3 January 2012 Obits

Mary Evelyn (Sis) Stephens
The Meridian Star
Services for Mary Evelyn (Sis) Stephens were held Saturday, December 31, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Danny Pinter officiating. Burial was in Beason Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
     Mrs. Stephens, 86, of Collinsville, died Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at her residence. She was born on March 4, 1925, in Meridian, Mississippi, and was married to R. L. Stephens, Jr. for almost fifty years. Mrs. Stephens was a full time homemaker, mother, farmer and business woman. She received her most joy in life raising her eight children and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. She had numerous hobbies which included cooking, canning, flower gardening, running the farming business, sewing, quilting, crocheting and reading. Mrs. Stephens will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.
     Survivors include her eight children, Tommy Stephens, Ronnie Stephens and his wife Laurie and his three daughters, John Stephens and his wife Cathey and their two sons, Dexter Stephens and his two sons and daughter, Dan Stephens and his son and daughter, Daisy Frazier and her husband Larry and their son and two daughters, Tim Stephens, Cathy Thompson and her husband Tommy and their two sons; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jim Thompson of Collinsville and Charles Thompson of Delaware, OH.
     Pallbearers were her grandsons and nephews.
     Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.robertbarhamffh.com.

Gwen Herrington Bonds
The Meridian Star
Services for Gwen Herrington Bonds will be held today at 11 am at Antioch Southern Methodist Church near Collinsville with burial to follow in the church cemetery with Rev, Joseph Hallman officiating.
     Mrs. Bonds, age 71 of Columbus died Friday, December 30, 2011 at Winston Medical Center.
     Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the Church with Stephens Funeral Home handling arrangements.

Dora Wedgeworth Wilson
The Meridian Star
Graveside services for Dora Wedgeworth Wilson will be held today at 1pm at Gum Log Cemetery in Bailey. Rev. Dennis Roberson will be officiating. Stephens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
     Mrs. Wilson, 85, of Bailey, died Friday, December 30th at Infinity Hospice in Marion.
     Visitation will be from 10 am to 12 pm, today at Stephens Funeral Home.

Adell Miller Dykes Stokley
The Meridian Star
Graveside services for Adell Miller Dykes Stokley, 89, of Meridian will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11 A.M. from Brightwater Cemetery in Needham with Rev. Roy Dabbs officiating. Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler will be in charge of arrangements.
     Ms. Stokley died Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Specialty Hospital of Meridian.
     Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2011 from 5 to 7 P.M.
     Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register and post condolences to the family.

Joan Lummus Jackson
The Meridian Star
Services for Joan Lummus Jackson will be held Wednesday at 11:30 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with Reverends Bob Followell and Jimmy Harrison officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Bonita.
     Mrs. Jackson, 73, of Meridian, died, Saturday, December 31, 2011 in Meridian.
     Survivors include her husband, Charles Jackson of Meridian; son, Steve Jackson and his wife Arlene of Enterprise, MS; granddaughters, Angie Vincent and her husband Vince of Meridian, Emiley Litchfield of Enterprise, MS, Keri Bucurel and her husband Tommy of Meridian; great-grandchildren, Kody Holcombe, Ben Vincent, Ashley Vincent, Gage Litchfield, Austin Bucurel and Cora Bucurel; brother, Gary Lummus and his wife Tiki of Gautier, MS.
     She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa CharLanne; son, Chuck Jackson; parents, Bryant and Grace Lummus.
     Pallbearers will be Wayne Raley, Charles Compton, Roger Shirley, Reggie Lummus, Lynn Phillips and George Ranegar.
     Honorary pallbearers are Royce Kimbrell, Bill Kimbrell, Larry Whitehead, Davey Wilkinson and Jerry Sheilds.
     Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.
     Visitation will be held Tuesday, 5-7 at the funeral home.

Odessa T Borden
The Meridian Star
Services for Odessa T Borden will be held Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 12:00 noon at Pinegrove Missionary Baptist Church, 3326 Walton 6, Lisman, AL 36912 with Hayden & Butler Funeral Home in charge of arrangements, 10031 Crowell Drive, Lisman, 36912 AL in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Fairfield Cemetery, 12976 County Road 9, Lisman, AL 36912.
     Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Walter "WJ" Ausbrooks
The Meridian Star
Services for Walter "WJ" Ausbrooks will be held on Saturday at St. John Baptist Church, Ward, Al at 1:00 PM where Dr. P.L. Lockett is the pastor. Pastor Willie E. Brooks, Jr. from New Greater Love Baptist Church, Detroit, MI will be the officiating minister. Burial to follow at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church Cemetery, Ward, Al.
     Deacon Walter "WJ" Ausbrooks started his journey on earth on February 15, 1944 to the late Thomas Ray, Sr. (Osie Brooks) and Farrie Bernice Hudson. He was preceded in death by two sons: James Andrew and Steven Hardy Ausbrooks; four sisters: Jessie Rainey, Christine Riley, Lillie Ree Lemons, Juanita Richardson and one brother: William Edwards Richardson.
     He was a faithful member of Mt. Mariah Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. O. L. Sealy until his death.
     He accepted Christ as his personal saviour at a young age and joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. William Larkin. Walter moved to Detroit Michigan and joined New Greater Love Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Willie E. Brooks, Jr.
     He graduated from Kinterbish High School, Cuba, Al in 1964. After moving to Detroit, Michigan he worked for General Motors Hydraumatic in Ypslantic, Michigan and was a faithful dedicated employee for 31 years. After retiring, he moved home to York, Alabama.
     Walter was a man who loved his family but his first love was to God whom he talked to daily. He was a leader not only in his family but on his job and the community. He was a surrogate father to many and opened his home to help many get a start in life. He adored and loved his wife Louise and was an exemplirary role model on work ethic and serving God.
     He was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Louise Matthews on August 3, 1964.
     "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
     He leaves to celebrate his life memories: a loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Mary Louise,; two sons: Ronald (Donya) Ausbrooks, Fredrick (Sandra) Ausbrooks, Detroit, MI; three daughters: Delois (Kenneth) Spencer, Angela Ausbrooks, Birmingham, Al., Cherryl Ausbrooks, Detroit, MI; six grandchildren: Shatorri, Kenya, Roneisha, Ryan and Stephanie, mother: Bessie Lee Brooks; mother-in-law: Katie Chaney; five brothers: Thomas (Sheryl) Ausbrooks, Detroit, MI, Scott David (Linda) Brooks, Baltimore, Maryland, Eddie Joe (Michelle) Brooks, Huntsville, Al, Scott Michael (Sandra) Richardson, Cleveland, Ohio, Michael Ray (Pamela) Brooks, Ward, Al; ten sisters: Elizabeth (Walter) Gardner, York, Al, Clara (Kevin) Byous, Carrie (Don) Cunningham, Cleveland, Ohio, Brenda Toddle, Mobile, Al, Louise (Ricky) Maye, York, Al, Rosie (Eugene) Griffin, Cleveland, Ohio, Bell Chaney, Ward, Al, Janice (Ron) Chaney, Bellamy, Al, Gloria (Robert) Mitchell, Pennington, Al, Vernice Richardson, Cleveland, Ohio, Cynthia Brooks, York, Al,; one aunt: Norfleet Hudson, Mobile, Al,; two special friends: John Kinko, Memphis, Tennessee, Charles Swilley, Detroit, MI and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
     Visitation will be held at Weatherly Funeral Home on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 3:00-6:00 PM. Repast will be held at Elizabeth Hall, 21 South College St, York, Al.