James Reeves Espy, age 72, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in Tallahassee, Florida.
Reeves was the last baby born in Dothan, Alabama on December 31, 1953.
Reeves grew up in Abbeville, Alabama. After graduating from Abbeville High School in 1972, he attended Troy State University.
While at Troy he became a member of Delta Chi Fraternity. He was also a Big Brother to the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Reeves graduated from Troy with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Reeves later decided to follow his true passion and went
back to school at Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida. There he obtained a degree in Landscape Design. He soon formed his own company Espy Lawn and Landscaping located in Tallahassee. Reeves received many accolades for his design work. A landscape project he was proud of was his designs for Florida State
University’s Law School grounds. He was also instrumental for the design of the tree lined landscape in in downtown Abbeville, Alabama. Reeves was not only a lover of nature, plants and flowers, he also loved cats and dogs. He always had a bowl set out
for a needy animal. Reeves spent several of the last years at the Espy family home in Abbeville, Alabama.
Reeves was preceded in death by his father John Darby Espy, Jr., his mother Virginia Richardson Espy and his nephew Jeffry H. Grace. He is survived by his sister Ann Espy Grace (Hoyt), his brother John “Darby” Espy, III (Beverly) and his nieces, nephews and many close cousins.
A memorial gathering will be held April 25, 2026 at 11:30 for all family and friends. The gathering will take place at The Espy house, 205 Columbia Road in Abbeville.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Abbeville Rebuild Fund, P.O. Box 606, Abbeville, Alabama 36310, or The American Cancer Society, 3054 McGehee Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36111 or ARK-Safe Haven Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 126, Abbeville, Alabama 36310.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
Laura Leigh Jones, known lovingly to family and friends as Laura, passed away on April 15, 2026, in Ozark, Alabama, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on March 22, 1977, in Enterprise, Alabama, and lived a life marked by kindness, devotion, and a deep love for the people around her.
Laura was a loving, selfless, and adventurous woman whose presence brought warmth and comfort to everyone she met. She had a sweet and kind heart, and she was known for being full of life, funny, and always ready to brighten a room with her spirit. Her family and friends will remember her for the joy she brought into everyday moments and for the way she made others feel cared for, valued, and loved.
Laura was the devoted wife of Robert Jones, Jr. for 10 years, and together they shared a life built on love, family, and support. She was a proud and loving mother to Henli Jones, Robert Jones III, Mckenzie Jones, and Aerick (Jade) Jones, and she cherished each of her children deeply. She was also a beloved grandmother to Paisley Jones and Jeremiah Jones, and she joyfully looked forward to welcoming a baby on the way, Ella Louise Jones. Laura leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law, Richard Jones and Mary Jones, as well as Cinnamon (Michael) Coach. She was preceded in death by her parents, Verlon and Shirley Thomas. She is also survived by her sisters, Mischelle (Charles) Andrews, and Christie (Dale) Wyatt, along with her loving friends Starla and Casey Moore. Laura also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family members who will forever hold her memory close.
Laura graduated from Dale County High School and went on to continue her education at Wallace Community College, where she obtained her RN degree. She later attended Troy University and earned her BSN. Her dedication to learning and to the nursing profession reflected her strong work ethic and her desire to care for others with excellence and compassion.
Laura worked for some time at Southeast Health and Flowers Hospital as a cardiac nurse. She was deeply respected by her patients and coworkers alike for her compassionate nature and her steady, caring presence. Her patients always loved having her care for them because she treated each person with dignity, patience, and genuine concern. Nursing was more than a career to Laura. It was a calling that allowed her to serve others in a meaningful and lasting way.
Outside of her work, Laura found joy in the simple and beautiful things in life. She loved Mexico Beach and treasured time spent there. She was a lover of music and books, and she enjoyed Jimmy Buffett. She loved to travel, especially with her sisters and during girls’ weekends, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come. Laura also loved being the travel guide for family vacations, always finding the best food, the best places to stay, and the best sights to see. Her favorite color was blue, a reflection of the calm and comforting spirit she often shared with those around her.
Laura will be remembered for her loving heart, her selfless nature, and her adventurous spirit. She lived her life with grace, humor, and compassion, and she touched countless lives through her kindness and care. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 17, 2026 in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services.
Col. John Douglas Dowdey, Jr. (USAF RET), age 89, of Newton, Alabama, passed away on April 14, 2026. He was born on July 6, 1936, in Fort Payne, Alabama, and lived a long and meaningful life marked by devotion to God and his family, service to his country, and a genuine appreciation for the many places and people that filled his years.
