DOTHAN. . .Dianne Slaughter Smith, a former resident of Dothan, passed away Tuesday afternoon, June 23,2026, in the Henry County Health & Rehabilitation Facility in Abbeville. She was 81.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, June 25, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend George Bryan officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:00 P.M. Thursday at the mortuary in Headland. Burial will be in the Rockmart Memorial Gardens, Rockmart, Georgia, Friday, June 26, 2026.
Dianne Smith was born in Rome, Georgia. She lived in Rockmart, Georgia most of her adult lifetime before moving to Dothan seven years ago. Diane was of the Baptist Faith. She was preceded in death by her father, Luther Slaughter, her mother, Elmer Mathis Manning, her husband, Grady Smith and a daughter, Michelle Bowman Childree.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Teresa Bradshaw (Chris), Ashford; a sister, Barbara Kimbrell, grandchildren, Caitlenn Teal, Daecia Teal, Michael Teal, Amber Lewis (Zack), Kendall Dickerson and Phillip Dickerson (Regan); ten great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
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.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Terence Arenson on June 21, 2026, at the age of 57, in Dothan, Alabama.
Terence was born on December 1, 1968, in Johannesburg, South Africa to Ivan and Jeanette Arenson of blessed memory. He lived in San Diego and later Los Angeles, California before moving to Dothan, Alabama.
Throughout his life, Terence was known for his kind soul, selflessness, and his compassionate personality. Terence found joy in his family, friendships, the employees who worked with him and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a loving father to Emily Arenson, and a dedicated brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many.
A funeral will be held on July 1, 2026, in Southern California.
Terence will be remembered for his kindness and love that impacted everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Susan Nycole “Nikki” Carroll Crooks, a resident of Ozark, died Sunday, June 21, 2026, in HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. She was 53 years old.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned for Mrs. Crooks. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Crooks was born March 30, 1973 in Dale County, Alabama to Eddie Carroll and Cherry Louise Thompson Carroll. Following graduation from Louisville High School in 1991, she moved to Ozark where she worked as a waitress at the truck stop in Newton and the Ice House in Ozark. Her passion was taking care of people and working as a caregiver. Nikki was an accomplished cook, making special dishes for her family and friends. She never met a stranger and wanted everyone to be fed. Nikki enjoyed planting flowers, gardening and tending her hummingbirds.
She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Steven Crooks of Ozark; one daughter, Hannah Marie Crooks of Ozark; five sons, Bryant David Hue Etheridge (Jodilyn) of Houston, Texas, Steven Crooks (Leanne) of Wicksburg and Andy Crooks of Headland, Shawn Crooks (Shannon) and Shane Crooks (Amber) all of Ozark; two sisters, Carla Smith (Terry) of Blue Springs and Dashon McNelley (Brian) of Wicksburg; four brothers, Richie Paramore of Clio, Lee Paramore of Clio, Joey Burch of San Antonio, Texas and Lamar Burch of Japan; three grandchildren, Madelyn Crooks and Braxton Crooks of Wicksburg, Emma Etheridge of Houston, Texas. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
HEADLAND, AL…….Dwight Grooms, a resident of Headland, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026 at a Dothan hospital. He was 72.
Funeral services with police honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home and Crematory, with Chief Mark Jones speaking. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
For Dwight, being a police officer was far more than a career—it was a passion and a purpose. He took great pride in wearing the badge and dedicated his life to serving and protecting others with honor, courage, and unwavering commitment.
For 21 years, Officer Grooms faithfully served the citizens of Headland with professionalism, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to protecting his community. His service left a lasting impact on the department and on the countless lives he touched throughout his career.
Law enforcement is more than a profession—it is a calling. Officer Grooms answered that call with distinction, and his legacy will not be forgotten. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service and for the example he set for those who had the privilege of serving alongside him.
Dwight never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He believed deeply in protecting those who could not protect themselves and approached each day with a servant’s heart. The friendships he formed through law enforcement became an extended family, and he cherished the bonds he shared with his fellow officers.
His legacy is one of honor, dedication, integrity, and selfless service. He will be remembered not only for the awards and recognition he received, but also for the countless lives he touched through his kindness, compassion, and commitment to others.
Please keep Officer Grooms’ family, friends, and fellow officers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Rest easy, Officer Grooms. Your watch has ended, but your service, sacrifice, and memory will live on forever.
A complete obituary will be announced at a later time.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
Phone 334-6WE-CARE (693-2273)
www.wrightfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
…Celebrating a life, one family at a time…
Our establishment DOES OWN AND OPERATE ITS OWN CREMATORY, so your loved one never has to leave our care.
Robert Lamar Deshazo, known to many simply as Lamar, passed away on June 22, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 50.
Lamar was born on August 11, 1975, in Savannah, Georgia. He was known for his quick wit, outgoing personality, and gift for conversation. Friendly and approachable, he never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone feel welcome. Whether sharing a story, telling a joke, or simply spending time with friends and family, Lamar enjoyed connecting with others and bringing a smile to those around him.
He spent much of his life as an over-the-road truck driver, traveling the country and taking pride in his work. The open road suited him well, offering both the freedom and adventure he enjoyed. Along with trucking, Lamar had a passion for riding his Harley-Davidson, collecting knives, playing pool, and spending time with the people he loved.
Lamar was also known for his cooking, especially his famous SOB stew and hearty breakfasts. He took pride in preparing meals for family and friends, and those gatherings often reflected the warmth, laughter, and hospitality that defined his life. A prankster at heart, he enjoyed making others laugh and will be remembered for his lively spirit, genuine friendships, and the joy he brought to so many.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Vickie Deshazo, and his aunt, Laura Mulkey.
He is survived by his father, Stanley Deshazo of Dothan; his sisters, Starla Deshazo (Joel Jandog) of Pensacola, Florida, and Krisie Deshazo (Bobby Williams) of Willow Springs, Missouri; his fiancée, Michelle Maddox; his son, Cody Benton; his uncle, Harold Mulkey; his cousins, Daniel Benton and Serena Benton; and his nieces and nephews, Julia Carlos, Sophia Jandog, Melanie Vogt, Brandy Williams, and Robert Williams.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Vicki Ann Riley Hill, a resident of Ozark, died Wednesday, June 17, 2026. She was 81 years old.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no services planned for Mrs. Hill. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Hill was born May 31, 1945 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Joshua Curtis Riley and Annie Irene Maund Riley. Following graduation from high school in Columbus, she met and married Charles Kebhart while he was stationed at Fort Benning. They moved to several duty stations and made their home in Savannah, Georgia. Vicki worked as a switchboard operator in the Thunderbird Hotel in Savannah and managed a skating rink there. Vickie would later marry James Hill. They operated a local pub together, JB’s Tavern in Savannah on Lincoln and Bryan. They sold the pub and began traveling across the United States in a camper trailer, taking in all the sights. They were forced to come home when James became ill and she began managing the Dress Barn in Savannah. Vicki loved her animals, Bella and Taz. She enjoyed growing flowers, and watching the Atlanta Braves and Alabama football. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Carolyn Turner.
Mrs. Hill is survived by one daughter, Tina Stanley (Michael) of Guyton, Georgia; one son, Tony Kebhart (Tabitha) of Martinsburg, West Virginia; one sister, Barbara Brittingham (Cliff) of Cincinnati, Ohio; four grandchildren, Ashley Jarvis (Nate), Justin Kebhart, Stephen Stanley (Crystal) and Susanne Stanley; three great grandchildren, Gavin Pounder, Kyleigh Stanley and Corbin Stanley.
