ST Vol 7 No 52

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Merry Christmas!

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, December 24, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 52 / $1.00

w o n T o t g n i m o C s i Santa Claus

Smith named new Merry Christmas FP Fire Chief from Dekalb County

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- (Full video on Southern Torch Facebook) The Fort Payne City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting

on December 21.

Earlier this month, Fire Chief Saferite announced his retirement effective after the first of the year. Applications for the chief position were accepted and the Council interviewed the

applicants on Monday the 20th.

Stacy Smith, a 25year veteran of the Fort Payne Fire Department was named as the new Fort Payne Fire Chief at the council meeting, on Tuesday.

Smith, most recently has been serving as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Fort Payne Fire Department.

Smith is a graduate of Valley Head High School and is married to Karen Koger Smith. The couple have three children and three grandchildren.

“I would like to thank the city council for this opportunity. I am excited about serving as Fire Chief and working with Mayor Baine and the council” stated Stacy Smith. “A special thank

>See Chief, P3

DEKALB COUNTY,

Ala.-- Last week, DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow held a press conference to unveil operations to support families through a toy drive, for families impacted by the tornadoes in the State of Kentucky.

“So many have lost everything including lives in just a matter of seconds and I was reminded of our own experience in 2011” stated DeKalb County Commission President, Ricky Harcrow.

“As the Christmas holidays approach, there

is no doubt there are people who have not only lost their livelihood but also Christmas gifts that were acquired during the last few months” concluded Harcrow.

In an exclusive interview with Southern Torch and the 98-3 Wild Country Morning Show, Harcrow stated that he was amazed at the outpouring of love and support that the citizens and businesses in the area had shown.

Harcrow stated that every municipality in DeKalb County had participated in the toy drive and was eager to

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help as those had helped us in our time of need in 2011.

On Wednesday morning, Harcrow and members of the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) left, pulling three trailers stuffed with bicycles, baby dolls, fire trucks, and race cars ready for distribution to those in need in Kentucky.

Harcrow stated in last week’s press conference “Let us not forget that giving is also loving,” the area businesses and citizens, proved that to be true.

Rodney Williams RPH

(256)638-6070 YOUR FRIEND, YOUR DRUGSTORE! Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.

2 - Friday - December 24, 2021

Southern Torch

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Our Christmas Memories Marla’s Magical Christmas This article was previously featured in our “Christmas in Dixie” insert, which was published on Friday, December 6, 2019. The insert honored the ALABAMA band for their contributions to DeKalb County and celebrated 50 years in the music industry.

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

BROWNTOWN, Ala. — Growing up in the South, Christmas was different than most places. When I was a child, there were not many places to go visit Santa like there is today. We would wait until our Church Christmas play was over and Santa would magically appear to ask all the little children what they wanted for Christmas.

One of my Christmas wishes was always something musical. It started with wanting to play with music toys, to record and record players, to tapes and tape players, and then on to actual instruments.

When I was old enough, I joined the

Brian Anderson - Radio Operations Manager I am so blessed to have so many Christmas memories that I cannot narrow it down to just one.

I miss my parents, sister, grandmother and other departed family members and friends who made my Christmases so great growing up.

My father always said “Everyday is Christmas. Be thankful for everything you have”.

I urge everyone to enjoy their Christmas with family and loved ones. There will come a day where they won’t be here.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year fro my family to yours.

Sylvania Band. I remember being so excited to march in my first Christmas parade for the City of Rainsville. That year, there were some very special Grand Marshalls, the Alabama Band. The moment I saw them on the back of the convertible car, I was starstruck. I was in seventh grade and had the biggest crush on them. I would sing “Love in the First Degree” to the top of my voice because I “knew” those guys!

The years passed and Alabama’s popularity increased and the group had several more hits. They were not much to do in Fort Payne but to “cruise” back and forth down Gault Avenue.

