Dale Fannin Jordan passed away on June 1, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 92. She was born on November 17, 1933, in Birmingham, Alabama, where she spent the early years of her life and began the journey that would shape a long and meaningful life marked by devotion, kindness, and grace.
Dale was a loving, faith-filled, and thoughtful woman whose presence brought comfort and warmth to those around her. She carried herself with quiet strength and a generous spirit, and she was known for the steady care she gave to her family, friends, students, and neighbors. Her life reflected a deep appreciation for simple joys, hard work, and the blessings of time spent with the people she loved most.
She was a first grade school teacher in Birmingham, Alabama, and her influence reached far beyond the classroom. Dale had a natural gift for teaching young children, and she approached her work with patience, encouragement, and a sincere desire to help each child feel capable and valued. The lessons she shared were not limited to reading, writing, and numbers, for she also taught by example through her kindness, her composure, and her belief in the good of others. Many young lives were touched by her dedication, and her years in education remain a lasting part of her legacy.
In 1997, Dale moved to Dothan, Alabama, where she continued to build a life centered on family, faith, and treasured memories. She found joy in her home and in the many moments she shared with those dear to her. Her lake house on Smith Lake held a special place in her heart, and it became a cherished setting for countless memories with family and friends. Those times together were filled with laughter, conversation, and the kind of togetherness that she valued so deeply.
Dale had many interests that brought color and delight to her life. She loved to garden, especially growing hybrid tea roses, and the Peace Rose was her favorite. She took great pride in the beauty she cultivated and found peace in tending to her flowers. She also loved sports cars and enjoyed the excitement and style they represented. Among her favorites were a Candy Apple Red Trans AM, a 1979 Camero, and a convertible Mustang. These vehicles reflected her spirited personality and her appreciation for life’s finer pleasures.
She was also an animal lover and especially cherished her dogs. Her last puppy, Georgette, held a very special place in her heart, and the bond they shared brought her great comfort and companionship. Dale also enjoyed sewing, a pastime that reflected her patience, creativity, and careful attention to detail. Whether she was working with fabric, tending her garden, or spending time with her loved ones, she brought thoughtfulness and care to all she did.
Dale is survived by her son, Matthew Daniel Jordan, and by her daughters, Christy and her husband John Keyton, and Mary Dawna Jordan. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry forward the memory of her love and the example she set. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Mary Mills Fannin, and by her husband, Bill Jordan, both of whom welcomed her into eternal rest.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the Sunset Funeral Home Parlors with Rev. Will Keyton officiating. Dale will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Bill at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Dale’s honor to the Wiregrass Hope Group, 171 Westgate Parkway, Dothan, AL 36303.
ABBEVILLE. . .Michael Hayes, a resident of Abbeville, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026, at his home. He was 79.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the Judson Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Brandon Turner officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Michael Hayes was a native of Bluffton, Georgia. He lived in Ft. Gaines, Georgia before moving to the Screamer Community of Henry County in 1988. Michael served his country in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was formerly employed by Watford Logging Company (Abbeville Milling) as a truck driver. Michael was preceded in death by his father, Alma Hayes, his mother, Kathleen Brown Phillips, his wife, Virginia Norton Hayes and a brother, Jerry Hayes.
Surviving relatives include two sons, Michael D. Hayes (Lorena), Bremerton, WA; and David Simmons (Michael Simmons), Mountlake Terrace, WA; sisters, Pauline Benton and Kathy Hillard, both of Gordon, AL; grandchildren, Chesa Hayes Acevedo (Gilbert) and Mykhael Hayes; great-grandchildren, Benjamin Acevedo and Hayden Simmons.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
Jacqualine Metcalf Pybus passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
A celebration of life service will be held Friday, June 5th from 11:00 a.m-12:00 p.m. Pastor Jim Tate will speak briefly on her life.
Jacqualine was born November 14, 1939 in Houston County, to the late Foster and Lois McDonald Metcalf. She met the love of her life when she was just 17 years old and told her parents “I’ve met the man I’m going to marry”. Jacqualine and Theophilus were married December 21,1956. They tragically lost 3 very young children in a house fire in December 1961. The Lord then blessed them with 4 more children. Jacqualine received her Nursing degree from Wallace College and worked as a RN at Southeast Alabama Medical Center for almost 17 years before retiring. Family was very important to her. After retirement, Jacqualine enjoyed her time with her husband as well as each of her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed her yearly “sister” trips that she and Diane took.
Jacqualine is preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 65 years, Theophilus; three children- Lana Rebecca Pybus, Edison Russell Pybus, and Theophilus Robert Pybus, and her brothers- Dwight Metcalf, Doug Metcalf, Max Metcalf, and Waymon Metcalf. Survivors include sons, Marcus Pybus (Pamela), Paul Pybus (Kim), Ray Pybus (Karen); daughter, Renee Thomley (Joel); five grandchildren, Thomas Ray, Sarah, Ryan, Gabrielle, Clayton and one great grandchild, Jason; her very special sister Diane Metcalf Deese, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou Helms, 87, of Hartford, Alabama, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary entered this world under humble circumstances in 1938 in Fadette, Alabama. She attended school in Fadette and Slocomb and began working at Van Heusen in Hartford before marrying the love of her life, Rex Helms. Together, they raised three children.
