GEORGE GILMER TRUITT - OBITUARY

Graveside service for
George Gilmer Truitt, age 67, of Decatur, will be Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Roselawn Cemetery with Rev. Royce Teague officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Cemetery.

Mr. Truitt, who died Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, at Decatur Morgan Hospital, was born Oct. 19, 1948, in Alexander City, Alabama to George and Louise Truitt.


He is survived by his wife, Debbie Truitt, of Decatur; one son, Jason Truitt (Kerry), of Elkmont; daughters, Lisa Truitt of Nashville, Tennessee and Amy Fulmer (Josh) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; grandchildren, Braydon Truitt, William Truitt, and Isaac Fulmer; mother, Louise Truitt, of Alexander City; and brother, Donnie Truitt, of Wetumpka.

Pallbearers will be Randy Voss, Lynn Voss, Chris Schrimsher, Bobby Drane, Jackie Clifton, and R.V. Clifton.

JOE HANSEL DALY - OBITUARY

Joe Hansel Daly, 84 of Athens, died November 27 at Huntsville Hospital. There was a 1PM Graveside Service Sunday at Roselawn Cemetery with Russell McNutt officiating, visitation was from 11am until 12:45pm at Spry Funeral Home. 

Mr. Daly was born October 26, 1931 in Giles County, Tennessee, he attended First Baptist Church in Athens, he was a member Athens Lions Club, Hospice Volunteer, Avid golfer and former marshal at Joe Wheeler Golf Course, retired from Monsanto in Decatur, Limestone County Board of Education and he was an Army Veteran. 

Survivors: Wife: Frances Bedingfield Daly, Athens; Children: Dana Daly Downs (Joel), Athens, Marty Daly, Athens; Grandchildren: Jess Downs, Tampa, FL, Leah Beth McNutt (Darren), Athens, Daylee Rebecca Downs, Athens; Great-Granddaughter: Hollis Mamie McNutt; Very special nephew Gary Daly and Great Niece: Lexi Thacker; Siblings: Wilma Austin, Athens, Anita Daly, Decatur, Weaver Powers, Athens, Martha Daly, Athens, Betty Willis, Elkmont. Army Brother: Carl Glover, Lexington, NC.

Preceded in death by: 
Siblings: Virginia College, John Daly, Billy Daly, Sue Aycock, Peggy Ghee, Jerry Daly, Jerome Daly.

Preceded in death by Army Brothers: 
Herbert Bannerman, Billy Gupton, Joseph Giddens, Donald Bailey, Terry Gunn.

Pallbearers: Joel Downs, Jess Downs, Darren McNutt, Will Daly, Gary Daly, Tim Thacker.

Honorary Pallbearers: Hugh Bates, James Agee, Joe Anglin, Neal Swindall.
Memorials may be made to Alabama Veterans Museum or Hospice of Limestone County.

MARY ELIZABETH BROCK - OBITUARY

Mary Elizabeth Brock, 68 of Elkmont, Alabama passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Athens- Limestone Hospital in Athens, Alabama. 

Born Wednesday, April 2, 1947 in Elkmont, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late James Sims and the late Mary Eaves Sims. She was a life long resident of this area and was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church. She worked at Ardmore Nursing Home, Athens Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit, cashier at Elkmont High School and Cedar Hill Elementary where she retired.

She was preceded in death by daughter, Mary Beth Brock, brother; June Sims, sisters; Joyce Powers and Sadie Eaves.
 
Survivors include her husband, Myron Brock, Elkmont, AL; mother-in-law Annie Brock, Ardmore, TN; sister, Margaret Ward, Elkmont, AL; and several nieces, nephews, and friends. 
 
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama with Rev. James Turner officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Ardmore, AL.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, November 30, 2015 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, AL.

Annette Carnell Barnes - Obituary

Annette Carnell Barnes, 91 of Ardmore, Alabama died on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at Athens-Limestone Hospital in Athens, Alabama.
Born Saturday, February 9, 1924 in Cash Point, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Atha Lewter and the late Edna Boldin Lewter. She was a member of Ardmore Church of Christ and loved to listen to Gospel music and loved people. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Buron B. Barnes, sons:Wayne Barnes, J.W. Barnes, daughter: Martha Autrey, and brothers: A.D. Walter, Malcom, and Clyde Lewter, and sister: Annie Pepper.

