Mr. Ronald “Rooster” Lee Rouse, age 66, of Slocomb passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Washington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Chipley, Florida.
Born on July 21, 1959, in Dallas County, Alabama, Ronnie was the beloved son of the late Robert Lee Rouse and Sue Hall Rouse Smith. A devoted public servant, he proudly served with the Slocomb Fire Department and retired from the Ft. Rucker Fire Department. Known to many as a gentle giant with a warm heart, Ronnie’s kindness and dedication touched all who knew him. An avid fan of Alabama football, his spirited cheer of “Roll Tide!” reflected the passion he carried throughout his life.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of Slocomb with Rev. Carlisle Weed, Rev. Cliff Knight, and Rev. Brad Price officiating with interment to follow at Tabernacle Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Ronnie’s memory with your contribution to the Slocomb Volunteer Fire Department.
Ronnie is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Lynsey Sparks, and her husband Daniel; his cherished granddaughter, Peyton Grace; his sisters, Cheryl Hatcher and her husband Tim, and Brenda Garozzo and her husband Joe; along with numerous extended family members and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, J.C. Smith.
Ronnie’s memory will forever remain a blessing to those who had the privilege of knowing him, his gentle spirit and unwavering dedication an enduring testament to a life well-lived.
Rickie Temmis, Jr., 27, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on April 17, 2026. He was born on February 22, 1999, in Dothan, Alabama. Rickie was a proud graduate of Northview High School, Class of 2018, and a devoted member of Dothan Community Church. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Valdosta State University.
Rickie had a passion for traveling, playing basketball, and photography—interests that beautifully reflected his vibrant spirit, creativity, and deep love for life.
Rickie was preceded in death by his brother, Quantrell Dashon Chambers; his paternal grandparents, Anna Mae Taylor Walker and Jake T. Temmis; his maternal grandparents, Ella Mae and John Lee Chambers; and his uncle, Eddie Walker Jr.
Rickie will be deeply remembered for his warm smile, his expressive eyes, and his natural ability to connect with others through meaningful conversation. Above all, he will be cherished for the love he showed to his family and those closest to him.
He leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Felisha Chambers and Rickie Temmis; his beloved son, Kaison Temmis; his grandparents, Linda Ann Chambers Cunningham (Douglas Cunningham) and Eddie Walker (Patricia Walker); his sisters, Ericka Da’Shuna Fluellen and the Tribe of Shabazz; and his special aunt, Sharonda Taylor Foster. He is also survived by 15 aunts, 9 uncles, and a host of cousins whom he loved dearly.
His presence will be greatly missed, but his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Rickie’s life will be held on May 1, 2026 at 12pm at Dothan Community Church. The family request attendees wear red and black. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Following services, he will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Repast will be held at The Sugar Shack, 605 Webb Road, Webb, AL 36303.
Mary Nell Morrow Bass, 92, of New Brockton, Alabama, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 19, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Hayes Funeral Home, with Pastor Adam Carlee officiating. Interment will follow at Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Damascus Baptist Church, 774 County Road 547, Elba, Alabama.
Nell, as she was known to all who loved her, lived a life defined by sweetness, tenderness, and an unshakeable love for her family and her God.
Nell’s kitchen was the heart of her home, and her cooking was one of the most beloved expressions of her love. She poured herself into every meal, and the people around her table knew it. That same tenderness carried into everything she did, from the way she spoke to the way she listened, and it was rare to spend any time with Nell without being called her “angel.”
Nell’s trust in God was deep-rooted and unwavering, the kind of faith that steadied her in hard seasons and filled her with gratitude in good ones. She was a faithful member of Mount Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church, and those who knew her saw that faith lived out in her gentleness, her grace, and the way she genuinely cared for the people around her.
Nell was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don Bass; her parents, Hubert and Sara Morrow; her brothers, Wildon Morrow, Doyle Morrow, and Dan Morrow; her son Keith Bass and daughter-in-law Sharon Bass; her daughter Debbie Freeman and son-in-law Art Freeman; and her grandson Craig Bass.
She is survived by her sons, Don Bass (Fely) of Hammond, Louisiana, and Ted Bass of New Brockton, Alabama; her daughters, Brenda Howard (Rick) of Enterprise, Alabama, and Sara McMahan (Rick) of New Brockton, Alabama; two sisters, Frances Bradshaw of Elba, Alabama, and Jo McDowell of Jackson, Alabama; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, with one precious new arrival expected on May 4th; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Enhabit Hospice of Enterprise for the extraordinary love and care shown to their mother in her final days.
Special thanks go to Nell’s devoted caregivers, each one an “angel” she would have said herself – Libby, Lakeveya, Tiffany, Britni, Veronica, Sarah, and Pastor Adam Carlee. The family also extends their warmest gratitude to a very special caregiver, Cutrena Williams, another one of Nell’s “angels,” whose kindness and dedication were a true blessing to Nell and to the whole family.
Clara Ann Reese was born on August 30, 1950, in Dothan, Alabama, and she departed this life on April 18, 2026, at her home in Dothan, Alabama.
