John T. Gillis, age 85, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2026, surrounded by the love
of his family.
John was born on May 19, 1941, in Dothan, Alabama. He proudly served his country for
four years in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, John dedicated
26 years to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, serving his community with
honor, integrity, commitment, retiring as a Lieutenant.
John valued education and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of
California, Los Angeles.
John is survived by his beloved wife Mary, his loving brother, George Gillis (Brenda), nephews and nieces, Shawn Gillis (Julie), Brent Gillis (Brooke), great nieces, Caroline and Ava Gillis, great nephews, Cooper and Luke Gillis, stepdaughters and
stepsons, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other extended
family members who will deeply miss his strength, wisdom, and steady presence.
John will be remembered for his life of service, his devotion to family, and the quiet
dignity with which he lived. His legacy will continue through the many lives he touched.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23
Forever loved and forever remembered.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, August 20, 2026 in the Chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Ed Branch officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 AM until service time. Burial with Military Honors will be held in Cottonwood City cemetery immediately following the service.
COLUMBIA, ALABAMA. . .Richard G. Leeds, a resident of Henry County, between Brown’s Crossroads and Haleburg, passed away peacefully Monday, August 17, 2026, at his home. He was 90.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the Holman-Abbeville Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Randy Greene officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the mortuary in Abbeville. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 9:00 A.M. Thursday, August 20, 2026, in the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dothan Botanical Gardens, 5130 Headland Avenue, Dothan, AL 36303.
Mr. Leeds was born and raised in Sullivan, Illinois, son of the late Elmer Leeds, Sr. and Florence Grider Leeds. He was a graduate of Sullivan High School and received a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Unversity of Illinois. Mr. Leeds enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1955 and served his country after the Korean War until 1958. While serving in the military, he was the official photographer for the U. S. Army and was a contributing photographer for the Stars and Stripes newspaper. After Desert Storm, he served as Lead Engineer in the reconstruction of the power grid in Kuwait. Mr. Leeds formerly lived in Daphne, Alabama for twenty-five years. While living in Daphne, he worked as an Electrical Engineer and was the co-owner and operator of Jubilee Music, Inc. He was a member and officer of the V.F.W. Post 5660 in Fairhope.
Mr. Leeds was preceded in death by his wife, Gloriann Pulliam Leeds and a brother, Elmer Leeds, Jr.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Susan Leeds Cross (Keith), Columbia; a son, Scott Leeds, Decatur, Illinois; grandchildren, Sarah Perry, Dylan Smith (Blake Shumway), Gailan Leeds and Rachel Leeds; and his furry companions, Ralphie, Diego and Rambo.
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… Jason Wesley Brown (Master Sergeant, United States Army, Retired), a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Wednesday afternoon, August 12, 2026, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 44.
Funeral services will be held 4:00 P.M. Friday, August 21, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Reverend Jonathan Tomlin officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Jason was born in Jasper, Alabama, at Baptist Health Walker Hospital and grew up in Double Springs, Alabama. He was a proud graduate of Winston County High School, Class of 1999.
Jason proudly served his country in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). MSG Jason W Brown served 3 combat deployment tours overseas, numerous field training exercises, held a security clearance, numerous awards for achievements & excellence. MSG Jason W Brown was a part of the 313th Military Intelligence Battalion; assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft Bragg, NC. After 20 years of honorable service, he retired from the Army. MSG Brown loved his country, and was a tremendous pride for him.
Jason earned an Associate Degree in Business Management and later found his calling as a homebuilder with Rainier Homes. He & his wife, Shelley took extraordinary pride in building quality homes and approached his work with the same dedication, precision, and strong work ethic that defined so much of his life. He built more than houses—he built lasting relationships and friendships with the homeowners he served. His tremendous attention to detail and commitment to doing things right were evident in everything he touched.
Outside of work, Jason found happiness in simple things. He loved fishing, especially bass fishing, and treasured his time at the lake in his beloved bass boat. Those days on the water created countless memories that will be cherished by those who shared them with him.
Jason was also a devoted Alabama Crimson Tide fan. He was a true “Mr. Fix-It,” always working on something and never afraid to figure out how to make things work. Whether it was one of his vehicles, his bass boat, or a lawn mower, Jason could usually be found cleaning it, fixing it, or making it better. He genuinely loved washing vehicles—all vehicles—and he took immense pride in making sure they looked their absolute best. And no wash was complete without “Tire Shine.”
