BARBARA WARD
Barbara Gayle Ward, a resident of Opelika, passed away surrounded by the love and memories of those who knew her. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Barbara had a servant’s heart and never met a stranger. She loved her fur babies and cherished her family and close loved ones with all that she had. Her kindness, warmth and loving spirit will forever be remembered by all who knew her. We will see you again one day, “Vern.”
She was preceded in death by her parents Marion B. Ward and Velmon M. Ward, both of Salem, along with a host of beloved cousins and loved ones.
She is survived by her niece Ashley Cowart; great-nephews Jake Cowart, Cooper Cowart and Brent (Kaleigh) Cowart; and three great-great nieces Madelyn, Jordan and Harmony, all of Reeltown; and great-niece Hailey (Hannah) Cowart of Eclectic.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local animal shelter in Barbara’s memory.
A memorial service was held in the Chapel at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Saturday, May 23.
CHARLES ALFRED MYERS
Charles Alfred Myers passed away May 21 at Bethany House in Auburn after a brief illness.
He is survived by his daughter Brooke (Wendy); sister Sherry Sellers; nephews Justin Sellers and Ben Sellers; and niece Ann Sellers.
He was preceeded in death by his wife of 55 years, Vera Jo; his parents Alfred and Mary Myers; and his father and mother-in-law Harland and Ruth Mcabee.
Charlie, as he was known to his family and friends, grew up in Leeds, Alabama, and graduated from Leeds High School in 1955. He made lifelong friends in Leeds, but pursued higher education at the University of Alabama before making his way to Jacksonville State where he met Vera Jo Mcabee. They married in 1962 and spent time in Birmingham, Huntsville and Pell City before returning to Vera Jo’s hometown, Piedmont.
A lifelong Christian, Charlie found his two great loves on earth, his wife Vera Jo and the beauty and majesty of the land. After dabbling in insurance and education, his true passion for land, farming, timber and relationship led him into a career in real estate that spanned over five decades.
From the Piedmont of Alabama to his beloved farm in the bluegrass of Kentucky, he never met a stranger. Often, he would knock on people’s doors and ask if they wanted to sell their land. He obtained his real estate license in many states, including his beloved home state of Alabama. His love of family, land and farming were cornerstones of a life devoted to people and place.
A memorial service will be held at Piedmont First Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. Friday, May 29, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. prior to the service.
The family would like to give many thanks to the staff of Morningside Assisted Living and Bethany House.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Piedmont Education Trust
P.O. Box 819
Piedmont, AL 36272
or visit www.piedmonteducationtrust.org.
RUSSELL ALLISTON
Russell “Rusty” Reed Alliston came into this world on Nov. 4, 1954, in Jackson, Mississippi. He quickly became his father’s shadow. Whether it was buying cattle at the stockyards or showing horses, wherever Joe Reed Alliston went, Rusty went.
In 1973, Joe passed away from a heart attack, leaving a hole in Rusty’s life. It wasn’t until Rusty met Betty Wallace in 1987 that he finally began to feel whole again. They married in 1988 and Rusty gained two sisters, Brenda Wolf and Becky Baggett, and their parents Rachel and T. Wallace.
In 1989, Rusty and Betty welcomed their son, Colton Reed Alliston, then a daughter, Samantha Taylor Alliston in 1994. The family was complete. In 2011, Rusty and his family relocated to Opelika and called it home.
Rusty worked as a respiratory therapist for 42 years. Whether it was in a private practice or a hospital, Rusty always treated his patients with precision and kindness. Rusty never gloated over the countless lives he saved, but he sure was happy to retire in 2019.
Rusty’s wife, Betty, was the love of his life. He asked her out on Thursday, they went on Friday and never missed a day since. When they walked into the room together everyone felt their love. Rusty was adored by all of Betty’s friends. On June 5, 2026, they would have been married 38 years.
He was a great dad. From 1996 to 2000, he coached his son’s football and baseball teams. He never missed a ballgame or dance recital for either of his kids. He always gave them the confidence to pursue their next dream and knew how to make them feel better. He knew how to make them laugh, how to take care of them in uncertain times and said every day he loved them.
Rusty gained a son-in-law in 2019 when his daughter married Chase Bridges. He then became Pappy in 2020 when he welcomed the first granddaughter, Ellen Russell Bridges, then again in 2024 with the arrival of Elisabeth Rigby Bridges. He was an amazing Pappy to his granddaughters and often said they made his life.
Rusty died on Friday, May 22, 2026, from a sudden heart attack. He was a true American underdog. He was a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan, a history buff, a life-long learner, a football nut and a connoisseur of good movies. He always believed you had to take the bad days with the good because the good days far outweighed the bad. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Rusty is survived by his wife, Betty Wallace Alliston; his two children, Reed Alliston and Samantha Alliston Bridges (Chase Bridges); his granddaughters, Ellen and Elisabeth Bridges; his mother-in-law, Rachael Wallace; his sister-in-law, Brenda Wolf; and his siblings, Kim Brake, Chris Hitchcock and Richmond Alliston.
Rusty is preceded in death by his father, Joe Reed Alliston; his mother, Mary Ellen Stanley; his father-in-law, Alfred T. Wallace; and his sister-in-law, Becky Baggett.
