Obituaries for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015

Published 5:39 pm Friday, January 23, 2015

Raymond Floyd Atkins

Raymond Floyd Atkins of Greenville was born on June 28, 1950 in Monroe County, raised in Perdue Hill and went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at the age of 64.

Floyd graduated from Monroe County High School and Troy University with a degree in accounting.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army and Army Reserve for 31 years.  He retired as a sergeant major in November 2004.  He was a member of the Alabama Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and was a valuable member working with employers, Guard and Reserve personnel to make each feel they were valuable contributors to the efforts to keep our country free.

Floyd also retired in 2000 from the Alabama Department of Revenue after 27 years where he served as assistant director of the sales, Use and Business Tax Division.  He then opened his own business in 2000,  Atkins and Associates, where he and his staff did audits for cities and counties.  In 2010, he began working with RDS (Revenue Discovery Systems) out of Birmingham.  God truly blessed him with jobs and co-workers that he loved.

Faith in God was central to Floyd as he began his walk with Him at an early age at Barbara Locklin Baptist Church in his hometown of Perdue Hill and also as an active member of Southside Baptist Church in Greenville for the past 35 years.  At Southside, he was a member and chairman of many committees, loved the children as he taught third-grade Sunday school class and helped with VBS for many years, but his most rewarding service to the Lord was when he became a deacon.  He was dedicated to sharing God’s love through helping other people.

He was a mentor to young athletes as he coached baseball, from T-Ball to Dixie Youth with the City of Greenville and also wrestling at Greenville Academy.

He began his membership in the Masonic Lodge in Brewton in l972 and joined Eureka Lodge #64 when he moved to Greenville in 1979.  He became worshipful master with that lodge.

Floyd is predeceased by his parents, Tally and Susan Atkins; granddaughter, Mary Cameron Atkins and brother-in-law, Terry Blackwell.  He leaves his cherished memories to his loving wife of 44 years, Sara Jean Mixon Atkins; their children, Michael Atkins, (Brooke Thorington) of Auburn and Jeffrey (Kim) Atkins of Montgomery; sister, Irene (Ed) Daughtery of Jay, Fla.;  sister-in-law, Ann Blackwell of Greenville;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

He was “Poppy” to his grandchildren, Hannah and Davis, and will forever be remembered by them as fun, loving and entertaining.

A celebration of life was held at Southside Baptist Church on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at 2 p.m. with Bro. Herbert Brown and Bro. Mason Halacker officiating.  The family received friends at Southside Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 6 – 8 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service.  Burial with United States Military Honors followed at Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery in Old Texas, Ala., with Dunklin and Daniels of Greenville directing.  His high school classmates, Jack Rasco and Ronnie Blanton from Monroeville, led the procession on motorcycles with American flags flying.

Pallbearers were members of the Armed Forces Honor Guard.  Honorary pallbearers were Southside Baptist Church deacons, his Sunday school class members from Steve Townes’ class, Larry Norton, Sam Winters, Gene Bender, Paul Salter, John Stephens, Dennis Taylor and John Burgess.

The family would like to thank Dr. Harry Barnes and staff at Montgomery Cancer Center for the wonderful care they have provided Floyd, as well as Southern Care Hospice and staff, their many prayer warriors for their love and prayers over the past 18 months, their Southside Family, friends and neighbors on Shannon Hill Road, as well as their friends at Dunklin Daniels Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Southside Baptist Church, 211 King Street, Greenville, AL  36037 or Asbury Methodist Cemetery Fund.      C/o Ann Blackwell, 1879 Holly Hill Road, Greenville, AL  36037.

Floyd was dearly loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Dennis Earl Fillmon

Dennis Earl Fillmon, 53, passed away Jan. 22, 2015 at Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery.  He was born in Opp to Owen and Mamie Fillmon.  Survivors include his loving son, Dennis Paul Fillmon; brothers, Jimmy Owen and Phillip John; sisters, Peggy Jones, Debra Bracewell, Pamela Jones and Christine Fillmon; numerous nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Daisy.  Dennis loved the outdoors and watching Alabama football. His celebration of life service will be Saturday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church.

Hurley Gilbert Giddens

Hurley Gilbert Giddens 98, a resident of Greenville, died at his home on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015. The graveside service will be held on Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Giddens Chapel Cemetery with Reverend Jim Wilson officiating and Dunklin and Daniels Funeral Home directing. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the graveside service at Giddens Chapel.

Mr. Giddens was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Giddens, and his daughter, Jeanette Giddens Meridith. He is survived by his son, Lester Wayne Giddens (Nancy) of Greenville; sister, Marette Touchstone of Greenville; five grandchildren, Keith Meridith (Angela) of Greenville, Bradley Giddens of Jasper, Chad Giddens of Wetumpka, Brandi Giddens of Greenville and Jason Giddens of Georgiana and a number of great-grandchildren.  For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com

James Donnes Giddens

James Donnes Giddens,  70, a resident of Georgiana,  died at his home Friday, Jan. 23, 2015. The funeral service will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home with Bro. Harold Smith and Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at Giddens Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral service. Mr. Giddens is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Giddens of Georgiana; three daughters, Cathy Sadler (Jack) of Cemden, Angie Averette (Wayne) of Camden and Amada Brogden (Jonathan) of McKenzie; two sons, Don Giddens (Sherri) of Georgiana and Scott Giddens (Sheene) of Georgiana; 12 grandchildren; sister, Judy Muffley (Jackie) of Carolton, Ga.; brother: Ernest Giddens (Roberta) of Highland Home, and several nieces and nephews. For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com

Daward McNaughton

Daward McNaughton 77, passed away Jan. 21, 2015.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Seabon and Vida McNaughton, and brother, Donald H. McNaughton.  Survivors include his wife, Jean M. McNaughton; children, Ric (Claudia) McNaughton, Patricia M. (Tommy) Gafford and Renny (Brandee) McNaughton; grandchildren, Spring, MeLydia, Josh, Drew, Tabitha, Katelyn, Reilly and Cade; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Faye M. (Aubrey) Gibson and Linda M. (Craig) Burkhalter, and sister-in-law, Myra Jean McNaughton.  Service arrangements to be announced.