Chester J. Brown

Chester J. Brown, 45, of Selma, died Saturday, February 28, 2004, at a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.

Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at Brown Chapel AME Church with the Rev. Etta Weaver officiating. Burial will follow in New Live Oak Cemetery with J.H. Williams and Sons Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include his wife, Melinda Blue Brown; three children, Christina Blue, Bakari C. Brown and Okorie J. Brown; two sisters, Adriane Renee Mills (William) of Houston, Texas and Valerie Brown of Selma; two brothers, Christopher Brown (Gloria) and Ronald Brown of Selma; in-laws, Amanda and Nathaniel Blue; seven brothers-in-law, Kelvin Blue (Sherlonda) of Oklahoma City, Timoty Blue (April) of Birmingham, Leonard Blue (Yolanda) of Ft. Benning, Ga., Nathaniel Blue Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Londvis, Kendrich and Joshua Blue of Camden. Also his spiritual family, Barnette, Mike and Maya Hayes.

He was preceded in death by his dear friend, Perry Varner.

Mr. Brown was born on May 18, 1958 to Ruth Mae Brown and Willie Earl Harris. He joined First Baptist Church, later joining Abundant Life under the leadership of Pastor Etta Weaver.

He was a long time employee of BE&K Construction.

Eloise Thomas Montgomery

Eloise Thomas Montgomery, 80, of Snow Hill, died Tuesday, March 2, 2-04, at a local hospital.

Services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at St. Paul/St. Peter AME Church in Snow Hill, with the Rev. George Cyrus officiating. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery with Walker Mortuary directing.

Survivors include one son, Alfred Way Taylor of Laurinburg, N.C.; three daughters, Patricia T. Powell of Snow Hill, Rachael A. Bonner of Selma and Sharon (Willie) Perdue of Snow Hill; one sister, Mary Kidd Fowler of Hartselle; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Brooks and Lucy Purifoy Thomas and two brothers, Kossuth Thomas and James Thomas.

Active pallbearers are friends of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul/St. Peter AME Church or your favorite charity.

Mrs. Montgomery was a member of St. Paul/St. Peter AME Church, Lockes Pride No. 850 O.E.S. and Golden Lodge.

Willie E. Moultrie

Willie E. Moultrie, 50, of Selma, died Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at rehab center.

Services are at 12 noon, Saturday, March 6, at New Bride Baptist Church, Sardis, with the Rev. Curtis Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Lewis Brothers Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include one daughter, Cynthia Hartley; two brothers, Andrew Moultrie and Michael Garner both of Selma; two grandchildren; one brother-in-law; one sister-in-law, Ovetta Moultrie; two nephews; one niece.

Active pallbearers are friends of the family.

Honorary pallbearers are friends of the family.

Willie Lee Bates Steele

Willie Lee Bates Steele, 88, of Dallas County, died Sunday, February 29, 2004, at a local hospital.

Services are at 12 noon, Saturday, March 6, at West Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. A. Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery with Miller Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include three sons, Thomas (Jonita) Steele of Los Angeles, Calif., Eddie (Christine) Steele of Tyler and George Steele of Birmingham; two daughters, Lillie Givan and Orethia (Willie) Evans both of Selma; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one son-in-law; two daughters-in-law; two sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews.

Active pallbearers are Deacons of West Trinity Baptist Church.

Joseph Jackson Jr.

Joseph Jackson Jr., 41, of Marion Junction, died Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at his home.

Services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Mt. Olive P.B. Church, Marion Jct., with the Rev. Edward Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery with J.H. Williams and Sons Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include a devoted fiancee, Mary Smith; two sons, Glennid and Glennis; six daughters, Nakesany, Chametaya, Rachel, Vanessa, Kanessa and Naomi; three brothers, Marvin Jackson of Marion Jct., Joseph (Daphine) of Knox, Tenn., and Charles Jackson of California; one sister, Addie Simpkin of Buffalo, N.Y.; special cousin, Princess Hatcher-Anderson; one grandchild; nephews and nieces, uncles and aunts.

Family visitation will be from 7-8 p.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.

