Mr. Morris was born in Pullman, West Virginia to the late Olin G. Morris and Pauline Hamilton Morris.

John retired as a supervisory machinist from

KARE Packaging in 2007 after 15 years of service.

Prior to moving to Athens, Alabama in the late 1980s, John had lived in Lancaster County, PA.,

where he worked at Bliss Box Corrugated Packaging in Nottingham, PA and served as President of the local Union in Chester, PA.

After retirement John spent time helping restore old houses and making them livable again, he enjoyed wood working and building, benches and other intricate wood carvings. And he loved to hunt for treasures at local yard sales.

Although illness prevented him from attending church services, he never wavered from his belief in the lord. He faithfully professed his Christian faith and found strength and comfort in his relationship with God.

His quick smile and good-natured sense of humor will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Mr. Morris is survived by two brothers, Mike Morris of Kirkwood, PA and Joe Morris of Peach Bottom, PA., one daughter Tracy Morris Borg of PA., loving niece Becky Johns of Lancaster, PA and great niece, Robin Marrs of Kirkwood, PA, and many more nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jim, Jack, Bill, George and twin brother Paul Morris. Sisters, Mary Morris Shatley, Barbara Sue Morris Hummel and Helen Morris Sears, companion for more than 20 years, Nancy L. Gaston.

A visitation is planned for Thursday, July 2nd from 12::00 noon until 1:30 pm at Spry Funeral

Home in Athens, AL, burial at Hester’s Chapel Cemetery in Lester, AL will follow.

She is survived by her daughter, Loretta Davis of Athens, son, Freddie Holland of Athens, grandchildren, Zach Davis, Autumn Davis, and Aaron Davis, sisters, Barbara Tucker of Athens and Shelia Miller of Athens, brother, Jimmy (Janet) Pugh of Athens, sister-in-law, Marcia Pugh of Athens as well as several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Holland was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Cora Bell Pugh, her husband, Ronnie Holland, and brother, Gary Pugh.

There will be a visitation Wednesday evening, July 1st, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home of Athens.

Services will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2nd in the Spry Chapel officiated by Brian Culbreath and Richard Garlen. Interment to follow at Sandlin Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Zach Davis, Jimmy Pugh, Allen Tucker, Addison Allen, Logan Pugh, and Tucker Malone. Honorary Pallbearers are Aaron Davis and Autumn Davis.

Herbert “Herb” Patterson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and love, on June 4, 2026, at the age of 97.

Born in Athens, Alabama, on December 8, 1928, Herb lived a life defined by service, learning, family, and perseverance. He graduated from Auburn University on a U.S. Navy scholarship, earning degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Science, and later served as a Navy officer before beginning a long engineering career with General Electric and Lord Manufacturing, and later founding Patterson Associates.

In 1961, Herb moved to Lynnfield, Massachusetts, where he made his home for the next 65 years, raising his family and becoming a devoted member of the community. He earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University while working full-time and raising a family, reflecting his lifelong commitment to education and personal growth.

Herb married Rachelle Harris in 1953, and together they raised three children: Keith, Mark, and Karen.

In 1986, he married Linda French Patterson and welcomed her four children into his life: Robin, Bobby, Renee, and Rochelle. Together they built a life in Lynnfield and shared four decades of marriage, friendship, and family.

Herb was a devoted father, husband, mentor, and friend. He taught his children to swim, ski, and play tennis, and stayed a source of guidance and encouragement throughout their lives. In later years, he developed passions for investing and genealogy, helping family members navigate their finances and expanding the Patterson family tree to more than 1,000 relatives.

An avid tennis player, Herb played well into his 90s and believed in physical fitness, personal responsibility, lifelong learning, and treating others with respect. Those values shaped the way he lived and the example he set for others.

Herb is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda French Patterson; his children, Keith Patterson and Karen Patterson Brunett; Linda’s children, Robin Belanger, Bobby Belanger, Renee Belanger, and Rochelle Belanger; and an extended family of grandchildren, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Patterson.

Herb will be remembered for his intelligence, integrity, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the values he shared, and the example he set for future generations.

Mr. Simpson is survived by his brother, James Phillip Jason Colwell of Athens, sisters, Amy Catherine Smith of Tennessee and Tawanna Osburn of Athens, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Thomas Simpson and Marilyn Inez Mosley.

Graveside Services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 5th, at Myers Cemetery in Athens officiated by Richard Jones. No visitation planned.

