Stephanie Francine “Fran” Thomas, a cherished educator, community enthusiast, and beacon of love, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on June 9, 1961, in Brewton, Alabama, Stephanie’s infectious smile and compassionate spirit were nurtured from an early age.
Stephanie, as she was affectionately known by her friends and loved ones, attended T.R. Miller High School, where she first discovered her passion for education and community service. Her desire to empower and uplift others led her to University of South Florida, and she subsequently earned a degree in special education from Auburn University at Montgomery. This academic journey laid the foundation for a remarkable career that would touch the lives of countless individuals.
For 27 years, Stephanie dedicated her life to serving as a special education teacher in Dothan City Schools. Her commitment to her students went beyond the classroom; she was a tireless advocate, mentor, and friend to each child she taught. After retiring from Dothan City Schools, Stephanie continued to give back by serving as a substitute teacher for an additional six years—bringing her total years of service in education to 33. Her colleagues remember her as an energetic and loving presence who brought out the best in both her students and peers.
Stephanie’s interests extended beyond her professional life. She was a true social butterfly, engaging in various community events with a zest that was contagious. Traveling was one of her greatest joys, allowing her to experience new cultures and create lasting memories.
Family was the cornerstone of Stephanie’s world. Though she joins her beloved siblings James Mallory and Marilyn Thomas in eternal rest, her legacy will be carried on by her brothers Frederick Thomas, Don Thomas (Tina), Ronald Thomas (Emma), her sisters Gwen Walton (Andrew), Dianne Peterson, Lisa McMillan (Freddie), Charlia Daniel (James), Debra King, and Sydney Thomas. The bonds she forged with her siblings were unbreakable, and the memories they created will continue to be celebrated with every family gathering. Her special friends Rosetta Brown, Sam Perryman, Cynthia Waller and her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters often joined her on these adventures, sharing in the laughter and stories that would become cherished moments for all. Stephanie is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Stephanie’s life was a testament to the power of love, compassion, and dedication. She was a guiding light in the lives of all who knew her. Her memory will be treasured in the hearts of her family, friends, students, and the countless lives she impacted. Stephanie Francine Thomas lived a life full of purpose and joy, and her spirit will forever remain a source of inspiration and warmth to all. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to resonate through the lives she has shaped and the community she has enriched.
A celebration of Stephanie’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at First Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. B.K. Mashall officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Sunset Funeral Home and one hour prior to service time on Saturday.
Douglas Ray Schroeder, 71, of Dothan, Alabama, formerly Clear Lake, Iowa passed on to heaven on September 15, 2025 after a long courageous battle with cancer.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW in Clear Lake on 10-25-25 from 2-4pm for all to attend, raise a glass and share memories. There will also be a Celebration of Life in Alabama for immediate family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project, Shriners or Children’s Hospital of Alabama as these were all charities he supported.
Doug was born April 21, 1954 in Mason City, Iowa to Ronald and Nancy Schroeder. He was the first born of four children. Doug graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1972 where he met Debbie Dye. Doug and Deb were married in 1973. To this union, two sons were born, Stac and Spenc. After graduation, Doug began working for Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa. He left Winnebago in 1981 and started a new career at Curries Manufacturing in Mason City, Iowa. At Curries, Doug worked his way up from floor production, to plant manager, and ended his career there in 2014 as Shared Services Manager. After retiring from Curries, Doug was offered a position in 2015 at Dunbarton Corporation in Dothan, Alabama. He accepted and moved to Alabama in 2015.
Doug started a new beginning in Alabama with Dunbarton as Director of Operations and worked his way up to Vice President. Doug retired in October of 2020 and finally embraced the retired life after a dynamic career in the manufacturing world that he excelled at. While working at Dunbarton, Doug met Debbie Reynolds-Frechette of Dothan, Alabama. Doug and Debbie began a life together in 2016 and were married in 2021. Doug and Debbie worked together for 5 years. Throughout their years together, they loved spending time with family and friends. They enjoyed trips to the mountains as well as Panama City Beach and Carillon Beach in Florida where they were married. From riding their Harley together to working on projects around the house, Doug and Debbie loved doing life together.
Growing up in Clear Lake, Doug loved heading out to the family farm and spending time with family and especially Grandpa Juhl. Throughout his life, Doug never met a tool he couldn’t use or master. He spent countless hours in his shop as he loved “projects” from woodworking to welding and anything in between. There was nothing he couldn’t build or fix. Everything he touched had to be organized, built right and built to last. He loved cars and working on them. He taught his boys everything he knew about being a hard-working man and strived to instill those beliefs and values in them. He succeeded and they are forever grateful. Doug loved helping his boys from coaching their sports to building classic show cars together. Doug was a charter member of the CLASS Car Club based in Clear Lake and fulfilled every role possible in the club from member to president. He loved attending car shows and showing his 1971 Nova SS. Doug’s love of cars was passed down to his sons and he helped them in any way he could from the garage to the race track. Doug also loved boating on Clear Lake and teaching his boys how to waterski and kneeboard. Christmas time was special at the Schroeder house as Doug would spend countless hours decorating the family home which he built himself with Christmas lights, decorations, and figurines. People would come from all around to drive by and see the house while Christmas cards in the month of December always arrived addressed to ”Clark Griswold and Family”. Doug had countless friends and colleagues and whether he was in Alabama or Clear Lake, he knew when someone needed help and he was always there to lend a hand. Lastly, time with his grandchildren was precious to Doug. Whether having sleep overs, giving rides on the riding mower or just enjoying a meal, each grandchild held a special place in his heart!