Surviving are sons,Richard (Pete) & wife Pat Barnes of Moulton, AL and Darby (Joy) Barnes of Ardmore, AL, daughters, Jean (Jerry) Chandler of Ardmore, AL, Annie (Ray) Cross of Ardmore, TN, Susie Moore of Elkton, TN, Connie Royster of Elkmont, AL and Linda Blankenship of Athens, AL, brothers, Tommy (Louise) Lewter of Ardmore, AL and Jimmy (Janice) Lewter of Ardmore, TN, sisters, Marie (Larry) Phelps of Bowling Green, KY, Hazel Bowin of Orlando, FL and Mary Gladys Johnson of Orlando, FL, numerous grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama with Bro. Douglas Eubanks and Bro. Amos Conley officiating. Burial will be in Hasting Cemetery, Ardmore, AL.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, November 27, 2015, at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama.

CROSS COUNTRY AT SECTIONALS

The Red Devils traveled to Wilson HS for the 4A Section 3 XC meet on Nov 5.  The day promised to be unusually warm for this time of year which also meant that running conditions weren’t as favorable as most runners would like.  

The Wilson team did a great job of hosting the event – and even allowed teams to come out and practice on the course the weekend before the meet.  Our runners ran well and although the full teams didn’t advance to the state championship, we did have 3 Red Devils qualify as individuals.    

Who goes to the State Championship?  The top 3 teams and then the top 6 individuals that are not on those 3 teams are the only ones that advance from each of the 4 sections.  

The Elkmont teams are in the toughest section in the state – especially the girls team!  Let me explain….

The top 3 girls teams in our section, Wilson, Rogers and West Limestone are also the top 3 teams in the state!!  With a predicted 40 point spread between 3^rd and 4^th place teams at sectional, there was no doubt that it would be difficult for any other girls team to secure a bid to the state meet.  The Lady Red Devils still performed well – they placed 2 spots better than the predictions indicated.  Eighth grader Claudia Allen finished 14^th overall and was the only Lady Red Devil to advance to the State meet.

The boys team was led all season by sophomore, Chase Prater and Junior Chance Bailey.  They entered the sectional meet ranked as the 4^th place team and it was going to be a challenge for them to secure a trip to the state championship as a team.

The boys section was also very competitive and the top three teams were West Limestone, Haleyville and Rogers.  The Elkmont team did make its presence known – the entire race was led by Chase Prater and Chance Bailey, with them taking 1^st and 2^nd place respectively. 

These kids have worked out and trained since the end of May and now, cross country season is over for the year.  It is always a tough transition those first few days (weeks) after State but many will come back together in February for track, and the remaining will join back in again in May to prepare for another XC season.  

Until then….Keep chasing the shirt in front of you and never give up!

ELKMONT RUNNERS BRING HOME STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALS

The Alabama Cross-Country Meet at Oakville Indian Mounds Park was held earlier this month. Elkmont had three runners qualify for the meet.

Taking advantage of a fast 3.1-mile course on a crisp and clear morning, Chase Prater finished in 6^th place (16:46) overall and Chance Bailey finished in 13^th place (17:11 – new personal record) overall at the state championship, both earning All-State honors!  We are so proud of what these two have accomplished!  

Eighth-grader Claudia Allen ran well at State, finishing 32^nd overall with a time of 22:02. Way to go Claudia!

 
“We just wanted it more this season,” said Bailey, who estimated running 45 to 50 miles weekly with Prater during the summer and fall to prepare for the state meet.
 
COACH PUGH'S CORNER:
Today is a day that I always look forward to and at the same time dread. The last meet of the year - the State Championship. 

It is the end of what was started in June with early morning strength training followed by those hot summer workouts on our trail. Next week, not only will the kids feel the void, but many of us parents will as well. 

