James Doyle Spears
Mr. James Spears, age 92, of Brewton, Ala. passed away Friday, January10, 2025, in Hoover, Ala. He was a true southern gentleman, kind, compassionate, and led by example with a servant’s heart. He loved God, his family, and the Auburn Tigers. As an avid hunter and fisherman, you could find him in the woods when he wasn’t coaching football or baseball. With great integrity and love, he was exceptional in this role as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a loyal stepfather, uncle, and friend to all who knew him.
He was born in Greenbrier, AK. to Virgil Dean Spears and Mary Ruth War Spears. He graduated from Conway High School with athletic scholarships in baseball, track, and football. He attended and played at Arkansas State Teachers College, now known as the University of Central Arkansas. Once the Korean War began, he left college joining the US Navy eventually serving as a Navy Medic aboard the USS Valley Forge (1950-53).
Entering Utah State University (1954-56) he pursued a degree in Wildlife Management, and continued playing baseball, pitching for the Utes until his transfer to Alabama Polytechnic Institute (1956-58). As an Auburn University walk-on, he struggled to work, practice and study. Deciding to focus on his education, he left baseball and graduated with a degree in Forest Management in 1958.
On December 26, 1958, he married Billie Charles Dewberry in Auburn, AL. and they welcomed two children. Throughout his life, he served his church in all capacities. Joining the First United Methodist Church Atmore in 1970, he was the oldest living male member. He shared his time with the United Methodist Men’s Club and the Atmore Lions Club, when he wasn’t volunteering with Little League, Peewee Football, or the Boy Scouts.
He joined St. Regis Paper Company and held several positions, retiring as Timberlands General Manager from Champion International. He served as Chairman of the Advisory Counsel for the Auburn School of Forestry (1991-99), was a member of the Society of American Foresters and past president of the Alabama Forestry Association. He was appointed by Gov. Fob James to the Alabama Forestry Commission and later appointed by Gov. Guy Hunt to the Foresters Licensing Board. In 1992, he was awarded the Auburn University Outstanding Forestry Alumni and in 1994 was inducted into the Alabama Forestry Hall of Fame.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years, Billie Charles Dewberry Spears; parents; sisters, Genevia Hegi and Virginia Ellzey; brothers, Thomas Spears, Dean Spears, Virgil Spears, and nephew, Daniel Spears.
Mr. Spears is survived by his loving wife of seven years, Bobbie Bracken Herrington; daughter, Leigh Ann Horst of Fleming Island, Fla; son, Stan (Liz) Spears, of Hoover; two grandsons, Jacob Horst and Jordan Horst; two great-grandsons, Jordan Horst and Jack Horst; step-children, Sharon (Carl) McInnish, Bill (Kay) Herrington, Ronny (Pat) Herrington, all of Brewton and Tammi (Maxie) Bondurant, numerous step-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church Atmore.
The family received friends at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Interment was held at Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of James D. Spears to FUMC Atmore, More Than Bricks.
Johnson Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Brenda Sue Koehn Schneider
Mrs. Brenda Sue Koehn Schneider, age 77, of Walnut Hill, Fla., passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Columbus, Miss. after a brief illness. She was born to Allen and Osie Schmidt Koehn in Newton, Ks. She was a 1965 graduate of Halstead High School in Harvey County, Ks. She was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Grace Mennonite Church, Halstead.
She and her husband moved to Walnut Hill living on a farm until his tragic death in a farm-related accident on their thirtieth wedding anniversary. She expanded her cleaning service of homes and businesses until retirement in her early 70’s.
Mom had a love for flowers and plants. She kept a tidy house and was a delightful cook, making the best cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies. Her grandchildren were very dear to her. Skittles and M&Ms were always in ample supply at Grandma’s. Memories of her teaching the grandchildren to bake and drive at young ages will always be cherished. Another special memory is the many stories that she read to them, even at times over the phone.
As her health was starting to decline, it was decided she would move to Oakwood
Retirement Community in Brooksville, Miss. She was very excited to move into her new room on September 30, 2024. She appreciated the opportunity to make new friends and get reacquainted with old ones. She enjoyed going to Coffee Shop and playing Rummikub. Little did we know that her time at Oakwood would be so short, but we trust that God does all things well.
Mrs. Schneider is survived by three sons, Jarrod and Casey, Perry and Stephanie, Robert and Shanna, all of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Lisa, Walnut Hill and Leana and Van Nickel of Blountsville, Alabama; 13 grandchildren; an expected great-grand-daughter she was so looking forward to meeting soon; her dear sister, Jan and Mike Unruh, Greensburg, Ks.; one sister-in-law, Carolyn and Reinhard Regier, Hesston, Ks. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Ministers Ben Koehn, Mike Koehn and Monte Unruh officiating. Burial followed in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Roy Anthony Etheridge
Mr. Roy Anthony Etheridge, age 84, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Perdido, Ala. He was a native of Perdido. He retired from International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 112 with thirty-five years of service. He was a man of many interests and passions. He loved time outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing, and especially bird hunting. His dedication to the community was clear when he helped reorganize the Perdido Volunteer Fire Department. A proud veteran of the United States Navy, he carried that sense of service with him. In his downtime, he enjoyed watching westerns, reading good books, and listening to country music, often swaying to the rhythm on a night out. An avid Alabama football fan, he relished game days and loved to enjoy a hearty meal while cheering for his favorite team.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hibbert and Celia (Abramovich) Etheridge and wife, Daisy Chandler Etheridge.
