Sept. 27 obituaries

Margaret Ann Newton, 89

Margaret Ann Newton, 89, Muscle Shoals, passed away on Sunday, Septem­ber 14, 2025. No services are scheduled at this time.

Margaret was a graduate of Gadsden High School, where she was a member of the State Championship Basketball Team, as well as a champion in diving and swimming. She was a re­tired professional secretary, having worked for Union Carbide, Ford Motor Com­pany, and Champion Paper, and she also served in Union Leadership. Margaret loved the outdoors, enjoying hunt­ing and fishing, and she was an avid golfer. She often traveled to Tunica, and was known as the Slot-Machine Queen. Margaret was pre­ceded in death by her hus­band, Hoyle Newton; daugh­ter, Amber Vandine; sister, Martha Perry; brother-in-law, Dean Perry; mother, Ailene Hudson, father, Orvil Hudson; and sons-in-law, Randy Nesbitt and Terry Dean; niece, Joanna Perry; and nephew, Brooke Perry.

Margaret is survived by her daughters, Susan Nesbitt, Julie Dean, and Holly Cole­man; grandchildren, Morgan Sherrill and Zach Coleman; great-grandchildren, Dani Vandine, Maggie Sherrill, and Harper Coleman; and a beloved niece; and many be­loved, nephews, great-niec­es, and great-nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org/donate; or to the Olivia Perry Me­morial Scholarship Endow­ment, a scholarship fund for nursing at the University of North Alabama, 1 Harrison Plaza, Florence, AL, 35632.

Wayne Richard “Ricky”

Frary, Jr., 55

Wayne Richard “Ricky” Frary, Jr., 55, of Tuscum­bia, passed away on Tues­day, September 16, 2025. Visitation will be Friday, September 19, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Morrison Fu­neral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Johnny Watson officiating.

Ricky was a veteran of the US Army, serv­ing in Afghanistan.

He is survived by his sons, Kyle Andrew Frary and Ja­mie Lee Frary; mother, Lin­da Sue Hamm; sister, Lo­retta Lynn Frary, who loved him, and whom he loved, dearly; grandchildren, Alice Frary and Aiden Frary; and nephew, Joshua Lee Powell.

Houston

Anderson, 83

Houston Anderson, 83, Tuscumbia, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 24, at Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield, begin­ning at 1:00 p.m. with Ron­nie McKissack officiating.

Houston is survived by his children, Ricky Anderson (Anna), Tina Baskins, and Justin Anderson; siblings, Joyce Despigno, Clyde An­derson (Cricket), and Paul Anderson (Debra); grand­children, Nicole Baskins (Austin), Kristy Brown (Josiah), Billy Baskins Jr., Addison Anderson, and Parenda “Sha” Anderson; and great-grandchildren, Kara Wickler, Devin Wick­ler, Alyssa Brown, Shyanne Brown, and Whittlee Brown.

Johnna Leigh Burleson, 55

Johnna Leigh Burleson, 55, Muscle Shoals, passed away on Thursday, Septem­ber 18, 2025. A memorial visitation will be held Sun­day, September 21, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia.

Johnna was preced­ed in death by her fa­ther, Darrell Harbin.

She is survived by her husband, Danny Burleson; children, Nicole Gaston (Matt) and Daniel Burleson; mother, Kathy Harbin; sis­ter, Marla Jackson (Ran­dy); grandchildren, Sophia Gaston, Cassidy Gaston, and Vivian Gaston; and nephew, Jaxon Harbin.

Calvin Clyde

Barnette, 92

Calvin Clyde Barnette, 92, of Florence, passed away on Saturday, Septem­ber 13, 2025. No services are scheduled at this time.

Calvin was a veteran of the US Army. He worked as a welder and pipefitter through Greeneville Plumb­ing and Steamfitters Local 391. Later he served as a bail-bondsman in Decatur.

Calvin is survived by his life partner, Shirley Daniel.

Sheila Seal Whittle, 72

Sheila Seal Whittle, 72, of Florence, AL passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Visitation will be Wednes­day, September 24, 2025, from 9-10:45 am at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a graveside service to follow at 11 am in Colbert Memo­rial Gardens. She is survived by her son, Michael (Tricia) McKinney. She also had two granddaughters, Mad­elyn and Lillian McKinney.

Syble W.

