Jan. 25 obituaries

Jackson Paul Jones, 33

Jackson Paul Jones, 33, of Florence, Alabama passed away on January 15, 2025. Jackson was born on August 19, 1991, to Pat and Becky Jones.

He is survived by his wife Taylor Gist Jones and his two sons Dawson Rhett Jones and Dutton Ellis Jones. He is also survived by his parents Pat and Becky Jones, his sister Sarah Hol­combe (Adam), nieces Vivian Holcombe and Lily Holcombe, mother- and fa­ther-in-law Tammy and Dale Hayes, brother-in-law Zane Gist, grandparents Ellis and Barbara Coats and Peg Jones, grandmothers-in-law Ella Parks and Janet Wilson, and special family friend Greg Bradford, as well as aunts, uncles, and cous­ins who loved him dearly.

Jackson was pre­ceded in death by his grandfather, Paul Jones.

He had two church fam­ilies who supported and loved him – Cross Point Church of Christ and Cor­nerstone Church of Christ.

Jackson graduated from Central High School and earned a degree in Forest Technology from Itawamba State Community College. He worked for Reeves Young Construction as a Safety Manager for their Heavy Civil Division. Jackson was an outstanding athlete and loved sports, especially baseball. Some of the fam­ily’s greatest memories are the days with their ballfield family. He loved hunting and loved being outdoors. But most of all he loved his family and his friends. He loved being a dad, and his boys adored him. Tay­lor’s love and support for him was unwavering.

His family and friends know how hard he fought through the challenges he faced and supported him every step of the way. They will not remember Jack for his addictions or the mis­takes he made but instead will remember the gentle, tender-hearted, kind, and truly good man that he was.

To honor his memory, they ask that you do the same—remember Jackson for his kindness, his big heart, and the love he shared with those around him. Re­member his laugh, his light, his smile. Remember him as a loyal friend who would go to the ends of the earth for his people. Remem­ber him as a son, a broth­er, a husband, and a dad.

Jackson’s life will be hon­ored on Sunday, January 19 at Cornerstone Church of Christ. Visitation will be from 1-3 with the memo­rial service following at 3. The service will be offici­ated by Wayne Gean, Sloan Dickerson, and Ben Siegel. Burial will follow at Wesley Chapel. Pallbearers will be Corey Chapin, Cory Dar­by, Kirby Gean, Zane Gist, Reese Lambert, Ryan Per­kins, Brandon Rhodes, Jus­tin Rice, Cody Risner, and Michael “Mikie” Stanfield. Honorary pallbearers will be Chisholm Atkinson, Nick Brewer, and Cory Risner.

In lieu of flowers, dona­tions may be made to the John Oubre 4 Antigua Foundation or the Willingham Foun­dation’s Run 2 the Cross.

Judy Lynn Brown, 65

Judy Lynn Brown, 65, of Russellville, passed away Friday, January 17, 2025. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. unto 1 p.m. on Tues­day, January 21, at First Baptist Colbert Heights. The memorial service will immediately follow with Dr. Seth Hood officiating.

Judy was a native of Paris, Tennessee, but lived most of her life in the Shoals area. She was a retired physical therapist with Helen Keller Memorial Hospital. Judy was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ray­mond Brown; children, Joyell Dalling, David, Di­ane, Will, Mylee, and Myles Brown; brothers, Gary Hunt­er and Robert Dale Hunter; grandchildren, Matthew, Madison, Hailey, Caitlin, Kourtney, Jonathan, Jacob, and Bay; and great-grand­daughter, Aurora.

Billy Franklin Vess, 77

Billy Franklin Vess, 77 of Muscle Shoals, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025. His visitation will be Saturday, January 18, 2025, From 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. His service will immediately follow at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chap­el with Pastor Chip Henley officiating. Burial will fol­low in Glendale cemetery.

Billy was preceded in death by his son, Billy Franklin Vess, Jr.; parents, Richard Lee and Georgia Ann Vess; brother, Jerry Wayne Vess, and sister, Bet­ty Jo Traylor. He was an iron worker and a member of local #477 from 1979 until 1997.

