The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 6

6A Tuesday, July 15, 2014 OBITUARIES The Anniston Star Nobel novelist Gordimer dead at 90 BY HELEN T. VERONGOS The New York Times Nadine Gordimer, the South African writer whose literary ambitions led her tinto the heart of apartheid. to create a body of fiction that brought her a Nobel Prize in 1991, died Sunday in Johannesburg. She was 90. Her family announced her death in a statement.

Gordimer did not originally choose apartheid as her subject as a young writer, she said, but she found it impossible to dig deeply into South African life without striking repression. And once the Afrikaner nationalists came to power in 1948, the scaffolds of the apartheid system began to rise around her and could not be ignored. "I am not a political person by nature," Gordimer said years later. "I don't suppose if I had lived elsewhere, my writing would have reflected politics much, if at all." But whether by accident of geography or literary searching, she found her themes in the injustices and cruelties of her country's policies of racial division, and she left no quarter of South African society unexplored from a hot, crowded cinder-block neighborhood in a black township to the white colonial world of sundowner cocktails, poolside barbecues and hunting parties. Critics have described the whole of her work as constituting a social history as told through finely drawn portraits of the characters who peopled it.

Gordimer told little about her own life, preferring to explore the intricacies of the mind and heart in those of her characters. "It is the significance of detail wherein the truth lies," she once said. But some critics saw in her fiction a theme of personal as well as political liberation, reflecting her struggles growing up under the possessive, controlling Jose R. New York Nadine Gordimer's views on the injustices of her native land's policies of racial division left no quarter of South African society unexplored. watch of a mother trapped in an unhappy marriage.

Gordimer was the author of more than two dozen works of fiction, i including novels and collections of short stories in addition to personal and political essays and literary criticism. Her first book of stories, "Face to Face," appeared in 1949, and her first novel, "The Lying Days," in 1953. In 2010, she published "Telling Times: Writing and Living, 1954-2008," a weighty volume of her collected nonfiction. Gordimer was never detained or persecuted for her work, though there were always risks to writing openly about the ruling repressive regime. One reason may have been her ability to give voice to perspectives far from her own, like those of colonial nationalists who had I created and thrived on the system of institutionalized oppression that was named the "grand apartheid" (from the Afrikaans word for when it became law.

Her ability to slip inside a life completely different from her own took her beyond the borders of white and black to explore other cultures under the boot of apartheid. In the 1983 short story "A Chip of Glass Ruby," she entered an Indian Muslim household, and in the novel "My Son's Story" (1990), she wrote of a mixedrace character. She won the Booker Prize in 1974 for "The Conservationist," which had a white male protagonist. Gordimer wrote: "The decently-paid and contented male servant, living in their yard since they had married, clothed by them in two sets of uniforms, khaki pants for rough housework, white drill for waiting at table, given Wednesdays and alternate Sundays free, allowed to have his friends visit him and his town woman sleep with him in his room he turned out to be the chosen one in whose hands their lives were to be held; frog prince, saviour, July." In "A Sport of Nature" (1987), the white wife of an assassinated black leader becomes, with a new husband, the triumphant first lady of a country rising from the rubble of the old order. Perhaps surprisingly Gordimer's books were not the product of someone who had grown up in a household where the politics of race were discussed.

Rather, Gordimer said, in her world, the minority whites lived among blacks "as people live in a forest among trees." It was not her country's problems that set her to writing, she said. "On the contrary," she wrote in an essay, "it was learning to write that sent me falling, falling through the surface of the South African way of life." OBITUARIES FUNERALS TODAY Alfred Lamar Killebrew, 1 p.m., Highland Cemetery Scharley McCart, 2 p.m., Chapel of J.C. Harwell and Son BAILEY Roanoke Service for Henry Grady "Junior" Bailey, 78, will be 11 a.m. on Wed. July 16, at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel.

Visitation will be today from 5-8 p.m. COOK Talladega Lester Cook, 54, passed away July 13, 2014, at Talladega Healthcare. Terry's Metropolitan Mortuary will announce. FARR Leesburg Jessie David Farr, 39, passed away Friday. Graveside service was held Monday at Mt.

Zion Cemetery in Ellisville. Perry Funeral Home Directing. GAY Anniston Service for Lavar M. Gay, 36, will be announced by Ervin Funeral Chapel. Mr.

Gay died Saturday in Heflin. HEADRICK Iron City William Frank Headrick, 80, died Saturday July 12, 2014, at Regional Medical Center. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on' Wednesday, July 2014, at Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church with the Rev. Gary Cox officiating.

