Dec. 28 obituaries

Roger Lee

Deaton, 77

Roger Lee Deaton, 77, of Cherokee, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, De­cember 18, 2024. Visitation will be Sunday, December 22, 2024, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Morrison Fu­neral Home in Cherokee. The funeral service will be at 2:00pm in the chapel with Bro. Steve Slaton of­ficiating. Burial will be in Cherokee Memorial Park.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Har­vey and Edna Deaton; and daughter, Britney Deaton. He is survived by his lov­ing wife of 43 years, The­resa Deaton; son, Nicholas Deaton (Michelle); daugh­ters, Lisa Deaton Durfee (Frank), Heather Cox Har­dy (Chad); brothers, Tom­my Deaton (Belva), Jimmy Deaton (Sue); sister, Robbie Medford (Ron); grandchil­dren, Abigail Grace Barber, Will Hardy, Tucker Hardy, Will Deaton, Caroline Rob­inson, and Scott Robinson.

Roger was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed watching Nascar races and Alabama football. He es­pecially loved hunting and shooting guns and sharing hunting and fishing sto­ries with his grandsons.

Tara Niko

Raper, 46

Tara Niko Raper, 46, of Cherokee, Alabama, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. A memorial ser­vice will be held on Satur­day, December 21, 2024, at 5:00pm at First Baptist Church of Cherokee, where she was a member, with Bro. Steve Slaton officiating.

Tara is preceded in death by her father, Dennis Chris­topher; brother, Casey Christopher; grandparents, Lawrence Woods, Dean Woods, Charles Stricklin, Dred Christopher, and Lu­cille Christopher. She is survived by her loving hus­band, Tim Raper; children, Michael (Mikey) Jones, III, Mathew Jones (Sum­mer), Mark Jones (Halie); stepsons, Tony Raper, Ian Raper; mother, Debbie Christopher Harrell (Lau­rence); sister, Mary-Kath­erine Helton (Brett); grandchildren, Isabella Kas­meier-Porfil, Bryton Por­fil; sister-in-laws, Brittany Killian (Nick), Molly Rap­er, Hannah Williams, and many nieces and nephews.

Tara loved her fami­ly and loved life. She al­ways had a smile on her face and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Robert

Campbell, 78

Robert Campbell, 78, of Muscle Shoals, AL died on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Visitation will be Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 10-11 a.m. at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a service to fol­low at 11 a.m. in the chapel. Bishop Paul Winston will be officiating. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas W. Campbell and Beatrice Campbell; brother, Ron­ald Campbell; grandchil­dren, James Aaron Mitch­ell, Sarah Mitchell, and James Tyler Mitchell; great grandchildren, Breilyn Win­ston, and Dejon Winston.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Jo Campbell; daugh­ter, Donna Tatum; step­daughters, Regina Knight (Keith) and Kristie Winston (Paul); grandchildren, Bri­an Knight (Melissa), Kevin Knight (Katalina), Chastidy Zeno, and Daniel Winston; nephews, Ron Campbell (Laura) and Rob Campbell; great grandchildren, Ace Finney, Cheilyn Zeno, Lamar Zeno, Chase Knight, Ethan Mashburn, Rylee Tennyson, Reid Cooke, Porter Knight, and Meredith Knight.

Zoila Alexandria Frye, 63

By: Zoila Alexandria Frye

I was given the gift of life on July 6, 1961. I knew that it would have to be given back on December 16, 2024. Visitation will be held at Colbert Memorial Chapel on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 12-2 p.m., with a ser­vice to follow in the chapel.

I leave this earth having been very fortunate to have a fulfilled life. Eugene M. Frye, the best husband in the world – no other could or would be able to replace the love of my life. Six awesome children, Amiee Lynn, my only daughter, who made me “mom” and I am so thankful for her al­lowing me to be “mom”. Richard W., the youngest but the strongest. Richard’s battles make me call him my miracle. My four bonus sons Greg, James, Lee, and Billy, who have brought so much happiness and grand­children to our family.

