Coley Mathis died peacefully on Friday, October 31, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Dothan, Alabama. The funeral will be held at Bethel Baptist Church on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 1:00 pm, with visitation starting one hour prior to the service. Services will be led by Bro Jim McNeil and Dr Ricky Plummer. Pall bearers are Kenneth Hatcher, Dwight Deal, Scott Mathis, Chad Mathis, Brandon Martin and Steven McNeilI. Honorary pall bearers are members of the Charity Sunday Class. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alabama Free Will Baptist Children’s Home, PO Box 8, Eldridge AL 35554; online at fwbhome.org.
Coley was born on February 11, 1941, the second of twelve children born to Talmadge and Allie Bea Hall Mathis. He grew up in Dale County and spent his adult life in Dothan. Coley worked at Twitchell Corporation for over 49 years, working his way up from machine operator to plant manager. His Twitchell family always held a special place in his heart. After retirement, Coley enjoyed several hobbies, including wood working and bee keeping. His Mathis honey was a favorite of many in the area, and he enjoyed his many repeat customers, witnessing to them about Jesus at every opportunity.
Coley loved his family deeply, and shared 65 years of marriage with his beloved wife Ann. He poured his heart into his children and grandchildren, molding their lives with his quiet words of wisdom and always pointing them to Jesus. Coley loved being big brother to his siblings and taking care of his mother until her death. He and Ann especially enjoyed hosting family Thanksgiving meals at their home since 1979, a beloved family tradition for his siblings as well as his nieces and nephews.
Above all, Coley loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He served the Lord faithfully since he accepted Christ on July 28, 1958. He taught Sunday school since he was 19 years old, teaching youth, young married, couples, and senior adult classes. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, teaching the Charity Sunday school class from 2000 – 2024. This was one of the greatest joys of his life, and he loved every member of this class as family.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ann Brown Mathis; his son Chris (Jayne) Mathis; his daughter Tonja (Larry) Sasser; his grandsons Matthew (Jessica) Sasser and Dylan Blackmon; his great grandchildren Lydia Ann and Cole Sasser; and step granddaughter Elizabeth Horn and her children Nichole and Andrew Maughan. He is also survived by 10 of his 11 siblings: Shirley Hatcher, Verdell Deal, Edna (Ed) Andrews, Larry (Myra) Mathis, Jerry Mathis, Tillman (Carolyn) Mathis, Ronnie (Carol) Mathis, Deborah Mathis, Elaine (Bill) Blue, and Kathy Kelley; and 28 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest sister, Shelby Jean Hatcher-Smith.
The family is grateful to Southern Care Hospice for the care they provided Coley in his final days, especially his nurse Donna, his aide Cierra, and his chaplain Kathy; his sitters Geneva Reynolds and Erica Daniels; and his physicians Dr Ryan Conner and Justin Casey, CRNP.
Nellie Fay (Martin) Pope Collins, 93, a life-long resident of Dothan, passed away on, Saturday, November 1, 2025, at her residence following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 3, 2025, at Glover Funeral Home with Reverend Jimmy Dean officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 12:45 p.m., prior to the service.
Nellie was born December 18, 1931, to the late Hilliard Thomas Martin Sr. and Lelia Davis Martin. She was a 1950 graduate of Rehobeth High School. Following graduation she attended Riley School of Business, earning her associate degree in Bookkeeping. Nellie primarily worked in the banking industry, as well as the bookkeeper for Memphis Baptist Church. She loved gardening, and was a member of Olympia Garden Club, proudly serving as Chairperson. Nellie has been a member of Selma Baptist Church for the last 32 years and formerly attended Memphis Baptist Church.
She is preceded by her parents; her two husbands, Robert Leroy Pope, and Donald L. Collins; her son, Ronald Martin Pope; her grandson, Daryl Robert Pope Jr.; her seven siblings, Robert Martin, Lounette Martin Williams, Floyd Martin, Roy Martin, Louie Martin, Hilliard Thomas Martin Jr., and Arthur Martin.
She is survived by her two children, Freida Swicord (Hugh) of Dothan, and Daryl Pope (Tammy) of Albany, GA; her seven grandchildren, Brandon Pope of Valdosta, GA, Laura Elizabeth Swicord of Pensacola, FL, Charles Swicord III of Auburn, Davis Swicord of Charleston, SC, Benjamin Swicord (Jackie) of Auburn, Chelsea Harvey (Christopher) of Albany, GA, and Lauren Sparks of Panama City; one great-grandchild, Grey Harvey; and several nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
HEADLAND. . .Kenneth Roy Burkett, a resident of Headland, passed away early Saturday morning, November 1, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. He was 82.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 3, 2025, in the Camp Springs Baptist Church, near Columbia, with Reverend Jim Corley and Pastor Gregory Bevan officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. Sunday at the mortuary in Headland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Camp Springs Baptist Church, c/o Sharon Elliott, 13205 County Road 53, Columbia, AL 36319.
Kenneth Burkett was born and raised in Headland, son of the late John Amos Burkett and Jennie Ve Vice Burkett. He formerly lived in the Camp Springs community of Henry County before returning to Headland. Kenneth was formerly employed by E-Group of Birmingham at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, near Columbia. In earlier years, Kenneth was employed by Alabama Power Company as a Nuclear Specialist. He was an active member of Camp Springs Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and taught the Ada Dukes Sunday School Class. Kenneth was preceded in death by his loving wife of forty-nine years, Lucy Faye Lisenby Burkett, sisters, Mary Louise Burkett and Lawanna Cheshire, a brother, Durwood Lamar Burkett and a great-grandchild, Mason James “M.J.” Liles.
