Obituaries, Saturday, December 14, 2024

Published 7:42 pm Friday, December 13, 2024

Betty Lee Cates

Betty Lee Cates, a longtime resident of Troy, Alabama and formerly of Marietta, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, December 11. In her final hour, family told her it was December 12 in Tokyo and that she had made it to her 82nd birthday.

Betty Lee Cates

Born December 12, 1942 in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Mary Elizabeth and Travis B. Lee Sr., Betty graduated from Sprayberry High School in Marietta, attended Reinhardt College, and raised three children with her husband, Bobby. In her Act II, Betty returned to college to earn an associate degree in nursing from Wallace State Community College. She retired as a registered nurse from Troy Regional Medical Center, where she served as nursing supervisor.

Preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Robert Allen (Bobby) Cates, Sr. (2012), and her brother, Travis B. Lee, Jr. (1969), Betty is survived by her sister, Ann Lee Deal (Steve) of Cumming, Georgia, her three children Amy (Craig Lyle) of Alabaster, Allen Cates of Dothan, and Mary Anne (Dave Templeton) of Enterprise. Survivors also include grandchildren Anna Lyle, Walter Lyle (Morgan), Maura Lyle, Sally Lyle, Robby Cates, Bennett Templeton, and Carter Templeton, and great-granddaughter Josephine Lyle, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A private celebration of life is planned for a later date.

The family asks that you honor Betty’s memory in any of the following ways throughout the holidays: treat yourself to a hardcover book at full price; rearrange your display of family photos so that everyone is represented equally; shut down politically charged discussions by laughing out loud and asking if anyone would like a Coke; visit the beach with the full intention of never leaving the oceanfront balcony and a stack of books; decorate a second Christmas tree you don’t have room for but you need to do something with all the extra ornaments; hang only white lights on one of your Christmas trees; use your best cursive penmanship to write a handwritten

thank-you note you will send to someone just because; listen to a playlist featuring only songs by Elvis; trace the possible family history of a random note or certificate and then frame it to hang in your hallway; welcome everyone who enters your home as if they are honored guests; say “thank you” to a nurse.

To sign the online guest register please visit our website at dillardfh.com.

Oscar Ray “Big O” Campbell

Oscar Ray “Big O” Campbell of Brundidge, AL passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery, AL. He was 58. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Skeen Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Coleman Ulmer officiating with Skeen Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. The family will receive friends Sunday at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Oscar was born January 2, 1966 in Pike County, AL to the late Bennet Campbell and Bonnie Knight Campbell. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Ben Campbell, Sr. and a great niece, Abbigail Campbell. Oscar was a hardworking and a friendly individual who enjoyed racing, fishing and trips to the casino. His biggest talent was automobile painting which was also his profession for many years working at the City of Troy. Some knew him through pool, whether it was playing him, cheering him on or guiding his son Jake, which many times led to the questioning of their difference in height. He loved hugs from his daughter Angi, being quick to call her his baby girl no matter how old she got. He loved having a conversation with anyone, many times lasting for hours. He would make joking jesters with facial smirks that set him apart from anyone. Big O was a loving father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle, cousin and friend that will be missed by so many. He is survived by his children, Jacob Campbell (Amanda) and Angi Buchanan (Matt); grandchildren, Avery and Arya Buchanan, DJ and Mandy Carver, Johnathan Vincent, and Hunter Moore; five great grandchildren; siblings, Lucie Renfroe (Bobby Joe), Frances Reeves, Beverly Griffin (Dallas), Larry Campbell, Sr. (Angie), Michael Campbell (Shelia) Donnie Campbell, Buck Campbell (Diane), and William Campbell (Willie); and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The guest book may be signed and words of condolences expressed at www.skeenfuneralhome.com