Tod Graham Alexander
Tod Graham Alexander, 69, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Diversicare, Marion. A memorial service was at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2025, 2 p.m., at Skyland Baptist Church. Tod was born August 10, 1955. He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Claudette Alexander; sister Heather A. Ogletree; grandparents Frances and Carlyle Alexander, Claude and Gertrude Graham. He is survived by his sisters Stacey A. Alexander, Kimberly Burnett, Adrienne Alexander; brother Noah M. Alexander; as well as seven nephews, and three nieces.
James Edgar “Alabama Brown’ Bantum, III
It is with deepest sorrow that Lavender’s Funeral Service announces the passing of Mr. James Edgar “Alabama Brown” Bantum, III, of Tuscaloosa on Thursday, May 1, 2025, while surrounded by his loving family. Visitation was Friday, May 16, 2025 at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The home going celebration was Saturday, May 17, 2025, 1 p.m. at Spring Hill Baptist Church, Macon, Miss. The body lie in state in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will immediately follow the funeral service in Spring Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Karen Bantum, his daughter, was the eulogist. Lavender’s Funeral Service, Aliceville, 205-373-2420, LavendersFuneralService.com, directing. Survivors are the Bantum family.
James William “Jamie” Chapman, Jr.
James William “Jamie” Chapman, Jr., age 57, of Gordo, AL died May 4, 2025 at DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa. Memorial services were 2 p.m. Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the Cornerstone Church Family Life Center with Bro. Byron Fair officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation followed the service. He was preceded in death by his parents William Chapman, Sr. and Nancy Smith Chapman Fair, and his “Dad,” Leon Fair. Survivors include: his wife Candy Parker Chapman; daughter Haley Chapman; sons James W. Chapman, III, ( Danielle), Koy Chapman; brother, Keith Fair (Nancy) and sister Cindy Gray. Jamie was born November 30, 1967. in Memphis, Tenn. He attended Hannah Church and was a former Superintendent of Education for the Pickens County Board of Education. Pallbearers will be Mitch Dyer, Brandon Herring, Jonathan Pate, Ryan Lolley, Byron Fair, Mark Capps, Jeff Campbell, Keith Fair, Dr. John Brandon, Walker Brandon and Collin Herring. Honorary Pallbearers are Pat Manning, Thomas Langdon, Call Dyer, Nathan Mullenix, Cabel Mullenix, Adam Bailey, Drew Thomas Patterson, Dallas Howell, Brent Perry, past and present faculty and staff of Gordo High School, Pickens Co. Board of Education central office staff 2012-2024, 1985 Gordo High School State Championship Football Team, 2001 State Championship Football Team MANIACS, District 7 superintendents, AHSAA Administration and Central Board of Control. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Gordo Athletic Department or the Pickens County College and Career Center Scholarship Fund.
Clinton “Johnny” Duke, Jr.
Clinton “Johnny” Duke, Jr., 78, of Gallion passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025, at his home. He was born on January 25, 1947, in Hale County, Ala., to Clinton Duke, Sr. and Mary Ruth Lawarence Duke. Graveside services for Johnny were held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 4 p.m. from the Old Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery, Gallion, with Rev. Johnathon Johnson officiating. Bumpers Funeral Home directing.
Timothy D. Miller
Timothy D. Miller, 63, of Faunsdale went to his eternal home on May 8, 2025. He was born on December 23, 1961, in Uniontown, OH to Daniel J. Miller and Anna Mae Slabaugh Miller. He was preceded in death by: his parents; his brother Steve Miller (Cheryl) of Greensboro; and his brother-in-law Mark Schmidt (Gloria). He is survived by: his sons Austin Miller (Bry) of Greensboro, Justin Miller of Maryland; his brother Danny Miller (Sheri) of Greensboro; his sisters Gloria Schmidt of Eaton, Colo., and Julie Ensz (Roger) of Center, Colo. A graveside service was held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Greensboro. Kirk Funeral Homes directing.