Roger Dale Hardin, age 73, of Athens died July 3, 2026 at his home. He was born April 23, 1953 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Mr. Hardin was a member of the Round Island Baptist Church and a retired owner/operator of his own trucking company. He enjoyed fishing, travel, racing, Alabama football, the Atlanta Braves baseball and was an avid watcher of T.V. westerns. The family would like to thank Cecil Monk for being a father figure to him and Misty Mitchell for being a caregiver.

Mr. Hardin is survived by his wife, Jane Hardin; daughter, Shelly Hastings (Andrew) and son; stepdaughters, Mary Love (Chris), Rene Collins (Jerry), and Kay Hunter; brothers, Percy Hardin and another brother; sisters, Linda Morgan, Joyce Hardin, and another sister; grandchildren, Dally-Kate Hastings, John Samuel Hastings, Lena-Gray Hastings, three additional grandsons; and one great grandson.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Deborah Hardin; his parents (grandparents), Otis and Lois Hardin; mother, Silveree Sterling; as well as several brothers and sisters.

The family will have a visitation on Sunday, July 5th from 2:00 p.m. until service time at Spry Funeral Home. Services will begin at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 5th in the Spry Chapel officiated by Mike Green. Interment to follow at the Apostolic Cemetery in Athens.

Pallbearers will be Jason Barnett, David Merritt, Michael Merritt, Shalor Austin, Russ McNutt, and Paul Looney. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Russell, Cecil Monk, Bryan Freeman, and Jessie Fields.

Mr. Daniel Melvin Meadows, age 73, died March 10, 2025. He was born February 19, 1952 and is survived by his siblings, Dennis, Dixie, and Debbie.

Mrs. Shirley Eloise Meadows, age 74, died November 16, 2025. She was born January 14, 1951 and is survived by her siblings, Steve, Jackie, Tammy, Tina and Diane.

Together, Mr. and Mrs. Meadows are also survived by their children, Keith, Angie, and Eric along with family members, friends, and loved ones whose lives they touched.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Kathleen Gee and Linda Kyle, brothers, Thomas Adams, Billy Adams, Gilbert Adams, and Bobby Adams.

There will be a visitation Friday, July 10, 2026 from 12:00 noon until service time at Spry Funeral Home of Athens. Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Spry Chapel officiated by Charles Simmons. Interment will be at Bottoms Cemetery in Athens. Family and friends to serve as pallbearers.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, July 11th in the Spry Funeral Home Chapel from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with interment following at Thatch & Mann Cemetery

Survivors include his wife, Stella Orf. Son, Matthew (Emily) Burch. Daughter, Beth (Jeremy) Dressler. Grandchildren, Meagan Spears and Ethan Wigley. He was preceded in death by a brother, William Orf. No services are planned.

Gail Dean Kilpatrick, age 86 of Athens died July 7, 2026 at her home. She was born September 15, 1939, in Limestone County to Benjamin Orell and Jewell Gray.

Mrs. Kilpatrick was a member of the First Baptist Church of Athens and retired from Red Stone Arsenal.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-seven years, Billy Kilpatrick of Athens, daughter, Jamie McGraw (Andy) of Elkmont, sister, Mamie Jonston of Washington state, and granddaughter, Ashley McGraw of Elkmont.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Gray.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 12th at Roselawn Cemetery. No visitation planned.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of North Alabama.

She was retired from Chrysler.

Mrs. Reece is survived by her daughter, Gina Reece Scott of Athens; sisters, Nancy Sons of Athens, Peggy King of Harvest, and Patricia Garlen of Athens; brothers, Joe Pugh of Ardmore, Jimmy Pugh of Athens, and Terry Pugh of Athens; grandchildren, Ashton Butler, Kailey Butler, and Chad Scott, all of Athens; and great grandchildren, Carson, Cameron, and Zoey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Reece, son, Eddie Reece, and sister, Carymon Foster.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2026 in the Spry Chapel.

Visitation will be at Spry Funeral Home Monday, July 13th from 12:00 noon until service time.

Interment to follow services at Limestone Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Billie Wayne Ridinger, Sr., age 79, of Athens died July 11, 2026 at his home. He was born August 20, 1946 in Limestone County.

Mr. Ridinger was a retired Union laborer and an avid guitar player who played at many gospel singings.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Ridinger, son, Billie Wayne Ridinger, Jr., grandchildren, Bruce Ridinger and Kristen Brewer, sister, Patricia Haggard as well as nieces and nephews.