We would all sing, Tennessee River, Mountain Music, and

Dixieland Delight when they came on the radio. One night, when I was in the eleventh grade, we heard a new song that soon became our favorite, Christmas in Dixie. We pulled over and turned it up so we could cling to every word. When the ending, “from Fort Payne, Alabama” played, six girls squealed at the top of their lungs with delight!

I will never forget the first June Jam I got to attend. I had just graduated high school and the boys did not disappoint. The Jam brought some of the best artists of the day to our town! Fans from all across the United States would gather just to see the guys. I remember thinking how lucky I was to see

them walking into the grocery store and pumping gas. The one thing that has always been true about the band was their connection to their fans.

Through the years, I have had the opportunity to interview Jeff Cook and one thing remains the same, the connection. Jeff and his wife, Lisa host a Christmas tour thru Cook Castle yearly for the fans. Jeff, along with the other members of the band always donate back to the fans. And for this, I am proud to say “I know them!”

And from Fort Payne, Alabama and the Southern Torch crew, “Merry Christmas and goodnight!”

Amy Thrash - Account Executive Going to my Nanaws house every Christmas and playing with all my cousins.

Nick Vizzinia - Graphic Design I can’t quite single out one memory from Christmas. My family has always made Christmas such a magical time and we continue to every year. Christmas is my favorite time of the year.

When i was a kid I woud be the first one to wake up every single year. I was so very excited for santa to be there, I wuld have everyone awake at 4AM! I was never an early riser execp on every single Christmas morning.

Marshall Stiefel - Fleet & Distrubution When I was 6 and I got an Atari. Dad and I set up all nite playing it.

Patti Browder - Radio Traffic Our whole family went to Mentone to The Dude Ranch one year. We all rented a farm house and spent Christmas weekend together. The men cut down a tree and carried it with us. All the kids made homemade ornaments and hung them on the tree.

The women cooked a wonderful country Christmas meal and we all got together around the fireplace and talked and shared Christmas memories of our family.

A wonderful time!

Katie Browder - Secretary Putting up and decorating the Christmas tree and wrapping gifts with Dad. Mom reading The Night Before Christmas from my Great Grandmother’s favorite ornament. Also the year that I FINALLY got my new shiny bike!

Tanner Pridmore - Videographer When I was a kid, my grandmother would always compose a scavenger hunt for my siblings and me to find our presents. Since I was 7 years old, it has become a tradition throughout my family’s Christmas gatherings.

Friday - December 24, 2021 - 3

Southern Torch

Rainsville Completes Paving FP student wins Congressional Projects for 2021 Challenge

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.- (Full Video on Southern Torch Facebook Page) The Rainsville CIty Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on December 20.

The Council accepted Paving Project CRP-RES2021-01 for Malcolm, Rabbit Run, Santileon, Tucker, and Hicks Streets from Wiregrass in the amount of $269,638.87. This will conclude the paving of Rainsville City Streets for 2021.

The Council passed Resolution 12-20-2021 (A), which awarded a bid to Brown Excavation for a Sewer Pressure Line on Johnson and Willingham Street.

Resolution 12-20-2021 (B) was passed which empowered the Mayor to sign and accept $24,958 in the Opioid

Settlement that grants money to municipalities across America, in the fight against opioid addiction.

Resolution 12-20-2021 (C))which Surplused (2) Guns from the Police Department and Resolution 12-20-2021 (D) which surplused (1) 2019 Tahoe/Police Department.

In other business, the Council: Empowered the Mayor to sign the Pyrotecnico Contract for 2022 Agreed to pay a Pre-Show Advance of $7,000 to Pyrotecnico before January 15,2022 Accepted the quote from Laney Electric to upgrade the Bathrooms in the City Park for $15,199.72 Approved Travel/ Training Request for Sean Fowler, Gerald Mount, Michael Edmondson, Matt Crum, and Josh Wilson Approved the

Collinsville Drugs “Caring for you like family”

(256) 524-2981 588 South Valley Ave P.O. Box 498 Collinsville, AL 35961

Brandon Boswell, PharmD Pharmacist/Owner

purchase of (3) 100 ft Sections of Fire Hose in the amount of $2800.00 Approved $1500 for Meeting Room repairs at the Agri-Business Center Approved a Part-Time Hourly Pay

Chief

FROM PAGE 1

you to Chief Saferite for the time I spent serving as Assistant Chief.”

