1941
Ann Caddell Garrett, 94 passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017
Levelle Roberts, 92, born Oct. 28, 1922, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. 
WINGO, ELLIS JAMES, age 83 of Ashville, formerly of Empire, passed away September 9, 2006. He graduated from Dora High School in 1941 and served in the Merchant Marines in World War II. He retired from CSX Railroad after 35 years of service. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Mary Wingo; son, Michael Wingo (Kim); daughters, Sheila Ashley (Danny) and Becky Williams (Tommy); Class of 1941 Obitbrothers, Winfred and Norman Wingo; sisters, Opal Wrenn and Colleen Wooten; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel with burial in Forest Crest Cemetery. Richard Ashley officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, September 11 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Junior II Class of 1941
Betty Jo Crauswell, at age 13, “ran away and married a handsome sailor”, William H, Clark August 2, 1943. They had 2 children. Obituary: Betty Jo Clark, 75, of Empire died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at Baptist Medical Center-Walker. A memorial service will be held in her honor at 2 p.m Sunday, April 13, 2003, at Bell Sumiton Chapel. Bell Funeral Home, Sumiton is directing. She was a teacher’s aid at Sumiton Elementary School. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Toby Yon. She is survived by her husband, Bill Clark; daughter, Jo Early and her husband, Gene of Sumiton; sister, Dorothy Nell Kerber of Cleveland, Ohio; three granddaughters, Christy Jarman of Dora, Kirsten Yon of Irving, Texas, and Pennie Wright of Jasper; and six great-grandchildren. Published Daily Mountain Eagle April 10, 2003. Submitted by Elizabeth Crauswell Verchio.
Junior III Class of 1941
James Crauswell, on 17 Apr 1946 enlisted in the US Army; married Jewel Wates of Winfield June 9, 1945. Obituary: JAMES WALLIS “J. W.” CRAUSWELL, age 79, a longtime resident of Hueytown, formerly of Walker County, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2004. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2004 at Brown Service West Chapel with burial in Forest Grove Cemetery. Rev. David Chandler officiating. Survivors: Wife: Jewel Wates Crauswell; Sons: Ronald W. Crauswell of Hueytown, James Gregory Crauswell (Karen) of Trafford, and Donald Stanley Crauswell (Quyen) of Blacklick, OH; Sisters: Maxine Morgan of Sumiton and Mary Gilbreath of Dora; grandchildren: Rodney W. Crauswell, Brandon Crauswell, and Joshua Crauswell. Published in Birmingham News (AL) Date: February 20, 2004 Page: 15-A NOTE: I’ve looked through all the yearbooks on the Alumni site – it does not appear Jams graduated the year he was to have. Unfortunately, I don’t know enough, yet, about my 1/2 great uncle to know what happened between 1941 and 1945.
Submitted by Elizabeth Crauswell Verchio.
JOHNNIE MAE (TRICE) GLOVER,, age 77, of Jasper, AL., passed away on Friday, August 3, 2001 in Dora, AL. Mrs. Glover was formerly of Quinton and Montgomery, before moving to Jasper. She was a member of Farmstead Baptist Church. She was a retired Postmistress with the US Postal Service, Quinton Post Office with 30 years of service. Survivors include daughter, Charlotte Glover Lowder and her husband, Robert E. of Montgomery, AL.; son, Eddie Ray Glover of Jasper, AL.; grandchildren, John Edgar Glover, U.S.A.F. of Grand Forks, ND. and Bryan Thomas Cotney of Montgomery, AL.
Otellia Ellenburg Roberts
Graduate of Dora High Class of 1942
Comments: married Dora High Graduate Class of ’43 – Levelle Roberts. Survived by two sons and two grandchildren. Very loving woman who dedicated her life to helping her husband run their store- Roberts Gas Station- and babysitting her two grandchildren up until the day she past away in 1997. Recognized by her very proud granddaughter who dedicates all her high school honors and awards sucess to, due all because of the daily influences and teachings done by her grandmother
1942
Buel “Blondie” Owens of Empire, passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2012 at the age of 90. Blondie Owens
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 9:30 AM at Collins-Burke Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Collins-Burke Chapel, with burial at New Canaan Baptist Church in Empire. Collins-Burke Funeral Home will direct.
