March 7 obituaries
James Walter Crawford, III, 65
James “Jimmy” Walter Crawford III, age 65, of Florence, formerly of Killen, Alabama was born in April 19, 1960 in Lawrenceburg, TN, passed away after an extended illness on Friday, February 27, 2026. Visitation will be on Monday, March 2nd from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Williams Funeral Home of Florence. The service will follow at 1:00 pm in the funeral home chapel with Brother Chad Hess and Tim Akers officiating. Burial will be at Center Star Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joey Williams, Jay Johnson, Jamie Roden, David Scoggins, Marlin Williamson, Tommy Joiner, John Goode, and Scott Young.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Walter Crawford, Jr; paternal grandparents, Jim Crawford, Sr. who was known throughout Lawrence County Tennessee as Brother, and Estelle Bethel Crawford; maternal grandparents, Russell Keller and Mary Miller Keller.
Survivors are his loving mother, Marie K. Crawford; daughter, Lacey Martin (Cody); son, Andrew Crawford; siblings, Charlie Crawford (Melinda), Estelle Whitehead, Mary Ellen Wallace (Mike), Bobby Crawford (Cyndi), Carolyn Butler, and Teresa McGee; granddaughter, Ansley Martin; fiancé, Beth Duncan.
Jimmy “Moose” was a 1978 graduate of Brooks High School and president of his class. He graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1984, where he served as President of Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Upsilon Chapter.
Jimmy was Associate Publisher for The Democrat-Union in Lawrenceburg, TN, the Hickman County Times in Centerville, TN, and the Colbert County Reporter in Tuscumbia, AL, representing the fourth generation of his family’s publishing business. He reported for The Tennessean and the Nashville Banner. He also served as President of the Tuscumbia Downtown Merchant Association, President of Anderson’s American Youth Soccer Organization, served on the Anderson City Council, and supporter of the Crime Stoppers in Lawrenceburg, TN,
The family appreciates all the support and care provided for Jimmy at Keestone of Florence and The Summit at Mitchell-Hollingsworth. Williams Funeral Home of Florence, Alabama directing.
Kevin Charles Newborn, 61
Kevin Charles Newborn, 61, Cherokee, passed away on Monday, February 23,2026. Visitation will be Friday, February 27, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Cherokee. The funeral service will immediately follow with Gary Cosby officiating. Interment will be in Morris Hill Cemetery, Cherokee.
Kevin was a member of Grace House Church and a master carpenter. The joy of his life was spending time with his family and church family. He loved Jesus and family so very much. Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Charles Newborn and son, Tyler Newborn.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Newborn; children, Denise Johnson (Chris) and Terry McBride; mother, Doris McClung; sisters, Christy Stacy (Chris) and Sherry Knight (Jeremy); grandchildren, Dillen Johnson (Chelsey), Brayden Johnson; great-grandson, Henry Johnson and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Terry McBride, Dillen Johnson, Jeremy Knight, Hunter Stacy, Chris Stacy and Telick Barnett. Honorary pallbearers are Brayden and Henry Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the funeral home to help the family with expenses.
Wanda Gail
Hudson, 79
Wanda Gail Hudson, 79, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Visitation will be Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Rod Stansky officiating. Burial will follow in Union Hill Cemetery in Hackleburg.
Gail was raised on a farm in Hackleburg and wouldn’t take anything for growing up in the beautiful rural area. She had a lot of fun playing softball as a girl and would visit the farm every opportunity she was afforded. When she took a job in billboard advertising in 1980 it was “just a job” but she became one of only two female area managers in the thirty-four different operations of the nationwide Patrick Media Group. The Shoals group is one of five in Alabama.
Gail was preceded in death by her mother, Eula Mitchell Rayburn Fuller and father, Corneilus Rayburn.
She leaves behind a daughter, Teresa Cagle (Steve); brothers, Wayne Rayburn (Shirley) and Bill Rayburn (Brenda); grandchildren, Ryan Woody (Erin) and Katelyn Cagle; great grandchildren, Micah Woody (Samantha), Aiden Woody, and Rhett Woody; and several nieces.
