Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel

07/31/2026

Joseph “Donnie” Michael went to be with his Lord and Savior in the afternoon of July 23, 2026. He was born on July 24, 1945 in Albertville, Alabama. He was one of three sons born to Joseph C and Maimie Luceile Michael.

Donnie was a faithful member of 12th Ave Church of God in Arab, AL. His military service influenced his entire life. His desire to have military sharpness extended into every aspect of his life, including having his yard as pristine as humanly possible. Donnie loved the outdoors and spent many hours in God’s wonderful creation. He was a great sports fan, especially of the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves. Donnie’s love of old time Rock & Roll probably started when he was in school with Bob Seger. Some of his favorite music was from ZZ Top, The Eagles and the Doobie Brothers.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Veronica Justice Michael; his daughters, Christine (Matt) Croft, Jessica (Matt) Tackett; his sons, Shaun Reed, Brent (Gwen) Reed; his brothers, Bill Michael, Terry Michael; 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; his son-in-law, Russell DeGroff; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph C. and Maimie Luceile Michael; his son, Joey Michael; his daughter, Mallisa DeGroff.

The family has decided to follow Donnie’s wishes to be cremated. A memorial service is planned for 2: 00 pm Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 12th Avenue Church of God.
Arab Heritage is...

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07/30/2026

With heartfelt sadness we, the family of Hazel Robinson Childers, age 89, of the Morgan City community announce the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Hazel, born November 20, 1936 in Marshall County, Alabama passed away at her residence during the early morning hours of July 30, 2026, the daughter of John Doyle Robinson and Eva Odell Waldrop. Her husband, Pastor Herbert Matthew Childers preceded her in death (October 2007). Together they served as leaders of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church.
Hazel was a gentle lady with extreme faith. Her main priorities were her faith, spending time with family and her church. She enjoined singing the old Gospel songs, talking with family and friends on the phone, baking cakes, 4 o’clock flowers, and I Love Lucy reruns on TV.
Hazel is survived by her son, Michael Childers (Sheila); daughters, Karen Nobrega (Henry), Vicky Hawkins, (Kenneth), Patricia Bomar (Jason); daughters-in-law, Debbie Childers and Norma Childers; sister, Jackie Jacobs (Tommy); grandchildren, Jamie, Brandon, Matthew, Tammy, Serena, Alan, Kelli, Chris, Shasta, Shana, Dylan and Haley and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Childers; parents, John and Eva Robinson; sons, Danny Childers and Randall Childers, infant daughter; three brothers and two sisters.
Services for Hazel are planned for Sunday, August 2, 2026 at Mt....

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07/30/2026

Robert Neil Parker, Jr, of Albertville, Alabama passed away Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Marshall Medical Center South.

Bob was born in Watertown, South Dakota, to Robert N. Parker, Sr., and Lorraine Jackson Parker, on October 14, 1948. He lived in the small town of Bryant, South Dakota, for 17 years where his dad owned a gas station. He grew up free to roam this small community where he drove a tractor, rode his horse, fished, and hunted with his dog. This idyllic life was interrupted by family circumstances.

Bob had to sell his horse and the family moved to Modesto, California. Bob graduated from high school and immediately joined the Navy. During the Vietnam War he served on the aircraft carrier Ticonderoga. This is the same ship his father served on during World War II.

Once out of service, he married and worked in a munitions plant driving a forklift. After retirement, Bob moved to Albertville, Alabama where he proudly waved his star-spangled banner on his front porch while waiting for the mailman. Bob quickly embraced the southern football tradition and could be heard shouting a hearty “Roll Tide!” Bob was a disabled veteran and a life member of both the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He leaves behind two children, three grandchildren, a brother and sister, and an extended family of relatives and friends.

Bob’s family especially want to thank his military veteran buddies he so cherished.

Services for Bob will...

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07/30/2026

Jill Burden Mitchell, 70, passed away at her residence on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Jill was born January 2, 1956, in Marshall County, Alabama, to John Ray Burden Sr. and Betty Jean Earwood Burden. She graduated from Albert P. Brewer High School in 1974 and earned a bachelor's degree from Athens State University. She devoted part of her career to serving as a special education teacher with Huntsville City Schools. She was a member of the Eva Church of Christ.
Jill was a devoted mother to her two sons and treasured the time she shared with her family and friends. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, love for her family, and the memories she created throughout her life.
She is survived by her sons, Grad Mitchell and Wes Mitchell; her brother, John Ray Burden Jr.; her sister, Joan Pender (Carlton); her nieces, Tammy Burden and Tara Burden; her nephew, Joe Turk (April); a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Ray Burden Sr. and Betty Jean Earwood Burden; and her sisters, Reba Jean Burden Turk and Rebecca Lynn Burden.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel, with Ronald Earwood officiating. Thomas Lee Earwood will deliver the obituary. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel will direct the services.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Arab...

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07/30/2026

Joseph “Donnie” Michael went to be with his Lord and Savior in the afternoon of July 23, 2026. He was born on July 24, 1945 in Albertville, Alabama. He was one of three sons born to Joseph C and Maimie Luceile Michael.

Donnie was a faithful member of 12th Ave Church of God in Arab, AL. His military service influenced his entire life. His desire to have military sharpness extended into every aspect of his life, including having his yard as pristine as humanly possible. Donnie loved the outdoors and spent many hours in God’s wonderful creation. He was a great sports fan, especially of the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves. Donnie’s love of old time Rock & Roll probably started when he was in school with Bob Seger. Some of his favorite music was from ZZ Top, The Eagles and the Doobie Brothers.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Veronica Justice Michael; his daughters, Christine (Matt) Croft, Jessica (Matt) Tackett; his sons, Shaun Reed, Brent (Gwen) Reed; his brothers, Bill Michael, Terry Michael; 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; his son-in-law, Russell DeGroff; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph C. and Maimie Luceile Michael; his son, Joey Michael; his daughter, Mallisa DeGroff.

The family has decided to follow Donnie’s wishes to be cremated with a service to be held at a later date.
Arab Heritage is honored to assist the family with arrangements during this difficult time.

07/16/2026

With much sadness, we announce the death of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Mary Ann Sharp. Mary Ann, age 71, was born on May 13, 1955, in South Carolina and passed away on July 14, 2026, at Huntsville Hospital.

Mary Ann was the owner of a housekeeping business and...

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07/14/2026

With the heaviest of hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Georgia Mae Gibson. Georgia Mae passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, July 13, 2026, at the age of 99. Born and raised in the Union Grove community of Marshall...

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06/27/2026

Mrs. Frances Louise Creel, age 74, of the Summit community of Arab, Alabama, passed away early Friday morning, June 26, 2026, at Diversicare of Arab. She was born November 17, 1951, in Cullman, Alabama, one of ten children of Arbel Hooper and Maggie Delaine Thomas Hooper. She was a member of the...

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06/18/2026

A funeral service for Betty King Dooley, 83, of Baileyton will be held Friday, June 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel with Brother Mike King officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, June 18th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Arab Heritage Funeral Home. Mrs. Dooley will lie in...

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06/17/2026

Michael Rickey Hemphill, age 74, a longtime resident of Arab, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Woodland Village Nursing Home on Monday night, June 15, 2026. Mr. Hemphill was born on January 2, 1952, in Ardmore, Alabama, the youngest of James Hemphill and Sue Ella Scott Hemphill’s five...

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