“Blondie” is survived by his Wife-Carolyn; Daughter-Brenda Owens Holloway (Max); Son-William Craig Owens; Grandchildren-Kimberley Harwood (Richard), Ashley Wilks (Bryan) and Mattie Owens; Great Grandchildren-Taylor, Madison, Sam Harwood and Gracie, Isabella, Lucy Wilks all of whom loved him dearly. He also leaves behind 3 nephews and 9 nieces.
He was preceded in death by his Parents-Oscar and Mattie Owens; Siblings-Leonard Owens, Willie Bee Hall, Gertrude Wood, James Owens, Winfred Owens, Vonda Owens and infant grandchildren Julie Marcelle and William Jameson Owens.
1943
Euel S. Laughlin, 92, passed away September 27, 2017 in Bay Minnette, Alabama. He was born March 18, 1925 in Dora, Alabama. Immediately after high school graduation in 1943
John Ed Washington of Dora High School Class of 1943 passed away in February 2016
Bryceon J. “BJ” Sumner Sr., 90, passed away at his home in Tucker, Georgia on Memorial Day, May 25, 2015, from complications with Lyme disease.
BJ, a past president and 43 year member of the Decatur Rotary Club (and 17 year member of the Tifton, Georgia Rotary Club), retired as an AVP from the Georgia Power Company and spent many wonderful retirement years with his family as a husband, father and grandfather. BJ was also a decorated veteran of WWII and retired from the Army Reserves as a Brigadier General. BJ graduated from Dora High School in Dora and received a bachelor’s degree in business from Auburn University. BJ was a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church. BJ lived a life of “service above self,” the Rotary motto, in everything he did and with others.
Dora Jean Stephens Dutton There will be a grave side service at East Dora Cemetery (behind the old Dora Church of God) at 2pm on Wednesday 01/22/14.
Robert Curry Ellis, 84, of Arley, went home to be with his Savior on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. Robert graduated from Dora High in the 1940s.
Blondie Owens, from Dora High School Class of 1943 passed away Thanksgiving Day, November 22 2012 of complications from a stroke. He was married to Carolyn Headrick Owens for 70 years. He and Carolyn lived in Owens Chapel. Troy Lee King died June, 1994. He is buried in Evansville, Indiana.
Carolyn Marcelle Headrick Owens Class of 1943went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at the age of 90. The family will receive friends today, May 22, 2015, at noon at Collins-Burke Funeral Home.
1944
Gilda Johnson Gilham August 2007
Howard Griffin from the Class of 1944 passed away on December 21st 2002
Robert W. Steading passed away in 1998.
CREEL, MRS. MARY JO BARLOWE, age 79, of Graysville went to be with Jesus on Friday, February 3, 2006 at a local hospital. She was a longtime member of Graysville Church of God and a retired school teacher. Funeral services will be Monday, February 6, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. in the New Horizon Memorial Chapel with Rev. Mark Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Empire Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2006 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Survivors include her husband of 58 years Charles D. Creel; sons, Charles Alan Creel and Rick J. Creek and wife, Pam. Sister, Nina K. Henderson and husband, Jim. Grandchildren: Jason, Hunter, Stone and Carman. Also many nieces, nephews and many, many dear friends. New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home, Dora 648-2323.
Published in The Birmingham News on 2/5/2006.
L.B. Owens, Former DHS Graduate Passes Away
By Lacy Barnett
L.B. Owens lived in Coon Creek. His Dad owned a store that was not far from the river. His Dad also worked for IBM.