Pallbearers will be Steve Cagle, Ryan Woody, Micah Woody, Aiden Woody, and Rhett Woody.
The family of Gail expresses special thanks to Julia Pace who is a family friend and was her caregiver for twenty-five years; Amy Oliver and Kim Sharpston who were also her caregivers; Enhabit Hospice Team with especially Candace, Laura, Alex, Jennifer, Rod, and Kayla. The family is forever grateful to everyone who cared for their mother and grandmother.
Samuel Harley Myres, 92
Samuel Harley Myres, 92, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Visitation will be Saturday, February 28, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Donald Myres and Samuel Myres officiating. Interment will be in Guy Cemetery, Tuscumbia.
Samuel was a member of Sunnyside Church of God and a veteran of the US Navy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Ruth Brown Myres.
Samuel is survived by his children, Donald Ray Myres (Sue), Vickie Lynn Powell, and Samuel Harley Myres (Deborah); grandchildren, Brandon Myres (Misty), Blake Myres (Holly), Anthony Chandler (Addie), and Michelle Williams (Benji); great-grandchildren, Brayden, Caleb, Callie, Hannah, Abigail, Aubrey, and Tucker Myres, Drew and Caden Chandler, and Bentley and Bailey Williams; and brothers, Merlin Myres and Billy Myres.
Pallbearers will be Brandon, Blake, and Brayden Myres, and Anthony, Dale, and Drew Chandler. Tucker Myres, Benji Williams, and Caleb Myres will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Doris Sockwell Crosswhite, 86
Doris Sockwell Crosswhite, age 86, of Leighton, went to her forever home on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The family will celebrate her life with a visitation on Tuesday, March 3, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Leighton Baptist Church. The service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Glendale Cemetery.
Doris touched many lives as an educator at Colbert County High School, where she taught for 28 years as a business teacher. She was an active member of Leighton Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher and Treasurer for over 30 years. After retiring she was a volunteer at Helen Keller Hospital serving more than 3,500 hours. Doris was a member of the Leighton Civic Club and served on the Leighton Public Library Board for several years.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Frank Crosswhite, her parents Roy and Etoile Sockwell, and her brother, Leon Sockwell.
She was the proud matriarch of a family she cherished deeply. Doris’ greatest pride and joy came from her family. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Julie Coan (Bradley) and Jeana Flanagan (John); her grandchildren, Ashley Keenum (Ryan), Nathan Flanagan (Erin), Jeremy Coan (Giavonna), Nickolas Flanagan (Jessica), and Natalie Acosta (Nick); her great grandchildren, Riley, Rainey, and Cole Keenum, Harper and Asher Flanagan, and Melah Acosta.
Doris’ grandsons and nephew Tommy Sockwell will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Leighton Baptist Church, 2630 College Street, Leighton, AL 35646, in her memory.
SaDonna Lynn Grissom
Lambert, 63
SaDonna Lynn Grissom Lambert, 63, of Sheffield, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
SaDonna was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Danny Lambert; Son, Brandon King; parents, James and Stella Grissom; brothers, Bronnie Grissom, and Wayne Grissom.
SaDonna is survived by her son, Justin King; brother Danny Grissom; sisters, Brenda G Lindsey, Dora Ricketts, Judy Horton, and Sarah Jolly; and grandchild, Brighton King.
There will be no funeral arrangements at this time.
William Lloyd DeGraw, 82
William Lloyd DeGraw, 82, of Muscle Shoals, AL passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 9 am- 1 pm at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a service to follow at 1 pm in the chapel. Burial will be in Keener Hill Cemetery, Pikeville Tennessee.
