The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 17

(Die Jmtistou OBITUARIESREGION Sunday, October 17, 2010 Page 53 TV mom Barbara Billingsley dies at 94 BY CHRISTOPHER WEBER Associated Press LOS ANGELES Barbara Billingsley, who gained supermom After Leave it to Beaver left the air in 1963 Billingsley largely disappeared from public view for several She resurfaced in 1980 in a hilarious cameo in Airplane! Splaying an elderly but street-wise passenger. Born Barbara Lillian Combes in Los Angeles on Dec. 22, 1915, she was raised by her mother after her parents divorced. She and her first husband, Glenn Billingsley, divorced when her sons were just 2 and 4. Her second husband, director Roy Kellino, died of a heart attack after three years of marriage and just months before she landed the Leave it to Beaver role.

of all mixed up, I think." A wholesome beauty with a lithe figure, Billingsley began acting in her elementary school's plays and soon discovered she wanted to do nothing else. Although her beauty and figure won her numerous roles in movies from the mid-1940s to the mid-1 950s, she failed to obtain star status until Leave it to Beaver, a show, that she almost passed on. "I was going to do another series with Buddy Ebsen for the same producers, but somehow it didn't materialize," she told The Associated Press in 1994. "A couple of months later I got a call to go to the studio to do this pilot show. And it was Beaver? When the show debuted in 1957, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, was 9, and Tony Dow, who portrayed Wally, was 12.

Billingsley's own two sons said she was pretty much the image of June Cleaver in real life, although the actress disagreed. "She was every bit as nurturing, classy, and lovely as 'June Cleaver' and we were so proud to share her' with the world," her son Glenn Billingsley said Saturday. She did acknowledge that she may have become more like June as the series progressed. "I think what happens is that the writers start writing about you as well as the character they created," she once said. "So you become sort status tor her gentle portrayarof June Cleaver, the warm, supportive mother of a pair of precocious boys in Leave it to Bea-ver, died Saturday.

She was 94. Billingsley, who had suffered from a rheuma BILLINGSLEY toid disease, died at her home in Santa Monica, said family spokeswoman Judy Twersky. OBITUARIES Beulah G. Bunt, 2 p.m., First Baptist Church Kathryn H. Fry, 2 p.m., Merlin First United Methodist Church Franklin W.

Whaley, 1:30 p.m., Chapel Hill Funeral Home Chapel BRIEFS Mich, man charged with murder in Ala. BIRMINGHAM Birmingham police have charged a 47-year-old man from Detroit with killing two people found in his family's burning home. Edward Williams was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Michigan on Friday night Birmingham police have charged him with capital murder for the slayings of 67-year-old Johnny Vines and 56-year-old Lee Frank Webster. Police said Williams unexpectedly showed up Wednesday at home of, his brother and sister in Birmingham.

The brother and sister left to run errands. Investigators said that when they returned, Williams was leaving the house, which was on fire. Firefighters found the bodies of the victims inside. Police said one of the victims was stabbed. It was unclear Saturday whether Williams had an attorney.

Mobile votes on control of funds MOBILE -Mobile's city council will vote Tuesday on whether city officials should take direct control over a federal grant program after an audit snowed money was misspent and the city lost roughly $1.2 million in additional funds. Mayor Sam Jones proposed creating a city department to oversee about $5 million in federal grants now administered by the Mobile Housing Board. An audit by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that the Housing Board improperly spent about $340,000. The review also concluded that city officials were not adequately monitoring the spending.

The audit said the funds were improperly used to demolish public housing, pay architect costs, hold a groundbreaking ceremony and build six single-family homes that were sold for more than the city's median home sales price. As a result of the audit, federal officials denied Mobile about 1 .2 million in grant funding for this year. Jones said federal authorities have recommended that the city take over the program. Man killed in boating accident WATERLOO -Police are investigating a boating accident that killed a 55-year-old man in northwest Alabama. Authorities said Jackie Green of Florence died Friday evening from chest trauma when his flat-bottom fishing boat was struck by another vessel in Second Creek, Emergency workers at the scene told The Florence Times-Daily that Green was thrown from the boat.

His 3-year-old daughter and girlfriend were not injured. The Alabama Marine Police are investigating the cause of the crash. Woman accused of shooting boyfriend BIRMINGHAM Police have arrested a 32-' year-old woman accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend. Emily Leach was charged Saturday with murder and held at the Jefferson County Jail on a $60,000 bond. She's accused of killing her boyfriend, David Frye, at their home near Dora early Saturday The sheriff's department said its officers were called to the couple's home and found Frye lying on the floor, suffering from a gunshot wound.

He died at a local hospital. Associated Press Charles Williams and Keith Rivers officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Mrs. Yarbrough passed away Saturday, October 16, 2010, at Regional Medical Center in Anniston.

