Mavis Marie Ryals Vickers of Hartford, Al passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Hartford Healthcare. She was 73.
Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 in the Chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home at 11:00 AM with Reverend Zachary Hayes officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
Interment will follow at Hartford City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to service time.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Ryals, Daniel Dean, Lance Ryals, Richard Tate, Ridge Tate, and Brent Watson.
Mavis was born in Hartford, Alabama, on October 20, 1952, to Hayward and Mary Esther Ryals. She graduated from Wicksburg High School in 1972 and went on to work at the Van Heusen Textile Factory and later in the Dietary Department at the Hartford Retirement Village.
She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who brought her endless joy. She was known for her love of cooking and took great pride in preparing meals for her family. Hosting gatherings, whether big holiday dinners or simple Sunday lunches, was one of her greatest pleasures, and her home was always filled with warmth, laughter, and the smell of something good on the stove.
In addition to her parents; brothers: Earl Ray Ryals, Billy Wayne Ryals, and Max Ryals, all preceded her in death.
Mavis is survived by her daughter, Heather Gieselmann; Son, Mitchell Vickers (Kelli); grandchildren: Payton Ware (Mathis), Dylan Gieselmann (Emily), Emilee Vickers, Marley Gieselmann; great grandchildren: Joiner Gieselmann, Sims Ware; sister, Janice Dean (Earnest) and other nieces, nephews, extend family and friends.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Hartford Healthcare, Southern Care Hospice and Aunt Janice for the love and care shown and provided to their loving mother.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions maybe be made in Ms. Mavis Vicker’s name to Southern Care Hospice, Enterprise, Alabama.
Ilona Battenberg Gause of Samson, AL passed away on November 26, 2025. She was 67 years old.
A private Celebration of Life service will be held by the family at a later date.
Ilona was born in Germany on March 16, 1958 to the late George and Elizabeth Battenberg. She as a devoted homemaker who loved to crochet and bake for her family and friends. She was a skilled baker and cake maker, even winning a baking contest in her younger years.
Ilona is survived by her son, Thomas Gause (Becky) of Lawrenceville, GA, daughter, Jessy Chancey (Heath) of Samson, AL; three grandchildren, Makayla, Emma and William Obie Chancey, all of Samson, AL; one brother, Arthur Battenberg of Germany.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS…Mrs. Lettie Anne McGraw Spivey, a resident of Fort Worth, Texas (formerly of Ozark), died late Tuesday afternoon, November 18, 2025, in Fort Worth. She was 93.
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
OZARK…Mrs. Patricia Hood Coffey, a resident of Ozark, died late Monday afternoon, November 24, 2025, at her home. She was 87.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Scott Thompson and Reverend Jim Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Westview Memorial 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. Saturday at the church.
Mrs. Coffey, daughter of the late John and Alma Ensor Hood of Cordova, was the sole survivor of her other siblings, Mary Draper, Bette Bell Pena, Martha Ann Fowler, and James Hood. Pat graduated from Cordova High School in Cordova, Alabama, enjoyed a short banking career at the First National Bank in Montgomery, then decided to prepare herself for the career she always knew was a “calling”, teaching. Graduating from Auburn University with Highest Honor and Mississippi State University with degrees in Secondary Education, she taught senior English at New Hope High School in Columbus, Mississippi for twenty years. Her impartiality, devotion to and inspiration from her students resulted in the continued mutual correspondence with many of them for decades after she moved to Ozark. She then taught junior English at Abbeville High School until her retirement.
After her retirement, she spent several enjoyable years traveling the world with her dear friend, Margaret Dobbs of Ozark or with family members. Each year she and her sisters and nieces, spent a week in the vacation home in Coosada, Alabama, an event which they called “sister week”. Pat always planned exciting jaunts, trips to find their roots in North Alabama, other trips to the archives to find records of their Danish ancestors, shopping sprees and making crafts of all kinds. Sister Bette always led the craft making and these crafts were displayed at the family reunions as they enjoyed the venison prepared by her brother, Jim, the hunter.
