The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 5

Anniston Star OBITUARIES Saturday, February 18, 2006 Page 5A North Alabama woman known as world's third-oldest person dies ASSOCIATED PRESS Rehabilitation Center in Tuscumbia, the time of her death; behind Ecuador's where she offered vivid recollections of Mari Capovilla and Elizabeth "Lizzie" TUSCUMBIA Susie Gibson, a younger days and events. Bolden, of Memphis, Tenn. north Alabama woman widely recognized as the third-oldest person in the world, has "She was an amazing person, and she Dispute about Gibson's age lingers died of heart failure at a nursing center. She lived a great life," Gibson's granddaugh- among age researchers, the TimesDaily was 116 years old by her count, or 115 by ter, Nancy Paetz, told the TimesDaily of said. census birth records.

nearby Florence that reported the death in Gibson. said she was born Oct. 31, Whichever, she said her secret to a story Friday. 1889, but researchers officially recognize longevity was her craving for pickles and According to the Gerontology her birth as Oct. 31, 1890, citing census claimed Sam Houston as a third cousin.

Research 1 Group in Los Angeles, which data. Gibson, who died early Thursday, was listed her as 115 years old, Gibson was the So, by her count, Gibson died at the age a popular resident at Sunbridge Care and third-oldest living person in the world at of 116, but researchers officially list her OBITUARIES FUNERALS TODAY Mervin J. Beasley, 1PM, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church George R. Brown, 11AM, Miller Funeral Home Chapel Andrea D.

Cavender, 1PM, Brown Kughn Memory Chapel "Peaches" Caver, 2PM, New Hope Baptist Church, Hobson City Harry W. Diggs, 2PM, Lincoln United Methodist Church Jimmy R. Dingler, 2PM, Mt. Zion Church of Christ Elsie J. Doyal, 11AM, Thompson Funeral Home Robenia Freeman, 2PM, 1107 Montvue Anniston John Henry King, 2PM, Jordan Funeral Home Chapel Vennie L.

Meehan, 11AM, St. Cemetery Harry L. Pearson, 11AM, St. Mary Baptist Church Delmas C. Price, 11AM, Chapel Hill Funeral Home Anniston Funeral Services for Mr.

Rodney Birchfield, age 50, of Anniston will be Sunday at 2:00 at Gray Brown Service Chapel with Rev. Greg Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Forestlawn Gardens. The family will receive friends this evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Birchfield died Friday at his residence. Survivors include; wife, Rhonda Birchfield of Anniston; sons, Jason Birchfield and wife, Trina, of Alexandria, Chris Birchfield, of Anniston, Josh Chestnut, of Alexandria, Cody Birchfield, of Anniston; granddaughters, Kamryn and Kendall Birchfield; W.C. and Agnes 'Birchfield, of Kentucky; brother, Bill Birchfield of Chattahoochee, FL. Pallbearers will be Employees from Valley Machines.

Mr. Birchfield was a native and lifelong resident of Calhoun County. Graduated from Anniston High School. Was a member of Lloyds Chapel Baptist Church. He was employed with Valley Machines.

Liked horses and fishing. Preceded in death by his former wife, Shelia Birchfield. CAVER BIRCHFIELD Malone officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove cemetery with Goodson Funeral Home directing. The family will leave from 1820 Thomas Ave in Anniston at 1:20 p.m.

Mrs. Caver died Friday, February 10, 2006 at Cape Fear Valley Health System in Fayetteville, NC. Survivors include: three sons, Thomas L. Caver 'Antonio Caver, Keith Caver, two daughters, Cassandra (Dean) Little-Foote, Margerita Caver, five brothers, Alvin Howard, Freddie (Jacquline) Patton, Jack (Barbara) Hollins, Harry (Michelle) Hollins, Johnny (Sharon) Hollins, two sisters, Gwendolyn (Earl) Lane, Sharon (Willie) Busbee, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Proceeded in death by: parents, George Wright and Margaret Patton.

www.goodsonfuneralhome.net Anniston Funeral Service for Isabella "Peaches" Caver will be 2:00 p.m. today, February 18, 2006 at New Hope Baptist Church in Hobson City, AL with Rev. Harry age as 115. Going by the date of birth she claimed, Gibson was the oldest person in America and the second-oldest person in the world at the time of her death. Bill Bedsole, Gibson's minister, said she often told him that the secret to her long life was that she ate dill pickles.