Survivors include, three daughters Mary Anne Jonnny) Smith and Rachel Faye (Gerald) Aldredge, both of Newell, Nancy Sue (Steve) Beam, of Ran-burne; a son, James Wendell Yarbrough, of Newell; granddaughters, Krystal Manley, Holly Luke, Hope Smith, Jessica Robinson, Dana Smith, Valarie Beam and Angela Aldredge and 12 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Kevin Smith, Travis Yarbrough, Tracy Aldredge, Steven Beam, Jamie Beam, Philip Aldredge, Dustin Robinson, Steven Luke and Mike Manley. Mrs. Yarbrough was born January 10, 1923, the daughter of John William and Cora Lee Stillwell McLeod, she was a 1941 graduate of Woodland High School, she was co-owner of Yarbrough' Grocery, a homemaker, a member of the Eastern Star, WMU at Smyrna Baptist Church, very active in her community, and a member of Symrna Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, a step-mother, My trice Presley Traylor McLeod, and an infant sister.

The family will receive friends, at Benefield Funeral Home Wedowee from 4 till 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2010. Mrs. Yarbrough will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of the arrangements.

Leave online condolences at www.bene-fieldfhwedowee.com Benefield Funeral Home 20 W. Broad Street Wedowee, AL 36278 Anniston Star Obituary Policy It is the policy of The Anniston Star to publish obituaries of local residents and former local residents. Obituaries must be submitted by funeral homes. Obituaries are not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. Death notices up to eight lines of type are published at no charge.

Death notices can include the deceased person's name, age, address, date of death, time and place of services, and the funeral home in charge of arrangements. This information must be submitted to The Star by a funeral home. Obituaries published In The Anniston Star are also published on The Anniston Star Online at no additional charge. Photographs are accepted for publication. Fees for obituaries in The Star are billed directly to the funeral homes.

Payment is not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. The Star reserves the right to edit obituaries. In most instances the family's content and style will be published In the form submitted to us. There are no limits on numbers of survivors, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, or any other information the fam ily wants included, so long as good taste and judgment prevail. Gene Henderson, of Pacolet; a sister, Flora P.

McCarley, of Gaffney; seven grandchildren, Sharon Cantrell-Sheu, Thomas O. Howell, DeAnne Rease, Doyce T. Thomas Joyce Thomas, Eddie Baker and Pamela B. Oliver; eleven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grand children. Mrs.

Thomas was preceded in death by a grandson, Jimmy Baker; a sister, Bessie P. Harmon and a step-granddaughter, Diane Tweedy. The family will receive friends from luntil 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October, 19, 2010, at Limestone Street United Methodist Church. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2 p.m.

at the Church with the Rev. Ron Singleton and Chaplain Vernon Thorn-hill officiating. Interment will be in Goucher Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of SC, 1612 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney, SC, 29342 or a charity of ones choice.

The family will be at the residence. An online guest register is available at Blakely Funeral Home Crematory Gaffney, SC WELDON Anniston Funeral services for Mrs. Gladys E. Kent Weldon, of Anniston will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home Crematory with the Rev.

Kenneth Bailey officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at Forestlawn Gardens. Mrs.

Kent-Weldon died Thursday at No-land Hospital of RMC. Mrs. Kent-Weldon is survived by two sisters, Mary Gable and Pearl Otey; six grandchildren, Lee Wilbanks, Jeff Wil-banks, Chris Wilbanks, Dustin Kent, Kimberly Kent and Donna Kent Neal; ten great-grarid-children and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Kent-Weldon was a native of Coosa County but has resided in Talladega and Calhoun counties for most of her life.

She was a member of Pelham Baptist Church in Lenlock. She was preceded in death by husband, Alvin W. Kent; husband. No-land Weldon; three children, Margaret Ann Wilbanks, Donald Lee Kent and Ronald W. Kent; two sisters, Francis Morris, Kathryn' Killian and brother, John C.

Parrett. Miller Funeral Home Brown-Service Authorized Funeral Home 256.831.4611 YARBROUGH Newell Funeral services for Cornelia McLeod Yarbrough, 87, of Newell, will be held Monday, October 18, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Smyrna Baptist Church with the Revs. David Aldredge, bama beginning at noon Sunday. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Meeks, of Jonesboro, Georgia and Carolyn Cochran, of Piedmont; four sons, Robert Medley (Sharon), of Alexandria, Roger Medley (Sandy), i of Gadsden, Johnny Medley (Rachel), of Piedmont 1 and Kenny Medley, of Albertville; 29 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; 10 great-greatgrandchildren; one brother, Clarence Smith (Lois), of Eastaboga and several nieces and nephews: Pallbearers will be Adam Edwards, Chad Edwards, Ricky Medley, Randy Medley, Travis Meeks and Christopher Stiefel.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Cochran, Mark Cochran, Michael Cochran and Tyler Cochran. Mrs. Medley was a resident of Piedmont most of her life. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church and was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husbandJohn H.

Medley and four sons, Billy Medley, Buddy Medley, Jimmy Medley and Marshall Medley. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Amedisys Home Health and Hospice. POPE Wellington Funeral service for Mr. Elve Pope 84, will be announced by Goodson Funeral Home. Mr.

