ABBEVILLE… James Lewis Grace, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Monday afternoon, July 27, 2026, at his home. He was 76.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Reverend Shawn Blackmon officiating. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Grace was born in Hilton, Georgia to the late Willie B. Grace and Robbee Lee Porter Grace. He was an avid Alabama fan. He loved his family.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, LaTisha Kennedy; and his son, James Kennedy.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his daughters, Teresa Kennedy, Marie Kennedy, and Earnestine Durry (Bobby); his sisters, Pauline Sanders, Betty Grace (Leon Trice), Sara Marsh (Earnest), Bobbie Bryant (David), and Linda McKinnley; his brothers, John Henry Grace and David Grace (Angela); his ten grandchildren, his 12 great-grandchildren; his several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his best friends, James Owens and Frances Johnson.
Ronald Charles Ellis, also known as “Ron,” of Dothan, AL went home to be with the Lord on July 27, 2026.
A celebration of Ron’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11am in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jerry Grandstaff and Billy Rich officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy and those wishing to honor his memory, consider making a donation to Southside Baptist Church.
Ron is survived by his cherished wife, Pamela Ellis, who he adored and made it his mission to love, support, and honor her. He also leaves behind his children, Carrie Graham and her husband, Scott, Casey Andrews and her husband, Eric, and Craig Ellis and his wife, Mandi; and his grandchildren, Carolyn, Julia, and Colin Graham, Caleb and Maggie Andrews, and Emelia, Thomas, Rosemary, and Shepard Ellis. He is also survived by his sister, Dawn Ellis; his brother, Randy Ellis; and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Winton “Buddy” Ellis and Nadine Ellis.
He lived a life defined by faith, generosity, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. He was an active and devoted member of Southside Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and participated in countless committees, ministries, and initiatives. He especially loved being involved with Vacation Bible School and missions, always looking for any opportunity to serve his church and share God’s love with others.
He was a constant presence in his children’s lives. He coached, encouraged, participated, and showed up for their activities, sports, and endeavors. Whatever mattered to his children mattered deeply to him, and he gave freely of his time and energy to help them succeed.
He consistently cared more about others than he did about himself. He was extraordinarily generous with both his time and his resources, often recognizing a need before anyone had the chance to ask. Restaurant servers were always glad to see him seated in their section.
He loved Braves baseball and shared that love with his family. Among the memories his children will always treasure is cheering alongside him as Sid Bream slid safely home in Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series, sending the Braves past the Pittsburgh Pirates and creating a moment they would relive together for years.
He will also be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his love of practical jokes, and his determination to bring laughter and levity into nearly every situation. He had a gift for helping people smile, especially when they needed it most. He loved cooking and was a true foodie long before being a foodie was a thing. He was quick to share his food adventures and favorite restaurants and loved sharing meals with the people he loved.
He was a role model for loving all of God’s children. He spent 42 years working in his community selling cars. He was known as a trusted advisor and had lifelong customers who wouldn’t buy a car from anyone else. Many of those customers grew into friends.
His famously messy desk may have been covered with papers and projects, but no matter how scattered it became, there was always a clear view of the photographs of his wife, family, and grandchildren – reflecting that which was most important to him.
Above all, he will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his family, his church, and every person whose life he touched. He would want his legacy to be defined not by personal accomplishments, but by his love for other people, his generosity, and the countless ways he worked to make life better for those around him.
And now, he is in Heaven, singing his favorite hymns loudly from the second pew and waiting for his cherished wife to join him when she has finished playing her songs.
Ron will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and carried in the hearts of his family, church family, and friends for generations to come.
Douglas Michael Norris, Sr., of Slocomb, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Flowers Hospital. He was 74 years old.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
Douglas was born on September 27, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Charlotte Norris. A proud retired United States Marine, Douglas dedicated his life to serving his country, caring for his family, and helping those around him. He was a devoted family man who was always willing to lend a hand and took great pride in looking after the people he loved. For the past 20 years, he made his home in the Fadette community of Alabama, where he formed many lasting friendships.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte Norris; his beloved wife, Teresa Norris; his grandmother, Willda Norris; his grandfather, Kenneth Norris; uncles: Melvin Norris, Kevin Norris, and Kenny Norris.
