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February 26, 2005
ETHA EZMA STAMPS
RANBURNE — Funeral service for Etha Ezma Stamps, 86, of 18804 Highway 46, Ranburne, was Thursday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. at Ranburne First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Roy Bryant and B.F. Coefield officiating. Burial was in Ranburne City Cemetery.
Miss Stamps died Feb. 21 at Mattie’s Boarding Home in Lincoln. A native and lifelong resident of Ranburne, she retired from Ranburne Elementary School with 47 years of service teaching the first grade. A graduate of Jacksonville State University, she was a member of Ranburne First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie Juan and Arra Sara Jane Stamps; two sisters, Elsie S. Fordham and Amy S. McElroy; and two brothers, Elbert and Alfred Stamps.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Cleo S. and Virgil C. Chappell of Talladega; a brother, Olen Stamps of Pleasant Grove; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Friends and church members served as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Methodist Church in Talladega or St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Talladega.
Dryden Funeral Home of Heflin directed the service.
RUBY LEE BEASON BRASWELL
ASHVILLE — Ruby Lee Beason Braswell, 80, of Ashville joined her beloved husband Charles at the feet of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday morning, Feb. 24, 2004, at her home after a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer and lymphoma.
Ruby Lee Beason was born May 14 to Euel and Myrtle Beason and was raised near Gallant, Ala. She graduated from Ashville High School in 1942, and later received a business degree from Andrew Jackson Business College in Nashville.
It was during the spring of 1947 that Ruby first met the love of her life and future husband of 56 years, Charles Braswell, while working in the Tax Collector’s Office in the St. Clair County Courthouse in Ashville. After a brief courtship, they were married on Sept. 11, 1947, in her parents’ home in Ashville.
Ruby and Charles lived in Jacksonville, Ala., during the 1950s, where she was secretary to Jacksonville State University’s then-president Dr. Houston Cole. In 1958, they moved back to Ashville and during the next few years were blessed with two children, Edward and Charlotte. In 1963, they opened Braswell Realty Company in Ashville, where Ruby later became a real estate broker until her retirement in 1986. In about 1967, Ruby opened an insurance agency on the square in Ashville affiliated with Farm Bureau Insurance Co., and a few years later moved next door to help Charles run Life Shoes, a ladies’ shoe franchise out of Huntsville.
For those of you who knew her, Ruby was always involved in some manner of caring for or helping other people and had a true heart for serving her fellow man. Organizations in which she was an active member and also served in leadership positions through the years include the Ashville Garden Club, the Home Demonstration Club, the Ashville PTA, the Ashville Library Board, Cub Scout Den Mother for Pack 85, the American Rose Society, the Birmingham Rose Society and the Tyler, Texas Rose Society. She was a member of the Gadsden Primitive Baptist Church just a few years ago.
Perhaps one of the areas of service that Ruby will be best remembered for is her 38-year commitment to the causes of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Until her last breath, she had zeal "to cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American Freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty." Those that knew her would all agree that she had a fervent love for her country and for her Creator, the Lord in Heaven.
Highlights of her service to this organization include serving as Vice Regent twice in the James Gadsden Chapter from 1974-76 and 1985-86 and winning Best Chapter report in Alabama for her Constitution Week scrapbook in 1984. She also served as President of the Alabama Officers’ Club and was State Flag Day Chairman (receiving national recognition — one of seven — in 1983 and 1985 when her scrapbook entry was chosen the best chapter report in the southeastern division) while a member of the General Sumter Chapter. From 1999, 2003, she held office of Librarian for the Big Wills Creek Chapter. Ruby was also an Associate Member of the Mary Tyler Chapter, Tyler, Texas.
Through the years, Ruby visited countless elementary and secondary classrooms throughout the state of Alabama, passing out American flags and conveying the message of freedom, liberty, honor and dignity — the qualities on which our nation was founded — and how to honor and respect our nation’s emblem. Many of you reading this article probably received a flag from her when you were in school.
Another thing that might bring Ruby to mind were all those incredible rose bushes she grew down in her front yard and the beautiful bouquets that she loved to share with her family, friends and local churches and organizations. Ruby enjoyed gardening about as much as anything she did (other than cooking for her family) and since "the Rose" was Charles’ favorite flower, he helped her plant about 250 bushes once upon a time and the rest is history. One thing you may not know is that Ruby carried her "best blooms" and competed for years in ARS Accredited Rose Shows in Birmingham and Tyler, Texas, and was awarded many blue ribbons and trophies for her efforts.
