ECHO COMMUNITY. . .Niria Stevens Ammons, a resident of the Echo Community of Dale County, passed away late Saturday afternoon, November 1, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 90.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 4, 2025, in the New Hope Free Will Baptist Church (2570 County Road 67, Midland City, AL 36350) with Pastor Tim Rabon and Pastor Luke Westbrook officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Tuesday in the church sanctuary. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Free Will Baptist Church, c/o Jo Ann Ammons, 508 County Road 46, Midland City, AL 36350.
Mrs. Ammons was a lifelong resident of Dale County, near the Echo Community, daughter of the late Perry Henry Stevens and Annie Baxley Stevens. She was an active member of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church where she participated in most church activities. Mrs. Ammons formerly served as Treasurer of the Brown’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department and served as Prayer Chairman for the Florida State Line Association of Free Will Baptist Women Active for Christ. She was retired from Ansell, Inc in Dothan as a Supervisor. In earlier years, Mrs. Ammons was employed by Wex-Tex Manufacturing Co of Headland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Derl Ammons and a brother, Reverend Earl Stevens.
Surviving relatives include her daughters, Cathy Deaton (Doug), Echo Community; Sharon Rabon (Tim), Raleigh, NC; and Jennifer Tharpe (Kyle), Echo Community; a brother, Bill Stevens (Orlinda), Echo Community; grandchildren, Ryan Deaton (Kash), Amanda Gurman (Mike), Tim Rabon, Jr. (Laura), Philip Rabon (Nichole), Joy Edmonds (Chris), and Leah Shirley (Dustin); great-grandchildren, Jackson Ann Deaton, Zay Deaton, Emma Grace Gurman, Kade Gurman, Riley Rabon, Connor Rabon, Owen Rabon, Aubrey Rabon, Selah Rabon, Ezra Rabon, Landon Edmonds, Braelynn Edmonds, Bryson Edmonds, Laila Kate Shirley and Kaia Shirley; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from the Ammons family, Jerry Ammons (Jo Ann), and Jack Ammons (Eldora); several nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be the grandsons, grandsons-in-law and nephews, Robert Stevens and Joshua Stevens.
The family would like to express their appreciation to SouthernCare Hospice and especially Ashley, Caneisha and Ramona for the loving care and kindness shown to Mrs. Ammons during her illness.
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.
Mr. John Earl Chance, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, and formerly of Clayton, Alabama, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Wesley Place. He was 96 years old.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethsaida Church Cemetery in Clayton with Brother Larry Sowell officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bethsaida Church Cemetery Fund- Attn. John Phil McLaney, Jr. 35 Caraway Lane Louisville, AL 36048.
Earl was born on September 12, 1929, in Barbour County, Alabama, to the late John and Carrie Johnson Chance. He was a veteran of the United States Army and the Korean War. As hobbies, he enjoyed fishing and tinkering. Earl was a farmer by trade.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, C.W. Chance; one sister, Oberen Jones.
Left to cherish his memories are his son; Richard Chance (Elizabeth) of Headland, Alabama; mother of his son, Sara Cole Chance; niece, Barbara Ann Ellis.
Glover Funeral Home of Clayton was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 775-3403. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Estelle “Stella” Henderson Sessions of Samson, AL passed away Friday, October 31, 2025, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL, surrounded by her loving family. She was 68.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 04, 2025 in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva, AL with Rev. Wayne Brannon officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Stella was born on September 09, 1957, in Elba, AL to the late James Franklin and Inez McClendon Henderson. She worked in the Cotton industry for 30 years. She enjoyed being with her family and watching The Andy Griffith Show, Green Acres and True Crime shows.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Robert E. Sessions; six brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by one son, Chadrick E. Sessions (Lindsey) of Geneva, AL; two daughters, Jeanne Harrison of Geneva, AL and Julie Coleman of Samson, AL; seven grandchildren, Emma, Everett and Elliot Sessions, Robert A. Sessions, Amber Harrison, Devin and Andrea White; and several nieces and nephews.