He was a dedicated member of Colbert County Cowboy Church. William also was a proud member IBEW for 47 years. For 60 years, he served as Free Mason, he worked with TVA for 36 years, he loved riding his motorcycle with his friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd DeGraw and Lennie Jeffreys; son, Adam Wilson; daughter, Carla Blankenship; and sister, Gwendolyn Fay Melton (Wayne)
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Smith DeGraw; sons, Kenneth Lebron Wilson and Braylnn Smith DeGraw; brother, Dennis Jeffreys (Maria); sister, Peggy McCaig (Melvin), Barbara Jean Melton (Son); grandchildren, Turk Wilson (Desirae), Larry Wilson, Jonathan Wilson, Timothy Blankenship, Josh Bullock, John Bullock, and Jessica Hallmark; a host of loving great great grandchildren.
Special thanks to Enhabit Hospice and Bobby Brewer and Donald Duncan.
In lieu of flowers, please give to American Red Cross and Life South.
Gary Reece
Gandy, 77
Gary Reece Gandy, 77, of Muscle Shoals, AL passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Gandy; mother, Effie Gandy; step mother, Bessie Gandy; brothers, Thomas Earl Gandy and Glen Gandy; and brother-in-law, Joe Brocato.
He is survived by his loving wife, Norma Gandy; children, Jason Gandy (Amy) and Amy Morris (Mitch); grandchildren, Clark Gandy, Reece Gandy, Abby Morris, and Henry Morris; sister, Shirley Brocato; and sister-in-law, Sue Gandy.
Gary served his country as a marine in the U.S. Marine Corp earning the rank of sergeant.
He was devoted to his family, friends, and neighbors. He was a Christian and a faithful member of the Highland Park Church of Christ congregation.
At his request there will be no visitation. On February 26, a private family graveside service will be conducted by Ben Hayes.
A special thank you to Dr. Vacik and Helen Keller Hospital Emergency Department. Thank you to everyone who visited, wrote letters, shared memories, and called Gary during this time.
Alvie Lee Reels Shaw, 86
Mrs. Alvie Lee Reels Shaw was born on February 9, 1940, in Red Bay, Alabama, to Alvin Reels and Lela Young Reels. She later moved to Tuscumbia, Alabama, where she built a life rooted in faith, family, and service.
At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, a faith that guided her throughout her life and marriage. For 69 years, she was a loyal, devoted, and dedicated wife to Rev. Edgar Shaw, faithfully standing by his side in ministry. As First Lady, she served in several churches over the years, dedicating more than 35 of those years to Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church.
In addition to her service in ministry, she worked for over 32 years in the child nutrition program at Tuscumbia City Schools.
She returned to her home church after her husband retired from pastoring and remained a faithful, active member. Known for her kindness, compassion, and genuine love for others, she could be found five days a week at 5:00 a.m. at Keller Gym, disciplined and committed to her exercise routine. At home, it amazed us how quickly she could prepare a delicious meal – and no matter how simple, it was always good. To our family, she was more than all she did; she was our prayer warrior, our confidant, our financial advisor, and our counselor. More than anything, she loved being a mother and grandmother. That was her heart, and her family was her pride and joy. We thank God for the eighty-six years He blessed us to share with her. She was preceded in death by her grandson: Norris Ricks, Jr., siblings: Audrey Lee Custard, Robert Lee Reels, Richard Reels, Alvin Reels, Jr., Riley Reels, Bertha Lee Reels-Ricks, Lela Robinson (Albert), and Samella Reels Cobb.
Cherishing her memory are her loving and devoted husband, Rev. Edgar Shaw; three children, Pamela Ricks (Norris) of Tuscumbia, AL, Bobby Shaw of Muscle Shoals, AL, and Dr. Alvie D. Shaw of Trussville, AL; four grandchildren, Dr. Stephanie Ricks of Atlanta, GA, Shawra Rainer (Amasico) of Hoover, AL, Sharica Long (Dorian) of Tuscumbia, AL, and Kyra Davis of New York, NY; five great-grandchildren, Delton White, Braylon Long, Amir Rainer, Kaiden Long, and Arie Rainer; three special nieces, Annette Scott, Sharon Burgess, and Jennifer Haynes; one first cousin, Riley Young; many loving nieces and nephews who called or stopped by regularly; along with other dear relatives.