XC is an amazing sport - our kids learn so much more than just "running". They learn how to work - hard. They learn commitment. They learn dedication. They learn compassion for their fellow athlete. All things that they can apply throughout life. They battle to the finish -against all odds - and if they fall short, there is no trash talk or blame. Instead, you see these kids congratulate each other - with sincerity - on their own with no prompting or prodding by coaches or parents.

CROSS COUNTRY BANQUET

The Red Devil Cross Country (XC) teams concluded their season with a banquet at 306 BBQ in Athens. All the athletes were presented with a medal and a stats sheet. Then we all enjoyed the many stories that were told! 

Coach Pugh honored our 3 seniors, Hannah Hanback, Ruth Ann Bates and Dalton Adams with a special gift - a part of our trail - for them to remember their days on the trail and what it has taught them through their XC days. 

It was a great season and we all hate to see it end. We are proud of what all of these athletes have accomplished; we are saddened as we realize our seniors won't be with us next season (but excited for them as they enter their next phase of life); we have hope in the younger athletes as they work to fill the shoes that the seniors are leaving behind! 

Always "Chase that Shirt" in front of you Red Devils! Until next time.......

Coach Pugh's Corner:
Great XC banquet. Nice to see the kids dressed up and looking their best. Great to get to the honor them for the accomplishments this season! Looking forward to next year already!

HOW DID YOUR SENATORS AND MO BROOKS VOTE LAST WEEK?

November 23, 2015 In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: EPA Existing Power Plant Rule Disapproval -- Passage Senate: EPA New and Retrofitted Power Plant Rule Disapproval -- Passage House: Bank Mortgage Liability -- Passage House: Auto Loans -- Passage House: Federal Reserve Overhaul -- Passage House: Syrian and Iraqi Refugees -- Passage Editor's Note: The Senate and House will not be in session this week.

Recent Senate Votes

EPA Existing Power Plant Rule Disapproval -- Passage - Vote Passed (52-46, 2 Not Voting) The Senate agreed to a joint resolution expressing disapproval of the rule submitted by the EPA concerning carbon emissions at existing power plants. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES EPA New and Retrofitted Power Plant Rule Disapproval -- Passage - Vote Passed (52-46, 2 Not Voting) The Senate agreed to a joint resolution expressing disapproval of the rule submitted by the EPA concerning carbon emissions at new and retrofitted power plants. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES

Recent House Votes

Bank Mortgage Liability -- Passage - Vote Passed (255-174, 4 Not Voting) The bill creates a safe harbor from lawsuits for banks that originate non-qualified mortgages that do not comply with ability-to-repay requirements, as long as the bank retains the mortgage in its own portfolio. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Auto Loans -- Passage - Vote Passed (332-96, 5 Not Voting) The bill nullifies 2013 guidance issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding fair lending practices for indirect auto lenders, after the CFPB determined that car loans provided through auto dealers were artificially high and discriminatory. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Federal Reserve Overhaul -- Passage - Vote Passed (241-185, 7 Not Voting) The bill modifies Federal Reserve operations and oversight in an effort to make it more accountable, including by requiring the Fed to develop detailed strategies with set goals for conducting monetary policy that would be reviewed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and requiring the Fed chairman to testify before Congress if GAO determines that the strategy no longer complies with bill requirements. It also provides for GAO audits of all Fed activities, including its deliberations over monetary policy. The legislation requires Fed to conduct cost-benefit analyses of all proposed rules and limits the Fed’s emergency lending powers. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Syrian and Iraqi Refugees -- Passage - Vote Passed (289-137, 8 Not Voting) The bill prohibits refugees from Syria or Iraq from being admitted into the United States unless the individual has had a comprehensive background check and the government, including the FBI and national intelligence director, certifies to Congress that he or she does not pose a threat. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES

