Magnolia Chapel Funeral Homes

05/23/2026

Betty Fields McMillian

View Betty Fields McMillian's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/20/2026

Veterans may be eligible for certain benefits, including burial and memorial honors, but these benefits are not always automatically arranged.

Planning ahead can help ensure your wishes are clearly documented and that the recognition you’ve earned is carried out the way you intend.

If you’d like to learn more about preplanning, click here:
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To find out more about military benefits, click here: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/

05/17/2026

When emergencies happen, EMS professionals are often the first to arrive, bringing skill, focus, and calmness in moments that feel anything but.

This week, we recognize and thank those who show up, ready to help when it matters most.

05/16/2026

With respect and gratitude, we recognize those who serve in our Armed Forces.
Thank you for your dedication and service.

05/15/2026

On Peace Officers Memorial Day, we remember and honor the officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Today, we recognize their courage, service, and sacrifice, and we continue to keep their families and loved ones in our thoughts.

05/14/2026

Mary Lee Channell

Mary Lee Channell, 96, of Buhl, Alabama, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026, at Russell Medical Center in Alexander City, Alabama.

Born on December 31, 1930, Mary Lee was the daughter of Harvey and Nannie Jacobs. She married the love of her life, Floyd Channell, at the age of 17 while he was serving in the military. Their journey together began in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where their daughters Brenda and Cheryl were born. The family later spent time in Kansas City, Kansas, where many of their relatives worked for General Motors, before eventually settling in Alabama, where their son Steve was born at DCH.

Mary Lee devoted many years of her life to working at Westinghouse, where she was known for her strong work ethic and dedication. Outside of work, she was deeply devoted to her faith and loved her church dearly. Even in her later years, she remained committed to supporting her church and living out her beliefs.

Those who knew Mary Lee will remember her for her strong opinions, sharp wit, and honesty. She believed in standing up for what was right, regardless of the circumstances, and she never hesitated to speak the truth. Her family lovingly says that if Mary Lee told you something plainly, it was because she believed honesty mattered more than appearances.

But beyond all else, Mary Lee’s greatest gift was the love she had for her family and the joy she found in simply being with the people she loved most. Some of the family’s sweetest memories are the simple moments spent together — shelling peas on the porch, making biscuits in the kitchen, sharing meals, laughing about childhood stories, and listening to Mary Lee tell it exactly the way she remembered it. She had a way of making ordinary moments feel meaningful, and her presence made a house feel like home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Channell; her parents, Harvey and Nannie Jacobs; her brothers, Charlie, George, and Ray Jacobs; and her sisters, Susie, Francis, and Betty and her son Steve.

She is survived by her daughters, Brenda Coker, widow of Sonny Coker, and Cheryl Burroughs, widow of Ray Burroughs; grandchildren Sonya Lamb (David), Jason Coker (Lynette), Amy Clemmons (Shane), Fadra Rogers (Chris) and Adam Burroughs (Laura); 12 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; her brother Richard Jacobs, several nieces and nephews; and a special niece, Patty Jacobs.

Pallbearers will be Chris Rogers, Elvis Pate, Dave Connell, Shane Clemmons and Ricky Jacobs. Honorary Pallbearers are Jean Harless, Wanda Kelly, Elvis and Sue Pate, Rita and Dave Connell, Laura Burroughs, David Lamb, Jenice Stroup, Ricky and Linda Jacobs, Patty Jacobs and Terry Channell.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 18, 2026, at Pate Cemetery, with Brad Channell and Marty Kelly officiating and Magnolia Chapel North directing.

Her loss leaves a space in the family that only Mary Lee could fill, but her family finds peace and confidence in knowing how deeply she loved Jesus and in the promise that they will see her again. Today, they rejoice knowing she is whole, healed, and free from pain.

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

05/12/2026

Mother’s Day may have passed, but the care and love that mothers give doesn’t have to end there.

Planning ahead is one way to continue taking care of the people who matter most, offering clarity, comfort, and peace of mind for the future.

If you’d like to learn more or take the next step, click here:
https://pre-planning-locator.pages.dev/

05/10/2026

Today, we celebrate the mothers and mother figures who have shaped our lives with love, care, and guidance.

We’re also thinking of those who are remembering, missing, or honoring a mother in a different way this year.

If you’d like to honor or remember someone special this Mother’s Day, you can plant a tree in their memory here:
https://plant-trees-locator.pages.dev/

05/09/2026

John Lester Channell

John "Lester" Channell, of the Mt. Olive Community in Coker, AL passed away on May 8, 2026. Meeting him at Heaven's gates was his wife of 64 years, Eva Jewell, sons, Barry and Danny Channell, grandson, Keith Channell and sister, Linda Tingle.

He is survived by a daughter, Brenda Ragsdale (David) and son, Ronny (Cindy); Daughters-in-law, Lisa and Pam; Grandchildren: Pam Robertson (Greg), Jeanette Brand (Scotty), Eric Channell (Vanessa), Kevin Channell, Jacob Channell (Taren) and Ron Channell. Great grandchildren: Matthew Robertson (Kathryn), Michael Robertson (Shelby), Sarah Robertson, Nathan Brand, Addison Channell, Sawyer Channell and Anna Channell. Great-great grandchildren: Emma, Owen, Greyson, Cooper and Beaux. Sisters, Barbara Smith and Sharon Vice.

Lester was the epitome of a good father. He was a man of faith and led by example by taking his family to church and faithfully attending. He helped build several churches. He was a hard worker and faithful provider for his family. He made a career in management at A&P and Consumer Foods grocery stores and finally retired from Walmart. He was a storyteller and loved to tell how he met his wife in Berry, AL and how they got married in the back seat of a '51 Chevy.

He enjoyed camping in his younger years and cruising in his latter years. He was the self-appointed neighborhood watchman of The Village and could be frequently found around a table with a game of dominoes. Emotion and affection were hard for him, but he loved his family. He was 'Daddy' to his kids, 'Grandpa' to his grand kids, then became 'PePaw' and 'Popple' and he proudly filled each one.

The family will honor his final wishes with a private burial officiated by Rev. Ronny Channell. Pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Church of the Redeemed, 12916 Lake Lurleen Road, Coker, AL 35452 or your favorite charity.

View John Lester Channell's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/09/2026

Warmest wishes on your special day, Albert!

05/08/2026

Planning ahead isn’t only about making arrangements.
It’s about making your wishes known, easing future decisions, and taking care of the people you love most.

Sometimes, peace of mind is one of the most meaningful things we can leave behind.

For those who want to explore their options, we’ve made it easy:
https://pre-planning-locator.pages.dev/