Chadrick Lewis, lovingly known as “Chad” to family and friends, 51, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 12, 2026. He was a loving father, husband, and provider whose strength and love shaped the lives of those who knew him.
Chad was born December 19, 1974, in Dothan, Alabama, to Jackie Lewis Sr. and Shirley Lewis, where he spent his early years. He was a 1993 graduate of Northview High School. Chad was a hardworking and dedicated man who took great pride in providing for his family. He spent 13 years working at General Automotives before beginning his career with Coca-Cola, where he worked faithfully for over 20 years.
He was known for his kind heart, gentle spirit, and soft-spoken nature. He was tenacious and reliable and stuck to a job until it was done. Chad had a gentle presence and a warm smile that made others feel welcome just by being around him. He never met a stranger and was the kind of person people naturally looked forward to seeing. He was easy to approach and easy to talk to.
He was also a devout Jehovah’s Witness and was baptized in 1993. His faith was a cornerstone of his life and shaped the way he cared for others and the core principles that guided his actions. He faithfully delivered talks, spent much of his time in the ministry, and served as an elder within the congregation. Those who knew him saw his faith not just in his words, but in the kindness, humility, and integrity he showed every day.
Chad married the love of his life, Pam Lewis, on November 23, 2011. Together they built a life centered around family. He was an amazing husband who never spoke unkindly. The man people saw in public was the man he was at home.
He was the proud father of Destini, Emma, and Moriah, and he loved each of them deeply. He took great pride in watching them grow and always made sure they knew they were loved and supported.
Nothing brought Chad more happiness than becoming “Pop” to his grandchildren. He deeply loved Hudson, Houston, Hayven, and Hazel and treasured every moment he spent with them.
Chad was a loving and dependable father who always made sure his family was taken care of. He was generous in both heart and spirit, yet lived a simple life, finding happiness in the things that mattered most. He showed his love through his hard work, his quiet support, and his steady presence and dependability.
When he found time to relax, his favorite place to be was the beach. It was where he could unwind, reflect, and enjoy life’s peaceful moments. Those who knew him knew a man of strength, humility, and love. He was always smiling and laughing.
Chad is survived by his loving wife, Pam Lewis; his three daughters, Destini Arnold, Emma Lewis, and Moriah McKee, whom he loved deeply; his four beloved grandchildren, Hudson, Houston, Hayven, and Hazel; his parents, Jackie Lewis Sr. and Shirley Lewis; and his brothers, Jackie Lewis Jr. and Shannon Lewis and their families, along with many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
Chad was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Dixie Lewis.
His family will forever carry his love, strength, and example in their hearts. The family finds comfort in the resurrection hope and the many cherished memories he leaves behind.
A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Glover Funeral Home with Kurt Valley officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
MILTON, FLORIDA…Ms. Peggy Sue Ellis Thomas, a resident of Milton, Florida (formerly of Ozark), died early Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026, in Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola. She was 68.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at a later date in Brewton, Alabama. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Thomas, daughter of the late Jessie Ellis and Eva Lee Raybon Ellis, was born and raised in Milton, Florida, a place she always held close to her heart. In 2014, she moved to Ozark, Alabama, where she spent several meaningful years before eventually returning home to Milton. No matter where she lived, she carried with her a quiet strength, a love for people, and a deep appreciation for the simple joys in life.
She worked for many years as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Andalusia Manor, where her gentle spirit and caring hands made a difference in the lives of countless residents. Earlier in life, she also worked at Pizza Hut in Lucedale, Mississippi, where she was known for her friendly smile and hardworking nature.
Ms. Thomas had a lifelong love for horses—a passion that began in childhood when her family raised thoroughbred racehorses. She found peace in the presence of animals and joy in the rhythm of country life.
She was of the Baptist faith and carried her beliefs quietly but firmly, leaning on them through life’s ups and downs. Her heart was full of love for her family, and she faced life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Carolyn Krystal Olsen, her brother, Danny Ellis, and her sister, Lisa Kay Ellis. Though their absence left a deep ache, Ms. Thomas held onto the memories they shared and the love that never faded.
Surviving relatives include her daughter, Jennifer Hamm (Kenneth), Troy; son, Jerry Allen Baker, Milton, Florida; two sisters, Mary Mateleska (Tony Young), Milton, Florida and Sharon Manning, Dothan; four grandchildren, Leah Enfinger (Cody), Lane Clark (Hannah), Caleb Brooks, and Christian Brooks; two great-grandchildren, Emerson Clark and Silas Clark and one on the way, Chase Enfinger; her favorite friend and companion, her dog, Trixie; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Martha Ellen Bradford, affectionately known as Marty to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at the age of 100 in Enterprise, Alabama. Born on May 31, 1925, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Raymond William Fleming and Martha Wilhelmina Krause, Marty grew up with a foundation of love and strong family values that would carry her through an extraordinary century of life.
