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Olan Bradford Cunningham, age 92, of Winfield passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Country Place Senior Living in Winfield. He was born on January 15, 1932 in Kansas, Alabama to Elijah and Flora Cunningham. Olan attended public schools in Walker County and graduated from Winfield High School in 1951. He attended Auburn University on scholarship and received a Bachelor’s degree in education in 1954 and his Master’s degree in agriculture in 1955. After graduating college, Olan was a teacher and coach at Hubbertville High School and Red Bay High School. While at Red Bay, he coached an undefeated team in 1959.

Olan was married to the love of his life, Flo Rose, for 63 years. Olan and Flo raised their family in Red Bay until he left education and went into the insurance business in 1965 in Winfield. He ran his own State Farm Insurance Agency there until his retirement in 1999. While with State Farm, he received many awards including recognition for 20 consecutive years of membership in the Legion of Honor. Olan was very civic minded. He was always going the extra mile to help improve the city of Winfield. If you ever drove through Winfield in late November or early December, you would see him hanging Christmas lights in all the trees around city hall for everyone to enjoy. He was a longtime member of the Lion’s Club and C3. He was a member of the Winfield City Board of Education from 1967 – 1983, serving as vice-chairman from 1973 – 1978, and chairman from 1978 – 1983. Olan was also inducted into the Marion County and Franklin County Sports Hall of Fame. Family and friends, gardening, and all things Auburn were his passion. He also enjoyed spending time at Smith Lake with his family for the past 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Flo Rose Cunningham, parents, Elijah and Flora Cunningham, great grandson, Dylan Sce, siblings, Elaine Cunningham, Mary Belle Cuningham Estes, Donald Cunningham, James Thomas Cunningham, Solan Cunningham, Maxine Cunningham Weeks, Jim Cunningham, Earl and Bearl Cunningham, and Betty Sue and Baby Lou Cunningham.

Survivors include, children, Rose Perry (Davis), Sherry Cunningham, Susan Cunningham, Brad Cunningham (Shelly), and Tina Atkinson (Todd), grandchildren, Maghan Craig (Hal), Shannon Estes, Tyler Estes (Katie), Kris Sce, Adrian Dickerson (Eric), Trey Cunningham, and Olivia and Emma Atkinson, great-grandchildren, Addison, Harper, and Ashton Craig, Conner Sce, Ella and Cash Dickerson, and Levi Estes, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. from the Winfield Church of Christ with burial to follow in the Winfield City Cemetery. The visitation will be on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. service time at the church.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Cunningham family.

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Marie Darby Weeks, age 97, of Winfield entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in the Sunset Manor Nursing Facility. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, John “Jack” Weeks, parents, Andrew Jackson Darby and Margaret Pearl McFall Darby, infant sister Amye Dell Darby, brother, Virgil Wayland Darby, and brother-in-law, Charles Kennedy. She is survived by her sister, Christine Darby Kennedy of Conyers, GA, sister-in-law, Carole Darby of Florence, AL, niece, Jane Kennedy Swindle (Russell) of Conyers, GA, Tim Darby (Laura) of Florence, AL, Jack Darby (Tiffany) of Killen, AL, and a host of other family members and friends.

Marie was born in Lutts, Tennessee on September 14, 1926. She graduated from Central High School in Lauderdale County and then went to Florence State Teachers’ College (UNA). There she received a teaching degree in English and Social Studies. She began her teaching career in the Marion County Schools where she taught for over 40 years. While teaching, she was involved with various school activities and clubs.

In the community, Marie was very active in the Order of Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Booklover’s Club. After retirement, she volunteered many hours at the Christian Center of Concern.

Church and family were important to Marie. She and her husband were very active longtime members of First Baptist Church of Winfield. Marie taught a Ladies Sunday School Class for over 50 years.

Her hobbies included gardening, researching family history, traveling, and collecting cookbooks. But mostly she enjoyed seeing her family and friends.

Funeral services for Marie will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Bowen Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Tim Coleman will be the officiating minister. Burial will follow in the West Alabama Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends before the service on Sunday, May 19 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. (service time) at the funeral home.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Weeks family.

