Aug. 10 obituaries

Jerry Wayne
Taylor, 73Jerry Wayne Taylor, 73, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Visitation will be Saturday, August 3, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. A graveside service will follow at Oak­wood Cemetery, Sheffield, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Jerry was a mobile home mover and set-up person for around forty years and really had a pas­sion for the business. He was a great family man and loved his five kids and family. He was a friend to all and will be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Doris and Carel Dean Simpson, and EC and Virginia Taylor; brothers, Paul Ray Taylor, William Earl Taylor, and Jimmy Simpson; and sis­ters, Sherry Gooch (Don­nie) and Ann Simpson.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jamie Taylor; chil­dren, Patricia Lynch, Ka­tina Jaco (Billy), Leanne Harris, Jeremey McCraw (Amanda), and Jason Taylor; brothers, Larry Simpson and Tim Simp­son; sister-in-law, Con­nie Simpson; grandchil­dren, Jerrica and Andrew Groves, Jessie Lynch, Cody Harris, Keagan Har­ris, Rachel Harris, Trey Jaco and Delaine, Grace Jaco, Sara and Chase Green, Kaity McCraw, Kaycen McCraw, Kelsey McCraw, Tyler Taylor, and Tanner Taylor and Em­malee; and great-grand­children, Asher Garner, Chloe Lynch, Goldie and Ruby Jane Groves, and Parker Rose Jaco.

Pallbearers will be Tyler Taylor, Tanner Taylor, Bil­ly Jaco, Trey Jaco, Cody Harris, and Keagan Harris.

Vu Thi Gai “Lon” Brown, 75

Vu Thi Gai “Lon” Brown, 75, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. It will be followed by a ser­vice in the funeral home chapel, officiated by Ted Vafeas. Burial will fol­low at Guy Cemetery.

Born in Vietnam, Lon married Bobby Brown, an American soldier, and relocated to the Shoals area, where she became a beloved community mem­ber. An accomplished ten­nis player, Lon earned nu­merous state and national titles. She owned and op­erated Grogan Jewelers by Lon and was a dedicated member of Highland Park Baptist Church, know­ing her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Known for her generosity, she was a proud supporter of vet­erans and played a sig­nificant role in helping her relatives and family members from Vietnam come to live in America.

Lon is survived by her children: Roger Brown (Jennifer), Linda Gist (Bret), and Jason Brown (Crystal); her grandchil­dren: Jacob Gist (Ari­el), Jordan Gist (Taylor), Madisyn Brown, Maleia Gist, Rachel Brown, Ben Brown, Ella Brown, Beck­ett Brown, and Karleigh Heitschmidt (Riley); and her great-grandchildren: Orben Gist, Evvie Gist, Phoebe Gist, Fowler Gist, and Naomi Gist. She is also survived by her best friend, Lylan Schofield.

Pallbearers will be Ja­cob Gist, Jordan Gist, Ben Brown, Beckett Brown, James King, and Roy King.

Lon sponsored the im­migration of her brother, Vu Van Binh, along with his five children, and her sister, Vu Thi Tuat, along with her two chil­dren, to America so they could realize the Amer­ican dream as she did.

A Life of Cour­age and Generosity

In 1969, Lon moved to this country as a fright­ened teenager. Born in Vietnam, she did not ex­perience the peace, secu­rity, and freedom many take for granted; these were mere dreams in her war-torn land. Liv­ing in such conditions, Lon dreamt of being free to practice her religion, build a career, and have a safe haven to start a new life and raise children.

Her dreams began to come true when she mar­ried a U.S. soldier she met in Vietnam and moved to Tuscumbia. In America, she found a welcoming community and a sense of security akin to being cra­dled in loving arms. She often recalled her amaze­ment at the size of the country and the friend­liness of its people, who showed their big hearts through acts of kindness.

Lon thrived in her new environment. She raised three children and real­ized the American dream of starting a successful business. Grateful for the opportunities she found, she often expressed her deep appreciation for the freedom she experi­enced in America, a con­cept that was unknown to her in her early years.

Her life story is a testa­ment to the strength of the human spirit and the pos­sibilities that freedom and community can provide.

Jerry Blake “Rod” Suggs, 82

Jerry Blake “Rod” Suggs, 82, Tuscumbia, passed away on Wednes­day, July 31, 2024. Vis­itation will be Sunday, August 4, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Morrison Fu­neral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will be Monday, August 5, in the funeral home chapel, beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Mitchell Dalrym­ple, Matthew Scoggins, and Darrell Simon offi­ciating. Interment will be in Colbert Memori­al Gardens, Tuscumbia.

Jerry will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He was a wonderful and loving husband, fa­ther, and grandfather. He loved being around his family and loved his ani­mals. He loved telling sto­ries about the McCutch­eon’s and Woodall boys to all the grandchildren. He always had a big heart for people less fortunate than him. He was a living les­son for all who knew him.

Jerry was a member of Piney Grove Church of Christ and a veteran of the US Navy. He was the owner of North Alabama Vault Company from 1977 until 2020. Jerry served as Colbert County Commis­sioner from 1988 until 1992 and was a member of Woodmen of the World. He was preceded in death by his parents, R.V. and Iona Suggs; first wife Shirlene Smith Suggs; brothers, Raymond, Don, and Jimmy; and daugh­ter-in-law, Rita Suggs.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marie Richardson Suggs; sons, Jeff Suggs, Stuart Suggs (Stacy), and Scott Suggs (Selena); step-children, Lynn Holt (Wayne), Greg Richard­son (Angie), and Lance Richardson (Gina); grand­children, Kayla Suggs, Karly Herring (Adam), Kaleb Suggs (Morgan), Spenser Suggs, Sydney Suggs, Carter Suggs, Carson Suggs, Leanne Roach (Chris), Bradley Gilbert, Trey Richardson M.D. (Anna), Anna Cook (Charlie), Ben Richardson (Krysten), and Tabitha Hardwick (Joe); and eight great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Kaleb Suggs, Spenser Suggs, Carson Suggs, Carter Suggs, Trey Rich­ardson, Adam Herring, Chris Roach, Ben Rich­ardson, Bradley Gil­bert, and Dustin Osborn.

