It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Lamprecht Spedale on December 1, 2025 at the age of 87.
Born on October 7, 1938 in New Orleans, Shirley was the daughter of Frank Joseph and Clara Tranchina Lamprecht. She graduated in the infamous last class of the Leprechauns from Ursuline Academy in 1956. Her selfless and caring nature led her on a path to help without hesitation. She was dedicated to learning and serving others her entire life. After attending Loyola University and earning her Registered Nurse degree from Mercy Nursing School, Shirley worked at Charity Hospital in obstetrics. She went on to teach Lamaze classes from her home for many years.
Shirley met the love of her life, Anthony Roland, and married him in 1964. They just celebrated 61 years of marriage on November 14th. Together, they raised three beloved children: Roland (Nancy), Gerry (JJ), and Cindy (Brian) Fiegel. She cherished her role as a mother and grandmother leaving behind seven grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Nona”: Jack & Sarah Spedale, Michael, Janie & Claire Spedale and Jacob & Katelyn Fiegel.
Shirley was an outspoken promoter of all that is good. Her zest for life naturally turned her into the life of the party. She lit up a room when she walked in and was known to dance the night away. As a nurse, she believed deeply in holistic healing and taught the practice of healthy lifestyles to many. She ran a very successful Shaklee business for over 40 years.
Shirley was also known for her kindness, warmth, and unwavering faith in Jesus with devotion to Mary, the mother of God. She was influential in getting Marriage Encounter started in Louisiana and worked tirelessly to recruit couples to join. Shirley and Roland positively influenced youths working with St. Andrew the Apostle (SANYO) New Youth Organization and were very active in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) retreats. She served her Holy Spirit Catholic Church parish and friends with a passion for health and wellness. She found great joy as adviser of Key Club and a board member of Kiwanis Club of Algiers. She was active in the Keepers of the Faith, Come Lord Jesus and other ministries at Holy Spirit. She will be remembered for her loving banter and ability to always let you know exactly what she was thinking.
Rest in peace, Shirley. You will always be loved, and your legacy will live on through the hearts of all who knew you.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025 at 11am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 6201 Stratford Place, New Orleans, LA 70131. Visitation will be held from 9:30am to 11am at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in her memory.
Mrs. Nancy Diane Brock of Dothan passed away Sunday, January 5, 2026, at the age of 67
A Celebration of Life service for Nancy will be held at 10 A.M. Monday, January 12, 2026 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
Nancy was born August 14, 1958, in Dothan. She was a lifelong resident of Dothan. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed crafting, cooking and she loved her animals. She was also an avid Alabama fan who enjoyed supporting her team.
She is preceded in death by her parents, David and Ruby Walker.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Brock, daughters, Brandi Jones, Kathie Medlen, Amy Crawford, sister, Donna Buckley, brother, Charles Walker, grandchildren, Gavin, Kylie-Ann, Shelby Medlen, Zephin Livingston, Xander Jones, and Paige and Eve Crawford.
Lois Ann Mitchell, a beloved matriarch and lifelong resident of Midland City, Alabama, passed away on January 4, 2026, at the age of 77. She was born on July 14, 1948, to the late Roy and Mary Aline Kelly. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit Benjamin Mitchell, Jr.; her brothers, Kenneth Kelly and Billie Rae Yeomans; her sister, Johnnie Mae Gospodor; and her parents.
Lois was known for her kindness, steady faith, and genuine care for others. She was a graduate of Dale County High School and a faithful member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, where she served for many years as a Sunday School teacher for young children, leaving a meaningful impression on generations of families.
She worked as a skilled seamstress, a craft that reflected her patience, creativity, and attention to detail. Her work was appreciated by many and was a source of pride throughout her life.
Above all else, Lois treasured her family. She is survived by her sons, Jeremy Mitchell (Nicole) and Matthew Mitchell (Shelley); her grandchildren, Gage Mitchell, Ella Waters, and Rylee Kate Mitchell; her brother, Lomax Kelly (Annette); her sister, Carolyn Bottoms (Randall); her sister-in-law, Penny Rice (Doug); her mother-in-law and best friend, Elizabeth Mitchell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Lois enjoyed Alabama football and looked forward to cheering on her team, especially during her retirement years, which she happily spent with her grandchildren and loved ones.
Her life was grounded in faith, family, and service to others. Lois Mitchell will be remembered for her quiet strength, loving heart, and the lasting impact she made on her family and community.
