Obituaries, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025

Published 6:48 pm Friday, January 3, 2025

Lt. Col Harry Wayne Crook

Lt. Col Harry Wayne Crook, U.S. Air Force (Retired), age 77,  passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the Enterprise Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Originally from Columbus, GA and an alumnus of Florida University, Lt. Col Crook devoted 23 years of his life to the U.S. Air Force, retiring in Troy, AL. He later made his home in Enterprise, Alabama, where he continued to serve his community and was an active member of the First Baptist Church.

Lt. Col Harry Wayne Crook

Funeral Services will be on Saturday, January 4, 2025,  at 1:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church in Enterprise.  Committal services with Military Honors will follow in the Victoria Community Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Hayes Funeral Home in Elba, AL.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 5757 Waterford District Drive Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Calhoun Crook, his son, Christopher (Summer) Crook, stepson Clark Tucker, and three grandchildren: Alivia (Jacob) Francis, Ian Tucker, and Lily Crook.

He was preceded in death by his father, MSgt William Randolph Crook, and his mother, Cupidean Wise Crook.

Hayes Funeral Home of Elba, Alabama, is serving the Crook family.

Lamar Howell Gilmore

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lamar Howell Gilmore, at age 89.

Lamar Howell Gilmore

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 2 pm at Salem Baptist Church in Brundidge with the Rev. Paul Faulkner officiating and Dillard Funeral Home of Brundidge directing. Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the church.

He was born in Pavo, Georgia, to Lucian Lamar Gilmore and Ethel Waters Gilmore. He graduated from Savannah High School and attended both Augusta

Junior College and the University of South Carolina before serving in the U.S. Navy. He worked for 31 years in quality control at the Continental paper mill, later Federal Paperboard in Augusta. After retiring from Federal, he earned his commercial driver’s license and drove trucks, mainly for North American Electronics and Exhibits. He served as a deacon at Salem Baptist Church in Brundidge and was active in the Lions Club and the Gideons before his health deteriorated. Dad was a great cook and an incredible storyteller with the gift of the blarney stone.

Mr. Gilmore was preceded in death by his first wife Patsy Jane Mims, his second wife Jane Owen Hartley, and his stepson Robert Hartley.

He is survived by his loving wife Jennifer Jackson Gilmore; son, Howell Gilmore; daughter, Miria Finckenor (Jeffrey); stepson Steve Hartley (Terri); stepdaughter Shana Grier (Alan); grandchildren, Charles Hartley (Ashley), Matthew Hartley (Lisa), Kyla Hartley, Michael Hartley, Megan de Cerqueira (Rafael), Kaitlyn Sturgeon (Adam), Nansi Hayes (CJ), Chad Gilmore (Jessica), Erich Finckenor (Shelley), and Ruth Finckenor and thirteen great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers. memorial donations may be made to Salem Baptist Church, The Gideons International, or a charity of your choosing.

Patricia Merritt Madison

Patricia Merritt Madison

Patricia Merritt Madison went peacefully to her heavenly home on Sunday, December 29, 2024. A celebration of her Life will be at 11:00am on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Green Hills Funeral Home with Rev. Raymond Franklin officiating.  Visitation will be Friday, January 3, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.  

Patricia was born on November 26, 1951, to James David Merritt, Sr., and Mable Seymore Merritt in Pike County, AL.  Patricia attended and graduated from Woodford Avenue High School as a member of the Class of 1970, where she was a part of the marching band as a majorette. She studied at LBW Community College and received an associate degree in general education.

Patricia was the first African American employed at Troy Bank & Trust in Troy, Alabama, in the early 1970s as a Teller. She went on to have many excellent career opportunities, ultimately retiring from the State of Alabama Department of Transportation in 2014 as an Engineering Assistant. In 1972, Patricia married her childhood and high school sweetheart, Nathan Madison, Jr. Patricia’s family meant more to her than anything else in the world, especially her Grandchildren, and she made it her life’s mission to ensure they knew it. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.  

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Nathan Madison, Jr.; her parents, James David and Mable Seymore Merritt; brothers, James David Merritt, Jr., James Lester Merritt, and Charlie Walter Merritt; and her sister, Burnese Rudolph.

Patricia leaves to cherish her legacy & loving memories with three Daughters, Juawana Walker, Jurethia Madison, and Jessica Madison; three Grandchildren, Jashaante’ (Chris) Ohanjanian, T’Yanna (Nathan) McIntyre, and Junathaen Cleveland; and 1 Great-Grandchild, her heart and soul, Jaxon Walker. She is also survived by one Brother, Varnor (Annie) Merritt.; In-laws: Juanita Merritt, Mary Merritt, Autrey Bryant, Minnie Williams, James Nelson Madison, and Foshen Madison; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Madison family.  Online condolences may be made at www.greenhillsffuneralhome.net.