COLUMBIA… Gerald Lynn McKissack, a resident of Columbia, Alabama, passed away Wednesday night, October 8, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. He was 78.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Haleburg Baptist Church with Reverend Bill Bond officiating. Burial will follow in the Haleburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Gerald was born in Alabama to the late George L. McKissack and Helen Carter McKissack. He attended local schools and later earned his A.A.S. Degree in Business in Florida. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and later in the National Guard for many years.
Gerald lived a full and hardworking life. In his younger years, he enjoyed racing and never missed a chance to cheer on his Alabama Crimson Tide. He loved being outdoors — whether fishing, gardening, or farming. He spent many years working in agriculture for the State of Florida, focusing on peanut production. Over the years, he also owned and operated the Shell Gas Station in Columbia, as well as owning three restaurants in town including Carol’s Restaurant.
He was a man who enjoyed good company, good food, and simple pleasures. Above all, he loved his family deeply and was proud of each of them.
In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Hartnagle.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Carol McKissack; daughter, Kimberly Lynn McKissack, and step-daughters, Renee Filson, and Amy Pace; step-son, Joshua Terry; grandson, Alex Witham, and step-grandchildren, Shaylea Rodriguez-Valles (Daniel), William Filson (Meghan), Maggie Pace, Mary Claire Pace, and Kalynn Terry; sisters, Adelia Griffin and Nan Blount (Bob); along with nieces, Stephanie Howell (Alan), Jennifer Benefield (Jason ), Carla Swanson and Susan Longstreth, nephew John David Hartnagle; great nieces, Conleigh Benefield, Mary Catherine Howell, Delaney Hollihan (David) and great nephews, Jalan Howell and Braydan Benefield; great great niece, Sara Ann Hollihan.
John Randall Lehr, Jr. affectionately known as “JJ” to all who knew and loved him, of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly October 6, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was 39 years old.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula with Pastor Joey Ogletree officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing. Graveside services will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Glover Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted.
JJ was born on October 10, 1985, in Eufaula, Alabama to John Randall, Sr. and Terita Gail Hart Lehr. He was a 2004 graduate of The Lakeside School and worked for Flat Iron as a bridge builder. JJ enjoyed riding motorcycles, bird hunting, Alabama Football “Roll Tide Roll”, arrowhead hunting, history, traveling and being adventurous. He loved his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Paul, Sr. and Tracey Nell Lehr; maternal grandparents, Wayne and Brenda Hart; two aunts, Cathy Hardeman and Sandra Brown.
Left to cherish his loving memories are his parents; brother, Curt Lehr; four uncles, Shan Hart (Amy), Paul Lehr, Jr., Scott Lehr (Mavis), and Harry Lehr; five aunts, Debbie Cost, Penny Burns, Mary Hollins, Jodie Stempson, and Phoebie Jernigan; nieces and nephews, Kenzie Lehr, Morgan Matthews (Trever), Corey Hart (Kimberly), Paisley, Liam, Carter, and several nieces and nephews from the Lehr family.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Brock Robinson, Sellers Spurlock, Ethan Wiggins, Kyle Woodfin, Ben Pomeroy, Jaime Hernandez, Danny Champion, Eddie Trammell, and Colt Ludlham.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Peggy Louise McCall of Samson, AL passed away at her home on Thursday, October 9, 2025. She was 77 years old.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Shady Grove Assembly of God Church Cemetery with Rev. Jimmy Eddins officiating and Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing.
Peggy was born in Samson, AL on November 25, 1947, to the late Raymond and Bertha Lolley McCall. She was a lifetime member of Samson First Assembly of God.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Earl McCall.
Peggy is survived by one sister, Joyce Hagans of Samson, AL; one brother, Lomax McCall (Kay) of Samson, AL; granddaughter, Rebecca Qualls (Tommy) of Samson, AL; and a host of church family and friends.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Joyce Evans Strickland, 84, a resident of Ozark, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loved ones.