Pat loved family, good books, and friends. She enjoyed the beautiful flowers she planted in her yard, was an avid Auburn fan, and was deeply interested in politics and the news at both the national and international levels. She served as a Hospice volunteer for several years, enjoyed serving as public relations volunteer for Ridgecrest Baptist Church of Ozark, and for the Dale Mission Store in Ozark, Alabama. She shared a close relationship with the members of the Gladys Boswell Sunday School Class and was devoted to and deeply appreciative of her dear friend and former pastor, Jim Hill and his wife, Robin. Their ministry to her and her family in the declining years of Pat’s and Bill’s lives was a genuine example of Christ-like love, and she often referred to them as her “family”. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas “Bill” Coffey.
Surviving relatives include her son, Mark Coffey (Latisha), Daleville; sister-in-law, Sandra Hood, Huntsville; nieces and nephews, David Bell, Huntsville, Laura Bowlin (Dan), Birmingham, Jeff Palmer (Cristina), Kennesaw, Georgia, and Melissa Bullard (Brad), Huntsville; special friends and caregiver, Reverend Jim Hill and his wife, Robin, Abbeville.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Stanley Isaac “Stan” Matthews, a resident of Ozark, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Stan was 81 years old.
A memorial service for Mr. Matthews will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Trinity Methodist Church in Ozark with Reverend Marty Hamilton officiating, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Interment will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church Wednesday from 1:00 P.M. until service time.
Mr. Matthews was born July 17, 1944 in Ozark, Alabama to the late Alto Ray “Pat” Matthews and Johnnie Lynn Riley Matthews. Stan retired from the Army National Guard with the rank of Captain following twenty-two years of service. He began working with his parents with Matthews’ Dale Florist in 1963 and became owner in 1983. He received his Floral Design Education in Denver, Colorado. Stan was a Certified Master Designer with FTD, Director of the Southern Florists Association, Secretary of the FTD Association of Alabama, and Board Member of the Alabama State Floral Association. He taught designer courses at Auburn University and was a featured designer at several floral shows in the South. He loved to sketch images of flowers with charcoal, pencil, and watercolor. He was an avid collector of model trains and loved taking road trips to train yards, the mountains, and going fishing with his sons. He was also an avid Auburn fan. Stan and Lonnell are members of Trinity Methodist Church in Ozark. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Mark Matthews; the mother of his children, Connie Worthington Matthews; and his brother, Steve Riley Matthews. Survivors include his wife, Lonnell Butler Matthews of Ozark; son, Jeffery Scott Matthews (Julie) of Ozark; daughter, Rachel Matthews Carpenter (Darrell) of Midland City; daughter-in-law, Lysanne Wade Matthews of Lillburn, Georgia; grandchildren, Wesley Scott Matthews (Morgan) and Brookelyn Marie Matthews all of Ozark; and a special niece, Kathy Matthews Gassett (Ted) of North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to be made in his memory to Trinity Methodist Church, 246 Church Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Robert “Bob” Nelson, devoted husband, loving father, proud papa, brother, and friend, went home to be with his Savior on the morning of November 28, 2025, at the age of 73. Surrounded by his cherished family, Bob peacefully entered into eternal rest, completing his earthly journey with the same grace and faith that defined his life.
Bob was the devoted husband of Deborah “Debbie” Nelson for 49 beautiful years. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Johan and Bettie Nelson, and leaves behind a legacy of love and faith.
He is survived by his sister, Marsha White (Ed); his son, Ronald Nelson (Monica); and his daughter, Tracy Sawyer (John). Bob’s life was joyfully enriched by his grandchildren: Zack (Whitley), Rachel (Talgat), Press, Rebecca, Morgan, Barrett, Kristen, Josh, and Will-Hart. He also delighted in his great-grandchildren: Jules, Max, Luka, and Liam, each of whom brought him immeasurable joy.
Bob was blessed with a circle of unwavering friendship, especially his friends, Cleveland and Jackie Pope, Ben and Shelia Shelley, and Eric and Candy Lawrence, who stood faithfully by his side throughout his journey.
Before his career of 35 years with Alabama Power as a nuclear serviceman, he served in the United States Army for 8 years. Bob was a faithful member of Harvest Church and he always helped the less fortunate when able within the church as well as through other volunteer organizations.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers of Dayspring Hospice, whose support and kindness brought comfort during Bob’s final days.
A private celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a later date.
Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in the knowledge that Bob is now in the presence of his Savior, and the beautiful legacy he leaves behind will live on in all who were blessed to know and love his.
