Billy Gene Givens, age 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Wicksburg, Alabama, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a faithful servant to both his country and his Lord.
Billy is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Brenda Quick Givens; his daughters, Terri Parnell (Ed) of Newville, Alabama, Laura Hamilton (Fulton) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Sonja Cope (Eric) of Lynn Haven, Florida; his grandchildren, Josh Parnell (Samantha), John Luke Parnell (Haylee), and Justin Parnell; and his great-grandchildren, Valen Parnell, Alex Parnell, Lucy Parnell, and Paisley White. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, along with numerous cherished friends and extended family members.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Lucille “Mama Cile” Givens, and his sister, Annette Givens Picker.
Billy proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965, where he trained as an Air Traffic Control Operator. He was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, Naval Air Station Sangley Point in the Philippines, and Udorn, Thailand, supporting critical military operations during the Vietnam era. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Airman Second Class and was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for his faithful and dedicated service. While stationed in the Philippines, Billy also flew as a pilot and survived a plane crash in the jungle, navigating his way back to base through an area occupied by headhunters. Following his military service, Billy continued to serve his country for forty years as a civilian with the United States Department of the Army. His distinguished career included fifteen years as a Journeyman Air Traffic Control Specialist and twenty-five years as a Journeyman Data Systems Specialist. He also served as an Aviation Advisor, assisting thousands of military and civilian aviators across the United States and abroad. His work supported critical operations throughout the Southeast and during the Vietnam War. In recognition of his professionalism, vast knowledge, and unwavering dedication to duty, Billy was awarded the Department of the Army’s Superior Civilian Service Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon civilian employees. A man of strong faith, Billy was a devoted member of Pilgrim Home Baptist Church for 26 years, where he faithfully served as Church Treasurer for 16 years. His faith guided every aspect of his life, and he was known for his integrity, kindness, and steady presence. Billy was honored to travel to Manaus, Brazil, on a mission trip where he shared the Gospel. He lived out his beliefs daily through service to others and deep love for his family.
Earlier in life, Billy enjoyed many adventures, including his first job as a bus driver at age 17 for the Rehobeth School System, canoeing rivers in Canada, and touring Mexico with friends. He was an accomplished PADI Open Water Scuba Diver and a certified wreck diver. In retirement, Billy found joy in caring for his property with his backhoe, maintaining the pool, coordinating annual reunions for the Rehobeth High School Class of 1961, attending luncheons with former coworkers, and spending treasured time with his beloved wife and family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved pulling pranks on his wife and daughters. An intellectual at heart, he was known for completing the daily crossword in pen, all while enjoying his favorite cup of coffee.
A celebration of Billy’s life will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Home Baptist Church in Wicksburg, Alabama, with Brother Buddy Hood and Brother Allen Singley officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., preceding the service. Billy will be laid to rest with full military honors, reflecting a life well lived in faithful service to God, family, and country.
Pallbearers will be Josh Parnell, John Luke Parnell, Justin Parnell, Ed Parnell, Fulton Hamilton, and Eric Cope. Honorary Pallbearers will be Valen Parnell and the Rehobeth High School Class of 1961.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Gentiva Hospice staff for their compassionate care during Billy’s final days.
The family will be accepting flowers or donations in honor of Billy Givens to the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church Cornerstone Fund.
Billy Dean Armstrong, 58, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on December 31, 2025. He was born June 9, 1967, in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Oak Hill, West Virginia. Billy graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1985 and moved to Dothan in 1990, where he built a respected career in the auto auction industry, working throughout the Southeast, including Dothan, Montgomery, Birmingham, Tallahassee, Atlanta, and Pensacola. He was a World Champion Ringman in 1994 and 1998.
Billy was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents, Gene and Marlene Armstrong; and his son, Jessie Armstrong.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan Armstrong; sons TJ (Jamie) Armstrong and Steven (Mandi) Armstrong; grandchildren Addie, Steele, Stevie, and Cooper; brother Tony Armstrong; uncle, Kevin McGlothlen (Debbie); several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his beloved dog, Josie Wales.
