Honestly, when you’re looking for spry funeral home russellville alabama obituaries, you might notice something a bit confusing right off the bat. If you type that exact phrase into Google, you’ll see results for "Spry Memorial Chapel." It’s basically the same place, but the name "Spry Memorial Chapel" is what’s on the sign on North Jackson Avenue. People in Franklin County have called it "Spry’s" or "Spry Funeral Home" for generations, so the names kinda get swapped around in conversation.
Losing someone is heavy. It's that kind of heavy that makes even simple tasks like finding a service time feel like climbing a mountain. If you're here, you're likely looking for a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. You want to know when the visitation is or where to send flowers.
Spry Memorial Chapel has been a fixture in Russellville since 1919. That is a long time. Think about it—they’ve been helping families through the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and every major event since. Because they've been around so long, their obituary archives are a bit of a local history book for Northwest Alabama.
Finding Recent Spry Funeral Home Russellville Alabama Obituaries
If you need the most current info—like, right now—the best spot is the official Spry Memorial Chapel website. They keep a running list that updates pretty much as soon as a family approves the text.
Just this week, in mid-January 2026, the community has been saying goodbye to some well-known faces. You’ll find details for people like Barbara Elaine Hutcheson from Spruce Pine, who passed at 80, or Steve Reace Hill, a lifelong Russellville resident and member of Bethsaida Baptist Church.
The listings there aren't just dry dates. They usually include:
- Full service schedules (Visitation, Funeral, and Graveside).
- Links to "Plant a Tree" or send arrangements.
- A "Tribute Wall" where you can leave a story or a photo.
Sometimes the website can be a little slow to load on a phone if you're out in the country with bad signal. If that happens, the Franklin County Times usually picks up the local obits once a week, but there’s a lag time there. For the most immediate "who, when, and where," the funeral home’s digital wall is your best bet.
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Why the "Spry" Name is Everywhere in Alabama
Here is a weird quirk: there is also a Spry Funeral Home in Huntsville and one in Athens. They are related in name and history, but they aren't the same office. If you're searching for spry funeral home russellville alabama obituaries and you see a listing for a service in Athens, you've probably jumped onto the wrong branch of the family tree.
The Russellville location is specifically focused on Franklin County and the surrounding rural areas like Phil Campbell, Belgreen, and Vina. The staff there, like Robin Grissom and Carol Bolton, are local people. They know the backroads and the local churches. That matters because a "graveside service" in a place like Franklin Memory Gardens involves different logistics than a service in a big city.
The Specifics of Local Services
In Russellville, traditions still lean pretty traditional. You’ll mostly see:
- Visitations: Usually held at the chapel on Jackson Ave or at a local church the evening before or an hour before the funeral.
- Graveside Services: Often held at Franklin Memory Gardens or small family cemeteries tucked away in the woods.
- The "Dinner": While not in the obituary, there’s almost always a meal at a church fellowship hall.
One thing that’s really changed lately is live streaming. Spry has actually updated their tech, so if you have family in another state who can’t make the drive to Alabama, they often stream the service. You’ll see a link for this right on the obituary page if the family requested it.
How to Search the Archives Like a Pro
Maybe you aren't looking for someone who passed away yesterday. Maybe you're doing genealogy or trying to find a veteran's record. Searching for older spry funeral home russellville alabama obituaries can be a little trickier.
The current website only goes back a few years. If you’re looking for something from the 80s or 90s, you’re going to have to do some digging. The Russellville Public Library has the Franklin County Times on microfilm. It's a bit old-school, but it’s the most reliable way to find older Spry records.
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Also, check Legacy.com. They partner with many Alabama funeral homes, and often their database has "permanent" versions of obituaries that stay online long after the funeral home might have archived them off their main site.
Dealing with the "Spry Memorial" vs "Spry Funeral" Confusion
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating because it trips everyone up. If you call 411 or look at a map, you might see "Spry Memorial Chapel." If you’re talking to your grandma, she’s going to say "Spry Funeral Home."
They are the same physical building at 907 Jackson Ave S, Russellville, AL 35653.
If you're trying to send flowers, tell the florist it's for Spry's in Russellville. They’ll know exactly where to go. Local shops like Russellville Florist or any of the shops in Tuscumbia are very used to delivering there and usually know the service times before they’re even posted online.
What to Do If You Can't Find an Obituary
Sometimes a family chooses not to publish a public obituary immediately. This happens more than you'd think. Or, they might just do a "private service."
If you’ve searched for spry funeral home russellville alabama obituaries and nothing is coming up for someone you know has passed, here is the move:
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- Call them directly: (256) 332-1122. They are there 24/7. Just be polite.
- Check the "Upcoming Services" tab: Sometimes the full obituary isn't written yet, but the service time is already on the calendar.
- Look at local church bulletins: Many churches in the Russellville area post their members' arrangements on their Facebook pages before the formal obituary hits the paper.
Honestly, the staff at Spry are generally really helpful. They understand that when you're calling, you're probably having a really bad day. They aren't going to mind a quick phone call to verify a time.
Writing a Tribute That Actually Matters
If you're looking at an obituary on the Spry site, you'll see a section for comments. Most people just write "Sorry for your loss." That’s fine, but if you want to actually help the family, share a specific memory.
The family will keep these records. In six months, when the initial shock has worn off and the house is quiet, they’re going to go back and read those comments. Mentioning that the deceased made the best biscuits in the county or that they once helped you fix a flat tire on Highway 43 means a lot more than a generic "thoughts and prayers."
Actionable Next Steps
If you need to find a specific obituary or plan for a service at Spry in Russellville, here is what you should do right now:
- Check the Official List: Go to the Spry Memorial Chapel Obituaries page first. Use the search bar at the top if you don't see the name immediately.
- Verify the Location: Ensure you are looking at the Russellville, AL location and not the Huntsville or Athens branches to avoid confusion with service times.
- Sign Up for Alerts: On their website, there is a small link to "Obituary Notifications." If you enter your email, they will send you an update whenever a new service is posted. This is great for people who have moved away but want to keep ties with the community.
- Contact the Staff: If you are the one responsible for the arrangements, ask about their "Life Tributes" program. They offer more than just a text obituary; they can help with custom videos and memorial markers that go beyond a simple newspaper clipping.
When you're dealing with the loss of a local legend or a quiet neighbor, the information in these obituaries is the first step toward closure. Take your time, verify the dates, and don't hesitate to reach out to the chapel staff if the digital records aren't giving you the full picture.