John Whitfield Lapsley Jr.

Graveside services for John Whitfield Lapsley Jr., who died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in Live Oak Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Ron Stone, pastor of Selma’s First Presbyterian Church, will officiate.

Born July 4, 1915, he was named for his great-grandfather, Colonel John Lapsley, railroad entrepreneur and attorney prominent in Selma’s early history. The First Presbyterian Church is built on land given by the Lapsley family, and the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley bears the family name.

Widely known as one of the &8220;New South School of Art&8221; painters, Lapsley made significant contributions to the visual art and culture of Alabama. Widely traveled and professionally schooled, his work was influenced by the countries he visited.

After service with the Air Force during World War II, he worked as a visualizer-illustrator at Maxwell Field. He also held a Masters of Fine Arts from Columbia University, earned on sabbatical from Civil Service, and taught art at Auburn University before returning to Civil Service, where he worked until retirement in 1960. He returned to Selma and pursued his passion for art fulltime in the studio built over the garage at his family home in Old Town Historic District.

His other passion was gardening and the grounds surrounding the studio were filled with exotic and unusual flowering plants and shrubs, which he cultivated until his failing health prevented.

Lapsley is survived by his brother, George Waring Huston Lapsley of Selma; and two nieces, Helen Kenan, also of Selma, and Ann Furey (Charles) of New Jersey.

Ruby Stone &8220;Granny&8221; McCloud

Ruby Stone McCloud, age 90, of Selma died Tuesday October 18, 2005 in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday October 21, 2005 at New Live Oak Cemetery officiated by Rev Rod Rochester and directed by Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home, Inc.

Mrs. McCloud is survived by one son, Eugene Weldon of Tacoma WA, six grandchildren, Raymond Moreland, Sheilla Gillis, Ronnie Moreland, Michael Moreland, Randy Moreland, and Sharron Daniell, 11 Great-grandchildren, 3 Great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Margaret Moreland, and her granddaughter, Peggy Hicks.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Serving as active pallbearers will be great grandsons, Jeremy Moreland, Josh Moreland, Timothy Williams, Brian Moreland, Jonathon Moreland, Tony Moreland, Shane Moreland and Juston Moreland.

Muriel Green Mackin

Muriel Green Mackin, age 93, died Wednesday, October 19, 2005 in a local hospital.

Graveside

services will be held at 12:30 p.m.

Friday, October 21, 2005 at New Live Oak Cemetery with Dr. Kenny Hatcher officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

Mrs. Mackin is survived by her children, Cooper R (Mary) Mackin of New Orleans, LA; Thomas E Mackin of Montgomery, John H. (Cheryl) Mackin of Guntersville, James Daniel (Sharon) Mackin of Selma, Steven P. (Linda) Mackin of Mountian Brook, James R (Joy) Mackin of Demopolis, Cecilia M Hughes of Austin, TX; Janis M (Stan) Winslett of Mobile, Sylvia M (Wayne) Odom of Selma, Leah M (George) Washburn of Marion; 23 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Thomas R Mackin American Legion Post 20.

Family visitation will be Friday from 11:00 -12:00 a.m. at the funeral home.