Fred Nichols
Fred Nichols, 79, of Heiberger went to his eternal home on May 8, 2025. He was born on June 27, 1946, in Sprott, to Avery F. Nichols, Sr. and Bertha Jane Ingram Nichols. He was preceded in death by: his parents; his brothers Avery F. Nichols, Jr., Bobby G. Nichols, Claude V. Nichols, Jackie Nichols; his sisters, Dorothy M. Mason, Sally Gregory, Madeline Nichols. He is survived by: his wife Elaine Carroll Nichols of Heiberger; his son Franklin E. Nichols of Gordo; his brother Gerald Nichols of Centreville; his grandson Benjamin Mason Nichols of Heiberger; his granddaughters, Kaylea Lane Nichols of Gordo, Carroll Anne Meaney of Cottondale; his aunt, Betty Len Trantham of Marion; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. at Heiberger Methodist Church. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. in the church cemetery with David Nichols officiating and and Kirk Funeral Homes, Marion Chapel directing. Pallbearers will be Dennis Nichols, Kyle Brown, Glenn Nichols, Kevin Nichols, Mason Nichols and Matthew Nichols. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Nichols, Donald Nichols, and James Stewart. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Payne Chapel Cemetery, 2714 County Road 162, Marion, AL 36756.
Nancy Lee Stephens
Nancy Lee Stephens, 87, of Tuscaloosa, passed away May 4, 2025 at Forest Manor Nursing Home. A memorial service was held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Magnolia Chapel South at 1 p.m. Visitation was held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. She is preceded in death by: her parents Andrew Washington “Steve” Stephens and Nancy Virginia “VV” Lindsey Stephens; her brother William Andrew Stephens, Sr. Survivors include: her sister-in-law Lois T. Stephens; nephew William Andrew “Andy” Stephens, Jr. (Jammie); great nephew Keith Andrew Stephens (Marisa). Nancy grew up and attended schools in Northport, and graduated in 1955 from County High School. She then attended Livingston College in preparation for her career in business and office management. Over her career, she worked at and retired from Reichold Chemical, Hunt Oil and the University of Alabama’s Office of Counsel. Nancy was also very dedicated to and active in all areas of church. Over the years she served in choir and was active in administration and service activities and organizations. Her hobbies and interest included travel, bowling, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering her time to give back to the community. She never met a stranger and especially enjoyed the gleam in a child’s eye. She always tried to make sure that any new child had a cross, or a crisp $2 bill to start their life’s journey. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her. Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen and Lindsey Cousins and family, friends and neighbors in the Northport and Taylorville communities, Tuscaloosa County High School Class of “55”, Northport Methodist and Taylorville Methodist Church families, members of United Methodist Women, Business and Professional Women, and The Eastern Star, retirees and spouses of Reichold Chemicals, Hunt Oil and UA Office of Counsel, Special neighbors in Inverness Community, special care givers at home, Employers of Manderson Cancer Center, Forest Manor Health and Rehab, Davita Dialysis and Oasis Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to Caring Days or the Church or Service of your choice.
Mary Whittington
Mary (Allen) Whittington passed away at DCH, Tuscaloosa, on April 9, 2025. She was born in Greenland, Ark., on November 5, 1944, to Angus and Signa Allen.
She is preceded in death by: her parents Angus Jackson Allen and Signa Jean Allen of Greenland, Ark.; her sister Sharon Caudle of West Fork, Ark., her brother Arthur James (John) Allen of Fayetteville, Ark.; and her sister Constance Diane Dugan of Republic, Mo. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jerry Doys Whittington of Greensboro, Ala.; two sons, Malcolm Dennis Wilcox, Jr. (Samantha) of Orange Beach, Ala.and Martin Allen Wilcox (Gaye) of Fayetteville, Ark.; one daughter Season Shea Whittington of Hoover; two sisters Gloria McIntosh and Frankie Lee Bixby (Paul) both of Fayetteville, Ark.; two brothers in law Mitchell Whittington (Betty) of Bella Vista, Ark., and Charlie Whittington (Sandra) of Fayetteville, Ark.; and a sister in law Tawanna Patterson (Darryl) of Camden, Ark.; two grandsons Malcolm Dennis Wilcox, III (Trey) of Tampa, Florida and Matthew Dylan Wilcox of Fairbanks, Alaska; one granddaughter Megan Renée Wilcox (Woody) of Philadelphia, Penn.; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She ran her own daycare in Fayetteville as well as worked as a bookkeeper for Campbell Soup. She was an accountant for Vaughn Construction in Greenville, Miss., and Tec Pac in Marion, Ala. She was a Master Gardener, enjoyed genealogy, and loved playing bridge with her friends at Lakeview Country Club. She was a wonderful beautiful, intelligent woman who loved her husband and children to no end. She never met a stranger and always strived to make everyone’s life better. She will forever be missed.