Raymond Jefferson McDonald (R.J.)

Raymond Jefferson McDonald (R.J.), 100, of Marion, Alabama, died on Sunday, January 21, 2007.

Born on January 4, 1907, in Winfield, Alabama, he was the son the late John Marcus McDonald and Permelia May McDonald.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, a wonderful Christian man and great educator.

After graduating from Winfield High School, he obtained a college degree in 1931 and master’s in 1940 from the University of Alabama; the first in the family to do so.

He met his wife, Margie, at the University, where he was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa.

They raised four daughters and were married for over 68 years.

In the summer of 1942, “Col Mac” left the Alabama Public School System to become an instructor at Marion Military Institute where he became Dean and later promoted to Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Col Mac was a perfect example for us all. It was no accident that God blessed him with such a long, happy and healthy life.

Mr. McDonald is survived by his four daughters: Margaret McDonald (Dr. William Max) of Birmingham, Alabama; Barbara Mitchell (Mr. Frank S.) of Dallas, Texas, Carolyn Starling (The Reverend Ralph L.) of Richmond, Virginia, and Frances Quick (Colonel Ret. Burnet R.) of Columbus, Georgia. Mr. McDonald is also survived by one sister, Johnnie McDonald New of Lithonia, Georgia and one brother, Joe McDonald of Winfield, Alabama. Seven grandchildren are the following: Paige McDonald of Tampa, Florida, Donald Slappy, Jr. (Beth) of Houston, Texas, Charlotte Mitchell of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Raymond Slappy (Trina) of Albertville, Alabama, Susan Mitchell Keesecker (Richard) of Dallas, Texas, Shannon Quick of Columbus, Georgia, and Jeffrey Quick of New York City, New York. Two great grandchildren: Annika and Ethan Keesecker of Dallas Texas.

Family will receive friends from 12:00 – 12:45 Wednesday January 24, 2007 at Siloam Baptist Church Parlors.

Funeral service will follow in the sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. Graveside will be held at the Thomaston Cemetery in Tomaston, Alabama at 3:00 p.m. Kirk Funeral Homes Marion, Alabama will be directing the services with the Reverend Michael Perry officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Siloam Baptist Church 505 Washington Street, Marion, Alabama 36756, Marion Military Institute 1101 Washington Street, Marion, Alabama 36756 or the charity of your choice.

Doris Dickson Plant Thomas

Doris Dickson Plant Thomas, August 30, 1924 – January 20, 2007, a resident of Selma, Alabama died Saturday, January 20, 2007.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 22, 2007 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Selma, Ala. with Reverend Pol Van Zandt officiating.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years William Henry Plant, Jr. and her brother Robert Stiles Dickson, Jr.

She is survived by her husband, James Edwin Thomas; daughters, Mildred Plant Masten (Dan) of Kingston Springs, Tennessee and Mary Ann Plant of Selma, Alabama; stepdaughter, Patricia Thomas Bittel (Timothy) of Bay Village, Ohio; stepson, James Edwin Thomas, Jr. of Montgomery, Alabama; sisters, Anne Dickson Kidd (James) of Birmingham, Alabama and Leila Dickson Arthur of Dothan, Alabama; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Joseph Dickson (Robert) of Lowndesboro, Alabama and Ann Plant Morthland (Rex) of Selma, Alabama; step-grandchildren, James Edwin Thomas, III, Brittany Thomas and Timothy James Bittel; nieces, Dorothy Dickson Skipper (Randy) of Lowndesboro, Alabama, Leila Anne Kidd Rowan (Robby) of Huntsville, Alabama, Mary Ann Morthland Patterson (Scott) of Selma, Alabama, and Edith Morthland Jones (Larry) of Selma, Alabama; nephews, George Tarweek Dickson (Lori) of Lowndesboro, Alabama, Robert Stiles Dickson III (Jane) of Lowndesboro, Alabama, John Grover Arthur of Fayette, Alabama, Richard Arthur (Jan) of Dothan, Alabama, Donald Bradford kidd (Robin) of Birmingham, Alabama, Robert Dickson Kidd (Sharon) of Harpersville, Alabama, James Kidd III (Katherine) of Birmingham, Alabama, John William Kidd (Susan) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Richard Plant Morthland (Roberta) of Selma, Alabama.

She was a wonderful wife and mother.

She was a member of the Colonial Dames of America, Garden Club, and was involved in many social and civic organizations in the community.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Pallbearers will be James Kidd III, John William Kidd, Donald Bradford Kidd, George Tarweek Dickson, John Grover Arthur, Richard Arthur, Jr., William Marshall Patterson, Martin Plant Morthland, William Plant Morthland, Alan Cooper Leach, and James Kidd IV.

James Lester Hampsher

James Lester Hampsher, age 85, of Selma, Ala. passed away January 21, 2007.

Funeral services will be Thursday, January 25, 2007, 2:00 p.m. at Selma Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Parker officiating and Selma Funeral Home directing.

Interment will be in Pineview Memory Gardens.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 6-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

He is survived by one son, James F. Hampsher of Gulf Shores, Ala.; two daughters, Karen (Kim) Ballard of Selma, Ala. and Carol (George) Edwards of Burnsville, Ala.; two brothers, Bill (Sid) Hampsher of Fremont, Ohio and Earl Hampsher of Ruskin, Fla.; two sisters, Mary Lou Fox of Ruskin, Fla. and Betty Yaw of Los Angeles, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Shelley Patterson, Paul Booker and Michael Hampsher.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Margurite Hampsher.

Mr. Hampsher was a member of Fairview Baptist Church, VFW and Elks Club.

Pallbearers will be Steve Friday, Lyron Gandy, Joseph Friday, Mickey Patterson, Larry Booker, and Matt Norton.

Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Fairview Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fairview Baptist Church, 1800 West Dallas Avenue, Selma, AL

36701.