Jakie Lee Butts Sr. ,74, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 23.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Sandra C. Butts. He is survived by his sons, Jakie Lee Butts Jr. (Shannon) and Michael Wade Butts (Cindy), granddaughter Hannah, and brother Earl Heath (Mary).

Butts was a retired Marine, serving his country proudly for 20 years. He was awarded a Purple Heart during his two tours in Vietnam. His second career was with Southern Research in Birmingham as head of security. He retired from there after 23 years.

A visitation will be held on Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville. Graveside service will be held at 1:15 p.m. at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo with Pastor Andy Waits officiating.

Helen Davis Perry, 78, of Pinson passed away at St Vincent Hospital-East on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. Her funeral service will be held at Cockrell Funeral Home Chapel in Macon, MS on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Sandra DePriest officiating. A private family-only interment service will follow at Brooksville Cemetery. Visitation time for friends and family will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 A.M. Saturday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at ww5.komen.org. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, MS is honored to be entrusted with the service arrangements.

Helen Davis Perry, affectionately known as “Toots” to her family and friends, was born on Aug. 19, 1940, to the late Chalmer Terry Davis and Helen B. Hudson Davis in Brooksville, MS. She lived most of her life there and graduated from Brooksville High School. She also graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a Doctorate degree in Education in Mathematics. She taught math and science at Central Academy in Macon, MS for many years and later went on to teach at the Mississippi School from Math and Science in Columbus, MS. In the late 1990s, her daughter became ill and Helen relocated to Birmingham to help care for her and her family. She was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Brooksville and, later, of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Trussville. Helen loved being with her family and attending her grandchildren’s events. She also enjoyed her dogs, gardening, flowers, and feeding the birds in her yard.

Helen “Toots” Perry is survived by her husband Billy Wayne Perry of Pinson as well as by her sons Dr. Terry Wayne Perry of Gadsden and Robert Perry of Pinson as well as by six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Cheryl Russell.

Helen Davis Perry, 78, of Pinson passed away at St Vincent Hospital-East on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. Her funeral service will be held at Cockrell Funeral Home Chapel in Macon, MS on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Sandra DePriest officiating. A private family-only interment service will follow at Brooksville Cemetery. Visitation time for friends and family will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 A.M. Saturday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at ww5.komen.org. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, MS is honored to be entrusted with the service arrangements.

Helen Davis Perry, affectionately known as “Toots” to her family and friends, was born on Aug. 19, 1940, to the late Chalmer Terry Davis and Helen B. Hudson Davis in Brooksville, MS. She lived most of her life there and graduated from Brooksville High School. She also graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a Doctorate degree in Education in Mathematics. She taught math and science at Central Academy in Macon, MS for many years and later went on to teach at the Mississippi School from Math and Science in Columbus, MS. In the late 1990s, her daughter became ill and Helen relocated to Birmingham to help care for her and her family. She was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Brooksville and, later, of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Trussville. Helen loved being with her family and attending her grandchildren’s events. She also enjoyed her dogs, gardening, flowers, and feeding the birds in her yard.

Helen “Toots” Perry is survived by her husband Billy Wayne Perry of Pinson as well as by her sons Dr. Terry Wayne Perry of Gadsden and Robert Perry of Pinson as well as by six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Cheryl Russell.

From The Trussville Tribune staff reports

TRUSSVILLE — Gordon Flynn, a former city councilman and longtime board member of Trussville Gas and Water, died on Friday. He was 89-years-old.

Flynn was elected to the city council in 1964 and served during the administration of Mayor John Yarbrough. He was later appointed to the board of Trussville Utilities, now Trussville Gas and Water, where he served for 45 years.

According to Flynn’s obituary from Dignity Memorial, he was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Brian Flynn; and sister, Susan Maddox.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mamie Flynn; daughters, Martha Jane Buck (Frank) and Leslie Colleen Camp (Rodney); brother, James Bruce Flynn (Gail); grandchildren, Rachel Buck Flowers (Bill), Ashley Buck, Kerri Buck Stephen (Doug), Whitney Camp Lugo (Troy) and Lindsey Camp; great-grandchildren, Gabby and Lucy Flowers, Alli and Evva Stephen, and Raleigh and Cason Lugo; and several nieces and nephews.

Fynn graduated from Ensley High School and Auburn University. He also served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Roosevelt during the Korean War as a fighter pilot, serving in the Tophatters squadron.

He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Trussville and a prominent citizen of Trussville having served as a volunteer firefighter, on the city council, Trussville Utilities Board from 1972-2017 serving as Chairman for many of those years, chaired the Bi-Centennial Committee of Trussville, and worked towards raising funds for many city projects.

