Hazel Green Funeral Home

10/27/2026

This Friday! We hope to see you.

10/27/2026

Connie Ellett

Stella Cornelia "Connie" Ellett, 77, passed away peacefully at home on October 24, 2026. Born in Birmingham, Alabama to Bertron Cornelius "B.C." Howard and Doris LaVerne Howard, she grew up with her little sister, Dee Dee, creating fond memories.

While working as a central supply technician at the Medical Center, Connie met Harold. He knew right away how special she was. Side by side, they built a home and raised their three children: Howie, Hydi, and Heather.

She spent many years serving others as a nurse, but her favorite role came when she retired to stay home and take care of her grandchildren. She poured her heart into them, creating a bond so sweet her kids always joked the grandkids were clearly the top priority.

Family and faith were central to everything she did. She remained steadfast in her faith through every season of life, keeping her Bible close and her prayers constant for those she cared about.

In her later years, Harold was an amazing caregiver. Day in and Day out, he cared for her with a patient, gentle, and selfless love that was incredible to see. He always made sure she was comfortable, safe, and knew how much she was loved.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Bertron Cornelius "B.C." Howard and Doris LaVerne Howard; her infant daughter, Holly LaVerne; and her son-in-law, Shane Phelps.

She is survived by her husband, Harold Ellett; her children, Howard Ellett, Hydi Phelps Hendrickson (Chris), and Heather Crumbley (Paul); her grandchildren, Allyson Phelps Sellers (Levi), April Phelps Baker (Kolton), Caleb Ellett, Moriah Ellett, Rosie Phelps, HollyClaire Crumbley, and CallyMae Crumbley; her three great-grandchildren, Mila Sellers, Harvey Sellers, and Wyatt Baker; and her sister, Doris Dean "Dee Dee" Bond.

The family will have a graveside service on Thursday, October 29, 2026 starting at 1pm at Kirkland Cemetery. Brother Richard McWilliams is officiating the service.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Connie Ellett's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/26/2026

Gene Lee

After WWII when the von Braun Team, under Operation Paperclip, was settled in Fort Bliss, Texas, the U.S. Army established the 9330th Technical Services Unit (TSU) to provide military support to the team. The 9330th members were primarily special draftees who had completed education in fields such as engineering or other technical disciplines needed to support the German rocket team’s activities. Mentored by experts, they assisted in development of some of the Army’s earliest rocket and missile systems. When the von Braun Team was relocated to Huntsville in 1950, the 9330th also was transferred. Thus, Private First Class Gene Lee of Mississippi, as Electronic Fire Control Equipment Repair Supervisor, found himself a member of the 1951-1952 unit of the 9330th at Redstone Arsenal.

Following military service, he remained in Huntsville, married Margaret Lincoln (a native of Madison County), and continued working at Redstone Arsenal in the Guidance and Control Division of Ordnance Missile Laboratories (soon to become Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA).

When NASA established Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1960, Gene was among those who transferred to the new organization. From 1961-1969, he worked in the Flight Dynamics Branch of the Guidance and Control (G&C) Laboratory. Continuing to function in the inherited ABMA organizational structure and building upon experience with the Army’s Redstone and Jupiter rockets, the G&C Lab handled most aspects of guidance and control for the Saturn I class of rockets. However, the size and complexity of the new multi-stage Saturn V program resulted in organizational changes. In 1962, the G&C Lab was renamed the Astrionics Laboratory and organized into eight divisions. Gene was identified as a technical leader in the Simulation Facilities Branch of the Flight Dynamics Division. Another MSFC organizational change in 1969 resulted in a newly created Computer Division in Astrionics Lab, with Gene as one of the two technical leaders in the Flight Systems Simulation Branch. In the mid-1970s, MSFC established a Systems Dynamics Laboratory; he was selected as Chief of the Systems Integration Branch in that lab. The Data Systems Laboratory, established in 1979, included an Engineering Computers Division; Gene served as Chief of the Systems Engineering Branch.

He retired in 1981. He had been a participant in the evolution of rocket guidance and control development in a career that spanned the early days of U.S. rocketry and space exploration to the opening of the Space Shuttle era. In post-retirement, he continued to enjoy maintaining the family’s cattle farm in Madison County.

Gene is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Lee.

He is survived by his son, Bruce Lee (Pamela); his grandson, Jesse Lee (Mary); and his brother, Carl Ray Lee.