Pope died Saturday, October 16, 2010, at his residence. THOMAS Gaffney, SC Mary Ruth Padgett Thomas, 97, of 304 Pacolet Highway, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at her residence. Born in Spartanburg County, she was the widow of the late Howard S. Thomas and the daughter of the late Edward Padgett and Flora Baldwin Padgett. She attended Music School in Baltimore, formerly worked in textiles, a LPN and a Pharmacy Technician.

She loved to knit and crochet, loved arts and crafts, was an avid gardener and musician. Mrs. Thomas was a member of Limestone Street United Methodist Church. Surviving is a son, Doyce J. Thomas Sr.

and wife, Betty, of Hunts-ville, two daughters, Audrey T. HowelL of Columbia and Geral-dine T. Baker and fianceV ARNETT Anniston Funeral service for Rev. Billy Arnett, 71, of Anniston, will be at 2 p.m. Monday, October 18, 2010, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs.

Kenneth Gowens, Frank Parris and Gene Burns officiating, with burial in Whites Plains Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 this evening at Hill Funeral Home. Mr. Arnett passed away Saturday, October 16 2010, at his residence. Mr.

Arnett is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean Arnett, of Anniston; daughters, Misty (Justin) Beecham, of Piedmont, Wanda (Bryan) Brown, of Oxford; sister, Gail (Marshall) Burns, of Piedmont; grandchildren, Mark Brown and Kristina Brown; greatgrandchildren, Brodie Beecham, Bryson Beecham, and Elijah Brown and several nieces and Nephews. Pallbearers will be Justin Beecham, Mark Brown, Dereck Riser, Leonard Beecham, Keith Houck, Earl Walker, Rock Ward, Thomas Bullock. Honorary pallbearer will be Marshall Burns, Mr. Arnett was a native and long time resident of Calhoun County. Mr.

Arnett was the pastor of New Oak Grove Baptist Church for over 20 years. Mr. Arnett is preceded in death by parents, Ed and Annie Geneva Arnett; brothers, Roy and Troy Arnett; sister, Bell Houck Chapel Hill Funeral Home will be servicing the Arnett family 256-820-5151 www.chapelhillfhxom AXELTON Ohatchee Memorial service for Mrs. Bertha Axelton, 82, of Ohatchee will be held Monday evening from 6 8 at 2259 Cochran Spring Rd. Ohatchee.

Mrs. Axelton died Friday evening at her residence. She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Calhoun and Beth Axelton; sons, Timothy Axelton and wife, Debbie, and David Weigand; grandchildren, Sandy Williams and husband, Justin, Betty Welch and Tony, Aleah Love and husband, Derrick, Heidi Galm and partner, Ja-mye, and Brandon Galm; great-grandchildren, De-van Kline, Sydney Kline, Morgan Kline, Breanna Welch, Jaide Welch, Lon-nie Williams, and Ash-lyn Love; sisters, Gwen Morse, and Peg "Couch" Edwards; brother, William Weigand. Mrs. Axelton is preceded is death by her husband, Robert Axelton; son, Robert K.

Axelton, and parents, Arthur and Betretha Weigand. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. (256)236-3441 BURT Anniston Funeral services for James "Jim" Kenneth Burt, 69, of Anniston, will 'be Monday at 2 p.m. at Holley Springs Baptist Church, 2010 Choccolocco Rd. Anniston, AL.

Visitation will be at the church from 1-2. The Rev. Jerry Willingham will officiate and burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Miller Funeral Home and Crematory will direct. Mr.

Burt passed away October 15, 2010 at Regional Medical Center. Mr. Burt is preceded in death by his parents, Obie and Blanche Burt. His survivors include his wife, Rachel G. Burt; brothers, Robert A.

"Bob" Burt, William M. Burt, David Scott Burt, Jerry Ray Burt (Linda); sisters, Betty J. Law and Shera Faye Burt; several nieces and nephews and a host of pets that he loved. "Jim" was a native of Dallas County, Ala. and a resident of Calhoun County for the past seventeen years.

For forty-six years he traveled as a truck driver, working for numerous companies. He loved fishing and watching westerns and detective TV shows. Pallbearers will be Dave Edwards, Robin Burt, Eugene Greene, Horace Hayes, and Bob, William, David, and Jerry Burt. His sisters will be honorary pallbearers. Miller Funeral Home Brown-Service Authorized Funeral Home 256.831.4611 BUTTERWORTH Centre Funeral service for Mrs.

Linda But-terworth, 63, will be held 11 a.m. Monday, October 18, 2010, at Perry Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be 6 8 this evening. MEDLEY Piedmont Funeral services for Mrsi Mary White Medley, 88, of Piedmont, will be MondayOctober 18, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church with the Rev.

Mike Putman and the Rev. Daniel McGatha officiating. Burial will follow at Plum Springs Cemetery in Eastaboga. Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory of Piedmont in charge of arrangements. The ami- Si will receive friends at home of Johnny Medley, 141 Suburban Drive, Piedmont, Ala-.