Obituaries for February 21

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 21, 2003

Demetra Ann Ragland James

Demetra Ann Ragland James, 46, of Selma, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003 at a local hospital.

Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at West Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. A. Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with Lewis Brothers Funeral Home directing.

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Survivors include her husband, Ricky L. James Sr.; sons, Ricky L. James Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., Eric D. James and Marcus C. James both of Selma; two daughter, Dr. Aneatria C. James and Erica D. James of Selma; one brother, William J. Ragland “Bill” of Atlanta, Ga.; six sisters, Debra (Charlie) Hunter, Evelyn (Rev. Bert A.) Scott Sr., Jeneise (Theodore) Barlow, Sabrina (Frederick) Scott, Ida Marie (Willis III) Wright all of Selma and Rachel (Karsephian) Alexander of Killeen, Texas; three grandchildren; 13 brothers-in-law; eight sisters-in-law; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Julie Jones Ragland and Eddie C. Ragland and a son, Julian C. James.

Mrs. James was a critical care Registered Nurse.

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Wilma Jean Jackson

Wilma Jean Jackson, 46, of Selma, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003 at a local hospital.

Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Chapel of Lewis Brothers Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with Lewis Brothers Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include her husband, Michael Jackson; parents Ethel Lee Strowder and Archie Strowder; two sons, Charles Strowder and Mark McElroy; three daughters, Debra McNeil, Janice Edwards and Michell McElroy; five brothers, Austin Kennedy, Joseph Strowder, Edward Strowder, Donald Strowder and John Wayne Strowder; three sisters,

Jean Kennedy, Parlee Johnson and Mary Hunter; 12 grandchildren; two sons-in-law; two daughters-in-law; 11 brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; 20 nephews; 14 nieces; and other relatives and friends.

Active pallbearers are Charles Strowder, Jesse McNeil, Mark McElroy, Maurice Strowder, Johnnie Johnson and Lewis Thompson.

Mrs. Jackson confessed Christ at an early age. She was a member of Second Baptist Church. She was employed at Selma Candy Factory, along with her husband, Michael.

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George William Booker

George William Booker, 83, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 at a Montgomery hospital.

Graveside services are at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at New Live Oak Cemetery with Dr. Cecil Williamson and Dr. Charles Carter officiating and Lawrence Funeral Home directing

Survivors include his wife, Eva Jo Drinkard Booker; a daughter, Faye (Jack) Kelly of Spanish Fort; a son, Terry (Jule) Booker of Selma;

four grandchildren, Jessica (Stephen) Connick of Fairhope, Marni (Walter) Tutt and Adrienne (Hugh) Overmeyer of Demopolis, and George Robert Booker of Birmingham; and seven great-grandchildren, Brooks Cannon, Sawyer Connick and Clayton Connick of Fairhope, Wallace Tutt, Camilla Tutt, Caroline Overmeyer and Henry Overmeyer of Demopolis.

Active pallbearers are George Robert Booker, Walter Tutt, Hugh Overmeyer, Stephen Connick, Blann Bell, Donald C. Overstreet, and Kirksey Overstreet.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church or a favorite charity.

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Carrie L. Deyampert

Carrie L. Deyampert, 91, of Birmingham, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003 in Birmingham.

Services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at St. James M.B. Church, Selma, with the Rev. C.J.

Peeples officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Lewis Brothers Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include one son, Rosell Deyampert Jr.; one sister, Fannie Lee Manns of Birmingham; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Active pallbearers are deacons of the church.

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Charles C. Brown

Charles C. Brown, services were held at 12 noon, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003 at Rising Star AME Zion Church in Birmingham, with the Rev. Dr. Robert V. Carter officiating. Burial followed in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham with Arrington Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah Conner Brown of Birmingham; one daughter, Chala (Michael) Ford; three grandchildren, Michael, Mone’, and Maya all of Coral Springs; two sisters, Alean Givner of Selma, Cora Hill of Detroit, Mich.; two brothers, Willie C. (Crandell) Brown of Selma and Louis G. (Voncile) Brown of Valdosta, Ga.; three god-nephews, Jimmy Nash of Detroit, Mich., DeWayne O. Carter and Steve Long; one god-niece, Andrea Y. Long all of Birmingham; four sisters-in-law Edna M. Conner, Alberta C. (Erskine) Brown, Annie C Carter and Ophelia C. (Jimmy) Long; brother-in-law, Herbert H. Conner all of Birmingham; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends throughout the country.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Lemmie Brown Jr., Johnnie G. Brown and Sophronia L. Russell.

