Alma F. Scarsbrook

Alma F. Scarsbrook, age 91, passed away on February 26, 2007 in Gadsden, AL. Funeral services will be 1:00 Thursday, March 1, 2007 at the Chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home with Rev. Guy Anderson officiating.

Burial will be at Orrville Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the services.

Mrs. Scarsbrook was preceded in death by her husband, Weston Scarsbrook; sister, Thelma Fitts West; brothers, Carl and Alfred Fitts, sister-in-law, Mary Ella Fitts, and special niece; Carolyn Wilson.

Mrs. Scarsbrook is survived by her son Donald S. McFarland of Atlanta, Ga., daughter; Patti S. McFarland of Rainbow City, AL., and grandchildren, Jodi and Zack McFarland of Rainbow City, AL.

She had many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was born in Stanton, AL and lived in Orrville and Selma, AL.

She attended Livingston University. She was a schoolteacher for many years at Orrville Elementary Scholl, Perry Christian School, and Meadowview Christian School.

She was devoted to her children and grandchildren. Teaching school was the joy of her life.

She also enjoyed cooking and gardening.

She lived many years in Orrville and her friends there always had a special place in her heart.

Special thanks to Judy and Dick Bell, Jean Gilley and Dean Wilson. Special thanks to the staff and nurses at Merrill Gardens of Albertville, AL who treated her with love, kindness and patience during her final years.

Special thanks to Northside Nursing Home in Gadsden, AL.

Flowers may be sent or donations may be sent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.

James Wylie Pickering Sr.

James Wylie Pickering Sr., age 87, died on Monday, February 26, 2007 at his home.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Plantersville Christian Cemetery with Rev. Wayne Craft officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 28, 2007 from 6-7 p.m. at Lawrence Funeral Home.

Mr. Pickering was a merchant in Selma for many years and one of his proudest memories of his business career was being involved with the Committee of 100 who were responsible for Hammermill locating here

Mr. Pickering is survived by his wife- Evelyn V. Pickering; son- James W. (Paula) Pickering, Lee (Charlotte) Pickering, and Mike Pickering; grandchildren- Jay (Amy), Paul, and Richie (Tamra); great granddaughter- Ashley Burton.

Stewart Curtis Nichols

Stewart Curtis Nichols, 74, a veteran of Marion, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, at his home.

Services were held Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel Baptist Church. Interment was held at Ephesus Baptist Church cemetery. The Rev. Lloyd Stockman will be officiating.

The family received friends at the church before the service.

Survivors include Evelyn Colburn Nichols of Marion; daughter, Susan Denise Viger of Woodstock, Ga.; son, James Art Nichols (Carrie) of Prattville; sister, Marie Woods (Landon) of Pleasant Grove; three brothers, Fred Nichols (Ann) of Sprott, Hayward (Corinne) Nichols of Selma; and Carey (Doris) Nichols of Marion; three grandchildren, Renee Katherine Viger and Abigail Viger, both of Woodstock, Ga.; Casey Marie Nichols of Prattville.

Stewart Curtis Nichols was born on Feb. 17, 1923, in Sprott.

His parents were James Curtis and Mattie Vera Stewart Nichols who preceded him in death.

He was retired as an Air Force major.

Col. Stewart Nichols was employed as vice president of finance at Marion Military Institute for 26 years.

During the time he was at MMI, he served as interim president for two terms.

Pallbearers were Mike Horne, Lee Nichols, Chris Aldrich, Mike McCluskie, Bruce Smith and Clint Sumlin.

Honorary pallbearers were Kirtley Brown, MMI presidents, trustees and co-workers from 1978 to 2003.

Willie M. Smith

Willie M. Smith, age 69, of Selma, AL passed away February 26, 2007 at a local hospital.

Funeral services will be Thursday, March 1, 2007, 11:00 a.m. at Selma Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Smith officiating and Selma Funeral Home directing.

Interment will be in Pineview Memory Gardens.

Visitation will be prior to the funeral at 10-11:00 a.m.

She is survived by her husband, Winston A. Smith; one son, Danny Ray Smith; one daughter, Joann (Billy) Mosley; one brother, Charlie Goodman; four sisters, Sarah Singleton, Lida Burrell, Etter Bee Bradford and Lois ONeil; four grandchildren, Kaylee Mosley, Misty Mosley, Joshua Smith and Krystal Smith; and two great grandchildren, Hunter Keith and Skyler Keith.

Pallbearers will be Steve Lawrence, Billy Mosley, Steven Smith, James Womack and Artis Griffin.