John Vester Nicholson passed away in his home January 6th, 2026.
On November 6th, 1946, John was born in New Brockton, Alabama, the youngest of four brothers of the late Vela Mildred (Bludworth) and Robert Forrest Nicholson.
He joined the United States Army November 1966 and left with an honorable discharge in November 1972, in which time he spent time working with the Military Police.
John worked with the Department of Conservation as the Alabama Deputy State Fire Marshal. Although stationed in Enterprise, Alabama, he was responsible for covering six counties and had to travel all over the state.
He spent 19 years working with the Ozark Police Department. Starting as a patrolman, he quickly made his way into the criminal investigation division. There, he worked his way from sergeant all the way up to Police Chief. In his career, he trained with the FBI, worked as a Special Investigator, aided in training peace officers, and worked several high-profile cases.
He was pulled out of retirement to work as the Midland City Police Chief, and went on to work with the Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Commission before finally retiring and dedicating his time to fishing.
John will be missed by: his spouse Pamela; stepchildren Violet and Gerald Robinson; family Greg and Jeffie Nicholson and their children Mary Nicholson and William Nicholson; David (Elaine) Nicholson; Angie (Mike) McFetters; Andy (Dawn) Plant; Nellie Johnson; and his many neighbors and friends.
Including his parents Vela and Robert Nicholson, John was preceded in death by: his brothers; Robert Maylon, Charles Malloy, and Roy Lomax; and grandparents John Oscar and Ella Nicholson, and Alto Vester and Ellie Bludworth.
A celebration of life will be held at 2pm EST on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at 414 S Broad St, Bainbridge, Georgia.
Judy Jeannette Sutton Thrower, a resident of Cataula, Georgia, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Piedmont Columbus Regional in Columbus, Georgia. She was 72 years old.
Private graveside services will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in the Fairview Cemetery with Rev. Stephen Doss officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing. A visitation will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Flowers will be accepted.
Judy was born on January 30, 1953, in Eufaula, Alabama, to the late Milton James and Bessie Thelma Arnold Sutton. She worked for many years as a cosmetologist. Judy enjoyed cross stitching, crossword puzzles, reading, but most of all she loved her family and spoiling her grandchildren. Judy was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Cataula, Georgia.
She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Wayne Sutton.
Left to cherish her memories are her loving husband of 14 years, Randy Thrower; son, David Byers, II. of Dothan, Alabama; daughter, Diana Selfe of Dothan, Alabama; stepson, Brandon Thrower (Shameka) of Saraland, Alabama; brother, Jerry Sutton of Eufaula, Alabama; sister, Shirley Sutton Faulk of Eufaula, Alabama; two grandchildren, Trenton Selfe and Vivienne Selfe; three step-grandchildren, Bradey Thrower, Noah Thrower, and Luke Thrower; four step great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Brad Thrower; several nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Renea Myers, 63, of Pansey, Alabama, was born on December 16, 1962, and passed away peacefully at her home on January 9, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.
Renea was born to her parents, Floyd Mason and Virginia Perkins. She was a graduate of Houston County Schools.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of 20 years, John Myers; her children Derick Creekmore (Elizabeth), Kelly Harrison, Isaiah Myers, and Kate Holley; and her cherished grandchildren Tenley and Blakelynn Creekmore, Harrison Brown, Jeremiah and Gabriel Myers, Kye, Aiden, Emma, and Norah Lynn Holley. She is also survived by her siblings Sharon Stevens, Bobby Willis, James Willis, and Lynnette Mason.
Renea was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Doris; and her precious granddaughter, Kennedie Brown—who was waiting with open arms.
Throughout her life, Renea held many jobs, but her true calling was caring for others. She helped raise many children over the years and was in the process of obtaining custody of her granddaughters before her diagnosis. For over ten years, she faithfully served at Watermark Preschool, where she consistently loved and nurtured every child who walked through the doors. Her kindness left a lasting impact on countless families.
Renea will be remembered for her warm smile, her giving heart, and her loud, joyful laugh that could be heard for miles. She loved deeply, lived selflessly, and leaves behind a legacy of compassion that will continue through all who knew her.
She will be greatly missed and forever loved.
Celebration of life will be Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Watermark church in Ashford, Alabama.
ASHFORD. . .Roy Clenon Cooley, a resident of Ashford, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 11, 2026, at his home. He was 90.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in the Ebenezer Baptist Church with Pastor Vann Cooley officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M Wednesday in the church sanctuary. Graveside services, with military honors, will follow in the church cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SABA Ministry Center, 1306 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL 36301 or to the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3894 Ebenezer Road, Columbia, AL 36319.
