Ilene Watkins Livingston, age 67, passed away on August 21, 2026, in Midland City, Alabama, leaving behind a legacy of faith, kindness, and devoted service to her family, friends, and community.
Ilene was born on July 5, 1959, in Ft. Benning, Georgia, where she lived during the early years of her life. From the beginning, she carried with her the qualities that would come to define her throughout her life. She was loving, thoughtful, and faith-filled, and she touched the lives of many with her warm spirit and gentle heart. Ilene loved the Lord and sought to live her life in a way that would please Him. Her faith was not simply something she spoke about. It was evident in the way she treated others, in the way she worked, and in the way she faced life each day with grace and determination.
For more than 30 years, Ilene faithfully worked in the lunchroom at Midland City Elementary. For the past 17 years, she served as the Lunchroom Manager, where she was known for her dedication, reliability, and caring nature. She took pride in her work and in the children and coworkers she served. Her presence in the school was a blessing to many, and she made an impact far beyond the duties of her position. Ilene was helpful and kind, and she had a big heart that made people feel welcome and cared for. She approached her work with determination and a strong sense of responsibility, and she gave her best every day.
Ilene also had a deep appreciation for antiques, especially pioneer type antiques, and she enjoyed the beauty and history found in treasured old pieces. She liked watching Discovery Channel and National Geographic, interests that reflected her curiosity and enjoyment of learning about the world around her. These simple pleasures were part of the life she enjoyed, and they brought her comfort and joy. She was a woman who found value in the meaningful, the enduring, and the familiar, and those who knew her will remember the sincerity with which she lived.
She gave God all the glory throughout her life, and her faith remained central to who she was. Ilene was a woman of strength and conviction, and she carried herself with quiet dignity. Her life was a reflection of devotion, love, and steadfast care for others. She will be remembered not only for what she did, but also for the way she made people feel. Her compassion, her thoughtful nature, and her loving spirit left a lasting impression on all who were fortunate enough to know her. She faithfully attended Cedar Grove Baptist Church and enjoyed working with the children’s department teaching them about God’s Love.
Ilene is survived by her son, Brannon Livingston; her brothers, Jimmy (Mique) Watkins and Mitchell (Carol) Watkins; her sister, Kay (Bobby) Thomas; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends also survive to cherish her memory and the many ways she enriched their lives. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Martha Watkins and by her brother, Daniel L. Watkins.
A celebration of Ilene’s life will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randall Kuhn and Rev. Dennis Tew officiating. Ilene will be laid to rest in Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1-2 pm.
ECHO COMMUNITY. . .Alice Kirkland Sewell, a resident of Dale County, near the Echo Community, passed away early Thursday afternoon, August 20, 2026, at her home. She was 93.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the Mt. Enon Baptist Church, (231 County Road 515, Midland City, AL 36350) with Reverend Tim Sewell officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Enon Baptist Church, (for the cemetery fund), c/o Larry Eldridge, 10622 South County Road 59, Midland City, AL 36350.
Mrs. Sewell was a lifelong resident of the Echo Community, daughter of the late Emanuel Bentley Kirkland and Sara Edith Riley Kirkland. She was a member of Mt. Enon Baptist Church. Mrs. Sewell was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-four years, Alfred Boyce Sewell, brothers, “Little Brother” Kirkland and Robert Junior Kirkland and a sister, Mamie Ethel Stevens.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Patricia Mitchell; a son, Tim Sewell (Debbie), all of the Echo Community; grandchildren, Stephanie Tyre (Mike), Tiffanie Phillips (Bobby), Cassie Faria (Rusty) and T J Sewell (Amanda); great-grandchildren, Justin Tyre (Alyssa), Jesse Tyre (Autumn), Tyler Mitchell, Rosa Williams (Chad), Shelby Williams, Hannah Ingram (Bruce), P J Williams, Collin Dykes, Hadlee Faria, Layn Sewell (Anna), Paycee Sewell, Kloee Sewell, Kamryn Faria (Grace Marie), and Libby Faria (Josh); great-great-grandchildren, Emersyn Tyre, Hudson Tyre, Penelope Williams, Coleson Killingsworth, Jackson Mitchell, Maria Mitchell, Nova Ziegler, Madden Ziegler and Jameson Everett; several nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be T J Sewell, Layn Sewell, Justin Tyre, Jesse Tyre, Tyler Mitchell and Kamryn Faria.
A special thank you to Ashlee Sims (Enhabit Hospice) for the loving care she provided MawMaw through the gift given to her by the Lord. Words can never express our gratitude. Apple Pat and Pops love you BIG!
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.
GRIMES…Mrs. Barbara Burch Keel, a resident of Grimes, died early Thursday morning, August 20, 2026, at her home. She was 70.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Don Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Midland City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Keel, daughter of the late Grady Brooks Burch and Virginia Elizabeth Whitehead Burch, was a lifelong resident of the area and a proud native of Level Plains. She attended Enterprise High School and carried with her the values of hard work, kindness, and dedication throughout her life. Over the years, she worked for Winn Dixie in Dothan and later as a florist for Wal Mart in Dothan, where she enjoyed helping others and adding beauty to the lives of those around her through her floral creations.
