It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the passing of Karla Lydia Dykes, age 62, of Headland, Alabama, who entered into rest unexpectedly on September 12, 2025.
A Celebration of Life service will be held this autumn at Gateway Church in Headland, Alabama, with Pastor Ruth Jones officiating.
Karla lived a joyful and vibrant life. She spent her youth in Alabama, Florida, and Colorado, and throughout her life she treasured the outdoors, swimming, and riding her motorcycle. She especially cherished spending time with her family—most of all her beloved nieces and nephews—as well as her friends, neighbors, and church family.
In 2007, Karla made her home in Headland, where she became a devoted member of Gateway Church. She was baptized there and found great joy in singing contemporary Christian music. Karla was known for her kindness, love, and a welcoming spirit that touched everyone she met.
She was preceded in death by her father, Fred M. Dykes; stepfather, Robert L. Carroll; maternal grandparents, Luke and Vera Lee Copeland; and paternal grandparents, Fred and Edna Lydia Dykes.
Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Mary Juanita Carroll; two sisters, Kathy Taylor and Kay Hand; her brother-in-law, Danny Hand; her brother, Kim Dykes; four step-siblings; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Karla’s warmth, generosity, love for God, and love for life will be remembered always by those blessed to know her.
Midland City, AL – Ray Thompson, a lifelong resident of Midland City, Alabama, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, September 23, 2025. He was 89.
A Celebration of life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel, with Rev. Michael Proffitt officiating and a eulogy delivered by his grandson. A private family burial will follow at Sylvan Grove Methodist Church Cemetery with Reverend Mike Griggs officiating. Visitation will take place on Thursday evening, September 25, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory, which is overseeing the arrangements. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southeastern Drag Racers Association, 8977 South U.S. 231, Ozark, AL 36360. For more information, contact Johnny Jordan at (334) 299-0303.
Born in Houston County to the late Haywood and Alvenia Kelly Thompson, Ray was a devoted member and trustee of Sylvan Grove Methodist Church. He proudly served in the Alabama National Guard and later was an auxiliary officer with the Pinckard Police Department. A dedicated car enthusiast and businessman, he founded Ray Thompson Auto Service, which he owned and operated for over 60 years. He was especially proud of his involvement in the Southeastern Drag Racers Association. Ray loved drag racing and will be fondly remembered for the joy and energy he brought to the sport. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and formerly a Mason at the Dothan Lodge.
Above all, Ray considered his greatest accomplishment was starting and raising a family whom he loved deeply.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha Virginia Thompson; sisters, Lois Horne, Gwen Weeks, and Hughlene Stone; and brother, Eldon Thompson.
He is survived by his daughter, Taresa Woodham (Dana); his son, Mike Thompson (Marilyn); his sister, Martha T. Woodham; his grandchildren, Damon Woodham (Chanetta), Madison Woodham, Chasity Enfinger (Tim), Kirstin Wilde (Chris), Nathan Thompson (Abby), and Brandi Enfinger; his great-grandchildren, Donnie, Blake, Mia, Aiden, Remmington, Jaxon, Mary-Kate, Keelan, Kaedence, and Abbigail; his sister-in-law, Dale Lisenby Deese (Mike); and his several beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Ray will be remembered for his unwavering love for family, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his lifelong dedication to community and country.
OZARK…Mr. Frank Bezdany, a resident of Ozark, passed away peacefully late Sunday afternoon, September 21, 2025, at his home. He was 91.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Rocky Head Community, with Pastor Robin Bell officiating. Celebration of Life Services will be held following the graveside at Stonebridge Church of God in Ozark at 2:00 P.M. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Bezdany was a devoted servant of God and spent much of his life witnessing for Christ. He shared the Gospel’s message of love and salvation with everyone he met. Frank has gone home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ. John 14:2-6.
Surviving relatives include his children, Kathleen A. Fry, Mark D. Bezdany, John Bezdany, Frank J. Bezdany, Jr., and JoAnn Bezdany; grandchildren, Jacqueline Lugo, Colton J. Fry, Gabrielle E. Fry, Jennifer L. Fry, Kaylee Bezdany, Holly Bezdany, Jamie L. Bezdany, and Ashley Bezdany (deceased); great-grandchildren, Mateo Lugo, Myles Lugo, and Kash Bezdany.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
HEADLAND… Mary “Daphne” Weaver, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Saturday evening, September 20, 2025, at her home. She was 83.
The family will have a private service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family request that contributions be made in Mrs. Weaver’s honor, to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, www.donate.cancer.org.