Additionally, Flynn served on the Auburn University Engineering Council. He retired as CEO of Hardie-Tynes Manufacturing. He was a member of The Masonic Lodge, Rotary and several other organizations.

His family said Flynn was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed.

His family will celebrate his life on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, from 10-11 a.m. at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel, with his service beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Trussville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shriners Hospitals.

Robin Marsh Dill, 45, passed away on Dec. 31 after a long but courageous fight against breast cancer.

Dill was predeceased in death by an infant brother. She is the daughter of and survived by Ronald and Lyn Marsh of Oneonta. She is also survived by her husband Donald Wayne Dill, son Andrew Dill, daughter Kaylyn Dill, stepson Justin Dill, and grandson David Dill, sister Tammy Lyn Chamblee, brother Scott (Sha) Wayne Marsh, father in law, Johnny Dill, mother in law, Linda Dill and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carole W. Harris, of Birmingham, passed away at home on Dec. 19.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer Lee White and Stacy D. White; her sister, Sue W. DeFriese. Carole is survived by her spouse, Dan A. Harris, Jr., her high school sweetheart; her brothers, (Ret.) Rev. Byron L. White and Donald H. White, and her sister, Alice W. Shook.

She is also survived by her daughters, Dana H. Camp (William), Leslie H. Wampol (Ken Novak), and Claire H. Bryant (Rodney); grandchildren, Harrison Camp, Justin Wampol, and Meagan B. Bennett (Branson).

Harris was a graduate of Sylacauga High School in 1951. As a talented pianist, she was crowned Miss Sylacauga of 1950 and a Top 10 Finalist in Miss Alabama at the age of 18. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and a thoughtful friend. She enjoyed cooking, raising her daughters, playing with her grandchildren, and donating her time and talents to others. Carole was a member of First United Methodist Church of Center Point for fifty-three years, where she served on several committees, including president of UMW. She was a huge fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide. She followed her husband to Tuscaloosa, Dothan (twice), Montgomery (twice), and then to Birmingham as he was transferred by his employer, PPG Industries.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to The United Methodist Children’s Home, 3140 Zelda Court Suite 100, Montgomery, Alabama 36106

Annie Mae (Anne) Hand Hartley, age 87, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1 after a long journey and battle with Alzheimer’s.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Clarence Hartley. She is survived by her children, Teresa Sheppard, Karen Martin (Tony), Beverly Allen, Cal Hartley (Terrie); grandchildren, Michael Lambert, Tim Lambert, Linsey Martin, Lauren Gibson, Brittani Perkins and Jackson Hartley; her sister, Claudette Mason, brother, Bobby Hand (Lynn); numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Barbara Bryant Cushman, age 78, passed away on Jan. 7 after her battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

Photo courtesy of Jefferson Memorial

She is preceded in death by her parents, J and Lanelle Bryant, sisters Peggy Barnett and Jane Smith, son Jay Cushman, and her grandson, Zachary Neal Greenway. She is survived by her children, Catherine Cushman Sims, Joe Cushman (Tracy), Allison Greenway (Neal), and daughter in law Lisa Aue Cushman; her grandchildren, Sydney Sims, Chandler Mynard (Nathan), Sheldon Cousins (Mitchell), Austin Greenway, Addison Greenway, Bethany Cushman, Brittany Cushman; sister Gay Trice; great grandson Braxton Cousins; nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family request you donations be made to the Parkinson Association of Alabama www.parkinsonalabama.com.

Kathy Ratliff Rastovski, 61, of Trussville passed away on Jan. 7.

Photo courtesy of Jefferson Memorial

She enjoyed spending time at the beach and was employed with St. Vincent’s Hospital. She treasured her friends at St. Vincent’s and will be missed by all who knew her.

Rastovski was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Edward Ratliff. She is survived by her husband, Matthew Rastovski; her children, Ashley Alvis Lathan and Kyle Benton Alvis; her mother, Mary Ratliff; her brothers, Danny Ratliff and Steve Ratliff; her sisters, Tina Luttrell, Pam Burks, Linda Ratliff, and Vicky Franklin.

Patricia Patty Nadine Caver Ronchetti went to be with the Lord on Jan. 3 at the age of 62.

Ronchetti graduated from Hewitt High School in 1974. She served as a real estate paralegal at Najjar Denburg PC for over 25 years. She was a member of Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church in Pinson.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Joseph Agatino Ronchetti; her daughter Marie Charlene Ronchetti Tenney (David); sisters-in-law, Laura R Weiss (James) and Julie Ann Ronchetti (Christle); 1 niece, 3 nephews, a host of cousins and extended family. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Betty Caver. A

Celebration of Life service will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home two hours prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Birmingham Humane Society. Brother Jimmy Wilson will officiate.

