Obituary of Reuben Allen Self

Funeral services for Reuben Allen (Billy) Self, age 88, of Roanoke, will be held Friday, August 23, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Rev. Steve Dean officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Chambers County. Quattlebaum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 22nd. Mr. Self died Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at Wedowee Hospital. Pallbearers will be Allen Mapp, Stephen Mapp, Chad Mapp, Jacob Self, Justin Self, Johnny Wallace, and Shaun Lee. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Margaret Earl Self of Roanoke; three daughters, Sandra Self Mapp of Roanoke, Carol Self Mapp (husband, Gene) of Northport, and Patricia Self McCard (husband, Gregory) of Kingsport, TN; two sons, Richard Allen Self (wife, Joanie) of Matthews, NC, and Reuben D. Self (wife, Jody) of Roanoke; twelve grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren. Mr. Self was born October 20, 1924, son of Reuben Paton and Josie Louise Fuller Self. Mr. Self was a member of the Marines where he served during World War II in Saipan, Tania, Guam. After returning home from the war, he met Margaret Earl on a blind date, and they were married about four months later on July 4, 1946. He attended South West Mississippi College where he played football. Afterwards, he and Margaret moved back to Alex City where he continued his education at Auburn University, taking classes during the day and working at the Russell Mills at night. He earned a B.S. degree in August 1951 and a master's degree in August 1955 in education. While attending Auburn University, his first two daughters were born. They lived in Sylacauga a couple of years where Billy worked with the Veterans' School and both sold World Book and cookware. The 3rd daughter was born when the family moved to Roanoke in Chambers County, his first son was born in Georgia and their last son was born when they returned to Roanoke in Chambers County. When his sons were young, he was a Boy Scout leader. He was a teacher or principal at several schools (Veterans' school in Sylacauga; LaFayette High; Cobb County High, in Georgia; Sky View in Georgia; Rock Stand School in Randolph County; the former Randolph County Training School in Roanoke; and lastly at Rock Mills Jr. High for 18 years). He retired in 1987 after 32 years in education. His wife also retired that year. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and for a while taught youth Sunday school. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Louise Self and Mozelle Self Taylor. The family will accept flowers or donations to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church (c/o Oscar Burdette, 2275 County Road 237, Roanoke, AL 36274).