Category Archives: obituaries

TUSCALOOSA Essie Toler Harless, age 88, of Tuscaloosa, died April 29, 2013, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Circlewood Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Harless Jr.; daughter, Pamela H. Hammond; father, John Toler; and mother, Lugenia King Toler.

Survivors include her daughter, Vicki H. Morton (James W.); sons, Barry L. Harless (Susan M.) and Gregory L. Harless; son-in-law, George “Tony” Hammond; sister, Dessie Smedley; grandchildren, Scott Morton, Kayla Cochran, Mindy Hammond, Tara Hammond, Jimmy Perkins, Julie Thomas, Laura Taff, and Holly Earnest; and great-grandchildren, Kaylen Cochran, Kody Cochran, Janie Lochridge, Blakely Lochridge, Justin, Lauren, and Landon Thomas, Julian Perkins, Bobby and Joey Harless, Annie and Essie Taff, and Keasler Earnest.

Known as Granna to so many, her sweet spirit touched hearts and lives. She was the epitome of southern charm and hospitality. A strong Christian woman who trusted in her Lord and prayed daily, she was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She always had a smile on her face and was always willing to cook up a meal for anyone with whom she came in contact. Her family was her pride and joy. Granna loved and was loved. She made her profession of faith on April 2, 1950, and was baptized with her husband on April 5, 1950. A dedicated member of Circlewood Baptist Church for 63 years, she served her church faithfully in numerous leadership positions. She served as Sunday School Secretary for 45 years. There are no words to describe how much she will be missed. We find comfort in celebrating that she is walking the streets of gold with our Heavenly Father.

Pallbearers will be Jay Cochran, George “Tony” Hammond, Jason Lochridge, Blakely Lochridge, Larry McDonald, and Scott Morton.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Herbert and Virginia Thomas, Ruth Sunday School Class, Circlewood Celebration Choir, members of Circlewood Kit Club, friends and neighbors of Berkley Hills, Joyce Hartsfied, J.C. and Lorene Sims, Inez Bullock, Jeanette Gibson, Peggy Henson, Marsha Wallace, Dot Largin, Jimmy and Francis Whisenhant, Cecille McDonald, David and Ann Herndon, Steve and MaryBeth Bodin, Rayburn and Betty Toler, and Shay Crenshaw.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Circlewood Baptist Church Building Fund.

Harless, Freddie D.
June 25, 1943 – Mar. 4, 2013

Freddie D. Harless, 69, of Englewood, FL, formerly of Knoxville, Tennessee, died on Mar. 4, 2013. Services will be held at 12:30 pm on Fri., at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL. Funeral arrangements by: Lemon Bay Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife Pamela; sons, Sonny and Jerry; daughters, Darlene, Jody and Jewel; his sister, Janice Laubach and many grandchildren.
Memorial donations can be made to TideWell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34238.

Published in Herald Tribune from Mar. 12 to Mar. 13, 2013

Getrude Ellen Tackett Harless, 91, of St. Albans, passed away Saturday, September 22, 2012 after a short illness. Surrounded by all her family with heavy hearts full of love for her.

She was born May 15, 1921 in Lincoln County a daughter of Milton and Ellen Gillenwater Tackett. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Orville Harless, daughter Wilma Sheppard, sisters, Hannah McClure, Vesta Grass, Lena McClure, and Doris Sowards, nine brothers, Theodore, Daner, Mallie, Kelley, Harvey, Bill, Roy, Vernard, and Ray.

Gertie was a member of the Marlaing Church of Christ, St. Albans. She was a woman of many talents who began her working lifetime early as a domestic worker. She worked as a punch Press Operator at Fletcher Enamel and as an Inspector for Kanawha Bottling during WWII. She was happy working whether it was helping her husband build their homes or cooking a giant feast for her family get to gathers at her home. She was also a talented seamstress and artist but most of all she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Gertie had a huge loving heart. She often cared for sick friends and family members. She always had a big smile and a warm hug for all who visited her home. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

She is survived by her son, Herman Harless (Jeannie), daughters Lana Meddings (Don), Connie White (Chuck), Bonnie Widner, all of St. Albans, and son in law Raymond Sheppard, of South Pines, NC, grandchildren, Ray Harless, Adam Harless, Joshua Harless, Holley Widner, Heather Karnas, Bethany Lovejoy, Tanette Stuckey, Emily Meddings, Mindy Groghan, and Catie Atkins, and nine great grandchildren.

Celebration of Getrude’s life will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, 110 B St., St. Albans. Interment will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.

Gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.casdorphandcurry.com

FOSTERS Kyra Kiwanis Harless of Fosters, Ala. was born October 20, 1928, and passed away August 6, 2012.

He was preceded in death by a son, William Arnold Harless; a grandson, Ryan Nicholas Jojola; parents, James Justin Harless and Clara Middleton Harless; two brothers, Ingomar and Nokomis Harless.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Miller Harless; two daughters, Kay (Terry) Hemming and Joannah Harless (Jim) of Brighton, Colo.; a son, Jimmy (Angela) Harless of Grand Junction, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Marconi (Mike) of Crawfordville, Fla. and Bowaski L. Harless of Fosters, Ala.; numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be Friday August 10, 2012, at Salem Primitive Baptist Church, Gordo, Ala. at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be one half hour before the service. Afterwards, lunch will be served at noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2015 Academy Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406. Friends and family are welcome to attend the service, the lunch, or both.

Pallbearers are nephews Dicky, Terry, Michael and Cory Harless, Carl Jackson, Darrell Harris, Shane Sanders, and Adrian Mize.

Honorary pallbearers are William Kirk Harless, Jared Harless, Justin Jojola, Joaquin Harless, and Christopher Jeffries.

Special thanks to nurses and staff, MICU at DCH.

No flowers, please. Condolences may be mailed to Mrs. Harless.

Published in Tuscaloosa News on Aug. 9, 2012