Active pallbearers are nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are men of Rising Star Church.

Flowerbearers are nieces and ushers.

Mr. Brown was born on Jan. 11, 1929 in Thomasville (Clarke County) to the late Mr. and Mrs. Lemmie (Alberta) Brown. During his childhood he gave his life to Christ and joined Grant Chapel AME Church in Selma. In 1950 he graduated from Selma University. After serving in the U. S. Army with distinction, he received the Bronze Service Star, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, CIB. After moving to Birmingham he joined Rising Star AME Zion Church with the Rev. G.F. Johnson

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Jessie James Sullivan

Jessie James Sullivan, 42, of Autaugaville, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003 at a Birmingham hospital.

Services are at 12 noon Saturday, Feb. 22, at Spring Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnnie Tillis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Walker Mortuary directing.

Survivors include his fiance, Betty Davis; his mother, Pearlie Sullivan; two daughters, Denedra Lasherre Childs of Jemison and Charese Charmaine Sullivan of Plantersville; six brothers, James Johnson, Luther Johnson, Marion Brown, Larry Johnson, Walter Johnson and Jerry Johnson; one sister, Shelly Ann Johnson; one grandchild; three sisters-in-law; eight nephews; seven nieces; three aunts and four uncles.

Active pallbearers are cousins and friends.

Honorary pallbearers are cousins and friends.

Mr. Sullivan was a honorable discharged from the U.S. Army. He was a Baptist. He was known as “Pee Wee”.

Bennie L. Patterson Jr.

Bennie L. Patterson Jr., of Lowndes County, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003.

Services are at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Big Union Christian Church with the Rev. Timothy Silmon officiating. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery with Bell Funeral Home directing.

William D. Parker

William D. Parker, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2003.

Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Mt. Elam Baptist Church with the Rev. Stephen Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery with Bell Funeral Home directing.

Peter Griffin

Peter Griffin, 66, of Dallas County, died Wednesday, 19, 2003 in Sardis.

Services are at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at East Salem Baptist Church with the Rev. W. J. Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery with Miller Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include step-mother, Minnie Griffin; one son, Peter Griffin Jr.; two daughters, Jean Griffin and Denise Smith; 13 brothers, Henry (Ethel) Griffin, James Griffin, Lee Griffin, Adolph Griffin, Clarence (Geneva) Griffin, Lorenza (Carry) Griffin, Carl Boyd, Anthony Boyd, Charlie (Grace) Griffin and Albert Griffin; six sisters, Betty (Charlie) Lawrence, Mary (Henry) Lawrence, Lonetha (Conell) Towns, Shelly (Melvin) Mahand, Margaret (Joe) Washington and Quinder (Al) Stanford; seven grandchildren; two sons-in-law; one daughter-in-law; seven brothers-in-law; and four sisters-in-law.

Active pallbearers are brothers and cousins.

Emma Perryman

Emma Perryman, 93, of Selma, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003 at a local hospital.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Miller Funeral Home.

Jessie J. Maul

Jessie J. Maul, of Selma, died Thursday, February 20, 2003 at his home.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Miller Funeral Home.

Dequinda Caver Cook

Dequinda Caver Cook, 50, of Ocala, Fla., died in February, 2003, at his home in Ocala, Fla,.

Services are at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb.23, at Friendship Baptist Church with the Rev. Clay officiating. Burial will follow in Harris Hill Cemetery with Miller Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include two sons, Kerry Cook and Lionel S. Cook; two daughters, Felecia L. Motley and Yolanda Motley; brothers, Eddie Caver, Luvert Caver and Coma Caver; seven sisters, Dorothy Caver Lashley, Ardell Caver Grant, Linda Caver Motley, Ruth Caver, Barnwell, Flora Caver Adams and Lucy Caver Binion; nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Marzette Caver Jr. and Le Thurman Caver.

John Richard Heard

Services for John Richard Heard, 54, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at Marion Baptist Church with the Rev. Clifford Coleman officiating. Burial followed in Mt. Tabo Cemetery, Marion with Lee & Rollins Funeral Home directing.

Fannie Knott

Services for Fannie Knott will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003 at Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church, Sawyerville, with the Rev. Morris Bettis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Lee & Rollins Funeral Home directing.