NEWTON…Mr. Ben Samuel “Pete” Watson, a resident of Newton, died early Sunday afternoon, September 28, 2025, at his home. He was 88.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tommy Giddens and Pastor Bill Mansfield officiating. Burial will follow in Newton City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Watson was born and raised in Newton, the son of Lonnie Frank Watson and Bennie Mae Golden Watson. Though life took him to central Florida for about thirty years, Newton was always home in his heart, and he eventually returned to the place where it all began.
He and his wife ran a shop called Creative Touch in Wiregrass Commons Mall, where they poured their time, energy, and love into the business. It wasn’t just a job—it was something they built together.
Mr. Watson had a deep love for the land. He found peace in gardening and took pride in caring for his cattle. These quiet moments outdoors were where he felt most connected to the world around him.
Faith was a big part of his life, and he was a devoted member of Newton First Assembly of God Church, where he found community and strength.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jennifer Nicole Watson; four sisters, Nancy Keen, Eileen Price, Mary Lou Holton, and Mary Judah, three brothers, Bobby Gene Watson, James Howard Watson, and Samuel Junior Watson. Though they’re no longer here, their memories live on in the stories and love that Mr. Watson carried with him.
Surviving relatives include his wife of sixty-nine years, Elizabeth Rachel Watson; two sons, Daniel Watson (Brenda) and Timothy Watson (Stephanie), all of Newton; brother, Billy Gene Watson (Mary), Newton; grandchildren, Kyle, Brandi, Terry, Tanya, Melanie, Mandy, Melinda, and Bubba; great-grandchildren, Maci, Arial, Marty, Madyson, Kadden, Aaliyah, D.J., Lauren, Rea, Bradon, Braden, Aubrie, Devin, Kaitlynn, Anthony, Trevor, Damon, and Alaih; fifteen great-great children; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be D.J. Watson, Brandon Watson, Kyle Watson, Kadden Roberts, Jordan Watson, and Terry Watson.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
DOTHAN. . .Betty Elizabeth Pullins Hull, a resident of Dothan, passed away Monday morning, September 29, 2025, at her home. She was 91.
There are no funeral or memorial services planned at this time. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Hull was born and raised in Troy, Ohio, daughter of the late Floyd Thomas Pullins and Irma Wilson Pullins. She formerly lived in Dayton, Ohio before moving to Dothan in 1981. Mrs. Hull was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Leroy Hull, a daughter, Katherine Hull Lowe, a great-granddaughter, Haley Suggs Foxworth, a grandson, David Winstead, two sisters and three brothers.
Surviving relatives include her sons, Warren Hull (Avie), Rocky Mount, NC; and Matthew Hull (Raelyn), Huber Heights, Ohio; a son-in-law, William George Lowe, Jr., Dothan; grandchildren, Melissa Foxworth (Todd), Michele Kirkland, Elizabeth Hull (Helana), and Brian Winstead (Elizabeth); great-grandchildren, Victoria Foxworth, Brook Lingo (Dustin), Olivia Rice, Bella Kirkland, Caleb Winstead, Kaley Winstead and Addison Winstead; great-great-grandchildren, Wyatt Angelino and Hunter Angelino.
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.
ASHFORD. . .Susan Ann Johnson, also known as “Su-Su” and “Gator”, a resident of Ashford, passed away Sunday afternoon, September 28, 2025, at her home. She was 68.
Memorial services will be held at 5:00 P.M. (EDT), Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in the Evans-Skipper Funeral Home, Donalsonville, Georgia, with a eulogy to be given by a lifelong friend, Lynn Phillips. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:00 P.M. (EDT) Wednesday at Evans Skipper Funeral Home where flowers will be accepted. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Susan Johnson was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, daughter of the late Emmett Carlton “Cotton” Johnson and Allie Elizabeth Alday Johnson. She was a 1975 graduate of Seminole County High School in Donalsonville. Susan lived all her life in Donalsonville, Georgia before moving to Ashford in 2012. She was formerly employed as a Dispatcher and Administrative Clerk both from with Bainbridge Public
Safety. Susan was an active member of the Lake Seminole Lions Club.
Surviving relatives include her spouse, Gary Elliott; a daughter, Brooklyn Mullis (Robbie), all of Ashford; grandsons, Chip Earnest, Birmingham; and Kendall Mullis, Bainbridge, GA; a chosen granddaughter, Laura Payne, Midland City; a lifelong best friend, Lynn Phillips, Colquitt, GA; and her canine friend, “Jax”.
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. Johnny Wayne Smith, age 72, of Headland, Alabama passed away September 28, 2025, at Bonifay Nursing and Rehab Center in Bonifay, Florida. He was born July 6, 1953, in Geneva County, Alabama to the late Johnny Delbert Smith and Thelma Marie Gibson Smith. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by three siblings, Kenneth Smith, Angie Grider, and Ricky Smith.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rebecca ‘Becky’ Smith of Headland, AL; one son, Michael Campbell and Jessica of Bonifay, FL; five siblings, Janice Smith, Gayle Simmons, Susan Kincaid and Jeffery, Jerome Smith and Sherri, and Steve Smith; four grandchildren, Jazman, Austin, Jaylee, and Jordan, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorialization will be by cremation with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.
OZARK…Mrs. Cynthia Marie Williams Taylor, a resident of Ozark, died early Saturday morning, September 27, 2025, in the Ozark Health & Rehabilitation Facility in Ozark. She was 51.
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
Mr. Johnny Wayne Smith, age 72, of Headland, Alabama passed away September 28, 2025, at Bonifay Nursing and Rehab Center in Bonifay, Florida. He was born July 6, 1953, in Geneva County, Alabama to the late Johnny Delbert Smith and Thelma Marie Gibson Smith. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by three siblings, Kenneth Smith, Angie Grider, and Ricky Smith.