In honor of Billy’s wishes, a memorial celebration will be held at 4:30 PM, January 17, 2026 at Old Town, 1677 W County Road 70, Dothan, AL 36305 for those that would like to attend.
Gwendolyn Iona Smith Eaton, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Eclectic, Alabama. She was 75 years old.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula with Chaplain Stacy Austin officiating. The burial will be held at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia, at 1:00 p.m. CST. A visitation will be held from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Gwen was born on March 6, 1950, to the late Rev. Robert Lee and Nancy Elizabeth Dixon Smith. She spent all her life serving the Lord and enjoyed going to church and reading her Bible. Gwen loved her family and friends and as her health declined, she enjoyed being able to talk on the phone with them. Gwen was of the Pentecostal faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Tim Eaton; sister, Nancy Hartin; two brothers, Robert “Buddy” Smith and Kenneth Smith; loving partner, Larry Sawyer.
Left to cherish her memories are her three daughters, Kimberly Kaye Wilson (Pete), Sherry Elizabeth Hooks (Tony), and April Gwendolyn Adkison (Nick); sister, Marcia Robinson; eight grandchildren, Kelly Carter, Timothy Phillips, Dylan Tyler, Ashlee Tyler, Jayleigh Adkison, Carley Adkison, Faith Adkison, and CJ Adkison; nine great-grandchildren; several beloved nieces and nephews.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Tim Kilpatrick, Tony Hooks, Dylan Tyler, Hunter Carter, Joshua Hartin, and Demetrius Hooks.
Honorary pallbearer will be Timothy Phillips.
The family would like to express their love and gratitude to Ivy Creek Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Gwen during her time of need.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Thomas Richard Hagerty, a fiercely independent spirit with an unshakable work ethic and deep respect for family, honor, and tradition, passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 74.
Born on January 4, 1951, Thomas lived life on his own terms—strong-willed, resilient, and adaptable, even as the world around him changed rapidly. Loyalty meant everything to him, and once earned, it was given without reservation. A proud “momma’s boy” who could do no wrong in her eyes, Thomas carried that love and confidence with him throughout his life.
An entrepreneur at heart, Thomas believed in betting on himself—and winning. Whether owning and operating Be Back Motors, his used motorcycle parts shop, or Juggs Bar, he poured himself into every venture. His passion for engines and speed was undeniable, from Drag racing circle dirt track racing to driving fast in his beloved sports car. He spent time working with the Milwaukee Chicago Railroad and was never far from grease, gears, or the thrill of motion.
Thomas was a proud combat veteran of the United States Army, serving as a decorated officer and rifle marksman during the Vietnam War. His service was formally honored through the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, which designated March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day—recognizing veterans like Thomas who answered the call to serve. The Act was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on March 28, 2017, coinciding with the 33rd birthday of his only son, Richard Thomas Hagerty.
A single parent, Thomas was deeply devoted to his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Richard Thomas Hagerty, and his cherished grandchildren, Taylor (22), Carter (15), and Luca (8), who were the pride of his life.
Outside of work and family, Thomas found joy in life’s simple and bold pleasures—candy (lots of it), his cats, the warmth of the sun, and the serenity of the ocean, especially at Anna Maria Island. He was a devoted Green Bay Packers fan, a lover of America, and had a lifelong appreciation for music, especially Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird and Simple Man . Racing legends like Dale Earnhardt Sr. (#3) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#8) were heroes in his eyes, and the number 69 held special meaning to him.
His favorite gemstone was the blue star sapphire—fitting for a man whose life reflected strength, depth, and brilliance.
Thomas lived boldly, loved fiercely, and left nothing undone. He will be remembered as a soldier, a businessman, a racer, a father, a grandfather, and a patriot—one who lived fast, worked hard, and stayed true to who he was.
His legacy lives on in the lives he shaped, the stories he leaves behind, and the unmistakable mark he made on this world.
Mary Lou Woods, of Ashford, Alabama, passed away leaving behind a legacy woven with love, family, and devotion. She was born on November 16, 1944, in Greenhead, Florida, to the late Daniel and Leila Adell Clark. One of eleven children, Mary Lou was raised in Panama City, Florida, where she grew up surrounded by the strength and closeness of a large, loving family.