Billie Joyce McLendon, a resident of Big Creek community, died Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Southeast Health surrounded by her loving family. She was 93.
Funeral services for Mrs. McLendon will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, November 4, 2025 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with Pastor Ernie Gray officiating. Burial will follow in Big Creek Church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 PM until 2:45 PM prior to the services at the funeral home.
Billie has been a faithful member of Cloverdale Methodist church where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Billie was the co-owner of the Aesthete Florist where she was an accomplished bridal cake designer. She worked many years at Vaugh Blumberg Center as the Administrative Assistant. Billie enjoyed many interest and accomplishments throughout her life. She was a Master Gardner and Seamstress.
Billie is preceded in death by her parents, Estelle and Howell Branton; husband, Charles Howell McLendon and sisters, Barbara Sue Holland and Mary Sherrell Skipper.
Survivors include a daughter in law, Victoria McLendon; grandchildren, Lara Campbell (Stephen), Chase McLendon; great grandchildren, Evan Campbell and Ella Campbell and Bailey McLendon and Hannah McLendon, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Ralph Jones was a native of Headland, Alabama. He was born December 5, 1943 to Ralph and Hattie Jones.
At an early age Ralph was a member of Wesley Hill Church. Later in life he became a member of First Baptist in Newville, Alabama.
Ralph was a farmer until he retired and loved gardening. He also enjoyed people and didn’t meet a stranger. He was also a Roll Tide fan.
Ralph gained his wings on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Southeast Health.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Hattie Jones; brothers Tommy Jones, J.W. Jones, T.C. Jones and Willie Nelson Jones; sisters Ruth Berry, Ethel Griggs, Sherlean Griggs, LeNora Thornton and Alice Thomas.
Ralph leaves to cherish his memories his wife Nettie Jones; sons Greg (Tonya) Jones, Mark (Gail) Jones; two nieces that were like his daughters Brenda Jones and Annie Jean Berry; grandchildren Michael Carter, Kira Chitty, Brandon Mitchell, Tiara Jones, Tyler Jones, Cameron Jones, Jada Jones, Jade Ogden; great grandchildren Raegan Carter, Hendrix Chitty, A’Kari Chitty, Paisley Jones, Brayden Mitchell; brother James Earl Jones; one special nephew Johnny Berry; special friends Chris and Janet Walworth, Jennifer Carpenter, Carl and Penney Jones, Sam and Daphne Jones, Norvin and Ruth Thibodaux, Tyrone Gilmore; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church Newville with Pastor Acy Tucker officiating. Repass will follow at the Church 285 Lodge Street Newville Al.
ROCKY HEAD COMMUNITY…Mr. Eddie Blackmon, a resident of the Rocky Head Community, near Ariton, died late Wednesday evening, October 29, 2025. He was 43.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Blackmon was raised in the small town of Newton, Alabama, and was the beloved son of the late Edward Blackmon and Denise Brown Blackmon. He spent his early years surrounded by family, friends, and the familiar comforts of a close-knit community. Later, he made his home in Ozark before settling in the peaceful Rocky Head Community, where he found a sense of quiet and belonging.
He attended Dale County High School in Midland City and worked with Decks Unlimited, where he was known for his strong work ethic and his willingness to lend a hand whenever someone needed help.
Those who knew him best will remember his love for working on cars. He had a knack for “tinkering,” always eager to take something apart just to see how it worked—and then put it back together even better than before. Whether it was fixing up an old engine or just spending time in the garage, he found joy in the little things. Music was another passion of his; it filled his days and lifted his spirits, often serving as the soundtrack to his quiet moments and busy afternoons.
Mr. Blackmon carried the memory of his sister, Amanda Lamb, who passed before him. Her absence was deeply felt, and he held her close in his heart every day.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Brandy Lavender, Rocky Head Community; his children; his siblings and his nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Mr. John Earl Chance, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, and formerly of Clayton, Alabama, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Wesley Place. He was 96 years old.
