Merlene Norton Kent, age 74, of Malvern, passed away peacefully at her home, on Monday, November 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 1, 2025 at Malvern Baptist Church Cemetery, with Reverend Hosea Parker officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society.
Merlene was born on January 5, 1951 in Eufaula, to the late James and Maggie Lou Walker Norton. She had a lifelong passion for gardening and took immense pride in growing flowers and caring for her yard. Her dedication to every detail made her yard a true showplace, often the envy of the community. Gifted with remarkable talent and creativity, Merlene was also an accomplished seamstress. She could craft anything from a simple dress, to an elaborate wedding gown, along with costumes, pageant dresses, and many other unique creations. She poured love, care, and joy into every stitch, and serving each of her customers brought her genuine happiness. Merlene will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her devotion to her family, her artistry, and the beauty she cultivated in both her craft and her garden.
In addition to her parents; her husband, Larry Davis Kent of 47 years; brothers: Jimmy P. Norton, Johnny C. Norton, Leonard F. Norton, Teddy L. Norton; and sister Jackie Wood, all preceded her in death.
Survivors include one son: Marion Thomas Porterfield of Malvern; granddaughter: Brittney Nicole Adams (Anthony); great grandchildren: Emily Adams and Ryland Adams; sisters: Judy Walker of Eufaula, Mary Wise of Clayton, and Connie Wallace of Eufaula; and a special niece, Paula Walker of Headland.
Bessie (Howell) Skipper, 88, a long-time resident of Cottonwood, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with her family by her side.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 28, 2025, at Glover Funeral Home with Chaplain Buford Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Hodgesville Baptist Church Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m., prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted.
Bessie was born February 11, 1937, in Dothan to the late Albert & Johnnie (Roland) Howell. She was raised in Cottonwood and was a graduate of Cottonwood High School. Bessie spent her life as a homemaker, helping her husband on the family farm, and was a dedicated preacher’s wife. Her number one job was raising her son and her grandchildren as well as her great-grandchildren. Bessie was a long-time member of Hodgesville Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Reverend Ray Skipper; her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Parrish (Herman); her brother, Billy Joe Howell; and her nephew, Billy Ray Howell.
She is survived by her son, Kenny R. Skipper (Sharon) of Cottonwood; her two granddaughters, Katlin A. Johnson (Blake) and Samantha Skipper Clark (Justin) both of Cottonwood; her four great-grandchildren, Wesley Anderson, Braylee Clark, Parker Johnson, and Blakelyn Johnson; her sister-in-law, Dianne Howell; her niece, Deborah Hussey (Roger); her nephew, Billy Wayne Howell (Jennifer); and her great-nephew, Tyler Howell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Roger Hussey, Brad Anderson, Tyler Howell, Billy Wayne Howell, Alex Belflower.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Carolyn Blanch (McDaniel) Sheff, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted friend to many lives, lives on in spirit, and remains eternally in the hearts of her family and friends. Memorial service for Carolyn will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 6, 2025, in the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Peter Sheff officiating.
Carolyn was born in Opp, Alabama on February 8, 1950, to William McDaniel and Doris Kennedy McDaniel, and is predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Noel. She leaves behind her loving husband of nearly 50 years, Tom Sheff, their two sons, Sean and Justin, daughters in law, Abby and Sarah, as well as five beautiful grandchildren, Noah, Nathan, Caroline, Lily and Morgan. She also leaves behind many sister- in- laws, brother- in- laws, nieces and nephews, all whom will remember time spent in her company.
Carolyn and her family resided in Dothan, Alabama for many years, prior to retiring and relocating to Burnsville, North Carolina, where they spent the summers, while wintering in Miramar Beach, Florida. Carolyn helped countless students with learning disabilities reach their potential during her career as a special educator. In her free time, she spent many hours garden and could easily identify plants, their culinary and medicinal uses, as well as their growing habits. She also enjoyed skiing in the North Carolina mountains with her family.
OZARK…Mrs. Patricia Hood Coffey, a resident of Ozark, died late Monday afternoon, November 25, 2025, at her home. She was 87.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Scott Thompson and Reverend Jim Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
Katie Dell Pinkerton Weeks of Samson, AL passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025. She was 84.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Eddins officiating. Burial will follow in Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Katie was born on December 03, 1940, in Geneva Co., AL to the late Henry Hurtis and Mattie Odell Jackson Pinkerton. Prior to her retirement, she was an LPN and exhibited great love and found much joy in helping others, especially the elderly and children. She was a member of Trinity Church of God in Samson, AL.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vernell Weeks, brother, Henry Jack Pinkerton and sister, Dorothy Peacock.
Katie is survived by her son, Walter “Walt” Egnew (Shane Ruff) of North Berwick, Maine; daughter, Teresa Baisden (Rob) of Gainesville, GA; two grandsons, John Kalon Ingram (Michelle) of Gainesville, GA and Justin Michael Ellenburg of Gainesville, FL; one great granddaughter, Maybeth Ingram of Gainesville, GA and a number of special nieces and nephews.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
Debbie Bragg Davis, 72, surrounded by her family, went to be with the Lord on October 15, 2025. Born on July 7, 1953, in Tampa, Florida, Debbie was the daughter of Edna and Jay Bragg. She grew up in Dothan, Alabama, and shared an enthusiasm for horseback riding with her sisters. Debbie graduated from Dothan High School and later attended the Atlanta School of Interior Design, earning her degree in Interior Design—a field in which she discovered her true passion.
Debbie built a successful business in Dothan, where her remarkable eye for beauty, love of color, and meticulous attention to detail earned her the admiration of clients and friends. In 2006, she made Lynn Haven, Florida her home, embracing a life close to the beach. She was happiest near the water and cherished the peace and joy it brought her.
A vibrant and creative spirit, Debbie filled her world—and the worlds of those around her—with warmth and beauty. She loved tending to her garden, cultivating colorful blooms, and preparing wonderful meals that gathered her loved ones around the table. Her creativity, kindness, and generous heart will be remembered by all who knew her.
Debbie is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marilyn Joy Jinks. She is survived by her loving husband, Bobby Davis; her three children, Jay Marchman (Kelli), Hillary Marchman, and Ben Marchman (Haley); her three stepdaughters, Dolly Floyd (Robert), Trish Mathis (Wesley) and Jessica Perez (Jesus); and her 17 treasured grandchildren and 6 great grands.
She also leaves behind her sisters, Susan Bragg Snider (Mehmet) and Hilda Bragg Jackson (Wade), along with many extended family members and friends who will forever hold her in their hearts.
Debbie also leaves behind her precious fur babies, Johnson and Simone, who brought her great comfort and companionship.
A memorial service will be held in her honor at 4:00pm on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home.
