Obituaries — Jan. 19 issue
SHERMAN AVANS
Sherman Charles Avans, 86, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.
He was born Oct. 5, 1935, to the late Gunner and Emma Avans. Sherman loved the outdoors and was a fishing enthusiast. He would fish no matter how cold or hot the weather. He played softball for many years and rooted for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Sherman cherished his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Lamar Avans and sister, Prinel Batey.
Survivors include his wife, Thelma Avans; sons, Charles (Rodenna) Avans and Chris (Lisa) Bynum; daughter, Sabra Long; brothers, Gary and Terry Avans; sisters, Brenda (Ralph) Moore, Jean (Neal) Hill and Karen (David) Haun; grandchildren, Stephanie (Curtis) Wright, Noah Bynum, Dusty Winters and Celeste Dover; four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Friday, Jan. 14 in the Bryant chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Terry Avans officiating. Interment was in at Gib Dock Cemetery.
A special thank you goes out to the staff Southern Care New Beacon Hospice for their care and dedication during his final days.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Bryant, Ala.
MARTHA BLEVINS
Martha (Susie) Blevins, 74, passed away, Thursday, Jan. 13,2022.
She was a long-time member of the Church of Christ faith and an avid book lover. She retired from the city of Chattanooga as a meter maid after 20 years of employment. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James (Sonny) Blevins, Jr., and son, Greg Blevins, both of Trenton.
She is survived by her mother, Johnnie Roberts; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Debbie Blevins; daughter, Sonya Blevins, all of Chattanooga, Tenn.; grandchildren; great–grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
RICKY DARNELL
Charles Richard “Ricky” Darnell, 69, of Ider, Ala., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.
Ricky gave his life to the Lord on Aug. 17, 1997, and was a founding member and elder of Mount Pisgah Holiness Church. His carpentry skills were vital in the building of the church. He served in the United States Army and was a paratrooper in the Vietnam War. After his military career, he worked in construction for many years. His work ethic provided for those in need, whether it was a wheelchair ramp or a much needed porch. Ricky was loved by many and loved everyone.
Ricky was preceded in death by his father, Charles E. Darnell; mother, Betty Sullivan; step-father Charles Sullivan; and in-laws, Rev. J.B. and Dorcas Pritchett.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Phyllis Darnell; daughters, Chanda Reese and LaShunda (Geoffrey) Giles; son, Zackary (Abby) Darnell; brothers, Mike (Mary) Darnell, Tommy Sullivan, Greg Sullivan, Chuckie Sullivan and Chris Sullivan; grandchildren, Riki Reese, Kira Reese, Jaxon Giles, Chloe Giles and Emma Giles; great-grandchild, Jace Blevins.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 15 at Mount Pisgah Free Holiness Church in Pisgah, Ala. Interment was at Oak Lawn Memorial Park in Bryant, Ala.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Bryant, Ala.
DAVID FOWLER
Mr. James “David” Fowler, Sr., 78, also known to some as Sam, Daddy and Papaw, passed away Tuesday Jan. 11, 2022.
David was born May 13, 1943, in Flat Rock, Ala., and was a lifelong resident of Sand Mountain. He was a graduate of Pisgah High School and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Expert Machine Gun badge, Marksman badge with Rifle and Auto Rifle, Army Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device, Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation, First Class; and Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars. He was also awarded the Purple Heart after being shot during combat in 1968. David retired from Wheland Foundry after 35 years, where he was a Journeyman Electrician and Maintenance Supervisor. He attended Straightway Baptist Church in Bryant, Ala.
David is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Iola Fowler of Flat Rock, Ala.; sisters, Edna Johnson and Diana Blanks both of Flat Rock, Ala.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Gayla Stephens Fowler; children, James Fowler, Jr., (Crystal) of Flat Rock, Ala.; Kathy (Pete) Bessiere, of Springville, Ala., and Tim (Bridget) Fowler of Trenton; brother, Herman (Patsy) Fowler of Trenton; sister, Betty (Ed) Wilcox of Callahan, Fla.; grandchildren, Breanna, Nicholas, Brooklyn, Trey, Rashea, David Patrick, Makayla and Cherish.
Funeral services were Sunday, Jan. 16 in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Gary Bone and Brother Laymond Wiloughby officiating. Interment was at Gibdock Cemetery.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
BOBBY HULVEY
Bobby Lee Hulvey, 77, of Bryant, Ala., passed away Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.
He was born Feb. 20, 1944, in Long Island, Ala., to the late Jim and Irene Roberts Hulvey. Bobby proudly served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam veteran. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gail C. Hulvey; sisters, Shirley Wasson and Donna Garcia; and brothers, William Buck Hulvey and James Hulvey.
