~ Obituaries ~
1891
A Tribute of Respect
Whereas it has pleased an Alwise Creator to Remove from our Midst our esteemed brother Wm H. BRASHER who died on the first day of Apr in his 70th year and while wee bow to the will of our heavenly father who doeth all things well yet we feel wee have sustained a great loss therefore be it
Resolved [...] that in the death of Brother Wm H. BRASHER dailey Alliance No 705 Realizes that it has lost a useful and exemplary member one who was ever true and loyal to the interest of the order and one whom we knew to be an affectionate Husband and Father and a kind and conscientious friend and neighbor be it further
Resolved that he was also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years and was a true believer of the word of God be it further
Resolved that he also belonged to the Masonic fraternity for 37 years and was ever true to the order be it further
Resolved that he had not dranked a dram of Whiskey in 44 years
Resolved that our heartfelt sympathies are hereby extended to the Berieved family of our departed Brother and as a token of our esteem to his memory a page in our Minute book be dedicated to the commemeration of his death by having these Resolutions recorded thereon and that a coppy be furnished his family and one to the Alabama Alliance Herald also to the weekly News for Publication.
~ J.L. FOWLER
~ D.H. FOWLER
~ Henry BRASHER
~ J.H. BRASHER
~ J.W. DOBBS
Committee
Source:
Handwritten "coppy" of tribute in family papers. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 30 Jul 2006.
Note: W.H. "Billy" Brasher was buried at Zion Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayette County. The dates on his headstone read: Mar 19, 1821 - Apr 1, 1891.
1893
Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 23 � (Special) � Near Bankston, Fayette county, to-day, Wilson KELLY and a man named JONES called on Woodson WILBURN and demanded a horse which WILBURN had and on which JONES claimed to hold a mortgage. A quarrel resulted, when a general shooting occurred. WILBURN was shot in the head and is dying. Dodridge FOWLER, a bystander, received two bullets in the mouth and will die. Further trouble is feared and the sheriff and posse have gone from Fayette Courthouse to the scene of the trouble.
Source:
"Bankston. Fatal Quarrel Over a Horse.," New Orleans, LA, The Daily Picayune, 24 Nov 1893, p. 12, col. 2 (online at Newspapers.com).
1897
Mr. Wash STROTHER died Monday at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. J.A. JINKINS, at the advanced age of 88 years. He was one of Fayette county's best citizens.
Note: George W. Strother lived in Fayette County from before 1840 until his death. His place of burial is unknown. His daughter Martha (1849-1899) and her husband, James A. Jenkins, were buried at Bethlehem Methodist Church Cemetery, so perhaps "Wash" was interred there as well.
1901
Perhaps you would not object to a few lines from this side of the creek, Mr. Editor. / On the evening of the 7th inst two burials occurred the same hour at Mt. Pleasant church. The remains of Miss Carrie GRAY and Mrs. Leonard KIZZIRE were deposited in our country church-yard, side by side, on the same day and the same hour, Rev. G.H. WHITE officiating at the burial of Miss GRAY, and Rev. HOSMER conducted the service over the remains of Mrs. KIZZIRE. The bereaved families have the sincere sympathy of this entire community. / S.M. KIZZIRE, who has a position at the Insane Hospital, has returned to his post at Tuscaloosa.
Source:
"Sipsey Dots," Fayette Banner, 14 Feb 1901. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 17 Apr 2006.
Note: Miss Gray and Mrs. Kizzire reportedly were buried "side by side" at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, yet no inscribed headstone marks either grave there.
1903
Fayette, Ala., Nov. 9 � The body of George GRAY, a farmer, who lives a few miles from here, has been found hanging from a tree. GRAY mysteriously disappeared Sept. 4. When found his body had been separated at the waist, one part falling and the other remaining suspended. GRAY's mind had been unbalanced for some time, and it is believed the man hanged himself.
Source:
"Corpse Found on Tree," Rutherford, NC, The Rutherford Sun, 12 Nov 1903, p. 3, col. 6 (online at Newspapers.com).
