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Dr. Arthur Gilmore Ogden PhD, EdD
Dr. Arthur Gilmore Ogden PhD, EdD, 79, of Demopolis, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday October 18, 2024. Arthur was born July 13, 1945 in Miami, Fla. While reared in Bridgeton, N. J., Arthur never once failed to remind anyone that he was a Southerner by birth. He was a 1963 graduate of Bridgeton High School.
Dr. Ogden earned his Bachelor’s Degree from LaSalle University, his Master’s degree from the University of Delaware, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Walden University, all in the field of philosophy.
His Doctor of Education was in Sports Management awarded by the United States Sports Academy. Dr Ogden taught thousands of students all over the world at the high school, undergraduate and graduate level. He impacted students across the United States as he built his eclectic career. Students of all ages in New Jersey, Kansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida and finally Alabama benefited from his dedication to academics. He also traveled the world teaching for the United States Sports Academy in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Botswana, Jamaica and Malaysia.
His career pursuits also extended to the field of athletics where he served as head football coach at the high school, junior college and collegiate levels and as an athletic director at the high school and college levels. He started his coaching career in Kansas High School Football as an offensive coordinator for an El Dorado team that had the number one offense in all of Kansas. He then became the head coach at Newton High School (KS), where they snapped a 20-game losing streak and had the number one defense in the state. He eventually became a graduate assistant at Kansas State. His first collegiate head coaching job was at Maryville College in Tennessee, where he coached the Scots to their first conference championship in school history.
Dr. Ogden was then hired as the defensive coordinator at Salem College (WV) under Terry Bowden, the beginning of a long friendship between the two. After coaching wrestling and teaching at Naples High School (Fla.), he returned to Terry to serve as an Assistant Athletic Director for Student Affairs at Auburn University, where he served for six years. War Eagle! Of the many people Dr. Ogden proudly called friends in his coaching and sports career, the list included legendary head coach Bobby Bowden and his family, former Salem quarterback and college football coach Jimbo Fisher, innovator of the Air Raid offense Mike Leach, University of Washington Athletic Director Mike Lude, accomplished coach and gifted athlete Ron Dickerson Sr. and a litany of successful former players and coaches.
Dr. Ogden’s PhD dissertation on Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy of education, Nietzschean Pedagogy, won the coveted Dilley Award for Outstanding Dissertation of the Year in 1996 and is in the Library of Congress. His EdD dissertation, “American Philosophy of Sport: A Quest for Virtue,” led to a book of the same title.
At the time of his death he was preparing a compilation of his poetry and other writings. He was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Honor Society and a member of the Advisory Board for the Caribbean School of Sport Science at the University of Technology-Jamaica. He served on NCAA committees and the All-American Selection Committee for football. He was also an Eagle Scout.
Of all of his accomplishments Arthur was most proud of his family, particularly his children, grandchildren, and now great grandson. He loved them all fiercely and considered them to be the most important thing he ever did with his life.
Arthur was predeceased by: his father Chester M. Ogden Jr. (2019); his mother Nancy Hinson Ogden (2015); his brother Chester M. Ogden III, “Marty” (2018); and his beloved Maymaw and Papa John Robert Hinson and Louise Carrier Hinson.
