Obituaries for Tue., Dec. 10, 2013

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 10, 2013

GILLETT JUNIOR WARD

Gillett Junior Ward, 87, of Evergreen, passed away Tue., Dec. 3, 2013, at the Andalusia hospital.

Funeral services were held on Sat., Dec. 7, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Reynolds officiating. Interment followed in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Ward of Evergreen; three stepchildren, Connie Wilson Rainer of Auburn, Joseph A. Rayfield of Newark, Del., and Abby D. Morley of Edmond, Okla.; and eight grandchildren.

Those unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

JEAN HOWARD

Jean A. Howard, 72, of River Falls, passed away Thur., Dec. 5, 2013, at the Andalusia hospital.

Funeral services were held on Mon., Dec. 9, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kerrey Davis and the Rev. Bill Butler officiating. Interment followed in Fairmount Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, Willie Howard of River Falls; five daughters, Jane Grice of Andalusia, Marsha Nichols of Pennsylvania, Kay (Ricky) Maddox of Florida, Cheryll (Chris) Meek of Spanish Fort and Vicki (Tommy) McGaha of Florida; two step-children, Dianne (Danny) Cheek of Greenville and William “Dickie” Howard of Andalusia; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister; Leila Mosley of Foley.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Kevin Meeks.

Those unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

BEATRICE RAYBON

Beatrice Raybon, 82, of Andalusia, passed away Fri., Dec. 6, 2013.

Graveside services were held on Mon., Dec. 6, at Blue Springs Church Cemetery with the Rev. Shaun Moore officiating and Keahey Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include her son, Joey (Katrina) Raybon of Andalusia; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Raybon was preceded in death by her daughter, Cathy Miller, and a son, Tom Raybon.

Sign the guest book for this family at keaheyfuneralhome.com.

HARVEN ALLEN KELLEY

Harvey Allen Kelley, 81, a native of Birmingham, passed away on Nov. 21, 2013.

Born on June 25, 1932, to Ernest Justus and Ruby Plyler Kelley, he grew up in Graysville.

Funeral services were held on Sun., Nov. 24.

After graduating from Phillips High School, he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. While stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla., he met the love of his life. After marrying, they moved to Tallahassee, Fla., and he enrolled in Florida State University, where he studied electrical engineering. In 1956, he took a job with US Steel. After 25 years as a dedicated employee, he retired as superintendent of the Axel Shop, where he formed many lifelong friendships.

After retiring, they moved to a family property in Andalusia, which became fondly know as “the farm.” His entrepreneur spirit led him to purchase and operate Kelley’s Goodyear Tire and Appliance. After selling the store in 1999, they enjoyed many years traveling and spending time with family and friends. They returned to Birmingham in 2010.

He was an avid golfer and recorded both a hole-in-one and the rarest shot in golf – a double Eagle. He loved fishing and the outdoors. He was a lifelong Alabama fan and worked weekends for Frank Taylor from 1958-1966 producing The Bear Bryant show. He loved his country and his God, impacting all whom he came in touch with. Bill O’Reilly has lost a loyal follower.

To his friends he was known as “Happy.” and with the birth of his first grandchild in 1983, he became “Papa.” His greatest accomplishment in life, he would tell you, was his family. His love for his family knew no bounds. He was greatly loved and will be forever missed.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Biggs Kelley; children, Harvey Allen Kelley Jr. (Lisa), Jeffery Dean Kelley (Phyllis), Kristi Kelley Wilson (Larry), and Kari Kelley Rubin (Gary); 14 grandchildren, Ashley, Ty, Blake; Bryant, Jake, Grace, Natalie, Justin (Melinda), April (Daniel), Brad (Kaila), Talor, Jordan, Erin and Braden; and four great-grandsons, Landon, Evan, James and Tyler; sister, Ernestine Watts Allen; brother, James B. Kelley (Dot); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 28938 Straughn School Road, Andalusia, AL 36421.