John Sterling Criswell, born on January 31, 1957, in Orange Park, Florida, passed away on September 2, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. He leaves behind a life remembered for his service, hard work, love of family, and unmistakable personality.
John served in the United States Army. In his younger years, he also attended military school in Miami for a short time. He later worked in commercial building maintenance and at Walmart. After many years of hard work, John eventually retired and enjoyed time with his family and the things he loved.
John cherished his family and the time he spent with those closest to him. He is survived by his wife of five years, Sonia Criswell. Together, they shared a marriage filled with love, companionship, and plenty of laughter, and John brought a special energy and color into her life.
He is also survived by his sons, John Criswell, Jr. and his wife Rachael, Nicholas Criswell, and Dalton Criswell; his grandchildren, Isla and Atlas; his former wife and the mother of his sons, Tammie Smith Parker; and his brother, John David “JD” Knight and his wife Rose Marie. He is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Ann Knight Brown.
John especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and treasured the moments they shared together. He had a genuine appreciation for plants and enjoyed caring for them.
Those who knew John will remember his animated personality, his sense of humor, and the energy he brought with him wherever he went. He had a way of making himself known and was certainly not someone easily forgotten. Beneath that lively personality was a hardworking man who cared deeply about his family and the people in his life.
John will be remembered with love by his family and friends, who will carry his memory with them and cherish the many stories and moments they shared with him.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Robert Irvin “Bob” Beasley, a resident of Ozark, died Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Southeast Health Medical Center following a brief illness. He was 66 years old.
Funeral services for Mr. Beasley will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from Ozark Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Eric Fuller and Reverend Greg Aman officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Wednesday from 10:00 A. M. until service time.
Mr. Beasley was born on August 23, 1960 in Ozark, Alabama to the late Jerry Glover Beasley and Glenda Snellgrove Beasley. He was a 1978 graduate of Carroll High School and a graduate of Troy University. Mr. Beasley was President of Beasley’s Inc. in Ozark and a member of Ozark Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Patrick Beasley. Survivors include one sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Patrick Ramsey of Montgomery, and his beloved nieces, Anna Beth Ramsey and Allie Ramsey Hendrix (Benjamin), and great nephew, Hank Hendrix, as well as a special aunt and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ozark Baptist Church, 282 South Union Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360 or Children’s Harbor, 434 Children’s Harbor Drive, Eclectic, Alabama 36024.
Charles L. D. Ball, 91. of Ozark, Alabama, passed away at his beloved home on August 30, 2026.
Known as L.D. or D to his family, Charlie to his friends, and Paul to his wife, Carolyn, Charles lived an extraordinary life grounded in God, family, and country.
At barely 16, he misrepresented his age to join the National Guard, beginning a distinguished military career of approximately 22 years. A highly decorated United States Army veteran, paratrooper, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist, he served during the Vietnam War and held assignments around the world, including the Pentagon and protective details involving United States presidents.
Following retirement, Charles continued his career in law enforcement and education, teaching Criminal Justice and Psychology. He was respected throughout the legal community— even by some who might have preferred not to cross his path. His remarkable knowledge was matched by his compassion, generosity, and willingness to help others.
Charles met Carolyn on a blind date while he was attending explosive ordnance training Indian Head, Maryland, and she was working for Bell Telephone in Washington, D.C. The Arkansas boy and Baltimore girl married only weeks later and celebrated 64 years together this past April. Their daughter, Sonya, soon followed, and together they built a life filled with love, adventure, and laughter.
Caring for his family was never simply Charles’s responsibility; it was his honor. He was immensely proud of his grandchildren, Alexandra and Elijah, and was always there to cheer them on. To Charles, every child was worth showing up for. He coached soccer, helped children who could not afford to participate, supported fundraisers, and even purchased a camper so more boys and girls could travel with the team. When a child had no family member present, there was always room at the Ball family table.
He loved his home, his pond, his land, and the animals that followed him faithfully as he worked outdoors. He loved road trips, camping, and time on the water. He was not a perfect man, nor did he expect perfection from others. He believed in trying your best, giving grace, and caring for one another.
Charles is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Sonya; grandchildren, Alexandra and Elijah; siblings, Dwight, Mary Ann, and Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hosea and Esta; siblings, Virginia and Medford; and nephews, Timmy and Tommy. He also shared a special bond with his great-grandson, Kai, who preceded him in death and remained forever a treasured part of his heart.
Terry Curtis Smith, age 57, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on September 2, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. He was born on November 27, 1968, in Dothan, Alabama.
Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, September 10, 2026, one hour prior to the service.
Terry spent more than 34 years working as a truck driver, serving with dedication and reliability for several different companies throughout his career. He took pride in his work and understood the value of long hours, responsibility, and perseverance. His years on the road reflected the kind of man he was, dependable, hardworking, and committed to doing his job well.
