Feb. 1 obituaries

Betty Sue Owens Lacks, 88

Betty Sue Owens Lacks, 88, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025. There will be a visita­tion on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. There will be no public service at this time.

Betty was a native of Booneville, MS and a long-time resident of Tuscum­bia. She was a graduate of Deshler High School. She was a devoted wife of an U.S. Air Force veteran and a loving mother. Betty also loved animals and nature. She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Lacks; parents, Henry Clay­ton Owens and Lila Lavern Tidwell; and daughter, Re­becca Sue Lacks Hubbard.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Kathy Ann Lacks of Murfreesboro, TN and Debra Jean Lacks Lane (John) of Brighton, TN; grandchildren, Shannon Hubbard of Oklahoma, Rob­ert J. Hubbard of Oklahoma, Taylor A. Lane of Murfrees­boro, TN, and Dillon J. Lane of Brighton, TN; four great grandchildren; and son-in-law, Harrold Hubbard.

Teresa Lynn Hamm, 68

Teresa Lynn Hamm, 68, of Cherokee, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Visitation will be Thursday, January 23, 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 Jerry Hoop­er officiating. Interment will be at Barton Cemetery.

Teresa is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Bernice Taylor; sister, Maretta Wallace; and the fa­ther of her children, Charles Hamm. She is survived by her daughters, Crystal Joy Kimbrough, Ashley Regina Mills; brother, Steve Tay­lor; grandchildren, Devin and Ryan Kimbrough, Averilla and Isabella Mills; and great-grand­son, Noah Kimbrough.

Teresa worked as a seamstress. She was the greatest mother ever, and we loved her dearly.

Judy Kay

Richardson, 69

Judy Kay Richardson, 69, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025, at home surround­ed by her family. There will be a visitation on Thurs­day, January 23, 2025, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia.

Judy was a native and life­long resident of the Shoals. She was a loving moth­er, grandmother, and great grandmother and will be missed greatly. She was pre­ceded in death by her parents, Junior & Christine Nobles; sisters, Joyce Sharp and Bar­bara Nobles; and brothers, Charles and Dwight Nobles.

Judy is survived by her children, Frankie Brooks, Tonya Brooks, and Jamie Brooks; brother, David No­bles; sisters, Brenda Darnell, Sarah Adams, and Wanda Nobles; grandchildren, Cha­sey Brooks, Keanna Brooks, and Lauren Isom; and great grandchildren, Trevor Young, Rhanairjah George, Jr., and Remi George.

Charles Thomas Graham, 65

Charles Thomas Graham, 65, of Florence, passed away on Monday, Janu­ary 20, 2025. There will be a celebration of life scheduled at a later date.

Tommy grew up in Co­lumbia, Tennessee, but later moved to Florence, Alabama. He was a line technician with Nissan North America and a mem­ber of the Methodist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Delores Graham Bradley.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Andrea Greene Graham; son, Walker Gra­ham; daughter, Emily Car­son (Brandon); stepson, Jay Greene (Mandie); brother, Mark Graham (Katy); sis­ter, Deborah Logan (Dan); grandchildren, Kaylee Walton, Cooper Carson, Luke Carson, and Bailey Greene; and many Gra­ham and Pritchett cousins.

In lieu of flowers memo­rials may be made to the Lauderdale County Animal Shelter, Florence, Alabama.

Alexander

Thomas Poplawski, 80

Alexander Thomas Poplawski, 80, of Shef­field, passed away Mon­day, January 20, 2025. There will be a private graveside at a later date.

Mr. Poplawski was a native of Chicago, Illi­nois and a retired business owner. He was preceded in death by his parents, Al­exander Joseph and Rose Marie Ritzski Poplawski.

He is survived by his sons, Thomas J. Poplawski and Tim Poplawski; and grand­children, Amy Isbell, TJ Poplawski, Alex Poplawski, Hayden Poplawski, and Blaine Poplawski.

