Author: Phyllis Hopkins

A Celebration of Life Service honoring Emma Jean Hubbard, age 69, was held January 19, 2024 @ 1:00pm at Valhalla Funeral Home located at 5317 Bessemer Super Hwy, Midfield, AL 35228 with Elder Jacqueline Terrell officiating.  Interment followed at Valhalla Cemetery.

Emma Jean Hubbard was born February 6, 1954 to the late Elbert and Gertha Kelley in Birmingham, AL.  She was called to her heavenly home on January 5, 2024 with her family by her side.  She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Edward, Lewis, and Wilbert Lee Kelley.

Emma accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.  She was educated in the Birmingham City School System.  After graduating from Ullman & Parker High School, she attended Jefferson State College and was employed with the Homewood City School District for several years.

Emma loved family functions and gatherings.  She enjoyed traveling and was always ready to take a road trip. She took much pleasure in spending time with family and friends.  She touched so many lives in so many ways, especially with her sense of humor.  She loved her best friends, Mrs. Gerri Studdard and cousin, Elder Jackie Terrell. They would talk on the phone for countless hours, chatting it up from sunup to sundown.

Memories of Emma will forever be ngraved in the hearts of those she touched and loved.  She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy: two lovin and devoted children, Nicole Morgan (Brian D. Kimble) of Homewood, AL and John Hardy II (Gennie) of Orange County, California; four grandsons, Martvious Steele, Jonathan Hardy, Joshua Hardy, and Amari McConnico; three granddaughs, A’miah Morgan, Brianna Kimble and Jean Kennedy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services for Master Sergeant Susie Ann Ruffin Hargrove were held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Mt. Mariah Missionary Baptist Church, 2200 Highway 10, Lisman, Alabama with Rev. Joe Johnson, Officiating.  Rev. Jasper Irby, Pastor.  Interment, Mt. Mariah Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Susie Ann Ruffin Hargrove was born on March 4, 1969, to the late Lucy B. Watson and the late Lorenzo Moss, Sr.

At an early, Susie was brought into the union of Christ and was baptized at Mt. Mariah Missionary Baptist Church in Lisman, Alabama.

Susie graduated from Choctaw County High School, Butler, Alabama in 1987.  In 1995, Susie decided that she wanted to be a military soldier, to serve and protect her country.  So, she joined the United States Army, where she served for 22 years until her retirement.  Before her retirement, she traveled to many parts of the country, including Fort Bragg, NC; Sembach, Germany; Republic of Kosovo; Cairo, Egypt; Fort Lewis, WA; Iraq; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Shafter, HI; Camp Shelby, MS; Senegal, Africa and Fort Campbell, KY.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Maurine Ruffin, whom she was raised by; three (3) siblings, Lorene Moss, Douglas Moss, and Claudene Bell; along with numerous aunts and uncles.

She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Brandon (Maranda) Hargrove, Jackson, MS; three grandsons, Brandon, Jr., Braydon, and Braxton; three sisters, Bernice (Venci) Wilcox, Mildred (Willie) Moss, Linda Carter; seven brothers, Erie (Rita) Moss, Clyde (Etta) Moss, James (Kay) Gracie, Charles Moss, Ricky Moss, Bobby Moss, and Lorenzo Moss, Jr.; one aunt, Ruby Ruffin. Susie was raised in the home with her aunts and uncles:  Margaree Ruffin, Diane (Will) Pringle, Annie (Ulysses) Brinson, Joanne Knott, Thomas Lee Watson, George Ruffin, Jessie Karo Ruffin, along with Louvenia Holley, Willie J. Ruffin, and Bennie Ruffin, who preceded her in death.  She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.