Mr. Ridinger was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Laura Ridinger, sisters, Robbie McElyea and Bobbie Jean Truckey, and brother, James Robert Ridinger, Sr.

There will be a visitation Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Spry Funeral Home. Services will be 2:00 p.m. in the Spry Chapel officiated by Tony Pack and Steve Defoe. Interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tim Perry, Tom Lawson, Jamie Ridinger, Matt Tribble, Marcus Wilson, and Michael Truckey. Honorary pallbearers will be Braiden Brewer, Bruce Ridinger, Colton Tribble, and Billy Ridinger.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Limestone County.

He was born April 7, 1950 in Limestone County, was an Air Force Veteran and was retired from 3M.

Mr. Dildine is survived by his wife, Bernice Dildine of Athens, son, Daniel Dildine of Elkmont, adopted family friends, Kelly Minyard and Wade Minyard and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Betty Dildine, son, Darrell Dildine, brothers, Wayne Dildine and Charles Dildine, and sister, Peggy Dildine.

There will be a memorial visitation on Friday, July 17th from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home of Athens.

Martha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Taylor; her sons, Daniel Taylor and Darrel Taylor; her precious granddaughter, Katie Lynn Taylor; her daughter-in-law, Denise Taylor; her parents, George and Lula Moran; her brother, David Moran; and her sisters, Kathryn Baugher, Dean Barnett, Eunice Moran, and Faye Sims.

There will be a visitation on Friday, July 17, 2026 at O’Neal Church of Christ from 12:00 noon until service time. Services will begin at 3:00 p.m. Friday the 17th at O’Neal Church of Christ officiated by Matt Taylor. Interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery with Guy McDaniel Officiating.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the many prayers, visits, meals, and expressions of kindness shown during this time. Martha's greatest desire was that others would know the love of Christ, and her family rejoices in the hope of seeing her again.

'Well done, thou good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' — Matthew 25:23

See the complete obit at spryfuneralhome.com

Bill was a devoted husband to Nancy Jo for 69 years and a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a member of First Christian Church in Athens, where he was an elder for many years. Bill was a graduate of Auburn University and proudly served his country as a Lieutenant in the Army. He was happiest on the farm with family, where he found joy in tending the land and the Angus cattle entrusted to his care. He instilled his love of farming in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passing down values of faithfulness, patience, perseverance, and honest work.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy Jo Maples of Elkmont, AL; his children, Dave Maples (Dana) of Lexington KY, Diane Pettitt (Mark) of Lacey’s Spring, AL and Tommy Maples, (Melanie) of Elkmont, AL; his grandchildren, Ben Maples(Heather), Josh Maples(McKenzie), Will Maples(Chellie), Sara Bell(Evan), Joseph Vann(Anne), David Maples and Erica Maples; his great-grandchildren, Jane Maples, Lydia Maples, Graham Maples, Emily Kate Maples, Jack Maples, Elizabeth Maples, Eleanor Maples, Maeve Bell, Finn Bell and JW Vann; his sisters, Anne Hamner, Susan Minor, and Jane Maples; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at First Christian Church of Athens, AL beginning at 12:00pm on July 18, 2026, followed by a service at 2:00pm to honor his life at the same location. Burial will take place at Athens City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ben Maples, Josh Maples, Will Maples, Joseph Vann, David Maples, Evan Bell, Steve Gentry, and Grayson Shinkunas.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to First Christian Church, Athens, AL or Hospice of Limestone County.

She was born September 12, 1968 in Florida to Eddie Horne and Mildred Sullivan Horne. Mrs. Church was a homemaker and is survived by her daughters Brittany Kyle of Athens and Bridget Kyle of Muscle Shoals, son, Randy Kyle of Athens, and four grandchildren.

Visitation and viewing will be private.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. at Reunion Cemetery in Athens on Tuesday, July 21st.

Benjamin Charles Stevens, Jr. was born in Chicago on February 27th, 1937 and raised in the small community of Fairland, Maryland. He was the oldest child of Benjamin Charles Stevens and Sally Fadley Stevens. Growing up on the family farm, he helped raise chickens and goats and tended a large vegetable garden. His childhood was profoundly shaped by his grandfather, who owned a cottage on the eastern shore of Bush River near Perryman, Maryland. There, his grandfather taught him to fish, tend a crab line, scull a boat, and later sail a scow. He also introduced Ben to woodworking, power tools, and the lifelong satisfaction of building, repairing, and creating with his own hands.