Mrs. Keel found joy in the simple things in life and had many hobbies that reflected her creative spirit. She loved spending time camping and enjoying the outdoors, crocheting handmade gifts for family and friends, and working on a variety of arts and crafts projects. She was also an enthusiastic collector of salt and pepper shakers and took great pride in finding unique additions to her collection. One of her favorite pastimes was antiquing, and she always looked forward to searching for hidden treasures and learning the stories behind old and cherished items.
More than anything, Mrs. Keel treasured the time she spent with her family. Her greatest happiness came from being surrounded by those she loved. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who never missed an opportunity to share her love, wisdom, and encouragement. Whether gathering for holidays, celebrating special occasions, or simply enjoying everyday moments together, she made each person feel special and deeply loved. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a particularly special place in her heart, and she delighted in watching them grow and creating lasting memories with them.
Mrs. Keel was a faithful member of Rainbow Meadows Baptist Church, where she lived out her Christian faith through service and fellowship. She especially enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School and sharing God’s love with children. Her caring nature, gentle spirit, and willingness to help others made a lasting impact on her church family and all who knew her.
Mrs. Keel will be remembered for her loving heart, her creativity, her strong faith, and the joy she brought to those around her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Byron Keel, Grimes; two daughters, Tanya Norwalk (Billy), Newton and Christa Dickerson (Scott), Ozark; two sons, Kevin Keel (Logan), Newton and Brian Keel (Kathy), Webb; two sisters, Martha Ellen Grant, Level Plains and Teresa Herrington (Randy), New Brockton; brother, Johnny Burch (Tammy), New Brockton; thirteen grandchildren, Terrance Hiers (Sierra), Katie Hiers (Travis), Justin Hiers, Hunter Norwalk (Brooke), Mary Beth Myers, Lauren Myers, Gage Norwalk, Hailey Borundas (Lincoln), Jessie Elliott, J.T. Elliott, Dallas Cox, Micah Keel, and Xander Keel; eleven great-grandchildren; her precious dog, “Buddy”; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Mrs. Myra Lassiter, a beloved resident of the Fadette Community, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at her home. She was 81.
Born December 23, 1944, in Geneva County, Alabama, Myra was the daughter of the late Floyd and Nell Martin Perkins. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Myra enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She loved fishing and spending time working in her flower beds. She especially enjoyed visiting a good thrift store and could often be found walking around the local Dollar General. Her warm personality and love for her family and friends created many cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Myra was preceded in death by her husbands, Jackie Lassiter and Jerry Murphy; her son, Greg Lassiter; and her sister, Brenda McCord.
Survivors include her children, Donna Sue Hightower (Alan) and Mark T. Lassiter (Amy); grandchildren, Jake Lassiter, Jason Hightower (Maggie), Derek Hightower (Emily), and Hannah McLendon (Marc); great-grandchildren, Samuel Hightower, Dansby Hightower, Wesley McLendon, and Bella McLendon; and numerous extended family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at New Hinson Baptist Church with Dr. J. Chris Adams officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Myra’s life was a blessing to those around her, and her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends.
HEADLAND… Robert Lynnwood “Bobby” Smith, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at a Dothan hospital. He was 69.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Concord Baptist Church with Reverend Scott Wyatt and Brother Scotty Blankenship officiating. A eulogy will be given by Chris Parker. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church sanctuary from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Clint Hutto Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 157, Headland, Alabama 36345.
Mr. Smith was born in Dothan, Alabama to Joy Welch Smith and the late Robert Lynnwood Smith, Sr.. He lived his entire life in Headland, Alabama. He was a 1975 graduate of Headland High School. Bobby worked in agriculture his adult life. He retired in 2019 from the Auburn Experiment Station in Headland, Alabama after twenty-five years of loyal service. He loved restoring old farm equipment, tractors, and cars. He also raised cows, hogs, and chickens. He was a former partner with the Smith Brother’s Produce. Bobby loved his family deeply, especially his nephews and great-nieces. He was a member of the Concord Baptist Church.
Along with his father, he was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Don Hutto; and his nephew, Clint Hutto.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his mother, Joy Welch Smith; his sister, Debbie Hutto Sanders (Mike); his brothers, Paul Smith (Dale) and Phillip Smith; his nephews, Justen Hutto (Tiffany), Cade Hutto (Allison), Ty Smith, and Austin Smith (Natalie); his great-nieces, Margo Hutto and Isla Hutto; and several lifelong friends.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Chris Parker, Justen Hutto, Tommy Shirah, Cade Hutto, Edward “PeeWee” Richardson, Ty Smith, and Austin Smith.
