June 7 obituaries

Willard Denzil Dawson, 96

Willard Denzil Dawson, 96, Florence passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Visitation will be Wednes­day, June 4 from 10 am to 12 pm at Morrison Funer­al Home, 12081 Hwy 20, Florence. Immediately fol­lowing visitation, at 1 pm a graveside service officiated by Grant Bierschank will be held at Mary S Daw­son Cemetery on Dawson Road in Florence, Alabama.

Mr. Dawson was the owner of Dawson Exca­vating and loved working with his heavy equipment including his bulldozers, pans, and loaders with his beloved son James Steven Dawson who preceded him in death. Mr. Dawson was a veteran in the army and served during the Korean War. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Sue Dawson, his parents, William Down (Tobb) Daw­son and Lutie Mae Branch, brothers, William Cole and Franklin Dee Dawson, son Jerry Willard Dawson (Mary) and daughter, Gloria Darlene Williams (Terry), grandchildren, Christopher Dewayne Dawson, Michael Lee McCurry II, and Bryan Mitchell Glasscock, Aaron Brown, and great grandson, Bailey Mitchell Glasscock.

Mr. Dawson leaves be­hind his loving daughters, Linda Sue Dawson, Annette Laster (Winford), Deloris Bierschank (Grant), Susan Crouch (Jeff), and Sharon Dawson. He also leaves be­hind twelve grandchildren, Mary Garrison (Mark), Rose Wilkinson (Terrell), Quentin Glasscock (Jamie), James Dawson (Amy), Christy Dawson, Johnathon Dawson, William Daw­son, Katie Dawson, Eden Bucholtz (Adam), Mason Kelsey (Taylor), Kirs­tin Preston, Wade Preston (Brianna) and many great and great-great grandchil­dren, nieces, and nephews.

The Pallbearers will be Terry Williams, Quentin Glasscock, James Dawson, Johnathon Dawson, Haid­en Lunsford, and Winford Laster. The Honorary pall­bearers will be Tommy Patterson and Zac Henson.

Brenda Ann

Holley, 79

Brenda Ann Holley, 79, Iuka, passed away on Thurs­day, May 29, 2025. Visita­tion will be Sunday, June 1, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Cherokee. The funeral ser­vice will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Dwight Rivers offici­ating. Interment will be in Harris Chapel Cemetery.

Brenda was a member of Harris Chapel Baptist Church. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grand­mother, and great-grand­mother. Brenda loved trav­eling in the RV and dancing.

She is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Larry Holley; children, Darryl Askew (Anita), Son­ya Hester (Greg), and Ty Askew; stepchildren, Todd Holley (Pam) and Michelle Braly (Jason); brother, Ronnie Medford (Robbie); grandchildren, Amy Van­diver, Jason Childers, Josh Childers, Elijah Hester, Anna Archer, Plina Perry, Nick Maze, Judson Braley, Josie Braly; great- grand­children, Millie Archer, El­liott Archer, Stetson Hester, Zeke Childers, and River Childers; and special niec­es, Rhonda Cuthbertson and Leigh Cuthbertson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Pat and Mil­dred Medford; and great- grandson, Jackson Vandiver.

Pallbearers will be Elijah Hester, Jonathan Perry, Jar­ed Archer, Josh Childers, Ja­son Braly, and Todd Holley.

Cleo

Johnson, 85

Cleo Johnson, 85, Tus­cumbia, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025. No services are scheduled at this time.

Cleo was a member of Little Bear Creek Baptist Church for forty years and a veteran of the US National Guard, serving for six years. He started as a carman with the railroad and retired after thirty years as a Mechanical Supervisor. Cleo was preced­ed in death by his father, Ti­tus Johnson; mother, Lenice Johnson; and brothers, Billy Johnson, Bobby Joe John­son, and Markus Johnson.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Johnson; son, Michael Shane Johnson; brother, Leo Johnson (Jo­ette); nieces and neph­ews; and his dog Raine, which he loved dearly.

The family offers spe­cial thanks to the staff of Keller Landing for such wonderful care. Thanks, also, to the family’s sweet angels, Morgan and Ashley, for the extra show of love.

Jerry Dwight Reaves, 75

Jerry Dwight Reaves, 75, Sheffield, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025. Visi­tation will be Monday, June 2, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at York Bluff Baptist Church, Sheffield. The funeral ser­vice will immediately fol­low at the church with Dr. Barry Fleming officiating. Interment will be in Oak­wood Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

Jerry was a member of York Bluff Baptist Church, Sheffield. He worked for thirty-six years as an in­spector with the Sheffield Building Department and was a member of the Ala­bama Association of Plumb­ing Gas, and Mechanical Inspectors. Jerry loved children, cats, and dogs, but his greatest love was his family. He was preced­ed in death by his parents, Audrey and Edna Reaves; brother, Wyatt Reaves; sis­ters, Betty Joyce Mosley and Audrey Lois Tompkins; and many cousins and ex­tended family members.

