Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Virginia Deal Hodges, a resident of Pinckard, Alabama, died Monday, April 6, 2026, at her home. She was 82 years old. In keeping with the wishes of the family, no public services are planned for Mrs. Hodges. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Hodges was born July 31, 1943 in Perry, Florida to the late Johnny and Agnes Hemphill Deal. She attended school in Salem, Florida and later worked as a Hostess at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. She started her family in Palm Harbor and moved to Pinckard, Alabama in 1979. Virginia was employed with Wextex Inc. and General Telephone Company. She had a nurturing spirit and loved taking care of people and visiting nursing homes. Virginia had a passion for repairing grandfather clocks. She attended Moore’s Chapel and Pinckard Baptist Church. She loved to go fishing, go thrifting, ride the side by side and go out to eat at C. B.’s formerly Zach’s in Slocomb. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Selena Paul; one sister, Mary Alice Pike; one brother, Billy James; one granddaughter, Monica Seless Paul.
Survivors include one daughter, Cecillia Paul of Holiday, Florida; four sons, David Paul (Jackie) of Crawfordville, Florida, Mitchell Paul of Ozark, Robert Mitchell Paul and Robert Paul both of Pinckard; two sisters, Margie Iconomou (Tommy) of Holiday, Florida and Shirley James of Thomaston, Georgia; two brothers, David James of Holiday, Florida and Rocky Bridges of Lakeland, Florida; six grandchildren, Travis Paul (Penny) of Crawfordville, Florida, Selisa Grigsby of Slocomb, Alabama, Misty Paul of Crawfordville, Florida, Sheena Bowden (Jay) of Wicksburg, Alabama, Bennie Paul of Dothan and Wayne Dixon of Holiday, Florida. Many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.
Mary Helen White Phillips, a resident of White Hall Assisted Living in Dothan, Alabama, died Monday, April 6, 2026, at Southeast Health surrounded by her family. She was 92.
A private Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
Mary was born to the late Elton and Viola Tingle White on November 20, 1933, in Corner, Alabama. She was a high school graduate of Corner High School where she played and excelled in basketball. She was married to the love of her life, Billy Phillips, for twenty-six years. Her hobbies included cooking and canning vegetables for the community. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Heritage Baptist Church. She previously served as Sunday School teacher, training union teacher, and GA leader at First Baptist Church in Leeds, Alabama. She was a very active member of WMU. Mary was always looking to help people in need. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband; a son in law, Doug Summerford; three brothers, Troy White, Bill White, and Floyd White; one grandson, Gabe Summerford.
Left to cherish her memories are her three daughters, Kim Hartman (Bob), Kathy Summerford, and Carolyn Donner; one brother, MC White; two sisters, Jessie McIntyre and Peggy Mehearg (Tom); five grandchildren, Jake Summerford (Corinne), Jeff Hartman, Dana Bowden, Camilla Roberts (Lane), and Perry Summerford; five great grandchildren, Quinn Bowden, Nora Summerford, Rowan Bowden, Ava Summerford, and Arthur Roberts; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Mr. Jimmy Simmons of Geneva peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Ozark Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was 85 years old.
Born on March 21, 1941, in Geneva County to the late Hosea and Florence Cotton Simmons, Mr. Simmons dedicated many years of his life working as an airframe and powerplant mechanic at Hayes International, PEMCO, and Ft. Rucker until his retirement. Alongside his family, he played a significant role in the founding and building of Omega Holiness Church in Echo, a testament to his commitment to his community and faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Sidney Kyle Simmons, Sr.; and siblings: Jake Simmons, Bobby Simmons, Earl Simmons, Ruby Byrd, and Autense Wilson.
Mr. Simmons is lovingly remembered by his son Todd Simmons and wife April; six grandchildren: Sidney Kyle Simmons, Jr., Hunter Simmons, Summer Simmons Anderson, Jeremy Simmons, Seth Simmons and Braden Simmons; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who cherished his presence.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Wicksburg Assembly of God Church with Rev. Timothy Simmons and Rev. Jamie Hattaway officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb will be directing the arrangements.
We honor the life of Mr. Jimmy Simmons and the lasting impact he made on those around him.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements. “Because We Care … Is Making A Difference”
Irma Nell Russell, known lovingly to family and friends as Nell, passed away on April 3, 2026, in Kinsey, Alabama, at the age of 91.
