Obituary

Mary Sue Reed

march 24, 1946 ~ december 27, 2022 (age 76)

Mrs. Mary Sue Reed, favorably known as Mama Sue, 76, departed this life on December 27, 2022, at Home Sweet Home in Gardendale, Alabama, following a long battle with kidney disease. She was the daughter of Owen E. Huffstutler and Olyn Brown Huffstutler. She is survived by two children, Ronald Joe Reed (Katherine) and Debra Sue Cousins (Edward), three grandchildren, Jeremy Cousins, Alyssa Reed and Anakin Lau and many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Bobby Joe Reed. Services will be held at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville, Alabama on Friday, January 6, 2023. Family visitation is from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, regular visitation from 11:00 - 12:00 followed by a 12:00 PM service with burial in adjoining cemetery. In honor of her unconditional love for all animals, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to Missing Link Rescue in Gardendale, Alabama or any animal organization of your choice.

Betty Lou Wise

january 31, 1936 ~ december 29, 2022 (age 86)

Betty Lou Wise, passed away, Thursday, December 29, 2022. The family will receive friends at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 11:00am – 12:00 pm. Funeral Services will begin at 12:00pm and Graveside Services will follow. She is survived by her daughter, Glenda Wise (Pam Winchell); brother, Gary Hamilton (Becky); twin sister, Peggy Cash; and a host of nieces and nephews. Betty is preceded in death by her sons; William Wise, Arnold Wise; mother, Mae Hamilton; father; Archie Hamilton; brothers, Hugh Hamilton, and James Hamilton. She grew up in Ashville, AL attending Ashville High School and resided her adult life in Birmingham, AL and later Mobile, AL. Betty loved to read, cross stitch, and go shopping (or should I say looking). She also loved music and enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley and Country Gospel. One of her favorite hobbies was collecting pigs. She was a member of Pineview Baptist Church. Ms. Betty was truly loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

Shannon McFall Coker

april 23, 1972 ~ january 1, 2023 (age 50)

Shannon McFall Coker, age 50, loving mother of Giana and Luciana, and adoring wife of Dave, died on 01 January 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Shannon was born in 1972 in Bessemer AL to Joel Mcfall and Linda Rhodes. Shannon was influenced by her parents and grandmother Faye Manderson to be a loving caring person, always putting others first. Shannon graduated from McAdory High School in 1990. Shannon also received three degrees in nursing to include a Masters in Nursing from UAB in 2012. Shannon’s servants’ heart was witnessed by many in her 25 years of nursing and many mission trips. Shannon’s faith and love of fellow man was never more apparent than when she was on mission trips. Shannon made it a point to hug everyone that came to the clinic, no matter the reason for being there. Everyone that saw Shannon on a mission trip could see God’s love for us in her. Shannon is now talking to people that came to know Jesus on those trips without the need of a translator. Shannon’s love of people was only slightly ahead of her love of animals. Shannon’s homes were always full of cats and dogs. But no matter how many were there she always felt there might be room for one more. Even if Shannon could not take the animal in, she always did what she could to find it a forever home. Shannon was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She loved and treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. Shannon took every opportunity to instill in her girls the love of Jesus, a strong work ethic, how to be strong without being overbearing, and how not only to stand up for yourself but to stand up for others as well. Shannon understood that if you cannot prepare the world for your children, then you have to prepare your children for the world. Shannon’s teachings and examples would cover many scenarios, but her greatest wisdom to impart was; always do the right thing, for the right reasons, for everyone. Shannon was preceded in death by her daughter Gabriella Lee Coker, father Joel McFall, grandmother Faye Manderson, uncle Wayne Manderson. Shannon is survived by her husband Dave, daughters Giana and Luciana, mother Linda Rhodes, sisters Kim (Dennis) Todd, Kori (Destin) McFall, parents George and Peggy Coker, brothers Josh Coker, Charles Bryant, Uncle James (Ashley) Coker, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank the nurses, therapists, and doctors of UAB Hospital, and Ascension at Home, for their invaluable care and compassion to Shannon. Visitation will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 10th from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Services will be held at Evergreen Methodist Church, with graveside to follow on Wednesday, January 11th at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Shannon had requested donations be made to Pell City Animal Shelter 1071 Airport Road Pell City, AL 35128 phone: 205-814-1567.

AJefferson Memorial is a full-service funeral home and sk Eddie Eddie Seal, General Manager perpetual care cemetery dedicated to serving our community with dignity and compassion. We Make it Personal® , one family at a time.