REX MARONEY - OBITUARY

Rex Maroney, 81 of Elkmont, Alabama died on Thursday, November 19, 2015, at his home.
Born Friday, August 30, 1934 in Huntsville, Alabama, he was the son of the late Allen Richard Maroney and the late Ivy Belle Hutto Maroney. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL. He was a hard worker all his life and a Veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Surviving are his wife: Inge Wilson Maroney of Elkmont, AL, daughter: Liane (Mark) Myers of Waveland, MS, Son: Henry Reyes of Kingsport, TN, five grandchildren: Jacob, Chandra, Maria, Bonnie, and Cassandra, eight great-grandchildren, Elaine Ingram and Jerry Ingram of Huntsville, AL, and James A and Sandy Mills of Ardmore, AL, a brother, Darrell Maroney of Blanche, TN and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
 
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 22, 2015, at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama with Bro. Kenneth Mitchell officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 22, 2015, at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama.

WHAT DOES OUR SENATOR SESSIONS THINK ABOUT BRINGING SYRIANS TO THE UNITED STATES?

Today, Alabama's Senator Jeff Sessions, Chairman of refugees in the United States:
the Immigration Subcommittee, issued the following statement regarding the House plan for resettling Syrian and other regional

“The current proposal being considered in the House in response to the President’s dangerous refugee plan – the American SAFE Act – fails to defend the interests of the American people. It is based on a flawed premise, as there is simply no way to vet Syrian refugees. Just over a month ago, officials from the Department of Homeland Security admitted before the Immigration Subcommittee that there is no database in Syria against which they can run a check. They have no way to enter Syria to verify the applicants’ personal information. And we know the region is being flooded with false documents.
Moreover, when the Administration was asked if Syrian refugees could end up coming to the United States and joining ISIS like Minnesota’s Somali refugees, the answer was blunt: ‘we can’t predict the future.’ 

Each year, the U.S. permanently resettles more than 100,000 Muslim migrants inside the United States. In just the last year, refugees and migrants allowed into America from Bosnia, Somalia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ghana, Kuwait and Bangladesh have been implicated in terrorism. And, as we have seen, the U.S.-born children of migrants are also at risk for radicalization. 

Ignoring this reality, the American SAFE Act allows the President to continue to bring in as many refugees as he wants from anywhere in the world. With respect to Syria and Iraq, the American SAFE Act requires only that the President direct his Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of National Intelligence, and FBI Director (all his appointees) to sign off on the administration’s screening process – a process that the White House continually asserts is adequate and ‘ensures safety.’ The plain fact is that this bill transfers the prerogative from Congress to President Obama and ensures the President’s refugee resettlement initiative will continue unabated.

Of course, the President can easily veto the measure as well. There is only one true check now against the President going it alone: Congressional funding. In his annual budget request, the President asked for more than $1 billion to fund the Refugee Admissions Program. All Congress has to do is make clear that the President’s funding request will not be granted unless he meets certain necessary Congressional requirements – the first of which should be to make clear that Congress, not the President, has the final say on how many refugees are brought into the United States and from where.

Finally, the House plan does not offset a single penny of increased refugee resettlement costs. As currently structured, the House plan would give the President the money he wants for refugee resettlement and then leave taxpayers on the hook now and in the years to come for the tens of billions of dollars in uncapped welfare, education, and entitlement costs certain to accrue. Thus, in addition to the enormous welfare costs – 91% of recent Middle Eastern refugees are on food stamps and 73% receive free healthcare – we will also be taking money directly from Americans’ Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds to provide retirement benefits for refugees. The real costs of this refugee expansion has not even been ascertained.

A recent analysis finds that admitting 10,000 refugees to the United States presents a net lifetime cost to taxpayers of $6.5 billion, meaning that under the current plan to admit 85,000 refugees this fiscal year, taxpayers will be on the hook for $55 billion. For the cost of resettling one refugee in America, we could successfully resettle 12 refugees in the region. Creating safe-zones in Syria and the region is a vastly more effective and compassionate strategy. Such a proposal recently was put forth by former Secretary of Defense Gates and General Petraeus, among others.

With immigration at a record high, deficits surging, wages flat-lining, schools overcrowding, crime rising, and terrorism threats increasing, it is time to place priority on protecting the safety of Americans and their financial security. We face a real crisis. The Administration must change its strategy to creating safe-zones and to accelerating actions that can bring the fighting to a close. There is no other solution. The solution is not to have the populations of all the Middle Eastern countries move to Europe and the United States.