Arthur is survived by: his brother Frank Ogden (Yvonne) of Naples, Fla.; sister “Rat” Nancy Ogden Stites of Atlantic City, N. J.; former wife Epp Porro of Sebastian, Fla.; their children Christopher Ogden (Amy) of Ypsilanti, Mich., Jonathan Ogden (Mary Hughes) of Huntsville, Jenni Murphy (Shawn) of Sebastian Fla., and Josh Ogden of Corinth, Texas; his wife of 25 years Elizabeth McLaurine Ogden; their children India Baldwin Fletcher (Jacob) of Demopolis, Zarah McLaurine Ogden of Demopolis, Benjamin Baldwin Ogden of Gulfport, Miss., Nathan McClellan Ogden of Demopolis, Savannah Sutton Ogden of Demopolis; his grandchildren: Patrick Ogden of Ypsilanti, Mich., Rachel Neumeier (Joseph) of Silver Spring, Md., Kevin Ogden of Houston, Texas, Daniel Ogden of Tuscaloosa, Steven Murphy of Charleston, S. C., Shawn Murphy (Kelsey) of Vero Beach Fla., Caroline Grissom (Bradley) of Dallas, Texas, Callie Ogden of Highland Village, Texas, Joshua Ogden of Highland Village, Texas, Wesley Titus Brand of Demopolis, , Elaric Artorias Fletcher of Demopolis, and is expecting William Fletcher of Demopolis early next year; his great grandson Camden Murphy of Vero Beach, Fla.; also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
All who loved him are invited to attend Friday, October 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. a Requiem Mass At Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church, 307 S Main Ave, Demopolis, AL 36732. The interment of ashes will occur at a later date at the family cemetery in Bullock County, Alabama. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to aid in the continuing care of his daughter Zarah via https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-elizabeth-ogden-rebuild-after-loss Condolences may be mailed to: The Ogden Family 104 E Washington St, Demopolis, Al 36732. Kirk Funeral Homes, Demopolis Chapel, directing.
Bridget C. Spears
Funeral Services for Bridget C. Spears, 47, were held Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11 am at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Needham, with Elder Roy Coleman officiating. Rev. Shirley Pearson, host pastor.
The late Bridget C. Spears was born to the late Richard Earl Campbell and Barbara Pearson of Toxey, on January 26, 1977. Bridget confessed Christ at an early age, joining Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church and later Thomasville Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Jimmy Allen.
She graduated from Southern Choctaw High School and later attended Coastal College. She became employed at Anderson Regional Medical Center where she served for over ten years as a Patient Advocate until her health declined. Bridget was united in holy matrimony to her husband, Frederick Spears. Their extended family consists of six children and five grandchildren. Bridget departed this life on October 10, 2024, in Toxey.
Preceding her in death were: her father Richard Earl Campbell; brother Roy Campbell; grandparents Jerry, and Annie Pearson, Andrew and Lucille Campbell; nephew Johntay Horton; niece, Jazzie Holland. Bridget leaves to cherish her memory: her husband Frederick Spears; children Shacaria (Geoffrey) Campbell of Mobile, JaCorey and Miracle Mcintosh of Toxey; granddaughter Skylar Stovall; bonus children and grandchildren Raven Spears, Dykerrious Ruffin, Ka’Lea Causey; mother Barbara Pearson; brother Arick (Christina) Campbell; sisters Lori Coleman, Rosalind Sims, Leticia (Henry) Horton; niece Tamara Campbell; niece and nephew Tyler and Alyssa Campbell; best friends Chelsea Jones, Tasha (Casper) Collins; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, family and friends. The celebration of life service was rendered by Weatherly-Studdard Memorial Funeral Home of Butler, www.Weatherly-Studdard.com.
Vicky Elaine Malcom Webb
Memorial services for Vicky Elaine Malcom Webb, 67, of Butler were held Monday, October 21, 2024, at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler with Rev. Rodney Tyson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Vicky Elaine Malcom Webb passed away on October 18, 2024, at her home. Born on December 14, 1956, in Butler to Elmer Clyde and Dorothy Jean Minor Malcom, Ms. Webb began her career as a cashier at Butler Piggly Wiggly.
She eventually advanced to the role of Deli Manager and later worked as a Winder Operator at Georgia Pacific until her retirement. Vicky cherished her family, especially the time spent with her great-grandchildren. She also adored her furry companions. Her passions included reading and quilting, and she stayed connected to local happenings through Facebook. Vicky was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and her absence will be deeply felt.
She is survived by: her beloved husband Sam Webb; son Corry Manley; son Malcom Webb; brother, Dink Malcom; sisters Shirley Scarbrough, Lanett McDonald, Lisa Whittington; granddaughter Blaire Manley; great-grandchildren Karter Addison, Daxx Prestage; her fur babies Drew, Waylon, Kash.
She is preceded in death by her parents Elmer Clyde and Dorothy Jean Minor Malcom. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register and post condolences to the family. Arrangements entrusted to Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler.