August 2 obituaries

Rusty Lee

Gilvin, 67

Rusty Lee Gilvin, 67, of Tuscumbia, AL, passed away on July 24, 2025. Colbert Memorial Chapel will be assisting the family.

A true outdoorsman, Rusty’s love for fishing and hunting was matched only by his lifelong passion for NASCAR. Whether casting a line, tracking game in the woods, or cheering for his favorite driver, he found joy in life’s simple pleasures.

He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas D. Gilvin; sister, Kelly Bell.

He is survived by his mother, Sharon Gilvin; son, William Gilvin (Heather); grandchildren, Isabella and Landen; sisters, Debbie Holiday and Neesee Holi­day; brother, Donnie Gilvin.

Philip Alexander Carmack, 48

Philip Alexander Car­mack, 48 of Tuscumbia, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025. His family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, July 25, 2025 at Washington Park Baptist Church from 11am -12 pm with the service to follow at 12pm. Thomas Thornton is officiating. Burial will be in Morning Star Cemetery.

He is preceded in death by his dad, James Carmack; brother, James Edward Car­mack; grandparents, Owen and Susie Carmack, and also Eddie and Hazel Hargett.

Philip is survived by his mother, Patsy Carmack; sisters, Glenice Willing­ham, and Bridget Phillips.

The deacons of Wash­ington Park Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Steven Mills for all the care and love shown to Philip and his family.

Connie Ann Seal, 71

Connie Ann Seal age 71 of Cherokee, AL, passed away on Tuesday July 22, 2025, Visitation will be Fri­day July 25, 2025, at Colbert Memorial Chapel from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be at Colbert Memo­rial Chapel Saturday July 26, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. En­tombment will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens. Ricky Zahnd will be officiating

Connie was preceded in death by parents, Charles Grady Glover and Virgin­ia Garrett; husband Don­ald Hargett Seal; brother, Charles Ricky Glover and half- brother Billy Glover.

Survivors include; Sons, James Seal, Kevin Seal, Shane Seal (Kristy), Shawn ‘Bumper” Seal (Courtney); daughters, Tracey Ann Byrd (Randy), Kerry Setzer(Bri­an); grandchildren, Kodi Seal (Megan), Tanner Seal (Caitlyn), Zeke Seal, Benja­min Byrd (Katie), McKenzie Peffer (Matt), Ethan Chan­dler, Zoe, Nakira, Brannon, Eliza Kate, and Isaiah Seal; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Ramsey, Wrenly Rose, Eno­la Byrd, Presley, Hadley, Harmony Peffer, Asher, Nash, Hollin, and Cooper Seal; sister; Bonnie Zahnd, special friend, Judy Ren­wick and Brenda Cooper special thanks to her cook­ing angels Mary and Kathy.

Pallbarers will be Kodi Seal, Tanner Seal, Zeke Seal, Ben Byrd, Na­than Zahnd, Matt Peffer.

Honorary pallbear­ers will be Brannon Seal, Ethan Chandler, Brad Cooper, Roger Renwick, Charlie Glover, Josh Ogle.

Thomas

Woodley, 70

Thomas “Tom” Wood­ley, 70, of Tuscumbia, AL, passed away on July 22, 2025. His family will re­ceive friends on Monday, July 28, 2025 from 12-2pm at Colbert Memorial Chapel. A Memorial Service will fol­low at 2p.m. in the chapel.

He owned Metro Weld­ing for 40+ years and then retired. Tommy took care of all of his employees like family. He loved everyone and would give the shirt off his back. He was a humble soul and lived life to the fullest. He was a welding instructor at Russellville High School. He also was a private pilot and loved fly­ing with family. Tom loved working safety at Tallade­ga-NASCAR. He especial­ly loved his sister, Marba­ra’s, lemon meringue pie! She still owes some. Tom would never say anything bad about anyone. He was a loving and caring family man. The hardest working person we have ever known.

He loved his wife and grandchildren, being home to play, take walks, fishing, being a BBQ master, and riding on his land. He ab­solutely loved making his grandkids laugh and play­ing the tickle monster. Tom had a special bond with his first granddaughter, Zoey, by helping raise, care for her, and play games with her. She adored and loved her Papa. We all loved and will miss him greatly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom Woodley Sr. and Virginia Nabors; sister, Candace Woodley Beaver.

He is survived by his wife, Angela Vandiver Woodley; son, Randy Vandiver Jr. (Monica); grandchildren, Zoey Vandiver, Jazzalynn Vandiver, Mary Jane Hath­cock; brother, Keith Wood­ley (Paula); sister, Marbara Bond (Keith); brother-in-law, Tommy Foster; niec­es and nephews, Heath, Denver ,Aaron, Chris, Kim, Lisa (Randal), Ang­ie, Tyler, Mariah, Brianna.

Pallbearers will be Ran­dy Vandiver Jr., Heath Woodley, Keith Woodley, Billy Allen, Chris Bond, Aaron Barnes, Tommy Foster, and Troy Mitchell.

James William “Smitty” Smith, 91

James William Smith, affectionately known as “Smitty” by family and friends, passed away peace­fully at his home on July 19, 2025, at the age of 91. Born June 27, 1934, in Cherokee County, Alabama, to Annie Ruth and Ike Smith, Smit­ty experienced the loss of his father at a young age. At just ten years of age, he began helping support his family, displaying a strong work ethic and compas­sion that defined his life.

At 17, Smitty enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for 26 years before retiring at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. Following his military career, he de­voted over two decades to renovating and managing hotels across the South-in­cluding locations in Missis­sippi, Baton Rouge (LA), Raleigh (NC), Murfrees­boro (TN), Helena (AR),

Memphis (TN), and fi­nally Sheffield (AL), where he and his beloved wife Fran settled into retirement.

Smitty loved bowling and was known for his cheerful smile and kind spirit. His warmth touched the lives of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie Ruth and Ike Smith; sisters Evelynn and Doris; and brother Clyde.

Smitty is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Fran Smith of Sheffield, AL; his children: Pamela of Or­lando, FL; Kenneth of Cen­tral Texas; Dawn of Shef­field, AL; Debbie and Tony (twins) of Birmingham, AL; and Clinton of Sheffield, AL. He also leaves behind grandchildren: Blue, Carla, Kenny III, Mia, Christopher, Shelby, Trevor, and anoth­er Mia of Sheffield, AL; as well as four great-grand­children: Arianna, Dylan, Kenny VI, and Alaiya.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Edith Inez

Russell, 87

Edith Inez Russell, 87, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. There will be a memorial service sched­uled for a later date.

Edith was a native of Memphis, TN and a mem­ber of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Pauline Greer; brothers, Lester and Russell; and sisters, Cheryl and Nona.

Edith is survived by her children, Max Russell, Jessica Neal, Troy Rus­sell, Leslie Russell, and Ryan Russell; sister, Vonda Stutts; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Samantha LaShea Harrison Bennett, 44

Samantha LaShea Har­rison Bennett, 44, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 26, at Morrison Funer­al Home, Tuscumbia, be­ginning at 6:00 p.m. with Bubba Cole officiating.

Samantha was a mem­ber of North Wood United Methodist Church, Flor­ence, and an employee of Certified Alarm. She loved music, shopping, and espe­cially spending time with her family. She was preced­ed in death by her father, Wyatt Samuel Harrison; grandparents, Wyatt Vaugh­ter Harrison and Dorothy Bishop Harrison; and uncle, Timothy Wayne Harrison.

Samantha is survived by her husband, Shane Howard Bennett; children, Kaylee Alexis Bennett and Kayden Hunter Bennett; mother, Dana Hopper; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Barlow and his staff at the Clearview Cancer Institute, and to the nurs­es and staff in the ICU and PCU departments at Helen Keller Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, me­morials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Robert Spencer Stanfield, 79

Robert “Bobby” Spencer Stanfield, 79, of Mountain Springs community in rural Colbert County, passed away on July 23, 2025. He was born on June 13, 1946, to the late Robert Bruce Stanfield and Ercie Pearl Stanfield.

Bobby was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carolyn Stanfield; stepson Bennett Flanagan; siblings Dorothy Mayfield, Bruce Stanfield, and RB Stanfield.

He served his country in the United States Navy and had a diverse career that reflected his hardworking spirit. Bobby worked vari­ous jobs early in his career before spending many years at the Ford Motor Compa­ny diecast plant in Muscle Shoals. He and Carolyn later opened and operated Stanfield’s Convenience Store at the corner of AL Highway 247 and US 72. Bobby then started his own backhoe business, installing septic tanks, storm shel­ters, and occasionally dig­ging graves. Throughout his career, he was known for his generosity, often helping families and non­profit organizations by pro­viding discounted backhoe work when they needed it most. He also helped install community storm shelters throughout Colbert County.

During high school, Bob­by was elected to sing lead in the glee club at Cherokee High School because of his exceptional vocal range. This led to the formation of “Bobby and the Hootenan­ny Girls,” a subgroup of the glee club. His love of music continued throughout his life as he played guitar, sang, and led singing at Mountain Springs Baptist Church. In his later years, he would share videos with family of himself watching blue­grass gospel videos on You­Tube, often singing along.

