Isabelle Marshall Knudsen

Isabelle Marshall Knudsen, native of Mobile and resident of Marion for the past 13 years, died Friday, January 12, 2007 after a brief illness at the age of 94.

The descendent of several early Alabama families, she was the daughter of Earl Blanchard Marshall and Belle Davis McKean, and the widow of Mobile business executive Olaf Schavland Knudsen.

Born July 6, 1912, Mrs. Knudsen was educated at Knott’s School for Girls and Wright’s Girls’ Preparatory School, where she graduated in 1929.

As a young woman she acted in Mobile Little Theater plays and appeared as a model for charity events. In her career as a legal secretary she was with several leading Mobile law firms.

Mrs. Knudsen was a support of the Historic Mobile Preservation Society from the time of its inception in the 1930s. She was also a member of the UMS-Wright Alumni Association, the Friends of Magnolia Cemetery and an honorary member of the Founders of Old Mobile Society.

For over 50 years she belonged to Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile, and had been a member of Marion Presbyterian Church since 1993.

She is survived by her son, Marshall Schavland Knudsen of Marion; her daughters Martha Ann Kavanaugh and Isabelle Lane Parker, both of Tuscaloosa; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held from Confederate Hall, the family residence in Marion, on Monday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m., with burial in the family lot in Mobile at Pine Crest Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Kirk Funeral Homes, Marion Chapel directing.

Mr. Theopolis Lake

Mr. Theopolis Lake, age 54, of Selma, Ala. died January 13, 2007 at Vaughan Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Miller Funeral Service.

Howard Burrill, Sr.

Howard Burrill, Sr., age 77, died at home Friday, January 12, 2007.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2007 at the Chapel of Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Rimmer officiating. Burial will follow at Pineview Memory Gardens. Preceding the service, visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Burrill is survived by his wife of 10 years, Virginia Middleton Deramus Burrill of Marion Junction; one daughter; Mrs. Brandon (Debbie) Key of Selma; two sons, Howard (Pam) Burrill Jr. of Ashville, N.C., and George C. (Brenda) Burrill of Little Rock, Ark.; grandchildren, Austin (Laura) Key of Mobile, Ann Key of Sarasota, Fla., and Matthew Burrill of Ashville, N.C.; and great-grandchildren, Hali Key, Bradley Key and Myles Burrill. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Ellen Jennings of Luray, Va.; two brothers, George (Charlotte) Burrill of Fredericksburg, Va. and Robert (Charlene) Burrill of Austin, Texas; and a host of extended family members and friends.

Pallbearers will be members of an Air Force Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be members of American Legion Post 20.

Mr. Burrill, Retired Air Force with 24 years service, served at the American Legion 31st Division Commander. With the heart of a servant, he was an active member of Orrville United Methodist Church and his community of Marion Junction.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Orrville United Methodist Church or a favorite charity.

Estella Dennis

Estella Dennis, age 103, of Safford, Ala. died January 3, 2007 at home. Funeral was held on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. at Mount Lebanon Baptist church with Rev. Nathaniel Parker officiating. Burial in Christian Light Cemetery with Lewis Brothers Funeral Home directing.

Leona “Makoa” Gene Durden

Leona “Makoa” Gene Durden, age 64, of Valley Grande, Ala. passed away January 10, 2007. Funeral services will be Sunday, January 14, 2007, 1:00 p.m. at Selma Funeral Home Chapel with Father Carroll Plourde officiating and Selma Funeral Home directing.

Visitation will be Saturday at 2 –

4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

She is survived by her husband, Cary M. Durden of Valley Grande, Ala.; one son, Cary M. Durden, of Tucson, Ariz.; three daughters, Kimberlee N. Durden of Mascoutah, Ill., Carey M. Durden of Kailua- Kona, Hawaii and Mavis J. Durden of Wahiawa, Hawaii; grandchildren, Cary-Mathis Trugillo, Cary Manning Durden, Tyler Durden, Nyah Klink and Nickolas Klink.

Albert Tabb

Albert Tabb, age 77, passed December 24, 2006 in Bessemer, Ala.. The funeral was January 6, 2007 at Brighton Funeral Home Chapel in Bessemer, Ala. He was born in Dallas County on December 17, 1929 to Roberta (Hattie Mae) Payne and Joe Tabb. He was a U.S. Veteran and moved to Bessemer, Ala. and resided there for 55 years and worked at City of Birmingham, Ala. where he retired. He leaves to cherish his memories two brothers, Robert (Lula) Payne of Bessemer, Ala. and Ralph (Mary) Tabb of Sardis, AL;

two sisters, Joann Tabb Lewis of Selma, Ala. and Dorothy (Herbert) Walker of Selma, Ala.

Mr. John T. Harris

Mr. John T. Harris, age 54, of Selma, Ala. died January 12, 2007 at Vaughan Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Miller Funeral Service.

Ms. Laura M. Williams

Ms. Laura M. Williams, age 86, of Selma, Ala. died January 12, 2007 at her residence. Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Miller Funeral Service.

Ms. Pearlie Beasley

Ms. Pearlie Beasley, of Boston, Mass., formerly of Marion Junction, Ala., died January 12, 2007 in Boston, Mass. Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Miller Funeral Service.