Robert "Tobe" Bankston, 80, a resident of Old Huntsville Highway, died Sunday evening (July 18, 2010) at his residence. Mr. Bankston was a native of Madison County, Ala., son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Ada Myrtle Bates Bankston. He was a farmer and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Bevers and Linda Norris; two sons, Bobby Bankston and Don Bankston; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Billy and Wayne Bankston. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning in the chapel of Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home with Bro. Don Russell officiating. Interment was in Macedonia Cemetery beside his wife, Dorothy. Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mildred F. Blaylock, 87, of Fayetteville, died Wednesday morning (July 21, 2010) in Lincoln Care Center. She was a native of Lincoln County and the daughter of the late Arthur Wilson and Mary Beulah Thompson Frame. Mrs. Blaylock retired from Elk Cotton Mill after 33 years of service and was a member of the Highland United Methodist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Shirley House of Fayetteville and Pastor Beulah Wright of Petersburg; sister, Nellie Prante of Fayetteville; two brothers, Ray Frame of Fayetteville and Paul Frame of Murfreesboro; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Blaylock was preceded in death by a son, Chris Blaylock; sister, Marie Ippoliti; and brothers, J.T. and Tommy Frame. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. James Arrington and Pastor Jeff Young officiating. Burial followed in Macedonia Cemetery beside her husband, Ollie Blaylock, who died in 2001. Memorials may be made to the Highland United Methodist Church. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Jimmie Bryson, 71, of Fayetteville, died Friday (July 23, 2010) at Huntsville Hospital. Mr. Bryson was a native of Lincoln County, son of the late Harry Lee and Ina Mae Clark Bryson. He was self-employed detailing vehicles. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Daisy Johnson, and a brother, Ernest Bryson. He is survived by his wife, Betty Waggoner Bryson of Fayetteville; two daughters, Valerie Wells of Fayetteville and Michelle Hockett of Huntsville, Ala.; a son, Mitchell Bryson of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren, LaShawn Moore, Chassini Wells, Ravis Hockett, Ashley Bryson, Chanze Bryson, Arrington Bryson & Princess Lee Bryson; six great-grandchildren, Keshon Moore, Kamyjah Brown, Akeelah Moore, Ashton (Lil Jimmie) Harper, Micha Trey Bryson and Arianna Bryson. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday from noon until time of service at the West End Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the West End Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dezi Fletcher officiating. Burial followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery. Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Ann Locker Carter, age 81, of the Coldwater community, died Wednesday (July 21, 2010) at Donalson Care Center in Fayetteville. A devoted mother to her seven children, Mrs. Carter was a native of Lincoln County and the daughter of the late Ernest C. and Beulah Corder Locker. She was a member of Coldwater United Methodist Church, though the Liberty Church of Christ, in which she grew up, always held a special place in her heart. She was a 1947 graduate of old Central High School in Fayetteville, where as a student she often taught classes. She went to work for the telephone company before meeting her future husband, James Boyd Carter, Sr., whom she married in 1949. In addition to her husband, who died in 2003, she was preceded in death by a son, Mark Hayes Carter, who died in 1977, as well as a sister, Juell Franklin, and three brothers, Jim Locker, Bobby Locker and Ernest Locker, Jr. Mrs. Carter is survived by two daughters, Connie Ellett and her husband, Ranny, of Fayetteville, and Lucy Carter, of Fayetteville; four sons, Jimmy Carter and his wife, Mary, of Coldwater, David Carter and his wife, Delora, of Fayetteville, Brent Carter and his wife, Margie, of Coldwater, and Chris Carter and his wife, Courtney, of Athens, Ala.; two sisters, Nancy Taylor and her husband, Ross, of Nashville, and Jean Hicks of Knoxville; one brother, Jerry Locker and his wife, Adele, of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren, Hayes Ellett of Fayetteville, Mackenzie Carter of Nashville, Whitney Carter of Savannah, Ga., Rob Carter and his wife, Kristin, of Nashville, Mark Carter and his wife, Emily, of Nashville, Zach and Brandon Carter of Coldwater, and Cole and Lola Carter of Athens; and one great-grandchild, Bruce Carter of Nashville. Funeral services were conducted Friday morning at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Moede officiating. Grandchildren Mackenzie, Whitney, Mark and Rob also spoke during services. Burial followed in Carter Hills Cemetery in Coldwater. Pallbearers were Mrs. Carter‘s sons, son-in-law, and Joel Hastings. Memorial donations may be made to the Coldwater United Methodist Church, c/o 79 Hovis Bend Rd., Fayetteville, 37334. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Jean E. Finch, 67, died Saturday (July, 24, 2010) at St. Thomas Alive Hospice. A native of Providence, R.I. she was the daughter of Doris Marie Brown and the late Ernest George Brown. Mrs. Finch is survived by her husband of 45 years, Victor O. Finch; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert O. Finch of Smyrna, Paul C. (Lori) Finch of Murfreesboro and Victor D. (Amy) Finch of Fayetteville; daughter, and son-in-law, Melissa F. (Robert) Young of Fayetteville; her mother, Doris Marie Brown of Fayetteville; nine grandchildren, Tyler Finch, Tori Finch, Shelby Finch, Isaac Finch, Seth Finch, Caeli Finch, Noah Young, Erin Young and Eli Young; one brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Wilma) Brown of Huntsville, Ala.; and two sisters, Linda Johnson of Fayetteville and Cathy Brown Culver of Ackworth, Ga. Mrs. Finch was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church. She was the smiling face of Ask General Rental. She was a beautician for over 20 years in Fayetteville. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Woodfin Chapel Smyrna. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Smyrna with Father Richard Gagnon officiating. Graveside services will be in Fayetteville at 2 p.m. at Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens followed by a reception at St. Anthony Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Luke’s Church building fund. Victor’s brother Knights will serve as pallbearers. Woodin Chapel Smyrna, www.woodfinchapel.com, in charge of arrangements.

Ethyleen Gibson, 93, of Petersburg, died Tuesday night (July 20, 2010) at Oakwood Nursing Home in Lewisburg. She was a native of Lincoln County and the daughter of the late Carl Grovin and Oma Eakes Hines. She was a homemaker, who loved living on the farm, and a member of Hannah’s Gap Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Joe Gibson and wife, Alberta; grandson, Troy Gibson; three sisters, Elizabeth Hines, Eva Brown and Merele Henderson; and several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by brothers, Bob and Wilson Hines, and sisters, Grace Waggoner and Roberta Endsley. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at Higgins Funeral Home with Pastor Frank Edwards officiating. Burial was in Old Orchard Cemetery beside her husband, Harmon Gleaves Gibson, who passed away in 1981. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Alese Askins Motlow, 84, of Fayetteville, died Tuesday morning (July 6, 2010) at Lincoln Medical Center. A native of Lincoln County, she was the daughter of the late Ross Askins and Vela Templeton Askins. She was employed as Assistant City Clerk of Fayetteville and was a member of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Julia (Sissy) Parks and husband, Glenn, of Fayetteville; sons, Robert Lee (Bob) Motlow, II, of Fayetteville, William E. (Ed) Motlow, Jr., and wife, Erika, of Woodbury; grandchildren, Lee Motlow, Julie Anna Motlow Porter, Grey and Katie Parks, Brette Motlow and Billy Motlow; great-grandchild, Robert Blake Motlow; brother-in-law, Reid Hopper of Cullman, Ala.; sister-in-law, Katherine Townes and husband, George, of Shelbyville. Mrs. Motlow was preceded in death by a son, Dan Motlow. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday (July 7) at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Ann Hatcher officiating. Burial followed in Mulberry Cemetery beside her late husband, William E. (Bill) Motlow, Sr. Memorials may be made to the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Eugene Childress Patton, 77, of the Boonshill Community, died Thursday (July 22, 2010) at his residence. He was a native of Memphis, son of the late Claude Eugene and Katherine Brady Patton, a farmer and was of the Methodist Faith. Survivors include a sister, Elizabeth Lamon and husband, Fred, of Germantown; nephews, Mark Lamon, Rick Lamon and wife, Terri, all of Boonshill, and John Lamon and wife, Ana, of Honduras; niece, Sarah Lamon Hathaway and husband, Mike, of Franklin; and eight great-nieces and nephews. Graveside services were conducted Sunday afternoon on the family farm at 2616 Pulaski Highway. Memorial donations may be made to The Hands of Christ, P.O. Box 1252, Franklin, TN, 37065, which is the mission of John and Ana Lamon. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

