Obituaries for Thurs., March 27, 2014

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 27, 2014

DR. JAMES LAMAR

Dr. James Edward Lamar, 79, of Montgomery, died Tues., March 18, 2014, at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery.

Lamar

Born in Crenshaw County, he attended and graduated valedictorian from Crenshaw County Training School in Luverne. He continued his education at Alabama State College, which is now known as Alabama State University, graduating in 1958. While at ASC, he was very active, participating in various organizations and pledging with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was a teacher with schools in Russell and Covington counties before becoming a college teacher at Florida Memorial College in St. Augustine. He continued working, also accompanying the school during the move to Miami. After settling in Miami, he continued his career at Miami-Dade Community College, where he was a professor of math and physics. He believed in education and continued this by receiving his Master of Education from Tuskegee University, and doctorate degree from Florida State University. Lamar retired after working for 30 years, and later moved to Montgomery.

He was an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for 55 years, Sigma Alpha Chapter (Miami) and Sigma Phi Chapter (Montgomery). He received many awards and recognition. He often quoted the motto of “Friendship is essential to the soul.” He was also a member of the alumni associations, national and local, of Alabama State University and participated in the Golden (50th) Anniversary of the Class of 1958. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, joining in Dozier, and continuing his membership and service in Miami as Worshipful Master of Entwine Lodge #1 of the Most Worshipful Cypress Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M., State of Florida. He served on various committees and capacities, earning 33 Degree. He was a devoted member of Morning Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, serving on the Clinical Pastoral Education Committee and male choir, often participating in various events until his health began to decline.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Veronica L. (Oren) Ferguson of Shorter; Pamela (Charles) Lamar-Dukes of Miami Gardens, Fla.; sons, Deric (Torre) Lamar and Reggie Taylor, all of Miami Gardens; step-daughters, Renee (Elijah) Regan of Palm Beach, Fla., Monica (Darryl) Branton of Miami and Ciera Johnson of Montgomery; sisters, Gracie (Ferby) Everett of Pensacola, Fla.; Jerline Kilpatrick and Lucille Lamar, both of Paterson, N.J.; a sister-in-law, Ethel Lamar of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; sister and brother-in-Law, Margaret and James Jenkins of Springdale, Md; sister-in-law Angeline S. Neeley of Hinesville, Ga.; ex-wife and life-long friend, Annie J. Alexander of Montgomery; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be Fri., March 28, from 4 until 8 p.m. at Ross-Clayton Funeral Home. The Omega Service will take place during visitation from 6 until 7 p.m.

His celebration of life services will be held on Sat., March 29, at 10 a.m. at Morning Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, and later on the same day at  2 p.m. at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Dozier. The Rev. James Watts, Sr. officiating.

Although flowers are appreciated, memorial contributions are encouraged to Morning Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Evie L. Bryant scholarship fund, named for his mother.

JOYCE BYRD

Joyce Marie Byrd, 62, of Dozier, passed away Mon., March 24, 2014, at her residence.

Funeral services will be on Fri., March 28, at 2 p.m. from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Lutz officiating. Interment will follow in Macedonia Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. today, Thurs., March 27, at Foreman Funeral Home.

Byrd is survived by her husband, Don Byrd of Dozier; daughters, Daneice (Russell) Clark of Leesburg, Ga., Hope Marie Byrd and Grace Byrd of Dozier; sons, Shawn (Sharrie) Byrd of Dozier, Shane (Cindy) Thornton of Kemah, Texas; 10 granddaughters; two great grandsons; brother, Michael (Ramona) Watkins of Pearland, Texas; and two sisters, Ann (Ken) Hearin of Citronelle and Barbara (Les) Hinote of Bay Minnette.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Christy Maddaloni; parents Margie Elton Watkins and Betty Watkins; and her sister, Patricia Sims.

Family and friends unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT HUCKABAA

Robert Travis Huckabaa, 58, of Loango, passed away Sat., March 22, 2014, at his residence.

Graveside services were held Wed., March 26, at Shady Hill Cemetery with speaker Don Florer officiating the service and Foreman Funeral Home directing.

Huckabaa is survived by his son, Robert Travis Huckabaa II of Chicago; daughters, Charissa Skal, Holly (Lee) Armstrong of Millersport, Ohio, Tisha Huckabaa of Buckeye Lake, Ohio and Jennifer Huckabaa of Thornville, Ohio; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Vicki Lewis of Browsville, Ohio; brother, Jim Colbridge of Buckeye Lake, Ohio; and former wife, Debbie Huckabaa of Thornville.

He is preceded in death by a sister, Deb Huckabaa Church.

Pallbearers were Don Florer, Henry Huckabaa, Bob Huckabaa, Nathan Ankeney, Jacob Layne and Kenny Hendrix.

Family and friends unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

HENRY BULGER

Henry Roger Bulger, 65, of Andalusia, passed away Mon., March 24, 2014, in the Mizell Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be today, Thurs., March 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Red Oak Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Shearer officiating. Interment will follow in Red Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church 30 minutes prior to services.

Bulger is survived by his wife, Patricia Bulger of Andalusia; daughter, Lori (Aaron) Crawford of Fayetteville, Tenn.; sons, Jimmy Lee Bulger and Bryan (Amanda) Bulger of Andalusia; grandchildren, Taylor Bulger, Sydney Bulger, Trevor Bulger, Casey Bulger, Brady Crawford and Blake Crawford; brothers, Steve (Elaine) Bulger, Terry (Shelia) Bulger of Andalusia, Mitchell (Sylvia) Bulger of Albany, Ga. and Jamie (Kristy) Bulger of Bainbridge, Ga.; sisters, Lynda (Carlos) Powell of Andalusia and Sue (Herb) Smith Molina.

Family and friends unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

JESSIE REYMUNDO

Jessie Theopel Reymundo, 86, of Andalusia, passed away Mon., March 24, 2014, at the Andalusia Manor.

Funeral services will be today, Thurs., March 27, at 2 p.m. from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Knowles and the Rev. Ed Ganus officiating. Interment will be in Brownsville Cemetery near Evergreen.

Reymundo is survived by her son, John Preston Reymundo Jr. of Milton, Fla.; daughters, Teresa (Wayne) Geohagan of Andalusia and Denise Johnson of Gantt; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Joe Gant, Andrew Gluchaci, James Knowles, Jeremy Johnson, Stacey Davis and Brad Lowery.

Family and friends unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

J.D. GRANTHAM

J.D. Grantham, 72, of Red Level, passed away Mon., March 24, 2014, at Andalusia Manor.

Funeral services were held Wed., March 26, at Fairmount Baptist Church with John Grantham officiating. Interment followed in the Fairmount Baptist Church Cemetery with Keahey Funeral Home directing.

Grantham is survived by his brother, Herbert L. (Debbie) Grantham of Huntsville; sister, Sue (Wayne) Wilkinson of Corpus Christi, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

L.J. GOMILLION

L.J. Gomillion, 80, of Evergreen, passed away Tues., March 25, 2014, in the Florala nursing home.

Graveside services were held, Wed., March 26, at Bushfield Cemetery in Red Level with Keahey Funeral Home directing.

Gomillion is survived by a his brother, J.T. Gomillion of Luverne; sisters, Joyce Bush of Sanford, Allie Mae Martin of Evergreen and Jean Castleberry of Georgiana.

Gomillion was preceded in death by brothers, James Gomillion and Shannon Gomillion.