Obituaries

Tamara Michelle Cowhick

 

Funeral service for Mrs. Tamara Michelle Cowhick, 56, of Opelika, will be Friday, April 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Wayne Cowhick, Bro. Kent Cooper and Rev. Bennie Lee Yates will officiate. Burial will follow in the Daviston Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.

Tamara Michelle Cowhick, known affectionately as Tammy to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, in Opelika, at the age of 56. Born on June 4, 1968, in Topeka, Kansas, Tammy was a beacon of light and joy to all who knew her.
Tammy’s life was one of dedication and service, which was evident in her long-standing career as a waitress. She spent many years at the Waffle House, where she was not just an employee, but a beloved figure who touched the lives of countless people. Her infectious laugh and generous spirit made her a favorite among patrons and colleagues alike. Tammy’s ability to connect with people over a simple meal was a testament to her loving and kind nature.
Beyond her work, Tammy’s world revolved around her family, whom she loved fiercely. Her grandchildren, Olivia and Johnathan Butler, were the apples of her eye, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Tammy’s strength and love extended to her entire family, including her daughter, Brandy (Nicholas) Butler of Salem, Ala., who will carry forward her mother’s legacy of unwavering love and support.
Tammy is also survived by a close-knit family who will miss her dearly: her brothers, Wayne (Susan) Cowhick, Matt (Brenda) Cowhick, and Mark (Michelle) Cowhick; her sisters, Kitty (Ronnie) Cowhick, Sandra Cowhick, and Angel (Kent) Cooper; and many nieces and nephews who were all touched by her spirited and generous nature. She was a little firecracker, full of life and always ready to share a laugh or lend a helping hand.

Tammy was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Harry Wayne Cowhick Sr. and Eugenia Kellum Cowhick, as well as her son, Johnathan “Little John” Stearns.
Those who knew Tammy will remember her as a very strong lady who loved more than anyone could imagine. Her laughter was a balm to the soul, and her generosity knew no bounds. She lived her life with a kindness that was as effortless as it was profound, and her desire to give without expecting anything in return was one of her most admirable qualities.
Tammy’s legacy is one of love and laughter, of kindness and generosity. She will forever be remembered as a woman who brought joy to every room she entered and who cherished the simple pleasures of life. Her spirit will continue to inspire those she left behind, and her memory will be held close in the hearts of her loved ones.
As we say goodbye to Tammy, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a woman deeply loved. Her impact on the world was as meaningful as it was unforgettable, and her absence will be felt by many. Tammy’s passionate and loving heart will live on as a legacy in the lives that she has touched.

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

Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Tamara Michelle Cowhick.

 

Fredrick Lovell Owens

A Celebration of Life for Mr. Fredrick Lovell Owens was held April 14, 2025, at New Home Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Michael Arnold officiating.

Mr. Fredrick Lovell Owens was born on August 22, 1945, to the late Mr. Isiah and Mrs. Myra Owens.

Fredrick joined New Home Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. He was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle.

Mr. Fredrick gained his wings on April 4, 2025, at the Coosa Valley Nursing Home, Sylacauga.

Mr. Fredrick’s parents, Myra Owens and Isiah Owens; daughter, Debra Owens; son, Frederick B. Owens; granddaughter, Tre’Andrea Owens; nine siblings; and two nieces preceded him in death.

Mr. Fredrick leaves to cherish his memories: three sons, Ricky (Vanessa) Owens, DeCarlos (Vickie) Heard, and Freddie (Angela) Floyd; three sisters, Izedar Brown, Amanda Owens, and Ida Hose; five grandkids, Brandon (Robin) Owens, Brandy Burton, Brittany (Gemain) Edwards, Untayus Brown, and Alyssa Floyd; seven great-grandkids, DeSean, Braxton, Jayden, Cameron, Angel, Skylar, and Kayomi; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Katie Owens.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 

Steven Jeff Smallwood

 

Steven Jeff Smallwood, age 65, of Sylacauga, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Jeff and Susan were married for 43 years, and he was truly dedicated to his wife. He was a deacon with Weogufka Family Worship Center for 30 years and he loved his church family. Jeff graduated from Auburn in 1981 with a degree in Textile Management and Technology.

Susan devoted herself to Jeff and never left his side.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Susan Smallwood; his children, Steven and Teresa Smallwood, Russell Smallwood, Tinsley and Ritchie Franklin; his grandchildren, Blakelee Forbus, Beau Forbus, Raylee Smallwood, and Reese Smallwood; his mother, Mary Smallwood; his siblings, Tammy Smallwood, Todd Smallwood (Lisa), Lauren Miles (Kerry), and Warren Smallwood; his mother-in-law, Geraldine Hood; his sister-in-law, Cindy Hood; and his sister and brother-in-law, Gerrie and Denny Cole.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Navis Smallwood, and his father-in-law, Raymond Hugh Hood.

Jeff also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and church family to cherish his memory.

The family wants to send a special thank you to Coosa Valley Hospice and Coosa Valley Medical Center.

A visitation for Jeff was held Monday, April 21, 2025, at Weogufka Family Worship Center, followed by a funeral service. Bro Tommy Thornton and Bro Phillip Alverson officiated the service.

Jeff was laid to rest in Weogufka Family Worship Center Cemetery; 20771 Coosa Co. Rd. 29; Weogufka, 35183.

Serving as pallbearers were Steven Smallwood, Russell Smallwood, Ritchie Franklin, and Beau Forbus.

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.