Melodie Lynn Woodham of Dothan passed away Monday, May 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was 66.
A Celebration of Life service honoring Melodie will be held at 1 P.M. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Woodham officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, May 16, 2026, one hour prior to the service.
Melodie Lynn Woodham, was born March 16, 1960, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Ralph and Shirley Been. As part of a military family, Melodie spent much of her childhood moving across the country before eventually settling in Dothan, Alabama.
Melodie attended and graduated from Cottonwood High School, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Dick Woodham. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing softball and proudly cheering on the Cottonwood Bears.
In May of 1982, Melodie married Dick, beginning a beautiful marriage that would span 44 loving years. Together they built a life centered around faith, family, and unconditional love. She was a devoted wife and a proud mother to her son, Shawn, and daughter, Kristen. While she cherished her children deeply, her greatest joy came from being “MiMi” to her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Raylee, Chloe, Conner, Kolson, Marissa, Mackenzie, Grayce, Grayson, Jenson, and Adeline. She treasured every opportunity to support them at ballgames, school functions, activities, and honors events.
Melodie dedicated more than 20 years of her life to caring for animals as a veterinary technician. She began her career at Care Animal Center and later continued her calling at Briar Creek Veterinary Hospital Known affectionately by many as the “Cat Whisperer,” Melodie had a special gift for comforting and caring for animals, especially cats, while also forming lasting connections with their owners.
Her compassion for animals extended far beyond her profession. Throughout her life, she lovingly cared for dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and even squirrels. Among them all, her soulmate companion was a little white dog named Blossom, lovingly nicknamed, “Toot Toot.”
Outside of work and family, Melodie enjoyed visiting farmers markets, browsing trading posts, supporting local businesses, and shopping at Marshal’s. She found joy in simple moments, meaningful conversations, and making those around her feel love and welcomed.
Melodie was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Shirley Been.
She is survived by her loving husband, Richard “Dick” Woodham; her son, Shawn Shepard (Sebrina), of Southport, Florida; her daughter, Kristen (Stevie) Creamer of Dothan, Alabama; her grandchildren, Raylee Grantham, Chloe Shepard, Conner Shepard, Kolson Creamer, Marissa(Steven) Shook, Mackenzie Creamer, Grayce and Grayson Creamer, and her great-grandchildren, Jenson Shook and Adeline Shook.
Melodie will be remembered for her compassionate heart, her unwavering devotion to family, her gentle spirit, and the love she shared so freely with both people and animals. Her presence brought comfort, warmth, and laughter to so many, and her memory will forever be treasured by all who knew and loved her.
Imogene Hicks Wright, a resident of Dothan, Alabama passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026 at Westside Terrace. She was 100 years old.
Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Memory Hill cemetery with Brother Billy Rich officiating. In memory of Mrs. Wright, donations may be made to Memphis Baptist Church, 4595 Eddins Road, Dothan, AL 36301.
Mrs. Wright was born in Newville, Alabama on September 26, 1925 to Genus and Carrie Hicks. She grew up a farm girl and married her sweetheart, William, on June 27, 1942. They moved to Dothan a few years later. She worked for Dothan Fabric Company for many years.
Mrs. Wright was a member of Memphis Baptist Church. She loved working in her yard and being outside. Her favorite pastime was sitting on her back porch and watching hummingbirds.
Mrs. Wright was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Silas “Zeke” Wright and two sisters, Frances Hicks Bradley and Lavada Hicks Watson.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Charlotte Wright McKnight (Jerry), son, Terry C. Wright; grandchildren, Kimberly McKnight Judy (Eric), Gina McKnight Riley (Shawn), Chandra Wright, Christi Riche’ (Todd), Chad Wright (Sarah); great grandchildren, Madeline Judy Wheeler (Matt), Wyatt Judy (Madison), Cullen Riley, Owen Riley, Cole Riche’; great great grandchildren, Evelyn May Wheeler and Eloise Leigh Wheeler; numerous nieces and nephews, special neighbors and friends.
The family wishes to thank Westside Terrace and Gentiva Hospice for the love, care and compassion provided to Mrs. Wright and her family.
Ralph Reid Knight Jr., aged 84, of Satellite Beach, FL sadly passed away on April 30th, 2026, at Viera Del Mar Rehabilitation Center in Melbourne, FL.
Reid hailed from Sanford, NC, graduating from Sanford Central High School in the Class of 1960. He moved to Florida and not long after was drafted into the military. He always liked to joke that when he was sent to basic training in North Carolina that he was sent home to serve. After his military service, he attended Brevard Community College, studying engineering and computer science. He lived in Satellite Beach where he met his wife-to-be, the late Martha Kay Knight. They made their home in Satellite Beach, before settling in Melbourne to start a family. Reid was a valued member of many teams that supported the space program from the 1960s through to the 2010s. He travelled throughout the US and Caribbean to support launch operations and provide technical support to NASA’s space program for over 50 years.