L.B. was a terrific guy and drove the school bus, in 1943 and 1944, to and from Dora. His route also included Flat Creek after he dropped us off at Dora. We had dinner with he and his wife at the 1944 class reunion which was held in April 1993. His brother, Leon, died a couple of years ago.
OWENS, MR. LUTHER B. “LUKE”, age 79, of Vestavia Hills, AL, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2006. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was employed by Alabama Power Company for 38 years. Mr. Owens was a member of the Merchant Marines and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Faye Owens; daughter, Leslie Hotzfeld (Rick); son, Ben Owens (Anne); grandchildren, Wesley Hotzfeld, Allie Hotzfeld, Luke Owens, Hannah Owens, Brandon Busby and Savannah Busby; brother, James I. Owens (Charlotte); sister-in-law, Norma Owens; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Rev. John Verciglio officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to Cahaba Heights UMC Building Fund, 3139 Cahaba Heights Road, Birmingham, AL 35243, or to the American Parkinsons Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. Ridout’s Valley Chapel Funeral Home directing.
1945
Annie Opalene Ballenger Cates of Empire went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017
Winfred G. Sandlin, of Jasper, passed away Aug. 30, 2013.
Edna Earl King died June, 1951. Her married name at the time of death was Edna Earl Freeman. She is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Jack Crauswell, married Marjorie Wise March 29, 1952, they had 2 children who were graduated from Dora High School. Jack died October 1, 1987 and was buried East Dora Cemetery.
1946
James Hank West from Dora High School Class of 1946 Passed Away
James West of Jasper, passed away Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at the age of 84. He was born on Jan. 4, 1930. Memorial services will be at First United Methodist Church of Jasper, at noon on Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until noon at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church Hope Kitchen. Read more: Daily Mountain Eagle – James Hank Dean Pawpaw West
BISHOP, JOSEPH RILEY November 7, 1927 – December 26, 2011 Joe was born in Lewisburg, Alabama and later made his permanent home in J.R. BishopHoover, Alabama. After serving two years in the U.S. Navy as an Air Traffic Controller, he accepted a supervisory position with U.S. Steel and worked for the company for 35 years. At the close of the Fairfield Works, he accepted a position with Ball Metal Decorating and was with them for seven years. After taking early retirement from Ball Metal, he enjoyed many years living on the Warrior River. Mr. Bishop is survived by his wife, Claire Davis Bishop, his children, Cathy B. Gibson, Cindy L. Bishop, Susan L. Hecht, Joey C. Bishop (Rebecca), six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, sister Ellen B. Fenn and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. followed by graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens, 2701 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brother Bryan Mission.
Virginia (Greer) Jones 86 passed away on Feb. 9, 2012
1947
Theodore Melton Self from Dora High School Class of 1947 Passes Away
Funeral services for Theodore Melton Self, known to many as “Coach Self”, age 86 of Dickson will be Tuesday April 15, 2014 at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home with David Peeler and Neil Jobe officiating. Place of rest will be in the Dickson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be Monday April 14th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and on Tuesday from 12:00 PM noon until time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be to the Dickson Co. Board of Education Back-Pack Fund. Services are under the direction of the Taylor Funeral Home. Coach Self died Saturday April 12, 2014 at his home. A native of Dora, Alabama, but he resided in Tennessee most of his adult life. Born November 22, 1927 to the late Sebern and Gladys Roberts Self and he was preceded in death by his son, Ted M. Self, Jr., brother, S.L. Self; sisters, Judy Elliott and Hilda Faye Watts. He graduated from APSU in 1951, and also attended Peabody College where he received a Masters Degree in Education. Before entering the teaching profession as a coach, Mr. Self served in the U.S. Air Force where he received a commission of 2nd Lt. His love of sports called him back to Tennessee where he taught and coached for 30 years. Coach Self was committed to his students and their welfare. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mary Anne Harris Self of Dickson; daughter, Susan French and her husband Roger of Dickson; granddaughter, Aubree Marie French; brothers, Nat Self of Bessemer, AL, Johnny Self and his wife Carolyn of Hoover, AL; sisters, Jane Norris of Atlanta, GA, Orlane Snuggs of Trussville, AL.