Douglas leaves behind to cherish his memory his life partner, Christine Sawyer; daughter, Sabrina Norris; sons: Douglas Norris, Jr. (Jennifer) and Kyle Skinner (Shelby); his grandchildren: Robert “Trey” Cochran (Lily), Jasper Norris, Sydney Permuth, Gabby Permuth, Jacob Norris, Watt Norris, Acesen Skinner, and James Skinner; along with other extended family members and many dear friends.
Douglas will be remembered for his strength, loyalty, generosity, and unwavering love for his family. His legacy of service, compassion, and devotion to those around him will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Mr. Rufus Wendell Skipper of Slocomb, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama, on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the age of 60.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
Born in Tallahassee, Florida, to the late Jimmy Ray and Callie Lorraine Cooper Skipper, Rufus lived a life marked by hard work, kindness, and a love for the simple things. He spent many years as a long-haul truck driver, traveling the country’s highways until the harsh northern winters began to affect his health and led him to retire from the road.
Rufus found joy in the hobbies he loved most. He enjoyed collecting die-cast cars, spending time fishing, and playing bingo with family and friends. He treasured life’s quiet moments and the relationships he built along the way. He will be remembered for his warm heart, easygoing spirit, and the memories he leaves with those who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Ray Skipper, Jr.
He is survived by his brother, Frankey Skipper (Dorria); his nephew, Buddy Skipper; and other family members and friends who will cherish his memory forever.
William Terry Bullard, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at his residence following a brief illness. He was 87.
Terry’s wishes were to not have any services but the friends may drop by the family residence for a time of visitation.
Terry was born March 10, 1939 in Houston County, Alabama to the late Charles and Agnes Watson Bullard. He was a graduate of Dothan High School and attended Huntingdon College before graduating from Auburn University in 1962 with a degree in Building Science. He opened Bullard Engineering in Dothan and ran that for 15 years before going to Cumberland School of Law and getting his Law Degree. Terry was a practicing Attorney for 46 years in Dothan. He had a passion for flying, boating and spending quality time with family and friends. Terry became a Christian at the age of 70 and joined Calvary Baptist Church where he loved attending his Tuesday morning Bible Study with Dr. Rick Weber and Thursday morning Bible Study with Kelly Colbert. He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed bringing joy to those around him.
Terry is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Ness; brother Ted Bullard and a granddaughter, Cassidy McCallister.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Karen Whatley Bullard; daughters; Paige McCallister, Cara Powell (Dr. Adam Powell); sons, Trant Bullard (Karen), Dr. Chad Mann (Haley) and Caleb Mann (Jeanie); grandchildren, Nick, Lawson, Anna Louise, Mary Frances, Warner, Mary Ellen, Elizabeth M, Mills, Hudson, Neely, Elizabeth P and Anne Collins; great granddaughter, Margot and a brother, Matt Bullard (Linda).
Paul Bradley Shipes, 57, of Ariton, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on July 25, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Rev. Jason Waddell will officiate, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Bruce Casey, Shannon Strickland, Travis Strickland, Dylan Prescott, Mitch Evans, and Michael Tillman.
Paul is survived by his beloved daughter, Macy (Dylan) Prescott of Midland City, Alabama; his mother, Gaye Tillman Shipes; his brother, Scott (Mary Ann) Shipes of Euell, Alabama; two nephews, Zach (Jasmine) Shipes and Baker Shipes; one great-niece, Mila Shipes; the mother of his daughter, Schella Shipes of Ozark; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Andy Shipes.
Paul was a faithful and active member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and a proud 1987 graduate of Dixie Academy. He had a passion for NASCAR and especially enjoyed helping his brother, Scott, work on his stock car. He loved spending time fishing, farming—whether with his own tractor or someone else’s—and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Paul will be remembered for his kind heart, willingness to lend a helping hand, and the love he had for his family, friends, and community.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
