Obits: ARE FREE and MUST come from the Mortuary, probate judge or company taking care of arrangements. Additional information (such as personal messages/thank you messages) will have to be charged. No Exceptions! Please email them to [email protected] or fax them to 205-652-4466. Cards of Thanks, personal family messages and photos must be paid for before they can run. Photos are $15.00 for each run with the obituary. Page updated on Thursdays.
Johnny James Coleman
Mr. Johnny James Coleman, 73, of Cuba, Ala., died recently at Hill Hospital, York. Graveside services were held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Gaston Valley Cemetery, Ward. Rev. Kenneth Bell officiated. Visitation was Friday, April 25, 2025, at the funeral home. Hardaway Funeral Services, hardawayfuneralservices.com, directing.
John W. Jackson
Funeral Services for John W. Jackson of Forkland will be 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Boligee Community Center, Boligee, with Pastor Eric Eddison officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service hour. Burial will follow in the Free Hope Church Cemetery, Boligee. Visitation for family and friends will be from 3-5 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2025, at the mortuary. Smith’s Mortuary, Boligee, directing. The management and staff at Smith’s Mortuary offer our heartfelt and sincere sympathy to the entire family.
Ernest “Ernie” Carl Truelove
Memorial services for Ernest “Ernie” Carl Truelove, 71, of York were held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. from Livingston Methodist Church with Rev. Don Abrams and Rev. Steve Spining officiating. A private burial followed in the Siloam Cemetery. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register and post condolences to the family. Arrangements entrusted to Bumpers Funeral Home of York.
Ernie Truelove departed this life on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at his home in York. Born on October 21, 1953, in Meridian, he was the son of William Carl Truelove and Jacqueline Delores Weaver Truelove Cochran. Ernie served as the Director of City Operations for the City of York. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be profoundly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife Deborah Ezell Truelove of York; son Michael Ernest Truelove and wife Camryn of Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren, Aria Truelove, Remy Truelove, Keeley Truelove all of Olathe, Kansas; brother Danny Truelove and wife Sharon of Cuba; sister Debra Elliot and husband James of Boyd; sister Vivian Walden and husband Tommy of Boyd; sister in law Sandra Pate of Ward; sister in law Denise Cannon of Demopolis. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Carl Truelove and Jacqueline Delores Weaver Truelove Cochran.
Lenora “Tootnie” H. Ray
Celebration of life services for Mrs. Lenora H. Ray were held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, Butler. Rev. Zachary B. Williams officiated. Rev. Jasper Irby, Pastor. Interment, St. John CME Church Cemetery, Butler.
Lenora H. Ray, also known as, “Tootnie,” to her close family and friends was born on November 25, 1928, to Fred Hampton and Willie Hampton. She made a peaceful transition at her home on April 22, 2025. She confessed her life to Christ at an early age at Morning Star Baptist Church. Later in life, Lenora met and married Harding Ray. To this union 3 children were born. Billy E. Ray, Constance Ray, and Barbara Ray. After marriage, she became a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Butler, Alabama where she served as a Sunday school teacher and matron. She was a faithful wife and loving mother, who would make monumental sacrifices for her children, family, and friends. Later years, she and her husband, Deacon Harding Ray and others founded Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully and tirelessly until her health failed. While there, she served as the missionary president, church clerk and actively supported the Gilfield District Convention, and BTU Congress. She joined the Eastern Star Chapter #651, which was dear to her heart; she dedicated her services faithfully as a financial clerk. Lenora was also known for her strong will. She was courageous and knew how to “get a job done.”
She was also very business minded. Although she was not a certified counselor, she counseled and mentored many young women in the community and on her job. As a mother and grandmother, Lenora strongly encouraged her grands to be the BEST they could be. She believed in education. Her famous quote was, “If you’re gonna do something, do it right or don’t do it at all.” Her career included employment with Mr. and Mrs. Lenoir Whitted, Solomon Brothers Sewing Factory, Insurance Representative for Weatherly, Avon Representative, American Can Company, later know as, James River and Georgia Pacific, where she retired.
She was preceded in death by: her husband Deacon Harding Ray; her parents Fred Hampton and Willie Evans; brother Julius Hampton; sisters Aria “Irene” Turner, Ethel Martin, Shirley Outlaw. She leaves to mourn: her 3 children Billy E. Ray, Constance McGrew (Claude), Dr. Barbara Allen (Fred); 4 grandchildren Yolanda Bryant (Charles), Kenya Morse (Richard), Keisa McGrew, Jared Allen (Regina); 9 great-grandchildren Serena Gilbert (Alex), Alexis Williams (deceased), Rev. Zachary Williams, Kyson Harris, Chloe’ Morse, Eden Morse, Corbin Morse, Lee J. Allen, and Jacob Allen; 2 great-great grandchildren: Lena Williams, Emoree’ Williams; 3 sisters Lillie Mae Goins (Richard-deceased), Ollie Jean Hampton, Elizabeth Knight; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Rev. Richard White, Jr.
Rev. Richard White, Jr. of Boligee, and a native of Tuscaloosa, entered into eternal rest April 21, 2025, at Whitfield Regional Hospital Demopolis. Private memorial service will be held for immediate family and friends Thursday, May 1, 2025, at noon from Christian Chapel Baptist Church, Demopolis. Larkin and Scott Mortuary, LLC, entrusted with arrangements.
Gladys Will Rice Wilder
It is with deepest sorrow that Lavender’s Funeral Service announces the passing of Mrs. Gladys Will Wilder of Eutaw on Thursday, April 17, 2025, while surrounded by her loving family. Visitation was Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The home going celebration was Saturday, April 26, 2025, 12 p.m. at New Sarepta Primitive Baptist Church, Eutaw. The body lay in state in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment followed the funeral service in New Sarepta Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery located directly beside the church. Elder Maurice Lee, pastor of Macedonia B. B. Church, Meridian, Miss., was the eulogist. Lavender’s Funeral Service, Aliceville, 205-373-2420, LavendersFuneralService.com, directing.
Survivors are the Wilder family.