HALEBURG… Donald Dyson, a resident of Haleburg, Alabama, passed away Tuesday morning, June 9, 2026, at his home. He was 80.
A memorial service will be held 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Reverend James Welch officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Donald Dyson was born in Blakely, Georgia to the late Henry Dyson and Florrie McGriff Dyson. He attended local schools and spent his life as a hardworking provider. Although he worked as a general manager in the manufacturing industry, those who knew him best would say his most important job was being a devoted husband, father, and provide doing whatever was necessary to support and care for his family. His strong work ethic, determination, and selflessness were evident in all that he did. Mr. Dyson previously resided in Columbia, Alabama before making his home in Haleburg, Alabama approximately forty-two years ago. He married the love of his life, Cathy Carpenter Dyson, affectionately known as his Honey, and together they shared 55 years of love, devotion, and cherished memories. Since her passing on October 31, 2024, he carried a deep longing for the companionship and love they had shared throughout their lives together. Mr. Dyson was a faithful member of Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church. He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his kind heart, his strong faith, and the example he set through a life of hard work, love, and service to others.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Cathy Carpenter Dyson.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his daughters, Amy Odom (Greg), Florrie McDonald, and Angela McLain; son Paul Dyson (Pam); grandchildren, Ivy Forrester, Silas Forrester (Jessica), James Paul Dyson, Kayla Dyson, Savannah Cooper (Jonathan), Shelbi McDonald, Thomas McDonald, Harleigh Bickley, Dalton Girard (Ramsey), Charlie Pate Abshire, and LeAnna Hataway (Chris); nine great-grandchildren; and several other nieces and nephews.
John Gordon Smith, a resident of Taylor, Alabama died Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Graceville Health Center in Graceville, Florida. He was 79.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in the Chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Doug Seale officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 1 PM. Burial with United States Naval Honors will be held at 12:30 PM (EST) Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Ft. Mitchell National cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, Alabama.
John was born October 10, 1946 in Midtown, New York to the late Gordon and Hilda Schmidt Smith. He has been in the Dothan area since the late 70’s, was a veteran of the United States Navy and worked at Lowes for 25 years. John had a passion for aviation and model airplanes along with watching Alabama Football and the Atlanta Braves. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years.
John is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Deborah Perry, Craig Smith and Michael Smith.
Survivors include his daughter, Leah Blighton (William Drew); grandchildren, Liam and Rowan; sisters, Cheryl Breckenridge (Larry) and Kathy Dymalski and a brother, Mark Smith (Carol); step-daughter, Beth Kirkland numerous nieces and nephews.
Major (Retired) Albert Lee Apel of Enterprise, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, following complications developing after a kidney operation. He was 90.
A memorial service and burial will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11AM at Sunset Memorial Park in Dothan Alabama. Visitation will begin at 10AM.
Al was born July 2, 1935 in Ethel, Missouri to the late Clarence and Pearl Apel. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Mary Joyce Creekmore Apel, who passed away in 2019, as well as his brother, Charles Apel, and sister, Esther Apel. He is survived by his daughter, Sandy Apel Tanner and son-in-law Frank Tanner of Houston, Texas; and grandchildren Nicholas (and wife Riley) Tanner of New Hope, Pennsylvania and Caroline Tanner of New York, New York.
Soon after graduating from Brookfield High School in Brookfield, Missouri, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army, embarking on a distinguished 22-year military career. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and two tours in Germany. In 1967, Al graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS). During his military service, he earned numerous decorations for his bravery and service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism during aerial flight, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and many other air and commendation medals.
Helicopters and aviation were his lifelong passions. Following his military retirement in 1977, Al continued to serve the military community as a training specialist in the New Equipment Training Branch of the Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD) until his final retirement in 1994. Al was also a member of the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and 114th Aviation Company Association.
A long-time resident of Enterprise, Al was deeply dedicated to his community. Alongside his wife, Mary, he was incredibly active in the Fort Rucker Chapel community, serving for decades as a member and head usher of the 11AM Main Post Chapel service. Together, Al and Mary were honored as Fort Rucker’s Volunteers of the Year, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2012. They were also recognized by the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps with the prestigious Aaron and Hur Award in October 1997. Additionally, both were vital volunteers with the Fort Rucker Chapel’s Living Last Supper ministry from its inception in 1979 through its 40th anniversary in 2019.
Al will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his distinguished service to his country, and his deep love for his family. He is now peacefully reunited with his beloved wife Mary.
Ethan Perry Conner of New Hope, FL left this world for his eternal home on Sunday, June 07, 2026. He was 20.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Dean Moore and Rev. Roger Whitaker officiating. Burial will follow in the Conner Family Cemetery in New Hope, FL with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5-8 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Red Hill United Methodist Church, 3104 Highway 2, Bonifay, FL 32425 in Ethan’s memory.
Ethan was born on February 03, 2006, the son of Perry and Amy Yarbrough Conner. He was such a beautiful and handsome baby boy. Ethan loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a proud graduate of Geneva High School, class of 2024. He played football for the Geneva Panthers as the center for 6 years. While in school, he was a member of FFA and competed at both district and state levels. Ethan made lifelong friends and brothers that he loved dearly.
Ethan started his own lawn care business at 15 years old with just 1 yard. That is where he started and never looked back. He grew his business and now Conner Lawn Service served 70 + yards over the tri-state area. Some weeks, it was 7 days a week, but he never complained. In February 2025, he became co-owner of Road Runner Roll-offs with his dad. What started as a side business quickly grew because of his time and dedication. He exhibited work ethics and determination from a young age. In 2025, he expanded his services when he purchased an excavator and tractor for demolition jobs.
Ethan always found time for family and friends, where he enjoyed camping, going to the lake and found a new love for duck hunting this past year. He was his sister’s biggest fan and followed all over for games and tournaments. He loved trucks, fixing them up with his daddy and always making sure it looked and sounded good and was clean.
Ethan was a faithful member of Red Hill United Methodist Church, where he loved the Lord and never missed a chance to serve and help anyone in need.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Hubert Yarbrough, great grandparents, Cecil and Willie Mae Whitaker, Bill and Ruth Andrews and several other special family members.
Ethan is survived by his loving parents, Perry and Amy Conner; sister, Baylee Conner; maternal grandmother, Linda W. Yarbrough, paternal grandparents, Jimmy and Sandi Conner; Uncles and Aunts, Jeremy and Shannon Yarbrough, Melinda Conner; cousins, Haley Gilley (Matt), Drew Lamb (Nikki), Addie Kay and Brycen Lamb, Colton and Alissa Yarbrough. He is also survived by his best friend/brother, Michael Moore, Uncle and Aunt, Kevin and Hannah Moore; cousin, Madison; along with several great uncles, great aunts, cousins and his beloved K9’s, Rover, Millie and Bandit.
Ethan left a legacy in just a short time, and he did it with love and ALWAYS the biggest smile.
Serving as pallbearers will be Perry Conner, Michael Moore, Jeremy Yarbrough, Colton Yarbrough, Drew Lamb and Brycen Lamb. Honorary pallbearers will be the GHS Class of 2024.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