Freddie Raley, 87, of Birmingham went to be with the Lord on Jan. 9.

He was a United States Air Force Veteran and proudly served over 30 years and retired as Senior Master Sergeant.

He is survived by his daughter Denise Ellison (Ray) and son Darrell Raley and their mother Dean Raley, brothers Eddie Raley (Jeanette) and Jerry Raley (Marie), grandchildren Tiffany Russell (Drew), Braden Ellison, Robin Texter (Stephen) and Elizabeth Raley, great grandchildren Kinlee Russell, Dakota and Arizona Texter.

Deana Kay Harper, 64, of Opp passed away on Jan. 10.

Photo Courtesy of Jefferson Memorial

Harper enjoyed riding horses, woodworking, scrapbooking, and watching Alabama football. She was a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church and worked at Shaw Industries as Lead Mechanic. Most importantly, she loved her family and dog, Harley.

Deana is preceded in death by her father, Hurtis Harrison. She is survived by her son, Michael Yelland (Kathleen); daughter, Rachel Bridges (Tom) and Michelle Yelland; mother, Lloydean “MeMe” Harrison; 5 sisters; 1 brother; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at a later date.

William R. Bill Watts, Jr., age 73, passed away on Jan. 10.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Mickey Watts. He is survived by his children, Rebecca A. Watts and Christopher E. Watts; his grandchildren, Brandon and Jordon Watts; his sisters, Sharon Goodwin, Patty Watts, Nancy Watts, Jennie Marlin, and Susan Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan 19 at 12 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville. A visitation will begin at 10 a.m. until the funeral hour. Burial will follow the service at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East.

Margie “Ruth” Simmons Davis, age 90, of Trussville, Alabama, went home to her Lord on Jan. 12.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Grady Davis; their stillborn son, Barry Jonathan Davis; her parents, John and Lizzie Simmons; and her brother, Milford Simmons. She is survived by her children, Mark (Doris) Davis and Candi Davis DeBardelaben; grandchildren Drew DeBardelaben, Sara (Nick) Lichwick, and Kyle (Ariel) DeBardelaben; two great-grandchildren Davis Lichwick and Freya DeBardelaben; siblings Thomas (Fay) Simmons and JoAnn (Aubry) Nabers; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Davis retired from Mayo Tire Company. She joined the First Baptist Church of Trussville in the early 1980s and participated in the Women’s Missionary Union as a faithful supporter of the charitable works of the church. She was an avid reader, enjoyed singing in the church choir, and traveling with the senior adults while she enjoyed good health. She was a dedicated member of the Beacon Sunday School class, a group of plucky widows.

Those who knew Davis best will remember she was a “Heidi Tidy” who didn’t like clutter. Therefore, instead of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the First Baptist Church Trussville library or the Big Oak Ranch in Springville, AL. The family would also appreciate any notes with a memory you have of Davis for her great-grandchildren. Please send to 154 Sandy Hollow Drive NW, Madison, AL 35757.

Joseph Joe Frank Gann, 74, of Birmingham passed away on Jan. 18.

Gann graduated from Banks High School in 1962. After high school he attended Livingston University and graduated in 1968. Years later he began studying at UAB and graduate with his masters in 1981.

Gann became a member of the Free Masons and Zamora Shrine in 1987. He retired from the Board of Education in 1999. He was an educator for over 35 years.

Gann enjoyed scuba diving for over 40 years and for 14 years served as a scuba diving instructor.

Gann was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph A. Gann and Lucille Gann, and one nephew, Shane Watts. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Gann; sister, Margaret Harris; his grandchildren, Madison and Hayden. He also leaves behind many, many friends and extended family.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Jan. 23 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville. A graveside service will be held on Jan. 24 at Jefferson Memorial Gardens at 1 p.m. Brother Doug Owen will preside over the service.

Merle Ballenger, 94, of Birmingham passed away on Jan. 19.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene Polly Ray Ballenger; children, Curtis Ballenger and Diane Hardman; grandchild, Darren Hardman and Dawn Hardman; and great-grandchild, Drew Hardman.

James Richard Mordecai III, 31 of Birmingham, passed away Jan. 19.

Photo courtesy of Jefferson Memorial

He was preceded in death by his cousin Jason McDanal.  He is survived by his mother JoAnn Moore, grandparents Jesse and Betty Moore, brothers Jesse (Brittany), and Joe Mordecai, nephew Hunter Mordecai, aunts Sharon Horton, uncle Brian Moore (Joy), cousins Chase Horton, Patrick Hilburn (Erica), Jameson Hilburn, and Luke Hilburn.

James E. Jacobson, 84, of Birmingham, passed away on Jan. 19.

