Walker County Obituaries Walker County Obituaries
AARON----Preston Ira Aaron submitted by Claudia Fields Kraemer 8-2005
CHARLOTTE, NC — Preston Ira Aaron, 92, died March 2, 2005, at his home in Charlotte with his wife and family at his side. He was born Aug. 19, 1912, in Sipsey, Ala., son of Charles Washington Aaron and Martha Samantha Morgan Aaron. Graveside service 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Visitation 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Hankins & Whittington Dilworth Chapel At age twelve his family moved to Westerly, West Virginia.
Mr. Aaron and his wife, Irene, were pioneers in bringing Dairy Queen to the Charlotte area. In 1947 they opened their first store on Wilkinson Blvd. and later opened additional stores in Mecklenburg, as well as promoted others in Gaston and Cleveland Counties.
Mr. Aaron was a former member of the West Charlotte Lions Club and the West Mecklenburg Optimist Club. He sponsored local athletic teams, including a Dairy Queen little league team that he coached, a courthouse men’s softball team, and adult and youth bowling teams.
“Popeye,” as his grandchildren called him, had great love for his family and he will be greatly missed.
In addition to Irene Aaron, his wife of 64 years, Mr. Aaron is survived by a son, Dane Aaron and his wife Malinda of Lake Wylie, SC; daughter, Janice Maloney and her husband David of Cornelius, NC; grandchildren, Stephanie Frost and her husband Rick of Provo, UT, Shelley Tate and her husband Chad of Charlotte, NC, Lisa Shannon Van Cleve and her husband Darren of Cornelius, NC, April Morris and her husband Travis of Charlotte, NC, Dane Stephen Aaron Jr. of Lake Wylie, SC and Benjamin Aaron of Charlotte, NC; eight great-grandchildren, Parker, Alexa, Tate and Summer Frost, Madison and Mackenzie Tate, and Preston and Hunter Van Cleve.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Aaron was preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel Elizabeth Miller and Estelle Louise Bevins; and one brother, William Bradford Aaron.
MR. J. M. KITCHENS DEAD (JAMES MATLOCK)
ANOTHER GOOD MAN HAS GONE TO HIS REWARD
It becomes our painful duty to chronicle the death of another of our well known and most highly esteemed citizens -- that of Mr. J. M. Kitchens, which occurred at his home in this city last Friday night. Mr. Kitchens had been in bad health for several months, but was only confined to his bed ten days. He had been having chills at intervals all the summer and fall, and on the day he took to his bed had a very severe one, and from that rapidly sank until relieved by death. The funeral services were held at Samaria Church on Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. H. C. Hurley, of the Jasper Baptist Church and was attended by the family and a large number of friends and relatives, After which the remains were laid to rest in the silent, well cared for cemetery near by, where he will peacefully sleep until the resurrection. The deceased had long been a citizen of Walker County and was a man without a blot or stain upon his name. All honored and respected him for he was a man who never did another an injury, while his deeds of kindness were lavishly bestowed when opportunity offered. J. M. Kitchens was born in this county May 13, 1830 and died December 11, 1896--making his age 66 years 6 months and 28 days. He was a son of Rev. James Matlock and Sallie Brown Kitchens . He was married to Miss M. D. Files, (Mary Delilah) Daughter of Mr. Richard Files, July 6, 1865, who, with four children, two sons and two daughters survive him. He united himself with the Baptist Church at Samaria about 1874, where he kept his membership until moving to Jasper when he changed it to the Jasper Baptist Church, and during all that time had lived an consistent and Christian life. The Eagle extends its sympathy to their bereaved family in their dark hour of sorrow. Above appeared in the 1896 Wednesday- December 16th issue of The Mountain Eagle. He served during the War Between the States as a Private with Co. I of the 28th Alabama Infantry. Prior to the war he had been an educator at the Jasper Academy. Karen Kitchen Murphy-October 2005 [BigMurph1@MSN.com]
Tribute to John Carl Birchfield-1940 J. C. Birchfield Passes Away
Mountain Eagle
Aug. 1940Cordova and all Walker County was indeed made sad on Sunday night when the news came of the death of Mr. J. C. (Carl) Birchfield at Walker County Hospital.
Mr. Birchfield was injured by a train in Parrish on July 27 and was rushed to Walker County Hospital where all medical aid was given him, but God saw best and called him to the home eternal.
To know Mr. Birchfield was to love him. He had friends by the scores. He was employed by the Alabama Water Service Company and was a hard working man He was a World War veteran.