Linda W.

Gist, 84

Linda W. Gist, 84, of Cherokee, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Visitation will be Monday, January 27, 2025, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Morrison Funeral Home in Cherokee. The funeral will follow at 2:00pm in the chapel. Burial will be in My­not Cemetery in Cherokee.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Mi­las “Mike” Gist; parents, Harvey and Eula Williams; and sister, Betty McKinney (Ray). She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Loveless (Matt); grandchildren, Tay­lor Loveless (Lucy), Kae­leigh Loveless, Ben Love­less; nieces, Sheila Bonds and Sharon Richardson.

Linda was a member of Maud Church of Christ. She was retired from U.S. Steel after 25 years of ser­vice. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospi­tal at P. O. Box 50, Mem­phis, Tennessee 38101-9929.

Virginia Ann Hale Cohoon, 81

Virginia Ann Hale Cohoon “GiGi”, 81, of Florence passed away on Friday, Janu­ary 24, 2025. There will be a memorial service on January 28, 2025, at Shoals Church at 6:00 p.m. Greg Corble will officiate the service.

GiGi was a waitress at the Shanty Restaurant in Flor­ence for many years. Ms. GiGi loved dancing, sing­ing karaoke, and listening to music with family and friends. Her favorite time of year was fall and celebrat­ing Halloween by dressing up and handing out candy to all the cute little children.

GiGi loved gathering with family and playing Patty Cake with her grandchildren and was always wanting her granddaughter to sing for her when we would all gather at Tourway Pancake House for a night of Karaoke.

In her later years she de­veloped a special friendship with another resident at Mitchell Hollingsworth. She and Mot were inseparable watching out for each other.

Ms. GiGi also loved do­ing her artwork. She was very talented and could draw faces so beautifully.

She was preceded in death by her son, George Cohoon; parents, Ernest “Dude” Hale and Eva Lenora Hale; grandsons, Ryan Young and Robert M. Reaves, brothers, Leon Hale, Richard Hale, and Buddy Hale; and sis­ters, Lenora Gray, Lavern Castile, and Margaret Wylie.

GiGi is survived by her children, Brian Co­hoon (Melanie), Rhonda Reaves (Gene), Melissa Shaw (Dean), and Felicia Rodriquez (Angel); broth­ers, Bobby Hale and John­ny “J.D.” Hale; sister, Thelma Richardson (Ron­nie); grandchildren, Keith Reaves, Justin Reaves, Jeremy Reaves, Alaiyah Reaves, Aiyonnah Reaves, Stephen Ringer, Whitney Ringer, Matthew Ringer, Ashlie Llewellyn, Travis Chorum, and Jessie Michel; 21 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

We the family would like to thank the staff of Preferred Hospice and the wonderful staff of Unit 3 at Mitchell Hollingsworth.

Susan Renee’ Parnell, 65

Susan Renee’ Parnell, 65, of Florence, passed away Friday, January 24, 2025. Visitation will be Monday, January 27, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church. The funer­al service will immediate­ly follow with John Brock officiating. Interment will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28, at Tri-Cit­ies Memorial Gardens.

Renee’ was a native of Florence and a member of Highland Baptist Church. She was a realtor with Cen­tury 21 Clement Realty and a member of the Shoals Area Association of Realtors. Her achievements include Realtor of the Year, Dis­tinguished Service Award, Golden Service Award, Chair of building the new SAAR office, SAAR Board Direc­tor, State Director, Robert Jemison Award, and nation­al recognition as Accredit­ed Buyer Representation.

Renee’ had a deep love of music and a God-given talent for singing, which carried her from high school talent shows, church choirs, and weddings to her final performance at Car­negie Hall in December.

Renee’ was preceded in death by her parents, Clif­ton and Genell Lindsey.

She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, James H. Parnell; sons, Jo­seph Heath Parnell (Laura) and Stephen Barrett Par­nell (Maddie); sister, Di­anne Lazzari; grandsons, Joseph Hilton Parnell and Max Armour Parnell; and aunts, Betty Spain, Geral­dine Hogan, and Sue Spain. She is also survived by her loving nephews, great-niec­es, great nephew, and oth­er loving family members.

Pallbearers include Heath Parnell, Barrett Parnell, Chris Harrison, Tyler Har­rison, Andrew Wylie, and Adam Wylie. Honorary Pallbearers will be Roy Ross and Robert Strictland.

In lieu of flowers memo­rials may be made to Shy­lee Smiles Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Elizabeth Ann Fikes Joiner, 92

Elizabeth Ann Fikes Join­er passed away at 92 on Fri­day, January 24. The family welcomes friends to First Baptist Church Tuscum­bia on Wednesday January 29, from 11am-1pm, with a celebration of her life im­mediately following at 1pm.

Ann was born on October 6, 1932, in Hamilton, Ala­bama. She studied classical music at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and was married to Jesse, her soulmate, for over fif­ty years. As a fifth-grade teacher for 26 years, Ann had a special place in her heart for the school where she spent most of her time, “the Village” or C.M. Brew­ster School in Sheffield.

A teacher both during and after school, she enjoyed teaching local children piano lessons. Ann was known for being able to read music and play by ear, easily switching between classical and popu­lar songs on the ivory keys of her 1920 Steinway grand. She was an avid reader and loved British mystery writ­ers like Agatha Christie. Be­ing gifted with language, she earned her Master of Arts in English from the Universi­ty of North Alabama while working and being a moth­er to her three children.

Ann was a lifelong fol­lower of Christ and found community at First Bap­tist Tuscumbia for decades. Along with reading and music, she loved genealo­gy, cooking, and cheering on Alabama football with a group of friends called the Baptist Bama Girls. One of her greatest joys in life was also spending time with her grandchildren.

After retiring from teach­ing, Ann spent much of her time traveling. She loved walking the beach in beau­tiful Ft. Morgan, Alabama, often with her beloved gold­en retriever, Eme. With her husband Jesse, she went on mission trips to plac­es like England and Spain. Her friendships, especially beach trips with her “sister” Patsy Horton, brought Ann immeasurable happiness in life. Ann and Jesse gave back to their community through volunteering and attending countless concerts, local art exhibits, and plays at the Ritz Theatre in Sheffield.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Joiner, Jr., her parents, Acolee and Carrie Fikes, and her broth­er, Guy Fikes. Ann is sur­vived by her children, Jesse Joiner III (Kellye), Laura Allen (Mark), and Chris Joiner (Carol), and grand­children, Ashley Steenson, William Joiner, Eleanor Ann Joiner, Lindsey Joiner, and Sarah Caroline Joiner.

Along with family and faith, education was the most important thing in Ann’s life. Like many of her generation, she believed ed­ucation was the key to the American dream, as well as a personally and spiritu­ally fulfilling life. She be­lieved that no matter where you are in life, there is no limit to the power of books and libraries and where they can take you. In honor of Ann’s love of learning, memorials can be made to Sheffield Public Library at 316 N. Montgomery Ave.

Harrison Randall Tanner, 34

Harrison Randall Tanner, 34, of Tuscumbia, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 28, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Morri­son Funeral Home, Tuscum­bia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Andy Flores officiating.

Harrison was a beloved employee of Foodland, the Marriott, and T-Mobile. He was preceded in death by his Pawpaw Ed Tanner, Pawpaw Rudy McCrory, and Grandma Shirley McCrory.

Harrison is survived by his parents, Randy and Paige Tanner; sisters, Sha­ron Tanner and Dottie Tanner; Grandma Betty Tanner; and aunts, San­dra Tanner, Teresa Davies (Bud), Toni Strickland (Da­vid), and Flo Myrick (Tony).