John was the beloved husband of Beverly Dowdey for 71 years, and their marriage stood as a lasting example of love, loyalty, and partnership. The two met in Florida, a meeting that began a lifelong journey together. After joining the military, John and Beverly moved wherever duty called, building a life together through years of change, travel, and shared experience. Through every season, their bond remained strong, and their family was always at the center of his heart.
He was a proud father to Donna Cantu and her husband, Hector Cantu Jr., who preceded him in death, and Doug Dowdey and his wife, Mina. He was also preceded in death by his son, Jimmy Dowdey. John treasured his role as a grandfather and was deeply proud of his grandchildren, Gabriel Dowdey and Roxy, John Dowdey III and Brandy, Nathan Cantu and Abby, and Eliza Ann. He also leaves behind six great-grandchildren whose lives were touched by his steady presence, warm spirit, and enduring love. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rick Dowdey.
John served his country honorably in the United States Air Force for 31 years, a career that reflected his discipline, commitment, and sense of duty. His military service took him to many places and gave him experiences that shaped the man he became. He embraced the opportunities and challenges of military life with strength and resilience, and he carried the values of service and responsibility with him long after retirement. Following his military career, he owned and operated a computer store in PA, where he applied his knowledge, determination, and work ethic in a new chapter of life.
John enjoyed a full and active life, and he found joy in both simple pleasures and meaningful pursuits. He served the Lord faithfully and was a choir director at church. He loved golf and tennis, and he appreciated the spirit of adventure that came with “places to go, people to see, things to do.” He enjoyed boating and embraced activities that kept him moving and connected to the world around him. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family, and those moments brought him his greatest happiness.
Those who knew John will remember him as a man of quiet strength, warmth, and steady character. He lived with purpose, cared deeply for those he loved, and left behind a legacy of service, devotion, and treasured memories. His life was one of movement, accomplishment, and lasting relationships, and he will be remembered with love and gratitude by all who were blessed to know him.
John Douglas Dowdey, Jr. will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and friends.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Burial with military honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Park.
DALEVILLE…Amber Everson, a resident of Daleville, died Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. She was 28.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 17, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Brian Presley officiating. Burial will follow in Newton City 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. Friday at the funeral home.
Amber was born on April 11, 1997, in Ozark, Alabama, and from the very beginning she carried a light that was all her own. A 2016 graduate of Carroll High School, she grew up surrounded by family, friends, and the familiar places of Dale County that shaped her into the young woman so many came to love. Over the years she made her home in Midland City and Newton before settling in Daleville, always keeping close to the people and communities that meant the most to her.
Amber had a joyful spirit that showed up in the simple things she loved. She enjoyed singing, especially when a song spoke to her heart. She loved the beach, where the sound of the waves brought her peace and the sunshine seemed to match her bright personality. She rarely went anywhere without her cell phone, and she found joy in sharing little pieces of her life through TikTok videos — laughing, dancing, and capturing moments that made her smile. Those who knew her best will remember her laughter, her playful nature, and the way she could turn an ordinary moment into something worth remembering.
Though her time here was far too short, Amber’s life was filled with love, connection, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. She faced life with a tender heart, and even in difficult seasons, she carried a strength that came from deep within. We trust that the same God who walked with her through every step of her journey has now welcomed her into eternal rest, where there is no more pain, only peace and light.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Anna Marie Pope, Donald Barry Everson, and Thomas Dowling Walker. Today, we find comfort in believing that she is reunited with them, held safely in the arms of the Lord, and surrounded by the love of those who went before her.
Amber will be remembered for her sweetness, her laughter, and the way she loved in her own gentle, genuine way. Her absence leaves an ache, but her memory will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her.
Surviving relatives include her fiance’, Kevin Kuhns; mother, Rachel Brownell (Mark), Ozark; father, Donald S. Everson (Misty), Samson; maternal grandmothers, Patsy Outlaw Sharp, Ozark and Glenda Creamer Walker, Newton; two brothers, Andrew Everson (Grace), Springfield, Illinois and Jacob Everson, Daleville; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives, including a special aunt, April “NaNa” Hilton (Johnny), uncles, Shawn Everson and James Boutwell; step-sister, Lillie Stant and step-brother, Dylan Spicer; her special dog, Harley Everson.
Serving as active pallbearers will be David Williams, Tim Johnson, Johnny Hilton, Jonathan Dorrill, Dylan Spicer, and William Stant.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
NEWTON…Mr. Jerry Taylor, a resident of Newton, near Pinckard, died early Sunday morning, April 12, 2026, at his home. He was 64.
