Randall "Ranny" Edward Etheredge, Sr.

Randal Edward “Ranny” Etheredge, 87, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2019 at his home in Chatom after a lingering illness.

He was born to the late Slater B. and Georgia Guy Etheredge at Service, Alabama on Jan. 1, 1932. Service, in Choctaw County in the vicinity of the present Coffeeville Lock and Dam, is now a ghost town but was the site of a huge and active sawmill at the time where his father worked.

Ranny Etheredge worked in the grocery trucking business most of his life. He worked for Central Truck Line in Mobile and then joined the Delchamps grocery chain where he oversaw transportation. He later worked for the Greer’s grocery group in transportation and maintenance.

After retiring, he and his wife, Clarice Montgomery Etheredge, enjoyed touring the country in a motor home. The motor home would often find it way to Tuscaloosa and Bryant-Denny Stadium on fall football weekends. The Etheredges were avid Alabama fans.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include daughter, Christi Etheredge (Steve) Zito, Mobile; son, Randal Edward Etheredge Jr., Mobile; stepson, C. Robert (Dianne) Montgomery, Chatom; and stepdaughter Betsy Montgomery (Jerry) Turner, Chatom; a sister, Betty Sheffield, Chatom; grandchildren, Brooks Randal Smith, Bradley Thomas (Mary) Smith, Bailey Mixon, Randal Edward (Cassie) Etheredge III, Kendall (Kane) Mehaffey, Zane Montgomery, Wyatt Montgomery and Brady Turner; great-grandchildren, Bradley Thomas Smith Jr., McKenzie Marie Smith, Conyer Augustus Smith, Colton Joseph Smith, Piper Gray Mehaffey and Prim Adeline Mehaffey. 

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Slater B. “Porky” Etheredge Jr.

The funeral will be held at the Chatom United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 with the Rev. Holly Morales officiating. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Fairhope Cemetery on Highway 17 south of Chatom.

The family wishes to acknowledge the assistance of caregivers Princies Jordan and her daughter, Olivia “Libby” Jordan who kept Ranny smiling to the end. There are no words to express the families’ deepest thanks and love to these ladies who are indeed angels on earth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at Chatom United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 205, Chatom, Ala. 36518

St. Stephens Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

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