OZARK…Savannah Ross Coaker, a resident of Ozark, passed away late Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, at the home of her parents, near Clio. She was 28.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Ozark First Assembly of God Church in Ozark with Pastor Matt Worley and Pastor Darin Easter officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Echo Community. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 3:30 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Savannah was born May 23rd, 1997, in Dothan Alabama, and was the daughter of John F. and Tonya Ross. She attended George W. Long High School where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Caleb Coaker. Savannah was an active member of Bethel Methodist Church. Throughout her battle with cancer, she touched many lives with her testimony. Even when the fighting got hard, she chose joy and gave God all the glory. Savannah and Caleb were blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Ross immediately became Savannah’s reason to keep fighting. Her favorite things were being a Mama, reading a good book, and spending time with family. Most importantly, Savannah loved the Lord and chose to be faithful through the good times and bad.
Savannah is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mr. Hughie and Lula Barnes, paternal grandfather, Mr. John F. Ross Jr., and a nephew, Jimi Byrd.
Those left to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Caleb Coaker; son Ross Coaker; Parents: John and Tonya Ross; Siblings: Kirstie Johnson (Justin), John F. Ross IV (Kristy), Erica Byrd (Justin), and Selena Ross. Grandmother: Patricia Ross; nieces and nephews: Bailey, Tommy, Colt, Walker, and Heidi Johnson; Blakely and John Ross V; Etta Johnson and Freya Byrd; Rhemy and Emma Carpenter; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Greg and Joley Coaker, and sister-in-law, Christian Carpenter (Brandon); along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers are John Ross IV, Justin Johnson, Justin Byrd, Brandon Carpenter, Brandon Hovey, and Nyk Money. Honorary pallbearers will be the George W. Long High School Class of 2015 and members of the Fort Rucker Fire Department.
The family would like to thank each and every person who has followed Savannah’s journey over the last several years. The kindness and generosity have made a lasting impact.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
NEWVILLE… Marilyn Rose Ward, a resident of Newville, Alabama, passed away Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026, at a Dothan hospital. She was 73.
Graveside services will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Pleasant Hill Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, with Brother Larry Sowell officiating. Family will receive friends following the service. At other times the family will be at the residence, 338 South Broad Street, Newville, Alabama 36353. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made to the Pleasant Hill Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3391 County Road 13, Headland, Alabama 36345.
Mrs. Ward was born in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Joe Thomas Simpson and Reba Mae Brady Simpson. She had lived most of her adult lifetime in Newville, Alabama after she married the love of her life, Freddie Ward. She was a very devoted member of the Pleasant Hill Freewill Baptist Church.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, JoAnn Pace and Deborah Simpson.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her husband, Freddie Ward; her daughter, Lara Cornett (Heather Cornett); her sisters, Shirley Simpson and Floella Henderson (Joseph); her grandchildren, Cameron Whitehurst, Colton Cornett, Serenity Whitehurst, and Josiah Whitehurst; and her very good friends, Belinda and Brother Larry Sowell.
HEADLAND… Jean Phyllis Damren, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, devoted mother, nanny, and beloved child of God, entered into eternal life on Tuesday evening, January 13, 2026, at the age of 72. Though we grieve her passing, we find comfort in God’s promise in the hope of the eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Ms. Damren was born on May 13, 1953 in Yokohama, Japan to the late Eugene Phillip Damren and Dorothy Elizabeth Penn Damren. She graduated from Kendrick High School in Columbus, GA, class of 1971. She earned her nursing degree from Homer D. Cobb Memorial Hospital in Phenix City, AL in 1978. She worked for many years at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, AL as a Labor and Delivery nurse as well as a scrub nurse at the Surgery Center of Dothan. In 1983 she became a volunteer with the Ministry of Wiregrass Hope, where she eventually became a full time staff nurse. Her attention to detail and her professional excellence were matched only by her kindness and warmth with both clients and staff. While working with Wiregrass Hope, she felt led to develop a post abortion recovery program offering women a path toward healing from trauma, grief, and guilt. Through this ministry, she guided countless women toward forgiveness and, for many, towards salvation. Over four decades, thousands of women and young families were touched by her ministry. She faithfully served the Lord through Gateway Church with a passion for the children’s ministry, living out her faith through acts of love and service. Her faith also led her to travel to Guatemala to assist with healthcare and spreading the love of God on several occasions. She lived a life grounded in faith, love, and service to the Lord. She trusted Christ as her Savior and sought to honor him in all that she did. Her faith guided her through every season of life and was evident in her kindness, humility, and unwavering devotion to her family. She believed in the power of prayer and found peace in God’s presence, even in life’s difficult moments. She embodied the words of scripture, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Phillip Lee Damren, Jesse Vaughn Damren; sister, Mary Allen Strickland; her sister-in-law, Misty Damren; and her brother-in-law, Tim Strickland.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her son, James Carlton Pearson II (Lindsay); her grandchildren, Emilee Breanne Pearson, James Carlton “Bubba” Pearson, III (Joie), William Kyle Godbee, Kiley Godbee Ivy (Blake); her sisters, Linda Sue Linogon (Mike West), and Ethel Irene Creel (Terry Allen); her brother, Junior Damren (Pam); and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. CST Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Gateway Church in Headland, Alabama, with Pastor Ruth Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Donations may be made in Ms. Damren’s honor, to Wiregrass Hope, P.O. Box 7154, Dothan, AL 36302, www.supportwiregrasshope.com ; or to the Gateway Church Children’s Ministry, 1641 AL-134, Headland, Alabama 36345.
