March 29 obituaries

Mark Wayne Duve, 71

Mark W. Duve peace­fully left earth by “getting out of one car and into an­other” on March 21, 2025.

Mark was born on Novem­ber 21, 1953 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of David (Bud) Duve and Donna Duve.

Mark spent his life living every moment to the fullest from riding motorcycles, to singing, writing and play­ing music on his guitar. He even recorded and had copy­written a CD of his origi­nal songs entitled “BACK­WOODS”. Mark was interviewed and featured on a local Alabama radio station where they played one of his songs in 2020. Mark trav­eled cross-country multiple times by car, motorcycle, RV and semi. He played in a rugby tournament at age 53 and won. Mark loved being outdoors. He would unwind from a long day by chopping wood and contemplating life. He had many tattoos that each told a tale of how he lived. He looked forward to each spring so he could plant his garden and watch it grow. Mark was a master at smoking meats. He created and bottled his famous “Ten Bears Boston Butt Rub”, which will carry on as one of his many legacies. Mark had a way of making a friend everywhere he went. In his last years on earth, the front porch became his sanctuary in Alabama. This is where friends and family came to gather as Mark shared his life stories and forev­er memorable life advice, which will be sadly missed.

Mark is fondly re­membered for his lov­ing nature and kind soul. He loved everyone and everyone loved him.

Mark is survived by his wife, Goldie, along with children, Mark, Matt, Tif­fany, Amy and Candy; his 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mark’s family would like to thank Hospice of North Alabama, especially nurse Lauren and volunteer Alan, his medical care team Dr. Horton, Dr. Pearlman, Dr. Barlow, and Dr. Sandwell, as well as Terrace Man­or Nursing and Rehab.

Ludell

Hopkins, 82

Ludell Hopkins, age 82 of Athens, Alabama passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025. She was born November 30, 1942 in Morgan County to the late Lannie Odell and Ethel Mae Davis Turner.

Ludell was born one of five sisters with two fos­ter brothers. She attended Priceville High School and graduated from Carraway Methodist Nursing School as a Registered Nurse in 1963. Outside of her dedi­cation to the medical field, Ludell enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking for others.

She is survived by her son James Dale Hopkins, grand-daughter Jessica Di­ane Zelaya, grand-daugh­ter Lanie Elizabeth Swan, great grandson Rowan Ma­teo Zelaya, great grand­daughter Georgia August Verchot, sisters Josephine Turner and Linda Sharp, and brother Kenneth Blagburn.

Ludell was preceded in death by her parents, Lannie Odell Turner and Ethel Mae Davis Turner, her oldest sister Arthenia Turner, her youngest sister Anetia Cay Koch, her old­est brother Paul Blagburn, her son Jonathan David Hopkins, and her daugh­ter Cassendra Diane Bell.

Her passing has left a void in the hearts of fami­ly, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by her. A celebration of life will be held on March 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Colbert Memo­rial Chapel at 700 Highway 43 South, Tuscumbia, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that dona­tions be made to her home church, Calvary Mission­ary Baptist Church – Mis­sion Fund, 9120 High­way 43, Guin, AL 35563.

A special thank you for hospice nurses and bath aids (Kandice, Jowana, Can­dice, Dorothy, and Simoné).

Ruth Ellen

Gothard, 88

Ruth Ellen Gothard age 88, passed away at home sur­rounded by family on March 18, 2025 after an extended illness. Mrs. Gothard was preceded in death by her hus­band and lifelong sweetheart, John Roland Gothard, her parents, brothers, sister and son-in-law, Greg Johnson.

Ruth truly was a special person touching many lives through her sweet, generous spirit. She was always ready to help someone and made her home a warm, welcoming place for all those she knew.

Some of her favorite things were traveling, mu­sic, getting together with friends and spending time with her family. Her beauti­ful blue eyes and wonderful smile lit up whenever she spent time with her grand­children and great grand­children. She loved having her family together for any occasion but Sunday lunch was a favorite time for her.

Ruth was a longtime, faithful member of Wood­ward Avenue Baptist Church and spent many hours serving her church.

