Charles McNeice

Reverend Charles McNeice, S.S.E., who twice served as pastor of

Selma’s Catholic community, died Monday, December 20. He was 71

years old and had been an Edmundite priest for 43 years.

“We will really miss Father Charlie,” stated Rev. Roger La

charite, director of the Edmundite Missions. “He was devoted to

the African American apostolate, serving not only at our mission

here in Selma back in the ’60s, but also in such historic black parishes as Saint Joseph’s in Tuskegee and the missions in Prichard and Plateau.”

“But he was a reconciler as well as an advocate. When he was pastor at Queen of Peace from 1978 to 1984, he was loved by whites and blacks alike.”

Charles Edward McNeice first saw the light of day on May 28, 1934, as the second of seven children born to James J. and Ruth McNeice of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Young Charles attended St. Joseph’s

School in Pittsfield through high school. He began his college

studies at Holy Cross College in Worcester, but transfered to Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, after deciding to study for the priesthood.

After his ordination on May 31, 1962, Father McNeice’s took on his first assignment as assistant to Father Maurice Ouellet, pastor at

Saint Elizabeth’s Mission in Selma. The four years that followed were tumultuous, with many members of St. Elizabeth’s becoming caught up in the civil rights movement and Father Ouellet being

expelled from the diocese by Archbishop T.J. Toolen in 1965 for his support of the movement. “Those were hard times,” he later recalled. “But what I remember best is not the hard times, but the faith that carried our people through the hard times.”

In 1966 McNeice was called back north to take charge of the Edmundite Youth Program based in Mystic, CT. He went on to serve in several parishes in England and Vermont before returning to Selma in 1978 as pastor of Queen of Peace, the integrated parish formed by the merger of Saint Elizabeth’s with Assumption.

“Father Charlie was very effective with our young people,” recalls John Crear. “He worked with the Don Bosco Boys Club in the ’60s and started a youth program of some sort in almost every parish he

served. Some of the kids called him Father McNice, which he said made him sound like a fast-food chain.”

In 1984 the Edmundites were entrusted with two new missions, Our Mother of Mercy in Plateau and Our Lady of Fatima in Prichard.

Father McNiece took charge and served as pastor of “Africa Town” for thirteen years. In 1997 McNeice became the first Edmundite pastor of Saint Joseph’s in Tuskegee, where he served until heart trouble forced his retirement in 2003. He spent his last years at Saint Michael’s College, helping out at local parishes whenever his health permitted.

Besides his brothers in the Society of Saint Edmund, McNeice is survived by two sisters Catherine White and Mary Ann Archey, as well as three blood brothers David, Robert and James, Jr.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Chapel of Saint Michael’s College on Tuesday, December 27. Interment will follow in the Edmundite plot in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Swanton, VT. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Edmundite Southern Missions, 1428 Broad Street, Selma, AL 36701.

William Wise

William Henry Wise, Sr. of Shalimar, FL went to be with the Lord on Dec. 16, 2005 at home at the age of 81. Bill was born in Selma, AL on January 28, 1924 as the only child of Lewis and Myrtle Wise. He was a highly decorated veteran of the US Army and Air Force, serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He also received a master’s degree in business administration from George Washington University. He retired as a Lt. Col. after 32 years of service.

After retiring, Bill enjoyed a second career as the chief of the criminal justice department at Okaloosa- Walton Community College. He also founded the Florida Criminal Justice Training Center Directors Association and served as its first chairman. Bill retired from OWCC after serving for fifteen years. He always felt fortunate to have had two successful careers. Bill did everything whole-heartedly in his life and took great pride in his work. He had a deep love for his country, his wife and family, and the Lord. He will be greatly missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his eldest son, William Wise, Jr. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years and the love of his life, Edith Wise; daughter-in-law Linda O’Konek of Columbia, SC; daughter Sheila Powell of Shalimar, FL; son Michael (& Melinda) Wise of Fort Walton Beach, FL; grandchildren Chris and Melissa Wise of Columbia, SC; Joey (& Reeda) Powell of Shalimar, FL; Sara, James, Laura, and Ian Wise of Fort Walton Beach, FL; and great-grandson Ethan Powell of Shalimar, FL. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22nd from 5-7 pm at Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, Dec. 23rd at Covenant Community Church. Interment will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL at a later date.