HOW DID YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE VOTE LAST WEEK?

In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Revised Defense Authorization -- Passage Senate: Military-Construction-VA Appropriations -- Passage Senate: Surface Transportation Reauthorization -- Cloture Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Transportation-HUD Appropriations House: Auto Loans House: Bank Mortgage Liability House: Federal Reserve Overhaul

Recent Senate Votes

Revised Defense Authorization -- Passage - Vote Agreed to (91-3, 6 Not Voting) The Senate cleared legislation that authorizes $599 billion for the Pentagon and defense-related programs for fiscal 2016, $5 billion less than both the president's overall request and the original conference agreement. It provides $33 billion of the original $38 billion in added funds for defense, including $8 billion through the Overseas Contingency Operations account. The measure authorizes $715 million for Iraqi forces fighting the Islamic State, $406 million to train and equip Syrian opposition forces and $300 million for lethal weapons for Ukraine. It modifies the military retirement system, blocks the Pentagon from retiring the A-10 Warthog aircraft and authorizes $11 billion for the F-35 Fighter. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES Military-Construction-VA Appropriations -- Passage - Vote Passed (93-0, 7 Not Voting) The Senate passed an amended version of the bill that funds veterans’ health programs and military bases. The measure, which contains nearly $80 billion in discretionary funding, also includes language that prohibits transfers from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. homeland and a ban on another round of base closures. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES Surface Transportation Reauthorization -- Cloture - Vote Agreed to (82-7, 11 Not Voting) The Senate agreed to create a conference committee with the House concerning legislation that reauthorizes surface transportation programs for six years. Sen. Richard Shelby voted NO Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES

Upcoming Votes

Transportation-HUD Appropriations - HR2577 The bill funds the departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. The measure, which contains nearly $56 billion in discretionary funding, also provides funding for such items as Amtrak and Section 8 housing vouchers. Auto Loans - HR1737 The bill nullifies the 2013 guidance issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding fair lending practices for indirect auto lenders, after the CFPB determined that car loans provided through auto dealers were artificially high and discriminatory. Bank Mortgage Liability - HR1210 The bill creates a safe harbor from lawsuits for banks that originate non-qualified mortgages that do not comply with ability-to-repay requirements, as long as the bank retains the mortgage in its own portfolio. Federal Reserve Overhaul - HR3189 The bill modifies Federal Reserve operations and oversight in an effort to make it more accountable, including by requiring the Fed to develop detailed strategies with set goals for conducting monetary policy that would be reviewed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and requiring the Fed chairman to testify before Congress if GAO determines that the strategy no longer complies with bill requirements. It also provides for GAO audits of all Fed activities, including its deliberations over monetary policy. The legislation requires the Fed to conduct cost-benefit analyses of all proposed rules and limits the Fed’s emergency lending powers.

IN ELKMONT, WHAT DO YOU SEE....

First, it was a hot dog and now peanuts have been seen in Elkmont.  

Life is always interesting if you live in our community.

BOBBY DWIGHT ECKSTEIN - OBITUARY

Bobby Dwight Eckstein, 63 of Athens died Friday at his residence. Mr. Eckstein was born May 18, 1952 in Limestone County, he was a member of the Pentecostal Church and a maintenance worker at Alabama Welcome Center.

Services will be 11AM Wednesday at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Leon McCafferty officiating, burial in Gatlin Cemetery, visitation is from 10AM until 11AM Wednesday at Spry Funeral Home.

Survivors: 
Sons: Dwight Eckstein of Athens, Dwight (Dobber) Eckstein of Elkmont, Michael Eckstein of Kansas; Daughters: Rhonda Buelow of Athens, Michelle Perryman of Kansas, Christina Eckstein of Kansas, Ashley Eckstein  of Kansas; Brothers: Jerry Chambers of Chattanooga, TN, John Butch Eckstein of Columbia, TN; Sisters: Sheila Pitts of Athens; Nineteen Grandchildren; Two Great-Grandchildren.