She took extra care of the five-gallon jars of pickles Bedsole often bought her as a gift. Gibson said Teddy Roosevelt was her favorite president. She said her third cousin was Sam Houston, who fought for Richardson. Pallbearers will be: James Shaddix, Cody Johnson, Chris Waldrop, Patrick Robert Yates, Charlie Greeson, Wayne Dingler, Sam Morrow, Franklin Olive, Sam Hazel, TJ Dingler, and David Olive. Honorary Pallbearers will be workers from building 130 of AOD and AE Bailey, Harden Loveless and Richard Frashier.

The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville until 1 hr. prior to service time on Saturday, February 18, 2006. He will lie instate at the church for 1 hr. BENEFEILD FUNERAL HOME OF LINEVILLE IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS. GILLILAND Her son Jimmy (Anniston High School 1981 and Auburn University 1986 and 1993) and his wife, Carol, of Norcross, GA; and two sisters Ruth West, of Yuba City, CA and Arlene Logan, of Marietta, GA survive her.

She is preceded in death by her husband James Gilliland; one sister, Clara Blackwood, of Oneonta, AL and three brothers, A.G. Hood, Alton Hood and William Hood, of Blount County, AL. Mrs. Gilliland was a 1941 graduate of Blountsville High School in Blountsville, AL and Gadsden Business College in Gadsden, AL. She retired from the Probate Judge's office of Calhoun County, AL.

Christine was a long time resident of the Golden Springs community of Anniston and was a member of Golden Springs Baptist Church until her relocation to Atlanta in 1998. A memorial service is planned to be held at the chapel of Gray Brown Funeral Home 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 20, 2006. The family will receive visitors prior to the service. Mrs.

Gilliland's nephew, the Rev. Harlon Hood will officiate the service. Funeral arrangements will be made through Gray Brown Funeral home in Anniston, AL. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the American Cancer Society. Atlanta, GA Christine Hood Gilliland born October, 10, 1923, died February 16, 2006 at: House Hospice in Atlanta, GA after a long illness.

HAND Munford Funeral services for Mr. Charles Ross "Buddy" Hand, 76, will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Usrey Funeral Home Chapel of Talladega. Visitation from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home.

KING Centre Funeral services for John Henry King, 82, of Centre, AL will be 2:00 p.m. today, February 18, 2006 at Jordan Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. King died Thursday, February 16, 2006. KOPET Jacksonville Funeral services for Chris Kopet, 48, will be 1:00 Monday from Saint Charles Catholic Church.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. K.L. Brown Funeral Home directing. MASSENGALE Munford Services for Mrs. Laura Massengale, 77, of the Silver Run Community, will be announced by Ervin Funeral Chapel.

Mrs. Massengale died Friday, February 17, 2006. MEEHAN MEEHAN Loganville, GA Vennie Louise Steward Meehan, age 99, of Loganville, GA, passed away February 16, 2006. Texas independence in the 1830s and was governor of two states. She said his bed was one of her prized possessions.

Once, the TimesDaily recounted, she was on the same train as former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. A man on the train, who'd had a little too much to drink, took one look at Roosevelt and said, "You're the ugliest woman I've ever seen." Gibson said that Roosevelt looked at the man and said, "You're the drunkest man I've ever seen." Born April 22, 1906, in Butler AL, she was a long time resident of Montgomery, AL. Survivors include one sister-in-law, Mrs. Alice Steward, of Piedmont; nieces, Ann Smelser, of Loganville, GA, Marcia Steward Hanson, Vickie Steward Goss, Lisa Steward McDonald, of Piedmont, and Frances Steward Baker, of Montgomery; nephews, Milton Steward, George Steward and Greg Steward, of Piedmont; also surviving are many great nieces and nephews as well as great great nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be Saturday, February 18, 2006, at 11:00 a.m.

in St. Margaret's Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening. Southern Memorial Funeral Home Crematorium OGLESBY Munford Funeral services for Mrs.