BETTY SELLERS HARDIN, passed away in August 2009.
Joseph Terry (Bo) Cashman 80, from the Class of 47, passed away on Saturday February 8th
TUCKER, JAMES LEE, age 81, of Pinson, AL passed away on Monday, May 26, 2008. He was born on August 27, 1926 in Glen Allen, AL. He served in the United States Navy during WWII, was a graduate of Dora High School and Auburn University School of Pharmacy in 1951. He was a pharmacist for 54 years and was a longtime member of Pinson United Methodist Church and Pinson Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Tucker; and brother, Robert Houston Tucker. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Farrington Tucker; sisters, Ruth Sides, and Betty Gann (James); sister-in-law, Laura Sue Tucker; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Pineland Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Mike Irons officiating and Rockco Funeral Home, Centreville, directing.
1948
Jimmie Lovelady Phillips age 84 of Hoover, formerly of Dora, passed away Tuesday May 5, 2015 at her residence. She was a graduate of Dora High School-Class of 1948. She loved wildlife, birds, outdoors, flowers and yard work. Her backyard was a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Jimmy Lee “Sonny” Davis (Class of 1948) 82, of Quinton, passed away on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012,
Mary Helen Green passed away at her residence in January 2012
Christine Isbell (Summerlin)
Leon Owens died Saturday, December 18, 2004
Daisy Wolfe (Campbell)
Barbara Cooley (Rush)
Milton Russom (Milton died less than a year after graduation)
Mary Combs
Barbara Cooley Rush, died June 25, 2003
Charles Minor
Marvin Jarman
Rosce Parker
J. C. Ledbetter
Dorothy Elmore (Thursby)
Mavis Roberts (Burroughs) 1/1/05
Jack Sides
Billy Hugh Hoagland
Classmates Non Graduates Deceased That we know of.
Thealon Howlett (he attended our 45 and 50th reunion)
Mary Alta Phillips (Knight)
Peggy Harper (Thomas)
Louise James Self died March 28, 2008
Elmer Black – March 2008
1949
DOROTHY N. KERBER (nee Crauswell) beloved wife of Frank “Larry”; dear mother of Ken (Cathi), and Lori Sprouse (Terry); loving grandmother of Alex and Sam Kerber, and Spencer and Danielle Abbott; sister of the late Betty Crauswell Clark and Jack Crauswell, both of Dora, AL; aunt and great aunt. Entered into eternal rest Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Funeral Services at the WISCHMEIER-BUESCH FUNERAL HOME, 3111 BROADVIEW RD. (ONE BLOCK FROM PEARL) Saturday at 10 a.m. VISITATION FRIDAY ONLY 2-4 AND 7-9 P.M. Interment Lutheran Cemetery, Cleveland. Dot married Frank L. Kerber, 21 May 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio.
NADRENE ELIZABETH SANDLIN, 78, of Jasper, died peacefully Sunday, July 26, 2009. A sponsorship in Nadrene’s name helps support Dora High School alumni website.
Jean Wolfe Snuggs. She passed away on January 27, 2008
JARMAN, DEAN, age 73, of Forestdale passed away Friday, August 29, 2003. She was a member of Adamsville Church of Christ. Mrs. Jarman was retired from Alabama Power Company and was preceded in death by her husband Marvin C. Jarman. Survivors include her daughter, Tina Farris and her husband, Michael; granddaughters: Haley and Hillary Farris of Bagley; sister, Christine Battles and her husband, Bob of Adamsville. Her graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family requests that memorials be made to the Franklin Camp Fund of Adamsville Church of Christ. Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel, 205-251-7227, is directing.
Published in The Birmingham News on 8/31/2003.