TOMMY WHITE
Tommy White, 91, of Auburn passed away on April 13, 2025, at Bethany House.
A Wedowee native, Mr. White was born Oct. 15, 1933, the son of Ertis Franklin and Nellie O. Williams White. He was Baptist by faith and worked in management at Beatrice Food Company/Meadow Gold before retiring from Lancaster Equipment.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ann Weathers White.
Survivors include his sister, Lillian White Rollins of Wedowee, and brother, Jim White of Jackson Gap.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 18, at 1 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Chapel in Opelika. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m., with Dr. Ben Hayes officiating and Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Randolph Memory Gardens in Roanoke.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Guerin, Craig Leonard, Joe Weathers, Billy Bond, Gary Manley and Thomas Achilles.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.quattlebaumfuneralhome.com.
CYNTHIA DEAN GILL
Cynthia Dean Gill, 72, of Opelika died April 10, 2025, at her residence.
She was born Nov. 6, 1952, in Americus, Georgia, to the late Allen Dean and Mozelle Robinson Dean. She was a member of LaFayette Heights Baptist Church.
She is survived by her mother, Mozelle Robinson Dean; son, Larry Dean (Cathy); daughters, Christie Neiswinger and Janice (Larry) Thrower; and six grandchildren.
Graveside services were held April 12 at LaFayette City Cemetery, with the Rev. Dave Bearden officiating. Jeff Jones Funeral Home of LaFayette assisted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to jeffjonesfuneralhome.com.
GLENDA HOLDEN
Glenda Holden passed away April 6, 2025. She was born in LaGrange, Georgia, on April 5, 1937, to Raymond Cash and Ruth Bradford.
She was proceeded in death by her parents; siblings, W.J. Cash and Camelia Hilyer; husband, William (Bill) Holden; sons, Rodney Hansen, Donald Holden and Billy Holden; and many close friends.
Glenda is survived by her children, Judy (Neil) Odom, Jimmy (Kim) Holden and Mark Holden; grandchildren, Cathy (Eddie) Greer, Jennifer Delmonte, Rebecca (Bobby) Bartel, Sarah Holden, Emily (David) Barenberg, Robert Holden, Lynn Reuss, Kimberly (Lee) Fleming, Allisia Holden and Brian (April) Holden; 16 great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Glenda was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Opelika and served on many committees and church organizations. She was the church office manager from the 1980s to 2012 and was devoted to her position. She loved to entertain family and friends and enjoyed cooking for them, especially making lasagna and pound cakes. She loved to travel and garden, and she deeply loved her family.
Funeral services were held April 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, followed by a private family burial at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
CHARLES BOYD ELKINS JR.
Charles Boyd Elkins Jr. entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 7, 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Born Dec. 26, 1931, in Middleton, Georgia, to Boyd and Joanna Elkins, Charles lived a life marked by deep faith, humility and contentment.
An avid outdoorsman, Charles loved spending time hunting and fishing with family and friends. He was especially thankful for the godly example set by his parents, whose legacy of faith profoundly shaped the man he became.
Charles’s unwavering faith in Jesus Christ was central to his life and deeply impactful to all who knew him. As a dedicated research scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, he worked at the University of Georgia, Louisiana State University and Auburn University. He found joy in exploring God’s creation through science, mentoring graduate students and publishing numerous scientific papers. Following his retirement from the USDA, he served as Superintendent of the Auburn University Plant Science Research Center.
He earned a B.S. degree in physics and a M.S. degree in agronomy and soils from the University of Georgia. During his time there, he joined the ROTC program and was later commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. Charles served his country with pride and honor for over 13 years, both on active duty and in the Army Reserves.
Above all, Charles’s life was defined by his devotion to Christ, family and friends. His selfless care for his mother in her later years, the many stories shared by friends about his quiet impact and his steadfast love for his wife, children and church community all stand as a testament to God’s grace in his life and his love for others.
On April 4, 1964, Charles married the love of his life, Ila Ann (Maddox). Their 61 years of marriage were marked by mutual devotion, generosity and deep faith. He was a man of patience, wisdom and quiet strength. A faithful member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, Charles served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, Carpenter’s for Christ volunteer and a mentor to young men for many years. In 2019, Charles and Ila relocated to Athens, Georgia, to be closer to family, and became members of Prince Avenue Baptist Church.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Ila; sister, Joanne Martin; and children, David Elkins (Daralyn) of Huntsville and Dianna Hill (Andy) of Athens, Georgia; grandchildren, Taylor Douthit (Micah), Ryan Elkins (Rachel), Olivia Hardy (Liam), Madeline Thompson (Micah), Abigail Hill and Jack Elkins; and great-grandchildren, Charles, Elizabeth Jane, Reese and Ellis.
Funeral services were held April 13 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home with burial following in Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family expresses thanks for the compassionate care Charles received from the dedicated staff at Presbyterian Village.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lakeview Baptist Church Missions fund. Online at https://www.lakeviewbaptist.org/give/ OR by mail: Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 East Glenn Ave Auburn, AL 36830.
