Gerry Lofton

Geraldine “Gerry” Lofton of Pelham, passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at the age of 74. She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Danny Lofton; her mother, Christine Broughton; a brother, George and his wife Gail, and their son, Trey; her mother-in-law Doris Lofton; brother-in-law, Ray Lofton and his wife, Carolyn and their son, Tyler.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home in Hoover. Interment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South.

Mark Crisler

Mr. George Marcus Crisler “Mark”, age 72 of Moody/Talladega, Alabama, went home to be with the LORD on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 after he lost his battle with the aftermath of covid and a secondary MRSA infection. He was born in Rome, Georgia on March 4th, 1949 and grew up in Cedar Bluff, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, Quinton Augustus Crisler and Aulta (Audrey) Lee Mobbs Crisler. Mark graduated as valedictorian of Cedar Bluff High School in 1967 and graduated college from Auburn University in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked diligently for Southern Company Services/Southern Nuclear for 46 years, beginning in 1972, and retiring to a life on the lake in Talladega. He loved all sports, especially Auburn football and Braves baseball, fishing, piddling, yard work and the beauty of being on the lake. He was kind and generous, loving and patient, dedicated and faithful. He always had a plan in place, never made a hasty decision, and although he was a man of few words, they were always powerful, impactful and full of wisdom. He was funny and quirky and lived a life that honored the LORD. He faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Moody for 41 years and taught preschoolers in Sunday School with his wife for 38 of those years. His greatest earthly treasure is the family he leaves behind. Mark spent every opportunity he could with family. His wife of 47 years, Norma Popham Crisler, was well loved, spoiled and protected. He treated her the way God calls a husband to treat his wife. His children, Heath Crisler (Michaela), Brandi Meyers (Josh), were given every opportunity he could give them for success. He taught them life skills, perseverance, and integrity. He loved them whole heartedly. The grandchildren he leaves behind ruled his every move. He was deeply involved in every aspect of the lives of Austin, Sawyer, Jameson, Mason and Lucy. He was incredibly proud of each of them, understood how to best show love to them individually, and was always there to support them. They will continue a legacy for him, showcasing all the attributes he has inspired into their lives. He also leaves behind his brother and best friend Steve Crisler (Joanne) whom he deeply loved and appreciated, several nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, various family and many friends. The family would like to invite you to attend any service most convenient for you to pay your respects to Mark. There is no expectation for anyone to attend all three.

Services: Visitation- 6:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 29th at First Baptist Church of Moody Funeral- 11:00 am on Thursday, September 30th at First Baptist Church of Moody Graveside- 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 2nd at Forest Crest Cemetery in Irondale.

Pallbearers: Steve Crisler, Heath Crisler, Larry Popham, Dennis Popham, Josh Meyers, Austin Crisler, Sawyer Crisler and Jameson Meyers.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kilgroefuneralhome.com for the Crisler family.

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Michael Bentley Dunkin

Michael Bentley Dunkin, age 56, of McCalla, AL passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Katrina Dunkin of McCalla, AL; his mother, Christine Dunkin of Hueytown, AL; one step son, Justin Blakely (Catriana) of Manassas, VA; one step daughter, Tiffany Davis (Branden) of Harvest, AL; He was a grandfather (aka, Happy) to four, Brently Blakely, Hadley Blakely, Everly Davis, Lincoln Davis and a host of extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Mabry Dunkin. Michael loved his family, fishing and Alabama football.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 10:30AM – 11:30AM at Rockco Funeral Home-Centreville. Graveside service will follow at Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery in Marion, AL. Pastor Joel Frederick presiding.

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Raymond Garnem

The family of Raymond Martin Garnem of Mountain Brook, Alabama, is saddened to announce his passing on August 22, 2021 at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Josephine Garnem, and his brother Joseph Elias Garnem. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Sonia Garnem; his daughters Claudette Garnem Aboujaoude (Paul) and Rania Garnem; his grandchildren, Michael Aboujaoude, Gabriella Aboujaoude, and Pascale Boackle (Leon); his brother Antwan Garnem (Zmorrod) and nieces Theresa Garnem, Lilian Anthony (Emil), and Jacqueline Semaan (Rami); his Aunt Juliette Zaidan (Joe); his in-laws, Samia Michael, Joseph Aboujaoude (Ziza), Nadia Aboujaoude, Bernadette Atieh, and Jacques Aboujaoude (Sylvia), and many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family. He was also known as Gido (which means Grandfather in Lebanese).

Raymond came from Lebanon to the United States as a college student and attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). It was UAB where he obtained a Civil Engineering Degree. After obtaining his degree, he worked at Southern Company in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. He helped solve the problem that caused the Three Mile Island accident. He was one of the first founding members of the UAB soccer team. He was a Lifetime Member of the American Member of Civil Engineers. He received multiple awards for Outstanding Achievement from Gulf Power and Southern Company. He was a very talented and extraordinary Civil Engineer. Not only was he talented, but Civil Engineering was his passion. He worked until the day he was hospitalized.

He was very active in his church, St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church. He was on several committees at his church, a member of the choir, and helped with the Food Festival since it started 23 years ago. He was a member of the Order of St. Sharbel and a member of the Phoenician and Cedars Club of Birmingham, where he served in many office positions over the years. His hobby was gardening. In his younger years, he was a great soccer and tennis player and played on numerous teams. He was always ready to welcome and help people no matter what. He never met a stranger. He loved his family, his church, and his Alabama football team, Roll Tide Raymond. The Funeral arrangement shall be on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church at 836 8th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205. Due to COVID concerns, there will be a Rosary at 10:00 am for family with a Funeral Liturgy Mass for family and friends at 10:30 am, followed by a Burial Service at Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations to St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, St. Elias Sponsor of a Lebanese Family, or St. Jude.

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Larry Blythe

Larry Eugene Blythe, 67, of Clay, Alabama passed away on Aug 12, 2021.
Larry graduated from Hewett Trussville High School and retired from Southern Company as an Electrical Designer. He was a 32nd degree Mason, loved reading and studying history and the Bible. He also loved his home and the peace and quiet he found there.

Larry was known to his many friends as a scholar, an honest, kind and gentle man. He loved playing his guitars and talking about them with his close friend Joe Kenwright. He loved all animals, especially dogs.

Larry’s quick wit and delightful storytelling ability was well known to friends and neighbors. He was a good neighbor and a friend who could be depended on, to help, when help was needed.

He is predeceased by his father and mother Woodrow and Wilma Blythe and wife Paula. He leaves behind his brother, Stan Blythe and his wife Alma, his nephews Jeremy and Bobby Blythe and their mother Linda. Also, he will be dearly missed by long-time close friend LaVon Fabian.

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