Bobby was a man of many talents and interests. He was known throughout the com­munity for his legendary barbecue, which he would generously give as gifts to others. Many will tell you it was the best barbecue they ever had. He loved cook­ing in a Dutch oven over an open fire and could identify any tree in the woods. Bob­by enjoyed watching West­ern movies and was such a friendly conversationalist that he made friends wher­ever he went. He loved taking care of his pets and farm animals, grow­ing tomatoes, and enjoying milkshakes. At Christmas time, children who didn’t even know him would stare because he looked so much like Santa Claus.

After a tornado felled large timber in The Cove, Bobby turned this challenge into an opportunity. Us­ing logging skills learned from his father, he took the logs to an Amish sawmill in Tennessee and used the resulting lumber to build the dream home he and Carolyn shared in Moun­tain Springs. This home became the heart of their family celebrations, hosting big Christmas gatherings and their annual pumpkin day where children would carve jack-o’-lanterns.

Bobby was very close to Jeffro Nestle, who was like a son to him, helped him with his work, and cared well for him. Bobby loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even in his later years, after several hospitaliza­tions that seemed he might not recover from, he would bounce back months later, climbing into his backhoe and driving his dump truck with remarkable resilience.

Bobby is survived by his son Todd Stanfield and his wife Carla of Jackson, TN; daughter Melodie Smith of Florence; stepson Lydell Flanagan and his wife Tena of Leighton; and many dearly loved grandchildren: Cramer, Tanner, Hunter, and Spencer Flanagan, Makay­la Flanagan, MaRanda Tucker, Margee Stanfield, and Mollie Smith; along with 9 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Satur­day, July 26, at 9:30 AM followed by funeral ser­vice at 11:00 AM, both at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. Graveside ser­vice will be family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you hug your family a little tight­er, call someone you have not spoken to in a while, and help someone in need, just as Bobby always did.

Cathyleen

Robinson, 82

Cathyleen Robinson, 82, Muscle Shoals, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Services will be held at a later date at Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Cathyleen moved to the Shoals area in 1974 as a TVA employee. She was an avid QVC shopper, and a member of the 4-H Club. She enjoyed cheerleading and scrapbook­ing. But her greatest love was spending time with her grandson and great-grand­children. Cathyleen was the proud wife of Jimmy H. Robinson, who served on the USS Long Beach – GCN-9, a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser in the United States Navy, and the world’s first nuclear-powered sur­face combatant They were married for fifty-six years. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, J.C. and Gracie Mae Payne, of Gadsden, AL.

Cathyleen is survived by her son, Jimmy Craig Rob­inson (Lucinda); brother, Thomas Payne (Lavonda); sisters, Linda Gentry (Har­old) and Silvia Wills (Alvin); grandchildren, Jamie Craig Robinson (Destinee), Ni­cole Godwin (Jeremy), and Daniel Sorrell (Amy); and great-grandchildren, Carson, Kylee, Landon, Kennedy, Parker, Lincoln, and Billie.

 

Ralph Lee Brown, 64

Ralph Lee Brown, 64, of Florence, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2025. Visitation will be Sunday, July 27, 2025 from Noon until 2:00 PM at Morri­son Funeral Home, Central Heights. The funeral will follow in the funeral home chapel with Marcus Morrow officiating. Burial will be in Murphys Chapel Cemetery.

He was a 1980 graduate of Central High School and a member of Murphys Chapel Church. Ralph loved motor­cycles and Alabama football but most of all he loved his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ronnie and Tracy Brown; brothers, Ricky and Rodger Brown.

Ralph is survived by his children, Theresa Wallace (Derek) and Elisha Myers (JR); mother of his children, Selina Brown; step-moth­er, Sharon Brown; brothers, Ronald Lynn Brown ( Wan­da) and Robert Loren Brown (Stacy); sister, Rachel Lane Brown; grandchildren, Todd Askew (Shianne), Makenzie Wallace, Brianna Moore, Madilynn Wallace, Maddox Allison, Maverick Allison, Kennedy Myers, and Tripp Myers; great grandchildren, Monroe, Tyson, Waylon, Kamiyah, and Kenslee; be­loved pet, Chico; a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Kim Young, Wesley Tingle, Derek Allison, JR Myers, Daniel Dodd, and Evan Wallace. Honorary pall­bearers will be Frankie Murphy, Phillip Jackson, Roger Sharp, Todd Askew, Jamie Mcdonald, Travis Young, and Jimmy Mitchell.

Sherry Louise Hovater, 77

Sherry L. Hovater, 77, of Tuscumbia, passed away July 26, 2025 quietly at home with her family by her side. Visitation will be Tues­day, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The fu­neral service will immediate­ly follow with Bishop Paul Fox (her son-in-law) offici­ating. Interment will be at Colbert Memorial Gardens.

