Area deaths

07-23-2008

ADNA MAE BENTON PELL CITY — Funeral service for Mrs. Adna Mae Benton, 78, will be Thursday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at Usrey Chapel, Pell City, with the Rev. Billy Patterson and the Rev. Carroll Spain officiating. Burial will be in St. Clair Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Benton died Monday, July 21, 2008 in Birmingham. She was a member of the Moody Parkway Church of God. Survivors are her husband, Douglas Benton of Pell City; daughters, Brenda Swain of Geraldine and Joan Gragg Sims of Munford; sons, Larry (Dorothy) White of Jemison and Steve (Sheila) White of Kowagia; stepdaughter, Cheryl White of Montevallo; 12 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Usrey Funeral Home in Pell City will direct the service. RICKY DARBY SYLACAUGA — Graveside services for Mr. Ricky Darby, age 49, will be Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m. at the Darby Cemetery in Hollins with Bro. Roy Johnson officiating. Mr. Darby passed away Monday, July 21, 2008 at the Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga. He was a native and life long resident of Clay County and had worked in the shipping department of the Eva Jane Plant at Avondale Mills for 20 years. He is survived by his mother, Ruth Darby of Hollins; one daughter, Brittany Darby of Sylacauga; four sisters, Brenda Joiner (Donald), Dianne Mason (Jimmy), Angie Robinson (Eugene) all of Hollins, and Carolyn Harmon (Kenny) of Weogufka; two brothers, Doyle Darby (Beverly) of Jemison and Alton Darby of Hollins. He was preceded in death by his father, Stewart Darby; and one brother, Billy Ray Darby. Pallbearers will be Donald Joiner, Jimmy Mason, Eugene Robinson, Kenny Harmon, Charles Joiner and Edwin Woods. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Grice, Donald Lightsey, Kevin Barnett, Elton Connelley and Chad Kissic. The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday July 23. Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland in charge of the arrangements. Sign on condolences at www.benefieldfuneralhome.com. JAMES MATHEW MUNROE TALLADEGA — Graveside Rites for Mr. James Mathew Munroe, 42, will be Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Leeann Scarbrough officiating. Mr. Munroe died Monday, July 21, 2008 at his residence. He was a graduate of Talladega High School, Shelton State and attended the University of Alabama. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was employed by United Health Viva Insurance as an entrepreneur. Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James D. Munroe of Talladega; and brother, Mark Daniel Munroe of Talladega. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 23, at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ones favorite charity or First Presbyterian Church. Usrey Funeral Home in Talladega will direct the service. ARTHUR LOUIS PEARSALL SYLACAUGA — Arthur Louis Pearsall, 85, died July 22, 2008 at Brookwood Medical Center. Radney-Smith Funeral Home will announce arrangements. JAMES LEONARD STEVENS SR. CHILDERSBUG — Funeral service for James Leonard Stevens Sr., 74, will be Thursday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at Curtis and Son Childersburg Chapel with the Rev. William Rayfield officiating. Burial will be in Childersburg Cemetery. Mr. Stevens died July 21, 2008 at Citizens Baptist Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his mother, Birdie Stevens; father, Marcus Newsome Stevens; sister, Audrey Prestridge. He worked as a millwright for many years for Beaunit and National Standard Mfg. Co. He loved to work with his hands, the outdoors and life. Survivors are his wife, Vera Mae Stevens of Childersburg; son, James Leonard Stevens Jr. of Fayetteville; daughter, Dorcy Yvette Anderson of Harpersville; three grandchildren, April Ray (Jason) of Pleasant Grove, Donna Green (Philip) of Childersburg and Crystal Kelley (Lance Allen) of Harpersville; one great grandchild, Payton Ray. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 23, from 5-8 p.m. at Curtis and Son Childersburg Chapel. Curtis and Son Funeral Home Childersburg Chapel will direct the service. JAMES "FUZZY" WARD SYLACAUGA — Funeral service for James "Fuzzy" Ward, 77, will be Thursday, July 24, at 10 a.m. at Radney-Smith Chapel with the Rev. Bob Owens officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Sylacauga. Mr. Ward died Monday, July 21, 2008 at Coosa Valley Medical Center. He was preceded in death by two sons, William Maynard Ward and Charles Christopher Ward; parents, W.W. and Berta Ward; brothers, Louie, Fay, Mason, L.W. and Jack Ward; sisters, Gertie Jones and Ruth Bulger. He was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and was a Mason. He retired as a pulp mill superintendent from Kimberly-Clark in 1989 after 36 years of service. He was an avid fan of Alabama football and golf and volunteered at the Boys' Club of Sylacauga. Survivors are his wife of 54 years, Betty Davis Ward of Sylacauga; sons, Jimmy Ward and wife Jean of Roswell, Ga., Steve Ward and wife Judy of Sylacauga and Donnie Ward and wife Kim of Newnan, Ga.; brother, Burnas Ward of Sylacauga; sister, June Swint of Siloam Springs, AK; grandchildren, Amanda Ward Olsen and husband Pete, Allison Ward, Kellen Ward, Drew Ward, Sydney Ward, Haley Ward, Travis Ward and Jason Ward. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 23, from 5-8 p.m. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 800 W. Park St., Sylacauga, Ala. 35150 or the Boys' Club of Sylacauga, 412 N. Pine St., Sylacauga, Ala. 35150. Pallbearers will be Travis Ward, Pete Olsen, Jason Ward, Harold Ward, Drew Ward and Ernie Ward. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Brooks, Eddie Forbus, Todd Reaves, Jerry Lewis, Steve Masters, Dan Schabel, The Rev. Charles Adkins and Judge Jerry Fielding. Radney-Smith Funeral Home will direct the service. CHRISTY S. WOOD LINCOLN — Christy S. Wood, age 52, of Lincoln passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. Christy was a beloved wife, mother, and friend, and loved everyone she ever came in contact with. Christy was born on May 12, 1956 in Dover, DE. She grew up with her parents, sisters, and brother in Homewood. Christy spent the last 15 years of her life serving the community of Lincoln in various capacities, including PTA president, Athletic Booster Club, and numerous other charities and organizations. Her true legacy will be the limitless love she spread amongst the people she knew. She was always quick to sacrifice herself for the good of others and would lend a hand or an ear to anyone in need of help. She was a great friend and family member and her presence will be truly missed. Christy is survived by her husband, Louis Wood Jr. of Lincoln; her two sons, Brett Wood and his wife Brooke of Raleigh, NC and Jeremy Wood of Lincoln; her mother, Patricia Shackelford of Lincoln; two sisters, Courtney Slater of Alabaster and Katie Vann of Homewood; a brother, Patrick Shackelford of Oak Mountain; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at on Saturday, July 26, at 1 p.m. at Lincoln United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Please send flowers to Lincoln United Methodist Church of Lincoln or in lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Cancer Society or Toys for Tots.

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