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Mr. Jerry Ray McGaha, better known as Ray, age 81, of Winfield, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at the UAB Medical Center in Birmingham.

Ray was born on July 30, 1938 in Kansas, AL to Columbus Alvin McGaha, Sr. and Mary Edith Latham McGaha.  Mr. McGaha was a graduate of Thomas W. Martin High School and the University of Alabama.  In 1988 he was recognized as a Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the University of Alabama School of Engineering.  He was a member of the Winfield First Baptist Church and retired as Senior Vice President of Sales and Engineering from Continental Conveyor.  After his retirement from Continental Conveyor, Ray served as the President of J. Raymac Incorporated and Director at Overland Conveyor Company. 

Mr. McGaha is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Chandler McGaha, his daughter, Jeanene McGaha Ray (Courtney) of Cartersville, GA, son, Jerry Ray McGaha II, of Winfield, grandsons, Drew Mullins and Ben Mullins both of Winfield, a brother, Jesse McGaha (Angeline) of Winfield and a sister in law, Marguritte McGaha of Gardendale and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, C. A. McGaha, Sr, and Edith Latham McGaha, sisters and brothers, Frances Edith McGaha Dye, and Patricia Ann McGaha, Joe Marion McGaha, Kelly Swindle McGaha, C. A. McGaha, Jr, George Lawrence McGaha.

Memorial service for Mr. McGaha will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. from the Winfield First Baptist Church.  The visitation will be Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. (service time) at the church. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Winfield First Baptist Church building fund.  Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the McGaha family.

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Mr. Calvin Maurice Haney, age 57 of the Twin Community, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2020, at his residence. Calvin was born on December 3, 1962 in Moline, IL to, Maurice Ray Haney and Francis Marie Bell Haney.

He grew up in Moline, IL and played All Star Baseball in his youth, later on he began working at the Quad City Downs, a horse track in East Moline, IL. Calvin then moved to Guin, AL (Twin) where he has lived for the last 38 years and began working for Continental Conveyor in Winfield, AL and retired after 25 years, in this time he also met the love of his life Melissa Dove, and was married on July 3, 2010. He was a member of the Winfield City Family Church and was involved in building of the new church on Hwy 129. Calvin had a big heart and always tried to find ways to help those in need. He had many joys in life including playing BB guns with his grandson, Rowyn, watching Alabama football, singing karaoke, cooking, and caring for his animals. One of his fondest memory that he spoke of was a trip with his pastor and friend, Dewayne Smith, horseback riding down the Western North Carolina Wagon Train.

Calvin is survived by his wife, Melissa Alma Dove Haney, his children, Andrew Inman and Angela Inman, grandson, Rowyn Glover, nieces, Andrea Terry (Jamie), Renae Pinion (Joe), nephews, Ryan Haney (Heather), Jeremy Goetz (Heather), and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice Ray Haney and Francis Marie Bell Haney, a brother, Danny Ray Haney and a nephew, Gabriel Haney.

The funeral service for Mr. Haney will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel. The visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. (service time) at the funeral home. Bro. Dewayne Smith will be the officiating minister. A private family burial will be held on Thursday, February, 20, 2020 in the Mt. Pisgah cemetery near Twin. Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Haney family.

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Mrs. Dena Linley Franklin Bear, age 82, of Huntsville, formerly of Brilliant, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020 in the Hospice Family Care Center in Huntsville.

Dena was born on April 16, 1937 in Brilliant, AL to Andrew “Dude” Linley and Hassie White Linley, she was a member of Mastin Lake Church of Christ in Huntsville

Mrs. Bear is survived by her daughters, Dulcie Franklin, Donna Franklin and Debbie Wilbourn (Tommy) all of Huntsville, granddaughters, Tracy Valenzuela (Rob), Karen Langford (Kai), Kim Porter, Kellen Casey Pottraz (Joe), great grandchildren, Cristian, Brody and Abigail Langford, Kai Valenzuela, Anna-Lin Casey and Stella Humphres, and her sisters, Hazel Lee, Willie Vinston and Penny Lauderdale, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Linley and Hassie White Linley, her husband, Lucky Bear, and a granddaughter, Linley Wilbourn.

The funeral service for Mrs. Bear will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Brilliant Memorial Garden.  James Wyers will be the officiating minister.  The visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. service time at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Brilliant High School Gym Renovation, c/o Coach Ryan Sanderson 690 Main Street, Brilliant, AL 35548 in memory of Dena.  Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Bear family.

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Dr. Martha Branyon, age 83, of Birmingham formerly of Fayette went to be with the Lord on February 9th, 2020. 

Born July 25, 1936 in Fayette, Alabama she is the daughter of the late Arthur Curtis Branyon Jr. and Bernice Rowland Branyon.  She graduated from Fayette High School in 1954. Martha Branyon, RN, EdD, began her 37-year nursing career in 1954.   She received her diploma from the University Hospital School of Nursing, Martha stayed in Birmingham and worked at Lloyd Noland Hospital as an OB nurse for three years and then in medical nursing at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital for two years.

While working at Lloyd Noland, Martha got her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She began attending classes at the Extension Center (now Tidwell Hall) and completed her degree at the University of Alabama School of Nursing, Tuscaloosa, in 1964.  She worked at UAB Hospital as evening supervisor and then went back to work at the VA Hospital for five years, as a staff nurse, head nurse, clinical specialist, relief supervisor and nursing in-service educator.

Martha received her master’s in medical/surgical nursing in 1969, she served as associate professor at the University of Alabama School of Nursing for two years.  She then accepted a position at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New Orleans and a part-time position at Louisiana State University, where she was a clinical specialist and the graduate nursing program’s first full-time faculty member.

In 1976, Martha returned to her teaching position at the University of Alabama School of Nursing.  She taught cardiovascular nursing and later also taught education courses for master’s and doctoral students.  In 1985, she received her doctorate in administration of higher education.

Martha became a Christian as a teenager and rededicated her life to the Lord this summer. She loved being with her family and was always so generous. Martha enjoyed spending time with friends, playing on her computer, reading, playing bridge and traveling.

She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Burleson (Jimmy) of Winfield, her niece, Teresa Morrison (Tim) of Rodgers, AR, nephew, Tom Burleson (Cindy) of Winfield, great nieces and nephews, Haley Guntharp (Nigel) of Montgomery, Curt Howell of Fayetteville, AR, Thomas Burleson of Winfield, Jessica Burleson Whatley (Thomas) of Birmingham and Hannah Howell of Rodgers, AR, and a host of other family and friends.

The funeral service for Martha will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Fayette City Cemetery. Dr. Paul Murphy will be the officiating minister. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. (service time) at the funeral home.  Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield serving the Branyon family.