Mallieve Lenora Wicker Breeding, born in Selma on August 29, 1921, passed away March 15, 2018.

Mrs. Breeding was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Albert (Sarah) Wicker; sisters, Charlotte and Dorothy; husband of 54 years, USAF (Ret) Lt. Col. Charles Norton Breeding; son, Charles David Breeding and granddaughter, Debbie Breeding.

She is survived by her daughters, Beverly (George) Perkins of Sylacauga, Alabama and Nancy (Hartley) Smith of Selma; grandchildren, Tom (Terri) Perkins of Nolensville, Tennessee, Dena Perkins (Brett) Adair of Mountain Brook, Alabama, David Perkins of Birmingham, Alabama, Rachel Smith (Brent) Evans of Middletown, Deleware, Christopher A. Smith of Spring Grove, Illinois and Cindy Breeding (Lee) Holmes of Dothan, Alabama and 12 great-grandchildren.

Selma’s “Madam Butterfly” received state and national awards for her volunteer efforts in the public-school system, teaching the environmental importance of butterflies. She was involved in the development of butterfly gardens and was responsible for Selma’s becoming the Butterfly Capitol of Alabama. In 1986, she was the winner of Auburn University’s W. Moseley Kelly Environmental Award for achievements in forestry, wildlife and related resources. She was a charter member of “Tale Telling”, was a member of the Benjamin Sterling Turner Memorial Committee and organized the Bicentennial Tree Program, which became the Selma Beautification Council. She was a member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

A memorial service will be Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at 2 p.m., at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church with Dr. Jerry Gunnells officiating. A private burial will be in New Live Oak Cemetery with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Selma-Dallas County Public Library or Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Parilee Anderson and Annette Robinson for their years of devoted service.