Obituaries

Sept. 15, 1936 – April 5, 2026 Edward Odell Buckbee, a visionary leader in space education and a devoted family man, passed away peacefully surrounded by Gayle, his beloved wife of 65 years, and their three daughters, just days after Americans resumed exploration of the moon on the Artemis mission. He was 89.

65, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Fayetteville First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Bruce Mc-Vey officiating. The family will receive friends for

84, transitioned from this life on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, at her residence. She was born on March 23, 1942, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, to the late Walter and Dollie Dyer Buchanan. She was a cafeteria supervisor at Alabama A&M University and was a member of the Mount Olive Missionary

May 3, 1939 – April 2, 2026 Visitation was held for Mr. Jimmy Naith Steelman, 86, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, April 7 at Lynchburg Funeral Home. A graveside service followed at Lincoln Cemetery in Fayetteville, Tennessee.

87, of Traverse City, Michigan (currently Fayetteville, Tennessee) passed away peacefully, reunited at last with her lifelong soulmate, Richard “Dick” Lee Kirby. Born in Flint, Michigan, on June 1, 1938, to the late Ernest Dean Rockafellow and Dorothy Ellen (Bryan) Rockafellow, Judy lived a life defined by deep compassion, vibrant style, and an unbreakable devotion to her family.

Feb. 19, 1942 – March 28, 2026

91, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, at Donalson Care Center. A lifelong resident of Lincoln County, she was born on Dec. 27, 1934, to the late Robert Hoyal Solomon Sr. and Martha Anderson Solomon.

81, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away on April 2, 2026, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Born on April 20, 1944, in Athens, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Travis Ford Oliver and Margie Laten Oliver.

53, of Flintville, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at TriStar Centennial Medical Center. She was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on Sept. 10, 1972, to the late Floyd Lewis and Mary Frances Davis.

97, of Hazel Green, Alabama, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026. He was born on Jan.18, 1929, to the late James Monroe and Ella Lee Jones Hirlston. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Rosie May Hirlston; son-in-law, Ron Shaffer; two sisters, Eula Honea and Kathleen Edwards and two brothers, Frank Hirlston and Harlon Hirlston. Mr. Hirlston was a retired press operator for NASA and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.