The body will lie in state at the church on Saturday, from 12 noon until service time.

Mr. Jackson was born on May 25, 1962, the second child of the late Joseph Jackson Sr. and Ora Perkins Jackson. He was introduced to Christ at an early age and remained a believer.

Willie Frank Howard

Willie Frank Howard, 77, of Autauga Co., died Saturday, February 28, 2004, at a veteran hospital in Montgomery.

Services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Mallard Chapel in Autaugaville, with the Rev. A. Curry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Miller Funeral Home directing.

Reese Shanks

Reese Shanks, 60, of Selma, died Wednesday, February 25, 2004, in Selma.

Services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at New Shady Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Reese Shanks Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Walker Mortuary directing.

Survivors include his wife, Millie Shanks; four sons, Reese Shanks Jr., Levi Shanks, Rickey Shanks and Victor Myers; one Barbara Shanks; eight brothers; 12 sisters; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two daughters-in-law; six brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and a host of others relatives and friends.

Honorary pallbearers are Lerarde Shanks, Bryant Johnson, Joshua Spear, Delundrae Garner and Rickey Shanks.

Mr. Shanks, was a member of Summer Grove Baptist Church. He was a maintenance man at Wallace Community College Selma for 30 years.

Ruth Rogers DuBose

Ruth Rogers DuBose, 76, of Selma, died Monday, March 1, 2004, at a local hospital.

Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at First Baptist Church on M.L. King St., with the Rev. Terry Armstrong officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with J.H. Williams and Sons Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include two sons, Terrance A. Porter and Ira DuBose Jr. both of St. Paul, Minn.; three daughters, Karen DuBose of New York, Toya DuBose (Eurtis) Henry of Selma and Kimii Vannessa Porter of St. Paul, Minn.; four sisters, Vashti Ransom of St. Paul, Minn., Henrietta Rogers of Atlanta, Ga., Virginia Lamar of New York, N.Y. and Naomi Randolph of Selma; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one son-in-law; one sister-in-law; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Active pallbearers are family members.

Family visitation will be from 5-6 p.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.

Mrs. DuBose was born on May 7, 1927, the youngest child of the late UB Rogers Sr. and Mary Johnson Rogers. She attended Selma Public Schools ad Selma University. She received a bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee Institute and did graduate studies at the University of Alabama. She taught in the Brewton then Selma Public School System for over 41 years. She was active in the local Civil Rights struggle and local civic affairs. She was a member of First Baptist Church and active in the choir until her health failed.

Memorial gifts may be made to a charity of choice.

Morris Phillips

Morris Phillips, of Selma, died Wednesday, March 3, 2004.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later by J.H. Williams and Sons Funeral Home.

Corine Phillips

Corine Phillips, 78, of Demopolis, died Sunday, February 29, 2004, at a Demopolis hospital.

Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at Eastern Star Baptist Church, Demopolis, with the Rev. Carlton Hogue officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Coatopa, with Larkin and Scott Funeral Home directing.

The body will lie in state at the church on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m.

Ethel Wiggins-Rogers

Ethel Wiggins-Rogers, of Queens, N.Y., formerly of Demopolis, died in Queens, N.Y.

Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Morning Star Baptist Church in Demopolis, with the Rev. E. C. Clemons officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Demopolis, with Larkin and Scott Funeral Home directing.

The body will lie in state at the church on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m.

Charles Smith

Charles Smith, 40, of Demopolis, died Saturday, February 28, 2004, at a Demopolis hospital.

Services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Morning Star Baptist Church with the Rev. Lynn Finch officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Canaan Cemetery, Gallion, with Larkin and Scott Funeral Home directing. The body will lie in state at the church on Saturday, beginning at 12 noon.

Louise Thornton

Louise Thornton, 81, of Demopolis, died Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at her home.

Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at Christian Chapel Baptist Church, Demopolis, with the Rev. Fred Moore and the Rev. Richard Fountain officiating.

Burial will follow in Prout Cemetery, Demopolis, with Larkin and Scott Funeral Home directing.

The body will lie in state at the church on Saturday, beginning at 10:30 a.m.