by Holman Mortuaries | Oct 1, 2025 | Obituaries
COLUMBIA. . .Robert Mercer Rogers, Jr., a resident of Columbia, passed away unexpectedly Monday night, September 29, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. He was 77.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, October 5, 2025, in the First Baptist Church of Columbia with Pastor Vann Cooley officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Sunday in the church sanctuary. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Columbia, P.O. Box 267, Columba, AL 36319.
Robert Rogers was born and raised in Columbia, son of the late Robert Mercer Rogers, Sr. and Martha Nell Vann Rogers. He was a 1966 graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia and attended Wallace Community College, Livingston University and Auburn University. Robert owned and operated WESZ Radio Station in Abbeville. In earlier years, he was employed by Daniel Construction Company. Robert was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbia and was formerly involved in the Dothan City League Softball Association.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Angelique Willits Rogers; a daughter, Deena Renew, Tifton, GA; a step-daughter, Meraiah Wilson, Columbia; a brother, Vann Rogers (Marilyn), Columbia; grandchildren, Lauren Renew and Evan Renew; and a niece, Kelly Breedlove (Sean).
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
by Glover Funeral Home | Oct 1, 2025 | Obituaries
Barbara Ann Bailey Rosin
November 8, 1949 – September 29, 2025
Barbara Ann Bailey Rosin, age 75, passed away September 29, 2025, in Graceville, Florida.
Per her wishes, there are no services scheduled at this time.
Barbara was one of thirteen children. She enjoyed gardening, arts and crafts, and a cool can of Sprite. She served as the manager of Field Crest Apartments for thirty plus years and thoroughly enjoyed her time while there.
Barbara is preceded in death by her father, Wesley M. Bailey; her mother, Bernadean Howley; step-father, Gene Howley, and step-mother, Doana Bailey.
She is survived by her son, Joey Neumann (Brandi); four granddaughters, Amanda Neumann (Mandi), Emily Holland (Austin), Katheryn Neumann, and Rachel Neumann.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home | Oct 1, 2025 | Obituaries
OZARK…Mr. Tommy Powers “Tom” Cutchen (CW4, United States Army, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died late Sunday evening, September 28, 2025, in Dale Medical Center. He was 91.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 11, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Adam Mulliner officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Cutchen was a man whose life reflected deep dedication, quiet strength, and a heart for service. Born and raised in Dale County, Alabama, he was the beloved son of William Bascom Cutchen and Lenna Bertha Powers Cutchen. From an early age, he carried the values of hard work, faith, and community—values that would guide him through every chapter of his life.
He graduated from Dale County High School, and not long after, made the courageous decision to enlist in the United States Army. What began as a young man’s call to serve turned into a remarkable forty-year career. Through decades of commitment, he rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4, a testament to his leadership, discipline, and unwavering loyalty to his country. Along the way, he took advantage of the GI Bill to earn his associate’s degree—always believing in the power of education and self-improvement.
Even after retiring from active duty, Mr. Cutchen wasn’t one to sit still. He continued to serve by teaching at the North Carolina Army National Guard, sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of soldiers. His passion for helping others extended far beyond the military. He found joy in ministry work, often volunteering his time and talents at the Salvation Army, where he helped with computer systems and offered a helping hand wherever it was needed. He was also a proud supporter of Samaritan’s Purse, always looking for ways to give back and uplift those in need.
For the past seventeen years, Mr. Cutchen led worship services at Oakview Manor in Ozark. Week after week, he brought comfort, music, and spiritual encouragement to the residents there. It was more than a role—it was a calling. His presence was steady, his voice familiar, and his faith inspiring.
Outside of his service and ministry, Mr. Cutchen had a love for life’s simple pleasures. In his earlier years, he enjoyed traveling to new places, going for long runs, and spending peaceful hours fishing. These moments brought him joy and balance, reminding him of the beauty in everyday life. He was preceded in death by two brothers.
Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-six years, whom he married on October 14, 1969, Annette R. Cutchen, Ozark; daughter, Katherine Dianne Wagner, Columbus, Georgia; son, James Cutchen, Missouri; sister, Anna Eduora Carroll, Ozark; brother, Noel Angus Cutchen, Bonifay, Florida; two grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins; dear friends, Jeffrey Rizzo and Adam Mulliner.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
by Sorrells Funeral Home | Oct 1, 2025 | Obituaries
Ken Spruell, known by some as Ken but by many as simply “Spruell,” was called to Heaven on September 29, 2025. He was 78 years old. He died from complications of stroke after three years of valiant battle.