Over the past 17 years, Ruby and Charles made frequent trips to Tyler, Texas, to visit and enjoy their grandchildren. It was in 1987 that she became known as "Granny B." Nothing filled her heart with more joy and pride than to watch Ashlee dance on stage and high kick at halftime on Friday nights, or to watch Chris score a run during a baseball game and play solo at halftime on the marimba, cymbal and timpani. She was always there afterwards to give big hugs and offer words of encouragement and praise.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Charles B. Braswell; parents, Myrtle Othella Brothers and Euel Beason; and brother, Horis Gene Beason.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Tom Beaube of Gadsden; son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Pam Braswell of Tyler, Texas; grandchildren, Ashlee and Christopher Braswell of Tyler, Texas; a sister, Floy Dene Beason of Ashville; sisters-in-law, Virginia Beason of Ashville, Mary Emily Braswell of Birmingham, Lora W. Kelly of Prattville, Cleo B. Crenshaw of West Point, Ga.; and nieces and nephews, John and Kristen Beason of Birmingham, Naylor, Jania and Samuel Braswell of Atlanta, Ga., Lenward and Janice Braswell of Opelika, Charles D. Braswell of Montgomery, Ramona and Charles Minor of Prattville, Martha and Tommy Hampton of Sulpher, La., Jennie and Larry Rayfield of Birmingham, Jimmy and Lisa Crenshaw of St. George Island, Fla.; and numerous other relatives and many, many friends in east Texas and across the country.
Pallbearers will be John Beason, David Beason, Waylon Blakely, Lenward Braswell, J.O. Brothers and Joe Miller.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Dale Smith, Gary Fleming, Tommy Ritch, Travis Brothers, Sanford McCullough, Judge Charles E. Robinson, James H. Wilson, Chris Chastain, Dr. Theron Montgomery, Elder Mike Rogers, Joe Adkins, Jimmy Crenshaw, Naylor Braswell, Charles D. Braswe, Blake Livingston, Lamar Battles, Mike Reid, Ned Sibley, Steve Cooper, Norman Dickey, Jeffrey Brown, Dale Mize, Alvin Holly and Ed McGee.
Visitation will be Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Usrey Funeral Home in Coal City. The Elder Vernis Stanaland of Tyler, Texas, will conduct services in their chapel on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. with burial across the street in St. Clair Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to extend a special note of thanks and appreciation to G. Lowndes Harrison, M.D., Scottie Gibbs, R.N. and the staff at Gadsden Regional Cancer Center; Dr. and Mrs. Clay C. Rowe and staff of Rainbow City; Sherry and Tracy Pettitt, Dudley Parker, Frank Sparks and the staff at MMC Homecare of Rainbow City; David Stapp, Rph, Jill Roberts, Rrh, Sheila Raines, Rph, and the staff at Winn Dixie Pharmacy of Rainbow City; Shirley Sanders, R.N., Lamerle Payne, Peggy Teems and Dary Ann Turner, all of Ashville; and to Ruth Pope, R.N., at Alacare Hospice in Pell City.
In lieu of flowers, a tax-deductible memorial donation may be made in Ruby’s name to one of her favorite organizations listed below or to the charity of your choice.
The Baptist Bible Hour, Inc. c/o Radio Ministries
P.O. Box 17037, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217
The Ruby B. Braswell Memorial College Scholorship Fund
c/o The Kate Duncan Smith DAR School, Inc.
6077 Main Street
Grant, Ala. 35747
The Etowah Cancer Foundation
3730 Cedar Drive
Southside, Ala. 35907
The American Rose Society
(for Trial Grounds Research)
P.O. Box 30,000
Shreveport, La. 71119
JIM HENRY CARLISLE
WADLEY — Jim Henry Carlisle, formerly of Wadley, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, at West Lake Hospital in Morrow Park, Ill.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Wright’s Funeral Home.
MARY BOLEWARE GLENN
GOODWATER — Mary Boleware Glenn, 93, of Goodwater died Friday, Feb. 25, at Goodwater Nursing Home.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Armour Memorial Funeral Home of Alexander City.
JOHN L. NICKOLSON
SYLACAUGA — Graveside service for John L. Nickolson, 70, of Sylacauga will be Saturday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. in Marble Valley Cemetery
with the Rev. Donald Grice officiating.
Mr. Nickolson died Feb. 23 at Coosa Valley Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife, Clair Nickolson of Sylacauga; three sons, Mike Nickolson and wife Cindy of Graniteville, S.C., Bruce Nickolson and wife Laurie of Marble Valley, and David Nickolson and wife Kelly of Sylacauga; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Radney-Smith Funeral Home will direct the service.
