Iris Mae Smith

Iris Mae Smith, age 94, died on Monday, April 17, 2006 at Shelby Ridge Nursing Home in Alabaster where she had been a resident for 7 months.

She was born on February 21, 1912 in Perryville, AL. Mrs. Smith was the daughter of Adolfus E. Tadlock and Verna W. Tadlock.

She married Jesse Alton Smith in November 1939. His death preceded hers in 1992.

She had a 30 year career with South Central Bell, retiring in 1967. Mrs. Smith was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class.

Survivors include nieces and nephews: Dorothy L. (Charles) Lawley of Gautier, MS., Diane L. (Ronnie) Mayfield of Hurley, MS., Larry Lawley of Gulf Shores, Al., Mike Mayfield of Hurley, MS., Winston (Pat) Stone of Selma, AL., Ada Callen G. (Bob) Keys of Calera, AL., Debra K. Woodfin of Hoover, AL., Connie K. Young of Pelham, AL., and Emily K. Harris of Montgomery, AL.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 20, 2006 at New Live Oak Cemetery with Rev. Lee Tate officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the Staff of Homewood of Selma, Inc., where Mrs. Smith resided for five years, and to the Staff of Shelby Ridge Nursing Home in Alabaster, AL for the loving care they extended to Aunt Mae.

We will miss her kind sweet nature and her constant sense of humor.

Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Memorial Fund, First Baptist Church of Selma.

Mattie Rogers

Mattie Rogers, age 101, a resident of Selma passed away on April 18, 2006 at a local hospital.

Final arrangements will be announced later by J. H. Williams & Sons Funeral Home.

Ruth Porter Watkins

Ruth Porter Watkins, age 82, of Gordo, AL died on April 17, 2006 at DCH Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 11:00 am at Hannah United Methodist Church. Rev. Charles Herron and Rev. Dalton Eason, presiding clergy. Burial will follow in New Live Oak Cemetery, Selma, AL with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.

Visitation will be Wednesday night, 6:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home.

The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.

Mrs. Watkins was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Watkins; her parents; brothers, Grady J. Porter and Roy K. Porter; sisters, Jewell Randolph, Roena Livingston and Virginia Chatham.

Survivors include: four sisters, Doris (William) Hall of Gordo, AL, Sara Weidenbach of Northport, AL, Geraldine Griffin of Gordo, AL, Brenda (Ken) Bailey of Aliceville, AL; one brother, Gene H. (Sara) Porter of Gordo, AL; and a number of nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Mrs. Watkins was born March 28, 1924 in Gordo, Alabama to the late Thomas “Gray” and Lula Hitt Porter.

She grew up living in the Zion community, graduated Gordo High School in 1943 and worked 30 plus years with the telephone company in Selma, Alabama where she retired as chief telephone operator.

Ruth moved back to Gordo-Zion community and lived many years enjoying friends and family.

Hannah United Methodist Church, where she was a member, meant so much to her.

As long as she was able to attend, she was present every Sunday.

She laughed a lot and enjoyed people very much.

Pallbearers are Pete Porter, Ronnie Randolph, Randall Livingston, Mark Porter, Tim Hall, Joey Griffin, Bryan Porter and Lance Bailey.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Keith DeBell and special friends, Denise Smith, Eunice Vaughn, Alice Parker and Wendy McDaniel.

Abby Larain Fancher

Abby Larain Fancher, age 22 months, of Plantersville, AL died on Sunday, April 16, 2006 in a local hospital.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 21, 2006 at 258 Oak Street, Plantersville, AL with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow in Plantersville Christian Cemetery.

Abby is survived by her parents, Valerie B. and LeRoy Fancher; twin sister, Andee Fancher; sister, Allie Fancher and two brothers, Alec and Austin Fancher.

Family visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 pm Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 258 Oak Street in Plantersville.