June 29 obituaries

Dewayne Roden, 67

Dewayne Roden, 67 of Sheffield passed away peacefully in his sleep un­expectedly on June 16th, 2024. He is survived by his wife Twyla Cox Ro­den; children, Chris Ro­den (Nicole), Hollie Ro­den Peeden (Lee); and grandchildren, Colby, Caeden, Emma Grace, Madison, and Bryant; par­ents, Earl and Nita Roden; siblings, Wesly Roden (Randy), Diane Crawford; his extended children, Sheryl McCaig, Jonathan Whitfield (Amanda); and a numerous amount of special nieces, nephews and fellow officials. The family will receive vis­itation Wednesday, June 19th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Morrison Fu­neral Home, Tuscumbia, AL. The funeral will be held Thursday at 1:00 pm at the chapel at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscum­bia, AL. The following will serve as pallbearers for the service: Eddie Newell, Thomas Richey, Scottie Nichols, Bill Crawford, Joseph Taylor, Shawn Taylor, and Jona­than Whitefield. Honorary pallbearers will be Colby Roden, Caeden Roden, Bryant Peeden, Jerry Mc­Caig, JD Barber, Joesph Taylor, and Austin Taylor.

Dewayne was a mem­ber of The First Church of the Nazarene in Sheffield. Dewayne served many roles over his life that reached people through­out the United States. He retired from Reynolds after 41 years of service. He served over the years as PTO president, Dixie Youth President, Little League President, North Alabama Volleyball As­sociation President and served on many church mission trips in the US. One of his greatest accom­plishments was being se­lected as the 2012 State of Alabama Softball Umpire of the Year. He also um­pired several AHAA soft­ball state championship games over the years. He was also selected to um­pire several USSSA World Series championships. He recently was invited to umpire at the upcoming Babe Ruth World Series this upcoming July. He served as a local mentor to an unprecedented number of children through being a role model by coaching local Peewee football, baseball, and softball for over twenty plus years.

The greatest joy was brought to him by his wife, children and grand­children that he lived for. He supported them through all their school performances, choir performances, baseball games, football games, cheer competitions, hock­ey games, basketball games, and video gaming. Known as DanDan to his grandchildren and many others, he always encour­aged them to place God first, and family always above anything. This legacy of loving God, helping others, instilling family values and nev­er stop dreaming for big goals is one that he leaves to be carried on by his family for years to come.

John Lawrence Brewer, 56

John Lawrence Brewer, 56, Leighton, passed away Monday, June 17, 2024. Visitation will be Wednes­day, June 19, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Morrison Fu­neral Home, Tuscumbia.

John was a member of North Highland Baptist Church. He was preced­ed in death by his father, John H. Brewer; and grandson, Lukus Brewer.

John is survived by his mother, Peggy Clark (Steve); son, Johna­thon Michael Brew­er; and grandsons, Dayne and Memphis.

Ernest A. Underwood

Ernest A. Underwood of Leighton, Alabama was born to William Thur­ston Underwood and Lin­da Uhlman Underwood on March 18, 1939, and passed away at his home on Wednesday night, June 19, 2024, at the age of 85.

Mr. Underwood believed the gospel, confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, and was baptized at Valley Grove Baptist Church as a boy. He was a member of Leighton Baptist Church, where he served for many years as a deacon. He also served on several church committees. This year the deacon body and church recognized him as a deacon emeritus.

He served in the Al­abama National Guard 115th Signal Battal­ion in the mid-1960s.

He was married to the former Alice Camille Hill for 60 years. He and Camille reared two sons, Chris and Kerry.

Mr. Underwood was a graduate of Colbert Coun­ty High School. He played football for the legendary Coach C. T. Manley and basketball. He held football season tickets for many years and was a lifetime member of the Leighton Athletic Booster Club.

Mr. Underwood worked for Norfolk Southern Rail­way for more than 35 years. He was a switchman and conductor at the Sheffield Rail Yard. He served on the loan committee of the Railway Employees Cred­it Union for several years.

Mr. Underwood was preceded in death by his parents, Thurston and Linda Underwood.

He is survived by his wife, Camille Underwood of Leighton, by sons, Chris Underwood (Kel­ly) of Florence and Ker­ry “Bubba” Underwood (Anna) of Tuscumbia, by grandson Walker Under­wood, by granddaughters Christina Underwood and Katie Beth Underwood, by step-grandchildren Holly Vinson (Tyler), Vic­toria Devaney (Josh), and Faith Ezzell (Landon), by step-great-grandchildren Vivianne Vinson, Luke Devaney and Jon Bradford Vinson, by brothers, Mc­Coy Underwood (Patricia) and Larry Underwood, both of Leighton, by sister, Wanda Thompson (David), of Tuscumbia, by numerous nieces and nephews, and by a host of Underwood, Uhl­man and Counts cousins.

