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.
Michael Dean Williams, Sr., a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025, at his residence surrounded by loved ones. He was 68 years old.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula, Alabama with Rev. Stephen Doss officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing. The burial will follow in the Rapture City Cemetery. A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mikey was born on January 28, 1957, in Eufaula, Alabama, to the late James Mack and Mavis Nadine Trammell Williams. He worked all his life in the logging business. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, music and playing the banjo, but his biggest joy was spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jeff Williams; nephew, Brad Williams.
Survivors include his four children, Sherry Beaty (William), Michael Williams, Jr.; Jessica Williams (Levi), and Joshua Williams; four brothers, James Robert “Buddy” Williams (Susie), Billy Joe Williams, James Mack “Jamie” Williams, Jr. (Pam), David Williams (Kelly); sister, Sharon Stephens (Todd); eight grandchildren, Courtney Beaty, Dylon Beaty (Haylee), Tyler Williams, Emily Williams, Spencer Williams, Austyn Williams, Liam Williams, and Lila Williams; three great-grandchildren, Zoe Jane Robertson, Libby Dawn Beaty, and Stella Claire Beaty; several beloved nieces and nephews.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Jamie Williams, David Williams, Buddy Williams, Dylon Beaty, Tyler Williams, and William Ware.
Honorary pallbearer will be Billy Joe Williams.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
ARITON…Mr. Earl Danner (Sergeant First Class, Alabama Army National Guard, Retired), a resident of Ariton, died early Saturday morning, December 27, 2025, in Dale Medical Center. He was 86.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in the Ariton Baptist Church with Reverend Dave Walsh and his grandson, Mr. Zachary J. Sexton officiating. Burial will follow in Ariton Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at the church.
Mr. Danner, son of the late Reginald Danner and Mildred N. Paulk Danner, was a native of Ariton, the community he loved and adored. He was a 1958 graduate of Ariton High School, where he was the Valedictorian. Mr. Danner was a only member of the men’s basketball team to reach the final four to this date. He also was a member of the baseball team and played the snare drum in the band. Mr. Earl was voted most athletic, but he married the class clown, Mrs. Jackie. They have been married sixty-four years.
Mr. Earl has worn many hats in Ariton, starting with being a history teacher, P.E. teacher, varsity boys’ basketball coach, assistant football coach, retired as the lunchroom manager in 2011, but still holds his current position of twenty plus years as the Lady Cats softball bookkeeper. This is where we know him as Papa Earl. You can find Papa Earl under the Friday Night Lights cheering for the Purple Cats. Come early spring, you would find him in the dugout with his book and chair rooting for the softball team. Papa Earl has a special place in girls’ athletics, after all, he helped coach his own daughter, and watched his granddaughters play while sitting in the dugout.
He was member of the Ariton Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon, taught the Young Adult Sunday school class for many years. He was a member of the Senior Adult Class and served faithfully with the Wednesday night benevolence suppers, doing what he loved to do, cooking.
Mr. Danner served in the Alabama Army National Gurd Units in Ozark, Ariton, and Clayton. He retired after thirty-nine years with the Clayton Unit #1128 Transportation Company with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He served as Mess Sergeant for many years and earned awards as Best Mess at Camp Shelby, Mississippi and Fort Stewart, Georgia.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Danner and his sister, Caroline Danner.
Surviving relatives include his wife of sixty-four years, Jacqueline “Jackie” Danner; two daughters, Sheila Dunn and Starla Cherry, all of Ariton; grandchildren, Zachary “Zach” Sexton (Jordan), Calen Lowery (Andrew), Claire Ivey (Seth), Hollis Cherry, and Lexie Ritchie (Jonah); great-grandchildren, Lilly-James Sexton, Parker Sexton, Griz Ivey, Ellis Ivey, and Eva Blake Lowery; nephew, Greg Danner; several cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be William Knox, Terry Goodson, Jerry Goodson, Ben Baker, Chris Carroll, and Jeff Sexton.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
HEADLAND. . .Gary Robert Brady, a former resident of Headland, passed away Saturday night, December 27, 2025, in the Henry County Health & Rehabilitation Facility in Abbeville. He was 65 years old.
A Going Home Celebration will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Billy Garrett, Jr. and Pastor Jerry Bolton officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the mortuary in Headland. Graveside services will follow in the Liberty Church Cemetery, 1126 Wilkie Mosley Road, Blakely, GA.
