Shirley Adams Barton
Shirley Adams Barton, 90, of Tuscaloosa passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at home. Services were held graveside Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m., at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Joyce Snyder officiating, and Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider directing. Visitation was one hour prior to service. Interment was at Memory Hill Gardens immediately following the service. She is preceded in death by: her husband, Paul Barton; father, Oden Adams; mother, Dora Ashley Adams; brother, Richard Adams; sisters, Anita Crawford, and Kay Taylor. Survivors include: daughters Lori Snead (John), Nancy Terry (Steve); son Russ Barton (Tracy); grandchildren Hannah Costanzo (Ryan), Lesley Davis (Cory), Aimee Stormer (Andrew), John Paul Snead, Adrian Cortes (David), Rachel Langford (Alex), Brett Barton (Amelia), Jackson Barton (Jada); great grandchildren Chandler and Peyton Davis; Sutton and Smith Costanzo; Scottie and Jack Stormer; Amos, Mabel, and Oliver Cortes; Timothy Langford; Sawyer, Samuel, and Harvey Barton; and Marshall Barton; and sisters-in-law Betty Thompson and Martha Barton. Shirley Barton was born on November 8, 1934 to Oden and Dora Adams in Choctaw County. She graduated from Greensboro High School in 1953. After graduating, she worked for Sokol Furniture Company first in Greensboro and then in Tuscaloosa. Shirley married Paul Barton of Tuscaloosa on March 15, 1958. After being a full-time homemaker for many years while raising their three children, Shirley returned to the workforce, first for Ed Singley’s Allstate Insurance and then later at Capstone Medical Center at the University of Alabama where she retired after 21 years of service. She was a faithful member of Alberta United Methodist Church and then Forest Lake United Methodist Church. Shirley was an excellent Southern cook and baker. She had a sweet tooth, so there was almost always a delicious cake or pie to be had in her kitchen. As her family grew and her children married, Shirley faithfully prepared wonderful meals each Sunday for years and years. She could sew and make anything, often in a group that quilted and sewed, the fruits of their labor given to those in need. She enjoyed using her talents for others and, as a result, many of her hand sewn bags made their way to Honduras in support of mission work there. As her abilities waned for what she could do herself she taught many of her caregivers to crochet which gave her great joy. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will remember her as mild mannered, quick to smile, and generous with the snacks she kept on hand. Shirley loved deeply, cared genuinely, and shared freely. Pallbearers were Ryan Costanzo, Cory Davis, Andrew Stormer, John Paul Snead, David Cortes, Alex Langford, Brett Barton, and Jackson Barton. Honorary pallbearers are the Connections Sunday School class at Forest Lake United Methodist Church, Hospice of West Alabama, and caregivers Rita Hendrix, Martha Rogers, Thanual Crawford, Vicki Davis, Lib Sullivan, Veronica Gaddy, Judy Richardson, Diamond Cason, and Diane Burt. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404, www.hospiceofwestal.com, or Forest Lake United Methodist Church, 1711 4th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, www.forestlakeumc.org/. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com for the Barton family.
Lauren Alexandra Beck
It is with our heavy hearts we announce the passing of Lauren Alexandra Beck, 23, of Tuscaloosa on Sunday, March 16, 2025. She was born September 4, 2001, in Tuscaloosa. She graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2019, and moved up the road to Birmingham to attend University of Alabama at Birmingham, but you would have thought her parents felt she moved across the country. Lauren graduated from UAB Magna Cum Laude in April 2023. She has fought like a warrior for the last 18 months, and through her fight she found a renewed purpose for her life. She started writing articles for the Alabama Take, reviewing books for authors, and started her own public relations company. Bro. Gene Jordan, Dr. Samantha Shebib, Samantha Simmons, and Bro. Albert Lyles will be speaking for the family. Lauren, affectionately known to her dad as Buddy and her Mom as wRen Bird (Ren), was a miracle baby. Holly was told she could never have children and eight years later, God had a different plan. From that moment on she was the center of their world and then the ‘Beck Party of Three’ began. She was an easy child to raise, always smarter than her age. From the moment she started walking and talking she could light up the room. She always made us proud in everything she did, from academics, dance, theater, and her love for the Lord. Lauren would talk to Him like they were best friends talking over a cup of coffee at Heritage House. She loved her grandparents who played an active role in her entire life. She was fiercely devoted