Kathryn Sims Wheeler

Kathryn Sims Wheeler, age 81, of Oviedo, Florida, formerly of Selma died Sunday May 22, 2005 in Florida. Graveside services were held Saturday May 28, 2005 at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery, Sardis, directed by Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home, Inc. Mrs. Wheeler is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Ann (Wayne) Stone of Orlando, Florida and Patricia Ann (Roger) Anderson of Geneva, Florida; Daughter-in-law, Laura Sue Nolan, 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, one brother, Grover W. “Buddy” (Mae) Sims of Fultondale, Alabama; 2 sisters, Sallie Mae Vinson of Sardis and Alice Hardy of Thomasville, Alabama. Mrs. Wheeler was preceded in death by her son, Jim Tom Nolan. Kathryn had been a longstanding member of Shiloh Baptist Church then when she moved to Florida became a member of First Baptist Church of Oviedo. Kathryn was born September 4, 1923 in Forest Home, Alabama to Jerry K and Mae Luckie Sims of Sardis, Alabama.

Hugh Franklin Chester

Hugh Franklin Chester, age 71, of Northport, AL, formerly of Selma, died Friday, May 27, 2005.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. in the New Live Oak Cemetery, with Rev. Joe Knight and Rev. George K. Jones, Sr. officiating, with Selma Funeral Home directing.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. at Selma Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 31, 2005.

Franklin was the youngest of six children of Carrie Lee Carter and Michael Chester.

He was preceded in death by his sister Virginia, and brothers Michael, Clarence and James.

He is survived by his sister Katherine Chester (Leonard) McCary of Selma, AL, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He received

his education in the Selma Public Schools, attending Dallas Academy, Selma Junior High and a 1952 graduate of Albert G. Parrish High School.

Following the example of his older brother, he excelled in athletics and was a running back and linebacker with extraordinary ability.

During his senior football season he scored a team high13 touchdowns (as his brother Clarence several years earlier), earning All-State and All Southern recognition.

A well rounded individual, he also participated in numerous school activities, including basketball, debate, sports editor for the annual (Sel-Ala), and was extremely active in YMCA and Camp Grist activities.

He always credited Paul Grist as being a strong Christian influence.

During his senior year he won the Lucy Nelson Debate.

At that time there was no greater academic accomplishment.

He entered the armed services on October 13, 1952 and joined the AirBorne

at Ft. Benning, GA.

He also served oversea in Japan and received an honorable discharge on October 12, 1955.

Serving as PFC and with the 187th Regiment of the 82nd AirBorne, he completed 23 parachute jumps.

Several jumps were made in the company of his brother Colonel Michael Chester.

After military service Franklin was employed as a radio personality at radio station WGWC in Selma as an announcer and also Tampa, FL.

While in California he studied acting and received very favorable reviews for his performance of Sgt. Snow in “Blood, Sweat and Stanley Pool”, a Los Angeles stage production of the Glendale Center Thespians,

His life long dream was acting and constantly performed in amateur productions.

Someone once said:

“It is a good things to be rich, and a good thing to be strong, but it is a better thing to be loved by friends”.

Franklin Chester was dearly loved by his many Friends.

Mr. Chester spent the last several months in the VA Hospital in Tuscaloosa.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff for the care and concern they provided.

Active pallbearers will be his classmates from the Albert G. Parrish High School graduating class of 1952.

The family will accept flowers and other donations may be made to the Valley Grande Baptist Church.