Keisha Renee Shirah of Geneva, Alabama passed away Sunday, August 09, 2026. She was 61.
A private memorial service will be held by her family.
Keisha was born on June 03, 1966 in Geneva, Alabama to the late James Edward and Linda Jean Hicks Shirah. She was an avid lover of the outdoors, being in nature and enjoying the beautiful sunshine. She was a hard worker but valued her time spent with family and close friends. Keisha was a private person but was always available to anyone who might need her. She was confident in her faith and was certain that Heaven would be her home forever.
In addition to her parents, Keisha was preceded in death by one son, Lance Shirah.
Keisha is survived by one daughter, Jessie Childree (Michael) of Geneva, AL; one brother, Steve Shirah (Carla) of Lexington, SC; two special nephews, Gabriel Shirah and Alex Shirah, both of Lexington, SC and the father of her daughter, James Thompson of Dothan, AL.
SKIPPERVILLE…Mr. Tony Earl Shiver, a resident of Skipperville, died late Saturday evening, August 8, 2026, at his home. He was 60.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 6:00 P.M. Friday, August 14, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. David Miller officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 6:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Shiver, the son of the late Dob Shiver and Lottie German Shiver, was born and raised in Headland, a place that always remained close to his heart. In 2018, he made his home in Skipperville, where he continued to build friendships and enjoy the simple things in life that meant so much to him.
For many years, Mr. Shiver worked as a truck driver with Southwest Waste Disposal. He took pride in his work and was known as someone who could be counted on to get the job done. He was a hardworking man who believed in showing up, doing his best, and providing for those he loved.
When he wasn’t working, he could often be found outdoors enjoying some of his favorite pastimes. He loved spending time fishing and hunting, finding peace and relaxation in nature. Whether it was an early morning in a hunting stand or a quiet day on the water with a fishing pole in hand, those moments brought him great happiness. He was also a devoted sports fan who rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Football season was a special time of year, and he enjoyed sharing his passion for the Tide with family and friends. In addition to football, he was an avid NASCAR fan who loved following the races and rooting for his favorite drivers.
More than anything, Mr. Shiver will be remembered for his kind heart, his easygoing nature, and the many memories he shared with those who knew and loved him. His presence brought comfort and laughter to family gatherings, and his love for the outdoors, sports, and simple pleasures made him someone others enjoyed being around. Though his family’s hearts are heavy with his passing, they find comfort in the treasured memories he leaves behind and the lasting impact he made on their lives.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Susan Covington and Dorothy Brown; and his brother, John Shiver.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Christine Cook Shiver, Skipperville; his children, Theresa Cook (Ligon), Skipperville and Lee Strickland (Cheryl), Newton; sister, Linda Faye McNeal (Earl Cummings), Ozark, step-sister, Mary Ann Brown, Opelika; four grandchildren, Joshua Cook, Christopher Shane Hicks, Cassie Rene Hicks, and Timothy Cummings; aunts and uncles, Melba Slaughter, Lucy Palmer, Linda Cook (Mixon), Illene Cummings (Billy Ray), Pauline Cummings (Floyd), Kenneth German (Glenda), Ronnie German, and Delores German; brother-in-law, Wayne Cook (Nancy), Newton; nieces and nephews, Susie, Michael, George, and Joyce Gail; several cousins.
ECHO COMMUNITY…Dr. Mahlon D. Horton, Pastor, a resident of the Echo Community, died at the age of 95, early Thursday morning, July 30, 2026, at Southeast Health Medical Center, Dothan, Alabama. Our heartfelt gratitude to the care team at DW McMillan Hospital in Brewton as well as the care team at Southeast Health Medical Center in Dothan.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., with viewing from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M., Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Ozark, AL 36360. (location of service to be announced) The service will be officiated by his son, Chaplain Gordon Horton, U.S. Coast Guard – ACS. A time of fellowship for all will follow. Burial to be held at the Ewell Baptist Church Cemetery for family members only. Our deepest thanks to John Cawley and Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark for graciously taking charge of the arrangements.
Note: August 20th – 2:00 service you may find the livestream link at the bottom of this page. https://www.fuquabankston.com/obituaries/mahlon-horton
Mahlon Horton was born on July 17, 1931, to the late Dale and Vineta Horton, in his grandparents’ house in Springfield, Oregon. He lived in Fall Creek, Oregon until 1940, when the family moved to Toledo, Oregon. In 1945, Mahlon accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord and was baptized. In 1946, he moved with his family to McMinnville, Oregon. In 1948, he began teaching a Sunday school class of boys in the First Baptist Church in McMinnville. Mahlon also joined the Oregon National Guard in 1948 and served until 1956. In 1949, he graduated from McMinnville High School. He won awards with the Future Farmers of America in the national conference. His Parliamentary FFA debate team won awards.