He is survived by his lov­ing wife of 34 years, Debra Vess; children, Gary Vess, Shane Vess, Ashlee Lingle­bach, and Becky Balentine; brother, Lee Ray Vess; sis­ter, Dorothy “Dot” Wig­ginton; 8 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Sonny Balentine, Cable Holder, Sam Matthews, Tyler Matthews, Skyler Skaggs, and Jason Reed.

Mary Sue Hoskins

Dixon, 88

Mary Sue Hoskins Dix­on, age 88, died Saturday, January 18, 2025. The fam­ily will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, Jan­uary 21, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscum­bia. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. A private in­terment will follow in Oak­wood Cemetery, Sheffield.

Mary Sue was born on January 3, 1937, to the late Hardy A. and Eva Thomer­son Hoskins. Mrs. Dixon retired as a cashier for many years at Liberty Supermar­ket, followed by Kroger. She then worked over a decade at TeeJay’s Manufacturing. Mrs. Dixon loved gardening and being with her family. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, James Sam­uel “Sam” Dixon, and sister, Peggy Willis. Mrs. Dixon was a member of Washing­ton Park Baptist Church.

Survivors include sons, Tommy Dixon (Wanda) and Matt Dixon (Caacie); grandchildren, Michael Dix­on, Cooper Dixon, Maggie Kate Dixon, and Caroline Dixon; and siblings, Sonny Hoskins, Ronnie Hoskins, and Connie Myrick.

The family gratefully ac­knowledges the excellent care and support provid­ed by the staff at Arabel­la Health and Wellness.

Memorial contribu­tions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Re­search Hospital (stjude.org) or a charity of choice.

Kristine Marie Watts, 59

Kristine Marie Watts, 59, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 18th from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Ford City Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 5890 River Road, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661.

Kristine was preced­ed in death by her mother, Mary Barker and daugh­ter, Tabbithia Watts.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Watts, Jr.; children, Anthony Watts, Aaron Olson, Chadd Watts (Alida), Tyler Watts (Cyn­thia), Hayden watts (Oki­ke), Skyler “Rusty” Gargis, and Payton Watts; brother, John Richards; sister, Mi­chelle Wood; and grand­children, Zoey, Brayden, Jackson, Ayden, Hahno­nili, Kohloni, Adrianne, Jozlyn, Alexander, Mya, Waylon, Jaddan, and Luca.

Samuel Lee Craft, 70

Samuel Lee Craft went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 70 years of age. He was a lifelong resident of Leighton, Alabama and was retired from TVA. He was a member of Local 760 Steamfitters for 47 years.

Sammy was preceded in death by his parents, Virgin­ia and Tally Craft; wife, Judy Craft; aunts, Sue and Fran­cis Craft; grandson, Wil­liam Spencer Myrick II; and sister-in-law, Linda Craft.

He is survived by his daughters, Misty Lee (An­drew) and Stephanie Craft as well as his grandchil­dren, Maddie and Sam Hol­land, Jackson and Mason Myrick, Amya Grissom, Tori Campbell (Dustin), Isaiah Bates, and his great grandchildren, Serayah and Amari Myrick. Mr. Craft is also survived by his brother, Billy Craft, nephews, Chris (Bobbie Jo), Lee (Hope), and several great nephews.

The homegoing celebra­tion will be Monday, Jan­uary 20, 2025, at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia with visitation beginning at 11:00 and the service im­mediately following at 1:00 with Farrell Retherford of­ficiating. Burial will fol­low in Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the organization of your choice in memory of our dad.

Pallbearers will be Samuel Holland, Mason Myrick, Jackson Myrick, Tyler Craft, Lucas Craft, Adam Craft, Spencer Myrick, and Peyton Trimm.

Lila

Blankenship Brown, 79

Lila Blankenship Brown, 79, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025. A graveside ser­vice will be held at Barton cemetery Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm with Caunr Gregory officiating.

Lila was preceded in death by her parents, Wil­liam Robert Blankenship and Ruby Francis Blanken­ship; daughter, Kim Love; sister, Charlotte Medley; brothers, Dan Blanken­ship, Billy Bob Blanken­ship, and Sam Blankenship.

She is survived by her daughter, Annette Gregory and husband Len Grego­ry; grandchildren, Mela­nie Horne, Kerra Peppers, Ravyn McMahill, Caunr Gregory, Jessie Richardson; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Lila was a member of the Church of Christ and was as a line worker for Sara Lee.