Outside of work, Terry found joy in the simple things that brought him comfort and happiness. He loved Alabama football and followed the team with enthusiasm and loyalty. He also enjoyed fishing, a pastime that gave him time to relax and appreciate the peace of the outdoors.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Smith; his daughters, Donna Kaye Smith and Amber Harley; his sons, Curtis Smith and Dustin Smith; his step-sons, Eric Mobley, Jeffery Mobley, and Isaac Dean; his sister, Ellen Arretteig; several grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He cherished his family and the many roles he held within it, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Edna Smith, his brother, Dennis Smith, and his sister, Meredith Kirkland. Their memory remained an important part of his life, and he carried the bonds of family with him always.
Though his passing brings sorrow, his life stands as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness, family, and the enduring impact of a life well lived.
ENTERPRISE… Harold E. Fearing, a resident of Enterprise, Alabama, passed away early Tuesday morning, September 01, 2026, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. He was 93.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 05, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with his son, Harold Allen Fearing giving a eulogy. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery, in Headland, Alabama. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Harold E. Fearing was born in Burr Oak, Kansas, to the late Clarence Walker Fearing and Ruth Clemons Fearing. He was raised in Burr Oak, and then attended Kansas State College (now Kansas State University). Harold met Donna Morine while at K-State and they married in 1954. Harold was in the four-year ROTC program and after graduation in 1955 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army.
Harold dedicated much of his life to serving his country through a distinguished career in the United States Army. Early in his career he volunteered for flight school and earned his Army Aviator wings in 1956. He served in Korea in 1956 and 1957. After Korea, Harold attended rotary wing aircraft school. Finishing first in his his rotary wing class, Harold was selected for further training and became a rotary wing instructor pilot. In 1961 Harold was assigned to the 1st Battle Group in Germany, that trucked across East Germany to show support for Berlin when the Berlin Wall was built. Returning to the US in 1965, Harold was assigned to a Chinook Company that trained pilots and transported Chinook helicopters to South Vietnam. Harold was stationed at Pleiku South Vietnam in 1966 and 1967, flying Chinooks in support of US infantry. In 1970, Harold was assigned to ROTC faculty duty at the University of Delaware, where he instructed students and managed the ROTC flight program. In 1973 he was reassigned to the Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He retired in 1975 after 20 years in the military.
Following his retirement from active duty, Harold continued his service to the Army at Fort Rucker through the Civil Service, where he worked in helicopter flight training and combat strategy. His knowledge, experience, and dedication continued to benefit those who follow in his footsteps.
After he retired from the military, Harold and Donna got the motorcycle bug. At first together on one motorcycle, and later each on their own motorcycles, they rode in all the lower 48 states, six Canadian provinces, Mexico and Australia. Harold also rode to Alaska. They belonged to several motorcycle clubs and enjoyed riding to national motorcycle conventions all over the country. Harold and buddies took “guy trips” all over the country every summer for about 10 years. Most had identical yellow Honda Gold Wings and they called themselves “The Goldenrods”.
Harold was also an avid and skilled woodworker. He built lovely furniture and toys for his family that will be cherished for generations.
In addition to his parents, Harold is preceded in death by his wife, Donna J. Fearing; sisters, June Dempsey, Beth Alexander, Lauradelle Warne; brothers, Glenn Fearing and Jean Fearing.
Those who will always cherish his memory include daughter, Kathryn Ruth Bigler (Wallace J. Bigler); sons, Harold Allen Fearing (Donna Willis Fearing), Paul David Fearing (Pamela Bludsworth Fearing), and Steven John Fearing (Elizabeth Fearing); ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and several other loving family members and friends.
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HEADLAND. . .Needham Gordon Marley, III, a resident of Headland, peacefully passed away at his home surrounded by friends and family on September 3, 2026. He was 71 years old.
Memorial services will be held at the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. with Dr. Cecil M. Sanders, Jr. officiating. The family will welcome friends in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel from 2:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. on Thursday prior to the memorial service.
Gordon Marley was born in Ozark, AL and raised in Aberdeen, NC. He formerly lived in Columbus, GA and Nashville, TN before moving to Headland in 1998. Gordon was a graduate of the Auburn University School of Architecture. He was self-employed as an Architect and Designer while living in Headland. Gordon was a faithful servant of First Baptist Church of Headland where he dutifully operated the Audio Visual at the Sunday morning worship service for 24 years. Gordon was preceded in death by his father, Needham Gordon Marley, Jr., his mother, Peggy Lee Marley, his grandparents, Needham Gordon Marley, Sr. and Jewel V. Brown Marley and Reverend Roby J. Lee and Amelia Zobel Lee and his step-grandmother, Sarah Frances Espy Lee.
Surviving relatives include his partner, Jim McGee, Headland; a sister, Amelia Lee Marley (Jennifer K. McMutrie), Bradenton, FL; and an aunt, Nadine Chandler Marley, Dothan, AL. Faithful companions include Gracious, Little Man, Frankie, and Annie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 2431 West Main Street, Suite 1102, Dothan, AL 36301 or SEACT, 909 South St. Andrews Street, Dothan, Alabama 36301.
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.
