Sept. 28 obituaries
Larry E.
Roberson, 91
Larry E. (Robbie) Roberson, 91, of Tuscumbia AL, passed from this earth on September 21, 2024, after a lifetime of service to his family and his country.
Robbie was born April 15, 1933, in Memphis, TN, to Charles Roberson and Emma Wilkes Roberson. He was a 20-year veteran in the US Navy, serving on many aircraft carriers. His last duty station was in Millington, TN as an instructor. After 20 years of travel with the Navy, Robbie was proud to settle down in Millington, where he opened a Bicycle Shop and continued to serve the community. He then called Paris, TN home for thirteen years, before ultimately returning to his childhood home in Alabama. He was loved and respected by everyone who met him and enjoyed doing anything big or small for family, friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Emma; son Larry Roberson, Jr.; stepdaughter, Lisa Price and eight sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his wife, Rita Robbins Roberson; three daughters– Nita Hosman, Sandra Gail Humphrey (Bob), Gina Roberson (Ed), Stepson Greg Price (Paula), many Grands, Great grands, nephews and his favorite nieces.
There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
James “Peanut” Belue, 81
Saturday, September 21, 2024, another angel received his wings. James “Peanut” Belue was called to the front of the line in Heaven. He had 81 long years on this earth. He has left all of his family and friends with lots of laughter and loving memories. If you were looking for him, he was either under a car or on the riverbank. Growing up, he always seemed to have some devious ideas. Maybe now he will finally get to explain to Mat why he told her the mule was coming. I’m sure Mat, Tom, his brother, Robert “Butterball” Belue, and yes, Mama Bess will be waiting at the gates for him. He has left behind two daughters: Cathy Walker with Jim and Latricia Brown with Ray; five grandchildren: Ashley, Jeremy, TJ, Nicholas, and Baylee; three great grandchildren; three siblings: Dianne Darlinger with Joe, Dave “Sweetpea” Belue with Sylvie, John “Doll” Belue with Celeste; and many nieces and nephews. Daddy had many friends but with Thomas Gaisser, a bond over the love of cars was created that could not be broken.
So now with an orange rod in his hand and in the words of a song we recently heard, we are sure daddy is wishing this was a riverbank instead of a graveyard.
Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at Morrison Funeral Home in Cherokee. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Dwight Rivers officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.
Billy Ray
Johnson, 87
Billy Ray Johnson, 87, of Cherokee, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024. There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, September 24, at 11 a.m. at Mountain Springs Cemetery.
Billy was a native and lifelong resident of Colbert County and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Ellen Bates Johnson; parents, William and Mable Johnson; and 7 siblings.
Billy is survived by his children, Michael A. Johnson (Lesa D.), Timothy A. Johnson (Rita), Lisa S. McClanahan (Monty), Jana M. Johnson, and William B. Johnson; brother, John Wayne Johnson (Janie); grandchildren, Jonathan Johnson, Cory Riley, Anastasia Johnson, and Luke Johnson; 2 great-grandchildren, Ember Hennessee and Keylin Johnson; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.
The family expresses special thanks to the staffs of Alabama Hospice and Helen Keller Memorial Hospital and to Cheryl Lassiter and family for all their loving care for Billy.
Lorene Hunt
Denton, 97
Lorene Hunt Denton, 97 of Muscle Shoals, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 24, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia with the service immediately following in the funeral home chapel. Chad Holder will be officiating the service. Interment
will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Sheffield.
Lorene was born in Akron, Ohio and was a long-time resident of Sheffield. She owned and operated her own beauty shop in Sheffield for many years and enjoyed her time as a freelance artist. She also enjoyed fishing, crocheting, painting, and playing games with friends and family. She and her husband Buddy enjoyed their lake cabin, camping, traveling, and square dancing while making many friends. She was a member of York Bluff Baptist Church in Sheffield.
Lorene was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Buddy Denton and parents, Harvey Talton and Violet Mae Hunt.
Lorene is survived by her children, Mark Denton (Helene), Gina Mashburn (Tim), and Tina Nesbitt; grandchildren, Houston Mashburn (Brittney), Ross Mashburn (Shana), Brett Ann Nesbitt, Grant Nesbitt (Keri), Jacob Denton (Rachel), Zach Denton; 8 great-grandchildren; 2 special nieces, Beth Cheetham and Diana Tidwell; special sister-in-law, Cala Warhurst; and special brother-in-law, Bobby Denton.
Her grandsons and son-in-law, Tim Mashburn will serve as pallbearers.