Visitation will be Sun­day, June 23, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Morrison Fu­neral Home in Tuscumbia. The funeral will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at Leighton Baptist Church, beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Mayfield and Rev. Scott Price officiating. Interment will be at Glen­dale Cemetery. Deacons of Leighton Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers.

Mr. Underwood’s fami­ly expresses their heartfelt gratitude to a large extend­ed family, to the pastor, deacons and members of Leighton Baptist Church, to Hospice of North Ala­bama, to nurse Ginny Dot­son, nurse Bonnie Dean, and to weekend nurse Jenny Skipworth. We are so grateful for Dad’s sit­ters: Machelle Williams, Kelly Hulsey, Amy Ker­by, Danielle McDill, Amy Williams, Annette Puckett, and Cindy Orick. Each of you blessed Ernest and us with your concern, visits, and acts of love.

Instead of flowers, please consider contrib­uting a financial gift in Mr. Underwood’s mem­ory to the Leighton Bap­tist Church youth mis­sions or building fund.

Dylan Miles Christopher, 35

Dylan Miles Christo­pher, 35, Chicago, IL, for­merly of Sheffield, passed away on June 12, 2024. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 25, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Sheffield. A me­morial service will imme­diately follow at the church with Rev. Jaina Glaze and Tabb Sanford officiating.

Dylan was preceded in death by his father, Richard Christopher; grandparents, John and Sadie Starks, Mack and Carolyn Christo­pher, and Bubba and Nadine Rutledge; aunt, Beth Baker; and cousin, Kevin Farley.

He is survived by his mother, Rhonda Rutledge (Bobby); sisters, Susannah Christopher Witt (Joey) and Molly Rutledge Mills (Adam); pet cats, Marvin and Koopa; and nieces and nephews, Maycie Dillard, James Anna Mills, Liam Johnson, and Jack Vallejo.

Mark David Walker, 58

Mark David Walker, 58, Tuscumbia, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 25, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Tus­cumbia Church of Christ. The funeral service will immediately follow at the church with Larry Kil­patrick officiating. Inter­ment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

Mark was a member of Tuscumbia Church of Christ and a veteran of the US Army National Guard. He graduated from Desh­ler Highschool with the class of 1984 and attend­ed the University of North Alabama. He was preced­ed in death by his father, William David Walker; pa­ternal grandparents, Cur­tis and Lucile Walker; and maternal grandparents, Earl and Vernon Wilkes.

Mark is survived by his son, Paul David Walker; mother, Bonnie Wilkes Walker; brother, Ken­neth Walker (Shawn); former wife, Kristi Walker; three nieces; and two great-nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be William Reynolds, Steve Craig, Keith Will­ingham, and Doug Walker.

In lieu of flowers, me­morials may be made to the American Kidney Fund, secure.kidney­fund.org, or Tuscum­bia Church of Christ.

Larry Wayne Despigno, 69

Larry Wayne Despi­gno, 69, Tuscumbia, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Visitation will be Thursday, June 20, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Morrison Funer­al Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will im­mediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Bubba Cole officiating. Interment will be in Oak­wood Cemetery, Sheffield.

Larry was a veteran of the US Army, serv­ing during the Vietnam War, and a member of Sheffield Masonic Lodge #503. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Despigno; mother, Birdie Despigno; father, Victor “Collie” Despigno; and brother, Herman Evans.

Larry is survived by his children, Collie Despigno and Aimee Hannig; broth­ers, Victor “Boot” Despig­no, Jimmy Evans, and Mi­chael “Barney” Despigno; sisters, Faye Bates, Glenda “Dale” Grissom; and Vicki Despigno; grandchildren, Harley Hannig and Haden Hannig; and great-grand­son, Lucian Hannig.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Betty Jane Johnson Borden, 61

Betty Jane Johnson Bor­den, 61, of Leighton, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2024. Visitation will be Saturday, June 22, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Mor­rison Funeral Home, Tus­cumbia. The funeral service will be Sunday, June 23, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Nick McSpad­den officiating. Burial will follow at Tharptown Cem­etery, Russellville, AL.

Betty Jane was a native of Colbert County. She was a member of Leigh­ton Baptist Church and the Leighton City Council for 12 years. She was pre­ceded in death by her par­ents, Bud and Betty Sue Johnson; brother, Thom­as Houston Johnson; and sister, Donna Jo Johnson.

