Ava Blake Ford, a bright and beautiful light whose presence brought endless joy to all who loved her, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2025, at the tender age of 5. Born on January 22, 2020, Ava’s life, though far too short, was filled with love, laughter, and moments that touched the hearts of everyone around her.
Ava had a gentle spirit and a personality that radiated happiness. She adored getting her hair brushed and her nails painted, always lighting up when she felt pampered. Bath time was a favorite part of her day, and she loved being pushed in her wheelchair by her big brother, a simple joy that always made her smile. Ava found comfort in swinging, dancing, dressing up, and being surrounded by her family, especially her cherished grandmothers. She never missed a chance to smile when someone sang to her or blew bubbles her way, and she was happiest when she had the attention of those she loved.
Her favorite movies included Hotel Transylvania, Rapunzel, Hocus Pocus, and Pocahontas. Though nonverbal, Ava was remarkably smart, expressive, and full of personality. She especially loved Disney World.
Ava is survived by her loving parents, Trent and Mary Ashley Ford; her brothers, Hayden and Cru Ford; her grandparents, Elizabeth Rich, Tina and Roger Dale Sasser, and Greg “Pops” Hayes; and her great-grandparents, Benny and Wanda Buchanan and Margaret Easterly. She will also be deeply missed by her aunts and uncles, Erin Hayes (Ben Scott), Steven Hayes, Annie Stephens, Lilly Stephens, Gabe Stephens, Tiffany Edwards (Chad), Mary Beth Sasser, Gracie Sasser, and Ryder Sasser; her cousins, Grayson Hayes, Jackson Edwards, and Dawsey Edwards; her special cousin, Kelli Strange; and her great aunt, Susan (Max) Tyson. She also leaves behind a host of extended family members who loved her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her grandfather, David Goodson, and her great-grandparents, James Travis Mixon and Olbia Mixon.
Ava’s life was a gift—a beautiful reminder of the power of joy, resilience, and unconditional love. Her smile, her sweetness, and the light she brought into every room will forever be cherished.
We take comfort in knowing that Ava is now completely healed—running, jumping, playing, and doing all the things she could not do on this earth—resting in the eternal glory of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
A celebration of Ava’s life will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2pm at Madrid Baptist Church, 283 Decatur Road, Cottonwood, AL, with Bro. Jayson Kirk officiating. The family will receive friends from 4-6pm on Saturday, December 13 at Sunset Funeral Home.
ARITON…Ms. Tina Hughes Parrish, a resident of Ariton, died early Thursday morning, at the home of her daughter in Ozark. She was 63.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with her brother, Reverend Jason Senn officiating. Burial will follow in Universalist Cemetery in Ariton. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.
Ms. Parrish, daughter of the late John William Hughes and Anita Thompson Senn, was a proud native of Ariton, Alabama. She grew up with the values of hard work, resilience, and love for family that carried her through every stage of her life. She worked for Dowling Textile in Clio, where she built lasting friendships and showed the same dedication she carried into everything she did. Later, she took on the adventurous life of a long-haul truck driver, spending years on the open road. Driving across miles of highways gave her stories to tell and a sense of independence that she cherished.
Outside of work, Ms. Parrish found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved fishing and being outdoors, where the quiet of nature gave her peace. Some of her happiest moments were spent on the back porch, sipping a hot cup of coffee, cigarette in hand, watching the world go by. Those everyday rituals reflected her down-to-earth spirit and her appreciation for life’s small comforts.
She was also a devoted fan of University of Alabama football. Saturdays in the fall were special to her, filled with excitement, pride, and cheering for her team. Her love for the Crimson Tide was more than just about the game—it was about tradition, community, and the joy of sharing something she loved with others.
Ms. Parrish’s life was not without heartache. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Angelica Hope Parrish, and son-in-law, Stephen Smith, who served honorably as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. She also endured the loss of her son, Stephen Andrew Johnson; her brothers, Donald Gene Senn and Danny Ray Senn; and her grandson, Preston Kenneth Smith. Though these losses weighed heavily on her heart, she carried their memory with strength and love, keeping them close in spirit.
Those who knew Ms. Parrish will remember her as a woman who lived authentically, who found joy in the everyday, and who loved her family deeply. She had a way of making ordinary moments—like a quiet morning on the porch or a football game on TV—feel special. Her legacy is one of resilience, warmth, and devotion, and she will be remembered with love by all whose lives she touched.
Surviving relatives include her daughters, Candice Smith (Andrew), Ozark and Ashley Parrish, Dothan; four sisters, Brenda Hughes Segars, Ozark, Kathy Youngblood, Dothan, Kimberly Dawn Carter (Jeffery), Jasper, Alabama, and Cynthia Rutt (Kurt), Branford, Connecticut; her brother, Reverend Jason Senn (Melissa), Newbern, North Carolina; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Matt Peters, Andrew Smith, Reverend Jason Senn, James Porter, Ty Lee, and Jeffery Carter.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
HEADLAND…Mrs. Kathy Maurice, a resident of Headland (formerly of Ozark), died early Thursday morning, December 11, 2025, in the Henry County Health & Rehab in Abbeville. She was 78.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Maurice, daughter of the late Levi Jefferson Muncy and Betty Newburn Muncy, was born and raised in Vallejo, California. She carried with her the warmth and spirit of her hometown all her life. A proud graduate of Vallejo High School in 1964, she cherished the friendships and memories she made there. On April 30, 1966, she married and began the beautiful journey of building her family—a role she treasured above all else.
Her very first job was as a telephone operator in San Francisco, a position that reflected her natural gift for connecting with people. Later, she discovered her passion for cooking and baking, which became not only a hobby but a way of showing love to those around her. She even worked as a part-time baker for the Monterey, California school system, sharing her talent with children and staff alike. Cooking was never just about food for her—it was about joy, creativity, and bringing people together. She loved trying new recipes, ordering dishes she had never tasted before, and then recreating them in her own kitchen with her special touch.
Travel was another joy in her life. Whether near or far, she delighted in seeing new places, meeting new people, and experiencing the world beyond her doorstep. Her adventures gave her stories to tell and memories to hold close, and she carried that sense of curiosity and wonder wherever she went.
Above all, Mrs. Maurice was a woman who poured her heart into her family, her friends, and her community. She had a way of making people feel welcome, cared for, and loved. She was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Owens, and though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Norman Wayne Maurice (Sergeant Major, United States Army, Retired), Headland; two daughters, Margaret Humble (Michael), Durham, North Carolina and Jacqueline Maurice, Headland; son, Michael Maurice (Brenda), Headland; two grandchildren, Christopher Maurice (Julia) and Sarah Maurice; five great-grandchildren, Evelyn Maurice, Ellie Maurice, Ambrose Maurice, Becket Maurice, and Gemma Maurice.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Zona Marie “Mae” Cotton, 28, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, at her home. She was born on August 25, 1997, in Albany, Georgia, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Zona was always surrounded by dear friends and had a gift for bringing life and laughter to every dull moment. An avid and devoted animal lover, she adored her cat, Jinxx, her loyal companion of 17 years who never left her side.
She graduated from Goddard High School in Roswell, New Mexico, in 2015. Zona was the kind of person who rarely said no—she put others first, loved wholeheartedly, and gave generously of herself, especially to her family, with whom she shared a close and cherished bond.
One of Zona’s greatest joys was the beach. The ocean was her place of peace, her sanctuary. She was a certified scuba diver and took every opportunity to explore the underwater world, especially when it meant swimming with manatees, an experience she treasured deeply.
Zona is preceded in death by her father, Ellis Dean Cotton; grandfather, Sam Cagle; grandmother, Mary L. Cagle and uncle, Brady Cagle. Zona is survived by her mother, Donna Cagle; paternal grandparents, Daniel and Jean Cotton; maternal aunts, Kelly Cagle and Amy Cagle; paternal aunts, Karen Gautney (Jeff) and Stephanie Jones (David); cousins, Blake Blankenship and Emma Blankenship (Jeremiah Morgan), and several other loving family members.
The family would like to recognize three of Zona’s dear and devoted friends, Shernice Lampkin, Shanique Chambers, and Trestine McDonald—for their unwavering support, love, and dedication.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. (CST) on December 19, 2025, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
Zona will be remembered for her bright spirit, her kindness, and the love she generously shared with everyone around her. Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Bonnie Lou Vandivier went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 10, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on June 29, 1939, in Elberon, Iowa, to her late parents Leo and Margaret Hilton, Bonnie grew into a woman whose kindness, steady spirit, and deep faith in Jesus shaped every part of her life. She poured love into her family, her work, and everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Known affectionately as “Budja” and “Granny,” Bonnie was devoted to the people she loved. She spent many dedicated years working at Vaughn-Blumberg, where she built lasting relationships and made a meaningful impact through her gentle heart and strong work ethic. She was also a faithful member of Harvest Church, where her love for the Lord shone through in both quiet moments and the example she set for others.
Bonnie had a way of bringing beauty into the world. She was an artist at heart, especially known for her paintings of landscapes and barns—scenes that reflected her appreciation for simplicity and the peacefulness of nature. Her home was often filled with the smell of freshly baked cakes and cookies, something her family and friends looked forward to as much as her warm hugs and easy laughter. And if you ever received one of her letters, you knew the care and thought she poured into every word.
What Bonnie treasured above all was time spent with her family. Being surrounded by those she loved brought her the greatest joy. Her presence was the heart of every gathering—full of stories, gentle wisdom, and a laughter that could brighten any day. She loved deeply, and that love was returned to her many times over.
Bonnie is survived by her son, Calvin Vandivier (Susan) of Navarre, FL; her daughters, Vicki Vandivier Teator (Greg) of Alford, FL, and Theresa Lynn, along with her former husband, Greg Lynn. She is also survived by her sisters, Donna Hoyt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Miva Derby of Elberon, Iowa; and Carol Hoyt (Darrel) of Elberon, Iowa. She also leaves behind a large and loving family of grandchildren: Chris Vandivier (Michelle), Jimmy Vandivier (Caiti), Phil Baxley (Caroline), Sandra Brock (Jordan), Cristal Ferrer (Mike), Victoria Jones (Anthony), Daniel Lynn, Amanda Peacock (Adrian), Michael Lynn (Amanda), Sarah Bolin (Justin), Robert Lynn (Erin), and Gregory Lynn (Cortney). Bonnie was blessed with 23 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her endless pride and joy.
To know Bonnie was to know kindness. She lived her faith powerfully, offering grace, encouragement, and warmth to all who crossed her path. Her life was a true reflection of her loving spirit, and her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched.
As we say goodbye to Bonnie, our hearts are heavy, yet filled with gratitude. Her time here was a blessing, and the love she shared will continue to live on in the memories we hold close. Though her earthly journey has come to an end, her light remains with us—steady, comforting, and unforgettable.
A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 3pm at Harvest Church with Dr. Jonathan Broyles officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Harvest Church or Habitat for Humanity in Bonnie’s honor.
