Bobby Ray Stinson

ABBEVILLE - Bobby Ray Stinson, a resident of Abbeville, died late Sunday morning, July 29, 2007, at his home. He was 76.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. today in the Abbeville Memorial Cemetery with a son-in-law, Ryan Higgins, officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the graveside. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Wiregrass Hospice, Inc., P.O. Drawer 2127, Dothan, AL 36302.

Mr. Stinson was born and reared in Henry County, near Abbeville, a son of the late Walter Eric Stinson and Willie Mae Wells Stinson. He lived in Abbeville most of his adult life. Mr. Stinson served his country as a Combat Medic in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Occupation Medal in Japan, a Medical Badge, two Bronze Star Medals with a (V) device, which signifies medals awarded for valor, which he received for tending to his comrades in battle while undergoing enemy fire, and also the Korean Service Medal and Bronze Service Stars. Mr. Stinson was the most decorated combat veteran from Henry County during the Korean War. He later retired from the Alabama Army National Guard Unit in Abbeville with rank of Platoon Sergeant (E-7).

Mr. Stinson also retired from the United States Postal Service as Postmaster in the New Brockton Post Office. He formerly served as postmaster in the Gordon, Midland City and Gulf Shores' post offices. In earlier years, Mr. Stinson was employed by the Abbeville Post Office as a city mail carrier and clerk. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church.

Mr. Stinson was preceded in death by a son, David Keith Stinson; a granddaughter, Christina Nichole Paul; and two brothers, Arthur Grant Stinson and Charles Vickers Stinson.

Surviving relatives include his devoted wife of 54 years, Ruby Nell Murray Stinson, Abbeville; three daughters, Karen Stinson Smith and husband, Randall Smith, Troy; Linda Stinson Paul, Abbeville; Lucy Stinson Higgins and husband, Ryan Higgins, Ft. Worth, Texas; a son, Ray Stinson and wife, Angie Stinson, Headland; four sisters, Doris Bostick, Abbeville; Jean Culpepper and husband, Marvin Culpepper, Abbeville; Peggy Cummings Jackson, Abbeville; Patsy Clark and husband, Melvin Clark, Eufaula; five grandchildren, Anna Jetton and husband, Curtis Jetton, Andrew Paul, Allison Smith, Eric Paul and Sam Stinson; three great-grandchildren, Adelyn Jetton, William Jetton and Lydia Jetton; sisters-in-law, Guinevere Murray Hall, Dothan; Ruth Stinson, Detroit, Mich.; Myra Earlene Murray Woodham and husband, Edsel Woodham, Ozark;

a brother-in-law, Nick Murray and wife, Winnie Murray, Abbeville; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Charles Mathison, Cody Crawford, Bill Skipper, Jesse T. Harpe and Hubert Givens.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Randy Cummings, Kurt Cummings, David Cummings, Kenny Murray, Dr. Bruce Hall and Larry Pitchford.

Simon Byrd Jr.

Simon Byrd Jr. was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Simon Byrd Sr. of Troy. He was born on Aug. 18, 1918.

He united with the First Missionary Baptist Church early in life. He received his education in the Troy City Schools. He worked for many years with Rosenbergs Bros. of Troy. Later in life he worked for Spurlock. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and family.

On July 26, 2007, the Lord gently closed his eyes and he quietly went to sleep.

He is survived by a loving and devoted wife of 52 years, Iola Powell Byrd; one daughter, Rosa Virginia McMillian (Tommy) of Troy; a son, William Wright (Belinda) of Troy; a devoted niece, Blonzell Holt Byrd of Troy; nephews, Rudolph Byrd (Pamela) of Troy, James Byrd of Atlanta, Ga.; and a special nephew, Alphonsa Byrd Jr. of Montgomery; Nieces, Patricia Thomas (Willie) of Troy, Melanie Williams (Arlesta) of Tuscaloosa, Doris Cuellar of Cleveland, Ohio, Donna Drakeford of Phoenix City, Valarie Byrd of Troy, Ashley Byrd of Montgomery; a Brother-in-law, Jake Lawrence (Beatrice) of Birmingham; sisters-in-law, Melvere Warren and Martha Byrd of Troy, Beaulah Patterson (Buddy) and Inez Daniels of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a cousin, Mozelle Moubley of Detroit, Mich.; uncle, George Byrd of Las Vegas, Nev.; extended family, Virginia Spurlock and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Spurlock Jr. of Troy; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Active Pallbearers will be Major Lane, George Larry, Charles Potts, Morace Harris, Willie James Scott and Jimmy Woods.

Flower Bearers will be friends and family.

Dinner will be served at FMBC Fellow Ship Hall following the interment.