It was in Panama City that Mary Lou met the love of her life, Jeff Earnest Woods Sr. Together they shared 46 years of marriage, building a home rooted in faithfulness, laughter, and deep family bonds. Their life together was marked by enduring love and unwavering commitment to one another and to their children.
Mary Lou had a special gift for creating beauty with her hands. She lovingly hand-sewed quilts for those she cherished, each stitch a reflection of her care, patience, and generous heart. These quilts became treasured keepsakes—lasting symbols of her warmth and the love she so freely gave.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Jeff Earnest Woods Sr.; her daughter, Hellen Woods; her grandson, Daniel Wilkes; her daughter-in-law, Malisa Woods; and several brothers and sisters.
Mary Lou is survived by her children, Molly Abbott (James Sr.), Jeff E. Woods Jr., and Anna Woods (Sonny); and her son-in-law, Jerry Woods.
She also leaves behind a large and loving family of grandchildren: Robert Wilkes Jr.; Brandy Hires (Mike); James Abbott Jr.; Charles Abbott; Joseph Abbott; Andrew Abbott; Christopher Young (Virginia); Meagan Locklar; Jeff M. Woods; Emma Rocha (Greg); Mary Elizabeth Wiggins (Aaron); Christopher Woods (Maiah); and Tessa Woods.
Her legacy continues through her cherished great-grandchildren: Taylor Thaxton; Chloe, Mason, and John Hires; Abigail, Grace, and Wyatt Wiggins; Maverick, Octavia, and Lucia Rocha; Cailyn and Camila Young; and Leonardo Meola, as well as a god great granddaughter.
Mary Lou’s greatest joy was her family, and her life was a testament to love given freely and faithfully. Her kindness, strength, and the love she stitched into every quilt will be remembered always by all who were blessed to know her.
A celebration of Mary Lou’s life will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10am in the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel with burial to follow in Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.
Carol Leigh McAbee, a beacon of warmth and affection to all who knew her, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on March 13, 1974, in the rolling hills of Kentucky, Carol’s journey through life was marked by an unwavering dedication to her family, a passion for simple pleasures, and a heart brimming with kindness.
Carol’s life was a testament to love and commitment, beautifully exemplified by her 20-year marriage to her beloved husband, Robert McAbee. Carol nurtured a family that was her pride and joy. Her legacy lives on through her son, Robert Alex McAbee, and her daughter, Keri Lynn Davis, as well as her precious grandchildren, Scarlett Deese and Evilynn Rose Chandler. Carol’s nurturing spirit was also a source of comfort to her mother, Debra Banfield, her sister, Stacy Banfield and a host of other family members, who will deeply miss her guiding light. She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Banfield, her son, Kenny Ray Davis, and her brother, Robert Banfield, who each held a special place in her heart.
Carol’s early education in Kentucky laid the foundation for a life characterized by hard work and perseverance. Her professional journey was highlighted by over eight years of dedicated service at Professional Wiregrass Communications, where she was a valued member of the messaging center team. Her colleagues will remember her as a friend who could always be counted on for support and a smile.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Carol’s personal interests painted a picture of a woman who cherished the simple joys of life. She had an infectious enthusiasm for going to yard sales and thrift stores, delighting in the thrill of discovering hidden treasures. Her collection of frogs was not just a hobby but a reflection of her playful and curious nature.
Carol’s love for her family was the cornerstone of her existence. She poured her heart into every moment spent with her grandchildren, and her love for them was as boundless as the sky. Her friends and family will forever remember her as the epitome of friendliness, love, and kindness—a woman whose laughter and warmth lit up any room.
As we bid farewell to Carol Leigh McAbee, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a spirit that will continue to inspire. Her memory will be cherished in the hearts of those she touched, and her light will continue to guide us, just as the stars guide travelers through the night. Carol’s journey on earth may have concluded, but her spirit remains an indelible part of the tapestry of our lives.
Billy Gene Givens, age 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Wicksburg, Alabama, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a faithful servant to both his country and his Lord.
Gwendolyn Iona Smith Eaton, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Eclectic, Alabama. She was 75 years old.