Sherry was a member of Friendship Community Church in Sheffield. Sher­ry loved her walks in the park and going on vaca­tions with her family. Sher­ry loved life and her Lord.

She was preceded in death by her husband Larry G. Hovater. Sherry has three children Shelly Fox (Paul), Pamela Duncan (Ronnie), and Jonathan Hovater. She has five grandkids Amber Campbell Patterson (Tom­my), J.T. Fox (Shawntae), Russell Duncan (Ashton), Will Duncan (Megan), Aar­on Duncan (Abby), and four great-grandchildren.

The Pallbearers are John Tyler Fox, Russell Duncan, Will Duncan, Aaron Dun­can, and Tommy Patterson.

The family offers special thanks to the caregivers and the staff of Compassus.

Rita Jane

Harrell, 88

Rita Jane Harrell, 88, of Cherokee, passed away Fri­day, July 25, 2025. Visita­tion will be Monday, July 28, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Chero­kee. The funeral service will immediately follow in the church sanctuary with Steve Slaton and Frank Whitaker officiating. Interment will be at Harris Chapel Cemetery.

Mrs. Harrell was a ru­ral mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and a mem­ber of the National Rural Mail Carriers (NRLC). She was also a member of First Baptist Church, Cherokee and was preceded in death by her husband, James Roy Harrell and parents, Furman and Sarah Smith.

Rita is survived by her children, Deborah Cain (Ronnie), James R. Har­rell, Jr. (Pattie), Sarita Ber­ry (Danny), and Laurence Harrell (Debbie); grandchil­dren, Breanna Allen, Ed­die Hodges, Baylee Porter, Parker Harrell, and Brandi Young; and great-grand­children, Matthew Young, Rowen Hutton, Allie James Porter, Malachi and Ryker Allen, and Navy, Ma­ple, and one on the way, Hawk Thomas Harrell.

Pallbearers will be Ricky Moore, Don Campbell, Chapman Porter, Parker Harrell, Mike Worsham, and Ronnie Cain. Honorary pallbearers are Dale Woods and Billy Wayne Moore.

The family expresses spe­cial thanks to sitters, Steph­anie, Brittney, Paula, Trac­ey, Haley G., and Haley S.

In lieu of flowers memo­rials may be made to First Baptist Church, Cherokee, PO Box 253, Cherokee, AL 35616 or Cherokee Library Friends, PO Box 44, Cherokee, AL 35616.

Bernice

Holcombe

Bennett, 97

It is with deep sadness that we announce the pass­ing of Bernice Holcombe Bennett, 97, on July 21, 2025 . Bernice was born on January 25, 1928 in Water­loo, Alabama. She was a member of Williams Chap­el Presbyterian Church and spent many years as a member of First Presbyteri­an Church of Florence. She enjoyed her career at the Lauderdale County Board of Education. Her passion was travelling. She had the priv­ilege of visiting many coun­tries and enjoyed sharing the memories with her family.

She is survived by her brothers – Cletus Hol­combe (Faye), Edwin Holcombe, and Leonard Holcombe (Ganelle) and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Thomas Bennett, Jr; her brothers, Willard Holcombe (Del­sie), James L. Holcombe (Fannie), Arnold Holcombe (Patsy), and her sister-in-law, Elaine Holcombe.

Funeral services will be held at Williams Chapel Presbyterian Church in Wa­terloo, Alabama. The vis­itation will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025 followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m. with Patrick Smith officiating. Burial will fol­low in the Williams Chap­el Presbyterian Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tracey Holcombe, Jim­my Holcombe, Tim Hol­combe, Ricky Holcombe, Anthony Holcombe, and Gary Holcombe.

Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Holcombe, Grady Hol­combe and Mark Holcombe.

In lieu of flowers, me­morials may be made to Williams Chapel Presby­terian Church Cemetery Fund of Waterloo, Alabama.

A special thank you to the caregivers at Keestone Assisted Living in Florence and North Alabama Hospice.

Nancy England Frederick, 69

Nancy England Frederick, 69, of Iron City, TN, for­merly of Florence, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Visitation will be Friday, August 1, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Mor­rison Funeral Home, Cen­tral Heights. A graveside service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at New Hope Church of Christ Cemetery with Tim­othy England officiating.

Nancy was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Fred­erick; parents, William and Bessie England; and broth­er, George England (Deb).

Nancy is survived by her children, Douglas Freder­ick and Nicole Frederick; brothers, Timothy England (Onita), David England (Judy), Bill England (Don­na), and Brian England; sister, Hilda Coker; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.

The family express­es special thanks to NAMC and to Tennes­see Quality for their care.

In lieu of flowers do­nations may be made to New Hope Cemetery Fund.