NEWTON…Mr. David T. “D.D.” Bodiford, a resident of Newton, died early Tuesday evening, November 25, 2025, at his home. He was 73.
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
WILMA INEZ VANDEVENTER CRAWFORD
ABBEVILLE… Wilma Inez Vandeventer Crawford, formerly of Abbeville and a resident of Pensacola, Florida for the past six years, passed away Monday, November 24, 2025. She was 96.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church in Abbeville with Reverend Teddy Ward officiating. Burial will follow at the Abbeville Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Crawford was born September 8, 1929, in Norton, Virginia, to the late Willard Ezra Vandeventer, Sr. and Edna Eliza Livesey Vandeventer. She grew up in Virginia and completed her schooling as a dental hygienist before later becoming a well-known business owner in Henry County. Alongside her family, she owned and operated All Star Sporting Goods in Abbeville, where she greeted customers with kindness, conversation, and a genuine love for her community.
Wilma was deeply committed to service. She was a founding member of the Abbeville Rescue Squad and an active participant in the Garden Club of Abbeville, where her creativity and dedication were a blessing to many. Her gentle spirit, generosity, and love for people shone through every chapter of her life.
She had lived in Pensacola, Florida for the past seven years, and although distance separated her from her hometown, Abbeville always remained close to her heart. Her family and friends remember her as steadfast, graceful, and full of quiet strength—a woman whose compassion enriched every life she touched.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cody Crawford; her sons-in-law Richard Smith and Kenneth Thorn; a grandson, Brian Smith; and her siblings, Charles Vandeventer, Willard Vandeventer, and Leona Vandeventer.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her son, Philip Crawford (Olivia); her daughters, Susan Smith and Teresa Thorn; her grandchildren, Amy Nally, April Pedersen (Ben), Aaron Smith, Amanda Smith, David Crawford, Ashley Hash, Hunter Crawford (Jillian), Tucker Money, and Caleb Money; her nine great-grandchildren; along with numerous extended family members and friends.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Aaron Smith, David Crawford, Aiden Crawford, Tucker Money, Caleb Money, and Philip Crawford.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
Phone 334-6WE-CARE (693-2273)
www.wrightfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
…Celebrating a life, one family at a time…
Our establishment DOES OWN AND OPERATE ITS OWN CREMATORY, so your loved one never has to leave our care.
Phillip Mark Grantham, of Geneva, Alabama, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. He was 69 years old.
Mark was born on March 7, 1956, in Geneva, Alabama to the late Charlie and Betty Grantham, Sr. He worked many years in the tree service industry. His hard work and dedication earned him success as a self-made businessman. He was a loving father and grandfather. He especially adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Those who knew him would agree that he was a generous man. He was the kind that never met a stranger; a great friend to many, and one whom will be missed immensely.
In addition to his parents, Mark was also preceded in death by two sisters, Janet Wise and Lena Black; and a nephew, Michael Grantham.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Geneva, Alabama. Burial will follow in Vaughnville Cemetery with Shelby Lett of Bottoms Garden Chapel directing. The family will begin receiving friends at 1:00 p.m. up until service time, at the funeral home.
Survivors include his children, Melissa (Todd) Wheeler of Hartford and Amanda (Kevin) Dickerson of Webb; grandchildren, Tristen Peak, Adaela Peak, Aubrey (Marla) Jenkins, Lily (Zae) Roy, Danny Wheeler, Sawyer Wheeler, and Michelle (Hayden) Gardner; great grandchildren, Michael Baker, Maliah Gardner, and Heidi Mae Jenkins; brothers, Mitchell (Jewel) Ussery, Randy (Christy) Grantham, and Charlie (Rena) Grantham, all of Geneva.
Merlene Norton Kent, age 74, of Malvern, passed away peacefully at her home, on Monday, November 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 1, 2025 at Malvern Baptist Church Cemetery, with Reverend Hosea Parker officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society.
Merlene was born on January 5, 1951 in Eufaula, to the late James and Maggie Lou Walker Norton. She had a lifelong passion for gardening and took immense pride in growing flowers and caring for her yard. Her dedication to every detail made her yard a true showplace, often the envy of the community. Gifted with remarkable talent and creativity, Merlene was also an accomplished seamstress. She could craft anything from a simple dress, to an elaborate wedding gown, along with costumes, pageant dresses, and many other unique creations. She poured love, care, and joy into every stitch, and serving each of her customers brought her genuine happiness. Merlene will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her devotion to her family, her artistry, and the beauty she cultivated in both her craft and her garden.
In addition to her parents; her husband, Larry Davis Kent of 47 years; brothers: Jimmy P. Norton, Johnny C. Norton, Leonard F. Norton, Teddy L. Norton; and sister Jackie Wood, all preceded her in death.
Survivors include one son: Marion Thomas Porterfield of Malvern; granddaughter: Brittney Nicole Adams (Anthony); great grandchildren: Emily Adams and Ryland Adams; sisters: Judy Walker of Eufaula, Mary Wise of Clayton, and Connie Wallace of Eufaula; and a special niece, Paula Walker of Headland.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.
“Because We Care … Is Making A Difference”
To sign a guest register, please visit
www.sorrellsfuneral.com
Bessie (Howell) Skipper, 88, a long-time resident of Cottonwood, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with her family by her side.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 28, 2025, at Glover Funeral Home with Chaplain Buford Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Hodgesville Baptist Church Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m., prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted.
Bessie was born February 11, 1937, in Dothan to the late Albert & Johnnie (Roland) Howell. She was raised in Cottonwood and was a graduate of Cottonwood High School. Bessie spent her life as a homemaker, helping her husband on the family farm, and was a dedicated preacher’s wife. Her number one job was raising her son and her grandchildren as well as her great-grandchildren. Bessie was a long-time member of Hodgesville Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Reverend Ray Skipper; her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Parrish (Herman); her brother, Billy Joe Howell; and her nephew, Billy Ray Howell.
She is survived by her son, Kenny R. Skipper (Sharon) of Cottonwood; her two granddaughters, Katlin A. Johnson (Blake) and Samantha Skipper Clark (Justin) both of Cottonwood; her four great-grandchildren, Wesley Anderson, Braylee Clark, Parker Johnson, and Blakelyn Johnson; her sister-in-law, Dianne Howell; her niece, Deborah Hussey (Roger); her nephew, Billy Wayne Howell (Jennifer); and her great-nephew, Tyler Howell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Roger Hussey, Brad Anderson, Tyler Howell, Billy Wayne Howell, Alex Belflower.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Carolyn Blanch (McDaniel) Sheff, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted friend to many lives, lives on in spirit, and remains eternally in the hearts of her family and friends. Memorial service for Carolyn will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 6, 2025, in the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Peter Sheff officiating.
Carolyn was born in Opp, Alabama on February 8, 1950, to William McDaniel and Doris Kennedy McDaniel, and is predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Noel. She leaves behind her loving husband of nearly 50 years, Tom Sheff, their two sons, Sean and Justin, daughters in law, Abby and Sarah, as well as five beautiful grandchildren, Noah, Nathan, Caroline, Lily and Morgan. She also leaves behind many sister- in- laws, brother- in- laws, nieces and nephews, all whom will remember time spent in her company.
Carolyn and her family resided in Dothan, Alabama for many years, prior to retiring and relocating to Burnsville, North Carolina, where they spent the summers, while wintering in Miramar Beach, Florida. Carolyn helped countless students with learning disabilities reach their potential during her career as a special educator. In her free time, she spent many hours garden and could easily identify plants, their culinary and medicinal uses, as well as their growing habits. She also enjoyed skiing in the North Carolina mountains with her family.
