Barbara Keys Tomlinson, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away November 9, 2025 after a brief illness. She was 91 years old.
Barbara was born October 31, 1934 in Austell, Georgia to the late Darnell and Lucille Keys. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ausbin Lavon Tomlinson; a son, Lorie Lavon Tomlinson; and a brother, Kenneth Lamar Keys in Austell, Georgia.
Barbara is survived by three children: Julie McWaters (Frank) of Bonifay, Florida, Diane Vaughn (Joe) of Coffee Springs, Alabama, and Steve Tomlinson (Kim) of Byron, Georgia; six grandchildren, Ben McWaters (Melissa) of Chipley, Florida, Jonathan McWaters of Bonifay, Florida, Allen McWaters of Bonifay, Florida, Amanda Commander (Seth) of Enterprise, Alabama, AnnaKate and Austin Tomlinson of Byron, Georgia; five great-grandchildren, Allyssah and Wayne McWaters, Scarlett McWaters, Matthew McWaters, J. D. Commander and another great-grandson expected March 2026. A special niece, MarkAnn Stanford with many other nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Tomlinson has lived in Dothan, Alabama since 1962. She was employed at the Houston County Health Department as a Registered Nurse until retirement in 1995. Barbara was a devoted active member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.
The family would like to thank all the ladies in the Encouragers Class for all their love, visits, and calls during Barbara’s illness. Also, thank you to the wonderful care and support from the DaySpring Hospice and Palliative Care Staff. A special thanks to each of the ladies who sat with mother and loved her during their time spent with her each day.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, November 15, 2025 from the chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama with Reverend Tim Willis officiating. Graveside service will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 2 PM, prior to the service at the funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Ben McWaters, Jonathan McWaters, Allen McWaters, Wayne McWaters, Austin Tomlinson, and Seth Commander.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to DaySpring Hospice and Palliative Care, 2464 West Main Street Ste 2 Dothan, Alabama 36301; Wiregrass Angel House, 105 North Bell Street, Dothan, Alabama 36303; or Wiregrass Area Food Bank, 382 Twitchell Road, Dothan, Alabama 36303.
Billy Randall Johnson, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025, at the age of 84.
Born on January 20, 1941, in Dothan, Alabama, to the late Leonard Johnson and Mildred Williams Johnson, Billy’s early years in Alabama laid the foundation for a life of service and adventure. He joined the United States Navy at age 17, where he served proudly for 22 years, including during the Vietnam War. His naval career took him to many corners of the world, including memorable stays in Spain, Japan, Alaska and Cuba.
Billy’s life was also marked by profound love and devotion to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Pura Johnson and his children, Tina Richards (Chad) and Wade Johnson (Christy). Billy is also survived by his grandchildren, Gabby Richards, Carter Richards, Sophie Richards, Sommer Domergue, Austin Domergue, Randi Johnson, and Emily Johnson, as well as his great-grandchildren, Zachary Holder, Logan Miller, and Levi Calhoun. He also leaves behind sisters-in-law Luzmila Martinez, Rosa Ines Martinez, and Joaquina Martinez and brother-in-law Jeremias Martinez (Delia), several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Mike Johnson. The family would like to express their gratitude for the compassionate care of his special caregiver, Patricia Johnson.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Crystal Johnson, his grandson, Leo Domergue III, and his brothers, Joe and Johnny Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from the chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 2 PM, prior to the service at the funeral home.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Thomas Cruikshank, Sr., a resident of Ariton, died Friday, November 7, 2025, in Dale Medical Center. He was 81 years old. Funeral service for Mr. Cruikshank will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 13, 2025, from Ariton Baptist Church with Reverend Dave Walsh officiating. Interment will follow in Ariton Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Charles Edward “Charlie” Smith, a resident of Ozark, died Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Flowers Hospital. He was 61 years old. Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Matt Worley officiating. Interment will follow in Center Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Monday from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P.M.
Mr. Smith was born February 18, 1964 in Ozark, Alabama to the late Robert Clyde Smith and Joanne Hartzog Smith Senn. Charlie attended Carroll High School and served in the Alabama National Guard. Later he worked as a truck driver for various trucking companies. He was an avid wood-worker and mechanic. He loved anything Chevrolet and enjoyed watching Dale Earnhart, Alabama football and the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Debra Sapp. Survivors include three children, Windy Smith, Tiffany Hutto (Justen), Kyle Smith (Candace) and Brandon Davis (Cede); one sister, Barbara Senn; two brothers, Robert Clyde Smith, Jr. (Sandra) and Marvin Smith (Kim); four grandchildren, Hunter Glover, Kylen Smith, Case Smith and Halle Braswell; and special friend, Deb. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Jerry “Jake” Jerome Kirkland, passed away on November 7, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on April 29, 1945, in Clayton, Alabama, Jerry’s life was characterized by his faith-filled spirit, kindness, and an ever-present optimism that inspired all who knew him.
