Obituaries

By Editor | January 10, 2025 |

Deborah Paulette “Debbie” Blackwood

Graveside memorial service for Ms. Deborah Paulette Blackwood, 72, of Goodwater, will be Monday, January 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Greenview Cemetery in Goodwater.

Ms. Blackwood passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Goodwater Healthcare Center. She was born on May 24, 1952, in Alexander City to James Blackwood and Betty Jo Stewart Blackwood. Debbie was a longtime member of the Goodwater United Methodist Church. She worked for many years with the U.S. Postal Service. She was an avid animal lover and a faithful supporter of area animal shelters.

She is survived by her sisters, Denise (Jimmy) Nickolson and Danita Blackwood; brother, Chuck (Margie) Blackwood; nieces and nephews, Tres (Charlene) Nickolson, Neal (Jaclyn) Nickolson, Beth (Taft) Till, Jeb Blackwood, Chip Blackwood, and Mary Margaret Blackwood; and her best friend, Faye Parker.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Donna Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Lake Martin Animal Shelter; P.O. Box 634; Alexander City, AL 35010.

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

Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Deborah Blackwood.

Brian Austin Combest

Funeral services for Mr. Brian Austin Combest of Sylacauga were held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Emerge Church in Goodwater with Pastor E.L. Croyel officiating. Burial followed in the Fayetteville Methodist Church Cemetery.

Austin was born in Sylacauga and lived most of his life in Coosa County. He was a millwright by trade and a big Auburn fan. Austin had a big heart, always giving out big hugs and helping others anytime he knew there was a need. He loved anything with a motor and kept up with all the different models, but loved Ford trucks especially. He also attended Emerge Church.

He is survived by his fiancé, Kaelyn Jones of Sylacauga; children, Skylan Cannon, Katalaya Carr and Novaleigh Jones; parents, Lee and Kim Combest of Goodwater; siblings, Winter Combest of Goodwater, Max Combest of Goodwater and Breanna Hanner of Sylacauga; grandparents, Timothy Honeycutt and Christine and Tony Combest; aunts and uncles, Dana and Jason Hay, Jeff and Donna Honeycutt and Chuck and Carrie Combest; 5 nieces; and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Eulala Seats and Jessie Railey.

Pallbearers were Max Combest, Chuck Combest, Daniel Campbell, Kyle Wentzell, Cody Moore, and Virgil Hallman Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Jeff Honeycutt and Sergio Crowe.