James Weldon Shelton, 83, of Fayetteville, died Monday evening (July 19, 2010) at Lincoln Medical Center. He was native of Lincoln County and the son of the late J.W. and Ethel Mae Moorehead Shelton. Mr. Shelton was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a farmer. Survivors include a sister, Thelma Shelton Wallace and husband, Douglas, of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; nephews, Terry Monks and wife, Laura, of Fayetteville and Barry Wallace and wife, Sue, of Muscle Shoals; nieces, Rhonda Pass and husband, David, of Dallas, Texas, Penny Burbank and husband, Jeff, of Muscle Shoals, and Kim Oakley and husband, David, of Muscle Shoals. Mr. Shelton was preceded in death by brother, Morgan Shelton, and sister, Mildred Monks. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday at Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Russell officiating. Burial followed in Lincoln Cemetery. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Thelma Smith Swing, 70, of Fayetteville, died Monday night (July 12, 2010) at her residence. She was a native of Lincoln County and the daughter of the late Clarence Fulton and Claudia Caroline Modlin Smith. Mrs. Swing retired from Redstone Arsenal and was a member of the Liberty Church of Christ for 33 years. Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Joe L. Swing of Fayetteville; son, Mike Swing and wife, Shane, of Columbia; daughter, Melissa Vickery and husband, Jack, of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Francis Daniella (Santiago) Rodriguez of Mason, Texas, Sr. Airman Joe Alexander Swing of Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Caleb Elijah Swing of Columbia; three great-grandchildren, Nicolas, Nathan and Natalie Rodriguez; and sister, Joyce Beddingfield of Fayetteville. Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon at Higgins Funeral Home with Bros. Bert Watkins and Richard Rogers officiating. Burial followed in Wrights Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wright’s Cemetery Fund or The Lincoln County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Jeffie Harrison Welch, 91, of Fayetteville, born Oct. 3, 1918, died Wednesday (July 21, 2010) after a brief illness. A lifelong resident of Lincoln County, she was preceded in death by parents, Thomas Garland and Ola Mai West Harrison; four brothers, Everette, Elbridge, Wyatt and Billy Harrison; three sisters, Julia Simms and Hilda Gray, all of Fayetteville, and Elizabeth Blankenship of Nashville. She married Roy Herman Welch on Oct. 20, 1956, and moved to the Welch family farm near Petersburg on March 7, 1957 into the home built for them after their marriage. They made their living primarily from the farm where Herman was a partner with his father, Jim Welch, his brother, Lacy Welch, and his brother-in-law, Howard Thompson. Herman died Dec. 5, 1982. Jeffie sold her remaining interest in the farm in December of 1985 and moved back to Fayetteville in the home she resided in until her death. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fayetteville where she sang alto in the choir for many years. She was also an active member of the church’s "YY" group. Survivors include a daughter, Debra Welch Terrell and her husband, Charles Terrell Jr., of Madison, Ala.; son, Rex Welch and his wife, Lynne Bogardus Welch, of Franklin; four grandsons, Elliott Harrison Terrell and Eric Garvie Terrell, both students at Auburn University, Robert Harrison Welch and James Tanner Welch of Franklin; 11 nieces; eight nephews; numerous other relatives and friends. She was the last survivor of her generation of both the West and Harrison families. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Fayetteville with the Rev. Van Johnson officiating. Burial followed in Old Orchard Cemetery in Petersburg. Those serving as pallbearers will be Danny, JE, Joe, Stanley and Tommy Harrison, Elliott and Eric Terrell, Gary Tipps, Carl, Harrison, Kevin and Tanner Welch. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund. Higgins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.