Aug. 9 obituaries

Betty Joyce Blackburn, 85

Betty Joyce Blackburn, 85 of Tuscumbia, died Wednesday July 30, 2025. Visitation will be Satur­day. August 2, 2025, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Mor­rison Funeral Home in Tus­cumbia with the funeral fol­lowing in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 p.m. Pastor J. Patrick McDonald will officiate the service. Buri­al will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Tuscumbia.

With hearts full of both gratitude and sorrow, we remember the remarkable life of Betty Joyce King Blackburn, who was born in a humble home in Franklin County on November 20, 1939. Growing up in the close-knit New Lagrange community, Betty’s story began with the simplicity and sincerity of rural life, where she learned the val­ue of hard work and family.

From a young age, Betty’s love for music flourished. At just eight years old, she began playing piano at New Lagrange Baptist Church, a gift she continued to share with friends, family, and her community throughout her life. Her gentle hands graced both piano and gui­tar strings, bringing joy to countless gatherings and offering comfort and cele­bration in equal measure.

Betty’s journey was one of perseverance and courage. The little country girl with dreams beyond her horizons completed business school and went on to see the world, embracing adventure and forging connections wherev­er she traveled. Her life was a testament to the possibil­ities that await those with vision and determination.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved par­ents, Oscar and Osha King; her husband, Bradley Black­burn; her son, Randy Brad Hallmark; her sister, Char­lotte King Graves; and her brother-in-law, Cur­tis Harrison. Though we mourn their loss, we cel­ebrate the joyful reunion that surely awaits them.

She leaves behind a loving legacy in her surviving fam­ily: her sister, Shirley Ann Harrison; her daughter, Amy Marie Blackburn McDonald (Patrick); sons, Arthur Bry­an Blackburn III (Jennifer) and Ricky Glenn Hallmark; and her former daughter-in-law, Renee Hallmark. Her grandchildren—Madison Hallmark (Paul), Mary Ann Nakagawa, Bryan Black­burn, Stacey Blackburn, An­drew Blackburn, Ava Black­burn, Judah Blackburn, Sean Patrick McDonald (Hannah), Rachel Elizabeth McDonald, Joseph Bradley McDonald, Nathan Philip McDonald—were her pride and joy. She was also bless­ed with step-grandchildren Jerica Franks (Anthony) and Jeremy Doyle (Anne), as well as four great-grandchil­dren, four step-great-grand­children, and many nieces and nephews who will for­ever cherish her memory.

Betty’s love extended far beyond her immediate family, touching friends, neighbors, and all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her kindness, her mu­sic, and her eccentric spirit enriched the lives of many.

To honor her life and leg­acy, pallbearers will include Sean Patrick McDonald, Jo­seph Bradley McDonald, Na­than Philip McDonald, Paul Smoke, Billy Atchison, and Bryan Blackburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Armon­do Gomez, Anthony Har­rison, and Chris Harrison.

Though Betty has depart­ed this world, her melody lingers on in the hearts of those she loved. May we remember her laughter, her music, and the steadfast love she gave so freely. Her jour­ney, from the cotton fields of Colbert County to the wide wonders of the world, stands as an inspiration — a life well lived, a soul deeply loved.

Betty loved music and dance. If you would like to honor her legacy & support of the arts, please consid­er giving a memorial to the SAFE’s Southern Dance & Performing Arts Compa­ny, Scholarship Fund, 109 N. Broadway AVE., Sy­lacauga, Alabama 35150.

Wanda Lewis Muse

Putman, 80

Wanda Lewis Muse Put­man, 80, a devoted moth­er and pillar of strength in her Christian community, peacefully passed away on July 30, 2025, after a sudden illness. Born on February 3, 1945, Wanda dedicated her working life to shaping young minds. Her unwav­ering faith guided her life and her approach to moth­erhood, and she nurtured a love for learning, treating others with love and kind­ness and all things as a part of God’s great world.

As a wife, daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, Wanda instilled her strong values and religious beliefs in her family, and anyone blessed to count her among their friends. Her love of her family and friends and her Church led Wanda to think of others without thought of herself and to give to others without question.