Survivors include his daughters, Pamela (Jackie) Chambers, Felicia (Eddie Gilbert) Watson, Christina Williams; son, Robbie (Crystal) Hulvey; sisters, Louise Garner, Karen Cooper and Lucy Cricket Spuler; brothers, George and Marion Benny Hulvey; grandchildren, Jackie Lee Chambers, Crystal Gilbreath, Nicole Shumake, Brandy Watson, Jamison Sanders, Johnathan Sanders, Carey Sanders, Blake Hulvey, Jordan Hulvey, Hayley Hulvey, Ryan Durham, Shaelyn Ford and Lyla Bennett; 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be in the Bryant chapel of Moore Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 21 at 10:30 a.m. ET with Brother Wayne Winters and Brother Sam Whited officiating. Interment will follow the service at Lakewood Memory Gardens West.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Jan. 20 from 2–8 p.m. ET at the funeral home.
Please visit www.MooreFHS.com to view the online memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Bryant, Ala.
JOHN KING
John A. King, 75, of Trenton, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.
He was born in Seattle, Wash., the son of Daniel and Dolores (Bleckwenn) King. John graduated from Rutland High School in Vermont, class of 1965. Following graduation, he served two tours in Vietnam with the US Navy MBC3. After serving his country, John was employed in the trucking industry as an owner/operator for 50 years. He married Betty Peterson in 1967. They had three sons. In 1984, John and Patricia (Garnett) Hulsey were married and together they raised five teenagers.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his sons, John and Brandon; brothers, Mark and David.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia King; sons, Jason King and Jeffrey Hulsey (Dusty); daughters, Jennifer (Hulsey) Grijalva (Robert), Jill Faith (Hulsey) Belt (Marcus); sister, Alicia (King) Smith (Tom); brother, Dean King, (Colleen); 12 grandchildren and their spouses; 16 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m., at Trenton Civic Center, Price Street, Trenton.
Memorial donations in his memory may be made to your favorite charity or his, The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory.
FRANKLIN LANE, SR.
Franklin Lee Lane, Sr., 72, of Cloudland, passed Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. He was a truck driver that loved his job, owned Lane Construction and was a farmer. He was a member of Head River Baptist Church. He was a loving husband, father, and Papaw.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Joan Lane.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Friske Lane, Cloudland; daughters, Michelle (Tommy) Moore, Trenton; Penny Clark, Cloudland; sons, Franklin Lee Lane, Jr., and Eric R.H. Lane, Cloudland; sisters, Pauline Holder and Jean Jones of Chickamauga; brother, Robert (Patti) Lane, Chickamauga; grandchildren, Alex (Bethany) DeVries, Tyler Lane, Garrett Moore, Hannah (Chandler) Moon, Eric Clark, Abby Moore, Kaleb Clark; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 17 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Richard Howard officiating. Interment was in Mt. Carmel Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were brother, Robert Lane, and grandchildren, Alex DeVries, Tyler Lane, Garrett Moore, Eric Clark, and Kaleb Clark. Honorary pallbearer was James Borroughs.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
ELVA TOWNSON
Elva Virginia Townson, 92, passed away Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.
She was born Dec. 12, 1929, in Guntersville, Ala. Elva attended school at the Rock School in Dade County after her family moved to Sand Mountain. She was the second oldest child and the oldest daughter of Guy and Virgie Townson. Having no children of her own, Elva felt like a mom to the younger nine children. She would often buy gifts and allow them to live with her once she became employed and moved out on her own. Elva began working for 3M/Coors January 1953 and worked for 40–plus years until her retirement. She was a member of Straightway Baptist Church in Bryant, Ala. She enjoyed time with her family and working in her yard.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Virgie Townson; brothers, Kenneth (Martila), Freeman (Betty), Royce Ray (Ruth) and Jimmie Townson; sisters, Reba (Lee) Manson, Lottie (Charles) Douglas, and Judy (Tim) Knight; brother in-laws, Wes Kennemore and Royce Cloud.
Survivors include her sisters, Mavis Kennemore and Betty Cloud; brother, Jerry (Vicky) Townson; nieces, nephews; great–nieces and great–nephews; great-great nieces and nephews.
A special thank you goes out to the doctors, nurses and staff of Dade Health and Rehab as well as Tapestry Hospice for their care and dedication during her last days.
Funeral services were Wednesday, Jan. 12 in the Bryant chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Gary Bone officiating. Pallbearers were Chris Floyd, Justin Lloyd, Darrel Townson, Germi Cloud, Japeth Randolph and Corey Brooks.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view her memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Bryant, Ala.