“The FPFD is a very well trained and equipped fire department that provides valuable emergency services to the city, its citizens, businesses and the surrounding communities” continued Smith.

“I have had the privilege to work alongside many fine individuals within the department in my career. These individuals were and are committed to serving this city. They have provided a strong foundation that we will build upon as we move forward into the future.”

Jason Harper, of Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), addressed the Council

Raise at WasteWater Treatment Plant to $35.00 per hour, for 3-hour shifts.

The Rainsville City Council will reschedule their meeting to Thursday, January 6 due to the New Year’s Holiday. about the creation of a citywide master plan.

The Council voted to accept his proposal and entered into a contract with the firm to develop a master plan for the City.

The Council passed the following Resolutions: • 202139, authorizing participation in the State of Alabama’s settlement of the ENDO opioid lawsuit.

• 2021-40, granting tax abatements for Children’s Place.

•2021-41, accepting the low bid for two (2) submersible pumps at the wastewater plant.

The Council made the following appointments of two (2) positions to the Fort Payne Improvement Authority Board, Randy Moses (Incumbent) and Monia Smith.

The Fort Payne City Council will hold its next meeting on January 4, 2022, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Photo Submitted

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- Fort Payne sophomore, Orlando Rodriquez-Valdez was recently awarded the 2021 4th District Congressional Digital App Challenge award according to an announcement made

by U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt.

The Congressional App Challenge was created in 2015 as a nationwide competition. This challenge allows students to compete against their peers by

creating an app and promoting innovation and engagement in computer science. In the first four years, the challenge inspired over 14,000 students across 48 states.

This contest is held in every Congressional District to encourage students to get involved in STEM courses. STEM is a curriculum that is based on four specific disciplines- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Orlando created an app called Cyberstudy, which uses quizzes to help students prepare for tests.

Ider Discount Drugs

@

(256)659-2138

EVENTS Submit your upcoming events to nicky@southerntorch.com for a chance to be featured in next week's print edition of The Southern Torch!

DECEMBER 25, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

January 1, First Day Hike 2022- CCC Unfinished Bridge Start the New Year with a first day hike in DeSoto State Park!

Join DeSoto State Park & JSU Field School staff on a hike to the Civilian Conservation Corp’s ‘unfinished’ Bridge. Learn the history of why the CCC left it standing and see several original structures. Time: 1:00 pm (CST) Where: DeSoto State Park-Fort

Payne, AlabamaGilliam Loop Trailhead (past DeSoto’s Lodge on the cabin road) Coordinates: 34°29’24.3”N 85°36’28.7”W Fee: Free and open to everyone. For any details, email Brittney.

Hughes@dcnr. alabama.gov January 14, PBR Bull Bash 2022 Landers McLarty Ford Fort Payne proudly presents the PBR Bull Bash 2022!

January 14 & 15, 2022 | Doors open at 6:00 pm | Event starts at 7:30 pm. Come see some of the top bull riders in the Touring Pro Division on January 14th & 15th at the Northeast Alabama

Agri Business Center.

For the first time at this event, freestyle bullfighting is brought to you by Bud Light and the Ultimate Bullfighters! Tickets are good for one-night admission only and are non-refundable unless the event is canceled. $20.00 - Advance General Admission Ticket - Admit One. January 22, American Legion Post 89 - American Legion Post 89 of Fort Payne, Alabama, cordially invites you to join American Legion Post 89, veterans, patrons, pastors, and public, to commemorate the selfless sacrafice of Four Immortal Chaplins

JACKSON BLAZE • 98-3 WILD COUNTRY • 101-7 THE TORCH Staff:

Eloise Smith - General Manager Marla Jones - Managing Editor/Sports Brian Anderson - Radio Operations Manager Nick Vizzinia - Graphic Design Amy Thrash - Account Executive Jenna Sue Payne - Account Executive Patti Browder - Radio Traffic Teresa Smith - Radio Traffic Lindsey Jones - Accounting Marshall Stiefel - Fleet & Distrubition

Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 225 Gault Ave. N. Fort Payne AL.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southern Torch, P.O. Box 614, Rainsville, AL. 35986.

79 years ago.

Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM Hosted by the City of Fort Payne.

Fort Payne City Auditorium 100 Alabama Ave. N.W. Fort Payne, AL 35967.

For further information comtact Commander Donald Donaghy, Jr. (256)717-3350 / ctr2dbd@aol.com January 22, Gadsden Winter Sing 2022 - Gadsden Winter Sing 2022 happening at The Church at Wills Creek, 2730 Wills Creek Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904, Gadsden, United States on Sat Jan 22

2022 at 06:00 pm May 7, The Sharps - For more than three decades, The Sharps have been an Alabama-based quartet dedicated to the male, four-part harmony that so many

love and enjoy. In person and on recordings, you’ll hear songs that are centered around each Christian’s ultimate goal - Heaven. www. thesharpsquartet.com 41 Anderson St, Valley Head, AL

Joseph K. McNew, D.V.M • Linda Galbraith, D.V.M. • Jessica Jones, D.V.M.

4 - Friday - December 24, 2021

Southern Torch

LEGALS LEGALS

LEGALS

LEGALS

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF DEKALB

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS

CASE NO.: 2021-394

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FANNIE MAE HARP DAVIS, DECEASED

IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GAYNELL E. DOBBS, DECEASED

CASE NO.: 2021-424 Letters of Testamentary on the Estate of FANNIE MAE HARP DAVIS, Deceased, having Duc. been granted to the undersigned on the 15 day of December, 2021, by the Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

Said notice to be published December 24, 31, & January 7

LEGALS EXECUTRIX’S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS THE STATE OF ALABAMA THE COUNTY OF DEKALB PROBATE COURT CASE NO: 2021-420 IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BRANDOL KIRBY LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the Estate of BRANDOL KIRBY, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 14 day of December, 2021 by the Honorable RONNIE OSBORN, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

Said notice to be published December 17, 24, & 31

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

Notice hereby is given to Denny Will Smith; Ronald L. Williams; Donald Williams, Janita Stagger; Jenny Wilbanks, Sherry Bagley: Seth Kains, the personal representative of the estate of Nora Rains, deceased; and all of the heirs at law, next of kin, and devisees of the estate of Nora Rains, deceased; their successors and personal representatives, and any unknown heirs at law and next of kin of Gaynell E. Dobbs, deceased, that a Petition for Letters Testamentary and a Petition to Admit Will to Probate has been filed

by Wanda Oliver, as Petitioner, in the abovestyled cause, requesting to admit to probate the Last Will and Testament of Gaynell E. Dobbs, deceased, and requesting that Wanda Oliver be appointed as Executrix of said estate.

The Court has set the Petitions to be heard on the 2 day of Feb 2022 in the Probate Court of DeKalb County, Alabama at 10 o’clock a.m. Any person wishing to be heard regarding the Petitions shall appear in court on said date and time.

Done this 24 day of Nov. 2021.

Said notice to be published, December 3, 10, 17, & 24.

