Obituaries
Joel Powell Giddens
Funeral service for Mr. Joel Powell Giddens, 61, of Wetumpka, was Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home.
Mr. Giddens passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Chapman Healthcare Center. He was born on February 18, 1961, in Alexander City to Lewis Lamar Giddens and Myril Stewart Giddens. He was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. He loved the Rolling Stones and other classic rock bands. He lived a life of service and was an advocate for people in need.
He is survived by his mother, Myril Giddens of Cowpens; daughter, Kaleb Pivetz (Mychal) of Brooklyn, New York,; son, Christopher Giddens (Kelly) of Auburn; step-son, Joshua Smith (Lindsey) of Kellyton; grandchildren, Sage Nall, Madelyn Smith, Lillian Smith, and Reed Smith.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lewis Lamar Giddens.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Radney Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Janice Gray
Janice Gray, age 64, of Goodwater, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022.
Janice was an active member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, where she was also the clerk. Janice loved her family and was an avid Alabama fan.
Janice is survived by her son, Jason Gray (Connie); her grandchild, Ashley Black; and her great-grandchild, Mason Black; her brothers, Hank Long, Frank Long, Glenn Long, Kenny Long; and her sister, Brenda Wester. She also leaves a host of loving nieces and nephews to cherish her memory.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Gray; her parents, Gennell and Jimmy Lewis; her sister, Sherry Heath; and her grandchild, Alex Gray.
A visitation for Janice was held Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Radney-Smith Funeral Home, Sylacauga. Following the visitation there was a funeral service at Poplar Springs Baptist Church, 330 Coosa County Road 34, Rockford, with Bro. Joe Camp officiating.
Janice was laid to rest in Poplar Springs Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Hank Long, Glenn Long, Kenny Long, Kevin Carden, Jimmy Gray, and Ryan Carden.
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 directed the services.
Barbara Watters Mainor
Mrs. Mainor passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at her residence. She was born on December 10, 1925, in Brewer, Maine, to Douglass Earl Watters and Sarah Hathorne Watters. She was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church.
She is survived by her daughters, Prudence M. Skoog (Richard), Jeanne M. Anderson (Rex), Carol M. Messick (Jimmy), Sarah M. Sanders (Jerry); son, Henry Mainor Jr. (Connie); grandchildren, William C. Johnson (Cassie), Tracey J. Dorch, Michael T. Johnson (Tiffany), Rex W. Anderson (Amy), Mallory A. Kohn (Jonathon), Kimberly M. O’Connor (Greg), Jimmy C. Messick Jr. (Vonda), Wesley C. Messick (Amber), Alyson S. Lashley (Steven), Henry Frank Mainor III (Christine), Shelby K. Mason (Chad); twenty-four great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Henry F. Mainor; parents; brothers, Richard H. Watters and Gilbert E. Watters; and granddaughter, Kellie M. Sanders.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. James Episcopal Church; 347 South Central Avenue; Alexander City, AL 35010 or to St. Johns Episcopal Church; 113 Madison Avenue; Montgomery, AL, 36104.
Richard Carroll Miers
Richard Miers of Sylacauga was born on January 3, 1943, and passed away on January 1, 2023. Richard graduated from Woodlawn High School and went straight into the Air Force. He served from 1961-1966.
Richard was married to his wife, Janet, for 43 years; he had seven children and a gracious amount of grandchildren that were his world.
Richard was a great electrician, loved to hunt and more than anything loved to spend time with his family. He was a faithful member of Estelle Community Church and loved to serve the Lord. One of Richard’s favorite places to go on vacation was The Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Funeral service for Richard Carroll Miers, 79, will be Friday, January 6, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Estelle Community Church with Rev. Mark Deason officiating. Burial will be in Estelle Community Church Cemetery in Weogufka.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Nan Miers; sister, Mary (Jerry) Guin; sister, June (Bob) Stephens; and grandson, Dajaun Cech.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Miers; brother, Will (Edith) Miers; seven children, David Miers, Eddie Miers, Brandie Gunter, Jamie Huddleston, Michael (Becky) Miers, Casey (Adam) Thornton, Timothy Miers; and fifteen grandchildren, Ashton, Austin, Leah, Destiney, Derrick, Dawson, Bailey, Trent, Summer, Heavenly, Bree, Heidi, Madison, Adriana, and Naomi.