A graduate of Carver High School in 1964, Jerry went on to honorably serve his country in the United States Army. His commitment to discipline and service carried through to his civilian life, where he was highly respected in his role as a custodian at the 1st United Methodist Church in Dothan. Jerry’s dedication to his work was matched only by his devotion to his beloved family and his church community.
Jerry’s heart was always full of love for his family. He is survived by his cherished children, Crystal Jackson and Barbara (Wayne) Douglas; his bonus children, Rev. David (Angela) Gosha, Trena Gosha, Horace R. (Mellissa) Jackson, III, Marque Jackson, and Kecia Jackson; his adored grandchildren, Jay Douglas and 14 bonus grandchildren; as well as many loving great-grandchildren who will miss his playful spirit and warm embrace. His brother, Robert Kirkland, and his lifelong friend, Ada Jackson Ward, along with many loving nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family members, including, Annie L. Crawford, Martha Gaskin, Robbie Lockett, Mary Hill Jackson, Thomas Hill, and James Lawson also survive him. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha Mae Warren and John Kirkland, by his brother, Booker T. Kirkland, and by his sister, Eloise Kirkland.
A man of deep faith, Jerry was an active member of Parks Chapel AME Church until his health declined, where his presence was a source of comfort and joy to the congregation. Jerry’s life was a testament to his belief in the goodness of people and the importance of community. He lived his life as an example of how to be kind, how to be generous with one’s time, and how to face each day with a smile.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will take place at 1 pm on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Parks Chapel AME Church in Dothan, with Rev. David L. Gosha officiating. Jerry will be laid to rest with military honors at Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 12-1 pm, where stories of Jerry’s happy-go-lucky nature and love for life will be shared and cherished.
Jerry’s legacy is not only in the lives he touched but also in the joy and optimism he brought into the world. He was a beacon of light for his family, a steadfast friend, and a kind soul to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Jerry Jerome Kirkland will be profoundly missed, but his spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those he loved.
Peggy Elaine Purvis Willis, 88, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025, at
Wesley Place in Dothan, Alabama after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 88.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, November 10, 2025, at Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Tim Willis officiating. Burial will follow at Damascus Baptist Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. to service time at the funeral home.
She was born on July 28, 1937, in the Damascus Community near Elba, Alabama, where she spent her childhood, and would go on to graduate from Elba High School in 1955. Peggy was defined by her loving heart, her strength, her steady work ethic, and her devotion to her family. Her favorite memories to recount were those from her early life at home and in the cotton fields, and as a young mother tasked with raising 4 boys. Thankfully, she took the time to share these stories with family and friends, alike. For many years, Peggy was a devoted homemaker, dedicating her life to raising her children and caring for her home. When life changed and she found herself needing to provide on her own, she stepped forward and in 1977 became one of the first women to serve in the security force at Farley Nuclear Plant. She went on to retire from Southern Company with pride in the work she accomplished.
Peggy was to become a woman of deep and enduring faith. A member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Dothan, she was active in the Mary Carpenter Sunday School Class until her health failed. She was a faithful prayer warrior and found great joy in serving through the nursing home and senior ministry, offering gentleness, encouragement, and Christ-like compassion to those who needed it most. In her quieter moments, Peggy could often be found reading a book or working a crossword puzzle; small pleasures that brought her peace and contentment. She found her greatest joy in the presence and accomplishments of her grandchildren, celebrating each milestone and cherishing every visit.
Peggy’s life was marked by quiet courage, steadfast, unique love, and a faith that
endured through every season. As we remember her, we give thanks for her strength, her tenderness, and the legacy she leaves in her children, grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know her. Her story continues in the lives she shaped, and her memory remains a light for her family.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Merle Purvis, and her
daughter-in-law, Bonnie Willis.
She is survived by her children, Neil Willis, Dr. Joel Willis (Cheryl), Richard Willis (Cindy), all of Dothan, Alabama, and Rev. David Willis of Panama City, Florida. She was lovingly known as “Granny” or “Granny Peg” to her grandchildren: Ben Willis (Shannon Hulon), Jessica Vivone, Rickelle Lewis (Shaun), Hilary Willis, and SSgt (USAF) Samuel Willis (Nicole); and to her great-grandson, Raylan Willis, who each brought her special joy. She is also survived by her sister, Phyllis Adkison; nieces Tracy Whittaker, and Amy Lako (Steve); and many beloved grandnieces and grandnephews.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
