In Loving Memory of Sister Louise Rivers
November 10, 1940 – December 28, 2025
Sister Louise Rivers, a cherished resident of Dothan, Alabama, gently passed away at her home on December 28, 2025, at the age of 85, surrounded by the warmth of her devoted family. Born on November 10, 1940, in Houston County, Alabama, Sister Louise spent her 85 years as a pillar of the very community that now holds her memory dear. Throughout her life, she embodied a spirit filled with unwavering faith, compassion, and a relentless devotion to those she loved.
A memorial service will be held at 12 PM Saturday, January 3, 2025 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 2627 E Cottonwood Rd, Dothan, AL 36301. The family will be accepting flowers. Ward Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sister Louise enjoyed a fulfilling career, retiring proudly from Twitchell Corporation in 2003. After her retirement, her life’s work deepened into her spiritual calling. She had a profound passion for sharing her knowledge of the Bible, a commitment she formally affirmed in 2002 by dedicating herself to Jehovah. She enjoyed the ministry with her spiritual sisters, discussing the Kingdom of Jehovah. She held dear the words of Romans 14:8: “For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. Therefore, both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah.” Her unwavering faith was a guiding light, and she remained a beacon of loyalty and devotion until her final moments.
Sister Rivers is now reunited in eternity with her beloved husband, brother Earl Rivers, her parents John and Emma Anglin, her daughter Myra Roberson, her son Amos Rivers, her brother John Anglin, and her sisters Lois Nicholson, Frances Jones, Tommie Gordon, Angerome Whaley, Gladys Coleman, Betty Brooks, and Opheila McMiller.
She leaves behind a cherished legacy through her children: Relata Rivers, Angelia (Tony) Snell, Alex Keno (Shirley) Rivers, Felton Leon Rivers, Valerie Rivers, and Suwanna Hammonds. Her loving memory is also carried on by her sisters, Jean Kelley and Elnora Barkley, and her brother, Lamar Anglin. The warmth of her spirit will continue to thrive in the hearts of her many grandchildren, including Myetta (Reginald) Swain, Regina (David) Perez, Tonja (Chris) Baxter, Keith (Melissa) Walker, Charlie (Brandy) Rivers, Shanetha Rivers, Camille (Solomon) Knight, Serena (Shunvita) Snell, Halisha (Sandy) Talmadge, Alisha Rivers, Alexandria (Kailon) Scott, Chrystal Baker, Bryan (Kaniesha) Moore, Kendall (David) Thomas, Dana (Shawn) Mathis, Kane Rivers, Jermaine (Nanika) Rivers, Sade (Corey) Powell, Shakeava Boykin, and Cordney (Kendall) Hammonds, as well as her numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Sister Rivers will forever be remembered for her deep spirituality, gentle strength, generous heart, and the way she knit her family together with love. She was profoundly cherished and deeply respected, and her memory will eternally resonate in the lives she touched.
Devoted father, son, brother, and friend, Samuel Renee Perryman, 66, passed away on December 29, 2025. A native of Skipperville and a 1977 graduate of George W. Long High School where Sam was a star athlete and a “mechanical savant” who dedicated his life to service and excellence.
A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Sam served meritoriously as an electrical repair specialist. He later became a highly decorated ASE Master Technician, earning the Denver Post Student of the Year award and graduating Summa Cum Laude from Denver Automotive and Diesel College. After years with the Mike Schmitz Automotive Group, he shared his expertise as a Certified Automotive Instructor for Dothan City Schools.
Sam was known for his generous heart, his dedication to his students, and the “legendary” good times shared on his back patio. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Perryman; father, Samuel D. Perryman, and cherished mother Lorene Perryman McGlon; and precious brother, Andrew D. Perryman.
