Obituaries

LINDA JEAN (SMITH) DUKE

Linda Jean (Smith) Duke, passed away on September 20th at the age of 72. Linda is predeceased by her parents Norman J. Smith, Jr. and Marie E. (Glor) Smith.

Linda is survived by her husband, Lt Col (retired) William (Bill) Duke, Wetumpka AL; her son, Robert A. Lenn, II, Montgomery AL; step-children William W. Duke, II, Brantley AL and Dixie A. Duke, Colorado Springs CO, three sisters Carol (Jimmy) Barfield, Panama City, FL, Barbara (David) Earle, Batavia, NY, Kathleen (Phil) Roush, Youngstown, FL; two brothers, Robert Smith (Kim), Warsaw, NY and Gerald Smith (Kathy), Youngstown, FL.

From 1971 to 1980, Linda was the Secretary to the Principal, Rutherford High School, Panama City, FL. In 1980, she moved to Washington DC and began her 32-year Federal Civil Service career as Inves -

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Quail Run Drive.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Notasulga Road.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Highway 229.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard.

• A white male was arrested on South Tallassee Drive.

SEPT. 19

• An intoxicated driver was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Harassing communications was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• Trespassing was reported on Willow Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on First Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Noble Road.

• Breaking and entering a motor vehicle and theft was reported on Story Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Oak Heights Road.

• Harassment was reported on Second Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Comer Lane.

• A juvenile complaint was filed on Lower Tuskegee Road.

SEPT. 18

• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Macedonia Road.

• Loitering was reported on Friendship Road.

• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Macedonia tigative Research Assistant, Headquarters, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Bolling AFB. In 1984, Linda transferred to Montgomery, AL and resumed her career as an Investigative Assistant, Fraud Division, Headquarters AFOSI District 8, Maxwell Air Force Base. In 1990, Linda transferred to the Air Force Standard Systems Group at Gunter Annex serving as the Executive Support Assistant to the Air Force Commander and First Sergeant. Linda retired in 2012, Detachment 1, 554th Electronic Systems Wing, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex AL. Linda received numerous commendations including the Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award.

Viewing: September 30th, 2022, Time: 10:00 am F uneral Service: September 30th, 2022, Time 11:00am

Gassett Funeral Home, Wetumpka, Alabama (334) 567-8433.

Graveside service will be held on September 30th 2:00pm at the Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, Alabama (205)665-9039

The family requests that in lieu of flowers,

Road.

• Gunshots were reported on Oak Heights Road.

• Animal control was requested on Friendship Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• Harassment was reported on Ben Worthington Road.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Lowe Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A noise complaint was reported on Gladys Street.

SEPT. 17

• A noise complaint was reported on McNeal Street.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on South Dubois Street.

• Gunshots were reported on Oak Heights Road.

• A burglary was reported on Kent Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Herd Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.

• A domestic incident was reported on Rickey Lane.

• A welfare check was conducted on Hillcrest Street.

• A domestic incident was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Third Avenue.

• An assault was reported on Gladys Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Notasulga Road.

SEPT. 16

• Reckless driving was reported on Notasulga Road.

• A domestic dispute was re- all memorials be made to the Redland Volunteer Fire Department, 4367 Redland Road, Wetumpka, Alabama 36093

LOUISE LAMBERT

Louise Lambert, a resident of Wetumpka, AL, went to be with her Lord, Sunday, Sept 18, 2022, at the age of 94. For more information on her service, visit www.gassettfuneralhome.net.

Catherine

FRANCES MCDONALD STAHLKUPPE

October 21, 1951 — September 13, 2022 Catherine “Cathie” McDonald Stahlkuppe, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Cathie is survived by her husband Gerald “Joe” Stahlkuppe and son Shawn.

Stahlkuppe and his wife Christy, grandchildren: Ann-Catherine “Catie” Stahlkuppe, Peter Joel Stahlkuppe, Julia ported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A juvenile complaint was filed on Ashurst Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on Fourth Street.

• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• A domestic incident was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• Harassment was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Forgery was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Hanil Drive.

• A welfare check was reported on Central Boulevard.

• A white female was arrested on Gilmer Avenue following a report of a suspicious person.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Ashurst Bar Road.

SEPT. 15 ories made along the way remain the same.

• Harassment was reported on Grimes Street.

• A noise ordinance violation was reported on Second Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on East Patton Street.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal cruelty was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Menacing was reported on East Patton Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was filed on Jordan Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Monroe Street.

Elise Stahlkuppe, Alexandra Jade Stahlkuppe. She was the daughter of Bross Kimbrough McDonald and Bennie Brewer McDonald and sister of Joe McDonald of Titus, AL and B. Kim McDonald of San Antonio, TX. Her nieces include Tecla Cosgrove, Amy Roberts and Shannon McDonald. Her nephews are Alan McDonald and Chris Stahlkuppe.