A celebration of Lois’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home with Brother Michael Lawson officiating. Lois will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jeremy Mitchell, Matthew Mitchell, Gage Mitchell, George Yeomans, Dennis Deese and David Williams.
Honorary pallbearers will be Lomax Kelly and Randall Bottoms.
OZARK…Milton Maurice Johnson, a resident of Ozark, passed away late Sunday evening, January 4, 2026, in Jackson Hospital, Montgomery. He was 36.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Johnson was born on June 28, 1989, in Ozark, Alabama, and Ozark is where he spent his entire life surrounded by the people who loved him most. He was a proud 2013 graduate of Vivian B. Adams School, a place where he made many friends and brought smiles to everyone who knew him.
He had a joyful, playful spirit that could brighten any room. He loved riding his bike around the neighborhood, feeling the wind on his face, and he could spend hours jumping on the trampoline, laughing the whole time. Music was one of his greatest comforts—especially Old School Blues—and he enjoyed sitting back, listening, and letting the rhythm carry him. Playing cards was another favorite pastime, especially when he could convince someone to sit down and play a few rounds with him.
When it came to food, he knew exactly what he liked. Hamburgers and hot dogs were always at the top of his list, and you better believe he wanted French fries with them—no exceptions. Some of his happiest days were spent fishing with his grandma, sharing quiet moments by the water, and he never missed a chance to tease and aggravate his sisters in that loving, mischievous way only he could.
One of the things he treasured most in this world was his stuffed animal, “Teddy Bear.” Teddy Bear went everywhere with him and brought him comfort, joy, and a sense of security that only a beloved childhood friend can give. Another love of his was wearing white t-shirts and wearing his shoes, even when he slept.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Christine Johnson Curry, and his stepfather, Daniel Bryant, Jr., who no doubt welcomed him with open arms. Though his time here was far too short, he filled his years with love, laughter, and simple joys that touched everyone around him. His gentle heart, his sweet spirit, and the light he carried will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Surviving relatives include his loving grandmother, who he lived with, Juline Johnson, Ozark; father, Milton Maurice Dowling; two sisters, Jacqueline Johnson, Leeds, Alabama and Jalessa Johnson, Midland City; his aunts and uncles, Janis Dawkins (Rickey), Ozark, Christopher Spencer Johnson (Jessica Napper), Dennis Ray Johnson, Julius Johnson, Jimmy Jerome Johnson, all of Ozark; great-aunt, Katherline Burl, Chicago, Illinois; nieces, Layloni Johnson and Londyn Rivers; nephew, Laithan Rivers; a host of cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
LEVEL PLAINS…Mrs. Blanche Lise Caddell, a resident of Level Plains, died early Monday morning, January 5, 2026, in Noland Hospital, Dothan. She was 70.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Sharon Kay Simpkins, passed away on January 2, 2026, in Dothan.
Born on November 24, 1945, in Hutchison, Kansas, Sharon was the beloved daughter of the late Edward McConnell, Jr. and Elva Lois Duff. Her journey through life was shared with her late husband, Wilson Paul Simpkins, Jr., with whom she built a legacy of love and family that will be treasured for generations. Together, they raised two devoted sons, James Watson (Sandra) and Eddie Watson (Hope), who will forever hold their mother’s memory in their hearts.
A grandmother of exceptional warmth, Sharon’s spirit will live on through her grandchildren, Cameron Williams (Tiffany), Amanda Games (Coby), Brandi Bush (Bryar), Kassadi Watson, Colton Watson, and Jase Watson. Her great-grandchildren Tucker, Nolan, and Copelyn, will grow up hearing tales of their great-grandmother’s kindness, strength, and the love she had for each of them.
Sharon’s passion for genealogy was more than a hobby; it was a journey through time that allowed her to connect with her ancestors and share their stories with her family. Her love for arts and crafts was evident in the beautiful creations she left behind, each piece a testament to her artistic spirit and attention to detail. Sharon’s love for the beach was well-known, as she found solace in the rhythm of the waves and the endless horizon, often reflecting on the beauty of nature and the peace it brought to her soul.
In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson Paul Simpkins, Jr. and her great-grandson, Barrett Ray Bush, and the father of her children, Jimmie R. Watson.
Graveside services will be held at 1 PM, January 16, 2026 at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.