That attention to detail was simply part of who Jason was. He was meticulous in everything he did. His tool cabinet was a perfect example of his personality: everything had its place, and everything belonged in its place. He took pride in doing things right, whether he was building a home, working on a piece of equipment, cleaning a vehicle, taking care of the things he loved or the people he loved.
Jason’s faith was an important part of his life, he was saved in November of 2025 and he became a devoted member of Blackwood Church. His faith, kindness, and quiet strength were reflected in the way he lived and in the way he cared for others. He loved Jesus and wanted to spread the gospel anytime he could.
Above all, Jason loved his family deeply. He shared a special bond with his brother and nephews and was loving & devoted to his mother. He loved his wife tremendously, not only could you see their love for each other, you could feel it. Together they shared a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and memories. He also had an incredibly special companion in their beloved fur baby, Smore, who was by his side for 15 years. Jason loved Smore dearly, and their bond was a beautiful reflection of his gentle heart and tremendous capacity to love.
Jason will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his country, his strong work ethic, his meticulous attention to detail, his infectious personality with his humor & always being a jokester, his love of the outdoors, his faith, his love for Alabama football, and the countless ways he cared for the people and things that mattered to him.
Leaving to cherish his memories include his loving wife of almost nineteen years, Shelley Brown; his mother, Donna Nelson Lay (Richard Lay), Father Danny Brown (Annette Brown), Father in Law John Wagner, stepson, Chris Escobar; brother, Cody McCauley; nephews, Coltyn McCauley, Thomas Nelson, brother in law Todd Wagner, fur baby, Smore; several Aunts, Uncles, Siblings, Cousins & Friends.
Most of all, Jason will be remembered for the love he gave so freely to his family and those closest to him. He leaves behind a legacy of service, devotion, friendship, hard work, and cherished memories that will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, fellow soldiers, church family, former coworkers, homeowners whose lives he touched, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Though Jason is no longer with us, the love he shared, the lives he touched, and the memories he created will never be forgotten. His life was a gift, his service was a legacy, and his love will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to call him husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, and family.
Rest peacefully, Jason. “Well done my good and faithful servant.”- Matthew 25:23
Susan Olivia Vaughn Weaver, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, at the age of 75.
Susan was born on February 10, 1951, in Houston County, Alabama, to the late Ollis Coy Watford and Mary Faye Harper Watford. She was a proud graduate of Ashford High School, Class of 1969.
Susan dedicated more than 40 years of her life to her passion for interior decorating. Through her talent, creativity, and love for beautiful spaces, she touched the lives of many and built a career that reflected her remarkable eye for detail and style.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Johnny Vaughn, with whom she shared 38 years of marriage; and Jim Weaver, with whom she shared seven years.
Susan leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory, including her son, John Marc Vaughn and his wife, Jessica, of Ashford; her daughter, Susanne Nichole Vaughn Yates and her husband, Kenneth, of Dothan, Alabama; and her beloved grandchildren, Olivia and Zack Hughes, John Mitchell Vaughn, Katlyn and Aaron Wood, Kody and Kaley Yates, Seth Yates, and Sean Yates. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Daniel Wood. She is also remembered by her special friends, Jim Stone and Linda Scott.
Susan will be remembered for her loving heart, creative spirit, devotion to her family, and the many beautiful memories she created throughout her life. Her family and all who knew and loved her will forever carry her memory in their hearts.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home, with Reverend Greg Aman officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will be held separately.
Pallbearers will be John Mitchell Vaughn, Andrew Etheridge, Michael Edwards, Pat Jones, Brian Edwards, and Greg Williams.
Ruby Lee Bass Burkett, of Geneva, AL, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 85 years old. No services are planned at this time.
Ruby was born on April 3, 1941, to the late Jim Nathan and Flora Lee Forman Bass. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, fishing, and wood burning.
In addition to her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Burkett; one son, Robert Earl Burkett; two grandsons, Jeremy Burkett and Kenneth Burkett; and six siblings.
Ruby is survived by her five children, Gale Harrison, Burt Burkett, Patricia Burkett, Dwane Burkett, and Hilda Wells; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
