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Ralph Tidwell Kivette, formerly of Winfield, AL, passed away on March 1, 2021 in Marietta, GA with family by his side. Ralph was a man of integrity, loyalty, and was a true American patriot. He was born on August 3, 1929 to O.L. Kivette and Bama Tidwell Kivette. After graduating from Winfield City High School, Ralph attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) where he studied forestry and animal husbandry. At API, he joined the Air Force ROTC program and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation in 1951. Ralph’s first assignment was as a gunnery officer on the B-29 Superfortress during the Korean War.

In 1953, he married his wife of 67 years, Ramona Braswell Kivette. Together, they raised three children: Wayde, Rosanne and Beth. Ralph’s Air Force career spanned 26 years and took him and his family throughout the United States and overseas. After earning his pilot wings, Ralph flew the KC-97 and the KC-135 Stratotankers. During a combat tour in Vietnam, he flew the C-130 Hercules. Perhaps the most rewarding part of his career was serving as the first commanding officer of the 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena AB, Okinawa. He often spoke fondly of the challenge of forming an organization from scratch, where he hand-picked his personnel and created a culture of excellence. Afterwards, he was promoted to colonel and served as the base commanding officer of Utapao AB, Thailand. Returning stateside, he served as a senior controller in the SAC War Room in Omaha, NE. His final assignment was Wing Director of Operation at Grissom AFB, IN before retiring in 1977.

After retirement, Ralph and Ramona returned to Winfield, AL where they were active members of the First United Methodist Church. Ralph ran the family farm nearby in Brilliant, AL for several years and became an avid golfer, as well. In 2012, Ralph and Ramona moved to Acworth, GA to be near their kids and grandkids. He is survived by his children, Wayde Kivette (Karen), Rosanne Shepherd (Paul), and Elizabeth Green (Sam); grandchildren Emma Kylee Rice (Matthew), Andrew Kivette, Daniel Shepherd, Matthew Shepherd (Jennie), Anna Green and Davis Green.

A Celebration of Life will be held from the Winfield First United Methodist Church on April 24th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made

to Winfield First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 387, Winfield, AL 35594. Bowen Funeral Home serving the Kivette family.

 

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Ramona Braswell Kivette was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully at her home in Acworth, GA on January 15, 2021 with her family by her side.

Ramona was born on Oct. 12, 1930 to Ruby Vickery Braswell and Moody Calvin Braswell. After graduating from Winfield City High School, she attended Alabama Women’s College (Montevallo) were she studied Education. She was the first kindergarten teacher in Winfield, AL and was loved by her students.

In 1953, she married her husband of 67 years, Ralph T. Kivette. Together they raised 3 children, Wayde, Rosanne, and Beth. Ramona was known as a gentle, true southern lady who had a positive outlook on life. Her husband’s career in the Air Force took them across the US and overseas to Okinawa, Japan. Ramona managed her household and numerous relocations with grace and style. She often said, “there is something good about every place you go.” Ramona diligently served in the Air Force Wife’s Club as a member and as president. Ramona had a gift for flower arranging and decorating which she honed while traveling in Asia. After retirement, Ramona & Ralph returned to Winfield, AL. Ramona was part of the Main Street program in Winfield, AL and was an active member of Winfield First United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Ralph T. Kivette, her children R. Wayde Kivette (Karen), M. Rosanne Shepherd (Paul), and Elizabeth Green (Sam), grandchildren Emma Kylee Rice (Matthew), Andrew Kivette, Daniel Shepherd, Matthew Shepherd (Jennie), Anna Green, and Davis Green, her brother James Scott Braswell (Martha Harriet), and sisters Martha Sergeant and Deanna McNamara.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 24th, 2021 from the Winfield First United Methodist Church at 1:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 12:00pm until 1pm at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Winfield First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 387, Winfield, AL 35594.

Bowen Funeral Home serving the Kivette family.

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Ms. Donna Faye Keebler, age 61 of Winfield, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021 at her residence. Donna attended Winfield High School and was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Fayette, Alabama. Ms. Keebler was a caregiver throughout the area where she cared for many families, she enjoyed cooking, decorating and doing for others.

Ms. Keebler is survived by her brother, Jeff Keebler of Alabaster, her sisters, Sherry Madison, and Sandy Guin, both of Guin, her aunts, Judy (Joe) Benton of Guin, and Peggy (Barney) Barnheart, of Huntsville, nieces and nephews, Justin Guin, Priscilla, Presley, Tyler, Chris, and Eric Keebler, Caleb, Stephanie, and Brittney Johnson, Tyler Sparks, Brandon Griffin, Heather Jackson and a host of other relatives and close friends. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Charles and Fannie Nix Keebler, sisters, Tammy Griffin and Mary Ann Johnson Keebler, brother, Chuck Keebler, grandparents, Dowell and Earlene Nix, and her uncle, Charles Nix.

A memorial service for Donna will be held on Saturday April 24, 2021 at 6:00p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. service time. Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Keebler family.

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Mrs. Willie Belinda Vintson, age 89 of Brilliant passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at her residence with her husband by her side. Mrs. Vintson was a 1951 graduate of Brilliant High School and a member of the United Methodist Church of Brilliant. Willie was employed with Munsingwear Manufacturing in Guin for 29 years. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Mrs. Vintson is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Lewis Rae “Pap” Vintson, her three sons, Gary Rae Vintson (Debbie) of Orange Beach, Terry Vintson (Tina) of Hamilton, and Jerry Vintson of Brilliant, grandchildren, Ginger Tuck (Scottie), Kara Wood (Shannon), Teagen Wright (Shan), Erica Vintson, Evan Vintson and Tarence Vintson, great grandchildren, Jackson and Carly Ray Tuck, Madisyn, Landon and Logan Wright, Stella and Scarlett Wood and Ella Vintson, two sisters, Hazel Lee, and Penny Lauderdale, a host of nieces, nephews, church family and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew “Dude” and Hassie White Linley and a sister, Dena Franklin.

Funeral services for Mrs. Vintson will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Brilliant Memorial Gardens. Jeremy Harris and Terry Vintson will officiate the service. The visitation will be on Friday April 16th from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. (service time) at the funeral home. Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Vintson family.