Mrs. Weaver was born in Dothan, Alabama to the late Alvah Cumbie and Ruby Edna Rolling Cumbie. She was a graduate of Dothan High School. She had previously lived in Atlanta, Georgia and Ozark, Alabama before moving to Headland, Alabama thirty-seven years ago. She loved to read and do word-find puzzles. She was a member of the Harvest Church in Dothan, Alabama.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her siblings, Alvis Cumbie, Joyce Kirkland, and A.E. Cumbie.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her husband of sixty-three years, Don Weaver, Jr.; his daughter, Kim Dollar (Rodney); her sister, Georgia Warren; her grandchildren, Brett Dollar (Phuong) and Brianne Kent (Brandon); and her great-grandchildren, Brayden Kent, Brody Kent, and Bryson Kent.
ECHO COMMUNITY…Mr. Richard Glenn Miller, a resident of the Echo Community, died late Monday morning, September 22, 2025, at his home. He was 66.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 27, 2025, in Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor James R. Devine officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Miller was born on September 4, 1959, in Tampa, Florida, where he spent his early years surrounded by sunshine, family, and the kind of simple joys that shaped the man he would become. In 2000, he made his way to the Echo Community, a place that quickly became home—not just in location, but in spirit. He built friendships there that lasted decades, and his presence became a familiar comfort to many.
Mr. Miller was a hardworking man who never minded rolling up his sleeves. In his younger days, he worked in building construction, putting his hands to good use creating and fixing things—always with pride in a job well done. He also spent time working on a golf course, where he found peace in the quiet mornings and the rhythm of the greens. Whether he was working or relaxing, He had a way of making people feel at ease.
Outside of work, he found joy in the simple things. He loved fishing—there was nothing quite like casting a line and waiting patiently, surrounded by nature. Gardening was another passion of his. He could often be found tending to his plants, coaxing life from the soil with care and patience. His garden was more than just a hobby—it was a reflection of his gentle spirit and his appreciation for growth, beauty, and quiet moments. He was a minister of the gospel for over ten years and was a member of the Ewell Faith Community Church in Ewell.
Mr. Miller had a kind heart and a steady presence. He didn’t need to be the loudest in the room to make an impact—his warmth spoke for itself. He was the kind of person who’d lend a hand without being asked, who’d sit and listen when someone needed to talk, and who’d share a laugh that made your day a little brighter.
He was preceded in death by his father, Luther Miller, whom he loved deeply and spoke of often. That bond shaped much of who Buddy was—a man grounded in family, loyalty, and love.
He will be missed by many—neighbors, friends, and loved ones who were lucky enough to know him. His memory will live on in the stories shared, the gardens he grew, and the quiet strength he brought into the lives of those around him.
Surviving relatives include his mother, Jeanette Anglin Miller; brother, Tony Miller (Laverne), all of the Echo Community; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
SKIPPERVILLE…JoAnn Johnson Parish, 87, of Skipperville, Alabama, passed away surrounded by her loving family on September 22, 2025.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, October 4, 2025, in the Westview Heights Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the church. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Westview Heights Methodist Church, 512 Camilla Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
JoAnn was born in Greenhead Florida on June 21, 1938, to Tom and Minnie Dee Johnson of Vernon Fl. She attended Vernon High School where she was Salutatorian of her class. JoAnn enjoyed several fulfilling and meaningful jobs outside the home while raising two rambunctious boys while her husband, Hal, was working out of town. During her professional career, JoAnn mentored, counseled, and guided countless junior employees helping to develop their own performance and careers.
JoAnn loved doing and making things for family, friends and neighbors. She was a great seamstress as well as a very good oil painter and ceramicist. She enjoyed playing organ and piano and singing in the various churches that they were a part of as life moved the family throughout the Southeast and Colorado.
JoAnn is survived by her husband Howell, her children and their wives, Reid and Barbara (Gorton) and Joseph and Charlene (Wright) Parish. She loved on and cherished her five grandchildren: Jenna, Joscelyn, Frasier, Caitlen and Justin as well as five great grandchildren: Charlie, Oliver, Finn, Ivy, and Ava
One of JoAnn’s great passions was canning. Both the Parish and the Johnson families had significant gardens and JoAnn loved to travel. Together, she and Hal travelled all over this beautiful country, eventually visiting all 48 contiguous states and Alaska.
JoAnn will always be remembered for her hospitality, beautiful warm smile and ability to make everyone around her feel comfortable.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
