Mallory Deal Burkhalter

COKER | Mallory Deal Burkhalter, age 81, of Coker, Ala., died October 12, 2015, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2015, at Sunset Funeral Home with Rev. Alton Bridges officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 14, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the funeral home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Burkhalter and Gertrude Jones Burkhalter and his stepmother, Eula Burkhalter.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia "Patty" O'Neal Burkhalter; daughter, Elizabeth Burkhalter Hickman (Scotty) of Carrollton, Ala; son, Wesley W. Burkhalter (Kim) of Coker, Ala.; sisters, Ola Gibson of Chillicothe, Ohio and Connie Palmer of Willis, Texas; brother, Wayne D. Burkhalter (Dianna) of Gordo, Ala.; grandchildren, Tucker, Wyatt and Beau Burkhalter and Taylor and Taft Hickman; sister-in-law, Jane O. Evers (Jim) of Northport, Ala.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mallory was born on February 10, 1934. He grew up in Gordo, Ala. where he was known as a great athlete and then went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps. Mallory was married to his loving wife, Patty Burkhalter, for 52 years. He loved and was so very proud of his children, Wesley and Beth, and adored his loving grandchildren, Tucker, Wyatt, Beau, Taylor and Taft. He dedicated his life to the service of others and was known for his generosity, love of life and family.

Pallbearers are Wendell Shirley, Roland Pugh, Wick Patton, Danny Anders, Joe Anders, Danny Parker, Sonny Cook and Bill Barnes.

Honorary pallbearers are the loving, kind waitresses at Buddy's Steakhouse and City Cafe´ who always knew what he wanted without him having to say a word, past and present employees of Mallory Burkhalter Paving, Inc., West Alabama Asphalt and West Alabama Concrete, longtime friend, Corbit Chandler, and a host of loving family, friends and neighbors, too many to mention by name.

A special thanks to his loving caregivers, Mary Woods, Tonya Fields Patterson, Viola McAteer and Cherry Sexton, who unselfishly devoted their time to giving him the best love and care possible. They always went above and beyond what was expected as they truly loved him. Also, the family would like to give many thanks to the loving caregivers at Hospice of West Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama.