Ralph Edward Scott, age 88, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026, at Westside Terrace, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on August 24, 1937, in Mississippi,Ralph lived a life dedicated to service, compassion, and faith.
For 27 years, he served as a VA Clinical Social Worker, where his gentle wisdom and unwavering empathy touched countless lives. As Director of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Ralph co-founded a regional conference on addiction treatment, mentored fellow professionals, and advocated tirelessly for those in need.
Ralph’s journey in education and service was marked by excellence and integrity. He attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship and was an active member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. He went on to earn a Master of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University and completed postgraduate studies in Alcoholism Studies at Rutgers University. His dedication to mental health extended into the classroom as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he taught courses on the treatment of alcohol and substance abuse with the same compassion that defined his professional life. He was a Rotarian and also served on the supervisory committee of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union.
A man of deep faith, Ralph devoted much of his life to serving the church. He was a longtime member of Robinwood Baptist Church in Saucier, Mississippi, where he served as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School Director, and adult Sunday School teacher. After moving to Dothan, he became a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Ralph’s life was rich with a love for the outdoors and life’s simple pleasures. He enjoyed golfing, camping, and hunting with friends, always bringing laughter and warmth to those around him.
Those who knew him best remember his gentle spirit, soft-spoken nature, generous heart, and remarkable ability to see the good in everyone he met.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Carolyn Hill Scott; his son, Jonathan Todd Scott, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Lutrell Scott, of Dothan; and five cherished grandchildren—JT, Mason, Colton, Davis, and Adair—who were the pride and joy of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Barner B. Scott and Ruby Webb Scott; his brothers, Thomas V. Scott and B.B. Scott Jr. and his sister, Barbara Brogan.
The family will receive friends on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m. at Ward Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Interment will take place at Union Line Cemetery in Soso, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the charity of one’s choice in honor of Ralph’s lifelong dedication to helping others.
Mary “Esther” McCrary DeLoney, age 100, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on July 10, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. She was born on September 28, 1925, in the Springhill Community in Jackson County Florida, and lived a long, full life marked by devotion to her family, her church, and the many people who were blessed by her kindness.
A Celebration of Life service honoring Mrs. DeLoney will be held at 3 P.M. Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Tim Willis officiating and Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 3 P.M. Sunday, one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Esther’s memory to Ridgecrest Baptist Church.
Esther was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose gentle spirit and steady presence brought comfort and joy to those around her.
She and her husband were charter members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where their faith was an important part of their lives. Esther was also a charter member of the Mother’s Club of Dothan, where she formed lasting friendships and contributed to her community in meaningful ways.
Esther especially enjoyed sewing and baking, and she became well known for her delicious cookies, Lane Cake and her delicious Pound Cakes, which her granddaughter, Rachel Hummel carries the Pound Cakes recipe on through Esther”s Pound Cake Company. She was an excellent baker of everything, and her kitchen was often a place of comfort, welcome, and sweet memories. The care she put into her sewing and baking reflected the same thoughtfulness she showed in every part of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Odessa McCrary; her husband of 64 years, George Edward DeLoney; her brother, JJ McCrary; and her sister, Martha Cone.
She is survived by her children, Bill DeLoney and his wife Angela, Don DeLoney and his wife Kay, and Ange Thagard and her husband Les; her sisters, Inez Thomas; Johnnie Remsynder; her grandchildren, William David DeLoney and his wife Lisa, Cameron Wade DeLoney and his wife Kendall, Rachel Hummel and her husband Gordon, Nicholas DeLoney and his wife Jennifer, and Garrett DeLoney and his wife Ashley; her 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Each of them carries forward a part of her legacy through the love, values, and memories she gave so freely.
Esther’s life was one of devotion, faith, and quiet strength. She touched many lives with her kindness, her generosity, and her unwavering love for her family. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Extendicare and Gentiva Hospice.
OZARK…Mr. Craig Eliot “Sarge” Walters (Staff Sergeant, United States Army, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died Friday morning, July 10, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. He was 75.
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Thursday, July 16, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Father Jeffrey officiating. Graveside services, with full military honors, will be on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Walters, son of the late Jesse Clyde Walters and Jessie Wilma Williams Walters, was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, a place he always considered home. He was a proud 1969 graduate of Davidson High School and went on to attend the University of South Alabama, where he studied for the ministry. His plans were interrupted when he was drafted into military service, but he answered the call with the same sense of duty and dedication that would define the rest of his life.
Mr. Walters proudly served his country in the United States Army for twenty-one years before retiring from military service. His love for his nation and commitment to serving others remained a source of pride throughout his life. Never one to stop learning or working toward a goal, he later earned a Business Degree from Troy University in 1995, an accomplishment that reflected his strong work ethic and determination.
For forty years, Mr. Walters was the owner and operator of P & W Garage, where he built not only a successful business but also countless friendships. He was known for his honesty, skill, and willingness to help anyone who needed a hand. To many, he was more than a mechanic—he was a trusted friend, a listening ear, and someone who could always be counted on. Through his work and kindness, he touched the lives of countless people in the community.