Burial will follow in Liberty Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 16, 2014, from 1-2 p.m. at the church. Dryden Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Macey Turner Headrick, of Iron City; daughter, Tracy Headrick Marsh Barker, of Iron City; grandchildren, Skyler Marsh and Samantha Marsh; greatgrandchild, Sadie Hughes; nephews, Tommy Clay and Richard Clay.

Robert Turner, Jimmy Turner, Darrell Turner, Last of original dies at 65 BY BEN SISARIO The New York Times Tom Erdelyi, better known as Tommy Ramone, the founding drummer and last surviving original member of the Ramones the New York band whose dizzyingly short blasts of melody codified the sound of punk rock died Friday at his home in New York. He was 65. The cause was cancer of the bile duct, his family announced. Of the original band, Joey Ramone died in 2001, Dee Dee in 2002 ERDELYI and Johnny in 2004. Erdelyi played only on the band's first three albums, "Ramones" in 1976 and "Leave Home" and "Rocket to Russia," both from 1977.

He was the primary author of several of its early classics, including "Blitzkrieg Bop." The Ramones, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, remain one of the quintessential rock groups, whose influence far exceeded its original record sales. The group's debut LP, which Rolling Stone magazine has ranked the 33rd greatest album of all time, peaked at No. 111 on Billboard's album chart. In April, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, recognizing that it had finally sold at least 500,000 copies. McCulley, and Ronald (Yvonne) McCulley; grandchildren, Eric (Alison) Whaley, Megan (Chad) Brown, Chad (Allison) McCulley, Brooke McCulley, Dustin McCulley, Noah (Ashley) McCulley, Jerry (Tammy) Gibbs, Diana (Doug) White, Bethany Harper; great-grandchildren Addie Grace Whaley, Tyler Douglas Whaley, Blakeley Kate Brown, Jacob McCulley, Caleb McCulley, Alex Howard, Colby Howard, Emma Grace Warrell, Madison Eliot Paige McCulley, Guy Gibbs, Gracey Gibbs, Grady Gibbs, and Sophie er; sisters, Joyce (Travis) Steward, Sharon (Bill) Golden; brothers, Welton (Jewel) Gibbs and John (Martha) Gibbs, of Gaylesville, Ala.

Mrs. McCulley is preceded in death by her parents, Dozier J. and Hazel E. Gibbs and niece, Myra Ellen Golden. Pallbearers will be grandsons.

Mrs. McCulley was born in Marshall County and resided in Calhoun County most of her life. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene and attended the Baptist Church for the past 4 years. Family will accept flowers, or donations to the Diabetes Association. Condolences may be left at www.chapelhillfh.com METHVIN Anniston A memorial service for Ms.

Marion Methvin, 95, of Anniston, will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday July 16, 2014, at Grace Episcopal Church in the Memory Garden. Ms. Methvin died on Saturday July 12, 2014, at Autumn Cove. She is survived by her two sons, Andrew "Andy" Methvin and Henry Methvin; two grandchildren, Amanda Palmer and her husband James and David Herport and his wife Sandra; three great grandchildren; and one nephew, Randy Laney and his wife Helen.

She was preceded death by her husband, Leon Methvin and her daughter-in-law, Susan Methvin. Ms. Methvin was a Presbyterian by faith. The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of her caregivers at Autumn Cove for their continual love and care. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 1000 Leighton Avenue, Anniston, AL 36207.

K.L. Brown Memory Chapel 620 Golden Springs Road Anniston, AL 36207 256-231-2334 NEW Newell Service for Lena Craven New, 79, of Newell will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. from Benefield Funeral Chapel with visitation tonight from 5-8 p.m. PARTON Anniston Funeral service for M.C. "Top" Parton, 87, of Lincoln will be announced by Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

SIEBER Glen Ellyn, Ill. Service for Catherine Juricich Sieber, 59, will be held in Glen Ellyn, Ill at Williams Kampp Funeral Home in Wheaton Ill. Cathy Sieber passed away on July 12, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Larry Sieber; son, Matthew Sieber; parents, Charlotte and Arthur Graves; five sisters Charlotte Juricich, Sue Juricich Strickland (Bobby) Anne Juricich Nickrand (Robert), Cindy Graves; one brother, John Juricich Sr. (Tammy); several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her son, Bryan Sieber, her father George Juricich and her grandfather John Armin Sr. THOMAS Anniston Memorial service for Dorothy "Dot" Thomas, 83, of Anniston will be announced by Gray Brown-Service. Mrs. Thomas died Monday at RMC. TURNER Talladega Cedric Bernard Turner, 44, died Saturday at UAB Hospi- tal.

