Obituaries 3-30

Published 10:06 pm Thursday, March 29, 2007

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 a detailed 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 Byars at The News Courier, 232-2720.



Gracie Mae Baker

Gracie Mae Baker, 70, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at her home.

Funeral services for Mrs. Baker will be today at New Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church at noon with Pastor Larry Lockett Sr. officiating. Burial will be in the Royal Cemetery in Madison.

The body will be in the church from 11 a.m. until noon.

Survivors include her husband, O.C. Baker Jr.; three sons, Marvin (Diartal) Baker, Gary (Tina) Baker, Thomas (Peggy) Malone; six daughters, Rose Matthew, Linda (John) Farrar, Myrtle Baker, Elettie (Jerry) Farrar, Equinta (John) Crutcher and Nikkie Baker; 21 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.



Clarence Beckler

Clarence Beckler of Harwell Road in Athens died Thursday, March 29, 2007, at his residence. Arrangements will be announced later by Limestone Chapel Funeral Home.



Virginia Dollar

The funeral for Virginia Dollar, 70, of Athens will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Rick Craft officiating. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.

Mrs. Dollar died Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at her residence.

She was born Dec. 27, 1936, in Giles County, Tenn. She was a member of the Pentacostal Church and a homemaker.

She is survived by one daughter, Linda Condry of Hartselle; one son, Jackie Garrett of Gaffney, S.C.; four brothers, Richard Steelman of Elkmont, Claybren Steelman and Curtis Steelman, both of Athens, and Joe Steelman of Ohio; three sisters, Dee Adams and Faye McGrew, both of Athens, and Ann Dotson of Elkmont; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be James Steelman, Marcus Steelman, Travis Whitehead, Jason Whitehead, Dwight Steelman and Jimmy Steelman.



Charlie Lee Stanford

The funeral for Charlie Lee Stanford, 81, of Athens will be at 4 p.m. today at McConnell Funeral Home with Dr. Rick Craft officiating. Burial will be in Legg Cemetery.

Mr. Stanford died Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at Huntsville Hospital.

Mr. Stanford was born March 20, 1926, in Limestone County to John Henry Stanford and Clara Jenkins Stanford. He was an Army veteran of World War II and he worked as a carpenter in Athens and Limestone County.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Jean Stanford, and a daughter, Brenda K. Stanford.

He is survived by four daughters, Judy Dison of Elkmont, Linda Putman, Dana Marinelarena and Regina Chambers, all of Athens; two sons, Rickey Stanford and Rick Jackson, both of Athens; one brother, Billy Stanford of Lester; one sister, Agnes Tennison of Athens; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Calvin Stanford, Dennis Stanford, Danny Stanford, Davey Stanford, Kevin Stanford and Torrey Putman.



Rosemary C. Tidwell

Rosemary Conn Barber Tidwell, 79, of Florence passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2007.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at Spry Serenity Chapel in Florence.

Reception will be from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. The service will follow at the church at 12:30 p.m. with the Rev. Sarah Gaede officiating. A graveside service will follow at Athens City Cemetery.

Mrs. Tidwell was a native of Athens having lived in Florence for the past 49 years, and a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Florence.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Edward Barber (1971) Richard Kenneth Tidwell (1995) son, Randy Barber; parents, Will and Dell Conn; brothers Douglas and Clinton Conn.

Survivors include, daughters, Lisa Hill and husband Roger of Florence, Lori “Lolly” Jones and husband Jack of Jackson, Tenn., Tracey Smith and husband Darin of Killen; sons, Tony Barber and wife Cindy of Somerville, Phillip Barber and wife Susan of Sheffield; sisters, Freda Leousis and husband Peter of St. Petersburg, Fla.; grandchildren, Benjamin Mitchell and wife Jensi; Mark Hill and wife Tiffany; Leah Ford and husband Chris; Sara Mitchell; Sam Barber; Claire Barber; Hilary, Andrea and Nick Jones; Blake and Lauren Barber; Whitney, Chase and Tori Smith; and great-grandchildren, Calvin and Mazzy Mitchell.

Grandsons will be pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Callahan, Larry Head, Henry Gaede, Daryl Thornton, Bart Cannon and Dewain Vickery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Shoals, 115 Fairground Road, Florence, Ala., 35630.

Friends and family are asked to bring a favorite photograph or story to share at the reception.