Obituaries
Erla Neely
Erla Woodfin Neely was born on January 3, 1940, in Rockford, Alabama, to the late Clyde and Lois Woodfin. Erla attended Coosa County Schools, graduating from high school in 1958.
Before leaving Alabama, she worked for Russell Mills, got married, and had two children, Sharon and Dale Patterson. She moved to Tennessee and then to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where she lived for 16 years. In addition to working for Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville, Erla ventured into the antiques and collectables business, a passion she pursued for more than 40 years and was considered an expert in her field. In Bartlesville, she met and married James Lynn; she also met her life-long friend Gail Inman who shared her passion for the antiques and collectables business.
In 1993, after her husband retired, they moved to Fair Play, South Carolina, and built a house on the shores of Lake Hartwell. Erla truly enjoyed fishing, bowling, square dancing, and her antique business. After her husband James’ death in 1996, she remained in Fair Play. Erla met her husband, Ives Neely, at their bowling league in 2005 and they married in 2006. They were very active and enjoyed their retirement thoroughly, often wondering how they ever had time to work.
Erla was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Kenneth Dale Patterson of Bartlesville, Okla.; her sister, Annette Hadley of Bartlesville, Okla.; and three brothers, Charles Everett, Billy Joe, and Jack Clyde Woodfin, all of Rockford, Ala.
Erla is survived by a large number of grieving friends and family who will miss her strength and generous spirit, including the following: her daughter, Sharon Patterson of Rio Vista, Calif.; her husband, Ives Neely of Fair Play, S.C.; three step-daughters, Donna Jones of Pinellas Park, Fla., Gail Forshee of Charlotte, N.C., and Charlene Harper of Midlothian, Va.; lifelong friends, Gail Inman of Bartlesville, Okla., Sherri Alvey and Deanna Beard of Fair Play; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Erla will be laid to rest with her parents in Rockford, Ala.; a celebration of life in Fair Play will be held at a later date.
Sandifer Funeral Home is assisting the Neely family.
Lorene H. Skinner
Memorial service for Mrs. Lorene H. Skinner, 79, of Dadeville, will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Langley Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Lorene Henley Skinner passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Russell Medical Center. Born on December 25, 1945, in Coosa County, she was the daughter of Mr. Kermit Sylvester Henley and Mrs. Myrtle Bence Henley. Lorene had an outgoing personality and precious spirit that will be remembered by all that knew her. Though bossy at times, you couldn’t help but appreciate her genuine guidance and honest take on life. She was a huge wrestling fan and loved to cheer for her Auburn Tigers on Game Day. In her down time, she found joy in being outside, watching birds, reading anything by Danielle Steele, and turning on a good Hallmark movie. Lorene never missed a chance to talk on the phone with friends to catch up on how they were doing. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lovingly knew her as “Granny” and “Grandma.” Her unique personality and kind heart will be missed by all that knew her.
Lorene is survived by her sons, Cecil Cross, Matthew (Kathy) Hudson, Timmy (Nancy) Hudson; grandchildren, Tiffany Arnold, Anthony Cross, Hope Sanders, Stephanie Hudson, Shawn Hudson, Tyler Hudson, Austin Hudson, Dustin Cross; numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Buddy Henley; sister, Margaret Henley; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Dale Skinner; daughter, Ginger Ann Cross; grandchildren, Michael Pike, Brittany Hudson; parents, Kermit and Myrtle Skinner; and brother, Perry Henley.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.langleyfuneralhome.com.
Langley Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Lorene Henley Skinner.
Cammie Jo Thomas
A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Cammie Jo Colburn Thomas, 70, of Alexander City, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Goodwater Baptist Church. Bro. Ed Frantz will officiate.
Cammie Jo Thomas passed away on February 10, 2025, and began her journey down the streets of gold. She did not fear death because she knew where she was going and who would be waiting there for her.
