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Obituaries

Mary Ruth Judkins Gates

 

A Celebration of Life for Mary Ruth Judkins Gates was held Saturday, October 22, 2022, at New Elam Baptist Church in Kellyton with Rev. Eddie Jennings serving as eulogist. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Gates was born on June 3, 1934, in Coosa County to Mrs. Jewell Judkins and Mr. Willie Judkins. Mrs. Gates departed her earthly dwelling on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Compassus Bethany House in Auburn surrounded by her dear family.

Mrs. Gates accepted Christ at an early age and joined the New Elam Baptist Church where she served faithfully until her health failed. She was employed at Russell Corporation in Alexander City where she retired.

Mrs. Gates lived a wonderful, joyful and peaceful life. She believed in helping others and had a heart of gold. She loved everyone, especially her dear husband, Tommie Lee Gates. Mrs. Mary didn’t have any kids, but she was like a mother to her sister, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, and many others. She enjoyed going to church and preparing dinner meals for others to enjoy. When Mrs. Mary Ruth was not in the kitchen preparing delicious meals, she was out shopping in town, working in the yard, and on the phone talking to family and friends. Most of all, Mrs. Mary Ruth was truly a dedicated wife, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who enjoyed the simple things in life.

She was preceded in death by her father; her mother; two brothers, C.J. and Sammie Judkins; and one sister, Dora Judkins Edison.

Mrs. Gates’ precious memories will be forever cherished by her husband of 66 years, Tommie Lee Gates of Kellyton; one sister, Jewel (Arthur) Russell of Alexander City; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

 

Carol N. Hammond

Our kind, loving, witty mother has left us to go live with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Carol Elizabeth Nabors Hammond of Rockford passed away in Orlando, Florida, on November 10, 2022, at the age of 88. Her sudden, unexpected passing has left a hole in our lives that will never be filled.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Roy W. Nabors, Margaret Reynolds Nabors Fader, and stepfather, Harry Fader; devoted husband of 51 years, Hiram F. Hammond; and daughter-in-law, Anita C. Hammond.

Carol was born at home in the Hanover, Alabama, community and grew up surrounded by many family and friends. She always kept in touch with many family members whom she dearly loved.

Always an avid Auburn fan, she attended Alabama Polytechnical School (Auburn), receiving her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and later earning a Master’s Degree from Auburn University Montgomery in Elementary Education.

While working her way through college, Carol taught at Gantt’s Quarry in Sylacauga. She later spent her career teaching for the Coosa County Board of Education at Weogufka High School, Stewartville Elementary, and Coosa County High School, later known as Rockford Elementary. She spent 33 and a half years as an educator and toured the world after her retirement. Daddy always called her Willie because she was “On the Road Again.”

Always busy and involved, Carol served her community in many different ways. She was president of the Rockford Women’s Club for four years and Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary educator’s society, for four years. Carol grew up attending Andrew’s Chapel Methodist Church and later became a member of the Rockford Methodist Church after she married. She held many positions in the church over the years.

Carol Hammond is survived by her three children: Karen E. Hammond, Randall H. Hammond, and Kimberly H. Teel (Carlton); her grandson, Jacob H. Jennings; her siblings, Kenneth W. Nabors, Jasper (Bob) R. Nabors, and Sharon N. Holder; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Rance Neighbors, Will Neighbors, Lamar Daugherty, Todd Rauschenberger, Daniel Trapp, and Chuck McEwen. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Neighbors, Joel Neighbors, and Jeff Mullendore.

The visitation and funeral will be held Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Sears Chapel Church, with visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the service starting at 11 a.m. Bro. Tim Barnes will officiate. Burial will be in Sears Chapel Cemetery in Rockford.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/sylacauga-al/radney-smith-funeral-home/8516.

Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga will direct the services.

 

Mary E. Riley

 

Memorial service for Mrs. Mary E. Riley, 70, of Alexander City, will be Friday, November 18, 2022, at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Wayne Cowhick will officiate. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 18, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.

Mrs. Riley passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at her residence. She was born on December 27, 1951, in Coosa County to Henry Wesley Mann and Edna Flournoy Mann. Mrs. Riley worked for over 40 years at Russell Corp., and many heard her answer the phone, “Help Desk, this is Mary.”

She enjoyed gardening and was an excellent seamstress, made many crochet creations, and was an excellent cook. Her family looked forward to their Christmas gifts every year that were “Made with Love by Mary.” She enjoyed keeping up with her grandchildren and all their friends and was very close to her sisters. She was a big Alabama football fan and enjoyed her chickens, cats, and her dog, Buddy.

She is survived by her best friend, Hugh Riley; daughter, Regina Blake (Bradley) of Opelika; son, Daniel Scott Riley (Christi) of Alexander City; grandchildren, Dalton Taunton (Molly), Katie Ledbetter, Dylan Riley, Anna Riley, and Riley Farrow; sisters, Evie Mae Dennis, Dorothy Snyder, Jeanne Johnson, and Bobbie Sue Burke; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Charles Drennon, Johnny Mann, Lonnie Mann, Steve Mann, and Marvin Mann.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Tallapoosa Caring Refuge; 2036 Cherokee Road; Alexander City, AL 35010 (www.tcrefuge.org).

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Glenda Thornton

 

Funeral service for Mrs. Glenda Thornton, 87, of Goodwater, will be Friday, November 18, 2022, at 2 p.m. at the Candler Mountain Baptist Church. Rev. Jimmy Nelson and Rev. Tim Thornton will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hackneyville Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 18, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Candler Mountain Baptist Church.

Mrs. Thornton passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at her residence. She was born on September 5, 1935, in Alexander City to Henry Minous Sherrer and Mary Lou Osborn Sherrer. She was a member of Candler Mountain Baptist Church. She worked for over 35 years in the school lunchrooms at Benjamin Russell, Hackneyville and Horseshoe Bend. Mrs. Thornton enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching hummingbirds and wanted to be sure nobody was hungry. She was a very kind person and dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons, Marty Thornton Jr. (Tamela) of Douglas, Georgia, and Tim Thornton (Amy) of Sylacauga; daughter, Lisa Thornton Patterson (Barry) of Hackneyville; grandchildren, Timothy Thornton Jr. (Mary), Jennifer Cantrell (Josh), Caleb Thornton (Haley), DeeDee Nelson (Allen), Tabatha Gillard (Justin), and Hannah Grace Patterson; great-grandchildren, Brenton Cantrell and Blayton Cantrell, Jacob and Lucas Nelson, Emersyn Thornton, and James and Ben Wix; sister, Josie Shirley of Goodwater; and brother, Duck Thrower of Millerville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Marvin Thornton Sr.; her parents; and nine siblings.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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