The family would like to give special thanks to the amazing team from Southern Care/New Beacon Hospice who took such great care of our mother and us through this time. Also, we would like to thank the wonderful caregivers from Happier at Home who gave such kind, loving care to our mother.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Lynn (Roger) Crittenden, Cara (Phillip) Fretwell, and Lisa John­son. Her grandchildren, Megan (Bennie) Pigg, Mor­gan (Ethan) Hall, Summer Johnson, Ian Johnson and her great granddaughters, Saylor Hall, Caraline Pigg and Cassidy Hall. She is also survived by extended family and close friends.

Visitation will be at Col­bert Memorial Chapel from 12:00-2:00 on Saturday, March 22, 2025 with a Cel­ebration of Life directly fol­lowing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodward Avenue Baptist Church Renovation Fund.

Marla Malone Pounders, 76

Marla Malone Pounders, 76, of Madison, Alabama, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025 at home, surrounded by her loving family, after a cou­rageous battle with cancer.

Marla was born on April 3, 1948 to parents, Carrie Ruth and Kenneth Allgood Malone of Cherokee, Alabama. Ever the student, after high school she obtained degrees in biology and education and later in med­ical records technology. Over her career she held teaching and administrative positions for the State of Alabama until she retired from her role as of­fice manager for the Madison County Health Department. She was a devoted wife, mother, and friend who enjoyed camp­ing and traveling in retirement.

She is survived by her hus­band of 55 years, Paul Pound­ers; her children, Jason, Damon, and Julie; son-in-law Kris.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation to celebrate Mar­la’s life will be held at Colbert Memorial Chapel on March 20, 2025 from noon-2:00 with a service to follow at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ovari­an Cancer Research Alliance.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice Family Care for their com­passionate care and sup­port during Marla’s illness.

Rev. Mary

Nancy Jones, 78

Mary Nancy Jones, 78, of Little Rock, AR, was born to Clara and R.W. Jones on March 30, 1946. She had an older brother, Ben, and later a younger sister, Ruth, and a younger brother, David, were added to the family.

Mary grew up at Col­bert Heights where she at­tended private Kindergar­ten with her brother, Ben, taught by their mother in her home. Mary was double promoted and entered Col­bert Heights School from 2nd to 9th grade, where she graduated as salutato­rian of her 9th grade class.

Mary graduated from Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was an accomplished pi­anist and for several of her high school years she served as church pianist and organist at Wesley Me­morial Methodist Church in Littleville, Alabama.

Mary attended UNA in Florence, Alabama where she received her undergrad­uate degree in Biology and went to work at a Halfway House in Atlanta, Georgia, to counsel drug and alco­hol addicted young people.

Mary earned her Master’s of Divinity in Theology from Columbia Seminary in North Georgia with a Spe­cialization in Counseling and served several years as Staff Minister at Milled­geville Georgia’s Home for displaced children.

Mary was ordained by the North Georgia United Meth­odist Conference where she retired in 2009 as a Full El­der. Though retired, Mary was serving as Pastor at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ar­kansas, since July 1, 2009.

Mary was beloved by her many nieces and nephews, and she made every effort to always attend their var­ious events. Mary loved cats, spending time with her brother David and his wife, Donna, sharing meals, holidays, and watching Ala­bama Football games. Mary loved homemade lemon pie, fellowship with the peo­ple at Mt. Pleasant Church and driving long distances to visit family and friends.

Her family and friends remember Mary as someone who would always be there for them no matter what.

Mary loved life and al­ways marched to the beat of her own drum. She will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Ben Jones, and a sister-in-law, Donna Beth Jones.

Mary is survived by a brother, David Jones, sis­ters, Ruth Stone and Marilyn George; sister-in-law, Betty Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-niec­es and great-nephews.

Pallbearers are Jerry Graham, Payton Graham, Jesse Atkinson, Thom­as Smith, Daniel Rhodes, and Phillip Rogers.

Visitation for Rev. Mary Nancy Jones will be Sun­day, March 30, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. A grave­side memorial service will follow at Oakwood Ceme­tery in Tuscumbia, Alabama, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with Jesse Atkinson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ar­kansas, 5025 Church Road, Little Rock, AR 72210, mtpleasanttumclr.org.