Spruell was born June 26, 1947, to Nathaniel Rufus and Pauline Spruell. He grew up in the former Old Overton mining village near Irondale, Alabama. After high school he served in Vietnam as a member of the Air Force, graduated from the University Montevallo, and then achieved success as an executive in the insurance industry. After serving in similar roles in California and Tennessee, Spruell became President of Molton, Allen & Williams, a large insurance broker based in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1999, pursuing his dream of living in the country and running a small-town insurance agency, Spruell promised to build Patti her dreamhouse if she would agree to move home to Dothan. Having convinced Patti to leave their beloved home in Birmingham, Spruell joined The Baxter Agency in Dothan, as Vice President and was instrumental in the eventual merger/acquisition of The Baxter Agency and Molton, Allen & Williams. Spruell and some of his colleagues later bought The Baxter Agency where Spruell served as President until health issues forced him to retire at 75. For many years, Spruell also served on the Board of Advisors for the Business School at the University Montevallo.
Spruell leaves behind his wife Patti Palmer Spruell, his brother Johnny, his son Jason Spruell and wife Joy, his children of the heart through marriage Glenn and Sean Sanders, his grandchildren Nathan, London, Lance and Laurence Spruell, his grandchildren by marriage Rabon, Ralls, and Jenni Pennington (and several great-grandchildren through them), his daughter-in-law, Ruth Spruell; his son-in-law through marriage, Mike Pennington; his nephew and lifelong friend, Danny Elkins, Danny’s wife Patsy, and many more cherished nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins as well. Spruell was preceded in Heaven by his parents; his siblings Hubert, Elizabeth, Leon, Neal, Clyde, Mary, and Sarah; his son, Michael Derek Spruell; and his daughter of the heart by marriage, Peyton Pennington.
Pallbearers will be Jason Spruell, Glenn Sanders, Paul David West, Ralls Pennington, Ray Wiehe, Bill Lovrich, Donnie Peters and Doug Kitchens. Honorary pallbearers are Darrell Raulerson, Hovie Sawyers, and grandsons Lance, Laurance, Nathan and London Spruell.
Funeral services will be held at Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb on Thursday, October 2, 2025 with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and services commencing at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Wendell Holmes and Rev. Tommy White officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Peyton’s Chapel, adjacent to Ken and Patti’s home which is located at 11780 Fortner Street, west of Dothan. A reception for friends and family of the Spruells will then be held from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Southerly House, 1609 County Road 74, Dothan, AL 36301. Flowers are welcome, but so are donations in Spruell’s memory to either Sardis Missionary Baptist Church in Dothan or Kitty Kottage in Dothan.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.
“Because We Care … Is Making A Difference”
To sign a guest register, please visit
www.sorrellsfuneral.com
by Sorrells Funeral Home | Sep 30, 2025 | Obituaries
Mr. Herb Allen Van Slyke, Sr. “Grumpy” passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 81.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 4, 2025 in the Chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home Slocomb.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service.
Herb was born on December 26, 1943 to the late Robert Evans and Thelma Winters Van Slyke in Cornwall, New York. He graduated high school, served his country through Military Service, in the United States Army, and continued to serve his community by being a business man. He was the owner of Cycle Service in Dothan since 1981. He was an avid, Auburn football fan, loved fishing, and motorcycles.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Jean Van Slyke.
A legacy of love and leadership will continue through his surviving family, Janett Van Slyke, his loving wife; a daughter, Barara Van Slyke; two sons: Allen Van Slyke (Heather), Robert Van Slyke (Trishia); grandchildren: Trent Johnson (Caitlin), Drew Arnold, Cade Van Slyke, Regan Johnson (Tyler), Caleb Brannon, Hunter Welch, Olivia Welch, Emily Van Slyke, Kylar Royals, Raylee Van Slyke; great-grandchildren: Remington Brannon, Jaxtyn Johnson; one brother, Robert E. Van Slyke, Jr.; one sister, Gail Cunningham; numerous nieces, nephews, and an extended family member Taressa Trammell.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.
“Because We Care … Is Making A Difference”
To sign a guest register, please visit
www.sorrellsfuneral.com
by Fowler Family Funeral Home | Sep 30, 2025 | Obituaries
Betty Jo Watford Wells, 89, of Malone, Florida and long time resident of Samson, Alabama passed away on September 27, 2025. A beloved daughter, sister, mother, and teacher, Betty Jo lived a long and meaningful life defined by her strength, dedication,and love for those around her.
Born on February 3, 1936, Betty Jo was the cherished daughter of Edward Watford and Lina Griffin Watford. She later married Donald D. Wells, with whom she shared many years of love and partnership. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Holloway (Jason) and Wendy Morris (Randy); grandchildren Zack Holloway (Elizabeth), Brooke Morris and Rachel Morris; great granddaughter Jane Holloway; as well as her sister Lurie Long (Lynn) and her brother, Bobby Watford (Florene).
A highly respected business education teacher, Betty Jo left a lasting mark on her students and colleagues. Known for her no-nonsense style, she ran a tight ship in the classroom, instilling discipline and determination in all those she taught. Beyond her career, her passions included gardening, cheering on The University of Alabama football and following college basketball. She was also admired for her love of beautifying spaces, both indoors and out—a gift she carried into every facet of her life.
In keeping with her wishes, no formal service will be held. The family extends their deepest gratitude for the love, prayers and support of cherished friends, the church community and Southern Care Hospice whose kindness has been a source of comfort and strength.
