OZARK…With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Illa L. Fortier, a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother whose life was centered on faith, family, and love.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 6, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Michael Whitman officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Monday at the funeral home.
Illa was preceded in death by her parents, William Russell and Dicie Maloy; her siblings, James Carlos Russell, James Olin Russell, and Willene Brown; her children, Mary Glass and Jimmy Kirkland; and her son-in-law, Rocky Brock.
She is lovingly survived by her devoted husband, Robert J. Fortier, whom she adored and shared a lifetime of love with. She is also survived by her children, Diane (Lionel) Glass, Terri Brewington, Cassie (Gil) Cofresi, and Josh Fortier.
She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Patricia (Michael) Sutley, Alisha Glass, Brady Glass, Aubrey (Addie) Glass, LB (Abbi) Downing, Malik (Roxie) Delancey, Jalen Delancey, Alexa Cofresi, Dominic Cofresi, Alexander Fortier, Illa Fortier, and Helena Guinn-Fortier; along with 14 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren who were all a treasured part of her life.
Illa found happiness in the simple pleasures of life. She loved spending time working in her yard and tending to her garden, where her patience and care helped beautiful things grow. More than anything, she loved being surrounded by her family. Her children, grandchildren, and every generation that followed were the center of her world, and she treasured every moment spent with them.
She will be remembered for her kind heart, her unwavering love for her family, and the warmth she shared with everyone who knew her. Though her presence will be deeply missed, her love, wisdom, and the memories she created will remain in the hearts of those who loved her forever.
Her family finds comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the family she loved so completely.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Walter Frank Lunsford passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at his residence. He was 59 years old.
Frank was born on November 17, 1966, in Dothan, Alabama, to the late Walter Raybon and Ruth Evelyn Lunsford.
Frank was a good man. He enjoyed fishing. He adored his “Lisa Jenny”. He was especially proud of his children. He always looked forward to Thursday night suppers with his family and getting to babysit Ava.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026 at Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Hartford with Sister June Tidwell officiating and Shelby Lett directing. The family will begin receiving friends at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. until service time.
Survivors include his wife, Lisa Lunsford; two sisters, Sharion Bowden (Tony) and Donna Veger (Mike); four children, Ryan Lunsford (Brianna), Alicia Lunsford (Loftin), Dillon Lunsford, and Drake Lunsford; three grandchildren, Ava Lunsford and two others; along with several nieces and nephews.
ASHFORD. . .Van Franklin “Wormie” Etheridge, a resident of Ashford, passed away Friday morning, July 3, 2026, at his home, with loved ones by his side. He was 73.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 6, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Greg Aman officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:00 A.M. Monday at the mortuary in Headland. Burial will follow in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Pansey, Alabama.
Van Franklin Ethridge was born in Indiana, son of the late Tom Franklin Etheridge and Virginia McKinnon Etheridge. He was a graduate of Ashford High School. Van lived in Houston County, near Ashford, most of his adult lifetime. He was retired from Marley Construction Company (MCT) as a Superintendent and worked at several nuclear plant sites including Farley Nuclear Plant near Columbia. Van loved the outdoors including fishing and hunting. An avid NASCAR fan, Van was also a die-hard Alabama football fan and was always yelling “ROLL TIDE”. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Elaine Platz.
Surviving relatives include a sister, Robin Etheridge Conrad, Ashford; his former wife who was very special to him, Catherine Etheridge, Columbia; a step-daughter, Tiffany Thurman, a step-son, Brad Thurman; a step-grandson, Brayden Thurman; several nieces and nephews including three special nieces, Vanna Conrad (Chris Snell), Keely Conrad Pugh (Dustin), Samantha Jo Conrad (Michael Robinson), and several cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Donnie Cosby, Jimmy Dupree, Terry Parker, Randy Underwood, Brad Thurman and Phillip Pelham.
The family would like to express their appreciation to ACG Hospice and especially Cassidy and Kiva for the loving care and kindness shown to Van during his illness.
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.
With heavy hearts, our family shares that our beloved mother, Judy Roland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the age of 81.
She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on her birthday and even in her final weeks, she spent more time worrying about our dad than herself. After 63 years of marriage, her greatest concern was always the people she loved—a testament to the selfless, compassionate woman she was.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Malvern Baptist Church with Rev. Hosea Parker officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Judy will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Malvern Baptist Church Cemetery Fund in honor of Judy’s life and legacy.
Born on June 11, 1945, in Houston County to Jasper Thomas and Bertha Griffin Pippin, Judy embodied the warmth, grace, and strength of the South. Her unwavering faith and deep devotion to her family were the foundation of her life. A dedicated employee of Van Heusen for many years, Judy was a loving wife, devoted mother, and adoring grandmother. Her kindness, compassion, and enduring love touched all who knew her, and her memory will forever remain etched in our hearts.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Thomas Treadwell Pippin (Dot), Margie Owen (John), Delores Turner, and Emily Snellgrove; sisters-in-law, Betty Pippin and Annette Edmonson (Michael); brothers-in-law, David Pete Roland (Pat) and Jimmy Walden; and her son-in-law, David Cain.
Judy is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Tommy F. Roland; her daughters, Kathi Cain, Vicky Marsh (Reggie), and Jennifer Brazzelle (Randall); her son, Thomas Roland (Bobbie); her cherished grandchildren, Crystal Girton (Jordan), Jennifer Newman (Jason), Robbie Cain (Ashley), Anna Himes (Zack), Justin Marsh (Alyssa), Emma Branch (Gavin Seay), Leighann Rinehart (Tim), Rachael Godwin (Tuck), Garrett Brazzelle (Lacee), Steven Brazzelle (Leah), Jackson Roland, and Caroline Roland; several beloved great-grandchildren; her brother, Phillip Pippin; her brothers-in-law: Johnny Walden, and Andy Turner; her sister-in-law, Libby Walden; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Judy devoted her life to caring for others, always putting the needs of her family before her own. She had a remarkable gift for making ordinary days feel special and creating lasting memories around her table and in her home. Her quiet strength, unwavering faith, gentle spirit, and unconditional love will continue to guide and inspire those who were blessed to know her.