Wanda is survived by her two children, Timothy Belcher of Hudson, NH and Mary McFall of Florence, her brother David Muse of Florence and her sister Joni Rhodes of Dauphin Island, her two grandchildren Ryan and Jade Belcher of Hudson, NH and countless students whose lives she touched.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, Elzie Muse and Mary Moore, her husband, Floyd Belcher and Jimmy Putman, and her brother, Frank Muse.

A service will be held to honor and remember her at St. James Methodist Church in Florence on Fri­day, August 1. Visitation will begin at 1 pm with a memorial service at 2 pm.

The family would like to express their immense gratitude to the nursing staff and doctors at Hel­en Keller hospital for their grace, care and support for the last several weeks.

Bobby Lee Bates, 82

Bobby Lee Bates, 82, Muscle Shoals, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Visitation will be Sunday, August 3, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The fu­neral service will immedi­ately follow in the funeral home chapel with Stanley Hargett, Coach Mike Lane, and Dave Beck officiating. Interment will be in Old Brick Cemetery, Leighton.

Bobby was a veteran of the Alabama Army Nation­al Guard and a member of York Bluff Baptist Church (formerly York Terrace). A member of the Shoals Car and Truck Club for thir­ty-four years, his favorite pastime was going to car shows and talking about his cars, especially the one he and his son, Jackie, built. Bobby was a talker and loved to tell stories about his years driving entertain­ers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Lucy Bates; brothers, J.D. Bates and David Bates; and sister, Patsy Murray.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years, Bonnie Bates; chil­dren, Jackie Bates (Wanda) and Shannon Bates Mur­ray (Thomas); grandchil­dren, Lee Bates, Aundrea Weeks, Tommy Murray, and Jacob Murray; six great-grandchildren; close friend, Kevin Wade; and special furbaby, Addie.

Pallbearers will be Lee Bates, Tommy Murray, Jacob Murray, Kenneth Weeks, Kevin Wade, and “Second Son”, Baxter Clem­ent. Members of Shoals Car and Truck Club will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Paul David

Grissom, 77

Paul David Grissom, 77, Leighton, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. A private service was held for the family.

Paul was a lifelong resi­dent of Colbert County and a member of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wal­ter and Norine Grissom.

Paul is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Judy Grissom; children, Tina Peden (Paul), Kathy Berryman (Todd), and Shane Minor; grandchildren, Em­ily Peden, (Megan), Kayla Holder (Brady), Keri Anna Traffanstedt (Dakota), Jan­na Plunkett (Jake), Tyler Minor (Dallas), and Karson Berryman; and the loves of his life, his great-grand­children, Bellah, Julianna, Taylor Ann, Tyanna, Jax­ton, Madalyn, Jase, Jaycie, Josie, Deklin, and Hattie Jo.

Pallbearers were Steven Flanagan Jr., Jacob Plun­kett, Jordan Davis, Ty­ler Minor, Brady Holder, Chris Posey, Dakota Harp­er, and Karson Berryman.

Shelain Cheatham

McDougal, 67

Shelain Cheatham Mc­Dougal, 67, of Muscle Shoals passed away Satur­day, August 2, 2025. Her service will be graveside, Wednesday, August 6th at 11:00 am at Colbert Me­morial Gardens with Ga­tus Cheatham officiating.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Colbert Heights. She spent her work­ing career as an insurance specialist in the healthcare field. Shelain was preced­ed in death by her husband, Timothy McDougal; daugh­ter, Jennifer Michele Tid­well; sister, Wanda C. Wil­burn; and parents, Amos and Rumell Cheatham.

Shelain is survived by brother, Gatus Cheatham (Sue); sisters, Linda C. Long, Judy C. Michael (Jim­my); grandchildren, Cody Rumble (Destiny), Gannon Lambert; numerous Nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to ac­knowledge a special thank you to her niece, Tracey Flynn, CMA, for her med­ical knowledge, love, and care during her illness.

Alma Pearl

Balentine, 98

Alma Pearl Balentine, 98, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Saturday, August 2, 2025. There will be a family gathering at 11:00 a.m. at Oakwood Cem­etery in Sheffield where Alma will be laid to rest.

Alma was a native of Sheffield and a lifelong resident of the Shoals. She worked as a Pharmaceuti­cal Clerk for many years, and she was a member of the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Bal­entine; daughters, Joyce McFall and Judy Balentine; and her nine siblings, How­ard Myrick, George “Doc” Myrick, Whitt Myrick, Cora Lee Darby, Lily Rob­bins, Ann Rutherford, Cary Hart, Christine Echols, and Lorene “Polly” Pounders.