Nell was born in Coffee County on November 27, 1934, to the late Lucious and Vonnie Lee, and lived a long life marked by devotion, kindness, and steadfast faith. She was a loving, selfless, and faith-filled woman whose gentle spirit touched everyone who knew her. Those who were blessed to know her will remember her as a caring and giving person who loved her family deeply and carried herself with grace, strength, and compassion throughout her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Carroll Russell, Jr.; her son, Roger Sellers; her grandson, Daniel Sellers; her granddaughter, Becky Larson; her son-in-law, Andrew Countryman; and her siblings, Bill Lee, Kent Lee, Britt Lee, Mitchell Lee, and Annie Glynn Brooks.
Nell is survived by her daughters, Charlotte Countryman, Rhonda Newman (Jerry), Kathy Larson (Bill), and Jan Whaley (Sammy); her daughter-in-law, Linda Sellers; her grandchildren, Christie Milbeck, Christopher Countryman (Bruce), Jimmy Newman (Angela), Jennifer Levey (Tim), Billy Larson ( Jessica), Jeremy Whaley (Devon), and Aaron Whaley (Lizzie); 13 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Sandra Sandlin and Sue Melhorn; and several nieces and nephews.
Family was the center of Nell’s life, and she found joy in the simple blessings of being surrounded by those she loved. She was the kind of woman who made others feel welcome, valued, and cared for. Her home, her words, and her presence reflected a heart that was always ready to help, encourage, and comfort. She loved deeply and gave freely, and her family will forever cherish the memories of her warmth, her wisdom, and her unwavering support.
Nell was also known for being a Christian woman whose faith guided the way she lived each day. Her life was a reflection of the values she held dear, and she served as an example of quiet strength and enduring love. She will be remembered not only for the love she gave her family, but also for the kindness she showed to others and the dignity with which she carried herself through life’s joys and challenges.
Her legacy is one of devotion, generosity, and faith. She leaves behind a family who will continue to honor her memory by living in the spirit of love and care that she so beautifully demonstrated. Though her presence will be deeply missed, the impact of her life will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.
Nell Russell will be remembered always as a faithful wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Her life was a blessing to many, and her memory will be treasured with gratitude and love.
A celebration of Nell’s life will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Harrison Steege officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery.
April 3, 2026. As dusk fell on the rainy Good Friday, a beautiful double rainbow appeared against the dark skies over Avis Jeannine McDonald Jones’ home, and within the hour she died peacefully.
Jeannine was born in Russellville, Ark., on Oct. 19, 1931. She was for 53 years the beloved wife of Dr. Samuel H Jones, Jr., the love of her life and her very best friend. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a loyal and trusted friend to those who were fortunate to have made her acquaintance. From a very young age and throughout her 94 years, she loved deeply and proved as one who never quit. She was wise, brave, and tenacious, strengthened daily by her unwavering Christian faith.
Jeannine gained early attention as a singer and was embraced in leading music circles. After graduating high school in Louisville, Ky., she had a brief period of study at the Metropolitan Opera under tutelage of Frieda Hempel.
Through her work in musical and theatrical circles, she formed friendships with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dana Andrews, and Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, with whom she would occasionally dine.
Her music career culminated with foreign travels with United Service Organization USO/Bob Hope Tour during the Korean War, where she most enjoyed hearing stories from Hope and Crosby, her own personal On The Road tale.
Jeannine accepted a full ride scholarship to Furman University in Greenville, SC. While there, she studied vocal performance and performed regularly with The Furman Singers and productions of the music and theatre departments.
After graduating Furman University with honors, she married the love of her life, a pivotal choice that forged foundation for years of commitment and service to her husband, her two girls, and the Dothan community.
Jeannine taught school for several years in the Atlanta public school system, supporting her husband as he worked through Emory University School of Medicine. After moving to Dothan, Jeannine offered service to the Medical Auxiliary and Dothan Service League. She was a member of local garden clubs and Dothan Kiwanis Club. Jeannine served as choir director of First Presbyterian Church, where she also led Sunday School classes and devotionals. She directed music and chorus for many Southeast Alabama Community Theatre productions. She enjoyed the opportunity to offer private vocal instruction to several students.
Curious and always eager to learn, Jeannine surprised her family when she hopped behind the wheel of a pickup truck and learned to drive a horse trailer to and from AQHA horse shows. During this period, she was an active member of local Boots and Saddle Club. In the next decade of life, she surprised her family again announcing her desire become a Realtor and worked for years with Century 21 Hanahan Realty.