Marty’s journey led her to marry her first love, William Henry Basham, Jr., at the tender age of 18. Their union was one of adventure and deep affection. After William’s military career ended in 1945, they moved to the canal zone in Panama. After William’s untimely passing on May 7, 1961, Marty demonstrated her remarkable resilience and independence. She later found love again with Clayton Bradford, who became a cherished husband until his passing. After Clayton’s passing in 1979, Marty resided in the canal zone until 1980, then she relocated to Dothan, Alabama.
Blessed with a large and loving family, Marty was preceded in death by her first husband, William Henry Basham Jr., her second husband, Clayton Bradford, her parents, Raymond William Fleming and Martha Wilhelmina Krause, her children, Patricia Christian and Susan Basham, and two brothers. She is survived by her children: Michael Basham (Linda), Nancy Stanford (Larry), Daniel Basham (Fran), and Kathleen Monday (Craig). Her legacy continues through her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who will remember her with great affection and respect.
Marty was a graduate of South High School in Columbus. Her commitment to community service was evident in her 30 years of volunteer work at the Southeast Alabama Medical Center gift shop. A devout Catholic, she lived her faith through acts of kindness and service to others.
Her interests were as diverse as the places she lived. Marty was a kind and personable soul who found joy in crafting, quilting, and crocheting. A brave and independent woman, she made friends easily, including a special bond with her son’s mother-in-law, Mildred Patton. Marty’s love for animals was boundless, with a particular soft spot for cats.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11am at Saint Columba Catholic Church with Father Gallagher officiating. Inurnment will take place in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
OZARK…Mr. James Robert Brannon (Staff Sergeant, Alabama Army National Guard, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died Thursday morning, March 19, 2026, at his home. He was 98.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Teresa Cooper Gilley, born August 2, 1963, in Brewton, Alabama, passed away on March 17, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. Teresa’s life was defined by a gentle spirit, a generous heart, and an unwavering ability to see the good in others.
She was the beloved daughter of Larry Cooper Sr. and the late May Lorena McArthur Cooper, with whom she now shares a joyful reunion, along with her grandmother, whose presence shaped so much of her life. Teresa carried forward the legacy of love, faith, and kindness instilled in her from an early age, living each day with quiet grace and deep compassion.
From a young age, Teresa found joy in movement and music. She was a majorette at Young Junior High School and Northview High School and later continued her passion as a majorette with the Sound of the South Marching Band at Troy University, where she also performed with the University Dancers. She later gave that same passion back to others, volunteering for many years as the majorette sponsor for Northview High School. Whether twirling a baton, dancing to a favorite song, or encouraging young performers, she brought a natural elegance and light to everything she did.
Teresa was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Dothan. Her faith was a steady and guiding presence in her life, reflected not in grand gestures, but in the way she loved others, with patience, forgiveness, and a heart that always sought peace.
Her compassion was not only something she felt, but something she lived out daily in her work. She served the Dothan community through her time at Vaughn-Blumberg Services, a nonprofit organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she worked closely with adult members. She later continued that calling as a Parent Involvement Specialist with Dothan City Schools, building meaningful connections with families. After retiring, she remained devoted to caring for others as a caregiver with Home Instead Senior Care, providing comfort and companionship to elderly members of the community. In every role, Teresa’s kindness was not just present, it was the foundation.
She found happiness in life’s simple, quiet moments. The beach was her sanctuary, where she could sit for hours listening to the rhythm of the waves. She had a special love for butterflies, seeing beauty in their delicacy and transformation. Music was another constant companion, with the songs of James Taylor, The Carpenters, Chicago, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé often filling the spaces around her.
Above all, Teresa was the definition of a devoted and selfless mother, wife, and daughter. She gave endlessly of herself, always putting the needs and happiness of others before her own. Her love was steady and sacrificial, shown in both the big moments and the quiet, unseen ones. She took immense pride in her daughter, celebrating every accomplishment with a full and joyful heart, never missing an opportunity to share that pride with others.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Tim Gilley; her father, Larry Cooper Sr.; her daughter, Courtney Gilley Petrizzi (Anthony); her twin sister, Tonnie Cooper; her brother, Larry Cooper Jr. (Lisa). She leaves behind a family who will forever carry her love with them.
Those who knew Teresa will remember her as truly kind, endlessly forgiving, and gentle in spirit. She had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and cared for, and her presence brought a sense of calm and comfort to those around her.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 23, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Ward-Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama, with services immediately following. Memorial contributions may be made to the National MS Society, a cause meaningful to her and her family.
Teresa’s life was a quiet but powerful reflection of love in its purest form. The world is softer, kinder, and better because she was in it, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
