DOTHAN…Mrs. Karla Marie Toben (née Hyde), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, November 6, 2025, at her home in Dothan. She was 71 years old.
Karla was born on September 29, 1954, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Jack Kelley Hyde and Eunice Jean Hyde. She grew up in Ozark, Alabama, where her bright spirit quickly made her someone people were drawn to. A proud 1972 graduate of Carroll High School, Karla was voted “Most School Spirited”—a fitting reflection of her joyful personality and gift for making others smile. It was also at Carroll High where she met the love of her life, Bill Toben. Together, they shared more than fifty-two beautiful years of marriage, building a life full of wonderful memories and deep devotion to family, often with music playing and laughter echoing through the house.
More than anything else, Karla loved being a mom. Her sons, Cullen and Kelley, were the center of her world, and she poured her heart into raising them. She taught them to be kind, to work hard, to laugh often, and to appreciate life’s simple joys. Her steady love was the center of their family, and her guidance continues to shape their lives.
Karla’s compassion reached far beyond her home. She dedicated her life to caring for others through her work in nursing and education. After earning an Associate’s Degree from Wallace Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University Dothan, and a Master’s Degree from Auburn University at Montgomery, she served as a Registered Nurse and Clinical Educator at Southeast Health in Dothan. Later, she shared her expertise and passion for nursing with students at Wallace Community College and Troy University.
Karla was truly the life of the party—full of quick wit, easy laughter, and a knack for making everyone feel welcome. She loved to travel, explore new places, and never missed a chance to enjoy music or catch a great concert.
A woman of faith, Karla was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ozark. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her unwavering love for family, and the undeniable light she brought to every room.
Karla is survived by her husband, Bill Toben of Dothan; her sons, Cullen Toben (Annie) of Portland, Oregon, and Kelley Toben of Dothan; her siblings, Jack Hyde (Janice) of San Angelo, Texas, Paula Kahn (Rich) of Tampa, Florida, Karen Reid (James) of Grand Bay, Alabama, Chris Hyde (Tammy) of Ozark, and Kathy Wolfe (Dave) of Panama City, Florida; three treasured grandchildren, AlleyKate Marie Toben, Charlee Olivia Toben, and Abby Marie Toben, with another precious granddaughter on the way; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss her deeply.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ozark with Father Chris Boutin officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 12, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home in Ozark.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Cullen Toben, Kelley Toben, Chris Hyde, Jared Kahn, D.J. Hyde, and J.C. Hyde.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Era Virginia Wells, affectionately known as Virginia, was a beacon of love and selflessness whose light ceased to shine on this earth on November 7, 2025. Born on March 23, 1939, in Esto, Florida, Virginia’s journey through life was marked by an unwavering devotion to her family, her faith, and the simple beauties of the world around her. Her peaceful passing occurred in Dothan, Alabama, surrounded by the love of her family.
Virginia’s life was rich with the joy of shared moments and the warmth of a close-knit family. She is survived by her adoring husband of 67 years, M. Allen Wells, who found in her not just a wife but a lifelong companion. Her legacy continues through her daughter, Dawn Hicks (Gerry), and her cherished grandchildren, Christalle Twomey (Brek), Christopher Bodiford (Ashley), Joshua Bodiford (Courtni), Drew Hicks, and Chad Hicks (Meredeth). Her great-grandchildren, Weston, Benjamin, Wells, Ellis Bodiford, Natalea, and Brinlea Hicks, will grow up hearing of their great grandmother’s kindness and grace. Virginia’s sister, Martha Williams, and brother, Frank Enfinger (Wynelle), along with a host of nieces and nephews, also mourn the loss of a truly remarkable soul. She now joins her predeceased parents, Archie and Mary Nell Enfinger, and siblings, Gene (Inge), William (Bertha), Archie (Tina Mae), and Mary Nell McKinney (Paisley), in eternal rest.
Virginia’s professional life was marked by a successful career as a legal secretary in civil service at Ft. Rucker, from which she retired at the age of 55. This early retirement afforded her more precious time to dedicate to her many passions and to serve her community. As a member of Esto Baptist Church, Virginia’s melodious voice once graced the choir, and her faith was the cornerstone of her existence.
Those who knew Virginia will remember her as someone who appreciated the simple things in life. She was a skilled seamstress whose careful hands created both beautiful work and lasting family memories. She loved the outdoors and often found peace in the sound of birds and the quiet of nature. Known for her cooking, she took pride in preparing meals that brought her loved ones together around the table for good food, laughter, and conversation.
Above all else, Virginia was a testament to the power of love. The epitome of a loving relationship she shared with her husband set a standard for all who knew them. Her role as a mother and nana was her top priority, and through her actions, she taught the values of giving and caring. Smart, with a quick wit and a gentle heart, Virginia was the embodiment of the word ‘loving.’
