James Ellis Johnson, Sr., affectionately known as Jim, passed away on July 25, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 77.
Born on December 24, 1948, in Indiana, Jim was the son of the late Arnold Clarence Johnson and Mary Ester Johnson. He was known for his kind heart, quiet strength, and genuine love for others. He treated everyone with respect and found joy in life’s simple moments.
Jim spent more than 20 years working in cash register sales, where he earned the respect of coworkers and customers alike for his professionalism, dependability, and friendly personality. He took pride in his work and valued the relationships he built throughout his career.
Family was the center of Jim’s life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Julie Johnson.
He is survived by his significant other, Marion “Kate” Simmons; his sons, James Ellis Johnson, Jr., Jeff Ziegler and wife Melinda, and Jesse Ziegler and wife Angela. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Victoria Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Drake Ziegler and wife Kimberly, Alec Ziegler, Molly Holcombe, Zach Ban Hemert, Dakota Ziegler and wife Victoria, Oriana Ziegler, and Brinson Ziegler; and his great-grandchildren, Valerie Adams, Vivian Adams, Nash Ziegler, Ozzie Ziegler, Cody Ziegler, and Carter Ziegler. Jim is also survived by his sister, Onnolee Smith and husband David; his nephew, Aaron Smith and wife Jo; and his cousin, Karen Word and husband Alan.
In his free time, Jim enjoyed cheering on Notre Dame football, playing golf, dining out, watching the news, and spending time with family and friends. He appreciated good conversation and the company of those he loved.
Jim will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and steady presence. He leaves behind a legacy of love, integrity, and devotion to his family. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Sara Frances Lavender Doster, a resident of the Salem Community outside Skipperville, died late Friday night July 24, 2026, in Henry County Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Abbeville. She was 83 years old.
Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Kenneth Hagler officiating. Interment will follow in Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home in Ozark from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mrs. Doster was born November 8, 1942 in Barbour County, Alabama to the late Ernest Edmond Lavender and Myrtis Lorene Hagler Lavender. She graduated from Barbour County High School in 1963. Following graduation, Sara met and married James Lewis Doster. They made their home in the Salem Community where she was a life-long member of Salem Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading (especially the Bible), cooking, sewing and planting flowers. Sara loved her family, cats and dogs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, James Lewis Doster; her son, Gary Lewis Doster; and two sisters, Martha Wynn and Linda Hoar.
Survivors include her sister, Vickie Thompson of Ozark; special nieces, Angie Thompson and Terri Hoar Lewis; special nephews, Mark Wynn (Brenda) and Wayne Hoar (Allison).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, Fund, C/O Mr. Don Johnson, P. O. Box 196, Skipperville, Alabama 36374.
ABBEVILLE. . .Duke Henderson Crocker, a resident of Abbeville, passed away Saturday night, July 25, 2026, at his home. He was 47.
There are no funeral or memorial services planned at this time. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Duke Crocker was born in Kennewick, Washington. He formerly lived in Elmore County, Alabama before moving to White Oak Shores on Lake Eufaula. Duke was a graduate of Holtville High School in Elmore County and attended Alex City Junior College, Wallace College Sparks Campus and Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. He was affiliated with Fellowship Baptist Church in Eufaula. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Duke Crocker.
Surviving relatives include his mother, Linda Hogan Crocker, Abbeville; two brothers, Timothy W. Crocker (Porsche), Wetumpka, AL; and Donald Wayne Crocker (Lynn), Millbrook, AL; an aunt, Gloria Gittings (John), and an uncle, Jonathan Hogan (Ronnie); several nieces and nephews.
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.
HEADLAND… Samuel Wayne Weeks, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Friday afternoon, July 24, 2026, at Extendicare Health & Rehabilitation. He was 79.
No services are planned at this time.
Mr. Sam Weeks was born in Henry County, Alabama, to the late James Lowe Weeks and Janice Anelle Knowles Weeks. He attended Headland High School before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University. Mr. Sam proudly served his country as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
A man of faith, Sam was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Headland. He will be remembered for his dedication to his country, his love for his family, and the many friendships he cultivated throughout his life.
In addition to his parents, James Lowe Weeks and Janice Anelle Knowles Weeks, Sam was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Samuel Hurley Knowles and Mattie Knowles, and his paternal grandparents, Urial Weeks and Veela Weeks; and his niece Suellen Weeks Payne.
He is survived by his brother, Lowell Weeks (Dianne); his great niece, Melinda Bui (Daniel) and his great nephew, James Whitehurst; his great great nieces, Harper Bui and Serenity Whitehurst; his great great nephews, Lennox Bui, Cameron Whitehurst and Josiah Whitehurst; and his several other loving family members and friends.
ABBEVILLE… Billy Joe White, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026, at his home. He was 84.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Union Freewill Baptist Church with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask for memorial contributions to be made to the Union Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in c/o Carol Johns, 800 CR-28, Abbeville, Alabama 36310.
Mr. White was born in Abbeville, Alabama to the late Walter Howard White and Carolyn Owens White. He lived his entire life in the Abbeville, Alabama area. He was a 1961 graduate of Abbeville High School. He served his country in the Army Reserves during the Cuban Crisis. He owned and operated Bill’s Cabinet Shop until his retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman where he loved hunting and fishing. His passion was quail hunting, where he started Quail Ridge Hunting Reserve. He loved being with his grandchildren, whether it was hunting, fishing, or sporting events. He was a devoted member of the Union Freewill Baptist Church, where he served over fifty years as a deacon.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Doretha Robinson.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his wife, Carole B. White; his daughter, Charla W. Smith (Benny); two grandchildren, Billy D. Smith (Claire) and Chase W. Smith (Haley); his four great grandchildren, Hudson W. Smith, Martha Kate Smith, Decker H. Smith and John Bennett Smith; his sister, Patricia White Marshall (Carl); several other loving family members and friends.