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Mr. Kermit K Key, age 79, of Winfield passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in the Diversicare Nursing Facility. Mr. Key was born on December 23, 1944 in Carbon Hill, Alabama to Mack Nolan and Edith Darty Key. Kermit was a logger for many years before beginning his own lawn care business which he ran until his retirement. When he wasn’t working Kermit enjoyed watching westerns, fishing, listening to old country music, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Mr. Key is survived by his wife of 42 years, Shelia Sprinkle Key, daughters, Edith “Edie” Foster (Lee) and Rhonda Lenahan (Daniel Alcock), grandchildren, Stephanie Quinlan (Rick), Chase Cannon (Brandy), Hunter Ross Foster, and Keegan Foster, great grandchildren, Tyllie, Tom and Max Cannon, and Lee Roland, siblings, Kelly Key, Gus Key, Kenneth Key (Helen), Katherine Guthrie, Mack Key Jr. (Sissy), David Key, and Kelsey Key, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Key was preceded in death by children, Rodney and Cindy Key, grandson, Cameron Roland, and 4 siblings.

Funeral services for Mr. Key will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Johnson Cemetery in Fayette County. The visitation will be held on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. service time at the funeral home.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Key family.

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Rose Marie Yonge Carothers

August 5, 1941 – May 12, 2024

Rose Marie was born on August 5, 1941 to Christian Craig Yonge and Augusta Marie McGlamery Yonge in Americus, Georgia. She became the little sister to George Stephen Yonge who resides in Orlando, Florida. At 16, she became the elder sister to Christian Craig Yonge Jr. who died at the tender age of 13.

As a vivacious, intelligent, and athletic child she was a dancer and quite the entertainer in ballet, pointe and tap. Her mother was a talented seamstress and made all her beautiful recital costumes. Later on, Rose Marie’s beauty was second only to her dedication to her education. She was a “straight A” student, cheerleader, point guard in basketball (lettering all 4 years) and the Miss Sumter County beauty pageant winner for the Miss Georgia pageant in 1959.

After graduating from Americus High School, she attended Atlanta Business College. While there, she married Gene Reeves in 1961 who was also from Americus and attending the University of Georgia at the time. They returned home and quickly started a family. They had two daughters together, Tina Marie and Virginia Mildred "Millie". The marriage did not last and as a new single mother of two, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1967.

The sunshine state allowed Rose Marie to shine also. It was there that she discovered her love for golf and found that she was made for the game. She became a pro golfer and won many tournaments throughout the southeast. She was competitive, outgoing, and adventurous. From golf tournaments to deep sea fishing, she set records in all she did.

The best record win of all was in 1974 when she met and married William "Bill" Raymond Carothers. He was the love of her life, and she was happier than ever before. Bill was originally from Winfield and his parents were getting older and in need of a helping hand. They decided to pack up the girls and new stepson William "Billy" Raymond Jr., from the big city of Jacksonville and move to Winfield, Alabama.

They both began working for the Winfield City School system, he was an elementary teacher and varsity coach and Rose Marie as the custodian of funds for the Board of Education. She eventually worked at the Fayette County Board of Education and retired after 30 years. During their marriage they welcomed and helped raise many beautiful grandchildren: Kayla Marie Carothers (John) Hasty, Brianna Rose Sandlin (Wayne) Creel, Johnathon Adam Sandlin (Julie), Jacob “Jake” Dale Palmer (Emily), Zachary “Zac” Shaler Carothers, Dylan Cane Carothers and Haley Sue Carothers. In 2011 her loving husband passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. She cared for him at home for 10 years prior to his death and mourned him until her own battle from the awful disease ended at the age of 82.

Her life was truly an honorable one. As described by her granddaughter, she was a God-fearing woman, the partner in adventures, financial advisor, secret keeper, the rock of their foundation, spiritual leader and teacher, and best friend. We have all been blessed to have known her and she will forever be the light at the core of our souls to continue to guide us through life and into paradise.

Rose Marie was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, husband, and great-granddaughter. She leaves behind 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Mrs. Carothers will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with a graveside service to follow in the Winfield City Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 10:30a.m. until 11:30a.m. at the funeral home.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Carothers family.