His body laid in state at Mt. Carmel Baptist church from 1:00 until 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Masons were in charge of grave, and Less and sons directed.
He leaves to survive his wife and one little daughter, Rosemary, his father, Mr. J. D Birchfield and stepmother, from Pyreton; one sister from Ohio and one half sister, Mrs. Robert Pittard of Pyreton and a host of friends. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones.
John C. Birchfield
Fatally InjuredBirmingham News
Aug. 1940John Carl Birchfield, prominent Legionnaire of Cordova, who suffered injuries in an accident the day before the American Legion Department Convention met in Birmingham, has passed away as the result of these injuries, according to word received from his comrades in Cordova.
Comrade Birchfield was one of the leaders of the Post at Cordova and was continually active in every effort for the betterment of the community and for his comrades of the World War. (WWI) He held numerous offices in the post and always was in the forefront of every Legion activity.
His death leaves an empty place in the ranks that will be hard to fill.
(Submitted by Rosemary Birchfield Filyaw)
About James R. Hancock....
Death Notice from The Jones Valley Times - August 12, 1854
"We regret to learn that Mr. James R. Hancock , formerly of this county removed to Walker, while out hunting a few days ago, and just after shooting a deer, was bitten on the leg by a rattlesnake and died shortly afterwards."submitted by Bob Binstein
Mr. Joe Guttery of Townley
Mountain Eagle March 1928 Jasper, Alabama
Visitors from Townley, Monday reported the recent death of Mr. Joe Guttery, age 92. One of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of the Holly Grove Community. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. W. R. Brown & Rev. Robert J. Guttery and burial was in the Guttery burying ground. Mr. Guttery is survived by five children. He was a Member of the Primitive Baptist Church, his membership extending over a period of more than half a century. He was a member of one of the pioneer families of the county
(Submitted by Floyd Guthrie)
From a 1907 Mountain Eagle (no date) "Mr. Jeff Jones, an aged, well known citizen, died at his home near Parrish Saturday night, after a short illness of pneumonia. Mr. Jones was somewhere near 70 years of age, and a most excellent citizen. He was for years county surveyor and was well known and highly esteemed throughout the county. The news of his death will cause regret to all who knew him." (Note: William Jefferson Jones died on January 12, 1907, at the age of 71. He is buried in Old Antioch Cemetery next to his first wife, Edith [Garrison] Jones.)
(Submitted by Ed H. Jones)
contributed by Willie Barton
Arnold Hardin, 4, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Hardin died of appendicitis in a Birmingham hospital last week. The funeral was at Boldo Saturday by Rev. Malcolm Banks. The interment was in Boldo Cemetery. (Mt. Eagle 10/12/1921)
Funeral services for Lecil Haywood were conducted by Rev. Wiley Kitchens on March 6 at Boldo Baptist Church. Mr. Haywood died Saturday March 4 after an illness of several months. He is survived by his widow, 3 children and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Haywood. (The Mountain Eagle 3/23/1944)
Willis Haywood, age 27, died from appendicitis. He lives at Gardners community. The funeral was at Boldo. He was the son of Tom Haywood. (The Mountain Eagle 11/9/1927 )
‘Uncle’ Green Inman dead - near Townley. Perfect type of honesty and intolerant of anything that smacked of deception. His wife preceded him 3 or 4 years. (The Mountain Eagle 6/29/1898)
Harold Kilgore, 9, of Dora died at a local hospital Sunday after an illness of 6 days. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Kilgore. He became ill on Monday June 12 with a headache and gradually grew worse. The funeral was held at Dora Methodist Church Monday at 3 p.m. Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery. Surviving are his parents, one brother, Elbert and one sister, Mrs. Giles Jones of Sulligent. (The Mountain Eagle 6/22/1939)
Mrs. Missouri Paralee Alexander died rather suddenly at the family home north of Staggs Bridge in the North West part of the county Friday evening. Friday she went over to Jefferson County where her son--in-law, Jim Tubbs, was killed in a mine on Thursday by a trip of cars that broke loose and ran over him. Her funeral was at Lamon Chapel Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment in Bennett Cemetery. (The Mountain Eagle 12/28/1944)