Surviving relatives include a son, Kenneth Mitchell Burkett (Rose Mary), Stigler Oklahoma; sisters, Carolyn Miller, St. Marys, Georgia; and Dianne McNeill (Joel), Webb, AL; brothers, Larry Burkett, Headland; and Leon Burkett, Panama City; a brother-in-law, Jim Cheshire, Enterprise; grandchildren, Amelia Faye Burkett (Shay Zellers), Jesse Burkett (Mary), Dale Burkett and Audrey Burkett; great-grandchildren, Rayleigh Burkett, Kynslie McCall, Lucy Jayde Zellers, Adeline Burkett, Lucas Burkett, Shiloh Burkett, Makenna Burkett, Landyn Petty and Ryder Smith; several nieces and nephews.
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.
Mr. Pete “Jiggs” Bowdoin passed away Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise, Alabama. He was 95.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, November 7, 2025, 11:00 AM at New Brockton City Cemetery, New Brockton, Alabama with full Military Honors and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
Jiggs was born and raised in New Brockton, AL on July 7, 1930 to the late Marshall Phillip and Willie Ethel Till Bowdion. He entered the US Navy at 17 years of age, serving for 23 years. His service included deployments to Hawaii, Guam, Japan, and China. His primary assignment aboard the Naval vessels was on the USS Kaskaskia which was part of the USA’s 7th fleet in the Pacific Ocean. He met the love of his life, Patricia Means, in Portland, Oregon where his ship was docked, and they were married for 48 years. He finished his Naval career in cities throughout the US, retiring at El Centro, CA in 1969 at the rank of Ship’s Serviceman Senior Chief Petty Officer. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Korea Presidential Citation, Korean Service Ribbon, United Nations Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. After his military career, he spent many years in food brokerage and grocery store management, retiring in 1992 from Hudson Thompson Grocery Cash and Carry in Montgomery, AL. He volunteered with the American Red Cross, and was a ham radio operator with membership in the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club.
In addition to his parents; his wife, Patricia JoAnn Means; second wife, Dorothy Miears Bowdoin; brother, Bernie Mack Bowdoin; sister, Marshalene King, all preceded him in death.
Survivors include son, Larry Bowdoin (Lori); Granddaughter, Sydney Bowdoin; sister, Nell Rountree, and many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jiggs name to the American Red Cross.
James “Bobby” Robert Dailey, Jr., a beloved father, friend, and creative spirit, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025, in a Birmingham hospital. He was 75 years old and was born on August 13, 1950.
Bobby grew up in Columbus, Georgia. He graduated from Jordan Vocational High School, where his diverse talents began to shine. Bobby proudly served in the United States Army, where he developed a strong sense of duty. He furthered his education at Troy State University, majoring in Accounting, which laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial ventures. In the 1980s, he owned and operated Dailey’s Music Market, a place where his passion for music flourished. In the early 2000s, Bobby continued his business ventures by owning and operating Ampro Moving Company, embodying dedication in every aspect of his life.
Bobby was not just a businessman; he was a Scout Master for Troop 38 at First United Methodist Church, leaving a lasting impact on the young lives he guided and mentored. His love for music shaped his life, as he skillfully played the drums, piano, guitar, and numerous other instruments. He even played the drums at church, using his talents to uplift and inspire others.
An avid lover of singing karaoke, Alabama football, and the outdoors, he enjoyed life’s adventures through hiking, exploring nature, and spending time at the beach. Bobby’s artistic talents came to life through painting with various mediums, allowing him to capture the beauty of the world around him. Bobby was also a Black Belt in Yoshiki karate and a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Above all, Bobby cherished the relationships he built along his journey. He was a devoted friend, a loving father, and a mentor who brought joy and creativity into the lives of many. His laughter and boundless enthusiasm for life will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. James Robert Dailey, Sr., of Columbus, Georgia, and his first wife and mother of his children, Dianne Anderson Dailey.
Bobby is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Dailey of Midland City; his sons, Todd Dailey of Dothan, and Jason (Teal) Dailey of Birmingham; his grandchildren Ty (Laney) Dailey, Kayte Dailey, Isaac Dailey, and Eli Dailey; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Efurd and Carol Smith both of Dothan, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2025, at Memory Hill Cemetery with Pastor Paul Edenfield officiating. The family will receive friends at Ward Wilson Funeral Home from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.
Benny Williams, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away after a short unexpected illness on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 82. Born on August 24, 1943, in Jakin, Georgia, Benny was a man whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of all who knew him.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Monday, November 3, 2025 at the Ashford City Cemetery with Reverend Dean Moore and Reverend Todd Thorpe officiating and Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 to 11 A.M. Monday, November 3, 2025. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Watermark Church Building Fund.
Benny was the son of Chalker and Blanche Bell Williams, who preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his first wife, Wanda Granger Williams and brother-in-law, Bill Geisinger. He retired from Georgia Pacific after 45 years. He is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Sandra Williams. Together, they shared a life full of love and mutual respect. He was a devoted father to his daughter, Lauri Williams Runge (Joey Lassiter), and grandfather to Tyler Runge. Benny’s legacy also lives on through his three step-daughters, Becky O’Toole (Danny), Susan Leger, and Melissa Walding (Bill), as well as his sister, Marilyn Geisinger, and his eight step-grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and two nieces.
Benny’s life was marked not only by his commitment to his family but also by the joy he found in the simple pleasures of life. His passion for John Deere tractors was more than a hobby; it was a part of his identity.Benny’s passing leaves a void in the lives of his family and friends, but they take comfort in knowing that he lived a full and happy life, surrounded by those he loved.
