Details

Thomas Steven Avent, better known as Tommy, age 68 of Winfield passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at his residence. Tommy was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on July 20, 1957, to the late James Thomas Avent and Edna Earl Taylor Avent. He grew up in Tuscaloosa and was a proud graduate of Tuscaloosa County High School, Class of 1976. Following graduation, he moved to Fayette County before settling in Winfield, where he made his home for the remainder of his life. Tommy dedicated 30 years of service to Georgia-Pacific, where he retired as a shift supervisor. Never one to stay idle, he later spent four years working in the maintenance department with Winfield City Schools. He was a longtime member of A New Hope Church. Tommy loved fishing, cheering on Alabama football, and sharing laughter through his joking nature and playful spirit. Above all, he treasured time spent with his family, who meant more to him than anything else.

Mr. Avent is survived by his wife, Pamela Whitehead Avent; his children, Judy Cooper (Brad), Jason Avent (Nicole), and Crystal Dunn (Chris); his stepsons, Casey Fortner (Cricket) and Shane Fortner; ten grandchildren; three great-grandsons; his siblings, Jimmy Avent (Crystal) and Debbie Sims; and a host of extended family members and dear friends.

Mr. Avent was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Avent; his parents, James Thomas and Edna Earl Avent; and his sister, Rebecca Brown.

Funeral services for Mr. Avent will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow in West Alabama Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield, Alabama serving the Avent family.

Details

Judy Ann Spiller, age 80, of the Twin community, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at her residence. She was born on October 4, 1945, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to the late Wilber and Lenora Hanson Zipfel. Judy was raised in Waukesha and was a proud graduate of Waukesha High School, Class of 1963. Later in life, she made her home in Alabama, where she became a devoted and longtime member of Mt. Pleasant Freewill Baptist Church. Judy spent 18 years employed with Health-Tex before continuing her career at W.T. Vick Lumber Company, where she worked as a secretary until her retirement. Even after retiring, Judy remained active, working for a time with McDonald’s. In her spare time Judy loved cooking for her family, shopping, tending to her flower beds, and playing games with those she loved. Above all, she cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Spiller is survived by her children, Leann Spiller, Kim Huguley (Stoney), and Stacy Spiller (Amy); her grandchildren, Joshua Huguley, Jonathon Huguley (Samantha), Jacob Huguley, Kaitlyn Madero (Juan), and Kaden Spiller; her great-grandchildren, Natalie, Stella, Daniel, Everly, and Ian Huguley, and Amelia and Owen Madero; her sister, Jane Moldenhauer (Danny); along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Mrs. Spiller was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie Spiller; her parents, Wilber and Lenora Zipfel; her sister, Kari Schwartz; her brothers-in-law, Dean Schwartz and Bryan Spiller; her niece, Denean Desantis; and her parents-in-law, Versie and Annell Spiller.

Funeral services for Mrs. Spiller will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow in Center Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Monday from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m., service time, at the funeral home.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield, AL serving the Spiller family.

Details

Nellie Mae Geen, age 83, of Guin, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, April 2, 2026. She was born on September 25, 1942, in Marion County, Alabama, to the late Loyd and Ollie Gardner Franks. Nellie was a devoted and longtime member of Liberty Free Will Baptist Church. For many years, Nellie worked as a skilled seamstress with Reltoc Manufacturing until her retirement. Outside of her work, she found joy in spending time with her puzzle books, collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia, and cheering on Alabama football. Nellie also had a lively spirit and loved singing and buck dancing whenever the opportunity arose.

Mrs. Green is survived by her son, Troy Eugene Green (Holly) of Hamilton; her daughter, Shirley Marie Kimberlin (Paul) of Laurel, Mississippi; her grandchildren: Brandon Rhett Green, Tiffany Ann Marie Watkins (Jeremy), Ashley Renae Steele, Doug Channel (Jennifer), Kennedy Montague (Dylan), Gracie Dezio, Savannah Mae Smith (Drake), Coy Jackson Kimberlin (Laken), Auston Landon Kimberlin (Camille), Clayton Joseph Kimberlin, and Hannah Noel Fuentes (Michael). Nellie was also blessed with 24 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Mrs. Green was preceded in death by her husband, Troy J. Green; her parents; and her siblings, Coy Franks, Ruthie Mae Pratt, and Eunie Giddy.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her devoted caregivers, Becky Gann, Joanne Crawford, and Linda Clark, for the compassionate care and kindness they showed Nellie. They also extend sincere thanks to the staff of Sunset Manor and Amedisys Hospice for their support and comfort during her final days. A special thank you is given to Wade and Teresa Berryhill, who went above and beyond in caring not only for their mother, but for their father as well—their love and selflessness will always be remembered with deep appreciation.

Funeral services for Mrs. Geen will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Liberty Free Will Baptist Church, with burial to follow in the adjoining cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. service time at the church.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield, AL serving the Green family.

Details

Mrs. Elsie L. Bates, age 82, of Guin, Alabama, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham. She was born on March 23, 1944, in Sulligent, Alabama, to the late Junior and Nettie Taylor Gunnels. Elsie was a member of Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church and a 1963 graduate of Winfield High School. After high school she worked for many years as a seamstress in several area sewing plants, including 26 dedicated years with Health-Tex. Later, she continued serving her community through her work in the child nutrition program at Winfield City Schools, where she remained until her retirement. Elsie enjoyed tending to her yard and flower beds, baking for those she loved, and most of all, spending time with her family.

Mrs. Bates is survived by her husband, Phillip Bates; her sons, Carl Bourland (Kelli) and Jason Bourland (Malinda); her grandchildren, Tiffany Canida (T.J.), Michael Bourland, Austin Bourland (Kadra), and Mason Bourland (Mackenzie),; her great-grandchildren, Rafe, Myles, Townes, and Emory Bourland and Russell, Raegan, Rowyn, River, and Gracie Galloway; her siblings, Vera Hill (Terry), Lenora Hubbert, and David Gunnels (Ann); and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, John Gunnels and Paul Gunnels, as well as an infant brother.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bates will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow in West Alabama Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. service time at the funeral home.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield, AL serving the Bates family.