Bentley, 89

Syble W. Bentley, 89, of Tuscumbia, AL passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 12-1 pm at Col­bert Memorial Chapel with a service to follow at 1 pm in the chapel. Wade Hunt will be officiating. Buri­al will be in Pleasant Site Cemetery in Red Bay, AL. She was a member of Cox Boulevard Church of Christ.

She is survived by her sons, Jerry Bentley and Terry Bentley (Darryl Cleary); adopted daughter, Misty Robinson (Michael); and sister, Zola Basham.

Pallbearers will be friends and family.

Mary Catherine Newberry

Powell, 88

Mary Catherine New­berry Powell, of Tuscum­bia, Alabama, passed away on September 17, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Oliver Carlton Powell, Jr., and two grandchildren.

Cathy is survived by her stepsons Jack Powell (Jane), Carl Powell III (Susan), Tim Powell, and Barry Powell (Kathryn). She leaves be­hind ten grandchildren, elev­en great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Cathy was a member of the Tuscumbia Church of Christ, served as a missionary, and as an active member of the Sojourners, a service-mind­ed group that travelled to help churches and survivors of tragic events and storms.

The family wishes to thank Christy Johnson, Abby Barnett, and Aman­da Nash, who loved and cared for Cathy for 6 years.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 22, at Oakwood Cemetery in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

David Lowell Springer, 84

David Lowell Spring­er, 84, of Leighton, passed away September 18, 2025. Visitation will be Satur­day, September 20th at Old Brick Presbyterian Church from 11:00 – 12:00 pm with the service start­ing at noon, Shane Swin­ney and Carl Malm offi­ciating. Burial will follow in Old Brick Cemetery.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Low­ell and Eddie Springer and sister, Dixie Tidwell.

David is survived by his loving wife of six­ty-one years, Linda Springer; son, Corey Springer (Mitsy); grand­daughters, Sydni Post (Rob­ert) and Nataleigh Springer.

David served as a bivo­cational minister for sixty years, dedicating his life to both faith and education. Over the span of twenty years, he taught various science classes at four dif­ferent schools. He was well known for his sharp wit and sense of humor, which en­deared him to many. In his free time, David enjoyed reading, following sports, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves. He loved his family very much and he will be missed by them and his loy­al canine companion, Cody.

Jim Foster, 91

“What doth He re­quire of thee, O Man, but to do justice, love mer­cy, and walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8

Jim was a cherished and devoted husband and fa­ther who placed his love for God and his family above all else. He was a mem­ber of the Cox Boulevard Church of Christ. Jim’s passing was on Sunday, Sep­tember 21, 2025. He was born on February 3, 1934.

Jim is survived by his wife, Rachel Joyce Ford Foster; children, Teri Lynne Foster and James Mark Foster; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Following Jim’s military training at Ft. Hood, TX, he served in the US Army Intelligence Division at Fort Devens, MA, where he was among candidates selected to pursue admis­sion to Massachusetts Insti­tute of Technology. He also served two years at Clark Air Force Base at Luzon, Philippines, during which time he was awarded the Army Officer’s Achieve­ment Medal as a member of the Army Freedom Team. Additional honors includ­ed the Meritorious Service Award in the Panama Ca­nal Zone in 1986 during his twenty-five years with the 115th Signal Battalion of the Alabama National Guard.

In the 1970s, Jim served on the Board of Directors of Lauderdale Christian Children’s Home. He was a member of the Sheffield Lions Club and the Shef­field Jaycees. Jim was also a licensed realtor, a long­time retail business man­ager, and a member of the Muscle Shoals Area Industrial Development Board. He also served two years as an Elder at High­land Park Church of Christ

Jim retired from Occiden­tal Chemical Corporation in 1996, after twenty years of employment. During his retirement years, he trea­sured time spent with his family. He was also a ded­icated member of the vol­unteer staff at Shoals Hos­pital for fourteen years.

“I’ll live in memory’s gar­den with happy days we’ve known. In Spring, I’ll watch for roses red, and in the ear­ly Fall, when brown leaves fall, I’ll catch a glimpse of you. We’ve known so much of happiness, we’ve had our years of joy. The memory of your helping hand will carry me home with hope. Should you go first and I remain, I want to know each step you take that I may walk the same. For someday down that lonely road you’ll hear me call your name.”

Our deepest gratitude to Jim’s caregivers, Tosha Mi­chael and Brenda Cole, for their unwavering tender love and care during his final days.

“Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.” At Jim’s request, a private fam­ily graveside gathering will honor his life and his home­going. A long-time family friend, Wade Hunt, will ac­company the family at Hen­drix Chapel Church of Christ. Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, will direct.