Jimmy Sherrod Holland, Sr., 87

Jimmy Sherrod Holland Sr., 87, went to be with the Lord in his heavenly home, Monday, January 13, 2025. A celebration of Jim’s life and faith will take place at York Bluff Baptist Church on Fri­day, January 17, at 1:00pm. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Jim was a life-long fol­lower of Jesus Christ and devoted his life to leading others to Him. He loved his church, York Bluff Baptist Church (formerly York Ter­race), and spent many years teaching Sunday school and serving as deacon. As direc­tor of the Royal Ambassa­dors program, he oversaw RA Camp at Earl Trent As­sembly for decades, mento­ring countless young men in their faith journeys. His warm smile, kind spirit, and readiness to share his testi­mony about the Lord’s work in his life had a lasting im­pact on everyone he encoun­tered. Professionally, Jim worked for many years as a Metropolitan Life insurance agent, offering guidance and care to his clients through insurance and annuities.

Jim cherished being “Pop” to his five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and never missed an oppor­tunity to show them just how much he adored them. He loved adventure and was al­ways beaming with life and full of fun. His many adven­tures included taking trips to Coffee Cave, hiking Red Rock Mountain, and crap­pie fishing at Bear Creek. He was a loyal member of the Bulldog Breakfast Club and always held his fellow Sheffield Class of ’56 close to his heart. He also looked forward to his Saturday’s watching the Tennessee Vols with his cousin, Ronnie Hol­land. Jim was the hands and feet of Jesus and spent his days visiting hospitals and local businesses to hand out cokes and candy. Most im­portantly of all, Jim was an earnest disciple of the Lord and devoted his entire life to advancing the Kingdom of God. He will be remembered as a man of unwavering faith, a joyful servant, and a bless­ing to all who knew him.

“I have fought the good fight, I have fin­ished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Katherine Holland; his par­ents, Coy and Polly Holland; his brother, Mike Holland; and sister, Diane Haddock.

Jim is survived by his children, Jimmy Holland Jr. (Sheila), Karen Gar­ner (Ronnie), and Melanie Hooper (Bruce); fiancée, Joyce Cochran; grandchil­dren, Jimmy Holland III (Brittney), Harrison Garner (Brandie), Hollin Graham (Patrick), Spencer Smith (Haley), and Kayla Kunsa (Phillip); and great-grand­children, Jimmy Holland IV (Fort), Mary Maddox Hol­land, Bowen Burgett, Griffin Burgett, Anna Harris Garner, Garner Graham, Everleigh Kunsa, and Everett Kunsa.

Pallbearers will be Jim­my Holland III, Harrison Garner, Spencer Smith, Patrick Graham, Phillip Kunsa, and Steve Har­grove. Honorary Pallbear­ers will include all Royal Ambassadors for Christ.

Memorials may be made to samaritanspurse.org or Saddle Up for St. Jude, 121 East Sixth Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674

Edna Delores McBrayer, 75

Edna Delores McBray­er, 75, of Tuscumbia, AL, passed away on January 17, 2025. Visitation will be held at Colbert Memo­rial Chapel on January 18, 2025 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a service to follow. Brother Seth Hood will be officiating the service.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William McBrayer; par­ents, James Small­wood and Edna Howard.

She is survived by her daughters, Missy Black (Greg) and Sheree Taylor (Mike); brother, O’Ne­al Smallwood (Late Polly Smallwood); sister, Gloria McCrory (Junior); grand­children, Kyle Black (Abby), Ryan Taylor (Paige), Drew Black (Maris), Craig Tay­lor (Jaidyn), Callie Taylor (Tristan); great-grandchil­dren, Amelia Taylor, Mad­dox Taylor, Ruby Taylor.

Special family is Dustin McBrayer (Tabitha) and their children, William and Lettie McBrayer. As well as, Nikki Smith (Jamie) and their children, Karly, Kol­by, Hunter, and Blakeleigh.

Ronald Frank Steele, 80

Ronald Frank Steele, 80, of Muscle Shoals, AL, passed away on January 14, 2025. A memorial service will be held at Colbert Me­morial Chapel on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11 a.m.

