James “Lamar” Bright, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, in his hometown of Newton, Alabama. Born on March 28, 1953, to the late OB and Francis Bright, Lamar grew up with a zest for life that never faded.
Lamar graduated from Dale City High School in 1973, where he discovered his love for music as a talented trumpet player in the school band. After high school, Lamar began a lifelong career as a service technician, specializing in appliance repair. For nearly 45 years, his skill, honesty, and dedication made him a trusted name in the community. Whether it was fixing a broken appliance or lending a helping hand to a neighbor, Lamar approached every task with pride and purpose.
He also believed deeply in serving his community. He once served as Newton City Council, Lamar’s strong voice and unwavering principles helped shape the town he loved so dearly. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind but always did so with a genuine desire to make things better.
Lamar lived life with a contagious enthusiasm. His laughter and quick wit could light up any room. He was known as a “jack of all trades” — the one everyone could count on to fix, build, or improve just about anything. Lamar enjoyed working in his yard.
Above all else, Lamar was a family man. He shared 48 wonderful years with his beloved wife, Shirley, and together they built a life filled with love and laughter. He was incredibly proud of their son, Justin, and adored his grandsons, Jackson and Tucker, who were the light of his life. He is also survived by his brother, Jerome Bright (Mary), a niece, Ammie Bright, two nephews, Danny Bright and Brandon Bright who will forever cherish the bond they shared.
Lamar’s circle of friendship was as loyal as he was, especially with his dear friends Ronnie Taylor, Lowell Williams, and Allen Cole. The stories, laughter, and memories they shared will live on for years to come.
A celebration of Lamar’s life will be held at 1 pm on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Brandon Bright officiating. Lamar will be laid to rest in Newton City Cemetery. At other times, the family will receive friends at their residence.
Lamar Bright was a man of character hardworking, funny, loyal, and kind. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and strength that will continue to inspire everyone who knew him. Though his presence will be deeply missed, the memories he created will forever warm the hearts of those he loved.
NEWTON…Mr. Jake Smith, a resident of Newton, died early Monday morning, November 3, 2025, in the Washington County Health & Rehab in Chipley, Florida. He was 69.
Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 A.M. (ET) Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends following the graveside service.
Mr. Smith, the beloved son of the late Peter Monk and Nina Mae Ehrig, was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Dale County, Alabama, where he quickly made a home and built lasting friendships. He attended school locally, and it was there that he discovered his passion for football—a sport that brought him joy, camaraderie, and a sense of pride.
After graduating, Mr. Smith answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army. His time in the military took him to many places across the globe, and he embraced each new assignment with courage and dedication.
Following his military career, Mr. Smith settled in Columbus, Georgia, where he lived for many years before moving to Newton in 2011. He worked as a truck driver for Dart Transportation, a job that suited his love for the open road and his independent spirit. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Faircloth Smith.
Surviving relatives include his son, Bart Smith (Katherine), Hamilton, Georgia; sister, Rosie Elmore, Newton; three brothers, Eddie Clyde Smith (Dee), Billy Smith, both of North Carolina and Tony Smith (Pam), Midland City; his companion and friend, Elouise Elmore, Newton; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Betty Joan Wilson Blackman, a resident of Ozark, left her earthly home Tuesday, November 4, 2025, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving children. She was 81 years old. Funeral services for Mrs. Blackman will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 7, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with her grandson, Reed Blackmon and Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. Interment will follow in Southside Baptist Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mrs. Blackman was born January 7, 1944 in Selma, Alabama to the late Wilbur Daniel Wilson and Mattie Sue Suttles Wilson. Betty spent the early part of her life in Selma before moving to Ozark in the 1960’s. It was here that she met the love of her life. She married Robert Hilliard Blackman, Sr. in February 1968. Together they built a beautiful life. They raised a family and enjoyed spending time together. Betty loved working with her flowers and listening to music. She was known to turn up her music while she cleaned and cooked in her home. She loved to dance! Betty took great pride in her home and spent her time making a house into a home. She loved to bake and would always have something good to eat in her kitchen for her children and grandchildren. Over the years Betty had many pets, dogs and cats. She loved them all and took pleasure in caring for them. She could be found on a Saturday in the Fall watching her favorite team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was not afraid to yell “Roll Tide”! In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Robert; and her sister, Alice Dale Wilson Schostag. Betty is survived by her children, Timothy Ladd Blackmon (Millie) of Cullman, Alabama, Robert Hilliard Blackmon, II (Tiffany), and Roderick Hugh Blackmon (Tammy Williams) all of Ozark; her grandchildren, Quintin Hugh Blackmon (Ashley) of Jacksonville, Alabama, Sara Trillet (Robert) of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, Reed Daniel Blackmon and Judson Andrew Blackmon both of Ozark; her great-grandchildren, Walker Toney Blackmon, Loretta June Blackmon and Daisy Louise Blackmon of Jacksonville, Alabama, and Charlotte Ann-Louise Trillet of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. She also leaves to cherish her memory, her brother, Curtis Daniel Wilson (Pam) of Prattville, Alabama. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
NEWTON. . .Mary White Covington, a resident of Newton, Alabama, passed away late Tuesday night, November 4, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. She was 75.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the Newton City Cemetery with Ben Paramore officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services.
