Obituaries for Sat., Sept. 17, 2016

Published 1:41 am Saturday, September 17, 2016

Ida B. Green

Ida B. Green, 82, of the Rose Hill Community, passed away at Mizell Memorial Hospital of Opp, with her loving family by her side on Wed., Sept. 14, 2016.

Born Jan. 27, 1934, in Red Level, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Roy and Willie B Rhodes.

She is survived by her two sons, Shelby (Jean) Green and Frank (Sandy) Green; four daughters Claudia Reed, Shirley Hall, Patricia (Wayne) Kelly and Sandy (Perry) Hudson and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and soul mate of 67 years, Burie F. Green; and two sons, Coy (Gale) Green and Lester Green.

Ida was a longtime resident of Seffner, Fla., before she relocated to the Rose Hill Community. She loved to cook, spend time with her family and her cat “Baby.” And she had a lifelong passion for nurturing plants and gardening.

Ida fought a courageous battle against a brief illness. Her spirit was strong, loving and positive throughout her journey. She will be dearly missed by all of her family members and close friends.

A celebration of life memorial service will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The National Kidney Foundation.

MICHAEL GORDON WINDHAM

On Sept. 12, 2016, Michael Gordon Windham ended his life’s journey at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. , at the age of 70. Mike, also known as El Tigre to his international friends, was born Aug. 19, 1946, in Andalusia, to the late Eleanor Stone Windham and Roy M. Windham. He graduated from Andalusia High School and went on to attend Auburn University where he graduated in 1968 with a degree in textile management. His 43-year career in textiles began at Riegel Textile Company in Trion, Ga., and ended when he retired from American Cotton Growers in Littlefield, Texas, in 2011. He also worked at Thomaston Mills, Burlington Industries, and Denim North America over the course of his employment. Mike enjoyed his job, especially the creative aspects and travel, and embraced his time in Central America where he made lifelong friends and copious amounts of “pretty fair” denim.

Everything he did, he did with integrity, intelligence, creativity, and diligence. He believed in doing things the right way which afforded brilliant and meaningful results, from his work in denim to his art and photography, and he downplayed them all. He was the most dependable person most of us will ever meet. He loved his family and friends above all else and managed to find goodness in everyone he met. He truly enjoyed people, connecting with them and sharing experiences. If you were lucky enough to be adopted into his ever-growing family to become an “honorary Windham,” you would find yourself the recipient of all sorts of treasures, from Priester’s pecans to his very own ginger cookies to complementary Delta blankets.

Mike was a baker, collector, photographer, teacher, manager, father, husband, and adoring grandfather. He loved Sunday New York Times crossword puzzles, salt-water fishing, music and literature, and was a fierce Jeopardy contender. He had a wicked sense of humor and loved to make others laugh. His grandchildren were a constant source of wonder and amazement to him. His was a life well-lived, and he was a model of selflessness and sacrifice to those he loved.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his best friend and wife of 49 years, Becky Ray Windham of Snoqualmie, Wash.; son and daughter-in-law Gray and Stephanie Windham of Griffin, Ga.; daughter Elise Windham of Lubbock, Texas, daughter and son-in-law Emily Windham and Ryan Bindert of Snoqualmie, Wash.; granddaughters Graysen and Katherine Bindert of Snoqualmie, Wash.; brother and sister-in-law Alan and Kathy Windham of Andalusia; and mother-in-law Charlotte Ray of Andalusia. He also leaves behind other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service will be planned for family and friends at a later date.

Any donations may be made to the Andalusia Public Library, your hometown library, or the charity of your choice.

Sylvia Clark

Mrs. Sylvia I. Clark, age 68, of Florala (Yellow River Community) passed away Wed., Sept. 14, 2016 unexpectedly while visiting in Savannah, Ga.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Mon., Sept. 19, at Liberty Hill Assembly of God Church. The Rev. John White will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Keahey Funeral Home of Lockhart directing.

Survivors include her husband, Al Clark of Florala (Yellow River Community). Additional survivors will be announced later.

Billy W. Andrews

Mr. Billy W. Andrews, 72, of Rose Hill, passed away Wed., Sept. 14, 2016, at his residence.

Funeral services for Mr. Andrews will be at 2 p.m. Fri., Sept. 16, 2016, at Macedonia Methodist Church in Rose Hill. Visitation will be from 1-2 at the church and interment will follow in the church cemetery.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Ella Andrews of Rose Hill; a sister and brother-in-law, Dottie Williams (Donnie) of Rose Hill; his niece, Leigh Parker (Waylon) of Rose Hill; four great-nieces and nephews, Tyree Anderson, Tyler Anderson, Christian Parker, and Skylar Parker; and two special friends, Earl McBride and Roger Moody.

Mr. Andrews was preceded in death by his father, Walter Andrews and niece, Donita Williams.

Katherine Mitchell Thomas

Mrs. Katherine Mitchell Thomas, age 90, of Andalusia passed away Thurs., Sept. 15, 2016, at her residence.

She was a long time employee of Alatex until retirement, as was her husband, William Thomas. She was a kind and loving person whose passing will leave a void in our lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas; her parents, William Dennis and Lucine Floyd Mitchell; brothers, Pete Mitchell, Willis Mitchell, Wendell Mitchell, and Hascal Mitchell; and sisters, Agnes Mitchell Free and Jurl Mitchell Scofield.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Carol Thomas, Andalusia; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Ryan and Beverly Thomas; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Courtney Thomas Bybee and Tim; great-grandchildren, Bevan Thomas, Reagan Thomas, Thomas Clark and Kaitlyn Bybee; a brother and sister-in-law, Haverd and Jeanine Mitchell of Tallassee; a sister and brother-in-law, Joyce Mitchell Lynch and Bob, of River Falls; one very special sitter, who has been a God-send in assisting her during her illness and death, Pam Watson; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Sat., Sept. 17, at River Falls Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of services.

The family will accept flowers or donations can be made to River Falls Baptist Church. Interment will follow at River Falls Cemetery with Keahey Funeral Home directing.