My family meant every­thing to me. My parents, William J. Rothwell and Sylvia H. Rothwell were very important to me. They loved me unconditionally and I returned that love by never forsaking them. Love and thanks to all my chil­dren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved me and gave me the chance to love them back.

I leave wonderful people here on earth, but I also go to join some wonderful peo­ple including my dad and sisters, Cindy and Sherri, as well as a host of many others. Please celebrate my life with good memories, lots of hap­piness, and most of all love. I have done so many things in my life that has made me happy like growing plants, traveled, worked hard, and survived things that seemed impossible. I always strived to be Christian-like. I love to give rather than receive. Till I see you again go live your life to the fullest and always remain true to yourself.

Sara Virginia Howard, 84

Sara Virginia Howard, 84, of Leighton, AL passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 11 am-1 pm at Colbert Memorial Chapel with a service to follow at 1 pm in the chapel. Bro. Tru­man Sutton will be officiat­ing. Burial will be in Col­bert Memorial Gardens. She was a member of Cowboy Church of Colbert County.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert Young Norton and Elizabeth Fry; and brother, Elbert Norton.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Cecil Howard; daughters, Billie Ruth Trousdale (Robbie) and Christina Adams (Ter­ry); sisters, Mary Summers (Johnnie), Anna Broadfoot (Buck), and Frances Pet­tus; grandchildren, Ash­ton Bond (Cody), Chance Scoggins, Ryan Adams, Heather Adams (Hunter); greatgrandchildren, Hunt­er Bond, Hadlee Clayre Bond, and HagenKate Bond.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Trousdale, Cody Bond, Chance Scoggins, Ryan Adams, Terry Ad­ams, and Jonathan Sum­mers. Honorary pallbear­er will be Hunter Bond.

Yvette Marie Voorhies, 75

Yvette Marie Voorhies, 75, of Cherokee, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, peacefully at her home.

Yvette was born to An­tonio and Mary Kathryn Plancarte in Griffith, IN, on November 3, 1949. In high school, she met her future husband of fifty-one years, Orval Lee Voorhies, Sr.

They had a long, beautiful marriage and had two chil­dren, Joyce Marie Collum, 56, and Orval Lee Voorhies, Jr., 54. She was blessed with five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She loved reading, re­sale shops, and spend­ing time with family. Her passion, though, was watching soap operas.

She touched the hearts of everyone around her and took care of many people.

As she wished, we will not be holding a service, but will be having a burial cere­mony in the spring. We will notify family when its time.

Courtney Lee Jackson, 47

Courtney Lee Jackson, 47, of Tuscumbia, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024. She was a native and lifelong resident of Colbert County and was preceded in death by her father, Tim­othy Lee Inman; brother, Timothy Parks Inman; and sister, Peggy Nicole Inman.

Courtney is survived by her children, Erica Johnson and Derick Rice; mother, Peggy Inman; grandchildren, Erin Elaine Johnson and Ophelia Dovie Lee Johnson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

There will be no ser­vices at this time.

Jimmy Alton Ayers, 78

Jimmy Alton Ayers, 78, Leighton, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Visitation will be Sunday, December 22, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with David Conley officiating. Interment will be in Poplar Creek Cemetery, Leighton.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, LeeEtt Ayers; parents, James

and Luvena Ayers; broth­ers, Monroe, Leon, Cletis, Roy, Hilard, and Freddie; sis­ters, Edress, Omie, and Eu­lene; and daughter, Sharon.

He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Joyce Gar­rison; grandchildren, Leon Clinton Barnes and Christopher Barnes; and nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Leon Clinton Barnes, Christo­pher Barnes, Greg Ayers, Zack Smallwood, Jerry Garrison, and Daniel Scott.

Edwin Frederick “Ned” Unger, 78

Edwin Frederick “Ned” Unger, 78, Muscle Shoals, passed away on Wednes­day, December 18, 2024. Visitation will be Saturday, December 21, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Morrison Fu­neral Home, Tuscumbia.

Ned was a member of Grace Life Church, Muscle Shoals. He was a graduate of UAB and went on to work for many years as a Physician’s Assistant at the offices of Dr. Prichett and Dr. Ashmore.

Ned is survived by his sons, Michael Unger and Jeff Unger; brother, David Frederick (Denise); sis­ters, Kimberly Capes (An­drew) and Kris Bickhart; and grandchildren, Bryant Unger and Libby Unger.

Rayford Noland Smith, 69

Rayford Noland Smith, age 69, of Ford City, Ala­bama took his final check­ered flag on December 17, 2024. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, De­cember 21, 2024, from 12:00 – 2:00 pm at East Colbert Church of Christ Muscle Shoals, AL. Ser­vice will be held at 2:00 pm officiated by Stan Smith, nephew. His family invites all who knew and loved him to join in celebrating the life of this special man who will forever hold a spe­cial place in so many hearts.

Noland, known as “Rollin Noland” to his fellow racers and racing family, was a leg­end in dirt track racing since the start of his career at age 19. He achieved countless wins and championships throughout his career with his biggest accomplishment being his dedication and reputation to the sport that he loved and shared with his daughters and grandchil­dren. He was a 1974 gradu­ate of Colbert County High School. He worked with special friends at P&G con­struction and was a heavy machine operator for sever­al years. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a friend to everyone. His hobbies included dirt track racing, playing cards with special friends, watching NASCAR and Alabama Football, and supporting his girls and grandkids beside his loving wife in all their interests.

Noland was preced­ed in death by his fa­ther, Umphrey Smith; mother, Lorene Smith; and sisters, Jerita Dick­ens and Juanita Waldrep.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Jackie Smith; his daughter, Brittany (Cale) Finley; his daughter, Bethany Fisher (Matt); his grandchildren, Braylen Fisher, Brystol Fish­er, Sadie Finley, and Caleb Finley; his sisters, Dianne (Jerry) Berryman and Pam (Greg) Smith; his brothers, Melvin (Peggy) Smith, El­ton Smith, Carl Smith, Aar­on (Kim) Smith, and Mil­ton (Jennifer) Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and racing family who will miss him dearly.

The family offers sincere thanks to Dr. Zaman Shah and the Shoals Primary Care staff for the exceptional care and for continuing the loving care and special friendship of the late Dr. Faizullah Syed.

Sandra F.

Linley, 78

Sandra F. Linley, 78, Tus­cumbia, passed away on Tuesday morning, December 17, 2024, at her home. Visi­tation will be Thursday, De­cember 19, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Morrison Fu­neral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immedi­ately follow in the funeral home chapel with Howell Bigham officiating. Inter­ment will be in Piney Grove Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

Sandra was a native of Tuscumbia, Alabama. She attended and was a faithful member of Frankfort Road Church of Christ. Sandra loved her family and was known as “Granny” to so many! She retired from Ala­bama Healthcare after about twenty years of service. Sandra enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and she had very loyal friends. She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Melanie; other siblings, Horace Os­car “Biccum” Goins, Jr. and Mary Alice Rickard; and parents, Horace Oscar Go­ins, Sr. and Ollie B. Goins.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Don H. Lin­ley; children, Donnie Lin­ley (Marjay) and Kevin Linley; grandchildren, Zach Linley (Mollie), Syd­ney McDonald (Nathan), Luke Linley, and John Linley; and great-grand­son, Grayson Hugh Linley.

The family offers sin­cere thanks to Enhabit Hospice for the loving care and lifelong friendships. A special thank you goes to Laura Brandon, to whom we are forever grateful.

Patricia Fern Handley, 85

Patricia Fern Handley, age 85, of Cherokee, died Mon­day, December 16, 2024. Visitation will be Thursday, December 19, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Morrison Funeral Home, Cherokee. The funeral service will be Friday, at 11:00 a.m., in the funeral home chapel, with Shane Swinney officiating. Burial will follow in Barton Cemetery with her grand­sons serving as pallbearers.