Sad death of Lucille Morrow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Morrow. A shock to the entire community was the unexpected death of Lucille, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Morrow, of near Sander's Ferry and only grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Morrow. She had been well and playing all day; and about five o'clock her mother noticed her with a box of pills, from which several were gone. She went to sleep, slept about 10 minutes and awoke having convulsions and died within a few minutes, before medical aid could be summoned. The child was 17 months of age. (The Mountain Eagle 1/31/1917)
George M. O'Rear, 23, was killed instantly in a plane crash at Ft. Clark near San Antonio, Texas Monday morning. The two cadets on board were approaching a landing field in a heavy bombing plane when something happened and the plane plunged 200 feet to the ground. The funeral will be at residence of Mr. and Mrs. George D. O'Rear Friday at 11 a.m. Survivors include step-mother, Mrs. Tinney O'Rear, one brother Neilsen O'Rear, 1 step-brother, Billy O'Rear; grandparents G. D. O'Rear; uncles Caine, Judson and Maynard; aunts Mrs. W. W. Woods and Miss Mabel O'Rear. He was the youngest son of George V. O'Rear, also a graduate of Walker High and University of Alabama (The Mountain Eagle 7/29/ 1931)
Alex O'Rear, citizen of South Lowell, died at his store located 2 miles NE of South Lowell last Thursday morning. He was about 70, lived alone in his store, sleeping in an adjoining room. Thursday morning he was at the home of his son-in-law, Henry Patton. He complained he hadn't slept the night before so he would go back to the store and try to sleep. Later two little girls reported to Mr. Patton that Mr. O'Rear didn't answer their knock. When Patton arrived he heard Mr. O'Rear fall in the bedroom. Forcing the door open he found his father-in-law lying by the bed dead. Mr. O'Rear was buried at South Lowell. (Mt. Eagle 3/19/1924)
The Death Angel has visited Jasper again and robbed it of one of its brightest and loveliest little gems. Maud, the sweet little 8 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. D. O'Rear which occured at about 9:00 Monday morning after an illness of 19 days of thyhoid fever. The funeral was preached yesterday at 1:00 at the residence of Mr. O'Rear by the Rev. R.M. Hunter, after which the little floweret was laid to rest at New Prospect Cemetery to await the resurrection morn. (Mt. Eagle 11/8/1893)Mrs. Drummond, wife of Dr. I.F. Drummond, died at her home in Beat 15 last Wednesday after an illness of ten months with consumption. She is survived by her husband, three children, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Phillips and two sisters, Mrs. Hubert Whorton and Mrs. R.F. Fields and a brother, Pharlon Phillips. Mrs. Drummond was born June 27, 1873, was educated in the public school in Jasper and was married to Dr. Drummond April 23, 1905. Interment was at Drummond Family burial ground. (Mt. Eagle 3/2/1910)
Mrs. G.D. O'Rear Passes Away
Beloved Jasper Woman succumbs to Pneumonia; Funeral Services at residence Sat.
Mrs. G.D. O"Rear, 76, died of pneumonia early Friday morning at the family residence, after an illness of several days. Although Mrs. O'Rear's health had been failing for the past few years, her sudden illness and death cast a gloom over the whole town, where she had lived so long and was so beloved.
Mrs. O'Rears maiden name was Venila Ducretia (Lucretia) Sanders and was the eldest daughter of the late Samuel Sanders and Nancy Cain Sanders. Her father was a Confederate war veteran and Bible student. Her maternal grandfather, James Cain, introduced the bill into the State Legislature to create Walker County.
The deceased was born January 24, 1858 at the old Sanders place south of Jasper. She was married to G.D. O'Rear, Jan. 18, 1880 and they celebrated their golden anniversary in 1930. Surviving are her husband, five children, Caine O'Rear, Mrs. W. W. Woods, Miss Mabel O'Rear, Judson and Maynard O'Rear, eight grandchildren, Neilsen O'Rear of Montgomery; Mrs. Bruce Jones, Misses Cleste Woods, Patricia, Emma Lucretia, Maynard Reilly, Caine Jr. and Martha Ann O'Rear and two great-grandchildren, Bobby Jones and Guy Reeves O'Rear; four sisters, Mrs. W.F. Kitchens, Jasper; Mrs. Lucy Catchings, Fort Worth, Texas; Mrs.S.B. Smith, Birmingham and Mrs. Vada Rosser, Jasper and also a wide family connection on both maternal and paternal sides. There are four children dead of whom one is Guy O'Rear, former sheriff of Walker County, and grandchildren dead including George M. O'Rear.
