Obituaries for Saturday, April 18, 2015

Published 5:19 pm Friday, April 17, 2015

Malvin Blackmon

Malvin “Pop” Blackmon, 90, a resident of Georgiana, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2015. A celebration of life will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2015 at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Allen Stephenson and Rev. John Cooper officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Georgiana with Johnson Funeral Home directing arrangements. A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Johnson Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Survivors include daughters, Doris (Bob) Pilato of Greenville, Barbara (Dave) Rabon of Navarre, Fla., Agnes Ivey of Mobile, Ala., Liz Pierce of McKenzie and Joyce Herring of Georgiana; sons, Donnie (Bonnie) Blackmon of Eugene, Ore., Dwain (Carol) Middleton of Mobile, Ala., Mike (Pat) Middleton of Georgiana and Walt (Trish) Middleton of Headland, Ala.; sisters, Katie Willis of Foley, Ala. and Ruby Chamblis of Greenville; brother-In-law, Pete Bayona of Lawton, Okla., 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers are members of the Georgiana Police Department. Mr. Malvin joined the Police Reserve in 1986. He was one of the first to join. He went to the police academy along with four other officers in 1987. Mr. Malvin was in his 60s at the time and still was one of the top in his class. Over the years, he was a great asset to police department and the City of Georgiana. He was always willing to help out. Throughout the years, he developed a passion for the profession. Everybody— police, citizens, and city officials—who met him called him a friend. In August 2013 he retired. He said that he did not want to train another chief. On countless occasions, Mr. Malvin was called on for advice and assistance. He would fill in when the chief was out of town. This was because they trusted his wisdom and knowledge. They knew the town was in good hands. And he will still be looking down and checking on us from time to time. When Mr. Malvin retired from the police department, he continued to serve the City as chairman of the water and sewer board. He remained in this position until he passed away. Thank you, Mr. Malvin, for your great service. Condolences may be made at www.johnsongeorgiana.com.

Mary Nell McMurphy Bowden

Mrs. Mary Nell McMurphy Bowden, 79, a resident of Greenville, died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at her residence.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Woodland Heights Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Lisenby officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.  Dunklin and Daniels Funeral Home will direct services.

Mrs. Bowden was preceded in death by her mother,  Mary P. McMurphy, and father, William McMurphy.

Mrs. Bowden is survived by her husband of 57 years,  Sidney L. Bowden of Greenville; daughter,  Amy Bowden of Greenville; son, Greg Bowden of Greenville; and sister,  Anne Cannon (Dick) of Huntsville.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to  Woodland Heights Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 105, Greenville, AL.

For online condolences, please visit:  www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com.

Lana Pulliam Creech

Lana Pulliam Creech, 61, a resident of Georgiana, died at her home after a long illness of cancer on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. At the request of Creech, there will be no services. Her final resting place will be in Indiana. Dunklin and Daniels Funeral Home is taking care of arrangements. Mrs. Creech was employed for 30 years by the McGowin family of Chapman, Ala., and was a member of South Butler Rescue for 20 years. She was also the first female firefighter in Georgiana, where she worked for 12 years. Mrs. Creech was preceded in death by her father, Bethel Pulliam. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Larry W. Creech of Georgiana; mother, Jean Pulliam of Indiana; sisters, Mary Pulliam of Indiana and Sara Ely (Jack) of Texas; brother, Paul Pulliam of Indiana; sister-in-law, Patricia Creech-Stouse (Charles) of Georgiana and other family members. For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com.

Mamie Lou McNeil

Mamie Lou McNeil, 88, a resident of Georgiana, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church with Rev. Allen Stephenson and Rev. Stacey Gaston officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery with Johnson Funeral Home of Georgiana directing arrangements. A gathering of family and friends will be from 10 a.m. until service time. Ms. McNeil is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Rufus McNeil. Survivors include daughter, Marie (Ronnie) Mann of Georgiana; grandsons, Craig (Nicole) McNaughton of Headland, Keith (Leann) McNaughton of Tallassee, Ala.; great-grandchildren, Ryan McNaughton, Coleman McNaughton and Tanner McNaughton. Online condolences may be made at www.johnsongeorgiana.com.