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE DEFAULT HAVING BEEN MADE in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Joe Blalock, a single man, the mortgagor, to First State Bank of DeKalb County, the mortgagee, which mortgage was dated November 30, 2020, and which was recorded on December 3, 2020 in Mortgage Book 5000, Page 20395 in the Office of the Judge of Probate, DeKalb County, Alabama; AND DEFAULT CONTINUING, notice hereby is given that under the power of sale contained in said mortgage, I will, on behalf of First State Bank of DeKalb County, proceed to sell on January 13, 2022, during the legal hours of sale; to-wit: 11:00 o’clock a.m. to 4:00 o’clock p.m., in front of the main entrance door to the DeKalb County Courthouse in Fort Payne, Alabama, to the highest, best, and last bidder for cash, the following described real estate situated in DeKalb County, Alabama, and described as follows: Commence at the Northeast corner of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, Section 12, Township 6 South, Range 10 East of the Huntsville Meridian, and run North 89° 4’ 29” West along the North line of said Quarter, 576.85 feet to the point of beginning of the property described herein; thence deflect left and run South 0° 55’ 30” West, 588.96 feet to the center of Brush Creek; thence deflect right and run North 59° 3’ 52” West, along said creek, a chord bearing a distance 749.16 +/- feet to the West line of said Quarter; thence deflect right and run North 0° 29’ 12” West, along said West line, 214.33 feet to the North line of said Quarter; thence deflect right and run South 89° 4’ 29” East, along said North line 654.00 feet to the point of beginning.

Said property being a portion of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, Section 12, Township 6 South, Range 10 East, DeKalb County, Alabama and contains 6.00 acres, more or less.

ALSO: A non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and utilities being 30 feet in width the centerline of which is described as follows: Commence at the NE corner of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4, Section 12, Township 6 South, Range 10 E of the Huntsville Meridian and run North 89° 04’

29” West, along the North line of said quarter, 576.85 ft. to a point; thence deflect left and run S 00° 55’ 30” W, 15.00 ft. to the point of beginning of a 30 ft. access easement: thence deflect left and run S 23° 36’ 32” E, along the centerline, 26.75 ft. to a point, thence deflect left and run S 78° 00’ 00” E, along said centerline, 200.00 ft. to a point; thence deflect left and run N 81° 00’ 00” E, along said centerline, 200.10 ft. to a point thence deflect right and run N 87° 39’ 15” E, along said centerline 362.47 ft. to a point; thence deflect right and run S 70° 20’ 00” E, along said centerline, 305.00 ft. to a point; thence deflect right and run S 65° 00’ 00” E, along said centerline, 460.0 ft, to the centerline of County Road #106 (50’ ROW) and the end of said easement.

Said easement being a portion of the NE 1/4 of Section 12, Township 6 S, Range 10 E, DeKalb County, Alabama.

Said sale is for the purpose of securing payment of the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, together with the costs of foreclosure.

Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.

Done this 24 day of Nov. 2021.

Said notice to be published, December 10, 17, & 24.

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF Ruby Frazier, deceased.

CASE NO: 2021-372 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Sarah Jane Williams on 16 day of Dec - 2021, by the Ronnie Osborn, Probate Judge of Dekalb County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Said notice to be published December 24, 31, & January 7

LEGALS

LEGALS

Eviction notice for renters at: 1340 McCurdy Avenue South, Rainsville AL 35986

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

This notice is to remind you that because uour rent hasn’t been paid, and after several attempts to talk with you about the removal of your leftover items, and clean the house and yard, you have not responded excepted say you no lonfer want the house.

On Jan. 2022, if all of your leftover things are not cleaned-up they will be discarded and you owe an additional 2 months rent.

- Management Said notice to be published, December 10, 17, 24, & 30.

In Re: The estate of JOHN JAMES PHARES, Deceased Case No. 2021-376 Dekalb County AL Probate DEC 16 21 AM10:45 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY ADMINISTRATOR Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to DEEDRA PHARES on the 16 day of Dec. 2021 . by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate Court of DeKalb County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within six months after the grant of letters, or within five months from the date of the first publication of this notice, whichever is the later to occur, or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand this the 16 day of Dec. Said notice to be published December 24, 31, & January 7

LEGALS

LEGALS

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: DAVID DAN JOHNSON, Deceased.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: JANICE ELAINE JOHNSON, Deceased.

