Oct. 5 obituaries

Jessica Faye

Riddle Jones, 43

Jessica Faye Riddle Jones, born June 11, 1981, passed away on Septem­ber 26, 2024. She was a radiant soul who brought joy and love to every­one she met. Jessica’s kindness, willingness to lend a helping hand, and thoughtful advice touched countless lives.

Jessica’s love for her children—Cameron & (Rai), Michael & (Leah) and Karmen & (Owen)—was boundless. She lived for them, taking immense pride in their accomplish­ments and dreams. They were her greatest joy, and her spirit will forev­er shine through them.

She is survived by her father, Mark Riddle; her mother, Karen Byrne Bockus; stepfather, Jim Bockus; sisters, Nicole James, Amber Bockus, brother-in-laws, Cody James, Justin Hensal; brother, Brian Riddle, and sister-in-law, Nereda Rid­dle. Jessica is also lovingly remembered by her grand­parents, Jim and Sheila Byrne, Joe and Margaret Minneci, and Sue Reeves along with her nieces and nephews: Kyndra James, Zayden James, Conrad Riddle, Sabella Riddle, and Knox Riddle. She leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends, including Beth­any Pitts, Brittany Pitts, Davita (Dee) McCray, and LaDarren Rutland.

Jessica is reunited in heaven with her grand­parents, Ken and Ju­lianna Riddle, Johnny Reeves; her stepfather, Douglas Bockus; and her cousins, Tommy Turn­er and David Byrne.

Visitation will be Fri­day, October 4, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Morrison Funer­al Home 10865 High­way 72, Cherokee, Al­abama, 256-359-4033. The funeral will follow at 1:00pm with burial in Cherokee Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be LaDarren Rutland, Cody James, Betha­ny Pitts, Krystal Roan, Amy Nichols, and Da­vita (Dee) McCray.

She will be deeply missed but forever re­membered for the love and light she brought to our lives. In lieu of flow­ers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following secure sites: CMT foundation at https://cmtrf.org/donate/ (please include Jessica’s name in the section of “in memory of” or “in honor of”) which reflects Jessica’s spirit of giving; Venmo to https://ven­mo.com/u/AmberBock­us; or Bank Independent which has also set up a “Good Samaritan Ac­count” in her name. This account will be avail­able for donations until the end of October 2024.

James Stanley Vaughn, 74

James Stanley Vaughn, 74, of Sheffield, passed away Saturday, Sep­tember 28, 2024. Ar­rangements will be an­nounced by Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia.

Stanley was a graduate of Deshler High School and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp serving during Vietnam. Stan­ley was a retired Cap­tain with the Tuscum­bia Police Department and a registered nurse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Jackie Vaughn; brother, Tom Vaughn; and Aunt Geraldine.

Stanley is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Brenda Vaughn; brother, Johnny Vaughn; nieces, Tracie Mills, Amanda Gasque (Jus­tin), and Kayla Gutierrez; nephews, John Michael Vaughn, Kevin Winters (Mandy), and Dennis Winters; great nieces and nephews, Bailey Winters, Jordan Southern, Christo­pher Davis, and Brianna Davis; special friend, Lori Jett; and a host of other extended family members.

R.D. Kelley, 81

R.D. Kelley, 81 of Flor­ence, passed away on Fri­day, September 27, 2024. Visitation will be Sun­day, September 29, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Florence. The funeral service will follow im­mediately in the funeral home chapel with Larry Burbank officiating. Buri­al will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Florence.

R.D. was a native and life-long resident of Flor­ence. He was preceded in death by his broth­ers, Earl Kelley, Ronnie Kelley, Donnie Kelley, and Randy Kelley; and sister, Neat Cromwell.

R.D. is survived by his wife, Alice Kelley; son, Mike Kelley (Tena); step­children, Chris Kelley (Erica) and Misty Staggs (Tommy); brothers, Rick­ey Kelley and Lonnie Kelley (Lois); sisters, Jo Nell Sharp (Berlon) and Mae Kelley(Gary); and a host of grandchildren.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Michael John

Ray, 54

Michael John Ray, 54, of Sheffield, went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, September 26, 2024. There will be no services at this time.

Michael was a native of South Bend, Indiana and was raised in South­west Michigan. Michael was generous of heart and loved people as Jesus does. He was hard work­ing and always looking for opportunities to serve others. He loved spend­ing time with family and friends and could make us all laugh with his quick wit and joyful ways. He also loved the outdoors and seeing things grow.

He is survived by his parents, John and Dianna Lynn Ray; sisters, Sta­cy Lynn Meister (Bry­an) and Jamie Lynn Fike (Jim); nephew, Nicholas Ray Meister (Abbie); nieces, Olivia Lynn Meis­ter, Sophia Lynn Fike, and Cordelia Lynn Fike,

In lieu of flowers me­morial gifts may be sent to the family or to the Washington Park BC, (Muscle Shoals) Benevolence Fund.

James William

Denton, 57

James William “Jim” Deaton, Jr., 57, Shef­field, passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024. No services will be held at this time.

