Six Atmore houses will be havens for Christmas cheer next month as the Grand Ole Dames present their annual Christmas in the South Tour of Homes.

Erline Odom with the Grand Ole Dames said the tour, which is $10 per person, raises funds for the Christian food bank in Atmore.

“All of the money stays here locally,” she said.

Homes will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are available at Coley’s Petals and Parties; Atmore Florist; Central Farm Supply; Jus Because; and Atmore News. They can also be purchased at the door.

On tour this year are the homes of Larry and Betty Houck, 1519 Grubbs St.; Shep and Jan Marsh, 1236 Forest Hills Drive; PeeWee and Ann Powell, 1835 Dogwood Drive; Roy and Peggy Rowley, 801 S. Pensacola Ave.; Shane Hadley, Presley Street; and James and Cindy Lee, 536 Airport Road.

Peggy and Roy Rowley’s home — known for many years as the Crook house until the Rowleys purchased it — is the home that Peggy said she knew was the one.

“Sometimes you just know and I knew in my heart this was it,” Peggy said. “I loved the location, the old English look with the pitched roof, I loved the size of the rooms, I loved the plaster walls, hardwood floors, the crown molding and arches, and I especially loved the size of the kitchen.”

Peggy said home is “perfect” for entertaining, especially at the holidays.

“I put up three Christmas trees – one in the den that has all my family keepsakes on it, one in the formal dining room that is silver and gold, and one in the formal living room with traditional red and green decorations,” Peggy Rowley said.

Betty and Larry Houck said they intend to be part of their neighborhood for many years and are looking forward to the Tour of Homes.

“A majority of rooms will be decorated for this year’s Tour of Homes with various themes throughout,” said Betty Houck. “Larry’s office will have a college theme. One room will be Victorian, while others will be traditional. A spare bedroom will have a white tree, and three or four villages will be placed around the house. The sunroom will be decorated for the family Christmas celebration and will have a large traditional tree. The dining room will be staged for a formal Christmas dinner.”

James and Cindy Lee are also looking forward to welcoming guests to their home on the tour this year.

Their Christmas décor reflects the interests of the family including decorations and ornaments from Germany and other locales where they have traveled as well as interests in collectibles and Auburn University.  Their son Judson’s room is decorated as well with ornaments reflecting his childhood interests.  The dining room will be set with Cindy’s formal Waterford china and crystal and Reed & Barton 18th Century sterling silver pieces. The exterior Christmas decorations reflect the colors and décor of the interior.