1904
The subject of this notice, to wit Elder M.J. ABERNATHY, departed this life August the 5, 1904, being about 93 years old and having been a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church about 70 years and having labored in the ministry about 66 years. Bro. ABERNATHY came from Georgia to this country and has bin here as long as the writer of this sketch can remember. And we feel that we speak the sentiments of the entire boddy of this association when we say that in all things, he was faithful and ernest, contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. In all his long life, if there was ever a charge against him either in church or state, the writer has no knowledge of it. So we can say, as David did at the grave of Abner, know ye that a great man is falen this day. So we say to the sorrowing ones, weep not. Bro. ABERNATHY has gone home.
~ Elder C.H. DAVIS
~ Elder G.W. BERRY
Source:
Handwitten copy of obituary in family papers. Contributed by Susan Holt, 25 Feb 2006.
Note: Rev. Miles J. Abernathy was buried at Old Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Fayette County. The dates on his headstone read: Mar 3, 1811 - Aug 5, 1904.
1913
On January 10th 1913, the spirit of Mrs. Martha A. POE took its homeward flight. She had been in failing healty for several years, and owing to her advanced age, her loved ones and friends were not altogether unprepared for the end.
She was born in 1832, was married to J.T. POE in 1852, was the loving mother of five children, only two of whom remain to mourn her death.
Sister POE joined Concord Church September 23, 1852, and lived a consistent Christian life for fifty-one years. She was faithful to her church, and ever ready to perform her duties as a Christian. God saw fit to call her from among us. Her remains were laid to rest in Concord Cemetery on January 11, in the presence of many sorrowing relatives and friends, the funeral service being conducted by Revs. L.R. HALLMAN and J.J. PATTERSON.
Her voice is hushed, but her work will follow on. May God�s Spirit comfort the.
Note: "My records show Martha A. Poe was born 3 Dec 1832 ... [She] was the mother of Phebie M. Poe, 1st wife of my grandfather James Andrew Hinton. They had two daughters: Amanda Arstrilla "Trillie" Hinton married Joseph Lester "Pat" Patterson; Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hinton married George Harve Patterson, brother of Pat. James Andrew Hinton married 2nd to Hattie Bell Norman and had four children, the last one being my mother Ressie Lee (Hinton) Frazier." ~ Lorene
1978
Name:
SAWYER, Emily Frances
Birth:
["age 75" ~ DOB not provided]
Death:
21 Jan 1978 at Fayette County Hospital in Fayette, AL
Burial:
Cleveland Church of Christ Cemetery in Fayette Co., AL
Survivors:
One daughter: Gaynell JOHNSTON of Bankston, AL; two sons: James Thomas SAWYER of Bossier City, LA, and Hubert SAWYER of Berry, AL; two sisters: Mrs. Verna WEST of Jasper, AL, and Mrs. Merty BOWEN of Bessemer, AL; three brothers: Hulon LOWERY [sic] of Mobile, AL, George A. LOWERY [sic] of Bankston, and Robert LOWERY [sic] of Nashville, TN; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
In life:
[No details provided]
Source:
Loose newspaper clipping dated 26 Jan 1978. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 15 Mar 2008.
Note: Emily LOWREY (not LOWERY) was born to James Monroe LOWREY & Barbara Allen BRANDENBURG on 07 Feb 1902. She was the wife of Verris Henry SAWYER.
1979
Military services for Sgt. Thomas D. PINION Jr., age 26, were held November 3, 1979, at 11 a.m. at Norwood Chapel in Fayete, Alabama. Ministers were Rev. Sidney MURPHY and Rev. John F. WILSON. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Berry, Alabama. Sgt. Pinion of Ft.Carson, Colorado, died Oct. 27, 1979, in Angleton, Texas, from an automobile accident. He was born July 28, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. He had lived in Chalmette, Louisana, and was a member of the Chalmette Baptist Church. He was a Sgt. in the U.S. Army for the past six years. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Janet M. PINION, two daughters, Lisa and Terrie PINION, all of Ft. Carson, Colo.; his parents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. PINION Sr. of Fayette, Alabama, and Mrs. Billy HANKS of Morgan City, La.; four sisters, Miss Tracey PINION of Fayette, Alabama, Mrs. Bobby CUVILLIER of Homa, La., Mrs. Jimmy D. CANNON of Berry, Ala., Mrs. Robert BEARD of Chalmette, La.; paternal grandparents are Mr.and Mrs. Virgil PINION of Berry, Ala.; maternal grandmother, Mrs. A.V. DORROUGH; three nephews and three nieces and close friends, Mr and Mrs. K.C. WALTERS and family of Chalmette, La.
