Dorothy Lillian Whitehurst, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 95. Born on August 12, 1930, in Holmes County, Florida, to the late William Jefferson Hough and Katie Winifred Rich Hough, Dorothy’s life was a testament to the power of kindness and the impact one person can have on the lives of many.
Dorothy, dedicated her life to her family, she was a loving mother to Cynthia (Richard) Ousley and Michael Whitehurst. Her legacy extends through her adoring grandchildren, Michael (Kim) Whitehurst, Jr., Scott (Tricia) Whitehurst, Heather (Chris) Myrick, Katie (Justin) Whitson, Lee Ousley, and Chris (Margaret) Ousley, and her cherished great-grandchildren, Emily Whitehurst, Cody Myrick, Brody Whitehurst, Ryan Whitehurst, Scarlet Whitson, Leland Whitson, Aidan Ousley, Joseph Ousley, and Carter Ousley. Dorothy was preceded in death by her two brothers and five sisters, two daughters-in-law, Ann and Debra; and her great-granddaughter, Kylee Morgan Whitson.
Throughout her career as a telephone operator for GTE, Dorothy’s sharp instincts and calm demeanor proved lifesaving. Her quick actions and unwavering commitment to her duty resulted in aid reaching three individuals, including a doctor, earning her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and those she served.
Dorothy’s passion for gardening was evident to all who visited her home. Her gardens, a vibrant tapestry of flowers and vegetables, were a source of joy and tranquility not only for her but also for friends and neighbors who were often recipients of her bountiful harvests. Her green thumb brought beauty to the world and nourished both body and soul.
Funeral services will be held to celebrate Dorothy’s life on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 1 PM from the chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Doug Seale officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 PM until 7 PM, Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the funeral home.
James Ware McCarty, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Washington Rehab and Nursing in Chipley, Florida. He was 80.
Graveside services will be held at 2 PM Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Gardens of Memory cemetery between Dothan and Headland on Hwy 431.
James was born September 15, 1945 in Columbus, Georgia. He moved to Dothan at an early age and graduated from Dothan High School. James began a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator with the City of Dothan where he worked for 25 years before retiring.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Doris Shirah.
Survivors include his son, Christopher J. McCarty; granddaughter, Kristen Wagg and her children, Riley and Reagan; brother, Will and Ceciela McCarty; nephew, Steven McCarty and niece, Heather and Jonathan Hurt; special friends and caregivers, Ms. Alice Bennett, Marie and Len Peterson and Mr. Wallace Yarbrough.
Billie Grace (Ketchem) Clark, 85, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at her home with family after a hard-fought illness. Billie was born on June 29, 1940, in Slocomb, Alabama to her mother Audrey Mae (White) (Ketchem) Wilson and her father Shelby Ketchem.
She is survived by her daughter, Terri Lyn (Boyles) Jennings (Robert); two sons, Gregory Clark and Grant Clark. Eight grandchildren, Ashley (Boyles) Martin-Culet (Michael), Amber (Boyles) Bibiloni (David), Christopher Knoff (Ashley), Jessica (Knoff) Garcia, Samantha Knoff, Jonathan Knoff, Courtney (Knoff) Allen (Michael) and Brittany Clark (Dustin); and sixteen great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death is her husband of 50 years, Gerald (Jerry) Kavanaugh Clark(2009) and her loving parents.
Billie Grace was born and raised in Slocomb, Alabama. Throughout her youth, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Slocomb. She was a graduate of Slocomb High School in 1957. During her senior year, she was the school, county, and district winner of the Birmingham News Oratorical Contest. She progressed to the state finals in Birmingham, AL., where she was awarded a college scholarship. In pursuit of her major in Elementary Education and a Minor in music, she attended Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, AL. and Troy University in Troy, AL. During the summer months, she attended the University of Alabama Extension Center in Dothan, AL. Billie Grace was blessed with intelligence, wit, and beauty. She was Geneva County’s Maid of Cotton in 1958, was voted Sophomore Beauty at Troy University in1959. She was a member of the Collegiate Singers, Baptist Student Union and Music Educator’s National Conference. Her sorority at Birmingham-Southern was Pi Beta Phi and as an adult, she was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, an international service, cultural, and social sorority for women.
During the early years of her marriage, Billie Grace was a homemaker, where she devoted her time to her husband and three children. Her husband was in retail management for the F.W. Woolworth Company for 35 years and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for 12 years. They traveled to and lived in many different cities throughout the Southeastern part of the United States. When the children were older, Billie began her career. She was a Sales Analyst for the Regional Office of American Cryogenics, a Sales and Market Research Specialist involving organizing in-store promotions and radio commercials, a Sales Trainer and Sales Representative for the Southeast region for Bic Corporation for 15 years. Billie also worked for the Duval County Public School System in Jacksonville, FL for 13 years. She worked in Special Education for one year and in the Library Media Center for 12 years. She retired in 2004.