ANNIE JO PATTERSON
TALLADEGA — Annie Jo Patterson, 92, of Talladega died Friday, Feb. 25, at Talladega Health Care Center.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Usrey Funeral Home.
March 2, 2005
EDWARD J. FAHY
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Funeral mass for Edward J. Fahy, 93, of Rockford, Ill., will be Saturday, March 5, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church in Rockford with the Rev. Monsignor Thomas E. Bales officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Catholic Mausoleum in Winnebago, Ill.
Mr. Fahy died Feb. 22 at Rockford Memorial Hospital. A native of Toluca, Ill., he was member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a graduate of Georgetown University, 1933, and of Georgetown Law School, 1937. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1936 in the District of Columbia, 1937 in Illinois, and 1956 to the U.S. Supreme Court. He married Helen Simmons in Washington, D.C., in 1937. He moved to Rockford in 1939 and began his law practice with Bill Knight. He specialized in Labor Relations (Management) Law and Corporation Law, and later was associated with Shultz, Fahy and Street, and until recently with Reno, Zahm, Folgate, Lindberg & Powell. He was also a member of the following Bar Associations: Winnebago County (Member, Executive Committee, 1965-1967), Illinois State (Chairman, Labor Law Section, 1951-1953), and American (Member: Labor and Employment Law Section; Committee on Development of Law under NLRA). He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Simmons Fahy; one daughter, Jeanie Fahy Hanley; his father, Michael Fahy; his mother, Josephine Luppens Fahy; stepmother, Evangeline Fahy; and two brothers and a sister.
He is survived by a son, Michael Fahy of Rockford, Ill.; a daughter, Kathie Fahy Norwood of Knoxville, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren: Kathleen Fahy Whelan of Chicago, Michael Fahy Jr. and Kevin Fahy of Madison, Wis., Sean Fahy of Frankfort, Ill., Patrick Fahy of Chicago, Chris Norwood Jr. of Talladega, Katie Norwood Alley and Bob Hanley of Knoxville, Brian Hanley of Orlando, Fla., and Michael Hanley Jr. of New York City; and three great-grandsons, Seth Hanley, Tyler Hanley and Patrick Whelan.
The family will receive friends Friday, March 4, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on South Mulford Road in Rockford from 5 to 8 p.m.
Fitzgerald Funeral Home will direct the service.
MICHAEL BRIAN BATSON
SYLACAUGA — Memorial service for Michael Brian Batson, 51, will be Friday, March 4, at 11 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Jose Manjaly officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Batson died Feb. 28 at Coosa Valley Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rita Batson; and his father, Sam Batson. He was a 1972 graduate of Sylacauga High School.
He is survived by sons, Derek Anthony Batson of St. Leonard, Md., Ryan Michael Batson of Lexington Park, Md., and Aaron Joseph Batson of St. Leonard, Md.; daughter, Kristin Dyan Batson of St. Leonard, Md.; brothers, Marty Batson and wife Wanda of Sylacauga and Pete Batson and wife Susan of Sylacauga; sister, Andrea Holland and husband Jim of Catonsville, Md.; two grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Catholic Church.
Curtis and Son Funeral Home North Chapel will direct the service.
VERNON EUGENE ETRESS
HARPERSVILLE — Funeral service for Vernon Eugene Etress, 74, will be Thursday, March 3, at 2 p.m. at Curtis and Son Funeral Home Childersburg chapel with the Rev. William Rayfield officiating. Burial will be in Harpersville Cemetery.
Mr. Etress died Feb. 28 at his residence. He was a retired farmer from Harpersville.
He is survived by sons, Richard A. Etress of Atlanta, Ga., Donald R. Etress of Harpersville and Timothy E. Etress of Harpersville; daughters, Glenda E. Blackerby of Childersburg, Hilda E. Nix of Sylacauga, Veronica E. Stewart of Harpersville, Kathy E. Ray of Faulkville, Bonnie E. Howard of Vincent, Tina E. Waldrop of Harpersville, Teresa D. Stewart of Renfroe and Dale E. Waldrop of Harpersville; brothers, Randy Etress of Childersburg, Billy H. Etress of Childersburg, Clyde Etress of Childersurg, Jerry Etress of Sylacauga and M.L. Etress of Sylacauga; sister, Louise Ridley of Midland, Texas; 28 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:30 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Kevin E. McNeel, Alan Dewberry, Michael Gould, Chris Nix, Jamie McNeel and John Dewberry.
Curtis and Son Funeral Home Childersburg Chapel will direct the service.
