Rosetta Gordon Willis

Rosetta Gordon Willis, 99, of Selma, died Monday, March 24, 2003 at her home.

Services are at 12 noon Friday, March 28, at Brown Chapel AME Church with the Rev. Farrel Duncombe officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery with J. H. Williams and Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include one daughter, Ruth Willis of Selma, and four sons, Dr. Isaac E. (Lizzie) Willis of Longview. Texas, Timothy J. (Minnie) Willis of Chicago, Ill., Dr. Edward D. (Helen) Willis of Montgomery and Arthur D. Willis of Washington, D.C.; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Isaac E. Willis Sr., two daughters, Geraldine W. (Joe) Smith and Celestine W. (Bennie) Alston.

Family visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

Wilbert Lee Turner

Wilbert Lee Turner, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003.

Services were at 12 noon Tuesday, March 18, at Marion Baptist Academy, Marion, with the Rev. Frank Tyes Jr. officiating. Burial followed in the family cemetery with Lee & Rollins directing.

Survivors include a loving and devoted wife, Christine; four children, Wilbert O. (Thelia) of Cleveland, Ohio, Andretta (David) Dallas of Marion, Sabrina Tann of Margarettsville, N.C. and Monica (Clarence) Broughton of Fort Myers, Fla.; a stepmother, Velma Turner of Marion; five brothers, Edward (Gladys), Robert (Bettye) of Marion, Lee C. (Mary Dean) of Birmingham, John (Mavis) of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Emerson, Jr. (Jessica) of Mesa Ariz.; four sisters, Lottie (James) Yates of Olympa Fields Ill., Joanna (Grover) Durry of Chicago, Ill., Lillie Moore of Markham, Ill., and Mildred Miller of Bessemer; six grandchildren, Yulonda and Christal Turner, Aaron, Jr., Andrea, and Alanna Dobynes, and Tierra Broughton; one uncle, John (Dorothy) Turner of Waukegan, Ill.; one aunt, Otha Turner of Detroit, Mich.; five other brothers-in-law; five other sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ulysees and Albert Turner and one sister, Martha Turner.

Active pallbearers are nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are Goshen Lodge #132-A – Hickory Grove Baptist Church Deacons.

Mr. Turner was on born July 11, 1928 to the late Emerson and Lottie Turner in Marion. He accepted Christ as his personal refuge at an early age and was baptized at Hickory Grove Baptist Church where he faithfully served until his death. He was ordained as a Deacon on Nov. 8, 1959. He served in many capacities to include Sunday school superintendent for 44 years, B.T.U. Bible teacher, and Church clerk.

He began his formal education in the public schools of Perry County, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1947. He completed his undergraduate studies at Alabama A&M University in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. He attained a master’s degree in administration from Alabama State University.

After graduating from A&M, he began his 39 years of educational services in Greene County, Alabama and concluded in Perry County, Alabama as a teacher, principal, bus driver, assistant principal, truant officer, and parent involvement specialist. He was very dedicated and spread much wisdom with his students.

He united in holy matrimony to Irma Christine Melton in 1953.

Mr. Turner was a soft-spoken person who always had time to help others. He was known for his comical stories and his great love for the many students he taught. He was very involved in the community and was affiliated with several organizations. He was Worshipful Master of Goshen Lodge #132A, member of A.E.A., N.E.A., N.A.A.C.P., and Perry County Retired Teacher’s Association, Board member of the Cahaba Mental Health Association, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and Dean of Hopewell District Congress.

Arthur Lee Smith Sr.

Arthur Lee Smith Sr., 50, of Selma, died Friday, March 21, 2003 at a local hospital.

Services are at 12 noon Thursday, March 27, at the Chapel of Miller Funeral Home. Burial will follow in New Oak Cemetery with Miller Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include his wife, Pinkie Smith; one son, Arthur Smith; one daughter, Lekeshia Smith; four brothers, David Smith, Fred Smith, Bill Smith and L.C. Smith; two grandchildren; five brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Active pallbearers are co-workers of the City of Selma.