Auburn United Methodist Church in downtown Auburn. The family will host visitation starting at 1 p.m. Rev. Dr. Cory Smith will officiate the ceremony.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Sally’s memory to Embrace Alabama Kids, formerly known as the Alabama Methodist Children’s Home, 923 S. Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, or www.embracealkids.org for online donations.
The family would like to thank all the loving and patient caregivers at Compassus in-home Hospice Care, Auburn Bethany House Inpatient Hospice and especially those of Home Instead of Auburn.
JAMES ROYSTER
A celebration of life will take place at Rock Springs Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. in LaFayette, Alabama. A visitation will be held beginning one hour prior at the church. Mr. Royster will be laid to rest in Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
STEPHEN “STEVE” STANFIELD
Stephen “Steve” Lamar Stanfield, 77, passed away Dec. 24, 2024, in Auburn.
Born on February 19, 1947, in Marietta, Ohio, Steve was the son of the late Robert Clifford Stanfield and Catherine Wacker Stanfield. Steve’s father was a construction manager and because of his job, the family moved to many different states before settling in Chamblee, Georgia, when Steve was in the eighth grade.
Steve graduated from Chamblee High School in 1965. That fall, he enrolled in Auburn University where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity and the Army ROTC. He graduated in June 1969 with a degree in business administration. On the afternoon of graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Army as a second lieutenant. In December 1969, Steve married Jeannie Garrett and embarked on a military career that spanned over two decades. A few of the many jobs he held in the Army were helicopter pilot, tank commander, ROTC instructor at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, and a member of the Army Training Board. While serving in the Army, Steve earned two master’s degrees from Texas A&M and Georgia Southwestern State University. He retired from the Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in May of 1990.
After retirement, Steve worked for Computer Sciences Corporation in Hampton, Virginia, before settling in Americus, Georgia, in 1993. In Americus, he was integral in starting an ROTC program in both Americus High School and Sumter County High School. He joined the Americus Rotary Club in 1993 and served in many capacities, including president of his home club up to District 6900 governor. A few of his Rotary accomplishments include District Polio Plus Chair, Second Tier Major Donor in Rotary International, and Chair of the District Disaster Relief Program. He was awarded the 2011 “Service Above Self” Award that is bestowed on only 170 individuals worldwide each year, and he was instrumental in creating the Sheffield Leadership Awards. Steve was an active member of First Methodist Church of Americus, where he and others helped establish what is now the Sheffield-Wootten Sunday School Class. He also served as chairman of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund, Inc. Additional community service projects where he served include Books for Sumter Children and Harvest of Hope Food Pantry. Steve also had several hobbies including painting, golf, fly fishing, hunting and traveling the world. In 2021, Steve retired from the DGR Group in Americus where he had been a financial advisor, and moved to Auburn, where he joined the Auburn Rotary Club.
Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Jeannie Garrett Stanfield; son, Robert Clifford “Cliff” Stanfield (Beth) of Saint Simons, Island, Georgia; daughter, Susanne Lee Stanfield of Sandy Springs, Georgia; grandchildren, Ford Stanfield, Ellie Stanfield, Marshall Stanfield and Garrett Volk; and brothers, Robert “Bob” Stanfield (Penny) of Dunwoody, Georgia, and James “Jim” Stanfield (Denise) of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at First Methodist Church of Americus with Rev. Daryl Brown officiating. After the service, the family will receive friends in the memorial hall of the church. Steve’s interment ceremony with full military honors at Andersonville National Cemetery will begin promptly at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Andersonville Trust (P.O. Box 113, Andersonville, GA 31711) or Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund (P.O. Box 1050, Warm Springs, GA 31830).
May Steve’s memory bring comfort to all who knew him and inspire others to live a life of service.
OPAL DUFFIE
Mrs. Opal Duffie, 82, of LaFayette, died Jan. 8, 2025, at Compassus Bethany House in Auburn.
She is survived by her four children, Ret. MSgt. Donald (Donna) Duffie, Ronald (Lou) Duffie and Angie (Steve) Spates, all of LaFayette, and Susan Duffie of Roanoke; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Rachel Whatley; and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Duffie was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Duffie; grandson, Jamie Andrews; parents, Herbert and Louella Green; and sisters, Odie Calhoun, Ollie Fincher and Robie Sudduth.