Memories will be of great comfort, accompanied by laughs and tears by all who loved him. Left to cherish those memories are his wife, Debbie Reynolds-Schroeder of Dothan, Alabama; sons, Stac (Jessica) Schroeder and Spenc Schroeder; his mother, Nancy Schroeder; sister, Vickie Schroeder; brother Jeff (Mary) Schroeder; stepchildren, Hannah (Brandon) Landrum and Paul Frechette; sister-in-Law Deanna (Lowell) Williams; brother-in-laws, Gary Reynolds, Steve Reynolds, and Mark (Emmie) Reynolds; grandchildren, Emma, Carmen, Grayce, Aubrey, Ivy, Cash, Creeklyn and great-grandson, Enzo; several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Doug was preceded in death by his father, Ron; sister, Kimberly; maternal and paternal grandparents.
Michael Dion McCormick of Black, Alabama passed away on September 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 60.
Dion was born September 06, 1965, in Geneva, AL to the late James William and Edna Smith McCormick. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and spend time outside working on and driving racecars, collecting and just “tinkering”. He will forever be remembered for his sense of humor and living life to its fullest. He loved his family and friends with his whole heart. Most of all, he wanted to leave a legacy of love and happiness, even flowing over into his jail ministry. God had blessed him with a gift of witnessing to the unsaved. He will deeply be missed by many.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five siblings.
Dion is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Jeannie Moon McCormick of Black, AL; four children, Amber Hinesley (Audie) of Black, AL, Allex Varnum (Brandon) of Florala, AL, Airen Armstrong (Andrew) and Michael McCormick, all of Black, AL; 11 grandchildren; three siblings, Dolly McCormick and Willard McCormick, both of DeFuniak Springs, FL and Sandy McCormick of Level Plains, AL.
Our family would like to thank Day Spring Hospice and his nurse, Lauren Lynch for their devoted love and care.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from The Garden Cemetery in Darlington, FL with Bro. Ali Harrison and Bro. Brad Wilson officiating.
The family requested in lieu of flowers that those attending the service may bring soft backed Bibles to further his work in jail ministry within the Geneva County Jail.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.net
Sarah Kissel Gray passed away on September 20, 2025 at the age of 98. A first generation American born in Rockford, Illinois, Sarah was bilingual and proud of her Lithuanian heritage. She was a graduate of West High School of Rockford and Mercy College of Nursing in San Diego where she earned her RN degree. Sarah enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, gardening, and crossword puzzles.
It was in San Diego that she met Zeb Vance Gray. The pair were married for 60 years when he passed away in 2010. Sarah is survived by daughters and sons-in law Karen and Rick Parisot and Kathy and Carl Roberts; grandsons, Adam Parisot and Vance Roberts; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local food bank.
Mr. Joel William Nicholson of Dothan passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the age of 41.Joel was born October 15, 1983, in North Carolina.
He was loving, and kind, and loved his family beyond measure. His smile could light up a room and his gentle spirit shone through to everyone he met.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Troy Michael Nicholson.
He is survived by his fiancee’ of 25 years, Amber Meeks, mother, Nancy Richardson, sister, Nicolle Evans, father, John William Nicholson, and his children, Rhiley and Carlie Nicholson.
“For everything, absolutely everything above and below, visible and invisible….Everything got started in him and find its purpose in Him.” Colossians 1:16
It is with love and gratitude that we celebrate the life of Susanna “Sue” Marie Merritt Hodges, age 68 of Prattville, AL, who passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose generosity, dedication, kindness, and integrity touched everyone who knew her.
Sue was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on March 18, 1957, to the late Irvine L. Merritt and Evelyn I. Reichart Merritt of Venango, PA. Sue was a graduate of Cambridge Springs High School, Class of 1975. She left Pennsylvania for Mississippi to marry MSgt. William M. Hodges (Ret.). After getting married, she worked several years of her career in Ocean Springs and Long Beach, Mississippi. Sue continued her education by attending William Carey University. Being the wife of a military serviceman, she spent three years in Germany, where she traveled throughout Europe and worked for H&R Block preparing taxes. Once back in the States, they settled in Prattville, Alabama, where she worked for and graduated from Huntingdon College with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in accounting and graduated cum laude. Sue then worked for Colonial and Hancock Banks, in risk management and as an internal bank auditor. After several years working for the banks, she retired from Jackson Thornton CPAs with over 20 years in the banking/auditing business. Throughout the years, Sue continued to volunteer her time to help others prepare their taxes and took on the role of Secretary for her neighborhood HOA.
Sue loved being a mom and grandmother to her ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Sue played an integral role in her grandchildren’s lives and upbringing. Sue found joy in life’s simplest moments – reading a good book as an avid reader, bowling with friends as a member of a bowling league, gathering loved ones for home-cooked meals and cookies, time around the table sharing stories, long talks on the phone, time with her grandchildren, and relaxing in the pool.
Sue is preceded in death by her in-laws, Falconer and Frances Hodges, her sister, Hazel Ann Divell and brother-in-law, Fred R. Gossett, Jr.
Sue is survived by her husband of 46 years, William M. Hodges; daughter, Shannon L. Hodges Snider (Perry Jr.); son, Brian V. Hodges (Katy); sisters Mary A. Miller, Ronda L. Walters, Patricia D. Gossett; brother Lawrence I. Merritt (Rose); grandchildren, Donovan Fisher (Brittany), Landon Snider, Zander Snider, Wesley “Hudson” Hodges, Liam Gerlach, Sophia Gerlach, Gabriel Gerlach, Genevieve Hodges, Sebastian Hodges, Francesca Hodges; great granddaughter, Brooklyn Fisher; several nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews, all who will forever carry her love, lessons, and strength in their hearts.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Bridge Street, Wetumpka, AL. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00pm at the church prior to services.
Interment will be on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS at 9:00am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Prattville Youth League of Bama Lanes, C/O Penny Ragland, 1714 E. Main Street, Prattville, AL 36066.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