He is survived by his children: Comanechi Renee Smith, Samuel R. Perryman Jr. (Keiwana), and Reshunda Henderson (AJ); his stepchildren: Dr. Atica Thomas (Eric), and Dedrick Helms, and bonus children: Tommy (Tiffany) Blandenberg, Joyce Elaine (Albert) Tillman, and Latasha Denise (Kenneth) Blandenberg. His Stepfather: Mr. Jimmy McGlon of Skipperville, AL. His Sisters: Martha Perryman, Mabelline “Bella” Holsey, Patricia (Corey) Webb, and Loretta (Mandel) Hill. He also leaves his grandchildren, and extended family including a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends who will forever cherish his memory.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 and the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
DOTHAN. . .Carolyn Whitehead Palmer, a resident of Dothan, passed away Tuesday afternoon, December 23, 2025, in Oakview Manor Health Care Center in Ozark. She was born August 8, 1940 to James Edward Whitehead and Alvenia Goodman Whitehead.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P. M. Friday, January 2, 2026, in the Balkum Cemetery, 1153 County Road 55, Headland, Alabama, with Dr. Jerry Grandstaff officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Carolyn Palmer was born and raised in Dothan and attended Dothan City Schools. She received her BA Degree from Howard College (Samford University) in English Literature. Ms. Palmer taught in middle school for Birmingham public schools for three years.
Ms. Palmer and her family lived in Birmingham, AL, Columbia, SC, and Memphis, TN. She travelled to Europe several times and into Israel and Jordan.
She was preceded in death by a son, Martin David Palmer, her maternal grandparents, Greene and Ida Goodman and her paternal grandparents, Caroline Virginia Whitehead and James Whit Balkum, all from the Henry County farming communities.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Claire Palmer Kirkpatrick, a son, Ian Whitehead Palmer, a brother, Louis Whitehead, all of Dothan; and cousins, Wayne Skeen and Arthur Segars.
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.
Jo Ann Holmes, age 88, a longtime resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, December 26, 2025.
Services will be held at a later date in Dayton, Ohio, to celebrate her life.
Born on September 13, 1937, in Xenia, Ohio, Jo Ann was the daughter of the late Homer and Norma Jean Turner. In 1981, she moved to Dothan, Alabama, with her husband, Joe Holmes. Jo Ann and Joe shared 55 loving years of marriage.
Jo Ann was a gifted seamstress who specialized in high-end drapery and took great pride in her work. She found joy in traveling, especially alongside her companion, Jack Powell, and was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, David and Michael Turner; and her beloved husband, Joe Holmes.
She is survived by her children, Linda Hoskins (Randy), James Holmes, David Holmes (Anita), and Dale Holmes (Annette); her companion, Jack Powell; five grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Jo Ann would insist you leave room for ice cream and the next time you have the chance, get an extra scoop in her memory.
Mrs. Elvina Ann Pellegrin of New Brockton, Alabama passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at Bonifay Health and Rehab. She was 69 years old.
She was born in Houma, Louisiana, on April 24, 1956, to the late Albert and Elrita Laparouse Pellegrin. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She cherished her loved ones beyond measure. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of sewing, getting lost in a good book, and spending time gardening. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie Pellegrin and Alton Pellegrin.
Survivors include her husband, Donald Pellegrin, Jr.; daughters, Monique Hunter (Julian) and Angele Bourg; stepson, Jonathan Pellegrin; grandchildren, Holden Hunter, Logan Hunter, Cheyenne Tillery, and Spencer Carpenter; siblings, Cynthia Crochet (Ernie), Patsy Auer (Doug), Linda Pellegrin, Vivian Neal (Dean), Curlynn Pellegrin (Chantell), Lisa Pellegrin, and Caleb Reilly.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date and those arrangements will be posted once finalized.
PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY…Mr. Clyde Hamilton, Sr. (Captain, United States Army, Retired) a resident of Pikeville, Kentucky (formerly of Rocky Head Community, near Ariton), died Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Kentucky. He was 83.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 2, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Randall Epstein officiating. Graveside services, with full military honors, will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Millard Hamilton and Verda Little Prater; daughter, Rhonda Prater; brother, Kenny Hamilton; stepfather (Whom he referred to as DAD), Clarence Prater.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Saundra Hamilton, Pikeville, Kentucky; son, Clyde Hamilton, Jr.; two sisters, Debbie and Margie Belanger; two brothers, Ghomer Prater and Kudranski Prater.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