Pallbearers will be Mark Foster, Max Perkins, Levi Perkins, Mason Perkins, Anthony Michael, Josh­ua Michael, Ayden Per­kins, Anthony Hall, Cody Hall, W.J. Hall, Tony Page, David Heidorn, Michael South, Selwyn Jones, Kevin Wade, and Tyler Capozzi.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteous­ness, and not for me only, but for all those who love his appearing.” II Timothy 4:7

In lieu of flowers, me­morials may be made to North Alabama Chris­tian Children’s Home.

Frank

Crosswhite, 87

Frank Crosswhite, 87, of Leighton, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 24, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Leighton Baptist Church. The funeral ser­vice will immediately fol­low at the church with Mark Mayfield officiating. Interment will be in Glen­dale Cemetery, Leighton.

Frank is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Do­ris Sockwell Crosswhite; daughters, Julie Coan (Bradley) and Jeana Flana­gan (John); grandchildren, Ashley Keenum (Ryan), Nathan Flanagan (Erin), Jeremy Coan, Nick Flana­gan (Jessica), and Natalie Acosta (Nick); great-grand­children, Riley, Rainey, and Cole Keenum, Harper and Asher Flanagan, and Melah Acosta; and brother, Bil­ly Joe Crosswhite (Peggy). He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Pauline Crosswhite; sister, Thelma Bowling; and broth­er-in-law, Leon Sockwell.

Frank was a faithful mem­ber of Leighton Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. His unwavering faith as a dedi­cated Christian guided his life. Above all, Frank was a loving family man who cherished his time with his family. His best days were spent with his grandkids and great-grandkids. His favorite hobby was playing tennis and he played until he was eighty. Frank re­tired from Reynolds Metals.

Frank’s grandsons and nephew, Tommy Sockwell, will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School class, as well as all past and current deacons of Leighton Baptist Church.

Frank didn’t hesitate to tell others that he was a very blessed man be­cause of his faith, fam­ily, friends, and church.

Memorials may be made to Leighton Bap­tist Church, 2630 Col­lege Street, Leighton, AL 35646, in his memory.

Marvin T.

“Sonny”

Dover, 87

Marvin T. “Sonny” Dover, 87, passed from this life on September 21, 2025, (after having a stroke). He was a lifelong resident of the Alls­boro community and attend­ed Allsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Sonny recently was saved and put his faith in Jesus. He said he had a new love for others.

Visitation for Sonny will be Wednesday, September 24, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Allsboro Cumber­land Presbyterian church. The funeral service will immediately follow at the church with Bro. Ryan Young officiating. Burial will be in Allsboro cemetery.

Sonny was preceded in death by his wife of six­ty-eight years, Eloise Browning Dover; son, Mike Dover; grandparents, Clar­ence “Pap” and Lyda “Dona” Twitty, who raised and cared for him; and his parents, Marvin and Hildred Dover.

He is survived by his son, Jeff Dover (Michelle)/ broth­er, Joseph C. “Buddy” Do­ver (Neva); grandchildren, Breanna Sullivan (Stone) and Kyle Rutland (Katelyn); great-grandchildren, Harp­er, Jack, and Samuel; and several nieces and nephews.

Sonny worked at Robbins Tire and Rubber for four years. He was employed at the fertilizer plant in Cher­okee for nineteen years, then pursued his love for automobiles and became a salesman for twenty-two years. Later he worked for Colbert County for sev­en years before retiring.

Sonny was an avid car en­thusiast having owned sever­al vehicles through the years, from his 1950 Mercury up to his 2022 Toyota. He enjoyed Alabama football, ROKU. and YouTube TV. He loved spending time outdoors on his tractors and work­ing in his shop. Sapphire, his beloved German Shep­herd, was his best friend. Marvin was also a Mason.

Pallbearers will be Gary Page, Joseph McNatt, Thomas Woodis, David Woodis, Rheo Dover, Mal­colm Waldrep, Joe Callela, and Luther Bishop. Hon­orary pallbearers are Lar­ry Parker, Bennie Hearn, Bennie Parrish, Johnny Hayes, and Robert Harrison.

Special thanks to Harlie Wood, Tina Waldrep, and the staff at North Missis­sippi Medical Center, Iuka, and to Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Allsboro Ceme­tery Fund, 5965 Allsboro Road, Cherokee, AL 35616.