to all of her friends, especially Kylee Schlatter, Ainsleigh Campbell, and Emily Robbins. Lauren’s love for her dog Delilah was just as big as her love for family and friends. She loved reading, writing, learning about new things, but most of all she loved all things that promoted kindness, understanding, and acceptance for all people. It hardly does justice to capture Lauren’s essence in just a few words, when her parents could write volumes of books that could fill a library about her. Lauren’s passing leaves a hole that her they feel can never be filled, but she gave off enough light no matter to fill any empty space no matter how big. This is what will get us through the future without her. Her mom will forever cherish our days of car dancing, watching HGTV, finding recipes that they’ll never cook, and long talks about life. Her dad will cherish fishing trips, watching golf on Sundays, grocery store runs, playing games in the arcade, and watching movies only they liked. Although their lives will never be the same again, they will always be better for the time they had together. They know they will be reunited in heaven again one day and until then, they will live their lives trying to be the person that she was. Lauren is survived by her parents, Michael and Holly Beck; her Nana Barbara Beck of Tuscaloosa; her Ma-Ma and Granddaddy Vickie and Rodger DeRamus of Tuscaloosa; her uncle David DeRamus of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Lauren is survived by a great host of great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins who she loved deeply, but there are two cousins that are more like sisters, Emily Smith and Aislinn Davis. Lauren was preceded in death by her great-grandparents Sam and Eloise Sanford; Willie C. and France Beck; Archie and Mary Cain; Cecil and Helen DeRamus. A visitation for Lauren was held Friday, March 21, 2025, at Memory Chapel, Tuscaloosa, with funeral service on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Memory Chapel. A committal service followed at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa. Serving as pallbearers were Hawkins Davis, Brennan Davis, Kyle Smith, Evan Smith, Brooks Mellown, Colson Mellown. Serving as honorary pallbearers Megan Boullion, CRNP, Candice Hill, CRNP, Elizabeth “Bizzie” Bailey, Charley Colvin, Dr. Omer Jamy, MD, all members of her healthcare teams and support staff of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU), Hematology Oncology Special Unit (HOSU), and O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Kirklin Clinic at UAB, Chris and Mikki Davis, Daniel and Lisa Smith, Brian Schlatter, Noah Schlatter, Glen and Angie Campbell, Matthew McCulley, Christina, Scotty, and McKenzie Jones, Michelle Gross, Lucas McDonald, Kayrn Brumley, Mitchell Weed, Isabelle Dubon, Dr. Samantha Shebib, Josh Pelham, Mary Moore, Anthony Sabri, Michael Pham, Courtney Steele, Taigan White, Pat Graham, Tracy Dunn (Prince Tracy), Rick, Suzanne, and Sam Dowling, Dr. Karen Thompson-Jackson, Lothar and Jan Ingenrieth, faculty, staff (previous and current) and softball players of Duncanville Middle School, the congregation of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Become a bone marrow or blood stem cell donor, www.NMDP.com.
Henry Lee Conner, Sr.
Agnew Funeral Home announce with deepest sympathy the passing of Mr. Henry Lee Conner, Sr. Henry transitioned from this life on March 14, 2025 at Hale County Hospital. He was preceded in death by: his parents Mary Conner and Frank Gilmore; his granddaughter Aiyionna Conner; five sister and seven brothers. Henry leaves to cherish his precious memories: his wife Lorain Conner; three sons Henry Conner Jr., Franklin Conner, and Quentin (Shanatta) Hamilton; three daughters Dominique Conner, Tammaneeka (DeAndre) Brown, Kimberly Hamilton; eight grandchildren Quentirria Smith, Xavian Conner, Larico Waller, Tamera Conner, Serenity Brown, Evontaye Cannon, DeAnthony Cannon, and Shomari Thomas; four great-grandchildren Ava, Mateo, Laila, and Willow Cannon; three sisters Melvia Jean Jones of Greensboro, Mary Jefferson of Chicago, Ill., Willie Pearl Garrett of Pontiac, Mich.; two brothers Joe Holley Garrett of Pensacola, Fla., Curtis Conner of Cleveland Ohio; sisters-in-love Jean Muhammad of Montgomery, Debra (Andrea) Bells of Northport, Betty Douglas of Sawyerville, Maggie Harris of Eutaw; a brother-in-love, Edmond Hamilton of Aliceville; a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and relatives whom he loved dearly. Public viewing was Friday, March 21, 2025, at Agnew Funeral Home, Greensboro. Funeral service was Saturday, March 22, 2025, at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Greensboro. Rev. Carlier Agnew, pastor. Min. Shakir Muhammad, officiated. Internment was in St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
Julian McIntosh Ennis