Funeral services for Mrs. Strickland will be 11:00 A. M. Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Camp Ground Baptist Church with Reverend Merrell Henry officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mrs. Strickland was born May 24, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Curtis L. Evans and Mary Louise McIntyre Evans. She was raised in Ozark by her aunt and uncle, Jack and Estelle McIntyre. Joyce graduated from Troy University with a degree in Human Services and worked for the Dale County Department of Human Resources until her retirement. She was a faithful member of Camp Ground Baptist Church and loved her church family with all her heart. She was a prayer warrior. Although she was homebound the last six months of her life, she ministered to every person that came to her home. She was a true disciple of Jesus Christ and her faith and evangelism was not limited by her illness. Joyce, along with her daughter, Darlene, had a group of ladies that helped care for her that she loved and called them her “special angels” Joni Martin (Jason), Jeanie Eddy (Randy) and Sherry McCormick. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Dimpsy Kelly Strickland Sr.; and her cousins/siblings, Louise Novak, Jean Price and Billy McIntyre. Survivors include one daughter, Andrea Darlene Dezso; one son, Dimpsy K. Strickland Jr. (Terri); grandchildren, Samuel Kelly Strickland (Abby), Haley McGuire (Bryce) and Dylan Strickland; one great granddaughter, Wrenly McGuire. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. The family would like to express a special thanks to DaySpring Hospice, Center Well Home Health, Keesha Tyler, Leneer Thomas and Robert Taylor for their expert care and love. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Ground Baptist Church, 3898 West Andrews Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360; or to Samaritans Purse (SamaritansPurse.org)
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Theodore Norman “Ted” Sleeper, a resident of Ozark, died Monday, October 6, 2025, in Southeast Health Medical Center. He was 84 years old. n keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned for Mr. Sleeper. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com
Mr. Sleeper was born September 27, 1941 in New Hampshire and grew up there. He joined the United States Army following high school and served for twenty-four years which included service in Vietnam. After his military service, he worked with Pemco as an aircraft mechanic until his retirement. He enjoyed wood working and watching the New England Patriots football. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the mother of his sons, Gudrun Agatha “Candy” Sleeper. Survivors include his wife, Sue Ann Godbout Sleeper of Ozark; two sons, Norman Sleeper (Denise) of Ozark and Christian Sleeper of Ariton; two sisters, Karen Sedgley and Diann Nussbaum; three brothers, Ray Sleeper, Dennis Cogan and Mickey Cogan.
NEW BROCKTON… Erica Slawson Phillips, a resident of New Brockton, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. She was 48.
Memorial service will be on Friday the 10th of October, held at the Kingdom Hall (1540 Damascus Rd, Enterprise, AL 36330) at 3pm. Those who wish to join us are welcome. After the service, we will be releasing balloons in her memory at Johnny Henderson Family Park, Enterprise. If you would like to be there, you are very welcome. If you are not able to attend the memorial service for Erica tomorrow, but would still like to be a part of it and pay your respects virtually, please find the Zoom link below.
Mrs. Phillips was born in Opp, Alabama to the late Gerald Robert Slawson and Shirley Elaine Walden Slawson. She was a 1995 graduate of New Brockton High School. Erica has lived in New Brockton, Alabama for the last 26 years. She attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses – Enterprise, Alabama. She loved life and her family more. She loved to fish, and she especially loved fishing at Ft. Gaines, Georgia and thought of it as a second home. She loved the outdoors, and cooking was one of her passions. She was blessed with the gift of gab and never met a stranger. She will be missed by all who know her as a friend.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her husband, Jeremy Phillips; her daughters, Jacy Phillips and Kyla Phillips; her son, John Phillips; and her sister, Melissa Slawson Montgomery.
John Randall Lehr, Jr. affectionately known as “JJ” to all who knew and loved him, of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly October 6, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was 39 years old.