Jerry is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Betty Reaves; daughter, Brandi Reaves; brother, Claybourn Reaves; sis­ter, Anita Green (Charles); grandson, Douglas Last­er; brothers-in-law, Lester Taylor (Kathy) and Herbert Kerry Kimbrough (Donna); and many family members.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family offers special thanks to Box Car Cafe, Donna and Friends Restau­rant, 43 Grill, Homeside Restaurant, Fish Creel, Walton’s, Lash’s Seafood Restaurant, Helen Keller Hospital, Terrace Manor, Police Departments, Fire Departments, Sheriff’s De­partments, Medics, Street and Sanitation Workers, Mayor, Clerks, and City Officials and volunteers.

Larry Paul

Caldwell, 63

Larry Paul Caldwell, 63, Leighton, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025. No services will be held at this time.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Bai­ley and Rosie Caldwell; brothers, Ricky, Duck, and Johnny Caldwell; and sis­ters, Kathy Edmondson, Sarah English, Dorothy Peden, and Connie Jeffreys.

He is survived by his children, Justin, Jason, and Kelly; and stepson, Dustin; brothers, Ronnie Caldwell, and Jerry Cald­well; sisters, Patsy Skip­worth, Denise Shook, and Sherry Corsbie; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Larry is dearly loved and will be missed.

Donnie Ray

Dulaney, 77

Donnie Ray Dulaney, 77, of Tuscumbia, AL passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Washington Park Bap­tist Church with a service to follow at 12 p.m. at the church. Bro. Daniel Du­laney will be officiating. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens. He was a member of Washington Park Baptist Church. He was a proud veteran of the Viet­nam War and served as a ser­geant in the U.S. Air Force.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Dulaney; mother, Annie Dulaney; and brother, Larry Dulaney.

He is survived by his wife, Patti Pearson Du­laney of Tuscumbia; sons, Joel Dulaney (Cindy) of Madison, MS and Daniel Dulaney (Lori) of Shef­field, AL; brother, Chris Dulaney of Booneville, MS; grandchildren, Grace Anne Dulaney of Shef­field, AL, Drew Dulaney of Sheffield, AL, and Mason Dulaney of Madison, AL.

Pallbearers will be Drew Dulaney, Mason Dulaney, Andrew Wood, Lee Brat­ton, Clint Malone, John Vance, and Ricky Bratton. Honorary pallbearers will be Washington Park Baptist Men’s Sunday School Class.

Sandra Cecil Maclin

Thornton, 86

Sandra Cecil Maclin Thornton, age 86, of Mus­cle Shoals, AL passed away peacefully at her home in Mendham, NJ, on May 25, 2025, surround­ed by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved hus­band, Bobby Joe Thorn­ton; her parents, Cecil and Juanita Maclin; and her brother, Terry Maclin.

Sandra is survived by her three daughters: Cynthia “Cindy” Wood of Chatta­nooga, TN; Robin Collins (Phil) of Phoenix, AZ; and Angela Crowe (Wade) of Mendham, NJ. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Cecilia Thornton Crowe and Wil­liam “Liam” Howard Crowe.

Sandra dedicated her pro­fessional life to serving at the Tennessee Valley Au­thority (TVA) and Norfolk Southern Railroad. A gifted musician, she served as the pianist at Woodward Ave­nue Baptist Church for 55 years, and also shared her passion for music through teaching piano. She found joy in gardening, traveling, and, most of all, spend­ing time with her grand­children and family pets.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 31, 11:00 AM at Colbert Memorial Gardens in Tuscumbia, AL.

Mary Louise Barker, 86

Mary Louise Barker, 86, Muscle Shoals passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025. She was born on May 10, 1939. She was the eldest of seven children growing up. She deeply cared for and nurtured her younger sib­lings. August 5, 1960 was an especially sacred day for Mary. She married the love of her life, Larry Barker. To­gether they built a beautiful life. They had three children. Larry and Mary’s son, Timo­thy Gordon preceded Mary in death. The couple moved to Alabama in 1966 where they raised their daughters and made wonderful friends who became like family. Mary was blessed in life and will be remembered for her ability to laugh through the hard times and also her delicious pecan pies.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Gordon Barker; daughters, Michelle Montgomery (Greg), and Monica Bigbee; grandchil­dren, Blair Bigbee, and Bark­er Montgomery; and sisters, Lennis Chestnut, Penny Lovett, and Wanda Harris.