Ben graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Mechanical Engineering through the ROTC program. Although he had hoped for a career as an Air Force tactical aircraft pilot or a challenging engineering assignment, he chose to fulfill a four-year commitment in the United States Air Force. During that time, one of his closest friends and fellow Maryland classmate, Don Shanklin, introduced him to his cousin, Nancy Snyder of Sheffield, Alabama. Nancy became the love of Ben's life, and they shared nearly 58 wonderful years of marriage before her passing.

Following his military service, Ben wanted to be closer to Nancy's family and accepted a position in Huntsville, Alabama, working with NASA as a contractor on the Saturn Project. Seeking a more technical role, he joined the Chemstrand Synthetic Fibers Plant in Decatur in 1967 as a maintenance supervisor. Over the next 34 years, through the company's transitions from Chemstrand to Monsanto and eventually Solutia, Ben served in several distinguished leadership roles before retiring as Manager of Plant Safety.

Ben was truly a jack of all trades. A gifted mathematician, talented singer and banjo player, accomplished artist known for his memorable caricatures, skilled woodcarver, and gifted craftsman, he seemed able to build or repair almost anything. He was an easygoing friend, a gentle giant with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. His strong work ethic, determination, and deep patriotism were evident throughout his life.

When asked about his greatest accomplishment, Ben would always say it was finding his 'special little Southern person,' Nancy. His greatest joys were the life they built together, especially their beloved farm, Wayside; the family lake house; their dogs; their children; and, above all, their cherished grandchildren.

Ben is survived by his sons, James Michael Stevens and Mark Benjamin Stevens (Christina Orfley Stevens); his daughter, Amy Stevens Cosby (Joseph Conway Cosby, Jr.); his grandchildren, Madeline Ashur Cosby, Benjamin Silas Cosby, Kyle Benjamin Stevens, and Danielle Maria Stevens; his sister, Nancy Stevens White; and his brother, Robert Oliver Stevens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: the Courtland Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 32, Courtland, AL 35618, the Courtland Presbyterian Church, Wounded Warrior Project, or Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Ben will be remembered for his unwavering love of family, remarkable talents, generous spirit, steadfast character, and the countless lives he touched through his kindness, humor, and example.

A Memorial Service will be held with on Friday, July 24th at Courtland Presbyterian Church, 645 Hamilton, Courtland, AL 35618. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm and service will begin at 2:00pm.

Vivian Elaine Glaze, born May 31, 1948, went home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 19, 2026.Vivian faithfully attended and served at First Methodist Church in Athens. She loved music and was an extremely talented soprano, singing in the church choir. Deeply dedicated to her choir family, she took care of the music folders and anticipated the needs of her fellow members. She truly loved the Lord and her church community.  Vivian had a generous heart for helping those in need, frequently making grocery runs, ensuring they made it to their doctor appointments, and filling their homes with sweet treats. She also had a profound love for animals, tenderly caring for her own cats and dogs, and was even known to stop heavy traffic to ensure a turtle made it safely across the street. Hardworking and spirited, Vivian loved nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren and cheering them on in all of their passions. She is survived by Her Sons, Greg Glaze (Melissa) and Scotty Glaze (Kristi); Her Grandchildren; Tyler Glaze, Brandon Glaze (Caitlin), Amber Glaze, Ryan Glaze (Emily), Adam Glaze (Elleah), Aaron Glaze (Anna Katherine), and Anna Glaze; Her Great-Granddaughter, Adelyn Grace Glaze and her Brother, Ronald Childress.There will be a graveside service, 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 24, 2026, in Dyersburg, Tennessee at Fairview Cemetery.Visitation will be private.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Parker; daughter, Anita Stewart (Jerry); grandchildren, Makayla Harris (Dan), Brittney Scott (Reggie), and Blake Carter; Great-Grandchildren, Kenzlee Harris, Kaylee Harris, Jace Scott, and Tatum Scott; Brother, Randy Carter (Kay); Sister, Diane McLemore as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Cleo Carter; sons, Ronald Carter and Dustin Carter; daughter, Kim Carter; Brothers, Charles E. Carter, Paul Carter, Danny Carter and Keith Carter and Sister, Shirley R. Moss

There will be a visitation from 12:00 noon until service time on Saturday, July 25th at Spry Funeral Home of Athens.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 25th in the Spry Chapel.