In 1950-62, Mahlon was in business with his parents and oldest brother; Rainbow Gardens, Inc. They grew potted plants for florist and grocery stores. He ran the delivery van transporting plants to the stores as well as working in the greenhouses.
In 1955, Mahlon married Audrey Nordmo. Through the years ahead, they raised a family of seven children. Their children all give honor and gratitude to their Dad for his faithfulness, dependability and integral part in their lives.
In 1962, Mahlon accepted a position as foreman of Sun Valley Bulb Farm in Myrtle Point, Oregon. Later, when he accepted God’s call to the ministry the owner of this company offered him a new house and a substantial raise if he would remain as foreman of this 35 acre bulb farm. He turned this offer down to live a life of faith following God’s call.
In 1963, Mahlon Horton moved to California to study for the ministry at Western Baptist College. He trusted God completely to provide work as he made this move with his wife and four children. In later years, he earned his Bachelor of Ministry Degree from Covington Theological Seminary and was bestowed a Doctor’s degree from Carolina Bible College in Concord, NC.
In 1965, Mahlon pastored one of the oldest churches in existence in Oregon, Brownsville Baptist Church. Then, in 1967 Mahlon established the First Baptist Church in Rainier, Oregon. From there he went to Grangeville, Idaho to pastor in 1975. In just a few short months, God called him to become a missionary. He joined Macedonia World Baptist Missions and became their first missionary sent out to a foreign field. His commissioning service was held in Lafayette Baptist Church in Lafayette,Oregon which he had previously helped to establish in 1958.
In 1977, after completing deputation in just one year, Dr. Mahlon Horton began his service in foreign mission fields. He served in Freeport, Bahamas for spring of 1977, then continued on to Haiti 1977-81. After a year of furlough in the United States they moved to Canada serving there for 40 years.
In Canada, he established Faith Baptist Church in Chilliwack British Columbia in 1982, and Berean Baptist Church in Kamloops, British Columbia in 1993. Both of these churches were purchased during Mahlon’s ministry and paid in full when turning them over to another pastor. Both Independent Baptist churches have good pastors and are still holding true to the faith today.
In 1992, Dr. Horton became a Canadian citizen while retaining his U.S. citizenship. At age of 78, in 2009, he resigned from his final Canadian pastorate. In total, Mahlon was a faithful international church planter for over 50 years. For the last years of his ministry, he served as the Far North Representative for Macedonia World Baptist Missions raising awareness for the need of church planters in the Far North. He challenged men to “Take up the mantle of ministry.” For several years, the Hortons spent part of the year in Canada and part in Alabama. Dr. Mahlon Horton was in the ministry for sixty years. He retired from Macedonia Missions at the age of 90.
In 2022, Dr. Mahlon Horton and his wife, Audrey, moved full-time to Echo, Alabama where they lived until moving to Brewton, Alabama a few short weeks before his death. He was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church in Ozark.
In total Dr. Mahlon Horton preached for 62 years, his final sermon in the pulpit being just six weeks before God called him home to heaven. II Timothy 4:7 is a true testimony of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Dr. Horton was preceded in death by his siblings, Dalton Horton, George Horton, Anita Crafton, and Larry Horton. And also: Son-in-law Matthew Barbier, and grand-daughter Anna Barbier. Surviving relatives include his wife of over 70 years, Audrey Nordmo Horton; his children, Norman Horton and wife, Roslyn – Echo Al., Crystal Barbier – Greenville, S.C., Kenneth Horton and wife, Donna – Fountain Inn, S.C, Phillip Horton and wife, Jill – New Plymouth, ID, Valerie Kuiper and husband, Steven – Brewton, AL., Keith Horton and wife, Ali – Peoria, AZ., and Gordon Horton and wife, Lori – Orrsville, PA.; twenty-eight grandchildren; forty-seven great-grandchildren and three more soon to be born; siblings, Dr. Arlin Horton and wife, Wilma, and Daniel Horton; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Norman Horton, Kenneth Horton, Phillip Horton, Keith Horton, Gordon Horton and Steven Kuiper.
Military funeral honors will be rendered by an Honor Guard at the cemetery in commemoration of Dr. Mahlon Horton’s years of service in the Oregon National Guard.
Dr. Mahlon & Audrey Horton’s whole lives have been committed to spreading the Gospel. In honour of their years of commitment any donations will help to cover remaining medical and burial expenses as well as to help care for Audrey’s needs through times ahead. Audrey desires to carry on their lifetime legacy of service for the Lord to the best of her capabilities.
Sonja Deneen Drayton, known lovingly to family and friends as Sonja, passed away on August 3, 2026, in Macon, Georgia, at the age of 61. She was born on October 5, 1964, in Dothan, Alabama, and lived a life marked by love, strength, and devotion to the people who meant the most to her.