Charles Leborn Clement, 95
Charles Leborn Clement, 95, Sheffield, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024. Visitation will be Thursday, September 19, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Bishop Brian Sutton and Pastor James Clanton officiating. A private committal will be held with family and pallbearers.
Charles was a child of God and a member of Cliff Haven Church, Sheffield. He loved his country and was a veteran of the US Army, earning two Bronze Stars for his service in Korea. Charles was an owner and barber at Clement’s Barber Shop for fifty-seven years. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly fifty years, Alma Marie Clement; son, Timothy Clement; infant daughter, Mae Elizabeth Clement; son-in-law, Dennis Inman; parents, Doc and Mary Clement; and eleven siblings.
Charles was a loving father to Tawana Black (Len), Tammy Inman, and Teresa Holland (Michael); and a devoted grandfather to his grandchildren, Jason Goins, Matthew Inman, Taylor Holland, and Madison Holland; and great-grandchildren, Lauren Goins, Jacob Goins, Macie Goins, Addy Goins, Rylee Inman, Olivia Inman, and Jude Holland.
Pallbearers will be Mark Goodwin, Greg Goodwin, Mike Johnson, Jackie Clement, Mark Williams, and Michael Shook.
The family offers special thanks to Dr. Amit Mehta and his staff.
Virginia R.
Kennedy Silvis, 85
Virginia R. Kennedy Silvis, 85 yrs, Sheffield, formerly from Pulaski, PA, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
She was born on Sept. 22, 1938, to Robert Lorraine and Lena Marie Kennedy who precede her in death. Also, preceding her in death was her husband, Wilbert John Silvis; a brother, L.A. Kennedy; and a sister, Marian Kennedy McCue.
Virginia passed away at home with her son, Brian; grandson, Ryan; and great-grandson, Clayton, by her side after an extended illness.
Along with her son, she is survived by three daughters, Marlene Gibbons, Linda Martin, and Judy Crocket. Also surviving are ten grandchildren and thirty-four great grandchildren.
The family asks in lieu of flowers please send donations to Compassus Hospice 507 E. Dr. Hicks Blvd, Florence, AL 33630 in her honor.
John Arggie
Garner, 89
John Arggie Garner, 89, of Tuscumbia, AL passed away Monday, September 16, 2024, in his home with loved ones by his side. He was born July 31, 1935, in Tuscumbia and lived a full life there with his family.
John was a dedicated husband to his wife of 65 years, Sarah Garner. Together they raised two sons, John A. Garner of Montgomery, AL and James W. Garner of Ridgeland, MS.
John retired from Reynold’s Alloy after working 38 years with dedication. He was an avid reader and enjoyed non-fiction, historical books. John enjoyed watching college football and researching high school football recruits. He loved sharing his knowledge of the past and memories of his life experiences with family and friends. John loved fishing on Little Bear Creek and the Tennessee River with his boys when they were children and with friends later in life. He was diligent in maintaining his homestead and enjoyed outdoor chores like raking leaves and chopping wood. John was strong, resilient, and independent always. He was caring and dedicated to his family.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Myrtle Garner; his brother, Ralph Garner; and his great-grandson, Jeremy Chad Smith, Jr (SJ).
Survivors include his wife, Sarah Lentz Garner; his sons, John A. Garner (Pam), James W. Garner (Joey); his grandchildren Kelsey Smith (Chad); Kathryn Garner, Claire Garner, Jessica Garner, Joseph Garner (Cara), and John Garner (Maggie); his great grandchildren, Liza Smith and Shepherd Smith; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Joseph Garner, John Garner, Jessica Garner, Kelsey Smith, Claire Garner, and Mike Lentz.
Visitation will be Friday, September 20, from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. at Hampton Heights Baptist Church, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow at the church with Bro. Jeremy Sanderson officiating. Interment will be in Donley Cemetery, Tuscumbia.
Memorials may be made to Blessing Bee Ministry at Hampton Heights Baptist Church.
Vera Faye
Keenum
Jones, 83
Vera Faye Keenum Jones, 83, of Millbrook, Alabama, passed away in Montgomery, Alabama, on September 14, 2024, after a short illness.
She grew up in Colbert County, Alabama, but lived all over the United States before retiring back in Alabama to be near family. Faye lived life with passion and fought idiocy and, even death itself, to the very end. She was feared by many but still remained fearful, herself, of AI and VR and even just video games, in general. She also despised cream or sugar in her coffee or anything but lemon in her unsweetened tea. It is very unlikely that artificial sweetener or sugar had any role in her demise. The salt she liked to put on the top of her beer cans or the butter and sour cream she slathered in her baked potatoes may have played a role, though. She lost many family and friends along the course of her long life but always celebrated the journey in stories that often seemed too-too. In the end, however, each story was unwaveringly proved to be true (it was fitting that she retired within 5 miles of the town of Spectre). That said, like many mothers and even more grandmothers, in her stories she often confused the who and the why but was always quite clear on the what.
She is survived by many family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. She cared deeply for those she allowed into her circle of love and was unflagging in her desire to help and assist them with small actions that she made large in the doing. Though many would probably gather in her memory, for years she reiterated her desire for a lack of a mournful or even celebratory event to mark her passing. Though most of the oaths were said with fingers crossed, she was promised that would not occur so many times it seems a true crime to violate that wish. Further, she was undoubtedly one who would haunt the perpetrators for doing so if such a thing were possible.
She loved music of all kinds and listened to it in her pick-up. She loved trashy books but not trashy TV. She loved sports on TV but not in person. She had an unusual aversion to celebrating holidays (outside of a large collection of flamboyant door wreaths) and to going on vacations (except for that one eyewitness-verified trip she took to Apalachicola with a blind friend so that he could “look around” at what they had there) but loved to spend time with her family (at HER house, WITH coffee). She never saw the lack of an Easter basket or staying at home instead of going to the lake as a missed opportunity, though it was often argued to her that in retrospect she might see it differently in the afterlife. Unlike holidays and vacations, she really loved coffee. In, perhaps, the greatest tragedy of her existence, she was denied anything but decaf in the last week of her life though ultimately unsuccessful schemes had been made to rectify that.
Instead of flowers or donations to a cause in her memory, do the absolutely un-Faye thing and spend that money on a meal, trip, or special occasion with your own loved ones and then just remember her the next time you hear someone order their coffee black. Or, order a black coffee yourself, if you are Faye enough. Necessary anti-haunting disclaimer: No AI was used in the composition of this tribute.
Norman Blake
Smith, 54
Norman Blake Smith, 54, of Tuscumbia, Alabama, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 13, 2024. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 17, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. The funeral will be Wednesday, September 18, at 2:00 p.m. at Valdosta Church of Christ in Tuscumbia.
Blake was a lifelong native of Tuscumbia and a member of Valdosta Church of Christ He was an honorable son, loyal brother, loving husband, and devoted father to his “baby girl.” He leaves a tremendous legacy behind as a true servant. Those who knew him most often found themselves as the recipient of his compassionate love. Blake enjoyed spending time with his family and friends most. He also spent time in nature hunting, fishing, building, and working on things in need of repair. He was a fan of Alabama football and also a supporter of Deshler sports. Blake spent the majority of his career working for the Tuscumbia Utility Department where he developed lifelong friendships. Blake will be remembered for his quiet peaceful presence and genuine smile.
Blake is preceded in death by his father, Norman Gene “Flab” Smith; his grandparents, John Henry and Florence Smith, and Howard and Stella McCormack; aunts, Genell Askew and Jeanita Hayes.
Blake is survived by his wife, Cecily Bowling Smith and daughter, Elizabeth (Bess) Ann Smith; his mother, Barbara McCormack Smith, brother, Greg “Catfish” Smith, mother-in-law, Vicki Bowling, cousins, Geri Nell Askew, Jeff Askew, and Joel Hayes.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Askew, Tim Holt, Bernard Jackson, Jimmy Morris, Mark McLeary, Barry Holt, Joel Hayes, Brad James.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Thornton, Jimmy Black, David Nesbitt, Mark Dennis, Mike Terry and Tuscumbia Utility Department workers.
Shelby June
Roland, 73
Shelby June Roland, age 73, of Tuscumbia, AL passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024. Her family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 1-2pm at Colbert Memorial Chapel. The funeral will begin at the funeral home at 2pm. Burial will follow in Colbert Memorial Gardens.
Shelby is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Emma Jean Jackson; brother, Jerry Jackson; and daughter Laurie Smith.
Shelby is survived by her husband, Jerry Roland; daughters, Andrea Davis (Kelly) and Jessie Davenport (Zack); sister, Pat Jackson; grandchildren, Braydon Davis, Savannah Davenport, and Hunter Davenport; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Kelly Davis, Zack Davenport, Braydon Davis, James Chaney, Tony Chaney, Allen Reyes, Nate Hall, and Albert Davis.