Case Number: 2021-405 EXECUTOR NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS IN RE: THE ESTATE OF DAVID DAN JOHNSON LETTERS TESTAMENTARY AS EXECUTOR OF THE WILL OF DAVID DAN JOHNSON, DECEASED, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 13 day of Dec 2021, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

Said notice to be published December 17, 24, & 31

Case Number: 2021-406 EXECUTOR NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JANICE ELAINE JOHNSON JOHNSON, DECEASED, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 13 day of Dec 2021, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred Said notice to be published December 17, 24, & 31

OBITUARIES Wilson Sada Pearl Dennis - 66, of Fort Payne, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021.

Services will be 12 noon Thursday at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church with burial following.

Earl Leavoy Turner - 87 of Fort Payne, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

Steffan Lee Goza - 30 of Fort Payne, passed away Sunday, December 19, 2021.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

Burt Norma Jean Pangle - 83, of Valley Head, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Funeral: Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 2pm.

Mark Allen Banks - 51, of Fort Payne, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. There are no services planned at this time.

Grace Huron Jone - was born on January 25, 1925 to Harry and Maude Huron in Safety Harbor, Florida. Private burial of her ashes will be at a later date.

Paul Robert Snay - 68, of Fort Payne, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Date of Funeral: Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

Denise Green Williams - 63, of Fort Payne, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Date of Funeral: Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 1pm.

Cornerstone Merris Denny Powell - 71 of Fort Payne died Tuesday, December 21. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, December 23 at 4 PM CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Rev. W. Dex Bender officiating. Family will receive friends from 2 PM until service time.

James “Jimmy” William Garland - 77 of Rosalie died Tuesday, December 21 at his residence. Funeral services are Thursday at 12 Noon CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. C L Wilborn officiating.

Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM Wednesday and 10 am until service time on Thursday.

Kerby

W.T. Wilson

Robert D. Burns - 73 of Flat Rock, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at CHI Memorial Hospital. Funeral Service is Friday, December 18, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. LaDon Tinker officiating. Burial will follow at Beulah Chapel Cemetery.

Family will receive friends Thursday, December 16th at 4:00pm until 8:00pm and Friday, December 17th at 11:00am until 1:00pm

Crystal Madora Sveistys-Ibanez - 66 of Albertville, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021.

The family will be having a memorial service at a later date.

Cremation services provided by W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Carolyn F. Harmon - 73, of Ider passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021. A graveside service will be held at 1pm CST Thursday, December 15, 2021 from the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bryant, Al. She is survived by her grandchildren, Stevie Garrett, Autumn Cook, Josh Kinsley, and Jacob Kinsley; greatgrandchildren, Ashton Garrett, Celeste Volik, Anna Volik, and Wyatt; step-daughter, Pam Kinsey.

Earnest Treece , Jr. - 74, of Dutton passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

Funeral services are set for 1pm Thursday, December 16, 2021 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Randall Hastings officiating. Burial will be in Davistown Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

Betty Faye Hughes - 85 of Fort Payne, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Friday, December 17, 2021 from W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with

Scottsboro Helen Clements Hambrick - 87, of Skyline, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home with Pastor Mickey Skipper officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Geraldine Virginia Brown Ivey - 78, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021 in her home at Geraldine, Alabama.

Funeral service is Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 12:00 pm in Geraldine Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Daniel Brown officiating.

burial to follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4pm-8pm on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the funeral home. Officiating will be Bro. Milford Williams.

Dee L. Frost - 85 of Collinsville, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Friday, December 17, 2021 from the graveside of Copeland Bridge Cemetery with burial to follow.

Coy Lee Baldwin - 75 of Rainsville, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, December 18, 2021 from W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in Freeman Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4pm-8pm on Friday, December 17, 2021 at the funeral home. Officiating will be Bro. Kerry Bryant.

William Cleo Smith - 79 of Sylvania passed away Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 at his residence.

FUNERAL 1pm Sunday. Dec. 19, 2021 W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. MINISTER Bro. Kerry Furgerson. VISITATION 4 till 8pm Saturday,

December 18, 2021.