Cathie was a retiree of the Alabama Red Cross and also a retiree of Regions Bank. She grew up in Wetumpka, AL and attended Wetumpka High School and the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Cathie was a longtime resident of Gardendale, Alabama and an active church goer. Her funeral service was conducted by Rev. Wayne Shelton of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Gardendale. She was laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Montevallo, Al. on Monday September 19, 2022. Visitation was SEP 16. at Gardendale Heritage Funeral Home. Celebration of Life was at Gardendale Heritage Funeral Home with burial in the Alabama National 3133 Alabama 119 Montevallo, AL.

“The experiences we had impacted my life forever,” said Charlie Crenshaw, member of the ‘80 team.

An almost 20 minute documentary was made about the back-to-back championship teams. While the documentary highlighted some of the greatest moments in Wetumpka High School’s history, it also showed just how difficult it was to get there.

43 years ago was an age in time much different than the one we are in now. Aside from the fact that the three-point line had not been implemented and dunking was not allowed, the mostly black members of the championship teams had to fight for their right to even be on the teams.

Back in the late 70s, Wetumpka High School had just been integrated.

The first real testament to Wetumpka basketball prowess in the late-70s was the 1975 team, which was one of the first integrated teams at the school and was very nearly the first championship team.

That squad was one win away from playing for a championship in Tuscaloosa, now referred to as “Title Town” for the ‘79 and ‘80 teams.

The ‘75-squad was about five men deep, just enough to have a full team but hardly enough to withstand a long playoff run.

Kenny Marshall, member of the ‘75 team, said his squad paved the way for the future championship runs and lamented that had his team been deeper, he too would have earned his ring.

“It didn’t work out for us,” Marshall said. “We set the tone for those guys. They had the same kind of identical team we had.”

Back in those days, for the ‘75, ‘79 and ‘80 teams, they mainly played on make-shift goals in their backyards or on the outdoor courts at the old Wetumpka Rec.

All that is left of the Rec court is the asphalt, now a parking lot.

Ed Jackson of the ‘75 team said playing at the Rec in the summer was what gave him a love for basketball. Bill Franklin said the memories he and his buddies made out there can’t be taken by anyone.

With the precedent set by the team in 1975, the 1979 team found its stride early and did what no team before it had ever done: go the whole way.

The 1979 squad finished the year 29-1, for what is widely regarded as one of the best seasons of basketball in Alabama state history.

Winfred Wise, member of the ‘79 squad, said adjusting to playing at an integrated school was a challenge before the season.

He said he and other black players had to play what he called more “organized” ball, but said when push came to shove, he and his teammates simply “did it on our own.”

The greatest aspect of the ‘79 team was exactly what the ‘75 team was missing. Depth.

The ‘79 team was so good in fact, and so deep, that Bernard Mack made the 1979 All-Tournament team, despite never starting a game.

Mack was a bit before his time in that regard, as the term “sixth man” was not in basketball vernacu- lar until the 80s.

Wetumpka did not blow every team out on its way to the history books, and very nearly did not win at all. With the Championship on the line, it was up to Danny Williams to sink a pair of free throws to give the Indians a lead late in the title match.

As for what Williams was thinking before he attempted his shots?

“I did not want to go home empty handed,” Williams said with a laugh.

With the big blue trophy in hand, the goal for the 1980 season was simple. Win another. Why not?

“The pressure was off in 1980,” said Lewis Washington. “We never felt like we could lose a game. We never lost a game at home. Those sea- sons made a whole lot of difference in our lives.”

1980 assistant coach Charles Johnson said it took his team very little motivation at the time to try and go back-to-back. The team was returning solid players, and adding the best talent the school had to offer.

“It did not take much motivation in 1980,” Johnson said. “We tried to stay focused because we knew we had something special.”

Something special they had indeed, as the team went 28-4 on the year, returning home with a second trophy in hand.

That team was so good in fact, that every senior on the squad was offered a college scholarship from a team, though no one can remember exactly what school it was.

College scholarship or not, rings or not, the teams had each other and still do to this day. Their mark on the city of Wetumpka will live on far after they are gone.

Up on the Civic Center stage, the men and women of Wetumpka’s most heralded basketball teams finally received their rings. Some almost in tears, many hugging, the day had finally come when the two squads were recognized for just how great they truly were.

Each ring has “back 2 back” written on it, to forever memorialize one of the greatest runs in Alabama’s basketball history.

The players would have waited another 43 years if they could. But Sunday was the ultimate day for those select few to be recognized for what they are, and always will be.

Champions.

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