Flowers are welcome, or friends who wish may contribute to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578, in Bill’s memory.

Arrangements are under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd. N.E., Fort Walton Beach.

Jimmie L. Stanley

Jimmie L. Stanley, 75, of Selma, Alabama died December 21, 2005. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Walker Mortuary.

Beatrice Smith

Mrs. Beatrice N. Smith, 84, of Demopolis, Alabama passed December 16, 2005 at Bryan Whitfield Hospital, Demopolis, Alabama. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 23, 2005 at 11:00a.m at the St. Paul Baptist Church, Demopolis,

Alabama. Rev. Charlie Moore, Pastor. Rev. John Watkins, Eulogist. Interment will follow in Mt. Cannan Cemetery, Gallion, Alabama. The remains will repose at the church on Friday beginning at 10:00a.m. Larkin & Scott Funeral Directors of Demopolis, Alabama entrusted with arrangements.

James Brooks

James Levoy Brooks, Sr., 78, of Selma, Alabama died at home Tuesday December 20, 2005. Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 1:00p.m., Thursday, December 22, 2005 at Pineview Memory Gardens officiated by Rev. Joey Green and directed by Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home, Inc. Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife, Goldie Brooks of Selma; son Franklin Dale Brooks of Louisiana; daughter Joyce Ann Brooks of Selma; grandchildren James Brooks, II of Montgomery, Ronald Brooks, Jr. of Selma, Clarence Brooks of Selma, Rachel Brooks of Selma. He was preceded in death by two sons, Harold Lavon Brooks and Ronald Wayne Brooks. Serving as pallbearers will be the United States Air Force Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 7:00p.m to 9:00p.m Wednesday, December 21, 2005.

Isaac Miller

Brother Isaac Milton (Zear) Miller, 41, of Selma, Alabama died Thursday, December 14, 2005 at Vaughan Regional Hospital. Services are scheduled for December 23, 2005 at 1:00p.m at the 2nd Baptist Church with Rev. Timothy Miller and Rev. Darryl Moore officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood

Cemetery. Directed by Lewis Brothers Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife Angela Bruno Miller; two sons Antonio Demetric Miller and Michael Lovell Bruno of Selma, Alabama; three daughters Schenita Deanne Bruno of Montgomery, Al; Elbony Nicole Bruno and Michelle Lovette Bruno of Selma, Al; seven brothers Andrew Miller, Dereck Miller both of Selma, Al., Bobby (Annie) Miller of Jones, Al., William (Victoria) Miller of Valley Grande, Al., James (Lateshia) Moore of Prattvillle, Al., John Moore of Sweetwater, Al., and Rev. Timothy (Virginia) Miller of County Club, IL; three sisters Deborah (Cleophas) Kennedy of Thomasville, Al., Brend Miller and Tamar (Perry) Dennis of Selma, Al; one grandchildren, four brothers-in-law, nine sisters-in-law, nice aunts, two uncles, one great aunt and a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lizzie Mae Miller & Andrew Miller Sr; one son Isaac Franklin.

Brother Isaac Milton (Zear) Miller was born June 18, 1964 in Marengo County, Alabama. He confessed to Christ at an early age and join Jerusalem #2 Baptist Church in Myrtlewood, Alabama. Later in life he joined in holy matrimony to Cynthia Craig (preceded him in death) Issac was a talented singer/soloist who sang spiritual-filed songs on many different occasions at various church’s throughout the community of Myrtlewood, Al and Selma, Al. Visitation will be at Lewis Brothers Funeral Home Thursday, December 22, 2005 from 6:30-7:30p.m.