Ronald was an avid fish­erman, often found on the Tennessee River. He also had a special talent for hunting rattlesnakes. Ron­ald’s greatest joy, however, came from his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo Steele and Flossie Mae Wooten; siblings, Sherman, Jack, Joe, Lloyd, There­sa, Freda, and Sis; grand­daughter, Tiffany Mitchell.

He is survived his chil­dren, Daryle Steele, Lisa Murr, Julie Rose, Jona­than Steele, and Victoria Steele; grandchildren, Ja­cob Steele, Kirsty Hensley, Kathrine Crosslin, Brax­ton Rose, Brodie Rose, Kaylee Grace Steele, Ja­dyn Love, Trey Love; nu­merous great-grandchil­dren, nieces, and nephews.

Charles A.

Wallace, 86

Charles A. “Chuck” Wal­lace, 86, of Muscle Shoals, passed away Saturday, Jan­uary 18, 2025. There will be no services at this time.

Chuck was a native of Margerum and a retired night superintendent for Reynold’s Metals. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving his country proud­ly. Chuck was preceded in death by his sons, Tommy and Chad Wallace; parents, Frank and Bessie Wallace; and sisters, Carolyn Vandiv­er and Edna Fay Wallace.

He is survived by his lov­ing wife, Joyce Wallace; daughter, Cindy Fowler (Ray); daughter-in-law, Kim Wallace; brother, Al­fred Wallace; sister, Eliz­abeth Colbert; grandchil­dren, Josh Fowler, Matt Fowler (Whitney), Austin Wallace, and Eli Wallace; and great-grandchildren, Beckett and Britton Fowler.

In lieu of flowers memorials please do­nate to St. Jude’s Chil­dren’s Research Hospital.

The family expresses heartfelt thanks to the staffs of North Alabama Hospice and Amedisys Home Health.

Kay Haraway Cornelius

With hearts full of grat­itude for a life well-lived and faith in the promise of eternal rest, we celebrate the life of Kay Haraway Corne­lius, who was called home to be with the Lord on January 15th, 2025. A devoted ser­vant of Christ, Kay walked in faith and love, touching the lives of all who knew her with kindness, grace, and a steadfast spirit. Kay, a resident of Killen, AL. was born in Rogersville, AL, on July 9th, 1948. She graduated from Lauder­dale County High School in 1966. Kay married her high school sweetheart, In­gram, on December 18th, 1965. As they began to build their lives together, they gained a multitude of family and friends that Kay trea­sured throughout her life.

Kay worked many years in banking but will be re­membered most for owning and operating K’s Wedding and Photos. During her time as owner of K’s Wed­dings, she connected with many families that became lifelong friends. She took pride in building a business that her family was proud of. After retirement from the wedding business, she went on to own and operate a crafting business that gave her and Ingram the opportu­nity to travel and meet peo­ple from all over the United States. She was known by many as “The Hat Lady”

Although her death fills us with deep sorrow, we find great comfort and joy in knowing that she is in Heaven with Our Lord. She was a cherished moth­er, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She will forever be in our hearts.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Almon and Nell Haraway; infant broth­er Ricky Haraway; brother Dale Haraway; and grand­daughter Kayleigh Mojica.

Kay is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Ingram Cornelius; son and family, Jeffrey and Jennifer Cornelius, Kaitlin, Karley (Skylar), and Kenzie; son and family, Jamie and Me­lissa Cornelius, Sydney, and Sarahann (Jay, Joe, Gracie); daughter and family, De­Shawn and George Mojica, and Aaliyah. Also, many ex­tended family and a host of friends that she cherished.

We will proudly carry on her sweet memories and re­member all the wonderful times we spent with her. She lived a life filled with love and laughter and was happiest when surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her life will be cherished always, but now she joins the ones she has missed for so long.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate a life lived well. Visitation will take place Monday, Janu­ary 20th, 2025, at Williams Funeral Home in Florence, AL, from 12:00 noon until 2 p.m. The service will fol­low at 2 p.m. in the chapel with the burial following at Ingram Thornton Cem­etery in Rogersville, AL.

The family would like to thank all those who have covered our dear mother in prayers throughout the years.