Bessie Irene Oglesby, 93, of Munford, AL will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Munford Church of Christ with Jeff Clark and Cliff Goodwin officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Park in Talladega. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at Usrey Funeral Home.

Mrs. Oglesby died Friday, February 17, 2006 at TLC. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Gwen O. Johnson and her husband, C.J., of Talladega; four sons, Ronnie Oglesby, his wife, Barbara, of Munford, Dwight Oglesby, his wife, Sandy, of Phoenix, AZ, Travis Oglesby, his wife, Bonnie, of Munford, Mike Oglesby, and his wife, Joyce, of Talladega; one sister, Grace Hendrix, of Sylacauga; two- brothers, Cecil Robinson, of Orlando, FL and Lonnie Robinson, of Talladega; 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Oglesby was a native of Cleburne County and resident of Talladega County for most of her life. She was a member of Munford Church of Christ and was former owner and operator of Oglesby Grocery. Preceded in death by her husband, George E. Oglesby; parents, C.M.

and Vera Robinson; brothers, Roy Robinson, Aubrey Robinson, Guy Robinson, Preston Robinson; one grandson, Jonathan. Pallbearers will be Billy Oglesby, Brad Oglesby, Keith Oglesby, Johnny Marler, Joe Marler and Lance Duncan. Honorary pallbearers are employees of Southern Care Hospice, Tina Headrick, Ruby Owings, Maria Hudson, George Bradford, Keisha Moon, Freddy Edwards; TLC Special Care Givers, Cathy Atchison, Julie Smith, Linda Tyson, Sherry Hughston, Peggy Lovett, and Cebo Lovett. PRICE Colorado Funeral services for Mr. Delmas Cornilaus Price, age 81, will be held at 11:00 a.m.

today, January 18, 2006 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Johnson officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. until time of service. Mr.

Price passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Price is survived by his wife, Marjuree O. Price of Colorado Springs, CO; one sister, Lovela Campbell of Tupelo, MS. Mr.

Price was a native of Calhoun County and resident of Colorado Springs, CO. He served with the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was formerly employed with Fruit of The Loom in.

Jacksonville. He was a member of New Liberty Methodist Church. STEVENSON Roanoke Funeral services for Mrs. Jonnie O'Malie Stevenson, 99, of Roanoke, AL will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2006 from the First United Methodist Church with Rev.

John Mann officiating. Mrs. Stevenson will lie in state from 10:00 until 11:00 before the service at the church. Burial will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery with Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mrs.

Stevenson died Thursday, February 16, 2006 at her home. Survivors include a niece, Cornelia Feore, of Mobile; five nephews, Tommy Zieman of Mobile, Chris Stevenson, of Pine Hurst, NC, Mike Stevenson, of Ashville, NC, Alan Stevenson, of Ashville, NC, John Jacobs, of Tampa, FL; several great nieces and great nephews. Pallbearers will be Steve Alsabrook, Jay Jacobs, Chris Langley, Mark Jacobs, Neal Jacobs and Mike Feore. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Jones, Wesley Schuessler, John Schuessler, Page Enloe; Willie Shears, James Lane, Phil Jay Norton, Cliff Burns and Bill Montgomery. Mrs.

Stevenson was born May 18, 1906, daughter of John Cornelius and Catherine Stewart Bonner O'Malie. She was' amember of the First United Methodist Church of Roanoke and retired elementary teacher with Roanoke City School System. Mrs. Stevenson was preceded in death by her husband, Olin Hugh Stevenson. CHAPPELL, JR.

Centre Funeral services for Edward E. Chappell, 76, of Centre, AL will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Jordan Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Chappell died Thursday, February 16, 2006.

CLAY White Plains Funeral services for Mr. Herbert Wayne Clay, 60, of White Plains, AL will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2006, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Williams and Rev. Ralph Rhodes officiating.

