Obituaries
Connie Lynn Atha
Connie Lynn Atha, age 72, of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Connie is survived by her husband, Francis Eugene Atha; her sons, Jason Eugene Atha and Jacob Tyler Atha; her daughter, Sherry Atha; her sister, Cora Miller; her grandchildren, Shay, Coleman, Cambell, Conner, Cason, Clayton, Caleb, and Grace; her dog, Jasper; and her cats, Dusty and Stub.
Connie was preceded in death by five of her brothers and sisters.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-
homes/sylacauga-al/radney-smith-funeral-home/8516.
James Kevin Atkins
James Kevin Atkins, a resident of Rockford, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the age of 54.
A graveside service was held Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Matthew Reams officiating. Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directed.
Kevin is preceded in death by his parents, James D. and Carolyn Atkins. He is survived by his wife of 29 years and mother of his children, Shannon Atkins; two children who were the joy of his life, Jessica Grace Atkins and Joshua David Atkins; mother-in-law, Cheryl Murchison, whom he loved like his own mother; two brothers, Steve Atkins, Jonathon Atkins; brother-in-law, Gerald Murchison (Stacia); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kevin loved the Lord, his family, traveling, hunting, and his motorcycle. He was the best father and husband we could have asked for.
Pallbearers were Gerald Murchison, Bryer Murchison, Dan Phillips, Carey Phillips, John Mark Nelson, and Connor Nelson. Honorary pallbearers were Randy Wilson, Gerald Jones, and Robert Smith.
Wilhelmina Hardy Riley
In celebrating the life of Wilhelmina Hardy Riley, viewing and visitation were held March 27, 2025, at Phillips-Riley Funeral Home Chapel in Montgomery. Interment was March 28, at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.
Wilhelmina, born on August 11, 1944, was the cherished first smile of Tilman Hardy Jr. and Kellie Mae Hardy. Her love extended to her own family when she met and married John Cleveland Riley, the love of her life, on September 8, 1962. Their union was blessed with three sons, James, Lyndon, and Gregory, who were the center of her world.
Wilhelmina was employed with Williams Upholstery Company, retiring after 25 years of service.
Wilhelmina was an active and faithful member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Titus, where she used her God-gifted talents by playing the piano, singing, teaching Sunday School, and being on the Deaconess Board. She loved the Western Hills and Titus communities, always willing to lend a helping hand to her neighbors when needed.
She was preceded in death by her parents and oldest son, James Cleveland Riley.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her devoted husband of 62 years, John C. Riley; two sons, Lyndon (Lisa) Riley and Gregory Allen Riley, all of Montgomery; grandchildren, Corey D. Wilson of Dothan, Lyndriss S. Keith of Tampa, Fla., Christopher D. Wilson of Tuscaloosa, Keianna L. Riley and Kaitlyn B. Riley, both of Montgomery; great-grandchild, RiZiya A’liyah Daniel of Tampa, Fla.; sisters and brothers, Tilman H. (Margret) Hardy, Cynthia (Richard) Conley, Wendall (Alexis) Batiste, Spencer (Lattie) Hardy, Mitchell Hardy, Ocie Earl (Lucille) Hardy, and Alford Kerry (Stascia) Hardy; stepsister, Bernice Hardy; sisters-in-law, Katie Mae Brown and Emma Egerton; brother-in-law, Emerson (Edna) Carson; two lifelong devoted best friends, Mrs. Helen McFarland and Mrs. Barbara Simmons, both of Montgomery; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Phennie Burton Sistrunk
A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Phennie Sistrunk was held March 20, 2025, at Corinth Baptist Church in Kellyton with Bishop Jimmy Brooks Jr. serving as eulogist. Interment followed in the Alexander City Cemetery.
Our beloved Phennie Burton was born on April 17, 1935, to Mr. Bennie Burton and Mrs. Bessie Hoytt-Burton in Alabama.
Phennie gave her life to Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Corinth Baptist Church in Kellyton. She attended Cottage Grove High School and later moved to Cleveland, Ohio.
While in Cleveland, she worked at Fairview Hospital as an anesthesiologist assistant for many years. In 1962, she fell in love with Sylvester Sistrunk; they were joined in Holy Matrimony and moved back to Alabama after her retirement in 2005. They resided in Cottage Grove until he was reunited with the Lord in 2012.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers, and a son-in-law.
Mrs. Sistrunk departed her life on March 13, 2025, at Russell Medical Center in Alexander City.
Her precious memories will be cherished by her daughter, Shirley Tuck of Kellyton; one step-daughter, Stephanie Sistrunk-Hunter of Dallas, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Burton and Geraldine Colucci; five grandchildren, Michael (Laquisha) Burton, Joe (Sharondia) Tuck, Albert, Kimberly, Brittani; twelve great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and three devoted friends, Vickie Scott, Judy Marbury, and Tasha Kendrick.
Mike Traylor
Graveside service for Mr. Mike Traylor, 70, of Goodwater, was Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Seman Congregation Christian Church Cemetery. Rev. Burton Herring officiated.
Mr. Traylor passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Coosa Valley Baptist Medical Center (Sylacauga). He was born on August 5, 1954, in Eclectic to William D. Traylor and Josephine Samuels Kobetic.
He is survived by his stepmother, Barbara N. Traylor; sister, Linda T. (Larry) Self; brothers, Billy (Teri) Traylor, Shane (Abby) Traylor; stepbrother, Joey Norton; stepsister, Alison (Tom) Neclerio; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Radney Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of David Michael Traylor.