Betty Jane was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She fiercely loved her husband and daughters, but nothing came close to the love she had for her grandchildren. She was a friend to every­one and the friend everyone needed. She was constant, loyal, and never more than a phone call away. She was a born gabber. She could talk to anyone, about any­thing. When Betty Jane walked into the room ev­eryone knew a good time was ahead. She was a per­fect storm of calm and cra­zy. She was the gatherer of the family. She stayed prepared for any situation. She stored everything from Halloween costumes, pres­ents, gowns, toys, snacks….anything you needed she had, and it was yours. Betty Jane was a model example of “blood doesn’t make you family, love does.” When she loved you, it was for life. Betty Jane’s home was a safe place for all ages, and she welcomed each one with open arms. Betty Jane will always be remembered for her crazi­ness, beautiful smile, silly laugh but most of all for her big heart and her love for her family. Betty Jane will be greatly missed by all.

Betty Jane is survived by her husband, Jimmy H. Borden; children, Emily (Jonathan), Anna (Dako­ta), LaShonda (Kevin), and Amanda; grandchildren, Jon David, Braden, Logan, Hayden, Maddie Jane, Al­lie Kourtney, Ed, Drake, and Leigh; great-grand­children, May, DJ, Gracie, Kynslee, and Mia; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Earl Lenz, Dakota Holt, Braden Hare, Braden Boutwell, Jason Bliss, and Eugene Seahorn.

The family expresses special thanks to all for their prayers and sup­port during this time.

Daniel Ray Stout, 76

Daniel Ray Stout, 76, Tuscumbia, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Visitation will be Sunday, June 23, from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Ed White officiating. Inter­ment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

Daniel was a decorated US Army veteran, earn­ing the Purple Heart and serving during the Viet­nam War. Daniel was a hard worker, but in his free time he enjoyed golf, fishing, and motorcycles. Most of all he loved his family. He was preceded in death by his father, Davis Stout; mother, Flore Mae Stout; and brothers, Doug Stout and Garome Stout.

Daniel is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Martha E. Stout; daughter, Kimberly Stout; brother, Charlie Stout; grandchil­dren, Carter Stout and Key­lee Landers; great-grand­child, Saylor Kimbrough; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Conner Kimbrough, Car­ter Stout, Jonathan Brat­ton, Justin King, Logan King, and Tim King.

James D. “Jim” Morgan, Jr.

James D “Jim” Morgan, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 22, 2024. Visita­tion will be Saturday, June 29, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. A me­morial service will imme­diately follow in the funer­al home chapel with Bro. Ronny Jones officiating.

Jim grew up in Tuscum­bia, Alabama, and was a graduate of Deshler High School, class of 1975.

Jim was a proud Air Force veteran. He and his wife, Paula, were able to travel during their military time being sta­tioned in Okinawa, Col­orado, and New Mexico.

After his military ca­reer, Jim returned home to work at TVA where he made his career as a Senior Instrument Me­chanic at Browns Ferry.

After retirement from TVA, Jim was able to enjoy time traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

Friends and family re­member Jim as a good and quiet guy who loved music, reading, yard work, and spending time with his family. Even in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s dis­ease, Jim’s kind-hearted nature remained true. Jim, a Christian, was a member of First Baptist Center Star.

He is preceded in death by his parents James D Mor­gan and Helen Bradford Morgan, sister Joyce Staudt Morgan, and his daughter Ashley Michelle Morgan.

He is survived by his children, Melissa Bulling­ton (Alan) and James David Morgan (Brandi); and his grandchildren, Ayla James Bullington, Addie Morgan, and Coda James Morgan. His sweet pup, Lucy, was a constant companion.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Paula, who was a dedicated caretak­er until his last breath.

The family would like to thank Southern Care New Beacon Hospice for their outstanding care of our entire family. A special thank you to Danah, Car­men, Misty, Ryan, and Ian; we are so appreciative of your help and caring hearts.

In lieu of flowers, do­nations can be made to Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation or St Jude. James Bryan Ma­son, 79, Tuscumbia, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2024. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

James Bryan Mason, 79

James never met a stranger and will be missed by family and friends across North Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Aline Mason; brothers, Shorty Mason, Elton Ray Mason, and David Mason; and sisters, Carolyn Clem­mons and Linda Belue.

James is survived by his children, Jeff Mason (Amy), Myra Mason, and Dana Legg (Jason); broth­ers, Tommy Mason, Don­nie Mason (Martha), and Bobby Mason (Diane); sister, Judy Box; grand­children, Emily Stewart, Megan Mason, John David Mason, Keegan Mason, Lilah Mason, Titus Legg, and Carson Legg; and five great-grandchildren.