Pallbearers will be Mark Simpson, Bill Hatton, Greg Montgomery, and Adrian Yarbrough. Honorary pall­bearers will be Blair Bigbee and Barker Montgomery.

The family would like to thank Aveanna Hospice for Mary’s care and es­pecially her nurse Cicely McGee “CiCi”. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude or dis­abled veterans of America.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 1-2 p.m. at Colbert Memo­rial Chapel with a service to follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel. Ben Hayes will be officiating. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.

Amy Nell

Looney, 89

Visitation will be Sun­day June 8, 2025 from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Morri­son Funeral Home, Central Heights. The Funeral Ser­vice will follow with Kenny Windsor officiating. Burial will be at Central Heights Community Cemetery.

Jeffrey Lance Bevis, 68

Jeffrey Lance Bevis, age 68 of Florence, passed away May 29, 2025. Visitation will be at Williams Funer­al Home on Friday, June 6, from 9:30 – 11:00 am. The service will follow at 11:00 am in the chapel with Bry­an McIntyre officiating.

He was preceded in death by his parents, W.R. and Frances Bev­is; daughter, Robin Bev­is; and sister, Pam Bevis.

Jeffrey is survived by his wife of 46 years, Car­ol Bevis; sons, Jared Bev­is and Jacob Bevis (Lisa); grandchildren, Haleigh Bevis, Jaxon Bevis, Joseph Christian Bevis, Alex Gist, and Eli Gist; nieces, Kim Forsythe and family and Amanda Pigg and family.

Jeffrey dedicated over 35 years to serving our commu­nity through the Fire Depart­ment and was also a proud veteran of the United States Army. He had a deep love for animals and a genuine passion for helping others. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading, hiking, and following sports.

Margie Lee McCoy, 88

Margie cherished her Lord and savior above all else. She loved her family, enjoyed life, and had a calling to pro­claim Christ, evangelize and teach others of His glory.

She was a dedicated ser­vant of God and a willing vessel to be filled and used. She could be described by the phrase, “To know me is to know that I love Christ.”

Mrs. Margie departed this life on May 27, 2025, after a brief illness in Flor­ence, Alabama, surround­ed by her loved ones. She is preceded in death by her husband: Grant McCoy; par­ents: Clinton Brown Sr. and Alice Lovelace Brown, three brothers; Cloyd Brown, Johnnie B. Brown, and Clin­ton Brown Jr, and four sis­ters; Mary L. Hinton, Grace Vaughn, Willodean Brown, and Annie R. Armstead.

She leaves to cherish her memory two stepdaugh­ters: Cathleen McCoy Lovette, Cheryl McKen­dell (Les); and a stepson; Anthony McCoy of Los Angeles, CA; She has four

grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Along with four sisters Betty Joe Bumpus of Chattanooga, TN, Brother-in-law Lou­is Vaughn, Alice Brown Gant, Mattie L. Watkins (Cleveland), Jeanetta Beard (Charles) all of Florence, AL; and a host of nieces, neph­ews, cousins, and friends.

Maudie Steele, 93

MRS. MAUDIE MASON STEELE was the daughter of the late Marie Mason Ingram.

She was preceded in death by her one son, Thomas Grant Steele; one daugh­ter, Roberta Steele; one daughter-in-law, Freddrick Qualls; one brother, Min­ister John T. Woods; one sister, Minister Daisy L. Polk; seven great and great-great- grandchildren; and husband, Mr. Grante Steele.

Survivors from that union who are left to cherish her loving memories are her five daughters, Miss Shirley Ann Steele, Minister Giz­zell Steele Sherrod (Larry), Mrs. Margie Steele Spangler (James), all of Town Creek, AL, Miss Sarah Steele of Courtland, AL, and Mrs. Rosie Steele Bates (Antho­ny) of Tuscumbia, AL; three sons, Mr. Steven Steele (Glean) of Killeen, TX, Mr. David Lee Steele (Minister of Marsha) of Norton, VA, and Mr. Kender Steele (Te­usa) of Tuscumbia, AL; and one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Mattie Steele of Decatur, AL.

Mrs. Steele’s garden had a variety of flowers.

She leaves also to cher­ish her memories, 44 grandchildren, 86 great- grandchildren, and 37 great-great-grandchil­dren; and a host of niec­es, nephews, and oth­er relatives and friends.