Mr. Clay died Thursday, February 16, 2006 at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. Burial will follow at Anniston Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends. on this evening from p.m.

at Gray BrownService Mortuary. Survivors include; his wife, Barbara Clay, of White Plains; two step-children, Jerrad Murray and Regina Flemings; two Keith and Vance Flemings; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Doris McCulley, of Tallapoosa, GA, Mary and James Williams, of Anniston, AL, Judy and Jackie Stovall, of Oxford, AL, Thelma and Jerry Spears, of Jacksonville, AL; three brothers and three sisters-in-law, Donald and Kay Williams, of Thomaston, GA, Curtis and Beverly Clay, of Jacksonville, AL, and Tommy and Cheryl Clay, of White Plains, AL. Pallbearers will his nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be his Sunday School Class. Mr.

Clay was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Whit and Ruby Clay; one brother, Jimmy Clay; and two sisters, Dorothy Williams and Margaret Moses. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Diabetes Foundation. DIGGS Lincoln Harrie, Wilson Diggs, 81, of Lincoln, AL passed away on February. 16, 2006.

She was born in Coldwater, AL. in 1924. She was preceded in death by her husband William E. Diggs. She is survived by her daughter, Drue Diggs Gravlee, of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren, Macon and Nikki Gravlee, of Birmingham, AL, Will and Ashleigh Gravlee of Dallas, TX; great grandchildren, Nicholas Gravlee and Kara Gravlee, Birmingham, AL.

She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Anderson, of Gainesville, FL and Ann Taylor, of Lincoln, AL, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held today, February 18, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Lincoln United Methodist Church in Lincoln, AL. Leslie Mathison will give the eulogy. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge ofarrangements.

DINGLER Delta Funeral Services for Mr. Jimmy Ray Dingler, age 58, of Delta will be Saturday February 18, at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church. of Christ with Gary Wagner officiating.

Burial will follow in Union D. Cemetery. Mr. Dingler passed away Thursday February 16, 2006 at his residence. He was a native and life long resident of Clay County, was a veteran of the United States Navy; had served in Alabama National Guard 1208 Quarter Master Unit for 25 years; had been employed with the Anniston Army Depot and was a member of Shinbone Valley Fire Department and Mt.

Zion Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Dingler of Delta, daughters, Donna D. Echols of McDonough, GA, Miranda D. McVey of Delta, Kimberley D. Livingston (Steven) of Delta, Robin D.

Simmons (Dee) of Delta, father, Jim Frank Dingler of Delta, sisters, Charlene Strickland Hartman (Richard) of Lineville, Carolyn Dingler Waldrop (Mike) of Lineville, brothers, Frankie Dingler (Cathy) of Delta, Jacky Dingler (Linda) of Delta, sisterin-law, Theresa Dingler of Delta and nine grandchildren, Cody Johnson, Shayla Canales, Destiney McVey, Dominique McVey, Chelsea Livingston, Steven Livingston Lindsey Dingler, LaShawn Simmons, Kiara Simmons. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margie Hurst Dingler, brother, Gary Dingler, niece Regina Dingler, uncle Lee Dingler, Father in law, Clifton Shaddix, step father in law, Waymon STORY Talladega Funeral services for Mrs. Sheila Story, 51, of Talladega, AL will be announced by Terry's Metropolitan Mortuary. Mrs. Story died Friday at Citizens Baptist Medical Center.

Anniston Star Obituary Policy It is the policy of The Anniston Star to publishobituaries of local residents and former local residents. Obituaries must be submitted by funeral homes. Obituaries are not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. Death notices up to eight lines of type are published at no charge. Death notices can include the deceased person's name, age, address, date of death, time and place of services, and the funeral home in charge of arrangements.

This information must be submitted to The Star by a funeral home. The Star now charges funeral homes to publish complete obituaries. The amount varies according to the number of lines published. Obituaries published in The Anniston Star are also published on The Anniston Star Online at no additional charge. Photographs are accepted for publication.

Fees for obituaries in The Star are billed directly to the funeral homes. Payment is not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. The Star reserves the right to edit obituaries. In most instances the family's content and style will be published in the form submitted to us. There are no limits on numbers of survivors, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, or any other information the family wants included, So long as good taste and judgment prevail..