Her love, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to family will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
Rebecca Marie Bevis, 58
Rebecca Marie Bevis, 58, of Florence, AL passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 9-11 am at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a service to follow at 11 am in the chapel. Jason Shawley will be officiating. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and June Putman; and husband, James L. Bevis.
She is survived by her son, Jacob W. Phillips (Jessica) and daughter, Alishia Putman; step-daughter, Ashley Mashburn; brothers, Glenn Putman (Teresa), Lloyd Putman (Linda), and Donald Putman (Lessie); sisters, Deborah (Eddie) and Brenda Jones; grandchildren, Mason, Grayson, Juliana, Adrian, Aiden, and Christian.
A special thanks to Preferred Hospice and Cornerstone Caregiving.
Pallbearers will be Rick Itter, Luke Itter, Aaron Putman, Chris Jones, Justin Jones, Chris Bailey, Tyler Nichols.
Timothy Myron Henry, 68
Timothy Myron Henry of Birmingham, AL passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026 after an extended illness. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Colbert Memorial Chapel at 1 pm.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eulas and Elsie Henry.
Tim is survived by his sisters, Sheila Gean (Donnie) and Beth Sockwell (Stuart) along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Tim had a career in banking beginning with First National Bank of Florence which eventually led him to Synovus Bank in Birmingham as a bank auditor. He was a member of Riverchase Church of Christ in Birmingham, AL.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bardya Naeini and the staff of Cypress Cove Skilled Nursing Facility for the wonderful care shown to him during his stay.
Robert
Kimbrough, 64
Robert Kimbrough, 64, of Muscle Shoals, AL died on February 28, 2026. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 1 pm in Colbert Memorial Gardens. He retired from TVA after 15 years.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Bessie Wallace; grandmother, Lola Colbert; father, Robert Colbert.
Robert is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Colbert; step brother, Alan Colbert; first cousin, Kim Vandiver Wallace (B.J.); and aunt, Joyce Wallace.
James Franklin Pace, 73
James “Frank” Franklin Pace, 73, of Colbert Heights died on February 28, 2026. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026 from 12-2 pm at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a service to follow at 2 pm in the chapel. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.
He loved Alabama Football, loved music, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Annette Pace; wife, Nancy Pace; brother, Doug Pace; sisters, Alice Mae Berry and Linda Cox.
Frank is survived by his son, Frankie Pace; daughter, Katie Malloy (Adam); grandchildren, Jayde Oswalt, Roman Pace, Maddox Malloy, Elizabeth Pace; sister, Betty Pace Jackson; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Richard Lecil Thomas, Sr., 67
Richard Lecil Thomas Sr. (Ricky), age 67, born April 25, 1958, in Dearborn Michigan, passed away peacefully on March 1, surrounded by his loving family. He was welcomed into the arms of Jesus, now free from pain and suffering. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 12-2 pm at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a service to follow at 2 pm in the chapel. Bro. Seth Hood will be officiating. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens
Ricky graduated in 1976 from Phillips High School. He carried with him throughout his life the values of hard work, dedication, and loyalty that he learned in his early years.
He was a devoted husband to his loving wife, Mary Thomas, married to the love of his life for 32 wonderful years. Together they built a beautiful family, raising seven children and cherishing ten grandchildren who brought him immense pride and joy.
Ricky was known for his strong work ethic and willingness to do whatever was needed to provide for his family. Over the years, he worked in farming and in a frame shop alongside his father and brother, building not only frames but lifelong memories. He also faithfully served his community as a school bus driver for Colbert County Schools.
He had a deep love for the outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed bird hunting, golfing, fishing, and camping. He was also a devoted fan of Alabama Crimson Tide football and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on. Above all else, Ricky treasured time spent with his family.
Ricky will be remembered for his unwavering faith and his strong fight. Through every challenge he faced, he showed strength, perseverance, and courage that inspired those around him.
His legacy lives on in his beloved wife, Mary Thomas, his seven children, ten grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know him.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
— Matthew 25:23
