Obituaries 01-13-22

CAROL CLARK

Dec. 28, 1944-Jan. 7, 2022

Memorial services for Carol Clark, 77, of Waynesboro, will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 from Boyles Chapel United Methodist Church in Waynesboro, with Rev. Tom Walker and Rev. Stephen Smith officiating.

Born in Gulfport on Thursday, Dec. 28, 1944, she was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

She died on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Robert P. Lark of Waynesboro; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cara Jean and Kenneth McLarty and Cheryl Jenese and John VanAntwerp Dempsey, all of Fairhope, Ala.; three stepsons and their respective spouses, Kenneth Nathan and Shawn Clark, Robert Mitchell and Rhonda Clark and Ashley Seth Clark, all of Waynesboro; her brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Shirley Watson of Owensboro, Ken.; seven grandchildren and their respective spouses, Amberly McLarty, Christopher Dempsey, Collins Dempsey, Brannon and Jennifer McLarty, Connor Dempsey, Darby Dempsey and Brianna McLarty; two great-grandchildren, Cara Faith McLarty and Avery Kelly McLarty; 10 step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

FREDRICK BEN DYESS

May 30, 1955-Jan. 2, 2022

A Celebration of Life service for Fredrick Ben Dyess, 66, will be at 11 a.m. from Avondale Antiques in Vestavia Hills, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, with a visitation starting at 10:30 a.m.

Born on May 5, 1955 in Waynesboro to Bennie Clyde and Bonnie Jean Dyess, he was generous, loving, kind and compassionate and will forever be missed. He was a vibrant personality from the start with a love for sharing stories while seeking true connections with everyone he met.

He moved to Houston, Texas, in the early 1980s, where he would meet the love of his life --- Judy Flowers Dyess. They were married in July 1990 at Second Baptist Church, Houston, where they were both active in the music ministry and where Fred worked for a few years. They have one son, Benjamin Seth Dyess.

The family moved to Vestavia Hills in Birmingham, Ala., in 1994. In 2015, he opened Avondale Antiques --- his "public man cave" --- where he followed his passion for antiques, connecting his many loyal clients and friends with "his unique finds for their unique spaces."

He devoted most of his time to his passion for antiques, but he was always available to lend a helping hand to his friends, and he volunteered with the Vestavia Men's Garden Club. He was proud that he went back to school in his 40s to finish his Bachelor's degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he earned a B.A. in History.

Above all, he was dedicated to being a friend and mentor to those he loved. In his words, "The true payback of my shop has been all the wonderful friends I've made there, and I am truly blessed."

He died peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 surrounded by loved ones after a valiant battle with COVID-19. He lived a happy and fulfilled life.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Dyess; his son, Seth Dyess; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Barbara Dyess; a second mother in Houston, Betty Brockman; and several nieces, nephews and other friends, including close friend Clay McCollum.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his brother, Gary "Mike" Dyess.

A scholarship fund is being set up in his name at UAB. More details will be provided at a later date.

FRED EDWIN STANLEY, JR.

Dec. 15, 1944-Jan. 7, 2022

A Celebration of Life service for Fred Edwin Stanley, Jr., 77, of Shubuta, were conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 from First Baptist Church of Waynesboro.

Born on Dec. 15, 1944, he grew up in Shubuta and attended Quitman High School, where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He was a scholarship athlete at the University of Mississippi. A member of the M Club, he played basketball and baseball while at Ole Miss.

He was an entrepreneur, owning and operating several businesses over the years. He was the proud proprietor of the Buck & Bass Shop, first in Shubuta and then in Waynesboro, where he enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his community. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing with family and friends.

He was also a community leader, serving as a member of the Wayne County School Board, where he passionately advocated for improvement of public schools. He also enjoyed being involved in local and state politics, running for office multiple times.

He loved the Ole Miss Rebels and Wayne County War Eagle football. He was a member of the football booster club, serving a term as president. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Waynesboro and he loved the Lord.

He died on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 at the University of South Alabama Health Hospital in Mobile, Ala.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Lehmann Stanley; his daughter and son-in-law, Rachel Stanley and Mitchell Warren; and his sons and daughters-in-law, Jacob Keahey and Kristen Stanley and Charles Edwin and Melissa Stanley. He was also a beloved "Papaw" to eight grandchildren, whom he loved deeply.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Edwin Stanley, Sr., and Helen Atkinson Stanley; an infant son, Fred Edwin Stanley III and a sister, Shellye Stanley McCarty.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Missions at First Baptist Church of Waynesboro or to the Wayne County High School Football Booster Club.

EARNEST JOE WOOTEN

Sept. 9, 1962-Jan. 7, 2022

Funeral services for Earnest Joe Wooten, 59, of Wayne County, were conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral Home, with Rev. Thomas Cochran and Rev. Deke Cochran officiating.

Interment followed at Sellers Cemetery in Wayne County.

Born in Waynesboro on Sunday, Sept. 9, 1962 to Earnest Joe and Maxine Holliday Wooten, he worked as an Offshore Lead Mechanic in the oil industry.

He died on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, Ala.

He is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Teressa Wooten of Wayne County; two sons and daughters-in-law, Earnest Joe and Amber Wooten III of Wayne County and Khrisopher and Kirsten Wooten of Mosell; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Carl Wooten of Laurel, Dan and Darlene Wooten of Wayne County and Wess and Rhonda Bufkin of Crystal Spring; a sister, Debra Wooten of Wesson; 14 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earnest Joe Wooten; his mother, Maxine Holliday Bufkin; and a brother, Steve Wooten.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.