Mrs. Covington was born and raised in Rehobeth, Webb and Columbia and was a graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia. She moved to her home in Dale County, near Newton, in 1985. Mrs. Covington attended Newton Baptist Church. She was formerly employed as Medical Records Director and retired as a Transcriptionist both at Flowers Hospital. Mrs. Covington was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel F. Covington, her father, Charles Ray White, her mother, Foyfette Trimnel White Hix, a sister, Sharon White, and brothers, Charles Lewis White, James Ray White and Danny Jeff White.
Surviving relatives include a son, Jeff Covington; a sister, Wanda Pendley, Newton, AL; a sister-in-law, Kathy White, Dothan; several nieces and nephews including a special niece, Jayme Harrison (George), a special nephew, Brad White (Jodi), and a special great-nephew, Adam White and his family.
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.
Sharon Rena King, known fondly as Sharon by her friends and family, passed away at the age of 57 on November 3, 2025, in Slocomb, Alabama. Born on April 29, 1968, in Geneva, Alabama, Sharon was a beacon of light to all who knew her, characterized by her friendly demeanor and kind heart.
Sharon was a proud graduate of Dale County High School, Class of 1986, where she formed lasting friendships and discovered her passion for helping others. She began a career at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer. She carried the same dedication to her work when she later joined Southeast Health as a security officer, where her coworkers became a second family to her over her two years of service.
Sharon is survived by her daughter, Amanda Thomley (Joseph), and her granddaughter, Savannah Thomley. She was preceded in death by her parents, KL and Jane Shiver.
An avid Alabama fan, Sharon’s enthusiasm for her team was infectious, and she could often be found cheering them on surrounded by friends. Her adventurous spirit shone brightest when she was riding motorcycles with The Renegades, a group that became a significant part of her life. The freedom of the open road and the camaraderie of her fellow riders provided Sharon with a sense of thrill and community that she treasured deeply.
As we say goodbye to Sharon Rena King, we celebrate the legacy of a woman who lived her life with purpose and kindness. Sharon’s journey through life was a testament to the power of warmth and friendship, and though she will be deeply missed, the stories of her life will continue to resonate with all who knew her.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 11am in the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.
Mrs. Mary F. Faircloth, age 85, of Skipperville, Alabama, passed away on November 3, 2025.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Skipperville Community Cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Earles officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Keahey Funeral Home in Clio until time to depart for the graveside.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joey Faircloth of Shippenville; Wanda Casey of Ariton; Belinda Burch off Abbeville; Shirley Slaughter (Scott) of West Point, Georgia; and Elizabeth Baxter of Texasville; sister, Lee Ella McLaughlin of Ariton; grandchildren, Jennifer Stewart (Richard), Brandon Casey (Jo), Christopher Pennington (Alicia), Libby Casey (Jake Harrell), Jamie Littlefield (Daniell), Rodney Casey (Amanda), Eric Pennington (Nycole), Jessica Burch, and Jake Harrell; twenty-one great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Faircloth, and her parents, Abbie Jessie Stokes and Lela Mae Wilson.
Mrs. Faircloth retired from West Point Stevens, where she worked as a sheet folder for many years. She loved to color, tend to her flower garden, care for her dogs, and spend time with her family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Serving as pallbearers will be Rodney Casey, Brandon Casey, Jake Harrell, Scott Slaughter, Eric Pennington, and Christopher Pennington