The family is having a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Charity Cemetery on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Pastor Jason Caldwell is officiating the service.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Gene Lee's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/26/2026

Linda Kay Riffel

Linda Kay Smoot Riffel, 80, of Hazel Green, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on October 24, 2026.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana she was a woman of remarkable intelligence, determination, and deep faith. She left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

After a 25-year career with AT&T, Linda returned to school and earned her master’s degree in nursing. She worked in several clinical settings before retiring as a psychiatric nurse with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Salem, Virginia.

Family and faith were central to Linda’s life. She was a devoted member of St. Charles King and Martyr Anglican Church, continuing to worship online when her health no longer allowed her to attend in person.

Above all, Linda cherished her family. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Neikirk, and her husband Paul; her beloved grandson, Jeremy Ewert, and his wife, Sarah, and her treasured great-grandson, Jackson Ewert. Both Jeremy and Jackson affectionately knew her as “Neena.” She is also survived by her brother, Richard Smoot, and his wife, Darlene; her cherished nephew and nieces, Adam, Lori, and Jana; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Linda also leaves behind her dear friend, Erin Specht, who for 8 years, not only provided devoted care but also friendship and a comforting presence. Her kindness, loyalty, and dedication to Linda will always be remembered with a heartfelt gratitude by Linda’s family.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Elaine Smoot, and her beloved cousin, Martha Kay Schuck.

As most family and friends are out of state, there will be no formal services. She will be deeply missed and eternally loved.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Linda Kay Riffel's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/26/2026

Willie Lee Christa

Willie Lee Christa, 82, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama. He was born on April 11, 1944 in Huntsville, Alabama. Willie loved NASCAR and SEC football, especially Alabama, he also enjoyed collecting NASCAR and Alabama football memorabilia. He loved all kinds of music but his favorite genre was blues. Willie also enjoyed going to the flea markets around Huntsville.

He is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Francis Christa; and his brothers, Frank Gordon Christa, Robert Lee Christa, and Alvie Joe Christa.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Annie Sue Christa; his chilldren, Christopher Christa and Keith Christa; three grandsons, Caleb Christa, Joshua Christa, and Ryan Christa; three great-grandsons, Wyatt Christa, Memphis Christa, and Ollie Christa.

The family will begin receiving friends on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 6pm-8pm at Hazel Green Funeral Home. A chapel service will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at Hazel Green Funeral Home with Pastor Ed Johnson officiating. Burial will be held at Maple Hill cemetery following the service.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Willie Lee Christa's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/23/2026

Carolyn Hames

Carolyn Miles Hames of Hazel Green went to be with the Lord on Thursday while surrounded by her loving family. She was 72 and was a Christian and a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. She had retired from Redstone Arsenal where she worked for 35 years in civil service.

She loved spending time with her family, loved to cook, and she shared her love for her family and friends by inviting everyone to eat.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Miles and Opal Owens; her son, Wade Hames; her brothers-in-law, Wayne Hames and Nelson Hames, and by her mother-in-law, Lela Cantrell Hames.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Tommy Hames; her daughter, Angie Passon; her daughter and son-in-law, Kim & Trey Patterson; her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon & Robert Johnson; her grandchildren: Brad (Katelyn) Johnson, Ricky (Ashley) Freeman, Nathan (Kristen) Freeman, Chelsea (Brandon) Yeager, Clint Passon, Joseph Patterson, and Jack Patterson. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, by her two brothers, Billy (Donna) Miles and Mike (Cindy) MIles, and by her sister-in-law, Kay (Richie) Lampasona.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 1pm at Hazel Green Funeral Home with Pastor Lon Ostrzycki officiating. Burial will follow and will be in New Sharon Cemetery. The family will begin receiving friends at 11am.

Carolyn will be remembered for her amazing strength, her love for her family, friends, and church, and for always putting others before herself.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Carolyn Hames's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/23/2026

Doris Ann Smeltzer

Mrs. Doris Smeltzer, 76, of Harvest, went to be with the Lord on Friday. She was born in Maryland in 1950 and graduated from the Carroll County High School. After high school, she went to nursing school where she became an LPN and worked at York Hospital in the Burn Unit. After working for the hospital she began working as private duty nurse for a stroke patient. She then worked for the Margaret Moul Home where she retired.

Doris had been a member of the Shenberger's Chapel United Methodist Church for many years before moving to Alabama in 2001. After moving to Alabama, she became a faithful member of Lighthouse Baptist Church where she served in the nursery. She loved serving others, was always willing to help, and put others before herself.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Marbrey (Christopher); her grandsons, Brent Webster and Tommy Webster; and her two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Smeltzer was preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Ethel Blackston; her husband, Eugene Smeltzer; and her sisters, Betty Shafer, Dallie Hyde.