Mrs. Lillian “Peggy” Marie (Childree) Adams, 83, a long-time resident of Clio, passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Southeast Health surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 19, 2026, at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Clio, with Dr. Randy Adams officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Clayton directing.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Clio.
Flowers will be accepted or, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Assembly of God Building Fund, P.O. Box 393, Clio, Alabama 36017.
Peggy was born November 18, 1942, in the Blue Springs community of Barbour County to the late Frank & Vela (Campbell) Childree. She grew up in the Blue Springs and Clio area all of her life. She worked in the Textile industry at Fruit of the Loom for thirty-six years and Russell for a couple years. Later she worked for Barbour County in Home Service and retired after eight years. She was a faithful and dedicated member and pillar of Calvary Church. Her and her husband helped build the classrooms in the original church building at Calvary. She sang for many years with The Calvary Trio. She served as Sunday School teacher, van driver, manager of the Calvary Hope Center Warehouse, director of Widow’s Link, as well as serving in the First Encounters and Loaves and Fishes ministries. She enjoyed doing seamstress work for family and friends in her community. Peggy had a servant’s heart to serve any and everyone that crossed her path. She loved BIG and was so easy to love. She poured her love, wisdom, kindness, and the presence of Christ into every soul she met and every room she walked in. She was a true example of a Proverbs 31 woman.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, L.K. Adams; her sister, Patsy Morris; and her parents.
She is survived by her two sons, Randy Adams (Betty) of Clio, and Stan Adams (Melanie) of Clio; her four grandchildren, Brandon Adams (Holly) of Troy, Starla Reid (Colby) of Ozark, Chase Adams (Marah-Katelin) of Clio, and Kenlee King (Jaren) of Wicksburg; her nine great-grandchildren, Lanorion Hicks, Mackenzie Huey, Weston “Peanut” Adams, Katy Lynn Lee, Landon Reid, Thomas Adams, Ruby Adams, Abi Reid, Colt Adams, and Baby King; her sister, Joyce Snell of Dothan; and longtime loyal grounds and yard help, Roberto Medina of Clio; and several nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Serving as active pallbearers are Brandon Adams, Chase Adams, Weston Adams, Colby Reid, Jaren King, Roberto Medina.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Landon Reid, Thomas Adams, Colt Adams, Lanorion Hicks, and Tank Walton.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334)-775-3403.
Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
OZARK…Savannah Ross Coaker, a resident of Ozark, passed away late Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, at the home of her parents, near Clio. She was 28.
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
Timothy Dewayne Morrow, age 57, of Ashford, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Timothy was born August 3, 1968, in Florida to Andrew Morrow and Diane Pugh Ellison. He worked as a welder at Qualico Steel, where he was known for his strong work ethic and dedication.
Timothy enjoyed staying busy and working with his hands. In his free time, he loved fishing, carpentry, playing baseball, and cheering on the Florida State Seminoles. He also enjoyed traveling, grilling, and relaxing while watching westerns.
He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Morrow.
Timothy is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Kathy Ann Wallace Morrow; his daughters, Kayla Miller and Leslie Morrow; grandchildren, Hunter Miller, Jacobi Coachman, Jaylen Caine, and Jayden Caine; sisters, Angie Lenoir (Dewayne) and Stephanie Ginther (Bill); his aunt, Doris Robbins; along with numerous cousins and friends who will miss him dearly.