Ceasar Doyle

Ceasar Doyle Jr., of Huston, Texas passed December 2, 2005. He was born in Selma, Alabama May 10, 1927. He was laid to rest on December 7, 2005.

After graduating from Keith High School in Orrville, Alabama he went on to serve his county as a merchant marine for 25 years.

He leaves to cherish a devoted wife Ruby Robertson Doyle; two brothers Ernest L. Doyle of Selma and John W. Doyle of Bessemer; two daughters, Tarita (Darrion) Felix and Tahita Doyle; one son Ceasar Doyle III; five grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Howard E. Foster, Jr

Columbia Major Howard Earle Foster, Jr., US Air Force (Ret.), 76, died Tuesday, December 20, 2005. Private family graveside service will be held Friday at 12

noon in Florence National Cemetery, Florence, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to S.C. Friends of Juvenile Justice, (Department of Juvenile Justice – Girl’s Transitional Home) at 609 East Springs Road, Columbia, S.C. 29223. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo, is supporting the family with these special arrangements.

Howard was born in Enid, Oklahoma, and was a son of the late Howard Earle and Georgia Ruth Faulk Foster.

He was a proud graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) and Albert C. Parish High School (Selma, Alabama).

He was married to Connie Matthews for over 48 years.

He retired from the United States Air Force after serving his country for more than twenty-three years.

Surviving are his wife, Connie M. Foster; daughter, Stacey F. Atkinson of Irmo; brother, John Leonard Foster of Naples, Fla.; and three nieces.

Kenneth Jones

Kenneth Wilson Jones, of Selma, died in a Panama City Florida Nursing Home on Tuesday, December 20, 2005. Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m Friday, December 23, 2005 at Westwood Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Ed Eaton and directed by Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home, Inc. Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Alice Jones of Selma; son, Ken Jones of Selma; daughter, Judi Jones Maske of

Jacksonville, Al; step children, Penny Dockery, Mike and Donnie Savage; grandchildren, Terrell Jones and Tody Jones; step grandchildren, Sarah Savage and Austin Savage, Samantha, Garza, Jacklin and Bo Dockery; sister, Frances (Dick) Welch and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a member of Westwood Baptist Church. Serving as pallbearers will be Charles Vasser, Nelson Bullard, David Welch, Danny Welch and Chris Griffin. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00p.m to 7:00p.m Thursday, December 22, 2005.

Edward Small

Edward Charles Small, 51, of Georgia, formerly of Orrville,

Alabama died December 18, 2005 at Southern Regional Medical Center. Service is scheduled for Friday, December 23, 2005 at 1:00p.m at Miller Funeral Service Chapel with Rev. Henry Small officiating. Directed by Miller’s Funeral Home.

Survivors include his spouse Sadie Tolbert, God Mother Mae Debster Flennory of Birmingham, Al; two sons Charles Edward and Brandon Lewis of Atlanta, GA; one daughter Temeka Young of Selma, Al; four step children, Robin Lewis, Greta Lewis, Trannell Tolbert and Nowona Lewis; one sister, Gladys Small of Selma, Al; seven step grandchildren; two grandchildren, one nephew, five nieces, one aunt Eliza Johnson of Pensacola, FL; one uncle Albert Small of Mobile, Al; one great nephew. Pallbearers are the family and friends.

Lera Crane

Lera Louise Crane, 77, died Tuesday, December 20, 2005 in a

Monroeville hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m on Friday, December 23, 2005 at the chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Lovelace officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Family visitation will be on Thursday, December 22, 2005 from 5-7p.m.

Survivors include sons, Larry Crane (Marcia) of Selma, Luther Crane (Jo) of Atmore, and Steve Crane of Birmingham; two grandchildren, Christian Crane of Millbrook and Megan Crane of Selma; two sisters, one brother, and numerous nieces and nephews.