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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. 

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Loretta Norris, age 57 of Jasper, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2020 in the Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper. The funeral service for Loretta will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. service time at the funeral home. Bowen Funeral Home serving the Norris family.

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Mr. Timothy Robert Sprinkle, age 59, of Winfield, passed away Monday, February 3, 2020 at his residence. A memorial service for Mr. Sprinkle will held on Monday, February 10, 2020 from the Siloam Baptist Church Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Bobby Dodd will be the officiating minister.  Bowen Funeral Home serving the Sprinkle family.