No woman ever reared here had a wider circle of friends or a greater influence and many hearts were saddened by her passing. Her greatest acts of mercy lay in her visits to the sick and the bereaved. She was ever present to help, to comfort and to cheer. Mrs. O'Rear joined the Baptist church in 1881, and in her younger days there was never a more devoted church worker. She did much toward helping to build and adorn the present church for its dedication. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the family residence with Dr. W.F. Yarborough officiating, assisted by Dr. J. R.Turner and Dr.J.P. Aiken, with interment in Oak Hill Cemetery. The pall bearers were Geo. Gallagher, Joe Simmons, Paul Boteler, Clinton Stovall, Arthur Sartain, Leo Standiffer, John Lacy and Karl Hare. The many beautiful floral offerings were handled by the grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mrs. Caine O'Rear and Mrs. Bert Stephenson had charge of the music, the former, by request of the family singing "Nellie Gray" an old favorite of the deceased.
We shall sleep but not forever. There shall be a glorious dawn
Mrs. Hugh Barton, 84, died at the home of her son, Andrew, in the Eastern part of the county Sunday after a long illness. She was laid to rest at Sardis Cemetery. She was one of the oldest and best known women in that part of the county. She was affectionately called "Aunt Sis Barton". She is survived by 3 sons and 1 daughter.(Mt. Eagle 9/19/1928)
Ollie Strickland, 38 years, 11 months died at a local hospital Tuesday night Sept. 25 from injuries received when a tractor turned over on him near Linn's Park, where he was employed by a saw mill company. Mr. Strickland and others were engaged in skidding saw logs on a side of a mountain and a pin came out of some part of the tractor which caused it to ride up when it pulled too hard. When it reared too high Mr. Strickland would put his foot on the clutch and bring it back to the right position. That time Mr. Strickland's foot missed the clutch. It turned over, striking him on the hip and pinning him on the ground. His companions were obliged to hitch mule teams to the tractor in order to get it off him. Mr. Strickland was rushed to the hospital where it was found he had a compound dislocation of his hip and internal injuries. He died about 9 p.m. Mr. Strickland is survived by his wife and 6 children. He was buried at Boldo. (Mt Eagle 9/19/1928)
MISS TILDA WILLIAMS DIES OF APPENDICITIS:
Tilda Williams, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hamp Williams, of Boldo, who was taken to Birmingham for an operation for appendicitis recently died shortly after the operation. The operation revealed, it is said, that the child had suffered from chronic appendicitis, that the appendix had bursted some time ago, partially headed up and bursted again before she reached the hospital.
The remains were carried back to Boldo and interment took place at the Boldo cemetery,Rev. Puttman officiating. (Mt. Eagle 10/18/1922)
Editor, James R. Gunter, Dead
(submitted by Willie Barton- Jan 2005)
It is with deep sorrow that The Eagle announces the death of Mr. J. R. Gunter. The end came suddenly, and unexpectedly Tuesday morning about 6 o'clock. The news of his death was a great shock to his immediate family and the Eagle force, who have been associated with him for a number of years. In fact, it came as a shock to his friends throughout the county and state as he was one of the best known men in the county.
He had been complaining since last Friday with a pain in his back, but was not suffering enough to leave his post of duty. He came to the office Monday morning and started to work as usual but about 11 o'clock he decided to go home and take some medicine, saying he would be all right by morning. Monday night two of his sons, after returning from town, went into his room to see how he was resting and found him sitting up in bed, remarking to them that he felt better.
Tuesday morning his wife, who had been with him during the greater part of the night, quietly slipped out of the room, thinking he had fallen asleep, and she would leave him undisturbed. Later on she returned to the room and found him cold in death.
Funeral service was conducted at the family home in East Jasper Wednesday afternoon, by Rev. J. J. Hagood, of the Jasper Baptist Church, assisted by Revs. J. T. Morris and C. C. Butler, and the interment took place in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The following well known citizens acted as pall bearers: H. S. Long, J. M. Phillips, T. J. Amiss, R. A. Cain, A. M. Murphee, C. C. Butler.
The following brief sketch of his life will be found of interest to our readers.
James Richard Gunter son of Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Gunter. He was born at Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee, June 1, 1861; came to Alabama with his parents in 1866 (note: hard to read, appears to be 1866) and spent two years in Pickens County. In 1868 the family settled in Jasper. James advantages for an education were limited, owing to the unsettled condition of the South during reconstruction days. His father was a well educated man, however and James acquired a good deal of knowledge from him. He started to work in a printing office early in life and set type for "Mt. Eagle, 'Walker County Times" and "Winston Herald" from 1884-1887. James and his father, Samuel published "The True Citizen" at Jasper. As the management of the newspaper interfered too much with his father's law practice, they sold the True Citizen plant in 1887 and went back to the Mountain Eagle, which was published and owned by L. B. Musgrove.