Terry's Metropolitan Mortuary will announce. Visit www.terrysmortuary.com. WADE Pell City- Bertha Mae Wade, 88, died Friday at Tanner Heath Systems, Carrollton. Terry's Metropolitan Mortuary will announce. www.terrysmortuary.com.

Ronnie Preston, Ashley Truett and Allen Mason will serve as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dale Hammond, Tommy Clay, and Richard Clay. Mr. Headrick was a native of Cleburne County and resident of Iron City for the past nine years. He was a member of Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother, John Headrick; father, Charlie Headrick; sisters, Sara Lee Headrick Clay, and Charlie Jane Headrick. Dryden Funeral Home 256-463-2287 Visit our website: drydenfuneralhome.com JOHNSON Anniston Service for Mr. Samuel Leon Johnson III, will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. from Ervin Funeral Chapel of Chimes. Interment will follow in the Eden Hills Cemetery.

Public viewing will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of service at Ervin funeral chapel. Ervin Funeral Chapel "Where Courtesy Dwells and Service Excels" www.ervinfc.com JONES Eastaboga Service for Laura Wills Jones, 96, will be announced by Anniston Funeral Services. Mrs. Jones passed away on July 13, 2014, at RMC.

LEWIS Anniston Graveside service for Virginia Lassiter Lewis, 92, of Anniston, will be Wednesday July 16, 2014, a.m. at Oxford Memorial Gardens. Dr. Roland Brown will be, officiating. The family will receive friends on today from 6 -8 p.m.

at Miller Funeral Home. Mrs. Lewis passed away tional on Health Monday Care. at Na- Survivors include her sons, Fred L' Lewis Jr. (Patricia), Jack" Lewis (Sammy), David Joseph Lewis (Peggy); grandchildren, Jeffery 1 Lewis, Jennifer Hedden Melissa Lewis Upchurch (Jason), David Gram Lewis (Lauran); great grandchildren, Stephen' Hedden, Caleb Hedden, Hannah Elizabeth Hedden, Fredrick Griffin Lewis, Bailey Madison Upchurch, and Grayson Jay Upchurch.

Mrs. Lewis was a resident of Anniston. She was a member of Golden Springs Baptist Church. Mrs. Lewis was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie Meigs and Lillie Belle Curry Lassiter, and her husband, Fred Lawson Lewis Sr.

www.millerfuneral homeoxford.com Miller Funeral Home Crematory Oxford, AL (256) 831-4611 A Brown Service Authorized Funeral Home LONGSHORE Madison Bettye Longshore, 82, died Saturday at Huntsville Hospital. Graveside service was Monday at Cedar Bluff Cemetery. Perry Funeral Home Directing. McCULLEY Anniston Funeral service for Mrs. Gail Gibbs McCulley, 80, of Anniston will be 11 a.m.

Wednesday July 16, Chapel Hill Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Owens: and the Rev. Bill Golden officiating. Burial. will follow at Anniston Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. McCulley passed away Sunday July 13, 2014, at her residence. Mrs.

McCulley is survived by her husband, Earl R. McCulley; daughter, Phyllis (Ronald) Whaley; sons, Roger (Peggy) McCulley, Jeff WILLETT Weaver Service for Jesse Willett, will be Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Mt. View Cemetery in Webster's Chapel. Chapel Hill Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

WILLIAMS Anniston Funeral service for David Williams, 62, of Anniston will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Gray Brown Service Chapel with the Rev. Greg Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Edgemont Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1 p.m.

until service at Gray Brown. Mr. Williams passed away July 10, 2014, in Anniston. Survivors include his daughters, Sherry Williams, of Alexandria, Rebecca Johnson (Billy), of Heflin and Amy Trantham, of Weaver; his grandchildren, James George, Yvonne Swafford, Amanda Yates, Kevin Johnson, Hanna Johnson, David Williams and Hunter Trantham; five great grandchildren; a brother Rayburn Williams; several nieces and nephews. Mr.

Williams is preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Inez Williams; a grandson Jacob Nicholas Williams; four brothers and one sister. Pallbearers will be nephews and grandsons. Mr. Williams was a native and lifelong resident of Calhoun County. He served in the Air Force, and was a member of Lloyd's Chapel and the Circle Saddle Club being an avid horse enthusiast.

He attended Alexandria High School and an Alabama Fan. Online condolences made at www.graybrownservice.com.