Above all else, Mr. Walters was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and cherished friend. He treasured the time spent with his family and found great joy in the relationships he built throughout his life. He had a lifelong passion for cars and thoroughly enjoyed attending car shows, talking with fellow enthusiasts, and admiring classic automobiles. Whether working in his garage, sharing stories with friends, or spending time with loved ones, he had a way of making people feel welcome and valued.
Craig (Gregory) loved the lord and was a member of Annunciation of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church in Montgomery, Alabama.
Mr. Walters will be remembered for his generous heart, unwavering loyalty, strong sense of duty, and the genuine kindness he showed to everyone he met. He was deeply loved by his family, respected by his friends, and admired throughout the community. His legacy of service, hard work, friendship, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Collins, brothers, Greg Walters and Hiram Walters (USMC Veteran).
Surviving relatives include his wife, Georgia Walters, Ozark; daughter, Olivia Walters, Clarksville, Tennessee; son, Jesse Walters (USAF, Retired), and his wife, Alyssa, Fort Worth, Texas; six grandchildren, Blayne, Brylynn, Brody, Bevin, Brie, and Briar Walters; first cousins, Clay Walters (Holly) and Benita Murphy (Rex); special friends, Mary Taylor, Yon Cabrera, Christopher James Stanfield, Melinda C. Stanfield, and Ron Pendrix.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Miss Thalia Faye Burch, of Ft. Worth, TX was carried away on angel’s wings on July 4, 2026 to live in her forever Heavenly home. She was 5.
Thalia was born on February 17, 2021 in Layton, UT to Logan Colby Garrett and Makayla Dawn Demers Burch. Thalia was our shining star, forever fascinated by the wonders of space and the beauty of the world around her. She loved animals, sweet treats, and endless adventures, especially pretending to be her favorite animals and exploring with a limitless imagination. Her brilliant little mind was matched only by her beautiful heart. She never shied away from anyone; she greeted everyone she met with a warm smile and a friendly wave and never let anyone leave without a hug and a kiss. Though her time with us was too far short, the love, kindness, and light she shared will remain in our hearts forever.
Thalia was preceded in death by her paternal great grandmother, Carole Burch and her maternal great grandparents, Mark Sr. and Fay Demers.
Thalia is survived by her loving parents, Cole and Makayla Burch of Ft. Worth, TX; maternal grandparents, Mike and Erica Demers of Kinston, AL; paternal grandparents, Marci Logan of DeFuniak Springs, FL and Keith Burch of Samson, AL; great grandparents, Vonnie Bunch of Kinston, AL, Gaffney and Donna Logan of Samson, AL and David Burch of Samson, AL; aunt and uncles, Michael Demers Jr. of Calhan, CO, Mark Demers (Nicole) of Sumter, SC and Marley Veneszee (Luke Cornish) of Freeport, FL; and cousins, Oliver and Avery Veneszee of Freeport, FL.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Martha Jo “Mot” Chancey Miller, a resident of Ozark, passed away Friday, July 10, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 84 years old.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned for Mrs. Miller. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Miller was born August 28, 1941 in Ozark, Alabama to the late A. G. Chancey and Donna Louise Willis Chancey. She was a graduate of Carroll High School and Wallace Community College where she received her certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She met and married Billy Charles Miller shortly after high school graduation and they were married for sixty years. Martha worked at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery and later with Dr. Smith in Ozark. “Mot” as she was affectionately known, was a member of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church in Ozark. Martha was an avid gardener. She enjoyed working in her yard and cooking for her family and friends. She loved her family very much. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Billy Miller; her beloved grandson who she loved deeply, Charles Taylor Mitchell; one sister, Donna Richard and one brother, A. J. “Buddy” Chancey.
Survivors include two daughters, Patti Davis (Terry) and Ami Miller all of Ozark; one sister, Shannon Gill (Mike) of Ozark; two grandchildren, Justin Davis (Danielle) of Hammond, Louisiana and Terry Davis Jr. of Atlanta; two great grandchildren, Grayson Davis and Olivia Davis also of Hammond; several nieces and nephews; special family friends, Larry Brennan of Ozark and Becky Smith of Columbia.
The family would like to express their thanks to Gentiva Hospice and special caregivers, Tina and Loretta.
Ms. Joanne Rose Hill Wright, age 80, a resident of Dothan, died Thursday July 9, 2026, at Wesley Place in Dothan.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00am on Monday, July 13, 2026, in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel with Father Fred Boni officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing.
Flowers will be accepted.
Ms. Wright was born on October 26, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph Hill and Anne Meola Hill. She grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio then moved to Dothan in 1973. Ms. Wright retired as a Registered Nurse following 45 years of service. She was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Gordon Lee Wright.
Survivors include: three daughters, Lisa Wright and Michelle Roderick (Michael) both of Colorado Springs, CO., Megan Rhodes (Christopher), Dothan; two sons, Craig Wright (Marisol) and Brian Wright, both of Dothan; seven grandchildren, Jordan Stanley (Jacob), Danyele Wright, Cassie Wright, Erin Roderick, Alex Roderick, Lucy Roderick, and Ella Roderick; four great-grandchildren, Harrison, William, Sozo, and Jackson Lee Decker; a brother, Roy Hill of Taylor and a niece, Jennifer Hill.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.
