Area deaths

05-15-2008

TARRICE SECBORN BRAZIER DMD WETUMPKA — Dr. Tarrice Secborn Brazier, D.M.D., 69, passed away peacefully at his home in Wetumpka Wednesday, May 7, 2008, following a courageous battle with leukemia. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his only child, Zebbie and her husband, Richard Nix of Evergreen, Ala.; and two beloved grandchildren, Kelsey and Davis. Born July 30, 1938, in Pell City to the late Buster and Florene Brazier, Tarrice was an only child and was raised and attended school there and graduated from Pell City High School in 1956. He was a strong student and was motivated to further his education. He was the first in his family to attend college. Accepted by the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, he was initiated into the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity on Sept. 21, 1957 and was a true brother for life. There was never a bigger fan of Alabama football, he attended every game possible, always taking family members and sharing the experiences with his many fan friends. Many seasons included Tarrice in the stadium for every home game and many away games, cheering on the Tide through good years and not so good years. He was also an avid white-water rafting enthusiast and deep sea fisherman, once winning the Destin Rodeo with the largest white marlin. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961, Tarrice entered dental school and earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Alabama in 1965. Thereafter, he began a long and successful dental practice, first in Georgiana, then in Montgomery, helping many patients over the years. He was a member in good standing of the Alabama Dental Association all of his professional life, and was elected to lifetime membership in 2003. He was also a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Delta, a national dental fraternity. Dr. Brazier was a member of Frazer United Methodist Church, serving faithfully on the Board of Stewards and on mission trips to Central and South America. Alabama Heritage Funeral Home directed. MARGIE MAE CAMPBELL PELL CITY — Funeral service for Mrs. Margie Mae Campbell, 85, was Wednesday, May 14, at 11 a.m. at Usrey Chapel, Pell City. the Rev. Doug Ford officiated. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Mrs. Campbell died Monday, May 12, 2008 in Birmingham. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy B. Perkins; and by her second husband, Luther Campbell. She is survived by daughters, Paulette (Winston) Riddle of Pell City and Shirley (Jimmy) Ashley of Ragland; son, Kenneth (Annie Ruth) Perkins of Pell City; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Pallbearers were DeWayne Riddle, Michael Castleberry, Christopher Ashley, Matthew Ashley, Wade Davis and A.D. Smith. Honorary pallbearer was Bo Shaw. Usrey Funeral Home in Pell City directed the service. KEVIN WAYNE CONNELL LEEDS — Kevin Wayne Connell, age 43, died Thursday, May 8, 2008. He is survived by his daughter, April Lynne Connell; father, Jimmy Connell; mother, Paulette Connell; sister, Karen White; brother, Barry Crowley; niece, Chere Prophitt (Jonathon). He served in the U.S. Marine Corp. and was a motorcycle enthusiast. Services were held Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at Kilgroe Funeral Home, Leeds Chapel, with burial in Forest Crest Cemetery in Birmingham. Kilgroe Funeral Home in Leeds directed. JOE LEE DOROUGH PELL CITY — Graveside service for Joe Lee Dorough, 38, was Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Leeds. Mr. Dorough passed away Friday, May 9, 2008. He is survived by a son, Bradley Mills; mother, Judy Dorough Reid; step-father, Bob Reid. Kilgroe Funeral Home in Pell City directed the service. STANFORD HARMON DOWNEY JR. MOODY — Stanford Harmon Downey Jr., age 70, died Saturday, May 10, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Carol Downey; sons, Jonathan Michael Downey (Jessie) and David Downey (Melanie); brothers, Mike Downey and John Downey; grandchildren, Samantha, Haley, Brianna and Colin. He was a passionate trumpet player and band leader for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Alabama State Bar Association for 45 years. He served in public office and a member of Viking Chapter of the Birmingham Fraternal Council. He served in the United States Navy. Services were Tuesday, May 13, at 2 p.m. at The Cloud Room at Cascade Plunge with burial in Forest Crest Cemetery. Kilgroe Funeral Home in Leeds directed. GENE GAFFORD PELL CITY — Graveside service for Gene Gafford, 82, of Pell City was Monday, May 12, at 2 p.m. in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Riverside. Mr. Gafford died May 7, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lee Ann Gafford. He is survived by two sons, Terry G. Bright and Virgle R. Bright; sister, Martha Gafford; three grandchildren, Michael Bright, Shane Bright and Emily Burns; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Michael Bright, Shane Bright, Kyle Bright, Gerald Burns, Wayne Brown and Billy Brown. Kilgroe Funeral Home directed the service. SOLON DOUGLAS JAMES II PELL CITY — Graveside service for Solon Douglas James II, 33, of Pell City was Sunday at 2 p.m. in St. Clair Memorial Gardens. Father Sexton officiated. Mr. James died Friday, May 9, 2008. He is survived by his parents, Solon and Toni James of Pell City; sisters, Marta and Laureen James of Pell City; grandmother, Jean Marta of Cullman; and several uncles, aunts and cousins. Usrey Funeral Home in Pell City directed the service. WALTER LEE KERR SR. MOODY — Walter Lee Kerr Sr., age 80, died May 12, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Kerr; daughter, Jeanie Coupland (Mike); sons, Walter L. Kerr Jr. (Hilga), Rickey W. Kerr, Lynn Kerr (Stacy); sister, JoAnn McClellan (L.B.); grandchildren, Leighanne Riner (Clint), Grant Kerr (Kellie), Kristin Zovich (Tom), David Kicklighter (Allison), Mandy Kerr, Emily Kerr, Beverly Coupland, Ginger Coupland, Jamie Parker (Amber), Whitney Hale (Chris); great grandchildren, Garrison Riner, Griffin Riner, Isaiah Parker, T.J. Parker; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Danielle Parker; brothers, Paul Kerr and Charles L. Kerr; sister, Sarah Frances Thompson; and parents, Bashel and Bertie Kerr. He was a member of New Life Baptist Church, former Commander Post 107 American Legion, retired from Moss Thornton Construction Company in Leeds. Mr. Kerr served in the U.S. Navy and received the Victory Medal in WWII. Donations may be made to the New Life Baptist Church, 1405 Simpson Road, Odenville, Ala. 35120 in memory of Walter L. Kerr Sr. Services were held Wednesday, May 14, at 11 a.m. at Kilgroe Funeral Home, Leeds Chapel, with burial in Moody Cemetery. Kilgroe Funeral Home in Leeds directed. HELEN LEWIS SMITH PELL CITY — Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Lewis Smith, 76, were 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2008 from Usrey Chapel, Pell City. the Rev. Gordon Lee, the Rev. Darrell Castleberry and the Rev. Dale Foster officiated. Interment followed in St. Clair Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Smith was a faithful lifetime member of Mineral Springs Baptist Church and was active in her church and community. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Raymond E. Smith Sr. of Pell City; by a son, Raymond Eugene Smith Jr. of Pell City; by daughters, Jerry Delain Vaughan, Rita Foster and Connie Fowler all of Pell City; by 12 grandchildren and by 29 great grandchildren. Usrey Funeral Home in Pell City was in charge of arrangements.

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