Veronica Otwell Alexander

 

Veronica “Roni” Otwell Alexander of Arab passed away Monday April 4, 2022 at the age of 64 at Shepherds Cove Hospice.

Veronica was born to Nudy Otwell and Margaret Ridgeway Otwell on December 14, 1957 in Marshall County. She graduated from Arab High School in 1976.

Veronica was known as Roni to her friends and family. She was such a kind and gentle soul with a quick and beautiful smile and she laughed so easily. It did not take much to make her happy. She loved spending time with her family and creating craft items. She was very talented in making and creating most anything be it with beads, material or etc. She could look at any item, go home and make it and made it seem so easy to others. The last few months she made beautiful faux cactus gardens.

She worked at KFC in Arab for many years and loved it because of all the people she saw daily. The last few years she worked in the toy department at Walmart and she said that was her favorite job. She saw the newest toys as they came in and she interacted with the children when they were looking at the toys and made recommendations to people looking to buy a gift. She witnessed the joy on the children’s faces when they knew they would get a new toy. When the toys were taken out of the boxes and scattered around, she was the one happily putting them back together.

Roni is survived by her brother; Nathan Otwell and his wife Melissa; uncle; William Ridgeway (Paula); aunts; Gay Nell Thomas and Peggy Rodgers (Grant) all of Arab, and Geraldine Clark of Lacey Spring, and many nephews and nieces.
Roni was preceded in death by her husband; Rickey Alexander; father Nudy Otwell; mother Margaret Ridgeway Clark; sisters Sharon Willingham and Shelia “Lu” Prentice; grandparents Esca and Violet Pendergrass Ridgeway and Wallace and Ann Otwell.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Shepard’s Cove Hospice in memory of Roni.
A memorial will be held at Brashiers Chapel Cemetery April 23, 2022 at 5:00pm.

Janet Wilkinson Jordan

Janet Wilkinson Jordan, age 63 passed away Monday September 27, 2021 at Crestwood Medical Center. She was born October 16, 1957. The daughter of William E. (Bud) Wilkinson and Margaret Reese Wilkinson. She was a graduate of Arab High School, Snead State Community College and Athens State College while earning a Masters Degree in Education. She taught high school English and Theatre at Arab High School and Susan Moore High School in Blount County. She was an Adjunct Professor for Snead State Community College and Wallace State Community College. Teaching was her passion along with singing. She received a scholarship from Snead State Community College as part of the College Street Singers and had the honor of singing with the College Street Singers at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She sang in the choir at First Baptist Church of Arab and the First United Methodist Church in Arab where she was a member of the church. She enjoyed theatre and was a performer and director for the Whole Backstage Theatre in Guntersville, AL. She performed as “Betty Blake” in the musical Will Rogers Follies, as “M’Lynn” in Steele Magnolias and directed the production of the musical Meet Me in St. Louis.

She is survived by her husband Terry Jordan of Arab, Al. and daughters Leanne Jordan Boyle of St. Augustine, Fl. And Rachel (Philip) Buck of Calera, AL., Parents William E “Bud” Wilkinson Jr. and Margaret Reese Wilkinson of Arab, AL. Brothers William E “Buddy” (Sandy) Wilkinson III of Somerville, Al. David Wilkinson of Guntersville AL, sister Amy (Ken) Benoski of Hoover, AL, and 7 grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life Service was held at Arab First United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 9 2021.