Obituaries

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.

Funeral Service for Irene Ruffin McIntosh, age 71, was held Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2:00pm at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Butler, AL with Rev. McSellin Ray officiating.  Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Irene was born September 30, 1950 to the late L.C. and Ella Ruffin.  She departed this earthly life on September 5, 2022 at Anderson Hospital in Meridian, MS.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard McIntosh; three brothers, Louis Ruffin, Eddie Jackson, and James Ruffin; and one brother-in-law, Will Pennington.

Irene confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her health began to fail.

After high school, she relocated to Detroit, MI where she worked as a CNA.  She later returned to Alabama where she worked in a sewing factory and GOCo’s Convenient Store for many years.  Irene was an honorary member of the Angels on Earth organization. She leaves to cherish her memories: two children, Duane Ruffin and Acosta Ruffin, both of Butler, AL; grandchildren, Duane Ruffin, Tyderious Ruffin, Brellvon Ruffin, and Duarron Ruffin; great grandchildren, Kaiden and Kaisen Ruffin; two sisters, Betty Pennington of Ft. Wayne, IN and Joyce Ruffin of Butler, AL; two brothers, Grant (Angela) Ruffin of Yantley, AL and Arenzo (Charlene) Ruffin of New Mexico; one aunt, Onita Jackson; godmother, Margie Crowell; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends