Month: September 2022

The Celebration of Life Service for Emma Dial Ford, age 86, was held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:00 am at Bobby’s Community Center in Pennington, AL.

Emma D. Ford was born on February 23, 1936 to Oscar Gray and Mary Lewis Dial in Marengo County, AL.  She departed this earthly life on September 3, 2022.  She was preceded in death by her parents; ex-husband/friend, Henry Ford; brothers, Walter Dial, James Dial and Darryell Williams; sisters, Allie Dial Miller and Annie Dial Miller; and granddaughter Tonika Crooks.

Emma joined Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Nanafalia, AL at an early age and served in many capacities.  She later joined Independent Missionary Baptist Church in Sweet Water, AL where she served as Missionary President and devotional song leader until her death.

Emma graduated from Marengo High School in 1954.  Upon graduation, she attended Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Selma, AL where she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  Her career included employment with Barber Hospital in Butler, AL; Choctaw General Hospital in Butler, AL; West Alabama Home Health Agency; and West Alabama Health Services in Gilbertown, AL.  After retiring, she volunteered with the Health & Wellness Education Center.  She was also a member of the West Alabama Mental Health Board for six years.

Emma leaves to cherish her memories: her children, Debra Ann Ford, Kathy (Earnest) Levy, Butler, AL and Tommy (Courtney) Ford, Southfield, MI; niece/daughter, Terri Van Dusen, Las Vegas, NV; sister, Carolyn Wilson, Sweetwater, AL; ten grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; a best friend of over 50 years, Ola Kirksey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives, special friends and church family.

Memorial Service for Helena Marie Smith, age 67, was held Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 1:00 pm from the Chapel of Weatherly-Studdard Memorial Funeral Home in Butler, AL.

Helena was born on May 5, 1955 in Chicago, IL to the late Leroy Smith and the late Fannie Mae Schenault.  She lost her battle with cancer on September 1, 2022 at Lakeview Nursing Facility in Gulfport, MS.  She was preceded in death by her father, Leroy Smith; her mother, Fannie Mae Schenault; her oldest daughter, Edrina Spears; and her son, Martice Spears, Sr.

Helena was baptized at an early age and was a member of Northside Church of Christ.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter, Latrice (Michael) Roberts; Tiffaney Spears, and Chiquita (Duane) Jerry; grandchildren, Martice Spears Jr., Jemarcus Spears Sr., Jamal Roberts, Shamond Curtis Jr., Zarek Roberts, Mya Spears, Zachary Spears, Kam’ron Anderson, Bryson, Kimbrough, and Morgan Jerry; seven great grandchildren (including one unborn); and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, other relatives, friends, and extended family.