He loved the outdoors, enjoying fishing in Steinhatchee, swimming at Cocoa Beach, canoeing in the many lakes & rivers around Brevard County, boating in the Indian River, bird watching at Black Point, and hiking nature trails throughout Florida. He had a keen eye for spotting gators, eagles, hawks, and wild turkeys.
Reid was loved for his tall tales, deep laughs, and fun facts. He was quick to share stories of his youth in North Carolina, swimming in streams, dodging water moccasins, and fox hunts with hound dogs. He enjoyed late nights of Monopoly and competitive games of cribbage with his children. He coached his children’s softball, t-ball, and basketball teams, encouraging early weekend practice despite their groans and moans. He was a fan of movies with microwave popcorn, especially Cool Hand Luke and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Reid has family and many friends in Florida, Alabama, and North Carolina that will miss him dearly. His nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews provided him with support, love, and care in his final years. A special thank you to Tracey, Brandon, and Kristin who did so much to help Reid.
Reid is survived by his son, Trey; daughter, Krisandra (Katie); granddaughter, Tilly; and sisters, Donna and Wanda. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay; partner, Esther; and sister, Jennie.
Ernestine Jo Guyette Carey of Westville, FL passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. She was 59 years old.
A celebration of life service and fellowship will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the fellowship hall of West Pittman Baptist Church, 1599 Bradley Rd., Westville, FL 32464 with Rev. Daniel Smith officiating.
Ernestine was born on November 12, 1966, in Gloversville, NY, to Ethel Louise Fetrow Guyette Yates and the late Ernest Guyette. She was known for her love of family and friends, having the biggest heart to help anyone in need. Regardless of if she had just met you or known you for years, she was always willing to help. Ernestine was an amazing artist that only few closest to her knew about. She was known as a “jack of all trades” but being a loving and devoted mother and grandmother was at the top of her list. Her career was being the best mother and raising her sons. Her unconditional love was shown to her children and grandchildren, who were her world. She will be deeply missed by those she loved.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one brother, Kevin Tindell and 1 brother-in-law, Donald McLean.
Ernestine is survived by two sons, Cody Carey (Alex) of Westville, FL and Bradley Dylan Jackson (Maggie) of Panama City Beach, FL; four granddaughters, Abbi, Alli, Aubri and Autumn Carey, all of Westville, FL; her mother, Ethel Yates of Westville, FL; five siblings, Joe Guyette (Cindy) of Enterprise, AL, Richard Tindell of Enterprise, AL, Victoria Jackson (Dave) of Jonestown, NY, Robin McLean of Westville, FL and Net Guyette of Arkansas.
Emily Adams Fitch passed away at her residence in Ashford, Alabama on Sunday, May 10, 2026. She was 90 years old.
Emily was born on September 8, 1935 in Ashford and resided there her entire life. She was a 1953 graduate of Ashford High School. She was a member of the Ashford United Methodist Church. Emily was a devoted Wife, Mother, and Grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her son, James “Jimmy” Fitch, III, her husband, James F. Fitch, Jr., her brother, Clyde Oates “Sonny” Adams, III, and by her parents, C. O. Adams, Jr. and Ruby Lee Stott Adams.
Emily is survived by her two daughters, Pam Fitch of Ashford, Alabama and Jill Fitch of Pike Road, Alabama; three grandsons, Elliot Fitch, Brandon Fitch, and Adam Fitch of Pike Road, Alabama.
Graveside services will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at the Ashford City Cemetery with Rev. Mike Grimes officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Macon East Academy, 15396 Vaughn Road, Cecil, Alabama 36013, (334) 277-6566.
CWO 3 Robert E. Whittaker Sr. (USA, RET), 82, of Ozark, Alabama, passed away on May 9, 2026, after an extended illness. He was born on April 7, 1944, in Chilhaley, Virginia, and was raised in Tennessee. Robert lived a life centered on service, family, and hard work.
At the age of 17, Robert volunteered for the United States Army, beginning a military career that spanned 25 years from April 1961 until October 1985. During his service, he completed three tours in Vietnam. He first served as a military police officer before later becoming a helicopter pilot. His military service was a great source of pride throughout his life. Throughout his distinguished career, Robert earned several honors and commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal, recognizing his courage, dedication, and faithful service to his country.
Outside of the military, Robert enjoyed computers, research, and aviation. He especially enjoyed watching helicopters fly overhead. He also loved caring for animals and his ranch with more than 90 animals. He preferred the comfort of home and valued quiet time with those he loved most.
Robert shared 25 years of marriage with his wife, Patricia Kay Whittaker. He was a devoted husband, father to his three sons, Robert Whittaker, Jr., Russell Whittaker and Brandon Whittaker and grandfather who deeply loved his family. He also shared a special bond with his service dog, Patches, who brought him companionship and comfort for five years.
Robert will be remembered for his strength, intelligence, loyalty, and caring nature. His legacy of service will continue through all who knew and loved him.