How to Stay Healthy to Survive Grief

Following the loss of a loved one, you may find it challenging to focus on everyday activities or to invest meaning into the things that once brought you purpose or pleasure. This can extend even to such seemingly mundane tasks as sleeping, eating, and exercising—all of which can be thrown into chaos by feelings of grief. Yet, as you grieve and mourn, it becomes more important than ever that you take care of yourself. Grief takes a massive emotional toll, and the only way to withstand it is to keep both your body and your mind in shape. Sleeplessness is a common symptom of grief, but there are simple steps you can take to maximize your odds of drifting off: Take a warm, soothing bath before bed. Make sure your room is totally dark and cool, and your pillows and blankets are comfortable. Eliminate the presence of electronic devices. Many who are grieving will go long stretches where they simply forget to eat. Make it a point to get your three meals a day. Keep healthy but convenient foods in the house, like salad fixings you can throw together in just a moment’s time. Finally, try to get some physical activity each day, even if that’s just a walk through your neighborhood. The combination of sunshine and physical activity can give you a natural endorphin rush— a powerful way to stay strong even during a tough season of bereavement.

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205-322-0543 Barbara C. Posner

april 11, 1927 ~ december 31, 2022 (age 95)

Barbara Cotton Posner, age 95, of Homewood went to be with the Lord on Saturday December 31, 2022. She was born in Hobson AL on April 11, 1927. She graduated from Alabama College in 1952 and continued her education at The University of Alabama by completing a Master of Arts degree in Home Economics in 1966. She was retired from the Birmingham City School System and spent time at Woodlawn, Phillips, and Ramsay High Schools during her career. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Tyler J. Posner, her parents Gilford Daniel and Barbara Cotton, brothers Ernest (Mary), G.D. (Helen), Sisters Vivian Goodner (Bill), Verna Czeskleba (Bert), Stella Doggette (Wyman), and sister-in-law Dora Jane Cotton. She is survived by her brother Jimmy Cotton of Hobson, AL and a large family of nieces and nephews. She and her husband were world travelers and enjoyed a happy 65-year marriage. They were long time members of 1st Presbyterian Church of Birmingham. Visitation will be held at 11:00 AM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville on Thursday January 5th. Funeral Service will follow at 12:00 PM. In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in Barbara’s name at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham AL. God is Good All the Time All the Time God is Good

Kathy Pate

august 7, 1959 ~ january 1, 2023 (age 63)

Kathy Buchanan Pate, age 63, of Trussville, AL, passed away at her home on January 1, 2023 after a hard fought battle with breast cancer. Kathy grew up in Roebuck, AL and graduated from Huffman High School in 1977. She is preceded in death by her parents Roland and Bettie “Jean” Buchanan. She is survived by her husband, Mark Pate; her daughter, Kellie Sanna, her husband, Matthew and their two children, Kaitlyn and Mackenzie; her son, Logan Pate, his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children, Cameron and Caroline; her brothers, Martin and Ken Buchanan, and their families. The family will receive friends for funeral services at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville, AL on Friday, January 6th at 10am.

Irene Prickett Skelton

october 13, 1931 ~ january 1, 2023 (age 91)

Irene Prickett Skelton passed away on January 1, 2023. Born October 13, 1931, she was preceded in death by her husband Johnny Skelton and son Will Skelton. She is survived by children Trisha Trigg (Scott), Johnna Thayer, Rebecca Osborn (Jimmy), Jeff Skelton (Carrie Thompson) and Judson Skelton (Hena). Surviving grandchildren Brian Guest (Jennifer), Chris Guest (Kim), Nick Guest, Ryan Thayer (Mandy), Ben Thayer (Kisha), Anna Townsend (Danny), Luke Osborn, Jake Osborn (Sarah), Mike Skelton (Stephanie), Chris Skelton (Cory), Sarah Thompson (Joshua), Mary Ellen Skelton, Gracie Skelton, Jack Skelton, Kate Skelton and Lily Skelton. Great grandchildren Edie Guest, Ella Guest, Graham Guest, Eagan Guest, Madalyn Thayer, Matthew Thayer, Noah Thayer, Brooks Thayer, John Usry, Caroline Osborn, Ben Osborn, Garrett Skelton, Sydney Skelton, Stone Skelton, Cash Skelton, and step-grandchildren Graham and Anna Owens. A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she never missed the opportunity to celebrate life events by giving a quilt she made by hand. Her family will be kept warm for years because of her talent and generosity. She loved Disney movies and anything British. Special thanks to the dedicated staff at Fresenius Trussville, especially Trina and Roshunda; and faithful friends Maureen Livingston, Rachel Manget and Sue Meeks. The family also wishes to thank Compassus Hospice nurse Nancy O'Neal and Visiting Angels nurses Hilari Braggs and Adama Karmara. Visitation will be Monday, January 9 at 11:00 am and graveside service at 12:00 noon at Jefferson Memorial Trussville.