Paul M. Swader - 82, of Dutton passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

Funeral services are set for 2pm Monday, December 20, 2021 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. Wes McBride and Melvin Dawson officiating. Burial will be in Straight Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 until 8pm Sunday at the funeral home.

Martin Henry “M.H.” Burt - 80 of Fort Payne, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 3pm on Thursday, December 23, 2021 from the graveside of Walker’s Chapel Cemetery with burial to follow. The family will receive friends from 11am-2:30pm on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Larry Ladunn Towry - 70 of Fyffe, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021.

Per the family’s wishes, no services are planned at this time.

Cremation services provided by W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Burt Funeral H omes

Southern Torch

By Steve Flowers Legendary state senator Jimmy Holley has decided to not seek reelection to the State Senate next year after 44 years in the legislature.

He will be missed in the State Senate.

For the past decade Holley has become a mentor and confidante for incoming State Senators, especially the members of this quadrennium’s freshman class.

Senator Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), has told me on more than one occasion that he has relied on Senator Holley’s wisdom and experience on a daily basis.

Holley is generally considered the most knowledgeable person in the Senate when it comes to parliamentary

Friday - December 24, 2021 - 5

Inside The Statehouse

procedure and the rules of the Senate.

Others like Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) have been mentored by Holley. In fact, at the beginning of each quadrennium there was a clamor and struggle to seek the seat next to Jimmy Holley by members so that they could learn the intricacies of the senate rules and gather his institutional knowledge and wisdom.

Jimmy Holley has been my close friend for 40 years.

We served together and sat next to each other for 16 years in the House of Representatives. We represented adjoining counties. I have never seen a more diligent and capable legislator.

When his hometown of Elba

lost their schools to flooding, I saw Holley single handedly fight and secure extra funds from the Special Education Trust Fund Budget to build them new schools. Years later when a tornado destroyed Enterprise High School, which was and is the largest high school in his district, he secured funds from the state to build a new, state-ofthe-art high school for Enterprise.

Jimmy would work at being a good and knowledgeable legislator. When most legislators would simply show up to vote and enjoy the nightly social events hosted by lobbyists and associations, Jimmy would go back to his hotel room and study legislation and sharpen up on the rules.

One day Holley and I were sitting at

our desks working on a myriad of legislation put out by the Rules Committee. I looked at the calendar and was unfamiliar with a looming bill about three bills down on the agenda. I asked Jimmy about a certain piece of legislation.

He calmly told me all about the bill and told me I probably was not going to vote for it since it was a trial lawyer bill. He knew my pro-business propensity. It occurred to me that he had read the bill in its entirety as well as all the bills on the calendar the night before in his hotel room.

Jimmy was born and raised in Elba in Coffee County and has lived his entire life there except for the four-years he went to college in Tennessee, which is by the way where he

met his lovely wife, Mary. Jimmy and Mary have two fine and successful sons.

They all live close to Jimmy and Mary, so they have had the opportunity to watch their grandchildren grow up and go to all their ball games and school events. They have a wonderful family life. However, even though Jimmy is only 77, he has had some health problems.

The state and primarily his four-county senate district will miss him immensely.

Holley has spent over half of his life as a lawmaker. He is in his sixth term in the Senate and prior to that served five terms in the state House of Representatives. He currently chairs the Senate Government Affairs Committee and has been a fixture on the Legislative Council.

His district includes Coffee, Covington and Pike Counties and the northern portion of Dale County.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) summed up Holley’s departure well. He said, “Senator Jimmy Holley is an institution in the Alabama Senate and our Body will not be the same without him.

I further appreciate the decades of service he has given to his district and to our state in his long tenure in the Senate, and I am grateful for the wisdom and experience he has shared with our membership.”

Jimmy Holley has a place in Alabama political history as one of the all-time legendary state lawmakers.

Merry Christmas.

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6 - Friday - December 24, 2021

Southern Torch

SPORTS

All-State Football

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- The Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) recently announced their selections for All-State Football Teams.