Alma is survived by her daughter, Tina Woods and grandchildren, Audra and TJ Woods, and Gina Baggett.

The family expresses special thanks to Cottage of the Shoals and Hospice of North Alabama for all of their care for Mrs. Alma.

James Malichi Hamilton, 87

James Malichi Hamilton, 87, of Texas passed away on July 26, 2025. Visita­tion will be held on August 16, 2025 at the Cowboy Church of Colbert Coun­ty from 9:00 am-10 am with a service to follow. Truman Sutton will be of­ficiating. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Var­daman Hamilton; mother, Lettie Ann Hamilton; sister, Emogene McCalpin; and brother, Leonard Hamilton.

James is survived by his wife, Edna Earline Ham­ilton; sons, Jim Hamilton (Kim) and Dennis Ham­ilton (Kelly); sister, Lo­rene Irman; grandchildren, Stacey Burch, Stephane Hamilton, and James Ham­ilton; great grandchildren, Bryan Burch and Rhys Hamilton; step-grand­daughter, Chaney Getch­ell; nieces and nephews.

Stanley H.

Trousdale, 100

Stanley H. Trousdale, 100 of Leighton, AL passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Colbert Memori­al Chapel from 10-11am with a service to follow at 11am in the funeral home Chapel. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward S. and Louisa Gargis Trous­dale; his brothers and sis­ters; son, H. Keith Trous­dale, wife and mother of his two children, Louise Jeffries Trousdale; and wife Mar­garet Weatherby Trousdale.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Trousdale Kirkland (Steve); their chil­dren, Leslie Thorn (Keith), Terry Kirkland, Josh Kirk­land, Leah Frith (Charlie); Keith’s son, Erick A. Trous­dale; step children, Vic and Benji Ragsdale, Tanya Watson, Carl and Thomas Overton, and Traci Cook and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Stanley served in the army during the Korean War. He was an electrician who re­tired from Robbins Tire and Rubber Co. He loved the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He was a Chris­tian and a member of Val­ley Grove Baptist Church.

Special thanks are giv­en to Enhabit Home Health and Hospice for their com­passionate help with his care and to his round the clock caregivers who made it possible for him to stay home. Also, a heartfelt thank you to his special friend, Betty Robinette who cared for him so well.

In lieu of flowers, do­nations made to St. Jude Children’s Hospi­tal in his memory would be greatly appreciated!

Phillip Macon “Dinky”

Nesbitt, 67

Phillip Macon “Din­ky” Nesbitt, 67, Sheffield, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Visitation will be Thursday, August 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Mor­rison Funeral Home, Tus­cumbia. The funeral mass will be Friday, August 8, at Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church, Tuscum­bia, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with Fr. Benny Karimalik­kal officiating. Dinky will lie in state one hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

Dinky was a member of Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church, and IBEW Local 558. He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Sally Nesbitt; daugh­ters, Stephanie Nesbitt and Emilee Nesbitt; son, Joe Huddleston; brother, Ran­dy Nesbitt; and grandpar­ents, JD and Bet Mosely.

Dinky is survived by his wife, Jane Nesbitt; daugh­ter, Baylee Mixon (Brian); grandchildren, Caleb Car­mack, Caden Carmack, and Lakaylee Qualls; and sister-in-law, Susan Fisher Nesbitt.

Pallbearers will be Ca­leb Carmack, Caden Carmack, Brian Mixon, Carlis Carmack, Arkie Smith, and Chad Smith.

In lieu of flowers, me­morials may be made to the Colbert County Animal Shelter, or to St. Jude Chil­dren’s Research Hospital.

Michael Edward Conway, 82

Michael Edward Con­way, 82, Tuscumbia, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025. No services are scheduled at this time.

Michael was pre­ceded in death by his stepson, Erik Hutson.

He is survived by his wife, Tanya Conway; children, Jeffery Naylor (Irma), Nor­een Chastain (Tim), Deborah Conway, and Patrick Con­way; and grandchildren, Ian Naylor, Patricia Noble (Jus­tin), and Nicholas Chastain.