In her final days, Virginia was lovingly cared for by Helen Granger and the compassionate team at Gentiva Hospice, to whom the family extends their deepest gratitude for their dedication and care.
A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11am in the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Robert Noel Paramore, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral services for Mr. Paramore will be 3:00 P.M. Sunday, November 9, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Dale Goodwin and Reverend David Lewis officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Sunday from 2:00 P.M. until service time.
Mr. Paramore was born February 15, 1932, and was a life-long resident of Dale County. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Tully Paramore and Joyce Woodham Paramore, two brothers, J.T. and Coleman and one sister, Sue Miller. Mr. Paramore spent several years self employed as a bulldozer operator. He worked for Aronov Construction Company, Madison Construction Company and the Dale County Road Department. Later he was one of the first to build poultry houses in Dale County. He was a member of Ewell Bible Church. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Betty Sue Riley Paramore; two daughters, Joyce Ann Oakley (Dean) and Darlene Hicks (Danny) all of Ozark; one brother, Rayburn Paramore (Melanie) of Ozark; three granddaughters, Felicia McDaniel (Jeff), Amanda Enfinger (Chuck) and Jennifer Cauthen (Keith); two great grandchildren, Olivia Enfinger and Caleb Enfinger. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family would like to express a special thanks to Enhabit Hospice; nurses, Libby Babington and Flori Molina; social worker, Tiffany Arnold; Chaplain Adam Carlee; and CNA Jeanna Williams. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in his memory to Westview Memorial Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 484, Ozark, Alabama 36361.
Mrs. LeeVon Turner, a life-long resident of Hartford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Graceville Health Center. She was 86 years old.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb. Interment will follow in the Slocomb City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Mrs. Turner was born in Houston County on November 23, 1938, to the late Louie Frank and Alice Thomley Auston. She attended Wicksburg High School, where she built lifelong friendships and later met the love of her life, and future husband Moody, at the Rose Theater in Hartford, Alabama. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and adoring grandmother who instilled in her family strong morals and a steadfast work ethic. Over the years, she was employed with Van Heusen, Dale’s Sportswear, and Hemby’s, but her greatest joy came from being a homemaker. A true Southern lady, she was known for her kindness, generosity, and love for her community. She was also an exceptional cook, famous for her perfect “cat head” biscuits. LeeVon will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Cindy Dianne Turner Berry.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, James Moody Turner; children, Kay DuRant (Phil) and Austin Turner (Amanda Smitherman); grandchildren, Phillip DuRant III (Hannah), Derrick Berry, and James Peyton Turner; great-grandchildren, Caitlyn Dianne Berry, Addison Rae Berry, Ian DuRant, Zander DuRant, and Lennon Beth DuRant; sister, Linda Harry; nieces, Lydia Mauldin and Sherry Ward; nephew, Mike Harry; and special friends, Billy and Barbara Lanson, along with numerous cousins and other extended family and friends.
Dustin Russell Goolsby, a resident of Dothan, died unexpectedly Thursday, November 6, 2025 at his residence. He was 43.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Sunday, November 9, 2025 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with Reverend Tim Willis officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memory Hill cemetery.
Dustin was born July 19, 1982 in Dothan, Alabama where he was a lifelong resident. He was a graduate of Dothan High School and Auburn University. Dustin began a career in Healthcare and worked for several hospitals but most recently at Dale Medical Center. He loved the outdoors and sharing that with his two boys; always ready to crack a joke just to make his family laugh. Dustin will be remembered as a loving family man to his wife, sons and family.
Survivors include his wife, Jessica Manning Goolsby; two sons, Luke and Gabe Goolsby; parents, David and Mary Alice Goolsby, father and mother in law, Bruce and Jenny Manning; sisters, Brittany Nolin (Justin), Allyson Cox (Bradley); brother in law, Jeff Manning (Jessica) paternal grandmother, Jean Goolsby and maternal grandmother, Alice Sowell along with a niece, many nephews and extended family.
Serving as pallbearers will be; Bradley Cox, Jansen Sowell, Jerad Sowell, Chet Sowell, Jeff Manning and Justin Nolin.
Pamela Williams
Age 86, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Monday, November 3, 2025, at her residence.
Pamela was born April 20, 1939, in Morgantown, West Virginia, to Edward Libert and Mary Ethel Popp. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant. Pamela enjoyed reading, going to the gym, taking walks, playing Rummikub, watching television and movies, and spending time with her beloved fur babies.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sons, Bruce Vining and Brian Harrison.
Leaving to cherish her memory her daughter Tina Koon Birdwell; grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister Brenda Ball; nieces Karen Meeks, Rebecca Patterson.