Born on May 26, 1954, Cammie was the daughter of Mr. Howard Wesley Colburn and Mrs. Dorothy June Nelson Colburn. From the moment she arrived, there was a light that seemed to follow her throughout her journey on Earth. It could be seen in her smile, felt in her hugs, tasted in her cooking, and heard in her thoughtful farewells. Cammie leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering optimism that touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Cammie’s professional life was marked by dedication and hard work. For 32 years, she was a valued employee at Russell Corporation. Upon retiring, she decided to return to school to pursue a career in radiology, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Cammie never feared dreaming and lived off the excitement of enjoying the simple beauty that life had to offer. She was an animal lover of all kinds, but there were two animals that often held a higher place in her heart. Cammie loved horses and spent several years with the Alexander City Equestrian Club. She also loved cats and the joy that came with each purr, meow, and wet-nosed kiss.
Cammie loved the Lord and lived a life that displayed the very essence of a “good and faithful servant.” She was a lifelong member of Goodwater Baptist Church and served her church faithfully by playing the piano for 15 years. There was beauty that she found through singing the words of the old hymns and by the graceful dancing of her fingers over the keys. Her talents seemed to know no limits as she was also a gifted cook and talented baker. For 15 years, she delighted the customers of Winn Dixie with her creations and was able to use that gift to bake a wedding cake for her daughter’s wedding. The last major project she completed was an impressive cake of Lake Martin’s Chimney Rock which left others speechless.
The past 3 years were spent at Brown’s Nursing Home where she gained many friends through the residents and staff that were always guaranteed to receive a playful, “Love you, Squirt,” on their way out the door. Her fun-loving personality even earned her the title of Mrs. Brown’s Nursing Home in 2023. Nothing brought her more joy than her family who knew her by many names, “Mama,” “Maw Maw Jo,” and “NeNe.” There was never any doubt on how much she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren because you knew it would either be “to the moon and back,” “a bushel and a peck,” or “more than the giant trash can.” Cammie had a heart of gold that provided warmth to anyone in her presence. She never stumbled over words of anger but always remained calm and optimistic. It’s no surprise that Spring was her favorite season, a time that often symbolizes renewal and happiness after the long, cold winter months. It was a season that perfectly encapsulated Cammie’s spirit, one that taught you to never fear the darkness, but to remember that the warmth and joy of spring will always come.
“To my friends and family, I leave you with these words: Love each other, forgive each other, and find light in your darkest hours. Do not cry for me because I am where I dreamed to be. Instead, love for me, forgive for me, and be kind for me.”
Cammie is survived by her daughters, Tammy (John) Mitchell, Amber Hayes; grandchildren, Celeste Hayes, Reid (Derrick) Roberts, Reagan (Adam) Richie, Seth O’Neal, Colton Hayes, Conner Hayes, Claudia Mitchell, Claire Mitchell, Abigail (Dylan) Hydrick; great-grandchildren, Tucker Roberts, Riley Roberts, Anders Richie, Atticus Richie; sister, Christine Colburn (Junior) Harrell; brothers, Howard (Marty) Colburn, Edward Colburn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Thomas; parents, Howard and Dorothy Colburn; and brother, Walter Colburn.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Cammie Jo Thomas.
Martha Ann Mallory Tyler
A visitation for Martha Mallory Tyler was Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 1 p.m. till 2 p.m. followed by a celebration of life at Radney Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga.
Martha was born February 28, 1937, to Thomas and Mamie Carmichael Mallory in Sylacauga, She was raised in and a member most of her life at the First Baptist Church in Sylacauga, where she was a long time member of the Judy Frazer’s Sunday School Class and involved in the Metallic Club.
She is survived by her children, Toni Tyler Heath and Steven Tyler (Carmen); her grandchildren and their spouses, Tyler Heath (Magan), Bryan Heath (Mandi), Sean Tyler (Kellie), and Denson Tyler (Gracie); and her great-grandchild, Spencer Heath.
Martha had fond memories of growing up in FBC, playing with cousins in Goodwater and Our Town, Alabama. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up to be fine adults. She traveled all across the United States, Canada, Germany, China, and the Holy Land.
Martha was a long time employee of the City National Bank, which she retired from in 2000.
Burial was next to her parents in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital.
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 directed the service.