Photo courtesy of Jefferson Memorial

He was born in Mobile and was a graduate of Murphy High School. He married the former Diana Tremer, also of Mobile, in 1956. He joined The Birmingham News in 1959 after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from The University of Alabama. During his career as a reporter and editorial writer, he covered national political conventions, presidential campaigns, and civil rights, and had overseas assignments including the Middle East and war correspondence from Vietnam. He was editorial page editor and then managing editor before becoming editor of The News in 1978, serving in that position until his retirement in 1997. As editor, he was responsible for both news coverage and editorial commentary in Alabama’s largest newspaper. Under his editorial guidance The News received a Pulitzer Prize in editorial writing in 1991 for a series of editorials on the need for tax reform in Alabama.  Mr. Jacobson received numerous journalism awards, including induction into The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences Communication Hall of Fame in 2011.

Mr. Jacobson was active with Leadership Birmingham, Leadership Alabama, the Salvation Army, and the United Way of Central Alabama, and was past president of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diana. He is survived by children James. E. Jacobson Jr. (Laura), Jennifer Jo Jacobson (Joey Richey), Jay Alan Jacobson (Jennifer S.), and Jayna P. Lamar (Jim Busby); siblings John, Phillip, Paul, Richard, and Lois Ezelle, and Frances Babb; grandchildren Leigh Jacobson, John C. Jacobson (Miho), Sarah Schaefers (Andrew), William A. Jacobson (Rebecca), Hannah Campbell (Elijah), Jackson Lamar, and Franklin Lamar; and great-grandchildren Jennifer T. Jacobson, Addison C. Schaefers, John C. Jacobson Jr., Sebastian M. Jacobson, and Elias E. Campbell.

Memorial may be made to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (www.alzca.org) and the Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation (www.alabamapress.org ), or a charity of your choice.

Susie Ann Nix Ronilo of Trussville passed away peacefully at home after recently celebrating her 90th birthday.

Photo Courtesy of Jefferson Memorial

She was born and raised in Wylam and graduated from Ensley High School in 1946 at the age of 17. She went on to attend the University of Alabama with plans to major in Music but left in 1947 to marry the love of her life, John Ronilo. They remained married for 62 ½ years until John’s death in 2009.

John Ronilo and Ronilo were longtime residents of Ensley, where they raised their two daughters, Susan and Stephanie. Many recall Ronilo always opening up the Ronilo home to the neighborhood, especially to share her delicious cooking. She was a homemaker while her daughters were in school, and she volunteered at Baker Elementary raising donations for the annual Fall Festival, teaching reading to first time readers and playing piano for the music teacher. Ronilo served in many capacities in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Baker Elementary and Ensley High School and served as the Birmingham City Schools PTA president in 1973. She also studied Parliamentary procedure and served this role in several organizations.

After Ronilo’s daughters were grown, she took a position with AmSouth Bank, working at both the Fairfield and Riverchasebranches. While working, she pursued her long-time dream of receiving a college degree. Ronilo earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Samford University in 1992, graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church and held positions in her churches as Deacon, Elder and Stewardship Co-Chair. She was a Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school leader, and sang in the church choirs for over 50 years. Susie will always be remembered for her incredibly beautiful singing voice. She completed an independent study in Voice and Latin, served as a soloist at innumerable weddings, funerals and other events, and was member of the Mother Singers’.

She enjoyed musical theater, sewing beautiful clothing, teaching piano lessons and gardening. She always had a gallon of fresh sweet tea ready for guests. She made some of the best fried pies, fried chicken and peach cobbler that would make any Southerner proud. She also loved spending time with family and friends at their place on Smith Lake. She had devotion to all children and delighted in being a grandmother. She will be remembered for her Ronilo is preceded in death by her husband John Ronilo of Birmingham, her parents O.C. Nix, Sr. and Elizabeth Linder Nix, brother O.C. Nix, Jr., all of Shady Grove, AL, and her son-in-law Mike Caraway of Trussville. She is survived by daughters Susan R. Caraway of Trussville and Stephanie R. Earley (Bobby) of Alpharetta, GA; Five grandchildren: Holly Caraway and her fiancé Thomson McCorkle of Montgomery; Lauren Caraway Winstead and husband Rees of Austin, TX; Rachel Earley Carter and husband Nick of LaGrange, GA; John Michael Caraway of Austin, TX; and Kayley E. Earley of Denver, CO; and four great grandchildren: Kara and Ava Carterand Jack and Owen Winstead.

The family wants to extend a special thanks to Janice White, Kay Pevoto, and Dr. Nancy Pajaro for their devotion and care. In addition, thanks to all of those at Amedisys for hospice and medical care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Presbyterian Home for Children, PO Drawer 577, Talladega, AL 35161-9975 or www.phfc.org.