J. T. Hardy

J. T. Hardy, died Saturday, January 22, 2005, at a local hospital.

Services were held at 12 noon, Saturday, January 29, at White Lilly Baptist Church in Fosteria, with the Rev. the Rev. Darryl Moore officiating and Lewis Brothers Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include one daughter, La Shika Hardy; one son, Mark Dwyne Hardy; four brothers; 13 sisters; one aunt; sister-in-law; a special friend; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Brenda Elaine Westry

Brenda Elaine Westry, 45, of Birmingham, died Friday, January 28, 2005, at a Birmingham hospital.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, February 4, at the Chapel of Miller Funeral Home with the Rev. McDole officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with Miller Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include two sons, Michael (A’Keeshia) Westry and La’Darius Hodges; one daughter, Pamela Lambert; two brothers, Theodore Westry and Darrie Pettway; one sister, Norma (Mark) Jackson; four grandchildren; one daughter-in-law; two nephews; two nieces; and special friends, David King and Helen Dillard.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Pettway and James Pettway.

Active pallbearers will be Michael Westry, Darrie Pettway, Theodore Westry and Demario Pettway.

Erskine J. Steen

Erskine J. Steen, 79, of Selma, died Sunday, January 30, 2005, at her home.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 5, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 Rangeline Rd., with the Rev. Steve Washington officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery with Walker Mortuary directing.

Survivors include two sons, Gary (Fannie) Steen of Selma and Donald (Geraldine) Steen of Pensacola, Fla.; one daughter, Faye (Richard) Moore of Minneapolis, Mn.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one son-in-law; two daughter-in-law; one sister-in-law, Leila Jenkins; three nephews; nine nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Active pallbearers are family and church members.

Mrs. Steen was of Lutheran faith. She was a nurse’s assistant. She was a deaconess and pastor’s assistant at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Rochelle, N.Y. She also headed the after school program at the church.

Omega H. Finley

Omega H. Finley, 96, died Monday, January 31, 2005, at a local hospital

Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon, Friday, February 4, at Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Dennis Terry officiating and J.H. Williams & Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Ruby Jean Robbins and children of Montgomery; niece, Eugenia Z. Hill and son of Mobile; devoted cousin, Malissa Craig (with whom she lived with upon returning to Selma). Other relatives include Zenobia (William) Robertson, Faith Conner and LaBarron Mack of Selma and many other relatives and friends.

Miss Finley was born in Selma, on August 28, 1908, to the late Lucy Murray Robbins and Willie Finley. She lived and worked for over 30 years in Tampa Florida as a registered nurse. While in Tampa, she was affiliated with the order of Eastern Star. Upon retirement she returned to Selma. Miss Finley united with Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, Selma, where she served on the Usher Board and remained a dedicated member until her death.