Stanley O’Neal Bond, 84

Stanley O’Neal Bond, 84, Sheffield, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Visitation will be Friday, March 21, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Tuscumbia First Methodist Church. The funeral service will imme­diately follow at the church with Rev. Dr. Rudy Guess, Rev. Alan Beasley, and Mark Mayfield officiating. Interment will be in Glen­dale Cemetery, Leighton.

Stanley was a member of Tuscumbia First Methodist Church, a veteran of the US National Guard, and a mem­ber of IBEW 558. He was preceded in death by his par­ents, Henry and Lura Bond; and wife, Dorthea Bond.

He is survived by his sons, Greg Bond (Michelle), Grant Bond (Bridget), and Griffin Bond (Heather); grandchildren, Zachary Bond (Meri Beth), Brit­ney Pierce (Chase), Cody Bond (Ashton), Ben Bond, Shelby Craig (Jacob), Si­erra Domen (Alex), and Parker Bond (Aubree); twelve great-grandchil­dren; and brother-in-law, Donnie Smith (Yolanda).

Pallbearers will be Zach­ary Bond, Cody Bond, Ben Bond, Parker Bond, Jacob Craig, Alex Domen, Chase Pierce, and Chucky Cabaniss.

The family extend very special thanks to the staff at Preferred Hospice, and to the Ladies of Tuscum­bia First Methodist Church.

Eloise Browning Dover, 86

Eloise Browning Dover, 86, of Allsboro, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Visitation will be Saturday, March 22, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Cherokee. The funer­al service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with James Atkinson officiating. Interment will be at Allsboro Cemetery.

Eloise was a member of Allsboro Methodist Church and attended Allsboro Pres­byterian Church. She re­tired from Genesco Shoe Company, Iuka, MS and after retiring she worked as a bookkeeper for Chero­kee Water and Gas. Eloise was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She loved spending time with her fam­ily, taking day trips with Sonny, working in her gar­den and reaping its benefits.

Eloise was preceded in death by her son, Mike Dover; parents, How­ard and Daisy Brown­ing; and 4 siblings.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Mar­vin T. “Sonny” Dover; son, Jeffrey K. Dover (Mi­chelle); brother, Joelene “Joe” Browning (Debbie); step-grandchildren, Bre­anna Sullivan (Stone) and Kyle Rutland (Katelyn); 3 great-grandchildren, Harp­er, Jack, and Samuel; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers include Matthew Bates, Alexan­der Bates, Benny Hearn, Thomas Woodis, Rheo Dover, David Browning, Malcolm Waldrep, and David Woodis. Honorary pallbearers are Benny Par­rish, Donnie Jose, Larry Parker, and Johnny Hayes.

In lieu of flowers me­morials may be made to the Allsboro Cemetery Fund, 5965 Allsboro Road, Cherokee, AL 35616.

The family expresses special thanks to the staff of Cottage of the Shoals.

Auvalene Lee Ballard, 97

Auvalene Lee Ballard, 97, Tuscumbia, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Visitation will be Saturday, March 22, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Mor­rison Funeral Home, Tus­cumbia. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield, be­ginning at 2:30 p.m. with James Clanton officiating.

Miss Lee was a member of Cliff Haven Church of God of Prophesy. She owned and operated Lee’s Barber Shop. Miss Lee loved being out­doors, working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Ballard, parents, Jim and Eula White; and brother, Reo White.

Miss Lee is survived by her daughters, Paulette O’Brien (Mike) and Melis­sa Gorman (David); grand­children, Cody Gorman (Amber), Kayla Newber­ry (Ryan), Jeremy “Lee” Glock, Joe O’Brien (Chris­tina), and Patrick O’Brien (Lauren); and great-grand­children, Grayson Gorman, Lillie Mae Gorman, Lola Killian, Laken Glock, Ry­lik Woodward, Mackenzie O’Brien, Lucy O’Brien, Ellie O’Brien, Raegan O’Brien, Quinn O’Brien, Johnnie Kate O’Brien, and Revo O’Brien.

