Ernest A. Befford

1SG Ernest A. Befford, age 71, of Marion, Ala., passed away Thursday, April 5, 2007.

Surviving are his wife, Mary I. Befford; his daughter, Mary C. Befford; and his grandchildren, Albert Befford and Elizabeth Bell and her husband Dustin.

Funeral services will be Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel at Marion Military Institute with Col. James Waters officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Garden Hills Cemetery in

Opelika, Ala., at 5:00 p.m.

1SG Befford was a family man devoted to his wife, daughter and grandchildren. He not only had devotion to his family, but also the many cadets who he had mentored throughout the years. He served his country in the Korean conflict where he was one of six survivors of the first attack on Pork Chop Hill. Later he served as a Drill Instructor at Fort Polk, Louisiana for nine years. He obtained the rank of 1SG at the age of 26 in non-war time.

He then served twice in Vietnam and completed his military service at Fort

Richardson, Alaska. Continuing his career, he and his wife traveled to Marion, Ala., where he spent seventeen years mentoring students at Marion Military Institute as a Tac Officer.

Throughout his career, 1SG Befford touched many lives amongst his cadets and friends. He will not only be remembered as a well-decorated soldier, but as a devout family man and role model to all lives he has touched.

Selma Funeral Home is serving the family of Ernest Befford.

Floyd R. Ryals

Floyd R. Ryals died April 6, 2007 after an extended illness at the age of 79.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Bobbie Ryals and his brother Quinton Ryals.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Ryals, son Dicky (Ruth) Ryals, daughters Sherry (Allen) Rix, Jan (Ronnie) Guy, Kathy (Mike) Monsur and Donna Morgan, nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews and a host of dear devoted friends.

Floyd retired from Alabama Power after 47 years of service as tree crew Forman. He molded and shaped the lives of many of the men and women who worked under his supervision.

Active pallbearers will be James Butler, Terry Spires, Dave Womble, Mike Goldman, Gordon Patterson and Denzel Cattrett. Honorary pallbearer will be Frank Miles.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at Leak-Memory Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Leak-Memory Chapel with Reverend Leonard Howell officiating. Burial will follow in his family cemetery in Titus, Ala.

Please visit Mr. Ryals’ memorial at www.MeM.com to send condolences.

Leak-Memory Chapel directing.

Charles E. “REESI” Durgan

Charles E. “REESI” Durgan, 59, formerly of Selma, passed April 2, 2007 in Minneapolis, MN.

Final arrangements will be announced at a later date by J.H. Williams & Sons Funeral Home.

Barbara Ann Shelton

Barbara Ann Shelton, a resident of Plantersville, Ala., died April 6, 2007 at her home. Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Lewis Brothers Funeral Home, Inc.