Clara graduated from Essie R. Grimsley High School in 1968 and continued her education at Stillman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. She continued her education at the University of Alabama, completing her master’s degree in 1976.
A nurturing and caring individual, Clara fulfilled her lifelong dream of giving back through education. She taught special needs children, whom she admired and cherished. Her teaching career began in Tuscaloosa City Schools and continued through Duval County Schools, Baltimore City Schools, and Clayton County Public Schools in Georgia. She later returned to Dothan, where she taught until her retirement in 2012 from Dothan City Schools. Throughout her career, Clara was recognized for her dedication and unwavering commitment to her students.
After her retirement, Clara remained steadfast in her Christian faith. She was always willing to share her love of Christ and the Word of God with everyone she encountered. Her spiritual journey began in childhood and continued throughout her adult life. She was a faithful and devoted member of the New Miranda Baptist Church, always ready and willing to do the Lord’s work. All who knew her recognized her as someone dependable and committed to serving others.
Clara leaves to cherish a devoted daughter, Trivita Reese Moore, and a son-in-law, Alfred Moore, III.
Preceded in death are Clara’s parents, Roger, and Zula Reese; sisters, Eula Mae Jones, Betty Jo Berry, and Bernice Minton; and brothers, Frank Reese and her twin brother, Clyde Reese.
Clara leaves to cherish her memories, sisters Annette (Roy) Ware, Gloria Key, and Gladys Reese; brothers, Wallace (Jo Ann) Reese, and Roger (Chuma) Reese; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11am at New Miranda Baptist Church, 1221 Wagf Rd, Dothan, AL 36303. The family will receive friends Friday, April 24, 2026, from 5-7pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel.
Dianne Marie Adkison Elliott passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026. She was 73 years old.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva, Alabama. Burial will follow in Darlington Memorial Cemetery, with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Dianne was born on Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa County, Florida, on November 26, 1952, to the late Alton and June Gano Adkison. She devoted her life to teaching elementary education, a career she loved and served faithfully for over 30 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed antiquing and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Elliott, and one brother, Terry Adkison.
She is survived by her son, Jerrad Brooks (Kacey) of Alabaster, Alabama; two grandchildren, Elliott and Willa Brooks of Alabaster, Alabama; and close friends, Stella DeVaney of Tallahassee, Florida, and Monroe Brown of Geneva, Alabama.
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
DOTHAN. . .Gayle Shirley Bullard, a resident of Montgomery, formerly of Dothan, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, April 19, 2026, in Montgomery. She was 75. A lifelong resident of Dothan, Gayle moved to Montgomery several years ago to be near her daughter.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the First Baptist Church of Dothan with Dr. Taylor Rutland and Reverend Bob Gross officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday in the church sanctuary. A private graveside service for the family will be in Memory Hill Cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Dothan, 300 West Main Street, Dothan, AL. 36301 or to the Dr. Ted Watson Bullard Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o Office of Advancement, College of Veterinary Medicine, 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849-5517.
Gayle Bullard was born on August 27, 1950 and was a graduate of Dothan High School and the University of Alabama where she received a full academic scholarship. While at the University, she was selected as a Crimson Girl and had the honor of being Bob Hope’s personal guide on his visit to The Capstone. She also had the unique opportunity to work alongside the legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in the Athletic Department. Gayle was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Dothan and was very active in the Barbara Cook Bible Study Group. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ted Watson Bullard and her parents, William Parish “Bill” Shirley and Inez Gamble Shirley.
Gayle and her husband, Dr. Ted Bullard, shared the opportunity to live in Saudi Arabia for several years where Ted served as the Chief Veterinarian for King Faisal, taking care of the cast of Royal Falcons which were so special to the King. While living there, Gayle worked in administration at the King Faisal Hospital. Upon returning to the United States, Gayle resumed her career in administration at the Social Security Office in Dothan where she was a blessing to so many in her field of expertise. She later served as Office Manager for her sister, Ann Holman, at Holman-Whatley & Associates, a role she served faithfully until she retired to spend time with her precious and beloved grandchildren.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Lynsey Anne Wood (Russ) of Montgomery; and Carla Riley (Scott) of Dothan; four grandchildren, Ruston Ryan Wood, Jr., Watson Semmes Wood, and Anna Gayle Wood all of Montgomery; Davis Watson Riley of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Ann Shirley Holman, Dothan; a nephew, Dr. W. Russell Holman, III of Birmingham; a special Aunt, Betty Gamble Mitchell of Dothan, formerly of Headland; and her beloved and devoted caretakers, Melanie Faulk of Clayton, alongside Kimberly Smith of Montgomery.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Dr. W. Russell Holman, III, Scott Riley, Russ Wood, Ruston Wood, Watson Wood, Davis Riley, Dr. J. Paul Maddox and Dr. Ted Williams. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Barbara Cook Sunday School Class and Dr. Dan Denney, Marty Howard and Dr. John Wessner.
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.
