Obituaries for the week of April 21

Published 1:27 pm Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Jack Whiddon Taylor
Brewton

Mr. Jack Whiddon Taylor, at 100 years old, went to be with his Lord and Savior April 18, 2025.
He was born in Florala, and moved to Brewton as a young boy. He graduated from T.R. Miller High School in 1942. At only 125 pounds he played halfback for three years for Miller and is believed to have been the oldest living T. R. Miller football player! He was an all around athlete playing basketball, baseball and football. In 1941 he was part of the undefeated football team that gave up 7 points in eight games. He attended the University of Alabama.
He then enlisted in the army where he served overseas in the Army Air Force in WWII in England, France, and Germany earning three Bronze Stars.
He then returned to Brewton where he lived the rest of his life. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. After he retired from Container Corporation of America he spent his days playing golf and watching The University of Alabama play football.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Emma Lou Agee Taylor; his son Jack Whiddon Taylor, Jr.; and his grandson, Jack Whiddon Taylor, III.
He is survived by his daughter, Susan (Per) Cederbom of Sarasota, Fla.; and his son, Tom (Barbara) Taylor of Kennesaw, Ga.; four grandchildren, Patricia Badrajan (AJ), Katherine Fontenot, Steven Taylor, and Jennifer Friedrichs (Brian); and two great-grandchildren Bradley and Michael.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church with Visitation at 10 a.m., and funeral at 11 a.m. Graveside services will follow at Union cemetery with the Rev. Parker Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Jane Madden Cooper
Brewton

Carolyn Jane Madden Cooper, 75, a lifelong friend, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great‑grandmother, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025 surrounded by family at home and at peace in the Lord’s embrace.
Born at home on July 14, 1949, to James Floyd Madden and Pearl Ethel Morris Madden, Carolyn grew up in a close‑knit household where faith, hard work, and hospitality were always first. She attended Wallace School and graduated from W. S. Neal High School, where she forged friendships that would last a lifetime noting her lifelong friend Ella Elizabeth “Susie” Pettis Smith.
Carolyn’s career spanned as a seamstress with several local businesses, beginning at Judy Bond, moving on to B.C. Moores, and finally serving her community through First Progressive Bank. In each role she was known for her kindness, integrity, and her knack for making every customer feel valued.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Floyd Madden and Pearl Ethel Morris Madden; her husband of 54 years, Junior Alvin Cooper; and her siblings Melvin “Bo” Madden (Madie), James Buford Madden (Betty Fay), Johnny Howard Madden, Robert Earl “Bob” Madden, James Floyd Madden, Mary Maxine Smith, and Annie Pearl Burkett.
She is survived by her siblings Elton Madden (Kathy), Judy Reid (Chip), and Carl “Shorty” Madden (Jolene); as well as a number of special nieces, nephews, and great‑nieces and nephews who held a cherished place in her heart.
She and Junior Alvin Cooper shared 54 years of marriage before his passing in 2022. Together they built a warm and welcoming home, where laughter was abundant and everyone was always invited to pull up a chair at the kitchen table.
Carolyn was the proud mother of one daughter, Kimberly Cooper Thompson (Tommy Thompson). She delighted in her role as grandmother to Kelsey Thompson Scott (Jacob Scott) and was overjoyed when great‑grandchildren Thomas Floyd Scott, Gage Russell Scott, and Celia Jane Scott arrived to carry on the family’s legacy.
Above all else, Carolyn cherished her family—and they cherished her. In her free time she shared her gifts of hospitality and creativity: whipping up homemade meals, piecing together colorful quilts, tending her flourishing garden, and sewing treasures for loved ones. A faithful servant of her church, Pineview Pentecostal Church, she never missed an opportunity to lend a hand, offer a prayer, or welcome a stranger.
Carolyn’s gentle smile, steadfast faith, and generous spirit will be remembered by all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and service that will continue to inspire her family and community for generations to come.
Visitation and funeral arrangements will be as follows: Visitation on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 5-7 PM. Funeral on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 11 AM at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Graveside and burial to follow immediately after at Weaver Cemetery.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Cecil Rufus Brittingham
Brewton

Mr. Cecil Rufus Brittingham, 85, of Pineview Cemetery Road in Brewton, passed away Friday, April 18, 2025 at his residence after a brief illness.
He was a native and life long resident of Brewton. Mr. Brittingham was of the Holiness faith, and was retired from Gibbs Farm, He enjoyed fishing and farming.
He is survived by three sons, Cecil Keith (Mariah) Brittingham of Tennessee, Johnnie Mark Brittingham and Matthew (Jenny) Brittingham; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Dezzie Smith Brittingham; and his wife, Janice Kennedy Brittingham.
Memorial services are scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. on Pineview Cemetery Road.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Helen Lee Howard Coleman
Brewton

