Happy Birthday, Alvie!

Today would have been Alvie's 53rd birthday.  Happy Birthday man!  We miss you!

-BYRD

Bro. Oakley

Bro. Oakley - I will never forget you!  You've been one of the greatest influences in my life; and I love you very much!  Because of what you've taught me, I believe I'll be able to go, someday, to that beautiful place of rest, where I believe you are now!

Rev. Edward Oakley Drake

(April 23, 1934 - September 10, 2012)

Rev. Edward Oakley Drake, age 78, of Big Cove, passed away peacefully at home on Monday September 10, 2012.
Rev. Drake was a native of Madison County and a retired farmer. He was the minister at Big Cove Holiness Church since 1981. Rev. Drake is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Edward Mitchell Drake and Lizzie Simmons Drake; and his siblings, Virginia Drake Fagan and Shelly Wallace Drake.
Rev. Drake is survived by his wife, Bobbie Evett Drake; his children, Dennis Edward Drake and Dean Slayton, Kevin Wendell and Joy Alverson Drake, Benny Myron and Beth Cowan Drake, Bobby Shannon and Tonya Miller Drake, and adopted daughter Pam Dalton Terry; his siblings, Evelyn Juanita Osborne, Fleta Elvira Lawson, and Nelda Michelle Smith; his grandchildren, Christopher Edward Drake, Danelle Drake Duskin, Victoria Denise Drake, Crystal Drake Lamb, Morgan Drake Majors, Meighan Berry Castagneto, Erica Cox Payne, Keenan Oakley Drake, Wyatt Oakley Drake, and Walker Keith Drake; 16 Great Grandchildren; and 4 Great- great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday September 12, 2012 at 3 pm at Big Cove Holiness Church with burial to follow in Green Valley Cemetery. Rev. Shirley Byrum and Rev. Floyd Williams will be officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 3 pm until 9 pm and on Wednesday from 1 pm until 3 pm, both days at the church.

Happy 100th Birthday, Dr. Von Braun!!!

Happy Birthday to Dr. Wernher Von Braun! As a native on Huntsville, I grew up always hearing Dr. Von Braun's name; however, it wasn't until I was older that I realized he was more than the name sake of Huntsville's Civic Center! :) Read more about Dr. Von Braun HERE.

Good-bye, Bro. Hoyt...

Rev. Edward Hoyt Dalton, founder and pastor of the Riverton Holiness Church for the past 30+ years, finished his race yesterday morning at the age of 76. Bro. Hoyt was an ever-present figure during my childhood; and I will always fondly remember him as a jovial, loving man, who preached the Gospel to me when I was a child.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sis. Betty; sons, Stanley & Steve; and other members of his family, as well as the church family at Riverton.

-BYRD