Author: Phyllis Hopkins

A Graveside Memorial Service for Johnny Lee Steele, age 64, was held Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00am at Landrum Cemetery in Sweetwater, AL with Rev. Willie Vines officiating.

Johnny Lee Steele was born to the late Mattie B. Gaines and Dunk Steele, Sr. on September 4, 1959 in Nanafalia, AL. He entered eternal rest on September 25, 2023 at West Alabama Hospice in Tuscaloosa, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mattie B. Gaines and Dunk Steele, Sr.; three brothers, Curtis Cowan, Sr., Clifford Cowan, Donzler Steele; two sisters, Pennie Gaines, Helen Thornton; and a brother-in-law, Michael Soles.

Johnny worked as a farmer and cattleman for many years with A.W. Compton of Nanafalia, AL. He also served as “topflight security” for Dixon’s Lqiuor Store, LLC.

Johnny leaves to cherish his memories: four brothers, Jerry (Sally) Cowan of Butler, AL, Dunk Steele, Jr. of Nanafalia, AL, William Steele of Atlanta, GA, Mike Dixon of Lisman, AL; three sisters, Pearl (Travis) Steele of Pennington, AL, Margaret Soles of Birmingham, AL, Brenda (Charles) Malone of Sweetwater, AL; one sister-in-law, Kallie Holt of Butler, AL; two devoted nieces, Sally Gaines of Tuscaloosa, AL, Priscilla Smith of Nanafalia, AL; a special friend, JoAnne Landrum of Dixon Mills, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service for Horace Howard was held Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church, 6800 Melvin Road, Gilbertown, AL with Rev. Reginald Pearson, Officiating.  Interment followed at Kaiser Hill Cemetery in Gilbertown, AL.

Horace Howard was the youngest child born to Alfred, Sr., and Alberta Howard in Melvin, AL on July 1, 1951.  He entered eternal rest on October 6, 2023 at his home.  Horace was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred, Sr., and Alberta Howard; one sibling, Lola V. Everett; and five brothers-in-law, L.C. Smith, James (J.T.) Thomas, Thomas Everett, Judson Wise, and Cecil Wise.

Horace joined Mt. Mariah Baptist Church at an early age and remained a faithful member.  He graduated from Shady Grove High School in Silas, AL in 1969.  Upon graduation, he pursued a career in the oilfield.  He went on to work for Marlin Drilling Company in 1969 where he started from Roustabout to Tool Pusher.   Shortly after, he took his knowledge to Rowan Drilling Company, Inc., where he became the first black Rig Manager.  He dedicated over 45 years of experience drilling oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Saudi Arabia.

Horace married Catherine Yates on July 4, 1974.  From this union, three children were born.

Left to cherish his memories are: three children, Kenya Datcher, Kyllen Howard and Kimberly (Marcus) Lewis, all of Gilbertown, AL; eight grandchildren, Kili Datcher, Imani (Max) Powe, Ka’Vonte (Chop) Howard, Solange (SoSo) Datcher, Ke’Andre Gray, Ke’Jordan, Flora (Boo) and Haven Howard; one great-grandchild, Maclin Stone; two sisters, Louise Smith, Waynesboro, MS; Vernice Thomas, Livingston, AL; one brother, Alfred Howard, Jr. (Betty), Albany, NY;  one sister-in-law, Eula (Oliver) Wallace, Pennsylvania; two brothers-in-law, Willie (Deborah) Wise, Georgia; Bobby Carlisle, Waynesboro, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  Four individuals who deserve special mention: Jerry (Pony) Howard, Patrick Floyd, Antonio Datcher, and Richard Tindle.