Mrs. Duffie was a member of Pleasant Grove Congregational Christian Church.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Family requests that donations be made to Compassus Hospice (Roanoke) and Compassus Bethany House (Auburn) in memory of Mrs. Duffie.
TOMMIE JEAN BOYD
Tommie Jean Boyd, 74, of Opelika passed away Jan. 10, 2025, at the Bethany House.
Tommie was born in Georgia on May 17, 1950, to her parents, Thomas and Dewey Mae Grier. She married the love of her life, Mr. John David Boyd Sr., on Feb. 23, 1970.
Tommie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years.
She is survived by her three beloved sons, John David Boyd Jr., William Kevin Boyd and Kenneth Dwayne Boyd, all of Opelika, and many family members and friends.
A funeral service was held Jan. 14 at Watoola Methodist Church, with Pastor Keith Badowski officiating.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
THERESE ANN NOLL
Surrounded by the love of her family, Therese Anne Noll entered eternal life on Jan. 7, 2025.
Therese was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who brought joy and warmth to everyone who knew her. She was the beloved wife of John, with whom she shared a beautiful life filled with love, laughter and unwavering commitment. Together, they created a strong foundation for their family and a legacy of love that will endure for generations.
Therese was a proud and loving mother to her three sons — Sean, Pat and Ryan — who were the light of her life. Her love for her boys was boundless and she guided them with kindness, wisdom and infinite support. Without her guidance and love the boys would not have become the great men they are today. Terri also welcomed her daughters-in-law, Anne Marie and Kelley, into her heart, embracing them as her own daughters.
Nothing brought Therese more joy than her grandchildren, Caroline, Riley, John Patrick, Charlie and Susanna. She cherished every moment spent with them, delighting in their laughter and milestones. Her role as their grandmother was one of her greatest sources of pride and happiness.
Therese shared a close bond with her brothers, their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews, Rob and Barb, Tim and Eileen, and Randy and Jenny, whose love and support meant the world to her. Therese shared with them a lifetime of memories, laughter and a deep connection that enriched her life with her family.
In addition to her love for her family, Therese was deeply committed to her community. She dedicated herself to serving others through her work with St. Vincent de Paul, where she exemplified compassion and generosity for those in need. Her involvement with the community of Loachapoka and the friendships she developed as part of St. Vincent de Paul brought her great joy as she found meaningful ways to connect with and uplift those around her. Her passion for service was a testament to her selflessness.
Therese will be remembered for her fierce love, devotion to family and ability to make everyone around her feel valued and cherished. She lived her life with grace, compassion and a generous spirit that touched all who knew her.
Therese’s legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and friends and she will be profoundly missed.
A mass was held Jan. 15 at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul in Terri’s memory.
https://www.osvhub.com/stmichaelsauburn/giving/funds (St. Vincent de Paul Ministries)
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RUTH MARIA SHEPPARD
Ruth Maria Sheppard was born July 10, 1956, and passed away Jan. 9, 2025.
A graveside service was held Jan. 14 at Garden Hills Cemetery.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
CARLOS TEODORO
Mr. Carlos Teodoro, a resident of Lafayette for 42 years and married to Deborah Teodoro for 41 years, passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside on Jan. 11, 2025.
Carlos was born on Aug. 23, 1949, to his mother Mildred Marley in Baltimore, Maryland. He spent his life working as a carpenter building things from the “ground up,” which he enjoyed immensely. Most of all, “Chink” loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
BERNADETTE WEIMER
Bernadette Weimar passed away peacefully at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Glenroy Weimar, and her eight brothers and sisters.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Bernadette is survived by her daughter, Wendi Weimar; her son, Glenroy Weimar and his wife Carol; grandson Zachary Weimar and his wife Sachiko; and grandson Marcus Weimar and his wife Brooke.
As a devout Catholic, Bernadette maintained a deep and lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother, which guided her faith throughout her life. She worked tirelessly as a secretary to put both her husband and children through college, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to her family’s education and future success. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life, particularly in sharing her love of sewing and baking with those around her.
Her warmth, selflessness, and devotion to family will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A service will be held Monday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Michaels the Arch Angel Catholic Church in Auburn.