Mary later worked for the Geneva County School System, where she retired as a lunchroom manager. She was a talented seamstress who enjoyed creating custom draperies. She also found great joy in her kitchen, preparing meals and sharing them with family and friends. Her generous spirit, strong work ethic, and love for her family left a lasting impression on all who knew her.
Mary was a faithful member of Hartford First Assembly of God, where she worshiped and served the Lord for more than 60 years. Her faith remained a guiding force throughout her life. She cherished her church family and was a living example of Christian love, kindness, and devotion.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard Nathaniel Smith and Ruth Odell Smith; her brothers, Eugene Smith, James Smith, Gerald Smith, and Harold Smith; and her sisters, Barbara Wilcox and Bonnie Proctor.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Rex Helms; her children, John Terriel Helms (Brenda) of Slocomb, Christopher Eugene Helms of Hartford, and Tracy Renee Cowan (Joe) of St. Johns, Florida.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Angela Helms, Michael Helms, and Laura Helms, all of Hartford; Hope Purvis (Ben) of Fadette; Angie Parker and Shannon Summerlin of the Clanton area; Christi Fillingim (Corey) of Chancellor; Billy Maddox of Slocomb; Casey Helms and Caitlyn Helms of Bonifay, Florida; and Tyler Cowan (Chelsey) and Blake Cowan (Gabrielle) of St. Johns, Florida.
Mary was blessed with eighteen great-grandchildren: Logan Hartzog (Sophia), Levi Helms, Lexi Helms, Cade Purvis, Trent Hilton (Tiffany), Michael Hilton (Emily), Chase Hilton (Rachel), Chelsea Hilton, RayAnna Summerlin (Cody), Emily Summerlin (Kyler), Beth Morris (Tory), Logan Fillingim, Gavin Fillingim, Savannah Cowan, Emmett Cowan, Holden Cowan, Hudson Cowan, and Grayson Cowan.
She was also blessed with ten great-great-grandchildren: Crayton Hartzog, Charlotte Kilgore, Hudson Hilton, Easton Hilton, Colton Hilton, Camden Hilton, Kriket Hilton, Kyra Hilton, Halle Morris, and Jensen Morris.
She is further survived by her sisters, Opal Whitehead, Carolyn Hathaway (Jimmy), and Elaine Hoffman; her brother, Robert Smith; her brother-in-law, Herbert Carroll “Tiny” Helms; and her sisters-in-law, Angelyn Yates (Paul) and Augathee Helms. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends who were blessed by her love, kindness, and friendship.
Mary’s legacy of faith, love, hard work, and dedication to her family will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb, Alabama.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Hartford First Assembly of God, with Pastor Glenn Tate officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in Hartford City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Cowan, Billy Maddox, Blake Cowan, Logan Hartzog, Michael Helms, and Logan Fillingim. Honorary pallbearers will be Levi Helms, Cade Purvis, Gavin Fillingim, and Keelan Leverette.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hartford First Assembly of God in memory of Mary Helms.
John Dewey Watford, 91, a long-time resident of Cowarts, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Committal services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday June 2, 2026, in the Sanctuary of Cowarts Baptist Church with Reverend Joshua Watford and Reverend Jonathan Sorenson officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, Cowarts Baptist Church, P.O. Box 10, Cowarts, AL 36321.
John was born July 14, 1934, in Houston County to the late Dewey & Jonnie (Johnson) Watford. He spent his life in Houston County and was a graduate of Ashford High School. Following graduation, he enlisted and served in the United States Army. After his time in the service, he worked for many years in the trucking business, spending a large part of his career with AAA Motor Lines and AAA Cooper Transportation, as a terminal manager. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, hunting, and fishing. John was a longtime member of Cowarts Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon.
He is preceded by wife of 69 years, Marsha Ann Watford; his parents; his brothers, Albert Watford and Jerry Watford; and his sisters, Velma Howell, Annie Smith, and Bloncile Blakey.
He is survived by his son, John Michael Watford (Pam); his grandson, Joshua Watford (Rebecca); his two great-grandsons, Judah and Josiah Watford; his brother, Gene Watford (Shirley); and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Sharla Bivens, Stephanie Thomas, Ruby Merrill, Beverly Whatley, and the staff & nurses of Centerwell Home Health, and Gentiva Hospice, for the love and care shown to their loved one during this time.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Shirley Vann Jeffcoat passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on April 25, 1939, to Dewey and Valletta Vann, Shirley lived a long life rich in family, friendship and experience.
She was the beloved wife of Charles Jeffcoat Sr., who preceded her in death.
Shirley is survived by her four children: Valerie Owen (the late David), Cathy Jeffcoat, Vannise Gillilan (Donny), and Charles Jeffcoat Jr. (Uschi); her grandchildren Lauren Dye (Denny), Chase Owen, Amber Chentnik (Matt), Taylor Gresham (Joel), Karlie Jeffcoat (Justin), Austin Cooper (Venessa), Jake Gillilan (Lindsay), Kendall Gillilan, Charles Jeffcoat III, and Philip Jeffcoat; as well as a many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived many special nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered for her strength, and the kindness she shared with those around her. Her presence will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew and loved her.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 3 at 2pm at Ward Wilson Memory Hill Cemetery.