Jim loved fishing, hunt­ing, and Alabama football.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Butler; daughter, Amber McGee (Devin); Bettina, Man­dy, and Dustin; parents, James and Barbara Sue Deaton; brother, Jack Deaton (Tonya); grand­children, Kadence, Kad­derrick, Zarrian, Kaylyn, Carson, Kinslee, Adalyn, and Zoey; and two neph­ews, Kelly and Jesse.

Alice Camille Hill

Underwood, 77

Alice Camille Hill Un­derwood of Leighton, Al­abama, was born to J. W. Hill and Cecil Gargis Hill on Monday, January 27, 1947, and passed away at her home on September 26, 2024, at the age of 77.

Though her family roots were around Ford City in east Colbert County, Ca­mille grew up in Florence, where her mother ran a boarding house at 520 East Tuscaloosa Street. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Appleby Junior High, and Coffee High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in el­ementary education from Florence State Univer­sity, now the University of North Alabama, and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama.

When she was 18, she met and married Ernest A. Underwood. They would share 60 years of life to­gether until his death on June 19, 2024. Together they would rear two sons, Chris and Kerry (Bubba).

When she was a child, Camille would walk to First Church of the Naz­arene, which met near downtown Florence at the time. It was there that she came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as the risen Lord. After she and Er­nest married, they joined Leighton Baptist Church, where they had been faithful and active mem­bers. Camille sang in the choir for many years and taught various women’s Sunday school classes.

Camille taught for 27 years in the Colbert Coun­ty School System, first at Brick Elementary School, then at Hatton Elementa­ry School. During those years of teaching sixth graders and fourth grad­ers, she made life-long impacts in the lives of children and families. Her passion was language arts. She always said that if a child can read well and with comprehension, he or she can do anything.

Mrs. Underwood was preceded in death by her parents, J. W. Hill and Cecil Gargis Hill, by her husband, Ernest A. Underwood, by a dear first cousin, Thom­as Pennington and first cousin Shela Hargett.

She is survived 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-granddaughters Holly Vinson (Tyler), Vic­toria Devaney (Josh), and Faith Ezzell (Landon), by step-great-grandchildren Vivianne Vinson, Luke Devaney and Jon Brad­ford Vinson, by broth­ers-in-law, McCoy Un­derwood (Patricia, a first cousin) and Larry Under­wood, both of Leighton, by sister-in-law, Wanda Thompson (David), of Tuscumbia, and by numer­ous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Leighton Baptist Church, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Sun­day, September 29, fol­lowed by funeral service at 3:00 p.m., with Rev. Mark Mayfield and Rev. Scott Price officiating. Interment will be at Glen­dale Cemetery. Pallbear­ers are Wesley Burden, Carl Keenum, Knoffery Patterson, Jimmy Pen­nington, Carson Under­wood, Matt Underwood, and Tim Underwood.

Mrs. Underwood’s fam­ily expresses their heart­felt gratitude to a large extended family, to the pastor and members of Leighton Baptist Church, to Hospice of North Al­abama, to nurse Ginny Dotson, nurse Bonnie Dean, to weekend nurs­es Jenny Skipworth and Daniel Freemon, and to Dr. Zaman Shah and Dr. Brad McAnalley. Camille was especially blessed by the years of friend­ship she shared with Mary Alice Underwood and Pat Price. We are so grateful for Mom’s sit­ters: Kelly Hulsey, Amy Kerby, Clarissa Martin, Danielle McDill, Cin­dy Orick, Annette Puck­ett, Amy Williams, and Machelle Williams. Each of you blessed Camille and us with your concern, visits, and acts of love.

Instead of flowers, please consider contrib­uting a financial gift in Mrs. Underwood’s mem­ory to Leighton Baptist Church or a charitable or­ganization of your choice.

Anita “Kay”

Ledlow Osborn

Anita “Kay” Ledlow Osborn, born on Febru­ary 17, 1959, passed away peacefully at her home in Nitrate City on Tues­day, September 24, 2024, surrounded by the fam­ily she cherished most.

She is survived by her husband, Eddie; her son, Matt (Bethany); her daughter, Mary Kather­ine Ray (Christopher); her grandsons, Walk­er Osborn and James Ray; her sister, Glenda May Grigsby (Bobby); niece, Mandy May Dean (Jamison); cousin, Cath­ia Ann Davis (William); cousin, Melinda Clayton (DD); sister-in-law, Mel­anie Osborn Brewer; and many others she cared for and loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her mother Geor­gia Boykin Ledlow and her father Daniel Ledlow.

Kay retired from Lister­hill Credit Union after over 20 years of service in the Accounting Depart­ment and shared a passion for researching her fami­ly’s history through Gene­alogy. She was known for her tremendous kindness and the light she brought to all around her. Her un­wavering faith and gen­erous spirit touched the lives of many, and she will be remembered for her nurturing heart and the joy she brought to all.

The family would like to sincerely thank Heath­er and the entire team at Alabama Hospice of the Shoals for the outstand­ing love and kindness they provided during her end-of-life care.

