Gracie M. Vest passed away on June 13th, 2016. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 15th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Ridout''s Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, June 16th at Austinville Baptist Church with visitation from noon to 2:00 with services to begin at 2:00. Reverends Randy Berry, Joe Snyder and Harold Fanning officiating.

Mrs. Vest was born on August 27, 1925 in the Austinville community. She is predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Arthur Vest, her son, Garry Donald "Duck" Vest and her mother, Georgeann Hobson.

She is survived by three daughters, Linda Vest Coultas (Richard) of Huntsville, Judy Vest Bailes and Shelia Vest Cotharin both of Decatur; four grandchildren Chris Coultas (Melanie) Tracie Coultas both of Huntsville, Kim Cooper Messlein (Ted) of Dickinson, Texas, Brandon Cooper (Danielle) of Houston Heights, Texas and two great grandchildren.

Mrs. Vest was employed by Gibson''s Discount Center of Decatur and Decatur City Schools. She was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the American Legion and a lifelong member and supporter of Austinville Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Mike Sandoval, Bobby Sandoval, Dennis Sandoval, Jerry Hubbard, Danny Dotson II, and Dan McClain.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Day, Mark McWhorter, Bill Oliver, Don Kyle, and Jackie Clifton.

Mrs. Vest is best described as a strong Christian woman who loved God, family and country. Always caring and always sharing whatever she had with others. Her wit and wisdom will live through the generations as she always found that rainbow somewhere in the clouds. Her honorary title "Mayor of Austinville" will go with her to heaven. For in her heart beat sincere devotion to a community that will be forever remembered by those who where fortunate to have lived there. To know Gracie Vest was to love her.
Donations may be made to Alacare Hospice. A special thanks to Kim Proctor and Cindy Profitt of Alacare Hospice and caregivers Jennifer Bogle and Sherry Randolph.