Obituaries 9-21
Published 9:23 pm Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The News Courier will publish, free of charge, death notices including the name, age and city of residence of the deceased, date and place of death, and time and place of funeral service and visitation. Family members may express themselves in a eulogy, list survivors and give detailed biographical information about the deceased in a paid obituary. The News Courier will accept these paid items from the family, funeral directors or other individuals. Paid obituaries may include a photo at no extra charge. For information, call Vanessa McKee at The News Courier, 232-2720.
Sydney Kathleen Norris
A private graveside service for infant Sydney Kathleen Norris, of Harvest, will be Friday at Colbert Memorial Gardens. Limestone Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.
The infant died Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, at Athens-Limestone Hospital.
She is survived by her parents, Daniel and Tandy Norris of Harvest; two brothers, Spencer Norris and Austin Norris, both of Harvest; grandparents, Russell Blackwell and Judy Blackwell, both of Tuscumbia, William Norris and Joe Ann Norris, both of Montgomery; great-grandparents, Sara Blackwell of Sheffield and Kathleen Mills of Tuscumbia.
Joseph M. Roberts Sr.
Joseph Martin Roberts Sr., 68, of Bismarck, Ill., died at 1:55 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006, at his home. A time of remembrance of his life and funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Pape Memorial Home and Cremation Garden in Danville, Ill., with Donald Porter officiating. A gathering of friends and visitation will be from 4 to 7 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2509 S. Neil St., Suite 1, Champaign, Ill., 61820. Burial will be at the National Cemetery in Danville. Military rites by Korean War veterans.
Joseph was born Feb. 1, 1938, in Jackson County to Herman Boyd and Nellie B. Beddingfield Roberts. He attended grade school in Athens and later received his GED while in the military. He served in the Army from April 1956 to April 1959 and then again from March 1961 to March 1964 as a sergeant.
He was a member of the United Auto Workers and the National Rifle Association for many years. He loved to hunt, fish and drink coffee with his buddies at the local restaurant. He especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, who will miss him dearly.
Joseph married Wanda L. Porter on May 15, 1971, in Danville. She preceded him in death Dec. 27, 2005. Survivors include two sons, Joseph Roberts Jr. and wife Elizabeth of Westville, Ill., Paul Roberts of Danville, Ill.,; one daughter, Beth Wasson of Tilton, Ill.; four brothers , James Roberts and wife Shirley of Tilton, Ill., Ray Roberts of Athens, Leon Roberts and wife Mary of Rogersville and Clayburn Roberts and wife Layne of Athens; three sisters, Mary Miller and husband Robert of Athens; Vaughnie Faulkner and husband Kenneth of Athens, Ruby Brown and husband Ted of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, D.C. Roberts.
Guest register: www.papemortuarty.com.
Nick Wilson Rowe
Nick Wilson Rowe, 85, of Athens, died Tuesday Sept. 19, 2006, after an extended illness at his daughter’s home in Opelika.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at McConnell Funeral Home. The Rev. Ira Laney will officiate. Interment will be in Roselawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Mr. Rowe was a lifelong resident of the Cambridge community in Limestone County. He was a veteran of World War II and a retired cotton farmer. His gift to his loved ones was his unconditional love for his family and his love for farming and for the land. He frequently referred to Cambridge Lane as the “garden spot of the universe.”
He was born Aug. 16, 1921, in Athens to William Everette Rowe and Mary Edna Lewis Rowe. He attended Athens High School and was a lifelong member of Cambridge Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Sara McFadden Rowe; his parents; four brothers, Jack, Wales, Grady and Paul Rowe; and one sister, Margaret Rowe Sims.
Survivors include two daughters, Dr. Melinda Rowe Craig of Lexington, Ky., Dr. Sara Rowe Morton of Opelika; one grandchild, Sara Margaret “Peggy” Rossmanith of Opelika; one sister, Eula Rowe Henderson of Plant City, Fla., and many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.
Pallbearers will be Joe Don Bailey, Danny Barksdale, Nick Everette Henderson, Wes Isom, Charles McFadden and Wales Talmadge “Buddy” Rowe Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Alabama Medical Center, 665 Opelika Road, Auburn, Ala., 36830, or to the hospice of one’s choice.