Honorary pallbearers will be Filmore “Buddy” Gargis, Jerry “Red” Do­ver, Virgil Henson, Dar­rell Reid, and Wayne Holt.

The family offers spe­cial thanks to home care­givers, Kim Dalrymple, Brenda Engelman, Lin­da Stem, Tammie Nix, Peggy Dean, and Jo­anne Emory; Dr. Robert Dickson; the Keller ICU Nurses; and the Keller Palliative Care Nurses.

In lieu of flowers, do­nations may be made to the UNA Foundation in the name of Jerry Suggs that will benefit students who have a hardship due to a terminally ill parent.

Rebecca

Marquetta

Jordan, 70

Rebecca Marquetta Jor­dan, 70, Muscle Shoals, passed away on Wednes­day, July 31, 2024. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Marquetta was a mem­ber of Faith Church, Flor­ence. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Randolph; and her husband of forty-three years, David Jordan.

Marquetta is survived by her children, Mis­sy Wade and Matthew Jordan (Laura); par­ents, Gene and Frances Richey; brothers, Jimmy Glenn McCullum and Mike Richey; grandchil­dren, Tanner Wade, Bryce Wade, Marleigh Harden, and Maddox Harden; and a host of cousins, niec­es, nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be made to Children’s of Alabama Foundation, 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Billy Joe “Pete” Smith, 85

Billy Joe “Pete” Smith, 85, of Muscle Shoals, AL passed away on Sun­day, July 28, 2024. The family will have a pri­vate celebration of life service at a later date.

Pete was a graduate of Deshler High School and was a member of Deshler Basketball Team. They called him “Spider”. Pete was retired from the Ala­bama National Guard and Sheet Metal Workers Lo­cal 48. He was employed by company’s Smith Met­al and Southern Mechan­ical for many years. He loved to go on the road in his motorhome to the games at UNA where his son, Trent, played foot­ball. In the winter months, he and Mollie would take the motorhome south to Key West, FL then West to Arizona where they en­joyed staying on military bases. They also enjoyed the wonderful memories of hauling Trent and his horses around the country for his team roping. When his granddaughters came along, they loved when their Pepe came to watch them in their swim meets. He adored watching them grow and spending time on the lake. Pete was an avid Alabama Foot­ball fan and dog lover.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Mollie Mitchell Smith; son, Trent Dawson and his loving wife, Cara; two grand­daughters, Madelyn and Claire Dawson; brother, Bobby H. Smith (Mary); special niece, Penni Clos; sister-in-law, Mary Cron McIntyre; his bud­dy, Morkie-Poo “Hoss”; numerous nieces, neph­ews, cousins, and in laws.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hen­ry Smith and beloved mother, Leona Berry Smith; infant brother, William O. Smith; sister, Doyle Jean Holder Stoltz.

In lieu of flowers fam­ily request that you give to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the chari­ty of your choice. Fam­ily would like to thank Brentwood Retirement Community and staff, Mitchell Hollingsworth and staff (station three) and Preferred Hospice.

Carl “Hooky”

Andres

Condra, 88

Carl “Hooky” Andres Condra, 88, of Muscle Shoals, AL passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 12-2 p.m. at Colbert Memorial Chap­el with a service to fol­low at 2 p.m. Casey Ha­gle will be officiating. Burial will be in Col­bert Memorial Gardens.

He was a member of Woodward Avenue Bap­tist Church. He gradu­ated from Deshler High School. He was a cheer­leader, pole vaulter where he held state records, bull rider and bareback rid­er in rodeos, avid sports fan and especially The Alabama Crimson Tide.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Condra; parents, Rus­sell and Lillie Condra, Sr.; brothers, Rich­ard Condra and Rus­sell Condra, Jr.; and sister, Norma Maloney.

He is survived by daughters, Jennifer Har­ris, Betsy Woodard, and Ann Wilson (Tony); grandchildren, Austin Woodard, Ryan Harris, and Charlie Wilson; sis­ter, Marilyn Spurgeon.

Pallbearers will be Rog­er Bradford, Jonathan Thrasher, Blair Terry, Aus­tin Woodard, Ryan Har­ris, and Charlie Wilson.

Special thanks to the 4th floor doctors, nurses, and staff at Helen Keller.

Stewart Austin Nichols, 37

Stewart Austin Nichols, 37, left his earthly home on August 4th, 2024.

Austin touched many lives with his wonder­ful sense of humor and love for his family and friends. May God grant him the peace he so deserved. Our hearts are with him forever.

Austin, born on Oc­tober 17th, 1986, had a love for all things sports while attending Wilson High School. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from MTSU and was employed at AWBC.

He leaves behind his mother, Jerrilyn Sue Eddy, sisters Christie (Adam) Kuropatwa and Bran­dy (Chris) Churchwell, nieces Lorelei and Esto­ria, nephews Kellyn and Sam. His Uncle Don and Aunt Gail Johnson, his cousins Jeremy (Megan) and Justin, along with his many beloved friends and family members.

A short visitation and celebration of life will be at Morrisons Funeral Home, Central Heights on Saturday, August 10th from 10:00AM until Noon.

Austin had a love of animals of any kind so in lieu of flowers, please do­nate to Florence Animal Shelter or a non-kill ani­mal shelter of your choice.

In his memory, cast a fishing line or play some Texas Hold ‘Em