Source:
Memorial Obituary (A tribute published in the pages of Fayette County Broadcaster,
Fayette, AL, 08 Nov 1979).
Contributed by Rhonda Smith Gay (Sgt. Pinion's niece), 26 Jan 2005.
2004
Name:
BLACK, Jack
Parents:
James Spencer BLACK & Ruth SIDES Birth:
21 Oct 1925 in Cordova, Walker Co., AL Death:
31 Aug 2004 at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL
Burial:
Heritage Memorial Gardens in Fayette, Fayette Co., AL
Survivors:
Wife, Margaret (ALEXANDER) BLACK of Fayette, AL; daughter, Claire (BLACK) WILSON of Tuscaloosa, AL; grandson, Alexander Black WILSON of Tuscaloosa; and sister, Hilda (BLACK) BROWN, and her husband, Rex, of Cordova
In life:
Served in World War II; graduated from University of Alabama; started radio station WWWF in Fayette and served as station manager for nearly 40 years; received numerous awards for his lifelong achievements in civic affairs and the fine arts
Source:
Daily Mountain Eagle, Jasper, AL (online), 01 Sep 2004
* * *
Name:
SMITH, Mae Jewell McGuff
Parents:
Sam HARDESTY & Elzada BIRCHEAT
Birth:
09 Jan 1933
Death:
23 Dec 2004 in Fayette, Fayette Co., AL
Burial:
Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayette Co., AL
Survivors:
Three sons: James E., James W., and William T. McGUFF, all of Fayette; five daughters: Emma Dean NICHOLS, Mary A. HARRIS, Jeanette ZOLMAN, Mae Lou Ann COOK, and Tonia Kay DODD, all of Fayette; one brother, Bobby WATKINS, of Fayette; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren
In life:
[No details provided]
Source:
Loose newspaper clipping. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 26 Mar 2008.
2006Catherine Patterson Skoglund
Name:
SKOGLUND, Catherine Patterson
Parents:
W.C. PATTERSON & Sarah Alta WEAVER Birth:
07 Jun 1920 in Fayette County Death:
01 Oct 2006 at Fayette Medical Center Long Term Care in Fayette, Fayette Co., AL
Burial:
Fayette Memorial Gardens in Fayette, AL
Survivors:
Daughter, Greta {SKOGLUND) BEAUCHAMP, and her husband, Rex, of Fayette; granddaughters, Mary (BEAUCHAMP) LAWHORN, and husband, Joshua, of Tuscaloosa, and Elizabeth (BEAUCHAMP) SHELTON, and her husband, Andy, of Birmingham; and one great-granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth SHELTON, of Birmingham.
In life:
Raised in Fayette and graduated from Fayette County High School; attended The University of Alabama; taught school briefly in Hubbertville, AL, and in Portland, OR; resided in Guin, AL, for 50 years; member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Guin; active in youth mentoring and civic work; former small business owner and government employee; preceded in death by her husband, William F. SKOGLUND, in 2004 and two infant sons.
Source:
Funeral notice. Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 21 Nov 2006.
2008Willie C. Godfrey
Willie C. "Bill" GODFREY, 80, went to be with his wonderful Lord and Savior, at 9:45 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2008 with his family at his side. Willie C. was born at Belk in Fayette Co., AL, to James Albert and Ethel May PRICE GODFREY, on December 29, 1927. His passing leaves behind a host of family and friends. He graduated High School in Vernon, AL, class of 1945, and was a graduate of Howard College in Birmingham Alabama, where he received a degree in Music. He was a very talented playing the piano and singing. He lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico for many years, and most recently in Rio Rancho, NM. Bill's greatest joy was his Lord, his family, his friends and his dogs. He served in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, CA. He was an ordained minister of the Gospel and served many years as Music Director in his church. He worked in Television and Advertising for many years. Bill was married to the love of his life, Gwyn Ellen SHERMAN GODFREY, in Enid, Oklahoma. They were married November 23, 1947, almost 57 years before she preceded him in death. Other family members who preceded him in death are, his parents, three brothers, Hubert (Hettie), Franklin (Addine), and James Roy (Armetta) GODFREY, four sisters, Addie Lou MOORE (Charlie), Effie Mae TRULL (Gray), Mary Ruth PEDDICORD (Ed) and Ratha GODFREY. Surviving Bill are two sons, James Andrew GODFREY (Sue) and Michael Wilson GODFREY (Pam), Albuquerque, NM, two daughters, Melissa Jane ALA (Wally), Edgewood, NM and Suzanne Charmaigne ZAHN (Tahoe), Rio Rancho, NM. There are seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends in Lamar and Fayette Co., Alabama and Lowndes Co., Mississippi. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 2 pm at Meadow Branch Baptist Church in Lamar County, AL just north of Kennedy. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.
