Obituaries – Feb. 12th Issue
PAMELA BLACK
Pamela “Pam” Renee Black, 52, of Flat Rock, Ala., passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.
Pam was known for her fun-loving spirit and big heart. She selflessly went out of her way to help others and cherished the relationships she formed throughout her life. Family meant everything to her, and she loved them deeply while enjoying precious time spent together. Her unwavering faith in Jesus was also a central part of her life.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Shankles Sr., and her mother-in-law, Lois Ann Hughes.
Survivors include her husband, Buck Black; mother, Martha Turner; children, Ashley (Jeri) Clines, Matthew (Christy) Stone, and Lane (Destiny Hatfield) Black; sisters, Veronica Shankles and Annette Scott; brothers, Don Shankles and Ricky White; grandchildren, Zoey, Taten, Ethan, and Evan Clines, Arora, Caiden, and Kinsley Stone.
Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m., ET. Interment will be at Payne Gap Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Friday from 11 a.m., until the time of the service.
Memorial donations may be made directly to Moore Funeral Home to assist with her final expenses.
Those who wish to express their condolences and view her memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
EMMERY BROWN
Emmery Otties Brown, 87, of Flat Rock, Ala., passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
Born to the late William Arthur, and Margret Gustie Hudgins Brown on May 6, 1937, in DeKalb County, Ala., Emmery was always surrounded by family. Emmery graduated from ninth grade at the Mt. Olive School in Higdon, Ala. He was an Elder at Higdon Holiness Church. He worked at Jackson County Water Heater for 26 years, 15 years in metal fabrication, and a lifelong farmer with a real knack for gardening, cattle and hogs.
In addition to his parents, Emmery was preceded in death by his children, Alvie McKenzie and Debra Brown; siblings, Estelle Martin, Ardelle Brown, Odell White, Willis Brown, Unice Brown, Ilene Lowery, Delmos Brown, Emma Freeman, Afies Brown, Jewel Freeman, Arthur Brown, Jr., Laura Lee Robinson, Annie Oney, Herbert Freeman, and Ethel Shrader; and his grandchild, Katie Lynn Brown.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Joyce Godwin Brown; children, Youthel (Dedra) Brown, Vicky (Danny) Forshee, and Roger (Lynn) Brown; sisters, Dorothy Wooten and Faye Edmonds; grandchildren, Kelvin Brown, Amy (Kyle) Middlebrooks, Kellie (Shannon) Byrd, Dustin (Faith) McKenzie, Darren (Brittney) Brown, Derek (Larissa) Brown, and Leah (Nicolas) LaHayne; great-grandchildren, Kaden and Konner Brown, Emily, Blake and Grayson Middlebrooks, Mackiezie (Preston) Guest, Makayla and Maddie, Klaire and Emory Byrd, Mallory and A.J. McKenzie, Easton Edgeworth, Aria, Aralynn, Luke, Logan and Reagan Brown, and Stephanie, Raya, Alyson, Karaleah and Jade LaHayne; extended family.
Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 8, at Higdon Free Holiness Church with Brother Edwin Spurgeon and Brother Marian Lawson officiating. Interment was at Oak Lawn Memorial Park in Bryant, Ala.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to special friend, Marian Lawson for their compassionate care.
Those who wish to express their condolences and view his memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Trenton.
JIMMY BROWN
James “Jimmy” Noble Brown, 76, of Rising Fawn, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, whose cheerful spirit touched the lives of many. He cherished time spent with family, who were the cornerstone of his life. He was a hardworking individual and continued to work at O’Reilly Auto Parts after retirement. His commitment to service extended beyond his profession as he proudly served in the United States Army.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Noble Brown.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Deborah Brown; children, Chris Brown, Jennifer Brown, Cynthia (Adam) Ortwein, and Jon Brown; grandchildren, Christen Fuller, Jonah Brown, Rhyder Brown, Bettye Ortwein, and Edwin Ortwein; mother, Nellis Brown; brothers, Richard (Lis Marie) and Raymond (Donna) Brown; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Brown.
Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home, with Brother Dewayne Moon and Brother Don Clowers officiating. Interment was at New Testament Holiness Cemetery in Sand Rock, Ala.
The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to Brandi, Crystal, and the staff at Hearth Hospice, as well as special friend Joey Fisher for their compassionate care during this time.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
VANDA CLARK
Vanda Jackson Clark, 80, of Trenton, passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
Vanda was a dedicated business owner who operated Clark Automotive alongside his son, Todd, serving the Dade County community for over 50 years. He cherished the relationships he built with customers, often enjoying conversations that spanned many topics. Vanda had a playful sense of humor and would often liken himself to a psychiatrist, financial advisor, or marriage counselor, depending on the needs of those he spoke with. Vanda adored his wife, Louise, and valued the time spent with his family. He was a long-time member of Trenton Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, A.J. and Sarah Autry Clark; siblings, Laron Clark and Margaret Pittman.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Louise Clark; son, Todd Clark; grandson, Ridge Clark; and sisters, Dink Smith and Sarah Mann.
Funeral services were Monday, Feb. 10, at the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Eddie Cantrell officiating. Interment was at Lake Hills Memorial Gardens.
Those who wish to express their condolences and view his memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
ALLEN HOLCOMB
Allen Morrell Holcomb, 62, of Trenton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
Born Jan. 3, 1963, in Chattanooga, Tenn., Allen was the son of Morrell and Rochelle Holcomb. He had a profound love for the outdoors and often spent his time embracing the beauty of nature. Gardening was one of his passions, and he took great joy in sharing the fruits of his labor with others.
Allen was preceded in death by his father, Morrell Holcomb; sister, Ava Marie Taylor; maternal grandmother, Jewel McBryar; paternal grandparents, John and Magnolia Holcomb.
Survivors include his mother, Rochelle Holcomb; brother, John Michael (Kim) Holcomb; nieces and nephews, John (Brittany) Holcomb, Zack (Emily) Holcomb, Taylor (Robert) Adkins, and Alicia (Connor) Haye; great-nieces and great-nephews, Aidan and William Holcomb, Robbie Bossier, Jamison Hayes, and Hunter Adkins; extended family members.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate Allen’s life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
SORITA MCKENZIE
Sorita Ellen Wheeler McKenzie, 81, of Trenton, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
Sorita, or CeCe as she was affectionately known by her family and close friends, was born Dec. 10, 1943, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to I.H. (Pat, Jr.) and Delilah Willis Wheeler. She was a lifelong resident of Trenton and a graduate of Dade County High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., and a master’s degree from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. She was a teacher in the Dade County school system for many years, mostly at Davis Elementary School, and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma organization for women educators. She was also a member of the Trenton Church of Christ. It was at a Bible study at the Trenton congregation where she met A.W. (Buddy) McKenzie, and where they wed on June 15, 1969. They celebrated more than 52 years of marriage before Buddy’s passing in 2022. In addition to her work as a teacher, CeCe was a talented artist, cook, baker and musician who sang alto. She liked to knit, crafting afghans and baby blankets that became treasured keepsakes.
Sorita was preceded in death by her parents, husband and son, Patrick McKenzie.
Survivors include her son, Michael McKenzie; grandchildren, Ben and Ella McKenzie; daughter-in-law, Amanda McKenzie; sisters, Patricia Cheatham and Delilah West; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A service to celebrate her life will be Friday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Trenton Church of Christ. Interment will be at Lake Hills Memorial Gardens.
Please share your thoughts and memories on her condolence page at ryanfuneralhome.net.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 14, from 1 p.m. until the service hour at Trenton Church of Christ.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
TINA MORGAN
Tina Lorraine Morgan, 54, of Trenton, passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
Tina was born in Ft. Oglethorpe on Dec. 19, 1970, to the late David and Ollie Mae Ford. She attended Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe High School.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Felicia Lynn Ford.
Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Tommy Eugene Morgan; sons, Tommy Eugene “T.J.” Morgan, Jr., and Brandon Lee Morgan; brother, David Ford; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were Sunday, Feb. 9 at Robert Ford Cemetery with Bro. Mike Howell officiating.
Condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.