Mr. Cooley was born and raised in Hollywood, Alabama in Jackson County, son of the late Reverend J.W. Cooley and Annie Jane Smith Cooley. He served his country in the U. S. Navy from 1955 until 1960. Mr. Cooley moved to the Cedar Springs community, near Ashford, in 1968. He received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences and a Technical Certificate as an Electrician both from Wallace Community College. Mr. Cooley retired from Georgia Pacific at Cedar Springs, Georgia as an electrician.
Mr. Cooley faithfully served his community in many areas. He was a member at Ebenezer Baptist Church where he served in numerous capacities over the years. In addition to his church service, he volunteered with Southeast Alabama Baptist Association, Landmark Park, The Salvation Army, and Alabama Disaster Relief in various states. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Carroll Smart Cooley and all his sisters and brothers.
Surviving relatives include his two sons, Pastor Vann Cooley (Shera), Ashford; and Randi Cooley (Brenda), Columbia; grandchildren, Beth Bavaro, Brooke Dickard (Robert), Savanna Cooley Brackin, Suzanna Henderson (Ben), Bella Cooley, Ridge Cooley and Kendall Cooley; great-grandchildren, Watlee, Wescott, Sam, John Paul, Ellie Roy, Brody, Caleb, Janie Ruth, Trey and Drew; several nieces and nephews including a special niece, Debbie Walden White (Steve).
Serving as active pallbearers will be Ridge Cooley, Watlee Bavaro, Ben Henderson, Robert Dickard, Jacob Phillips and Steve White. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Guy Goodson, Shelley Goocher and members of Mr. Cooley’s Sunday School Class.
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.
ABBEVILLE. . .Stephanie Sauls Kelley, a resident of the Lawrenceville Community, near Abbeville, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026, at her home. She was 58.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 17, 2026, in the Abbeville High School Gymnasium. Stephanie was deeply loved by her family, friends, faculty, and students. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, her family is asking for donations to help with funeral expenses. Donations may be made to Travis Kelley’s (Stephanie’s son) Venmo, https://venmo.com/u/traviskelley1997.
Stephanie Kelley was born in Lake City, Florida, daughter of the late Bobby Ray Sauls, Sr. and Sarah Arnold “Boogie” Sauls. She was raised in Henry County and was a graduate of Abbeville High School. Stephanie attended Wallace Community College where she received an Associates Degree as an Optical Laboratory Technician. She was currently teaching at Abbeville High School as an assistant Physical Education Teacher. In earlier years, she coached softball at Abbeville High School and served as a bus driver. Stephanie also served as a bookkeeper for basketball and softball at Abbeville High School and Abbeville Christian Academy. She was affiliated with Sardis Baptist Church.
Surviving relatives include her husband, William Stanley “Stan” Kelley; a son, Travis Kelley (Logan), Troy, AL; a brother, Bobby Ray Sauls, Jr. (Deborah), Eufaula; a sister-in-law, Karen Kelley Morgan, Abbeville; her mother-in-law, Inez Campbell Kelley, a niece, Candace Hardy (Denny), a nephew, Dustin Clark, and a great-nephew, Jackson Riley.
“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31:31.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261.You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This firm does not own a crematory.
Mr. Mitchell Griffin, a resident of Clayton, Alabama, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at The Retreat Hospice in Mobile, Alabama. He was 86 years old.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Adams Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Clyde Hancock officiating, and Glover Funeral Home directing. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Retreat Hospice: 1515-B S. University Blvd. Mobile, Alabama 36609 or to Adams Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery fund: Attn. Bobbie Hartzog- 2865 Hwy 131 Clayton, Alabama 36016.
Mitchell was born on February 2, 1939, in Barbour County, Alabama, to the late Remus Albert and Bonnie Kate Hartzog Griffin. Mitchell enjoyed farming, watching his grandson, Connor, play sports, eating out with friends and family, and hunting. He was a 1957 graduate of Bakerhill High School.
He is preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Becke Mitchell Griffin; two brothers, Rothel Griffin and Wayne Griffin; brother-in-law, Howard White; niece, Donna White.
Survivors include his daughter, Tracee Ellsworth (Jeff) of Spanish Fort, Alabama; grandson Connor Ellsworth of Spanish Fort, Alabama; sister, Katie White of Prattville, Alabama; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Griffin and DeeDee Griffin both of Clayton, Alabama; several nieces and nephews.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Connor Ellsworth, Ashley Griffin, Jay Fenn, Alan Howell, Jason Benefield, Griffin Fenn, Jalan Howell, and Braydan Benefield.
Honorary pallbearers will be Garrett Fenn and the Bakerhill Class of 1957.
Glover Funeral Home of Clayton was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 775-3403. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Judy Jeannette Sutton Thrower, a resident of Cataula, Georgia, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Piedmont Columbus Regional in Columbus, Georgia. She was 72 years old.
Mr. Mitchell Griffin, a resident of Clayton, Alabama, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at The Retreat Hospice in Mobile, Alabama. He was 86 years old.