Perry Denson Culver, of Moulton, passed away in the early morning of January 2, 2012, at home surrounded by his family. He went to be with the Lord after a brave, valiant and courageous fight, never complaining or giving in to his pain from his battle with multiple illnesses over the last few years. There was no tougher man when it came to fighting; having survived prostate cancer, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. He was known for his one-liners and kept his sense of humor, joking with those around him until the very end.
P.D., as he was known to his friends, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Perry was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wren.
P.D. was born in Coosa County to Dudley Oliver Culver and Sarah Emma Culver on March 27, 1927. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Grafford Johnson of Weogufka, Dudley Oliver (D.O.) Culver Jr. of Birmingham; sister, Pauline Culver Hyatt of Arab; first wife, Ruth Wills Culver; and sons, Preston Dudley Culver and Robert "Bobby" Stubbs Jr.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Ruby Culver and will forever be remembered and loved by daughters, Patsy Culver of Arley, Phyllis Culver Sanborn and son-in-law, David, of League City, Texas, Patricia Stubbs Wilson and son-in-law, Steve, of Dickinson, Texas, Carolyn Stubbs Welch and son-in-law, Butch, of Cookeville, Tenn., and Debbie Thompson of Wedowee. Grandchildren, Melissa Weldon of Anniston, Woody Welch of Cookeville, Tenn., Andy Welch of Cookeville, Tenn., Trey Stubbs of Russellville, Laree Hall of Jacksonville, Stevie Wilson of League City, Texas, Courtney Stubbs Bloodworth of Madison, Whitney Welch Guy of Boiling Springs, S.C., Michael Culver of Arley, Emily Wilson Hudson of League City, Texas, and Elizabeth Culver Honeycutt of Overland Park, Kan.; 20 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and his little canine companion, Bella.
He is also survived by his close knit siblings who he loved so much. Brothers, Bain Culver and wife, Joyce, of Weogufka, Cecil Culver and wife, Judy, of Birmingham; sisters, Christine Harris of Arley, formerly of Sylacauga, and Betty Blades and husband, Richard, of Sylacauga. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Dent.
Denson left home at the early age of 16 and joined the Merchant Marines where he traveled the oceans for several years before joining the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he returned to Sylacauga and worked at Avondale Mills until beginning his career in the Paper Mill Industry. He worked in Rome, Ga., Brewton, Selma, Pineville, La., and in 1970 went to work for Champion Papers in Courtland where he retired in 1994. Even after retirement, he was a paper mill guy through and through. His strong work ethic and personal character made him a man that everyone respected. He was well known in the paper mill business and was always dedicated to his work and had much pride working in the Power House.
Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Woody Welch, Andy Welch, Trey Stubbs, Steve Wilson, Michael Culver and Henry Sanders, who Daddy mentored at Champion Papers and loved like a son. Honorary pallbearers are Hershell Epperson, Tom Minelli, Junior Smith and Ollie Perry from his Champion Papers family.
Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 9 at Elliott Funeral Home on Moulton. Funeral will be Thursday, January 5, 2011 at 1 p.m. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until time of funeral service. Brother Steve Agee and Brother Neil Carter of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wren will officiate the service. Interment will follow in Burningtree Memorial Gardens in Decatur.