Patricia was born on Octo­ber 20, 1939, to the late Wal­ter Lee and Mable Morgan. She was a retired clerk from the Iuka office of the United States Postal Service. Mrs. Handley had many joys in life, including bowling, trav­eling, and the outdoors; yet, her love was her family. She loved being a wife, mother, and especially being “Gran­ny” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to her par­ents, Mrs. Handley was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Handley, and siblings, Walter Morgan Jr., Cliff Morgan, Tim Mor­gan, and Barbara Wright.

Survivors include chil­dren, Keith Handley (Tammy), Brian Handley (Wendy), and Kim Sen­nett (Mike); grandchildren, Ryan Handley, Craig Han­dley (Alex), Matthew Han­dley, Ben Handley, Josh Handley, Scott Sennett (Kim), and Morgan Mc­Cormack (Kyle); and great grandchildren, Levi, Anni, Hank, Elliot, and Clara.

The family gratefully ac­knowledges the loving care provided by Penny Wood, Jackie Milton, Pam John­son, Liz Ezekiel, and the staff of Preferred Hospice.

Herbert Allen Garner, 74

Herbert Allen Gar­ner, 74, Sheffield, passed away on Monday, Decem­ber 16, 2024. A Celebra­tion of Life Memorial will be held in May of 2025.

Herbert was a veteran of the US Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Wesley and Annie Lou Garner; broth­ers, Charles Edward, Frank Wesley, Jr., Samuel Louis, and Roger Dale Garner; and sisters, Mary Alice Gar­ner Watts, Dorothy Joann Garner Shettles, Martha Lou Garner Ward, Wil­ma Sue Garner King, and Janet Leigh Garner Fain.

Herbert is survived by his wife, Deborah Corsby Garner; children, Christi Garner Doyle, Charles Cors­by, and Christopher Allen Garner; grandchildren, Em­ily Jordan Corsby, Brittney Nicole Garner Seal, Jace Addison Doyle, and Chris­topher Allen Garner, Jr.; and great-grandchildren, Callie Srygley, Ellie Seal, Linley Seal, and Adlee Seal.

James Melvin Chaney, 74

James Melvin Chaney, 74, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, passed away on December 22, 2024. Visitation will be Friday, December 27, 2024 at Colbert Memorial Chapel from 12 to 2 with a service to follow. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.

A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Melvin served his country while stationed in Alaska before dedicating many years of hard work to Muscle Shoals Minerals. He was a 1970 graduate of Colbert County where he played football for the legendary C.T. Manley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Grady Chaney; his father-in-law, Bobby Bowling; and his sister, Carolyn Cheney.

Melvin is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Ramona Chaney; his sister, Reba Chaney; his mother-in-law, Nancie Bowling; his sister-in-law, Barbie Hov­ater; his niece, Megan Daw­son (Chris); his nephew, Wil­lie Hovater (Randa); and his great-nephews, Briley Daw­son, Dorian Bowling, and Tripp Hovater, along with a host of other cherished cous­ins, nieces and nephews.

Affectionately known as “Daddy Mel,” Melvin was the heart and soul of his family, treating his niece and nephews as though they were his own children. He treasured the time spent with loved ones, especially with his two favorite com­panions, Briley John and Tripp. An avid fisherman, Melvin also enjoyed rid­ing his Harley Davidson, watching NASCAR, and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Melvin will be remembered for his un­wavering love, wisdom, and steadfast role as the fami­ly patriarch. His presence will be profoundly missed.

Pallbearers will include Willie Hovater, Chris Daw­son, Briley Dawson, Jackie Watson, Patrick Berry, Josh Logan, and Jonathan Logan.

The family would also like to extend their heart­felt gratitude to Tony and Kayla from Inhabit Hos­pice for the compassion­ate care they provided.