Gary Brady was born to Herbert and Johnnie Mae Brady on February 13, 1960 in Tampa, Florida. The family moved to the Columbia, Alabama area where they began a church. Gary devoted his life to serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As an ordained Minister, he pastored youth groups, children’s programs, and congregations. He wrote songs and sang for many years with his brothers in their southern gospel group, The Brady’s. In addition to those services for the Lord, he wrote poems, short stories and books. Above all, Gary Brady loved others with the tender love of Christ and gave his all to those around him. Gary attended Abbeville Assembly of God. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Kathy Sue Brady.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Dr. Tara Brady Thompson (William Thompson, II), a granddaughter, Willa Thompson, all of Greensboro, GA; a sister, Elaine Griffith (Phillip), Columbia, AL; two brothers Keith Brady (Melodie), Headland; and Alan Brady (Jessica), Columbia, Al; several nieces and nephews.
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.
Judy Baxter Wells, age 78, passed away peacefully on December 27, resting in the hope and assurance of Christ.
Born on February 7, 1947 and raised in Malone, Florida, Judy married Lamond Wells in January 1964. Together, they established their life in Cottonwood, Alabama, where she spent the majority of her years building a home, raising her family, and becoming a beloved member of the community.
She was a longtime member of Memphis Baptist Church, where her faith was firmly established and nurtured over many years. That faith remained central to her life, shaping the way she worked, served others, and loved her family.
She devoted many years of her professional life to the United States Post Office, where she was known for her strong work ethic and attention to detail. After retiring, she joined her husband in operating their family business, Wells Produce. There, her gifts for hospitality and relationship-building flourished as she became the heart and face of the operation, traveling to markets, welcoming customers, and forming lasting connections with families, fellow farmers, and local businesses. What began as a produce stand grew into a community because of her dedication and care for people.
That same devotion was evident in her personal life. She was an extraordinary gardener, gifted with the ability to make things grow, whether in the soil or in the lives of those around her. Above all else, she was a mother and matriarch. Her greatest joy was her family, and she poured herself into creating a home marked by love, laughter, and tradition. Holidays were never small occasions; they were generous gatherings filled with shared meals, open doors, and memories that will be carried forward for generations. Those who knew her were better for having been loved by her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Grady and Loudean Baxter, and by her beloved husband of 57 years, Lamond Wells.
She is survived by her four children: Andy Wells; Stephanie Fowler (Tim); Holli Lovrich (Marty); and Chad Wells (Anna); 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Her legacy lives on in the family she raised, the community she helped shape, and the values she modeled through a life lived faithfully and well. In her final season of life, she continued to place her trust in the Lord, relying on His grace and sustaining strength. To honor her, a visitation will be held at Harper’s Joy Assembly of God Church on Tuesday, December 30, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with a graveside service immediately following.
Kenneth W. Lassiter, 64 years old, of Southern Junction, AL passed away unexpectedly in his home on December 24th, 2025.
Kenneth was married to the love of his life, Rhonda, for 47 wonderful years. Together, they built a legacy rooted in family, faith, and hard work.
Kenneth was a loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather. He had great love for his family and showed kindness for all that he met.
He was a 1979 graduate of Rehobeth High School. He was a lifelong farmer, cattleman, and business owner. In addition, he owned Dothan Hydraulics. He will be remembered for his strong leadership and honesty, hard work, integrity and always doing what was right. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, W.H. “Dick” and Earline Lassiter; his grandparents, Samp and Ozell Smith; W.D. “Will” and Stella Lassiter; Brother, Ronald “Ronnie” Lassiter.
He is survived by his wife, Rhonda. Daughter, Marlene and Son-in-Law, Johnny Hardy. Three Grandchildren, Marlee, Jaslyn, and Dalton “DJ”. Brother, Tim Lassiter; Sisters, Phyllis (Randy) Sewell, and Brenda (Michael) Barrentine., Sister In Law Sherri Lassiter, Aunt, Pat Roland, Mother-in-Law, Martha Hill. As well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 3 PM until 6 PM Saturday, December 27th, 2025, at James & Lipford Funeral Home, 5390 Cotton Street Graceville Florida 32440.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM Sunday, December 28th, 2025, at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 23444 E. County Road 4 Slocomb AL 36375. Burial will follow in church cemetery with James & Lipford Funeral Home directing.
Pallbearers are Dalton Andrews, Johnny Hardy, Keith Sewell, Timmy Lassiter, Ryan Lassiter, and Garret Barrentine.
Flowers will be accepted, however, those wishing to make memorial donations, may do so to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 23444 E. County Road 4 Slocomb AL 36375.
Michael Dean Williams, Sr., a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025, at his residence surrounded by loved ones. He was 68 years old.
