FRANKLIN LEE TAUNTON
Franklin Lee Taunton, 58, affectionately known as Frank, of Valley, passed away Oct. 28, 2026, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. He was born Sept. 6, 1968, in Valley, to Franklin D. Taunton and Shirley Jean Thrower Taunton, both of whom preceded him in death.
Frank attended Valley High School and also studied at Southern Union State Community College. Though disabled later in life, during his working years, he worked with Chambers County 911 and the Valley Police Department as a 911 dispatcher and also served as a security guard at Lanier Hospital. He attended Plant City Baptist Church.
He enjoyed playing games on his phone and especially loved going to Six Flags and Disney World with his family. He met his loving wife, Melissa, while they both worked at Lanier Hospital, where he was a security guard and she was an emergency room registration clerk.
He is survived by his wife, Melissa Cooper Taunton; his daughter, Kaelynne Taunton; his sister, Elizabeth Sherrill of Wildwood, Georgia; his brother, Stephen (Donna) Taunton of Greenville, Georgia; his mother-in-law, Nancy Cooper of Woodstock, Georgia; his grandmother-in-law, Hazel P. Pulliam of Marietta, Georgia; his nephew, Jason Dillion Sherrill of Wildwood, Georgia; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends from Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Vicki Y. Cooper; his father-in-law, Jack S. Cooper; his sister-in-law, Lauren Cooper; his nephew, Jamie Barrett; his grandparents, Grace and John Taunton and Annie Lee and Oscar Bennett Thrower; and A.G. Pulliam.
A service will be held for Frank on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. ET at Plant City Baptist Church in Lanett.
Flowers will be accepted at his home address.
Valley-Point Funeral Home & Cremation is honored to serve the family of Franklin Lee Taunton.
LAWRENCE “LARRY” ASH
Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Ash, 60, of LaFayette died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at his residence. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Rehope Missionary Baptist Church, in LaFayette, with the Rev. Dr. H. L. Jones officiating. The interment was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Ash is survived by his sister, Lisa (Vincent) Ash of Valley; his brother, Derrick (Kiesha) Ash of Humble, Texas; one daughter, Brittany (Corey) Williams of Roanoke, Alabama; six aunts, Mary Jim Lett, and Janet Williams both of Lanett; Velma Hillsman of LaGrange, Georgia; Carolyn Lee of Detroit, Michigan; Brenda Johnson Walton and Lela Bradyof Roanoke; seven nieces and nephews, LaToya Dunn, Charis Hunter, Mosaiah and Derrick Ash Jr., Angelica (Reggie) Gilliam, Victorious; VictorYah Watkins a long-time high school friend; “Big Brother” Casey Turner; special friends, Jeffrey Brooks and Stanley Hooks; and a host of cousins and friends.
To share your online condolences, please visit www.vinesfuneralhome.com.
Vines Funeral Home Inc., of LaFayette, handled the arrangements.
LINDA BRADY ASH
Mrs. Linda Brady Ash, 86, of LaFayette died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Rehope Missionary Baptist Church, in LaFayette, with the Rev. Dr. H. L. Jones officiating. The interment was in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Ash is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Vincent) Ash, Valley, her son, Derrick (Kiesha) Ash of Humble, Texas; five sisters: Mary Jim Lett and Janet Williams both of Lanett; Velma Hillsman, LaGrange, Georgia; Carolyn Lee, Detroit, Michigan; and Brenda Johnson Walton of Roanoke; one sister-in-law, Lela Brady of Roanoke; eight grandchildren: LaToy Dunn, Charis Hunter, Brittany (Corey) Williams, Mosaiah and Derrick Ash Jr, Angelica (Reggie) Gilliam, Victorious and VictorYah Watkins; 13 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
To share your online condolences, please visit www.vinesfuneralhome.com.
Vines Funeral Home Inc, of LaFayette, handled the arrangements.
GEORGE EDWARD WILDER
Mr. George Edward Wilder, 69, of Five Points died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in the Standing Rock Community.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Rehope Missionary Baptist Church, located at County Road 258, in LaFayette, at 1 p.m. CT with the Rev. L. B. Houston officiating. The remains will lie in state at the church from noon until the funeral hour. The interment will be in the church cemetery. Viewing and visitation will be on Friday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sweet Home Baptist Church, located at 1077 County Road 433, in Five Points.