The team is selected by ASWA’s prep committee through coaches’ nominations that are sent to local sportswriters. The committee will announce three finalists for back and lineman for each of the seven Alabama High School Athletic Associations (AHSAA)

classifications on December 26, 2021.

Finalists will be honored at the annual Player of the Year banquet in Montgomery on January 13, where the back and lineman of the year in each classification will be announced. Mr. Football will also be announced during the ceremony.

Below are athletes from DeKalb and Jackson County that were honored: Class 6A First Team All-State PK: Alex McPherson, Fort Payne, Sr.

Class 3A First Team All-State OL: Tucker Wilks, Fyffe, Freshman DL: Austin Mulligan, Fyffe, Sr. Class 3A Second Team All-State WR: Sawyer Hughes, Sylvania, Sr. Class 3A Honorable Mention: QB: Brody Smith, Sylvania, Sr. Class 2A Second Team All-State OL: J.D. Martin, Pisgah, So.

Class 1A First Team All-State RB: Ethan Bain, Valley Head, Jr.

All-County Football Honors

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

SS

marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.- The DeKalb All-County Football Honors were announced this week.

Players are submitted and chosen by DeKalb County Football Coaches.

Player Of The Year - Jaxon Colvin GERALDINE So. QB/ OLB Offensive MVP -Sawyer Hughes SYLVANIA Sr. WR Defensive MVP- Austin Mulligan FYFFE Sr. DL Fyffe (10-2) Kyle Dukes Sr DE

OL

Will Stephens Sr Brody Hicks JR LB Jake Wooden jJR

Logan Anderson FR RB Tucker Wilks FR DT Evan Chandler JR TE Simon Hicks FR LB

LB DL OL RB WR

Sylvania (8-3) Brody Smith Sr QB Styles Hughes Sr Sydney Dekker Sr Zander Wooten Sr Leo Kirby So LB Preston Graham Jr Zac Anderson So

Geraldine (7-4) Caleb Benefield, Sr. OL Joe Garcia FR. DL Caleb Hall Jr. RB Carlos Mann So. DB Colt Lusher Sr. ATH Kobe Hill So. LB

DB

Plainview (7-4) Noah White Sr QB/

Dylan McCollough Jr DB Mason Cooper Sr DL Andrew Hall Jr RB Nate Crow Sr DL Levi Brown Jr DB

LB

IDER (7-4) Jesse Massey Sr. Matt Norman Sr. RB

Hunter Robinson Jr. RB Branson Durham Sr. OL Cohen Willoughby Sr. DL Valley Head (5-6) Eian Bain JR RB Roger McMahan SR LB Ashton Brown SR DB Ethan Webb JR TE

DB DL

Collinsville (3-7) Keaton DeBoard Jr. Seth Brown Sr. OL Jordan Coker Jr. Crossville (0-10) Kolby Lesley Sr. RB Steven Juan Jr. DB 3 54 Oswaldo

Torres Jr. DL Honorable Mention Fyffe Cade Underwood Sylvania Ashdon Cooley Aspen Cooley Brant Kittle Roman Mckeehan Jaxon Smith Geraldine Drew Fowler River Walling Austyn Banks Will Arnold Jayse Cook Plainview Nathan Subias Dagan Miller Braiden Thomas Sam Crowell Brayden York

Ider Dylan Grant Luke Hannah Colton Crane Brian Bass Andrew Blevins Valley Head Brandon Vasquez Noah Hulgan Pacey Cooper Carson Frost Collinsville Carson Dennis Fernando Padilla Crossville Dekota Causey Javier Juan Antonio Quintana Jesus Juan

Congratulations to the Cornerstone Christian Academy Varsity Eagles, CCA Varsity Lady Eagles and CCA JH Lady Eagles for winning the Cullman Christian Christmas Classic!!

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Southern Torch

Friday - December 24, 2021 - 7

8 - Friday - December 24, 2021

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