Obituaries 10/13

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 The News Courier, 232-2720.



McKenzie Danielle Gilbert

The graveside service for McKenzie Danielle Gilbert, infant, of Athens will be at 11 a.m. today at Pettusville Cemetery with Kenneth Owens officiating. Spry Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

McKenzie died Oct. 8, 2007, at Athens-Limestone Hospital.



John Jackson

The funeral for John “Billy” Jackson, 77, of Anderson will be at 2 p.m. today at Spry Funeral Home with Jerry Smith officiating. Burial will be Oakgrove Cemetery.

Mr. Jackson died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, at home.

He was born Jan. 3, 1930, in Limestone County. He attended Enon Baptist Church and was retired from the 3M Company in Decatur.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Jackson, and three sisters, Nell Bates, Treva Brown and Ruby Jean Green.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Williams Jackson of Anderson; two sons, Larry Jackson and wife Melissa, and Robert “Dickie” Jackson and wife Dianna, all of Anderson; three daughters, Melissa Germann and husband Paul of Madison, Cindy Amerson and husband Mitchell of Pulaski, Tenn., and Leann Pyron of Athens; one sister, Lois Fain of Athens; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Clint Jackson, Mitchell Amerson, Mike Newby, Ronnie Bates, Morris Gatlin and Seth Parker.



Raymond Lewis Roberts

The funeral for Raymond Lewis Roberts, 86, of Athens will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Spry Funeral Home with Billy Taylor and Richard Bradford officiating. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 tonight at the funeral home.

Mr. Roberts died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, at home.

He was born Nov. 19, 1920, in Limestone County. He was a John Deere dealer in Athens for 32 years. He was a fruit farmer and owner of Roberts Portable Buildings. He was a member of the Athens Lions Club and a former board of director for Athens-Limestone Hospital, a charter member of Alfa, a member of the Limestone County Democratic Executive Committee, and served on the advisory staff of the governor from 1967-1971. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Hardaway Roberts of Athens; two daughters, Betty Turpen and husband Bobby of Athens, Carol Balch and husband Danny of Madison; grandchildren, Tammy Bell, Terry Turpen, Joey Balch; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Dowland, Thomas Bell, Drew Turpen and Luke Turpen.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Robby Balch.

Pallbearers will be Alan Marsh, Larry Marsh, Don Marsh, Terry Turpen, Joey Balch, Mark Bell, Tyler Dowland and Thomas Bell.

Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Newby, Robert Lauderdale, Fred Hays, James Rithmire and Melvin McLemore.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.