Jeannine is preceded in death by her husband, Dr Samuel Hovey Jones Jr, daughters Susan and Lynda, parents Erwin Lawrence McDonald and Mary Elsie McDonald, and sister Judy Carole Lucas.
She is survived by her children, Rebecca Maglio (Brian) and Alison Jones Creekbaum, and grandchildren Kelsey Lauren Maglio and Andrew Martin Maglio (Hannah.)
Jeannine will be remembered for her candor, her quick wit, her remarkable intuition and formidable tacit knowledge. She will be remembered by family for her deep capacity for unconditional love and for leading with her Christian faith in her role as wife and mother.
A Celebration of life will be held graveside at Ward Wilson Memory Hill, Dothan, Alabama on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Dr. David R. Saliba and the Reverend Lynn Smilie Nesbitt officiating.
The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to:
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our much-loved husband, father, Pawpaw, son, and brother David “Dave” S. Rogers, 65, on April 2, 2026, at his home in Houston County, Alabama.
Born on August 9, 1960, in Columbus, Georgia, Dave joined the United States Army in 1979 at the age of 18 and served his first three years as an 11B, Infantryman, before reclassification to 63B, Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). Dave was then appointed to Warrant Officer in 1989 as a 915E, Army Senior Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer before retiring from active-duty service in 2002 at Fort Rucker, Alabama as Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3). His 23 years of faithful and unwavering service during deployment to the Gulf War campaign and service during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) brought many duty stations including South Korea, Fort Lewis, WA, Neu-Ulm, Germany (Pershing II), Fort Jackson, SC, Schweinfurt, Germany (1st Armored Division), Fort Polk, LA, Fort Bliss, TX, Fort Riley, KS, and Fort Rucker, AL earning the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Army Commendation Medal (ACM), Army Achievement Medal (AAM), National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Army Superior Unit Award (AUSA), Expert Rifle Badge, Driver Badge, and Mechanic Badge. Following his retirement from Active Duty, Dave settled in Enterprise, Alabama where he worked as a Service Manager, Service Advisor, and Parts Specialists for many local car dealership service centers and as an Aviation Parts Clerk for Flight Safety before returning to the United States Army as a Federal Civilian Employee for the Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama as an Aviation Logistics Director.
Dave’s love for his family, to include his motorcycle family, was unmatched and extended beyond providing; he made it a priority to be present in his family’s lives even if it was checking in through a phone call when the family couldn’t be together. His wife of 45 years, Lynne, was his partner in every sense supporting each other through life’s challenges and triumphs. Multi-talented, mechanically inclined, and inventive, Dave loved bringing his ideas to life. A constant tinkerer, his incredible ability to create things from curiosity, to fix a problem, or because of a request from his friends and family (a rose formed from washers or a ring from silverware) displayed his refined mixture of creativity and ability. If Dave couldn’t build it or fix it, then it couldn’t be done. Dave had a tremendous love for motorcycles and worked meticulously to master the skill and competence that is required to become the best rider in a variety of competitions, culminating in him earning the Top Gun award. Dave’s other interests and hobbies included golfing, hunting, boating, and fishing. Later in life he also gained a passion for farming, tractors, and caring for his land. Dave also loved the Florida Gators and was known to make friendly bets with friends and family for a Gators win. CHOMP CHOMP!
He was preceded in death by his biological father, Bryson Floyd Benson and adoptive father David Rogers Sr.
Dave is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Lynne Rogers, daughter Kimberly (Christopher) Wilf, son Nick, granddaughter, Riyan, and two grandsons, Gavon and Rhage. He will also be forever missed by his mother Monica Bettencourt, brother Grady (Christina) Rogers, sister, Rebecca Dee (Buddy) Baxley and brother Bryson “BJ” (June) Benson.
He leaves behind very special friends Van and Teresa Donaldson. In addition, Dave is remembered by aunts and uncles as well as many extended family members and friends who will forever hold his memory close to their hearts.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home, 1315 West Lawrence Harris Hwy in Slocomb, Alabama with Pastor Gary Pollard officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Slocomb City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until service time.
Pallbearers are Nick Rogers, Grady Rogers, Christopher Wilf, Gavon Wilf, Bill Dunigan, Gary Dunigan, and Van Donaldson.