Upon the death of his father in 1890 Mr. Gunter became editor of "The Mt. Eagle" in which capacity he labored for 24 years. His diction bore no mark of art; it seemed to be the very language of nature and his strong editorials, always on the moral side of every question, gained for him considerable attention throughout the state.
He had a knack of keeping in touch with the common masses and writing things to please and entertain them.
He was of a quiet, gentle disposition and had gained the loved and respect of those with whom he was associated. He was a kind, considerate husband and father.
In his early manhood, Mr. Gunter was married to Miss Mollie O'Rear and unto them were born a large family of children, eleven of whom are living.
Besides a wife, he is survived by the following children: Sam, Paul, Charley and Lecil Gunter; Mrs. Dora Poe, Mrs. Bessie Ballard; Mrs. Jessie Woodall and Misses Madge, Grace, Gladys and Mary Gunter, all of whom live here except two - Mrs. Bessie Ballard of Savannah Ga and Mrs. Jessie Woodall of Tallassee, Ala. Also a mother, Mrs. M. E. Gunter , three brothers and three sisters, all of whom live in Jasper. (newspaper print impossible to read at this point) Jimmy Gunter was he was affectionately called by his friends will be sadly missed by his loved ones, his home town and numerous friends throughout the county. But nowhere he will be missed more than in the Eagle office where he has labored so long and so well. The Eagle extends to the bereaved family our heartfelt sympathy.( article taken from The Mountain Eagle published Wed. Aug 26, 1914 - Gunter file, Jasper Library, Walker Co, Al. 8/26/1914)
In Tribute to R.H. Palmer
(Submitted by Joann Layton)
"Mr. Palmer's father moved from Marshall County, Alabama in 1859, and purchased a farm near where Corona is situated in this county. He entered the Confederate army and died of typhoid fever in 1863. Robert H. (Bob) Palmer attended school in his home community during summer months and attended the old Jasper Academy two terms, taught by Prof. Ira Robins. He was appointed tax collector of Walker County in1887 to fill out the unexpired of Jeff Philips, deceased. In1889 he entered the mercantile business at Dora and the store has been maintained by the Palmer family 48 years. He organized four coal companies in Walker, but later on sold all his interests except in the
Benoit Coal Company, of Benoit. He helped promote and organize the First National Bank of Jasper, and was an officer of that institution until his death. He owns considerable interests in the Palmer-McCutcheon Company and the Nehi Bottling Company of Jasper. He was a member of the Methodist church and a Mason.
Mr. Palmer's first wife was a Miss Lynn, mother of Lynn Palmer. His second wife, mother of his other children, was Miss Gertrude Jackson. Mr Palmer was a resident of Jasper for more than 30 yrs.
In tribute to.............Susan R. Thompson Patterson
It is with sad hearts that the Walker County Genealogical Society, Inc. has learned of the passing of Susan R. Thompson Patterson , formerly of Albertville, Alabama. Susan passed away Sunday, March 28, 2004 at her residence in Oakman, Walker County, Alabama. She was the wife of Reverend Anthony Patterson and the daughter of Henry Jackson Thompson and Clara Nell Reed Thompson. Visitation will be at Collins-Burke Funeral Home in Jasper, Walker County on Tuesday, March 30, 2004, from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M.. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 31, 2004 with the service at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Albertville, Alabama. Burial will be graveside at 5:00 P.M. Wednesday March 31, 2004 at the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Hartsville, Morgan County, Alabama. Susan was a past secretary of the Walker County Genealogical Society. She had been Regent for the past two years of the Major Thomas Hubbard Chapter of the DAR in Jasper, Walker County, Alabama. Her warm and generous smiles will be missed. May God bless her family with strength at this time of sorrow.
In tribute to.............Sidney Drummond
Sadly, Mr. Drummond missed his 100th year old birthday. Sidney Drummond son of Tommie/TW Drummond and Louanner Buzbee passed on March 27th, 2004 at the age of 99.
He was a long member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He retired from Union Carbine Co. in Hammond, Ind.
He is survived by his wife of 80 years, Willie Banks Drummond; three daughters, Jerldeen Woodley and her husband, Johnnie, Louise Johnson and her husband, J.R., and Shirley Skaggs, all of Jasper; sister, Maggie Roden; and two brothers, Harvey Drummond and Charlie Drummond, all of Bremen; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