The family will receive friends on Sunday November 1, 2026 from 2 until 3pm at the Hazel Green Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 3pm; Service in Pennsylvania to be announced at a later date. Burial will be in Shenberger's Chapel Cemetery in Red Lion, Pennsylvania.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Doris Ann Smeltzer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/20/2026

William Scott Lau III

Mr. William Scott Lau III, of New Market, Alabama, passed away on Sunday. He was 63.

Scott was born in Bell County, Texas, into a military family that moved around frequently. From a young age, Scott was accustomed to working and would take on any job he could find. He cleaned out barns, cut grass, and even worked for a local moving company.

Scott served in the United States Army for eight years after completing basic training in 1982 at Fort Still, Oklahoma. During Christmas break from basic training, he married his wife, Cindy. He later served in Kansas and was deployed to Germany. During his time in the Army Reserves, he worked in construction.

Scott was a proud father to twins Lacey and Catye. While expecting his third daughter, maggie, he joined the Huntsville Police Department, which became his life's work. While working the third shift, he taught himself about real estate investing and the stock market. He and his family purchased a farm in New Market, Alabama, where he took up raising beef cattle. Scott purchased credit for his military service toward retirement and retired from the Huntsville Police Department at a young age. He then kept busy enjoying self-employment.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Lau (Karaan) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Doris Jean Johnson Hicks (Raymond) of Texas; his daughter, Tiffanie Margaret Lau; and his brothers, Donny Walker, Danny Emeline, and BIlly Emeline.

Surviving family members include his wife, Cynthia Sibley Lau; his daughters, Lacey Lau Isom (Brooklyn) and Cayte Lau; his grandchildren, Peyton Scott Lau, Jayden Glenn Wilburn, Isaiah Lee Isom, Mary-Grace Isom, Harper Margaret Lau, and Brodie Scott Lau, all of New Market, Alabama; his siblings, Tommy Lau (Dawn) and Stephen Lau (Laurilee) of Huntsville, Alabama, Johnny RayHicks (Danise) and Neal Belvins of Texas, Debby Williams (Mike) of Tennessee, Linda Lee and Vickie Heath of Texas, Kathy Porter of New Market, and Alicia of Huntsville, Alabama; his mother-in-law, Martha Sibley, of Harvest, Alabama; his aunt, May, of Texas; his sister-in-law, Carla Litz (Kyle), of Huntsville, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers of the Huntsville Police Department.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 22, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Hazel Green Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Brother Ben May and Tommy Presley officiating. Mr. Lau will be laid to rest privately at a later date on his family farm in New Market.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shine The Light Ministry in New Market, Alabama.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View William Scott Lau III's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/19/2026

Cecil Skinner

Walter Cecil Skinner, 80, passed away on October 18, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 2, 1946. Cecil will be remembered for the love he had for his family, especially his grandchildren. He also loved to fish, garden, barbecue, and do woodworking. Cecil enjoyed taking his 1963 GMC truck to car shows.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mildred Skinner; his brother, Charles Edward Skinner; and his sister, Marjorie Sue Bullock.

Cecil is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Amy Jo Skinner; his daughter, Terri Moon (Quentin); his son, Aaron Skinner; his grandchildren, Nicholas Moon, Noah Moon, and Lillie Skinner; his sister, Nell Laramore; and his brother, George Skinner. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will begin receiving friends on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Hazel Green Funeral Home from 6pm-8pm. The service will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 10am, at Hazel Green Funeral Home, with Pastor Benny Berry officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Cecil Skinner's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/19/2026

Peggy Slayton Griffin

Peggy Slayton Griffin of Hazel Green went to be with the Lord on Saturday morning while resting peacefully at home. She was 85. She was a graduate of Hazel Green High School and had retired from Madison County where she served the public for many years. On the side, she helped her husband and son with their roofing business. She loved trips to Tunica and eating at Krystal.

She was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church of Hazel Green.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack & Vera Manley Slayton.

Surviving family members include her husband of 36 years, Jim "Griff" Griffin; her son and daughter-in-law, Chris & Julie Hoover; her son and daughter-in-law, Rob & Amanda Griffin; her son, James Russel "Rusty" Griffin; her grandchildren: Cade (Samantha) Griffin, Noah (Hannah) Griffin, Allie Hoover, Derrick Griffin, and Zoey Baisden; her sisters, Brenda Cash and Jo Ann Scott.

She will be remembered for her kindness, her love for her family and the people around her, and for always having a kind word for everyone.

At Peggy's request, there will be no services. Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

View Peggy Slayton Griffin's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.