Visitation will be Friday, January 6, 2023, from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Estelle Community Church.
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.
Essie Elnora Burton Parker
A memorial service in loving memory of Essie Elnora Burton Parker was held Saturday, December 24, 2022, at Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Kellyton with Bishop Jimmy L. Brooks officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Sister Parker was born to the late Mr. Ulyess and Mrs. Lenora Goggans Burton on May 31, 1933, in Coosa County.
At an early age she united with Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Kellyton where she served faithfully until her health began to fail, and even then she supported the church financially. She sang in the choir, worked on the Missionary Society and in the community, cooking and serving others. Working flowers was her hobby.
She was domestically employed for a few years before she entered the work force at Russell Corporation, where she retired as a folder.
She was preceded in death by both parents; husband, Abraham Parker; daughter and son-in-law, Burnette and Garry Andrews; grandson, Andre’ Andrews; five brothers, Thedro Burton, U.L. Burton, Aaron Burton, Quinton Burton, and Sammie Lee Burton; and two sisters, Olenia B. Tuck and Arthelia B. Roberson.
Elnora B. Parker departed this life on Monday, December 19, 2022, at Chapman Healthcare Facility in Alexander City.
She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, Essie (eric) Garrett, Patricia (Bishop Jimmy) Brooks and Felicia Jackson; brother, Freddie Burton (special friend, Linda); nine sisters-in-law, Minister Adoris Zachary, Bessie L. Burton, Dot Burton, Mary Leonard, Lessie Ruth Toney, Dorothy Woods, Annie Russell (Tommie), Anita Parker, and Beatrice Parker; two brothers-in-law, Hayden Toney and Tommie Lee Russell; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Mark “Jackie” Shurum
Funeral service for Mr. Mark “Jackie” Shurum, 67, of Equality, was Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the New Life Baptist Church. Bro. Tim Hughes officiated. Burial followed in the Equality United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Shurum passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022, at his residence. He was born on May 19, 1955, in Eclectic to Luther Jackson Shurum and Mildred Shurum. He was an active member of New Life Baptist Church. Jackie was a hard-working family man with a strong work ethic. By profession he was a master mechanic but enjoyed woodworking, as well. If you ever met his grandchildren, they would tell you, “If Papa Jack can’t fix it, no one can.” His greatest achievement in life was meeting and marrying his high school sweetheart. He would tell everyone she was the love of his life, and together they made a wonderful life.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Teresa L. Shurum; sons, Jonathon Lane Shurum and Matthew Aaron Shurum (Amy); grandchildren, Jon Luke Shurum and Sarah Shurum; sisters, Grace Wadsworth, Linda Fogarty and Karen Wright; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard Shurum and Billy Shurum; and sisters, Betty Sides, Janice Cannon, Kaffie Shurum, and Wanda Shurum.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Radney Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Joe Maxwell Worthy Jr.
Funeral service for Mr. Joe Maxwell Worthy Jr., 92, of Kellyton, was January 3, 2023, at Kellyton United Methodist Church. Rev. Mike Jackson officiated.
Mr. Worthy passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Emory University Hospital. He was born on January 31, 1930, in Anniston to Joe Maxwell Worthy Sr. and Pearl Owings Worthy. He was a member of Kellyton United Methodist Church. He retired from the Alabama Power Company after a 42-year career.
Joe Max was an avid sportsman, especially enjoying hunting and fresh and saltwater fishing. For many years he assisted many churches in fund raising by helping to cook their chicken and fish dinners.
Mr. Worthy is survived by his daughter, Karen Elizabeth Worthy Russell; grandchildren, Kelli Russell Sanders, Julie Russell Boyeskie (Jason) and Todd Russell; great-grandchildren, Ethan Sanders, Sarah Kate Sanders and Conner Boyeskie; sisters, Jerry Worthy Little and Gemma Worthy Hawkins; and brother-in-law, Bill Dark (Janice).
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathryn Ann Dark Worthy; son, Joe Maxwell Worthy III; and son-in-law, Ronald Russell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Children’s Harbor; 1 Our Children’s Highway; Alexander City, AL 35010.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Radney Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.