L. A. Roden, 82, of Florence, passed away at his home Thursday following a lengthy illness.
The funeral service will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Elkins East Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Johnny Johnston officiating. Burial will follow in the Hickory Flat Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday at the funeral home beginning at noon.
Mr. Roden served in the U.S. Army during WW II in Leyte, Philippines. He was an auto mechanic and operated the Brown and Roden Garage on Tennessee Street in Florence in the 1950''s and 1960''s. Later, he became the Auto Mechanic Instructor at Muscle Shoals Technical College. Earlier in his life he enjoyed bowling, coon hunting, CB radio with the handle "Poor Boy", playing softball and coaching Little League.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Cynthia Roden; the mother of his children, Virginia; a daughter Dyann Durham; brothers, Houston, Rufus, Grady, Nathan, M.C. and Ulyss Roden; a sister, Helen Frost; a grandson, Christopher and a great-granddaughter, Abby Roden.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Marilyn Roden; children, Darlene Crowden (Jerry), Tuscumbia, Villard Roden (Catherine), Killen, James Roden (Leah), Hartselle and Ricky Roden (Michelle), Killen; step-daughters, Melinda Wright (Mark), Columbia, TN, Michelle Miller (John), Seattle, WA, Melanie Connolly (Matthew), Florence and Melissa Farbman (Joel), Huntsville; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Burchie Bradford, Muscle Shoals, Hazel Smith, Leighton, and Myrtle Tobie, Osmar, FL; nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Shane, Dustin, Carl and Lee Roden, David Smith and Troy Oliver. Honorary pallbearers will be James Vaughn, William Woodley, David Lovell, Melvin Roden, Danny Franklin, Parker Roden and Collin Roden.