Billie Grace was proud of her upbringing and of her small town of Slocomb, Alabama. The values that she had learned from her family and friends in that small town stayed with her throughout her lifetime. She had a passionate love and gift for writing poetry and short stories. She enjoyed collecting antiques and spending time with her family. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She always looked for the good in others and was a loyal and trusted friend. She loved deeply and touched so many lives. Above all, she loved the Lord with all her heart and is rejoicing in Heaven.
A memorial service for Billie Grace will be held at Thomas B Dobies Funeral Home on February 26, 2026, at 2 pm.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Sister Dorothy Willene Paul Wilkerson, a resident of the Ewell Community was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Friday evening February 13, 2026, at Oakview Manor with her loving family by her side. She was 98 years old. Funeral services for Sister Wilkerson will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Joey Hudspeth and Reverend Michael Woodham officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Flowers will be accepted. Serving as pallbearers will be Tony Culley, Keith Culley, Jamie Culley, David Money, Ryan Rhoades, Kaden Griswold and Mason Arguelles.
Sister Wilkerson was born May 19, 1927 in North Dale County, Alabama to the late Mack Howard Paul and Minnie Lee Johnson Paul. After high school, Willene met and married Bob Culley while he was stationed at Fort Rucker in the Army. They later moved to Maryland where they made their home for twelve years until their divorce. Sister Willene moved the family back to Ozark and later she married Marrell Wilkerson. She worked with White Knight Manufacturing Company in Ozark as a seamstress. Willene and Marrell operated Kenny’s Truck Stop in Brundidge, she worked with Ozark Home Health, and worked as a cook at the Ice House in Ozark where she made the perfect hush-puppy. Sister Willene was a long-time member of Matthews Avenue Church of God, and helped start Cornerstone Holiness Church in Ariton. She was a strong woman of faith, always giving to someone in need, or taking someone into her home, but most importantly sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her children and grandchildren were her world celebrating five generations. She loved to cook for her family, travel and tend her flowers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Walter J. Bob Culley and Levy Marrell Wilkerson; one daughter, Cindy Marlene Butler; two sons, Bobby Culley and Bruce Culley; one sister, Mildred Gardner; one brother, Jessie Frank Paul; two grandchildren, Kevin Culley and Melissa Wilkerson. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Betty Ann and W. M. Bill Sullivan of Ozark; two sons and daughters-in-law, Howard Lee and Debbie Culley of Taylor and Levy Lamar and Nell Wilkerson of Ozark; two daughters-in-law, Ann Culley of Rising Sun, Maryland and Ginny Culley of Abbeville; son-in-law, Keith Butler of Ozark; grandchildren, Jamie Culley (Pam) of Rising Sun, Maryland, Tony Culley (Rebecca) of Ozark, Keith Culley (Chelsea) of Skipperville, Jena DeVane of Newton, Brandy Rhoades (Ryan) of the Chalkhead Community, Amber Garza (Ed) of the Rocky Head Community, Mikaela Hudspeth (Ian) of Ozark, David Money and Joel Money both of Abbeville; twenty-eight great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family would like to thank the staff of Oakview Manor for the love and care they gave her.
Ruth Arlene Franklin, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama.
Born on February 26, 1954, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to the late W. C. Spurlock and Norma Nicholson Spurlock, Ruth was the beloved wife of Ray Franklin, with whom she shared 39 years of marriage filled with laughter, support, and countless cherished memories. Together, they raised a family that was the center of Ruth’s world. She was a devoted mother to her sons, David, Jimmy, and Allen Franklin, and she took immense pride in her role as a grandmother to Chasity Burkett, Chelsea Franklin, Caitlynn Franklin, Shana Knight, and Carlton Burkett. Ruth’s joy was multiplied with the arrival of her seven great-grandchildren, each of whom brought a sparkle to her eye and warmth to her heart.
Preceded in death by her parents, W. C. Spurlock and Norma Nicholson Spurlock, and her brother, Frank Spurlock, Ruth’s legacy is carried on by her loving sisters, Sharon Kennedy, Faye Simmons, Diane Sawyer, Vivian Jackson, and Judy Chambless. Her family remembers her as a beacon of strength and love, a woman who nurtured deep roots and strong bonds.
A proud graduate of Early County High School, Ruth found a love for gardening, finding peace and contentment in the act of nurturing plants and flowers to life. Her garden was a vibrant reflection of her soul, full of color and life. Ruth’s love for the beach was well-known, with Panama City holding a special place in her heart. It was there that she felt most at peace, with the sand between her toes and the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop to her thoughts. Photography was another of Ruth’s interests, allowing her to capture the beauty of the world around her. Her photographs are treasured keepsakes that will continue to tell the story of her keen eye for beauty and her appreciation for the moments that make life precious.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Bethel Baptist Church.