While our hearts grieve her absence, we find comfort in knowing she is in the presence of her heavenly Father and has been joyfully reunited with those who went before her. Her beautiful legacy of faith, love, kindness, and family will live on through each life she touched.
Beverly Deane Stroud, 74, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on June 24, 2026.
Join us for a Celebration of Beverly on Saturday, July 11th at 11:00 AM at Windmill Station, Suite 5, 1369 Headland Avenue, Dothan, Alabama. A time of remembrance will be followed by refreshments, and all are welcome to stay and visit.
Beverly was born on August 22, 1951, the daughter of Trevor Stine and Frances Virginia Scarborough. She was a woman of remarkable character: a planner at heart and a supporter in every sense of the word. She had an insatiable curiosity about the world, and loved to learn, spending countless hours reading about historical figures and diving into topics simply for the joy of learning.
She graduated from City College of San Francisco with a degree in childhood education and went on to build a career in oncology offices in both Nashville, Tennessee and Dothan, Alabama.
She devoted herself wholeheartedly to caring for her partner, John, and she loved cooking meals for him, one of her favorite ways to show love. She was passionate about sports, particularly NASCAR and Alabama football. She loved animals deeply, and over the years shared her home with dogs named Elwood Blues and Jimi Hendrix, and a cat named Bill Clinton who, by all accounts, acted like he owned the place.
Beverly was a believer in Jesus Christ. She volunteered and was involved with Crosspoint Church in Nashville from its founding. She loved her current church, Church at the Crossing in Dothan, AL.
She was preceded in death by her father, Trevor Stine, and her mother, Frances Virginia Scarborough, along with her former brother-in-law, Paco Centurion.
Beverly is survived by her partner of 23 years, John Shaw; her sister, Bobbie Centurion; her nieces Erica Centurion (Mark), Carmen Centurion, and Gabriela Centurion; John’s daughters Kara Hennessey (Oliver) and Logan Miller (Will); John’s grandchildren, Jameson, Eloise, Miles, Beau; and John’s nephew Steven McGraw.
BERTHA COMMUNITY…Mr. Dan Enfinger, a resident of the Bertha Community, died late Thursday morning, July 2, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. He was 54.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in New Hope Baptist Church, Bertha Community, with Pastor Daniel Huff officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 6:00 P.M. Tuesday at the church. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements
Dan was a native and lifelong resident of the Bertha Community, a place he loved deeply and was proud to call home throughout his life. He graduated from G.W. Long High School in 1990 and later attended Wallace Community College. Dan was known by many for his kind heart, strong work ethic, and his ability to make friends wherever he went.
Music was one of Dan’s greatest passions. A lifelong musician, he played in several bands over the years and was especially talented behind a drum set. Whether he was performing on stage or simply playing for enjoyment, music brought him happiness and allowed him to share his gift with others. Those who knew him well will always remember his love for music and the joy it brought into his life.
Dan was also a devoted Auburn University sports fan who faithfully cheered on the Tigers every chance he got. Win or lose, Auburn athletics were a source of excitement and pride for him, and he enjoyed sharing that enthusiasm with family and friends.
In addition to his love of music and sports, Dan had an incredible talent for building and creating. He was the kind of person who could look at a project and figure out how to make it happen. From small repairs to large construction projects, there was little he could not build. One of his proudest accomplishments was building his own home with his own hands, along with a special “man cave” where he could relax and enjoy time with friends and family. If someone needed help, Dan was often the first person they would call, knowing he would gladly lend a hand and put his skills to work.
Above all else, Dan loved his family. He treasured the time spent with those he held dear and never missed an opportunity to make memories with them. His caring nature extended beyond people to the animals he loved, especially his kittens, which brought him endless companionship and comfort.
Whenever he had the chance to get away, he and his wife’s favorite destination was Apalachicola, Florida. He found peace and happiness there, enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and special moments spent with loved ones. It was a place where he could relax, recharge, and appreciate the simple things in life.
Professionally, Dan was dedicated to his career and took great pride in his work. At the time of his passing, he was employed with C Spire as an Underground Construction Supervisor, a position he held with commitment, professionalism, and respect from his coworkers. He was also a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church, where his faith was an important part of his life.
Dan will be remembered as a talented musician, a gifted builder, a loyal Auburn fan, and a hardworking man who never met a challenge he was afraid to tackle. More importantly, he will be remembered for the love he shared with his family and friends, the kindness he showed to others, and the lasting impact he made on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His memory will be cherished forever by those who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Raymond Franklin Bean and Merle Spears Bean, and his paternal grandparents, Hugh Dorsey Enfinger and Helen Grantham Enfinger.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Brandy Enfinger, Bertha Community; two sons, Trey Fulgham (Staff Sergeant, United States Army), Killeen, Texas and Coulter Fulgham (CW1, United States Army) and his wife, Kayla, Clarksville, Tennessee; his parents, Danny and Ellen Bean Enfinger, Bertha Community; sister, Juli Thomas (Cliff), Mulberry, Georgia; mother-in-law, Patricia Tomlinson (Henry Williams), Ozark; nephews, Grayson Thomas (Chandler), Ford Thomas, Tate Thomas, and Tucker Thomas; great-nephew, Teddy; his blood hound, Ann; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Quattlebaum, Jim Carr, Allan Buchanan, Cliff Thomas, Chuck Barefield, and Val Smith.