Julian McIntosh Ennis, 69, of Marion passed away on March 19, 2025. Julian, was born on September 9, 1955, in Sumter County, and raised in Livingston. He was preceded in death by: his parents Robert Washington Ennis and Mildred McIntosh Ennis of Livingston; his sister Dr. Mildred Ennis Howell. He is survived by: his lovely and caring wife of thirty-two years Karen; his daughter, Bethenie Ennis Taylor; his son Julian McIntosh “Mac” Ennis II; his grandchildren Leighton and Jack Taylor; sister Elizabeth Ennis Hillhouse of Mountain Brook; brother, Robert W. Ennis (Virginia) of Tuscaloosa; and nine wonderful nieces and nephews. Julian graduated high school from Sumter Academy in 1974, where he was an outstanding football player. He graduated from Livingston University, the University of West Alabama, where he was repeatedly on the Dean’s list, with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1978. He was a proud member of the Delta Chi Fraternity. While in college he worked diligently at a wide variety of jobs to support his wife and baby daughter. Julian had a long and successful career in the printing and forms industry. Starting in an entry level accounting position with McGregor Printing, he quickly transitioned to sales. In his over twenty years with the company, he climbed the corporate ladder. He went on to become a district manager, a regional manager, and ultimately vice president of sales for the Southeastern United states. When his tenure with McGregor was complete, Julian started his own printing company, with his best friend of forty-four years and most trusted advisor, Henry Morgan. Together they created Xmax, which is still in business today. Julian was a man of many passions. As a child, during endless summers in Livingston, he discovered his love of motorcycles. A hobby that led to many hours touring the state and country on his Harley Davidsons. He also possessed an immense affinity for water. Growing up on the Tombigbee River, he became an excellent water skier and later a scuba diver and boat enthusiast. He loved exploring Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, with dive trips around the world. Despite all of this, Julian’s boyhood dream had been to become a cattle rancher. For years, he worked to accomplish his goal, by acquiring land in Perry County and building his vision. As with everything else Julian set his mind to, he soon had a working ranch, with houses, barns, vast fields, horses and of course, his own herd of cattle. Finally, he had achieved the life he once yearned for as a boy watching Bonanza. He was in the cattle business for thirteen years. Julian was a force of nature. He had an excellent and outrageous sense of humor. Like his father, he was blue eyed and quick-witted, always there with an humorous quip or insightful comment for any occasion. He was a talented raconteur. He could often be seen holding court at his kitchen counter late in to the evening. With his glass of Cavit Pinot Noir in one hand and a coffee stirrer in the other, he could make family and friends laugh until their sides hurt. Julian was an exceedingly kind and considerate man. He was generous and caring. He wore many hats and had many interests in his life, but his most important role and responsibility, was his dedication to his family. Julian had a profound impact on the lives he touched. He will always be missed but never forgotten. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Marion Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. with Rev. Len Hurston officiating and Kirk Funeral Homes, Marion Chapel directing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Marion Methodist Church.
Dorothy Mae Harris
Agnew Funeral Home announce with deepest sympathy the passing of Mrs. Dorothy Mae Harris on March 15, 2025. Dorothy Mae Harris was born to Adolphus Fields and Dorothy Jean Harris on January 19, 1964. Dorothy confessed her life to Christ at an early age and joined Palestine Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir. She was preceded in death by: her son James Harris; brother Franklin Harris. Dorothy leaves to cherish her precious memories: her loving and devoted mother Dorothy Jean Harris, Sawyerville; her father Adolphus (Shirley) Fields, Sr., New York, N. Y.; one son William Harris, Boston, Mass.; four brothers Alexander Harris, Conyers, Ga., Adolphus Fields, Jr., New York, N. Y., Lucious Young, Eutaw, Michael Burrell, Tuscaloosa; three sisters Gloria Doss, Sawyerville, Latosha Fields, New York, N. Y., Elizabeth Hill, Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren JaQuinton Bension, Portsmouth, Va., William, James, Savannah all of Boston, Mass.; one nephew Franklin Donta Harris, Berea, Ohio; a devoted niece Jasmine Harris, Greensboro; one Goddaughter Raven Williams, Sawyerville; five uncles, ten aunts; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Visitation was Friday, March 21, 2025, at Agnew Funeral Home, Greensboro. Funeral service was Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Sawyerville Internment was in Sample Cemetery, Akron. Repast was at Dorothy Harris Home, Sawyerville.
