Marshall Schavland Knudsen

Marshall Schavland Knudsen, of Marion, AL died at his home Tuesday at the age of 64, the victim of a massive heart attack.

He was the son of the late Olaf and Isabelle Marshall Knudsen of Mobile.

He was the grandson of the late Captain and Mrs. Mathias Knudsen, also of Mobile, who came to this country from their native Norway.

His maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Blanchard Marshall.

Born in Mobile, he attended University Military School and was a member of the Savannah High School graduating class of 1962.

After studying at Spring Hill College and The University of Montevallo, he earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at

the University of Alabama.

A devoted patriot, Mr. Knudsen served in the US Army Reserves before beginning his teaching career and more recently served in the US Naval Reserves as an intelligence analyst.

A distinguished teacher, Mr. Knudsen began teaching at Marion Military Institute (MMI) where he taught History, English and Spanish.

He also coached The Striders, the school’s running team.

For the last several decades he taught English and French at Morgan Academy.

Mr. Knudsen was much adored by his students and was named Teacher of the Year by the Alabama Independent Schools Association.

In 2008, he was presented with the Dedicated Service Award by the MMI Alumni Brigade.

Mr. Knudsen was an active member of the community. He served as President of the Perry County Historic Preservation Society and was writing a book on the history of Perry County at the time of his death.

He served on the Alabama Republican Executive Committee, and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Confederate Veterans.

Mr. Knudsen is survived by his wife of 37 years, Astrid Parham Douglass Knudsen and their three children, Cecelia Miller Dial of Marion, and Virginia Miller Hicks and Robert Sheffield Miller of Tampa, Fl., as well as six grandchildren: M. Joseph and Douglass Fitzzerald, and Russell Dial; Margaret and Amelia Hicks; and Courtney Kelley. His two sisters, Martha Knudsen Kavanaugh and Lane Knudsen Parker, both of Tuscaloosa, also survive him.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Friday, May 20th, at the family home, Confederate Hall, 308 W. Green St., Marion, followed by a memorial service there.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, at 2p.m., in the Knudsen plot at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile.

Pallbearers are Robert Miller, Joseph and Douglass Fitzgerald, Michael Kavanaugh, Michael Parker, and Franklin Parker. Honorary pallbearers are Winston Groom, Enzo Finizola, Michael Kavanaugh, Jr., and Michael Parker, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norwegian Seaman’s Church of New Orleans, the Mobile chapter of which, his grandmother, Martha Schavland Knudsen, founded in the early 1900’s.

Joe Lee Snow Sr

Joe Lee Snow Sr., 78, of Selma, died Friday,

June 13, 2008, at Light House Nursery Home.

Services will be held at

1:00pm, Saturday, June 21, 2008, with Rev. David Perry officiating.

Burial will follow at Friendship Church Cemetery under direction of Lewis Brothers Funeral Home.

Mr. Snow was a Retired Veteran. He also worked for Miller Lumber Company.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maggie and John Henry Snow; son, Roy Lee Reese; sister, Corine McCullough; two brothers, Lindbergh Snow and Johnny Snow.

Suvivors include his wife, Ella Mae Snow; son, Joe Lee Snow Jr. (Velma)- Detriot, MI; four daugthers, Brenda Snow- Birmingham AL, Maggie Snow- Atlanta GA, Mattie Carter (Charles)- Selma, AL, and Vera Murphy- Selma, AL; six step children; two brothers, Willie Snow- Selma, AL, and Joseph Snow- Syracuse, NY; five sisters, Maratha Jackson- Syracuse, NY, Claudia Mae Snow- Minter, AL,

Magdaline Bonner – Snowhill, AL, Josephine Snow- Pensacola, FL, and Mary S. Hall- Selma, AL. And a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, several neices, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pallbearers will be nephews, cousins, and friends.

Betty “Jean” Fancher McCain

Betty “Jean” Fancher McCain, age 72, passed away peacefully in Fort Walton Beach, FL on Monday, June 16, 2008 of ovarian cancer.

Jean was born in Sprott, AL on May 8, 1936.

She was a master seamstress and she enjoyed painting pictures, shopping yard sales and collecting trinkets of all kinds.

Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends and always lent a helping hand when needed.

Jean is survived by her brother, Carlos Brooks Fancher, Jr. of Selma, AL; sons, John (Tonya)McCain and Rusty (Diane) McCain of Mary Esther, FL; grandchildren, Tiffany, Stephanie, Lyle, John, Misti and Tony; great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Dallas, McKinley, Hannah, Ashley and Carlos.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews; and very special, dear friends that Jean descends her love upon.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Carlos Brooks Fancher and Bertha Mobley Fancher; brothers, Woodrow, Pete and Cecil; sister, Kora; and her beloved husband, Donald G. McCain.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

The family sends love and wishes to thank Woodrow Fancher, Jr and his family for all of the love and support shown to Jean and the comfort given to the family throughout her last weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL, 32578 or to the American Cancer Society, 339 NW Racetrack Rd, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547 in Jean’s memory.

Cremation services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of Fort Walton Beach, FL.

She is an Angel – given to us – to love and cherish, and in return – She has a true loving, caring spirit in which we are better people for knowing.

She has touched our lives so deeply in her own special way.

With eternal blessings and love, we say to you, “Dear Angel, Welcome Home.”

Rosetta Joy Yoder

Rosetta Joy Yoder, age 44, a resident of Orrville, AL, passed away June 18, 2008.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cynthia Yoder; mother, Clara Yoder.

She is survived by her husband, Owen Yoder; daughter, Angela Rose Yoder; father and step-mother, Elvin and Barbara Yoder; mother and father-in-law, Paul and Esther Yoder; brothers, Ray and Gladys Yoder, Herman and Sharon Yoder, Nathan Yoder, and Paul Yoder; sisters, Delores and Broadus Massey, Mary Yoder and Glenda and Emanuel Yoder; and brother and sister-in-laws, Marvin and Miriam Yoder, William and Lila Yoder, Jonathan and Judy Weaver, Leonard and Joyce Weaver and Kenneth and Bertha Yoder.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Selma Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charles Sullivan officiating.

Interment will be in Orrville Cemetery with Selma Funeral Home directing.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, June 20, 2008 from 6-8:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Yoder, Samuel Massey, Anthony Weaver, Merlin Yoder, Nathan Yoder and Conrad Weaver.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to a charity of your choice.

Please visit http://www.selmafuneralhome.com/

to make on line condolences to the family.

Ira Dell Vick Brown

Ira Dell Vick Brown, 95, died Thursday, June 19, 2008 in Linden, AL.

Services will be announced at a later date by Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home.

Ruby T. Williams

Ruby T. Williams, 77, a resident of Selma, passed June 16, 2008.

Funeral services will be Friday June 20, 2008 at 11a.m. in the Chapel of J.H. Williams & Sons Funeral Home with Rev. James Spicer, Sr. officiating.

Burial will follow in Fairlawn Memory Garden.