Melvin Leroy Ness, 79, of Dothan AL, passed away peacefully December 28, 2025 at Wesley Place.
Melvin was born August 10, 1946 in Galion OH to Walter and Verta May Ness.
Melvin was predeceased by his wife, Helen Ness, his parents, his brother Leonard Ness and sister Gwendolyn Stokes. He is survived by his sister-in-law Ruby Smith, as well as his nieces and nephews.
A teaching position at a local Christian school brought him to Dothan in the early 70s. Following his time teaching Melvin worked in retail for many years at Wilbro and Sears.
Melvin was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church where he served as deacon and treasurer. He and Helen were the first to be married at Central in 1974.
Melvin enjoyed reading, he was fascinated with Egyptology. Many times through the halls of Martin 1 at Wesley Place he could be heard reading his Bible aloud from his room. He also liked playing both board games and games on the computer.
Ronny Earl Monday, 79, of Webb, Alabama, passed away on December 24, 2025. He was born on June 4, 1946, in Dothan, Alabama, to Elton Monday and Geraldine Monday, née Watson, and grew up in Houston County. He attended Rehobeth High School, where his roots in the Wiregrass area were firmly planted and where he proudly played high school football, an experience he carried with quiet pride.
Ronny proudly served his country in the United States Army, completing a year of duty in Vietnam. His service was a defining chapter of his life, carried with quiet strength rather than ceremony.
He was, by his own design, a simple man. Ronny found happiness in familiar comforts and steady routines. He rarely missed an Alabama college football game or a NASCAR race, loyalties he held with lifelong devotion. He was also a familiar face at Hunt’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Dothan, a place he enjoyed returning to time and again. At home, he enjoyed settling in with classic Westerns, especially those starring Clint Eastwood or John Wayne, stories that matched his own appreciation for grit and quiet resolve. And though he might never have admitted it out loud, those close to him knew he also had a soft spot for American Idol, a secret affection that brought him genuine joy.
Ronny was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Glenda Sue Monday, who passed in 2017, as well as his parents and his brothers James Monday and Gerald Monday.
He is survived by his children Ronny Allan Monday, Paula Murry (William), Dena Batchelor, Diana Sue Mooney (Robert), Traci Crabtree (Carl), and Tina Manley (David). He leaves behind 13 grandchildren, along with several great-grandchildren who carry forward his legacy. Ronny is also survived by his brothers Bobby Monday and Larry Monday, and his sister Ann Dudley.
A service will be held at Ward-Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama, on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Ronny will be remembered for his steady presence, quiet humor, and the simple pleasures that made up a well-lived life. His story is one of service, loyalty, and love for family, spoken not loudly, but sincerely.
Willie Curtis Carroll Sr., a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday December 16, 2025, at Southeast Hospital. He was 77 years old.
Funeral services will be held at Ward Wilson Funeral Home on January 3, 2026. The family will receive friends at 1 pm, the service will be held directly after at 2 pm. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery.
Willie Curtis Carroll Sr. was born on January 24, 1948, to his loving parents Bernard Carroll (deceased) and Thelma D. Lett Carroll (deceased). He was born and raised in Dothan, Alabama and graduated from Carver High School, Class of 1967. Willie Carroll joined the United States Army and devoted 8 years, and was honorably discharged and was stationed in Fort Hood Texas and completing Foreign and oversea service. Mr. Carroll married and divorced Frankie Lee Carroll (deceased). They had two children, Willie Curtis Carroll Jr. and Yulanda Trinice Carroll.
Mr. Carroll retired from the US Army and resided in Fredericksburg, Virginia for many years, where he worked for the United States Postal Service when he retired. Mr. Carroll remarried Doretha Carroll (deceased) and adopted Tymon Cee Carroll. Mr. Carroll leaves behind to cherish his memory, his three loving children, Willie Curtis Carroll Jr., Fredericksburg, Va., Yulanda Trinice Carroll, Fredericksburg, Va., and Tymon Cee Carroll, Dothan Al.; his six grandchildren, Kiaira Monique Harris, Brian Tray’von Stanley, Shaela Rain Carroll, Anthony McCormick, Kaiden Maurice Carroll, and Brooklyn Caleese Carroll; two great-grandchildren, Akari Anthony James Stanley and Kaomi Jade Stanley, Fredericksburg Va. Mr. Carroll’s surviving sisters, Ella Holyfield, Dothan, Al., Dr. Jessica Ward, Chester Va., and Glenda Carroll-Pryor, Dothan Al., with a host of nieces and nephew, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and many dear friends.
GRIMES…Mr. Michael Carl Bradshaw, a resident of Grimes, died Sunday morning, December 28, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. He was 60.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Bradshaw was born on February 18, 1965, in Donalsonville, Georgia, and spent his childhood growing up in Midland City, where he formed the roots and values that shaped the rest of his life. He was a hardworking man who took great pride in providing for his family, and was retired as a truck driver. He found peace in the simple joys—especially fishing, where he could slow down, breathe, and enjoy the quiet moments that meant so much to him.
Many in the community will remember him fondly as the Santa Claus at Country Crossings in Dothan, a role he embraced with a full heart. Bringing smiles to children and families brought him genuine happiness, and his warm spirit made the holiday season brighter for countless people.
Above all, he was a devoted husband and a loving father. His family was the center of his world, and he poured his love, time, and strength into them every day. His kindness, steady presence, and gentle humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but the love he shared will continue to live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He was preceded in death by his father, Alton Bradshaw, an infant sister, Tennie Marie Bradshaw, and a brother, John David Bradshaw.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Michele Davis, Grimes; daughter, Amanda King (David), Wewahitchka, Florida; son, Michael J. Bradshaw, Dothan; mother, Tennie Bradshaw, Sneeds, Florida; sister, Margie Willis (Bobby), Headland; two brothers, Alton Bradshaw (Victoria), Newton and Carl David Bradshaw (Hollie Childree), Grimes; four grandchildren, Zac Cassady, Zoey Ham, Maddie King, and Kyleigh King.
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.
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
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.