Belinda Jean Smith Dean, 73

Belinda Jean Smith Dean, 73, Tuscumbia, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Visitation will be Saturday, March 22, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tus­cumbia. The funeral service will be Sunday, March 23, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Benny Terry offici­ating. Interment will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

Belinda was a loving moth­er and grandmother, and she will be missed greatly. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Viv­ian Warren; husband, Char­lie D. Smith; brothers, James Robert Warren, Kenny War­ren, and Donald Ray Warren.

Belinda is survived by her children, Robert Smith (Kim), James Smith (Chancie), and Patricia Smith (Patrick); sis­ter, Lois “Bebop” Crosswhite (Danny); grandchildren, Char­ly Smith, Harly Smith, Dyl­lon Smith, Braydon Smith, Jamison Smith, Rachel Scott, Andrew Scott, and Johnathan Scott; and great-grandchildren, Preston Smith, Hayden Arm­strong, and Braxton Armstrong.

Pallbearers will be Braydon Smith, Jamison Smith, Dyl­lon Smith, Christopher Bogue, Johnathan Scott, Jimmy Cross­white, and Danny Crosswhite.

Danny James Crosswhite will serve as honorary pallbearer.

Russell Raymond Chynoweth, 82

Russell Raymond Chynoweth, 82, Sheffield, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025. No services are scheduled at this time.

Russell was very interest­ed in Muscle Shoals music and spent time as a DJ. He enjoyed camping and loved animals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Neva Chynoweth; and granddaughter, Jessica Bradley.

Russell is survived by his wife of sixty years, Carolyn Sandra Chynoweth; daughters, Mary Ann Bradley and Amy Reed; brothers, Jimmy Chynoweth and Gary Chynoweth; sis­ters, Linda Walkup, Jeannie Rhea, Gail Fowler, Nancy Ogletree, and Myrna Hooks; grandchildren, Austin Bradley, Tyler Reed, and Holly Reed; great-grandchildren, Odette Reed and Kieran Letsinger; and numerous nieces and nephews.

William Harrison Deal, Jr., 74

William Harrison Deal, Jr., 74, Muscle Shoals, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025. A pri­vate memorial service will be held at a later date.

William was a veteran of the US Army. He was very patriotic and was a staunch advocate of the 2nd Amendment. Wil­liam also loved nature. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Shortis.

William is survived by his brother, Kenny Deal (Ruanne); nieces; neph­ews; other relatives and friends; and his cat, Sam..

William Warren “Bill”

McMahan, 80

William Warren “Bill” Mc­Mahan, 80, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Bill will be interred at Oak­wood Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

Bill was a longtime resi­dent of Colbert County and a retired electrician from TVA. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tonia Mc­Cormack and parents, War­ren and Margaret McMahan.

Bill is survived by his brother, Robert S. McMahan (Yvette); sister, Margaret Mc­Mahan Taylor; cousin, Frank Singleton; nieces, Margaret Platzer and Meagan McMahan; and nephew, Warren McMahan.

Latricia “Sis” Roden Todd, 63

Latricia “Sis” Roden Todd, age 63, of Tuscumbia, passed away March 18, 2025.

The visitation will be Sat­urday, March 22, from 12-2 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home, Florence. A memori­al service will be announced at a later date. Latricia was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Rosie Roden; son, Derek Roden; half brother, Terry Woo­ten; sister, Debra Hamm and the father of her chil­dren, Raymond Lee Todd Jr.

She is survived by her son, Dustin Todd; brothers; Thomas Roden (Tammy), Kenny Roden and Doug Ro­den. Grandchildren; Cain Todd and Sebastian Win­born. Nieces and nephews, Macy, Emma, Abby, Andrea, Thomas Andrew, Aman­da, Casey, Ashley, Moe, Charlie, Bentlee, Brionna, Vayda, Jamey, Johnathan, Delisha and Blake. Aunt, Edna Hunt and cousins, Melissa Hallmark, Billy Hallmark and Vicki Gray.