Source:
The Lamar Democrat, 12 Mar 2008.
Written/contributed by Helen Moore Webster (Mr. Godfrey's niece), 08 Mar 2008.
Name:
CLARK, Laurene Aldridge Parents:
William Garfield ALDRIDGE & Ella MILLS
Birth:
15 Jun 1911 in Fayette Co., AL
Death:
01 May 2008 in Winfield, AL
Burial:
Hopewell Cemetery in Fayette Co., AL
Survivors:
Son, Hillman CLARK of Winfield; two daughters, Mona (Jimmy) McCALEB of Fayette & Sharon Joyce McCALEB of Winfield; eight grandchildren, Dowell (Sue) CLARK, Mark (Teresa) CLARK, Brooke (Danny) WHITWORTH, Chandra (Teddy) NORRIS, Dax (Dana) McCALEB, Amber (Bruce Perry) McCALEB, Natalie (Joe) MADDOX, & Braxton Clark (Cassie) McCALEB; ten great-grandchildren, Jessica CLARK, Brett CLARK, Kyle CLARK, Eric DODSON, Zachery (Jennifer) HUGHES, Isaac NORRIS, Alexandria NORRIS, Sarina McCALEB, & Aidan McCALEB; one great-great-grandchild, Maci HUGHES; two sisters, Melba PERRY & Faylene PLUNKETT, both of Glen Allen
In life:
Lifelong Fayette County resident in the Winfield area; taught music, piano, and guitar; sang with family at numerous funerals throughout the years; a member of Glen Allen Church of Christ. Preceded in death by husband, Dowell Aubrey CLARK (d. 12/11/1961); parents; four brothers, Rufus, Robert, Jeff, & Roland ALDRIDGE; three sisters, Elaine WAKEFIELD, Earlyne HUBBERT, & Mary Belle McWHIRTER; one grandchild, Daphne Paige CLARK; one daughter-in-law, Betty CLARK; & one son-in-law, Roger McCALEB.
2010
Name:
VICK, Louise Bowman
Parents:
Charles Lee BOWMAN & Ruth MARSH
Birth:
04 Aug 1917 in Marshville, NC Death:
16 Jan 2010 at Mount Royal Towers in Birmingham, AL
Burial:
Fayette Memorial Gardens in Fayette, AL
Survivors:
Granddaughter, Missy (STUART) WILKINS of Birmingham, and three great-grandchildren, Ashton WILKINS, Chandler WILKINS, and Ava Louise WILKINS.
In life:
Attended Flora McDonald College in Red Springs, NC, and taught elementary school in NC; she and husband owned and operated Vick Oil Company in Fayette for many years; member of Fayette First United Methodist Church; preceded in death by parents; husband Wyman VICK in Dec 1990; and son Wyman (Bug) VICK in Sept 1990.
Name:
NEWELL, Jeanie Patterson
Parents:
Victor S. PATTERSON Sr. & Lucy BOBO
Birth:
17 Jul 1924 in Fayette, AL
Death:
15 Dec 2010 at Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL
Burial:
Fayette City Cemetery in Fayette, AL
Survivors:
Son, Herbert M. NEWELL III; daughter-in-love, Susan Goins NEWELL of Tuscaloosa, AL; grandson, Herbert M. NEWELL IV; granddaughter-in-love, Ashley MacCaughelty NEWELL of Birmingham, AL; three great-grandchildren: Caleb Herbert NEWELL, Adelynn Elizabeth NEWELL, and Emily Naomi NEWELL
In life:
Graduated from Fayette County High School in 1942 and attended the University of Montevallo; married Herbert M. NEWELL Jr. on 28 May 1949; lifelong member of Fayette First Baptist Church, where she taught teenagers in Training Union and children in Sunday School; established & organized the First Baptist Church library; devoted follower of Jesus Christ; member of Daughters of the American Revolution; with her husband, co-authored at least eight books, including the large volume "History of Fayette County, Alabama"; widely regarded as a repository of information about Fayette and its history; preceded in death by husband on 09 Oct 2000
Source:
Tuscaloosa News, 18 Dec 2010.