Sonja was a loving woman whose presence brought warmth and honesty to those around her. She was known for speaking her mind, for caring deeply for her family, and for the way she made her love known through both her words and her actions. She had a strong spirit and a kind heart, and she will be remembered for the many ways she showed up for the people she loved. Her family and friends will always remember her as someone who was genuine, caring, and full of life.
Sonja found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life. She was a fireball, voiced her opinions without hesitation, and took pride in cooking and cleaning. Most of all, she cherished being with her family. Time spent with her loved ones was among her greatest treasures, and she valued those moments deeply. She was also known for her forgiving nature, which reflected the grace and compassion that were part of her character. These interests and qualities helped shape the loving memory she leaves behind.
She is survived by her daughter, Cledie Drayton; her son, Kareem Drayton; her grandchildren, Tyveon Jarbari, Ty’quan Tharp, Keyona Johnson, Jeremiah Drayton, Jerry Drayton, and Joy Hill; and her great-grandchildren, Harlee Thomas and Haydyn Tharp. She is also survived by her siblings, Prency Poke Taylor and her husband Wayne, Paula Drayton, Joseph Drayton, Anthony Pierce and his wife Linda, and LaShawn Pierce. She leaves behind her favorite nephew, Travis Poke, along with several other nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory.
Sonja was preceded in death by her son, Jerry Drayton; her siblings, Sheila Pierce and Phyllis Poke; and her parents, Joseph and Annie Mae Drayton. Though her passing leaves a deep void, her family takes comfort in knowing that she is reunited with those who went before her.
Her life was a reflection of love, resilience, and family devotion. Sonja Deneen Drayton will be remembered for her loving nature, her honesty, her strength, and the lasting impact she had on those blessed to know her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, extended family, and all who loved her.
A celebration of Sonja’s life will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 1 pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12-1 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com
Bobbie Sue Benton Sylvester of Dothan passed away on August 6, 2026.
Bobbie was born in Newton, Alabama, on September 24, 1940, to the late Raymond H. Benton and Inez Holmes Benton. She was raised in Newton and attended Newton High School and Wallace College, where she met and married “Gene” in 1976. Throughout the years, they lived in Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey before retiring to Panama City Beach and Dothan.
Bobbie enjoyed spending time with her children and cherished family gatherings. She was an avid gardener, and the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks in her yard always had plenty to eat. She especially loved taking evening walks along the beach. Bobbie believed in giving to those less fortunate and generously contributed to various nonprofit organizations throughout her life.
Bobbie is survived by her children, Danny Conrad of Clayton, Alabama; Darlene Conrad of Panama City Beach, Florida; Chad White (Yoon Hwa) of Cumming, Georgia; and Blair (Tripp) Rackley of Atlanta, Georgia; her sisters, Carolyn McLaney and Debbie Barrett of Dothan, and Linda (Gary) Yarbrough of Midland City, Alabama; sister-in-law, Barbara Benton of Newton, Alabama, her brother, Wilbur (Nancy) Benton of Prattville, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Eugene H Sylvester, her brothers Hilburn Benton, Roger Benton, Larry Benton, and sister Virgin Tomlin.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chad White, Michael McLaney, Scottie Yarbrough, John Benton, Tyler Barrett, and Elijah White.
A graveside service to celebrate Bobbie’s life will be held at 10:00am on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Newton City Cemetery with Pastor Aubrey Sullivan and Pastor Elliott Parrish officiating.
Flowers are being accepted, or memorial contributions may be made in Bobbie’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Joseph’s Indian School.
Mr. George Robert “Bobby” Revels, Jr. passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026 with his family by his side after an extended illness. He was 71.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 10, 2026 in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Phil Craddock, Rev. Dean Moore and Rev. Dustin Wise officiating and Julia Janasky-Gibbs, delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow in Shady Grove Assembly of God Church cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, August 10, 2026 from 9 until 11am. Flowers will be accepted.
Bobby was born October 6, 1954 in Florala, Alabama to the late George Robert, Sr. and Evelyn Joyce Weeks Revels. He was a lifelong cattleman, farmer, and co-owner of Revels and Sons Farm, LLC and Revels Hauling, LLC Trucking Company. He was a faithful member of Samson Methodist Church where he played the piano for several years. Bobby was a member of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association and taught livestock judging for a few years. He served on the board of the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) and enjoyed being able to help his fellow farmers.
In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Teresa Revels.
Bobby is survived by his daughter, Molly Georgianna Revels and son, Kenneth David Revels, both of Samson, AL; three grandchildren, George Matthew Revels of Samson, AL, Taylor Brooke Revels Smith (Calvin) of Lynn Haven, FL and Augustus Grant Revels, of Samson, AL, two great-grandsons, Grayton Ellis Revels, and Calvin Lucien Smith V, and one great grandson on the way; one brother, Paul Anderson Revels (Dana) of Samson, AL and a number of special nieces and nephews.