Mr. Etheridge is survived by his two sons, James “Eddie” Dunlap and Anthony (Melanie) Etheridge, all of Perdido; two daughters, Melanie Ryland of Perdido and Becky (Brandon) Lineberry of Stockton, Ala.; two sisters, Connie Boutwell of Baton Rouge, La. and Maxine (Paul) Childs of S. C.; six grandchildren, Kevin Dunlap, Greg Hall, Ken Hall, Benjamin Dunlap, Candace Ryland, Brody Lineberry; ten great-grandchildren, Kylie Hall, Gracie Hall, Brooks Hall, Cameron Hyatt, Skyler Craven, Kipton Hall, Kenah Hall, Noah Dunlap, Dylan Dunlap, Skylar Dunlap; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
The family received friends Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Ala.
Alma Jewel Boone Woods
Mrs. Alma Jewel Boone Woods, age 89, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
She was born in Little River, Ala. Her life was defined by her unwavering dedication to her family and the countless memories she created with them over the years. Her physical presence and love will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Lillian Phillips Boone; her husband of twenty-two years, George Carlton and eight brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Woods is survived by her five children, Carl Van (Debbie) Woods, Linda Dianne (Roger) Jennings, Carolynn Elaine (Jerry Stewart) Woods, James Alton (Anita) Woods, and Donald Ray (Mary) Woods; ten grandchildren, Angela (Eric) Stuart, Bradley (Becky) Woods, Brannon (Beth) Parmer, Christopher (Madisen) Woods, Jake (Devon) Woods, Jamie (Zack) Harris, Makayla Stewart, Patrick (Rachel) Woods, Raina Weaver, Shana Benton and Waylon (Samantha) Johnson; eleven great-grandchildren, Bella, Braden, Brady, Brooklyn, Damien, Dillan, Hannah, Jamison, Laci, Lane, and Zariah; one great-great-grandchild, Blakeleigh;
five brothers and sisters, Donna Harry, Delilah Dinzeo, Bernard Boone Jr., Leroy Boone and Joseph Boone.
The family will hold a private service to honor Alma’s memory.
Martha Ann Sheets
Ms. Martha Ann Sheets, age 79, of Monroeville, Ala., passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025. She was born to Allie Mae Criswell. She was known for her determination, strong will, and an infectious sense of humor. She was admired for her work ethic, especially her passion for sewing during her many years at Ford.
She was deeply devoted to her late son, Eric Sheets. Her love for him and her family was immeasurable, and she carried that love in her heart every day.
She will be deeply missed but always remembered for the love, laughter, and strength she brought to all.
Ms. Sheets is survived by four granddaughters, Amber Sheets of Brookwood, Ala., Ashley Sheets of Romulus, Mich., Alisha Sheets of Madison Heights, Michigan and Brooke Sheets of Bay Minette, Ala.; six great-grandchildren: Madison, Daniel, Scarlett, Jeffery, and Riley Johnson of Brookwood and Liam Stockdale of Madison Heights, Mich.; her cousin, Billy Criswell of Fla.
A graveside service to honor Martha’s memory will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Noon where she will be laid to rest next to her mother at the McCullough Cemetery. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery in McCullough, Ala.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Cheri Parker
Mrs. Cheri Parker, age 61, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. Atmore, Ala.
Lonnie Dyal Turberville
Mr. Lonnie Dyal Turberville, age 85, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Monday, January 20, 2025 in Mobile, Ala. He was born January 27, 1939 to Johnnie H. and Olive Dyal Turberville. He was a member of Presley Street Baptist Church and served in the Army National Guard. Lonnie was a retired Quality Control Lab Technician with Monsanto Company. Throughout his career, he was a Real Estate Agent with Meyer Realty and was employed with the Atmore Police Department Maintenance Department.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, June Lloyd, Pearl Lane, Carlton Turberville, Billy Turberville, Betty Morris and Clark Turberville.
Mr. Turberville is survived by his wife of sixty years, Clara “Sammie” Turberville; his son, John (Nicole) Turberville of Gulf Shores, Ala.; his brother, Delton (Susanne) Turberville of Lake City, Fla.; his sisters, Laura (Don) Morris of Louisville, N.C. and Sue (Mildon) Dauphin of Tampa, Fla. along with his “perfect” grandchildren, John Bryars Turberville, II and Caroline Grace Turberville.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating. An inurnment will take place at a later date.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.