Contributed by Frances Lowrey Brasher, 18 Dec 2010.
2011
Name:
MAY, Vistus Francis Fowler
Parents:
Lou Allen FOWLER & Zella DUBOSE
Birth:
30 Apr 1912 near Bluff, Fayette Co., AL
Death:
26 Jan 2011 near Bluff, AL
Burial:
Shady Grove Nazarene Church Cemetery near Bluff, AL
Survivors:
Sons: Tim (Lisa) MAY, Paul MAY & friend, Sondra WARD; grandson: Kevin (Jamie) MAY; brothers: Joe (Sue) FOWLER and John (Shirley) FOWLER; sisters: Virtus HUBBERT, Nell FREDRICK, and Dess (Howard) KIRKLAND; sisters-in-law: Mary FOWLER and Beatrice FOWLER; brothers-in-law: Morris (Maxine) MAY, Glen (Willie) MAY, and Wyman HUMBER; great-grandchildren: Jakob, Eli, Timmy, Patience, Austin, and Leslie, and many nieces and nephews
In life:
The oldest of 11 children; taught school for 40 years in Fayette County, primarily at the Kirkland School; married in 1943; with her husband, built her home in the woods beside the two-room log cabin where she was born; member of Mt. Olive Church of Christ; read her Bible every day, even at the age of 98; preceded in death by husband: Arlie MAY; parents; brothers: Ormand, Huey, Hulon, and L.A. Junior FOWLER; and sister: Adell HOLLINGSWORTH
2014
Frances Lowrey BRASHER, age 92, of Fayette, passed away February 25, 2014 in Davenport, Iowa. Funeral services will be Monday, March 3, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Rehobeth Baptist Church in Fayette, Ala., with Dr. T.S. STRINGFELLOW officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining Cemetery with Norwood Chapel of Fayette directing. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Norwood Chapel.
Frances Karon LOWREY was born July 2, 1921 to Robert C. LOWREY and Annie PRICE Lowrey in Birmingham, Alabama where she spent her early childhood before moving to Fayette. She graduated from Fayette High School and married J. Vaughn BRASHER July 17, 1940. After his army service, they returned to Birmingham. She worked as Deputy Tax Assessor of Jefferson County, as well as an assistant Librarian in the Birmingham Public Library before returning to live at the Brasher home place in Fayette. They were members of Rehobeth Baptist Church of Fayette. She was active in Women on Missions; a member of The Progress Club; Golden Belles and Beaus; Homemaker's Club; and was a Patron of the Arts. She enjoyed travel and spent long hours in Genealogy researching her roots and sharing with many others. In her later years she enjoyed traveling across the U.S. with her good friend Joe SOLETSKI.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband J. Vaughn BRASHER in 1985, her son, James Alan BRASHER, who died in 1997; sisters, Bettye Sue ROBERTSON and Bobbye Ann BRIGHT, and one great-grandson, Tristan BRASHER.
Mrs. BRASHER is survived by her children, Robert Earl (Cherokee) BRASHER of Fayette; Gary Vaughn BRASHER of Castaic, California and Carole Annette Lockwood, (Hank) ROWAYTON of Connecticut; three grandsons, Jason, Scott and Greg BRASHER; nine great-grandchildren and four step grandchildren.
SHE LIVES IN HEARTS OF THOSE WHO LOVE HER.
Source:
Tuscaloosa News, 28 Feb 2014.
Contributed by her son, Robert (Cherokee) Brasher.
[Coordinator's note: Frances was a prolific contributor to this website and a great online friend. Her often humorous and always informative e-mails will be missed.]