A celebration of life will be held at her lov­ing church home, Nitrate City Community Church on Wednesday, Septem­ber 25, 2024, with vis­itation from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and the fu­neral service conducted by minister Mike Hand beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Vickie Lynn

Tate, 66

Vickie Lynn Tate, 66, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on Wednesday, Sep­tember 25, 2024. There will be a memorial visita­tion on Monday, Septem­ber 30, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscum­bia with a memorial ser­vice immediately follow­ing in the funeral home chapel. Greg Beasley will officiate the service.

Vickie was a native of Michigan and a longtime resident of the Shoals. She was preceded in death by her husband, Randy Tate; parents, Thomas and Geraldine Barringer; and niece, Sara Barringer.

She is survived by her brother, Thomas Bar­ringer (Shirley); best friends, Bobbie Ken­dall and Ted Hildreth; niece, Kelli Smith (Tra­vis); two great-niec­es; and a great-nephew.

Ralph Edward

Berryman, 84

Ralph Edward Berry­man, 84, of Leighton, passed away on Thurs­day, September 26, 2024. Visitation will be Satur­day, September 28, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with grandson, Roy Berryman, officiating. Interment will be at Col­bert Memorial Gardens.

Ralph was a lifelong resident of Leighton and was a member of Leigh­ton United Methodist Church where he held nu­merous positions. He was the former president of Shoals ATV Riders, for­mer president of Tri-City Beagle Club, and a 17-year volunteer with Sad­dle Up for St. Jude. Ralph was an avid Alabama fan, outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and farming. He was a devot­ed husband, a loving fa­ther and grandfather, and the best father and grand­father anyone could ever want. Ralph’s mission in life was to help others.

He was preceded in death by his soulmate of 48 years, Yvlette Rushing Berryman; parents, Uly­ess and Jimmie Berryman; and sister, Barbara Agee.

Ralph is survived by his children, Johnny Berry­man, Jim Berryman (Sta­cy), Mary Brice (Tom), Suzie Berryman, and Felicia Smith (Kelly); grandchildren, Roy Ber­ryman (Maranda), Holly Backe (Tommy), Calvin Berryman, Haley Rohling (Lane), Joshua Brice, Allie Brice, John Thomas Brice, Joey Wilbanks, Savanna Stanfield (Seth), Mary Hanna Wilbanks, and Kaylyn Brimlow (Scott) and Rush Alexander.

Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers me­morials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Patricia Rose Strickland, 72

Patricia Rose Strick­land, 72, of Russell­ville, Alabama passed away on Friday, Sep­tember 27,2024. She was the wife to Donald Strickland for 45 years.

She is survived by her son, Gregory Hollimon, two grandchildren, Au­burn and Dylan Hollimon, three brothers, Wade, Roger, and BB McCalpin and one sister, Sue Cross.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Leonard and Winifred McCalpin; two broth­ers, Robert and Jack.

A memorial service will be held Friday eve­ning, October 4th, from 2:00 pm-3:30 pm at Col­bert Memorial Chapel in Tuscumbia Alabama.

Ira Pendley, 87

Ira Pendley, 87, of Tuscumbia, AL died on Sunday, September 29, 2024. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oc­tober 2, 2024 from 1-2 p.m. at Colbert Memori­al Chapel with a service to follow. Larry Kilpat­rick will be officiating. Burial will be in Col­bert Memorial Gardens.

Ira was a member of Cox Blvd Church of Christ and member of the UTU Railroad Union. He had a strong passion for hunting, fishing, and spending countless hours in the woods and on the water. Ira was also a die-hard Alabama Crimson Tide fan. Saturdays in the fall were always de­voted to watching every game with his loved ones.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Char­lie and Audie Pendley; wife, Jane Pendley; and brother, Charlie Pendley.

He is survived by his sons, David Pendley (Belinda) and Tim Pend­ley (Rhonda); broth­er, Gary Pendley (San­dra); grandchildren, Emily Young (Andrew) and Kyle Pendley (Laura); great-grandchildren, Lay­la Young, Lana Young, and Levi James Pendley.

Pallbearers will be Mi­chael Berry, Mitchell Ber­ry, Philip Berry, Chuck Townsend, Greg Pend­ley, and Doug Pendley.

Ronnie Lolan

Parrish, 68

Ronnie Lolan Parrish, 68, of Muscle Shoals, AL passed away on Sun­day, September 22, 2024. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Sep­tember 27, 2024 at 11 a.m. in Colbert Memori­al Gardens. Bro. Ted Va­feas will be officiating.

He was preceded in death by his father, El­bert Olen Parrish; moth­er, Dorthy Franklin Par­rish; step mother, Lois Jackson Parrish; and son, Samuel Franklin Parrish.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Deb­orah George Parrish; son, Dustin Heath Par­rish (Kimberly) and their children, Gavin, Vivian, Ethan and son, Gregory Scott Parrish and his son, Bryson.

Pallbearers will be Steve Butler, Tommy Whitehead, Lawrence Al­exander, Tommy Beckem, Rick Almond, and David Wiggington. Honorary pallbearers will be Gavin, Bryson, and Ethan Parrish.