Mr. Wilder is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia of Five Points; his daughter, LaTessia Wilder of Five Points; his father, Johnny (Milfred) Askew of Cleveland, Ohio; devoted uncle, Timothy (Sara) Wilder of Roanoke; two brothers, Terry (Cerelyn) Davis of Memphis, Tennessee, and Johnny L. Askew of Cleveland; two sisters, Sharon Davis of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Brenda Appleby-Durden of Decatur, Georgia; sisters-in-law: Donna Williams of LaGrange, Georgia; Selita (L.C.) Allen of Five Points; Jacqueline Veal (Darrell) of Roanoke; Robin (Jay) Cheeks of Franklin Georgia; nine special nieces: Ashley, LaShae, Ebony, Whitney, Ashley, Jamesia, Zuri, Jai’Nae and Ariya; eight devoted nephews: Roger Jr., Zaiden, Tony, Anthony, D’Shon, Isaiah, Jaron and Chadwick; and a host of other relatives and friends.
To share your online condolences, please visit www.vinesfuneralhome.com. Vines Funeral Home Inc., of LaFayette, handled the arrangements.
HARVIS OCORNELA BRISKEY
Mr. Harvis Ocornela Briskey, 67, of Lanett died Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at his residence. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church in Lanett, with the Rev. Rodel Poole and Pastor Justin M. Freeman officiating. The interment was in the Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery in LaFayette.
Mr. Briskey is survived by his three children Jeffery Whatley of Wadley, Cornelius Briskey of Lanett and Ryan Briskey of Douglasville, Georgia; three grandchildren, Paris, Issa and Brandon; his bonus grandchildren, Sasakia, DQwarius, DQwentin, Zaysia, Zayden and Zaylor; and two great-grandchildren, Leah and Logan; three brothers, Sandrew L. (Phyllis) Briskey of Wadley; Ronnie Briskey of Lanett; and Frank (Lisa) Briskey of Five Points; two sisters, Levarn Briskey, Childersburg, Alabama, and Denise Briskey of Tampa, Florida; and a special friend, Wanda Davis, of Lanett; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
To share your online condolences, please visit www.vinesfuneralhome.com. Vines Funeral Home Inc., of LaFayette, handled the arrangements.
William “Alin” Hildreth
William “Alin” Hildreth, 86, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Alin was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and man of deep faith whose life was characterized by kindness, humility, hard work and an unwavering love for God and family.
A lifelong ironworker and member of Iron Workers Local 387 in Atlanta, Alin understood the value of an honest day’s work. He spent his career in a demanding profession that required strength, determination and perseverance. He worked hard every day, often spending extended periods away from home to provide for his family. His dedication was a reflection of his character and his belief in responsibility, sacrifice and the importance of caring for those he loved.
Despite the demands of his work, Alin found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He especially enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and the freedom of the open road. He also treasured traveling with his wife, Nancy, sharing adventures, visiting new places and making memories together.
Alin was a kind and humble man who never needed recognition or attention. His strength was found in his quiet determination, his willingness to work hard and the way he treated others. He believed in doing what was right, remaining faithful to God and placing family above all else. His life reflected the values he held dear, not through grand gestures but through the example he set each day.
Alin shared more than 58 years of marriage with his wife, Nancy Lowe Hildreth, before her passing on Oct. 20, 2020. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, love and devotion to one another. Their years together were filled with family, shared experiences and a commitment that endured through life’s many seasons.
He was especially proud of his family, including his son, William “Paul” Hildreth; daughter-in-law, Eva Hildreth; and granddaughter, Chloe Hildreth. The values he lived by — faith, humility, perseverance and love of family — remain a lasting part of the legacy he leaves behind.
Alin was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Lowe Hildreth.
He is survived by his son, William “Paul” Hildreth (Eva); granddaughter, Chloe Hildreth; and numerous extended family members and loved ones.
Alin’s legacy will be remembered not simply through the years he lived or the work of his hands, but through the sacrifices he made, the kindness he showed and the family he loved. He spent a lifetime building more than structures of iron and steel. Through his faith, hard work and devotion, he built a foundation of strength and love that will endure for generations.
His family takes comfort in their faith and the hope that Alin has found eternal peace, reunited with his beloved Nancy in the presence of the Lord.
A graveside service celebrating Alin’s life will be held Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. CT at Penton Church of God Cemetery located at 5056 County Road 114 in LaFayette, where he will be laid to rest.
The service will be officiated by Brother Michael “Mike” Rogers, an ordained minister with more than 35 years of ministry experience, having served congregations in Arkansas and Alabama. Brother Rogers has known Alin for many years, and their longstanding friendship makes his participation in the service especially meaningful to the family. His presence and leadership will provide a personal tribute to Alin’s life and faith.
Arrangements are being handled by Frederick-Dean Funeral Home & Crematory.
The family appreciates the love, prayers and support of friends and loved ones during this time.