Mrs. Helen Lee Howard Coleman, 77, of Hwy. 41 in Brewton, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025 at her residence after a brief illness.
She was a native and former resident of Lucedale, Miss., before moving to Brewton in 1987. Mrs. Coleman was a member of the Divine Temple Church and a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, canning, fishing, and family functions.
She is survived by her husband, Willis Coleman of Brewton; a son, Nelder Pierce Sr. of Mississippi; a daughter, Vickey Gillis of Brewton; four grandchildren, Crystal Jackson, Jeanna Gillis, Karen Gillis and Wanda Gillis; 14 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, McKinley and Irene Howard; and a son, Rickey Pierce.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Sherry Greer officiating. Interment followed in Coleman Acres in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Jane ‘Janie’ Chamberlain
Brewton

Mrs. Mary Jane (Janie) Chamberlain passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, surrounded by her family.
She was a native of Alibon, Mich., a long time resident of Homer, Mich., before moving to Brewton, Alabama in 1972.
Mrs. Chamberlain was a member of the First Baptist Church Brewton where she worked in the Links program, nursery, and was a greeter. She was a 1958 graduate of Homer Community School where she was on the bowling team, Homecoming Queen, and a cheerleader. Janie enjoyed crafts of all kinds, sports, following her children throughout their activities, horseback riding, dogs, Auburn football, birthday gals, working with The Red Cross and was President of the local chapter, bowling, and traveling. She traveled to all 50 states, 8 countries, and lived in 5 different states, Michigan, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, and Alabama.
She is survived by a son, Jeff (Carla) Chamberlain of Pensacola, Fla.; a daughter, Carin Chamberlain (Robert ‘Bo’) Cummings of Huntsville; a daughter-in-law, Linda Chamberlain of Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Ashley Chamberlain, Kristy Nauman, Stacey (Derek) Bergeron, Dalton (Neena) James, Brandon (Heather) Odom, Shawn (Alexis Hempfleng) Odom, Jackson Chamberlain; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Danel and Eva Miller Boyd; her husband, Robert Chamberlain; a son, Greg Chamberlain; a daughter, Dawn Chamberlain; a brother, Danny Boyd; and a sister, Rose Mary Hatfield.
A private family-only graveside will be held at a later date and time by Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
A ‘Celebration of Life’ will also be held at a later date and time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude Hospital or American Cancer Society.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rosie Lee Weston
Brewton

Mrs. Rosie Winters Weston, 93, of Brewton, passed away April 15, 2025.
Mrs. Rosie Lee Weston was born in Forkland, to Pearlean Winters and Abraham Redrick on October 23, 1931.
She attended elementary school in Forkland, but attended middle and high school in Ohio when she lived with her father. She eventually returned back to Forkland where she met and married Henry Weston. They then proceeded to raise their family in Forkland before moving to Brewton.
Ms. Rosie, as she was affectionately known, was a long term resident of Brewton. She retired from Brewton Elementary school but before that, she worked as a cook for various restaurants around town. She was famous for her homemade biscuits and pound cake.
Rosie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Mary Henderson; her husband, Henry Weston, Sr.; and two children, Margaret Winters and Will Weston.
In addition to her children, she is survived by her sister, Margaret Johnson of Canton, Ohio and many relatives and friends.
Rosie was the mother of 11 children: Jimmie Winters, Margaret Winters, Henry Weston, Jr., Will Weston, Abraham Weston, Robert Weston, Clyde Weston, Jerome Weston, Leroy Weston, Rosie Rogers, David Weston.
Rosie had 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Rosie loved to travel, and traveled the U.S. and abroad extensively until she was no longer able to do so. She was a free spirit and in addition to loving the Lord, she was an avid Alabama football “Roll Tide” fan. Rosie accepted Christ at an early age and tried to live her life according to the good book. She made sure all of her children attended church services regularly and were all baptised in the faith. She attended church services at Baptist Hill Baptist Church until her health failed and she was no longer able to do so.
Rosie spent her final years at Westgate Village Nursing home where she met some new friends who made her last years enjoyable. Rosie never met a stranger. She was loving and kind to everyone she met.
The funeral services were held Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at Baptist Hill Baptist Church in Brewton with burial following at Baptist Hill Cemetery in Brewton.
Presley-Fluker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.