The family expresses heartfelt thanks to all those who were able to be with him on his last day, filling the room with love and laugh­ter. To the nurses of Hospice of North Alabama, a special thanks for being there at all hours of the day and night.

Wanda Jeane Mitchell, 86

Wanda Jeane Mitch­ell, 86, of Leighton, AL, passed away peacefully in her home. Visitation will be Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 1-2 p.m. at Col­bert Memorial Chapel with a graveside service to fol­low at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens. Casey Hagle will be officiating the service.

Wanda would often be seen reading books on her iPad. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, es­pecially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Mitch­ell; parents, James F. Her­ring and Agnes Chamblee; siblings, Junior Herring, Don Herring, Doyle Herring.

She is survived by her children, Diana Zickos (Ran­dy), Alan Mitchell (Karen), Gary Mitchell (Ren); grand­children, Amanda Simpson (Steve), Anna Zickos (Ker­ry), Christy Anders (Josh), Melissa Godsey (Seth), Wayne Mitchell (Macey); great-grandchildren, Aus­tin Simpson, Ella Simpson, Zoey Edwards, Zeke Ed­wards, Rhett Anders, Haylie Mitchell, Brennon Mitch­ell, and Alexis Mitchell.

Pallbearers will be Josh Anders, Seth Godsey, Steve Simpson, Wayne Mitchell, Glenn Hand, and Nathan Mitchell.

Special thanks to Judy Story at Aveanna Com­fort Care for all the lov­ing care and friendship given to our loved one.

Betty M. (Riner)

Gist, 88

Betty M. Gist, 88, of Mus­cle Shoals, AL passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025. Visitation will be Wednes­day, January 29, 2025 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a ser­vice to follow at 12 p.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens. She was a member of Cox Boulevard Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Dollie Riner; husband, Jack Gist; brother, Ralph Riner; sister, Barbara King; sons, Randy Gist and Russ Gist.

Betty is survived by her sons, Rick Gist (Paula) and Robbie Gist; sister Marjorie Marthalar; brother, Tom Ri­ner; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Dil­lon Gist, David Gist, Dawson Gist, Jack Gist, Jaden Easley, and Taylor Raines. Honorary pallbear­er will be Carlen Easley.

Samuel E.

Booker, 69

Sammy was born Octo­ber 28, 1955. He passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at North Ala­bama Medical Center after a brief illness at the age of 69. He lived in Killen, AL.

Sammy was a graduate of Cherokee High School and the University of North Ala­bama. Before his retirement he worked as a medical cou­rier for many years. In his re­tirement he enjoyed watch­ing Alabama football and Braves baseball and play­ing cards with his friends. His happiest days were spent with his grandson, Brady. His favorite name was “Papaw Alabama”.

Visitation will be Mon­day, January 27, 2025 from 12-1 p.m. at Colbert Memorial Chapel. A me­morial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Brother Ben Luttrell will be officiating.

Sammy was preceded in death by his parents, Zeke and Neva Inez Booker.

Brothers, Lloyd Book­er, James Booker and Hugh Bradley Booker.

Sisters, Elizabeth Malone, Louise Luttrell, Earline Kay and Frances Jones.

He is survived by his children, Lauren O’Kel­ley and Mark Booker. His grandson, Brady William O’Kelley. Brady was the light of his life. He is also survived by brothers-in-laws, H.D. Jones and John­ny Luttrell. Special nieces, Stephanie Jones (Dale) and Jennifer Beyersdorf (Brad).

A host of nieces, neph­ews, cousins and friends. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Carla Cannon Gasque.

Honorary pallbearers are: Shannon Weeks, Johnathon Gibbs, Brad Nunley and all his card playing buddies.

Dad, We know you are loving heaven! Reunit­ed with your parents and siblings, cracking jokes with Jesus, and drinking all the coffee you want. We will love you forever! Lauren, Mark and Brady.