Graveside services will be held Friday, April 17, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. (E.T.) at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Dawson, Georgia, with his brother-in-law, Pastor Dale Hodges officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Taylor was born in Dothan, Alabama, and raised in the close‑knit community of Rehobeth. He grew up with the kind of small‑town values that stayed with him his whole life—hard work, loyalty, and a deep love for the people around him. He graduated from Rehobeth High School in 1979, proud to be a Rebel, and carried those memories with him through the years.
Not long after high school, he began working at Sony, where he built a career that spanned 34 years. He was the kind of person who showed up every day, gave his best, and treated his coworkers like family. Later, he continued that same dedication at Michelin, where he worked for more than a decade. No matter what the job, he took pride in doing things the right way.
In 2009, he married Cathy Lynn Taylor, the love of his life. Their 18 years together were filled with laughter, partnership, and the kind of steady, everyday devotion that speaks louder than grand gestures ever could. They built a life side by side, supporting each other through every season.
He loved Alabama football—win or lose, he cheered with his whole heart. Saturdays in the fall were sacred, and he enjoyed every moment of it. He liked to play golf, never taking the game too seriously, just enjoying the time spent outside with friends. And he had a real talent for woodworking. Whether he was building something new or fixing something old, he found peace in working with his hands.
More than anything, he will be remembered for his kindness, his quiet strength, and the way he made people feel welcome and cared for. He lived a simple, honest life, and he loved deeply—his family, his friends, and the place he called home. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Agnes Guy Taylor of Dawson, Georgia.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Cathy Taylor, Newton; daughters Emily Taylor (Dannard) Ashford, Alabama, Dana Enfinger (Joseph) Newton, Alabama; son Jeremy Taylor Dothan, Alabama; father Benjamin Leon Taylor, Dawson, Georgia; sisters Sherry Gilley (Melvin) Dawson, Georgia, Teresa Hodges (Dale) Leesburg, Georgia; five grandchildren Damian Taylor, Ellason Brown, Abby Mac Gay, Garrison Gay, Mikelyn Enfinger; numerous nieces and nephews, including niece, Kristy Gilley Miller, Leesburg, Georgia, nephews, Scott Gilley (Melaina) Albany, Georgia, and Justin Hodges (Kendall), Americus, Georgia; great niece, Addie Gilley; great-nephews, Rhye Gilley and Aydan Miller.
Linda Carol Reid-Ventry, known lovingly as Linda, passed away on April 10, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 76. She was born on May 9, 1949, in Brazil, Indiana, and lived a life marked by kindness, devotion, and a deep love for the people and creatures around her.
Linda was a loving and friendly woman whose warmth touched everyone who knew her. She had a gentle spirit and a welcoming nature that made others feel at ease in her presence. Her life was centered on family, and she found great joy in the simple, meaningful moments shared with those she loved most. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and her memory will remain a treasured part of the lives she touched.
She is survived by her husband of more than 40 years, Wally Ventry; her son, Darrell Reid and his wife Diana; her daughter, Kim Brodrick and her husband Shawn; and her beloved grandchildren, Colby Carroll, Dara Reid, Kylie Reid, Ian Brodrick, and Erin Brodrick. She is also survived by her sister, Sharon King; her brother-in-law, Tommy Ventry and his wife Jewel; her brother-in-law, Gene Ventry and his wife Josetta; her brother-in-law, Kyle Ventry and his wife Linda; her mother-in-law, Maxine Ventry; and her sister-in-law, Shayne Barbour and her husband Dave. Linda also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Reah Sprouse, and by her brother, Wayne Douglas Sprouse. Their memories remained close to her heart throughout her life, and she carried her family ties with pride and love.
Linda spent part of her life in Ft. Myers and West Palm Beach before moving to Dothan in the early 1990s. After making Dothan her home, she became part of a community that she valued deeply. She attended Harvest Church in Dothan, where her faith and fellowship were an important part of her life. Her presence there, like everywhere else, reflected the same kindness and sincerity that defined her character.
Linda had many interests that brought her joy and reflected her appreciation for life’s everyday blessings. She loved animals and had a special fondness for plants and birds. She had a green thumb and enjoyed caring for growing things, finding satisfaction in nurturing beauty around her home. She was also an enthusiastic NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching cooking shows. A great cook herself, Linda took pride in preparing meals and sharing them with others. She especially loved people and treasured time spent with her family, who were the center of her world.
Those who knew Linda will remember her as a woman who gave love freely and lived with grace. Her friendly nature, caring heart, and steady presence made a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her. She will be remembered for the way she made others feel valued, for the joy she found in family, and for the warmth she brought into every room.
Linda Carol Reid-Ventry leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and kindness. Her life was a blessing to her family and friends, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who loved her.
A celebration of Linda’s life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 10am at Harvest Church with Pastor Keith Frith officiating.