Paul Lanier Jones, Sr.
Paul Lanier Jones, Sr., of Big Sandy, peacefully passed away in the afternoon of March 18, 2025 just a few weeks shy of his 92nd birthday. He was the devoted husband to Joanne Smelley Jones for 66 years; proud father of Patricia (Linn) Pritchett, Lanier (Tammy) Jones, and Stephen (Jamie) Jones; beloved grandfather and Pop to Tyler (Lauren) Pritchett, AnnaCarrol (Chase) Arnold, Laura- Katherine (Caris) Smith, Alex (Joseph) Wiggins, Olivia Jones, and Addison Jones; and doting great-grandfather to Palmer, Wright, Nolan, Asher, Casen, and James. Paul was born April 29, 1933, to Reverend Edgar Jones and Hester Montgomery Jones and grew up in extremely humble circumstances that would greatly influence his life. He is preceded in death by his parents and six siblings, James Cecil, Eddie Mae “Jack,” Louise “Weezie,” Bessie, Edgar Leon “Diddle,” and Betty Sue. He was a remarkable servant of Christ, devoted to his family, loyal to his friends, community, faithful to God, and available to anyone who needed his help. Visitation was held Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel, followed by a celebration of life in the chapel at 2 p.m. and interment in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial gifts be made to Gilgal Baptist Church.
Emma Woods Thomas
Graveside services were Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Martin Cemetary, Sawyerville. Rev. Wilson officiated. Washington and Paige Mortuary directing. Sunset March 15, 2025, St. Martins in the Pines, Birmingham. Emma was born February 20, 1947, Dora Mae Woods and Dan Woods. She confessed her life to Christ at an early age. She was a member of the Greater St. Stephen Baptist Church of Sawyerville. She leaves to cherish her memories: siblings Richard Woods (Doris), Mary Taylor, Queenester Scott, Hattie Adams, (Norman) Dorothy Fields (Henry), Susie Campbell, Betty Harris, John Woods, Samuel Woods, Timothy Woods, Dora Foster, Annette Bennett (Sandy) Russell Woods (Erica)Mack Lester Woods – son (deceased), a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Lula L. Washington
It is with deepest sorrow that Lavender’s Funeral Service announces the passing of Mrs. Lula L. Washington of Tuscaloosa, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa. Visitation was Friday, March 21, 2025, at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The home going celebration was Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11 a.m. at New Salem Baptist Church, Aliceville. The body lay in state in the church from 10-11 a.m. hour prior to the service. Interment followed the funeral service in New Salem Cemetery, Aliceville. Rev. Dr. Herman Peters is the pastor of New Salem Baptist Church, Aliceville. Min. Dorothy Robinson, daughter of Mrs. Lula L. Washington, was the eulogist. Lavender’s Funeral Service, Aliceville, 205-373-2420, LavendersFuneralService.com, directing. Survivors are the Washington, Peoples, and Robinson families.
Byron Dean Williams
Funeral services for Mr. Byron Dean Williams of Greensboro, Depot Community, were held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at noon at Union Grove Baptist Church, Greensboro. Pastor Lester O. Walker officiated services with burial immediately following in the church cemetery. Washington and Paige Mortuary directing. Mr. Williams lay in state one hour prior to start of services. Public viewing was held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Washington & Paige Mortuary. Brother Byron Dean Williams was born on August 23, 1959, to the late Will Henry, Sr. and Roxie Williams. He confessed hope in Christ at an early age. Brother Williams was a loving man who was devoted to taking care of his family. He was a hard-working employee at Golden Rod Broiler Company, Southern Pride Catfish Company and the City of Greensboro. Brother Williams was preceded in death by his loving parents, Will Henry, Sr. and Roxie Williams. He leaves to cherish his memories: his beloved Willie Mae Smith; six children Kroshana Tabb, LaQuita Smith, Byron (Sophia) Smith, Jr., Adexia Smith, Felicia Snider and Sandra Thomas; three wonderful brothers and a loving-hearted sister Will· (Cynthia) Williams, Jr., Alonzo ( Monica) Williams, Kenneth Williams and Brenda (Dan) Teacher; nine grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.