Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Hayes Hammond Godwin Jr., 75, of Ozark, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 17, 2025, at his home.
Funeral services for Mr. Godwin will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 22, 2025, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ozark with Elder Donald Bradley Phipps officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with Military Honors, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Friday in the church from 9:30 A.M. until service time.
Born on July 25, 1950, in Ozark, Alabama, to Lucile Johnson Godwin and Hays Godwin Sr., Hayes lived a life marked by humor, service, and an unwavering love for his family, faith, and the outdoors. Professionally, Hayes worked at Michelin in Dothan, Alabama, where his strong work ethic and kind demeanor left a lasting impression. A proud veteran, Hayes served his country during the Vietnam War, embodying courage and dedication. His commitment to serving others extended beyond the battlefield, as he lived a life guided by the light of Christ. In 2013, Hayes and his beloved wife, Rebecca Anne Godwin, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tell City, Indiana, sharing their faith and love with those around them. Hayes’s warm humor and generous spirit touched everyone he met. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life—tending to his chickens, caring for his tractor, feeding bluebirds, and spending time outdoors. Whether mowing the lawn, fishing, or riding the mule with his grandchildren, Hayes’s love for nature and family was ever-present. His devotion to his family was evident in the love he shared with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Hayes is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Anne Godwin; children, David (Lori) Godwin, Melissa (Jud) Boyd, Christopher “Grant” (Rome) Godwin, Jacob (Allyson) Godwin, Adam (Ansley) Godwin, and Anthony “Tuck” (Rachel) Godwin; 15 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and his sisters, Rhoda (Marvin) Weide and Naomi Johnson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucile Johnson Godwin; his father, Hays Godwin Sr.; and his brother, Timothy Johnson Godwin.
Hayes’s legacy of faith, laughter, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His life was a testament to the joy of serving others and the beauty of a life well-lived.
TYLER, TEXAS…Mrs. Chong Sun Eller, a resident of Tyler, Texas (formerly of Ozark), died late Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025, in Tyler, Texas. She was 83.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with Pastor Randy Adams officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Eller was born January 15, 1941, in Seoul, South Korea and has lived in Ozark 1983. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard J. Eller (Master Sergeant, United States Army, Retired).
Surviving relatives include her brother, In Ki Paek (Amber), Tyler, Texas; niece, Olivia S. Paek; nephews, Pat Muenstermann and Robert J. Paek; great nieces, Charlotte E. Paek and Cora B. Heaton; great-nephew, William Hyun E. Heaton, V.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
On August 16, 2025, Francis Roland Franklin was embraced by his LORD and Savior Jesus Christ as a good and faithful servant. Simultaneously, fish all across the countryside breathed a collective sigh of relief. He was 91 years of age.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025 at New Hinson Baptist Church with Reverend Bryan Klobe officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Interment will follow at New Hinson Baptist Church Cemetery.
Roland was born on February 16, 1934 to the late Reamus and Pauline Franklin. He was one of 11 children. He was married to the late Mrs. Yvonne Franklin on February 21, 1953. They were married until her death on July 11, 2025. They were married for 72 years. Roland spent his working career at the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Hapeville, GA. He served his fellow workers as their representative with the United Auto Workers. After retirement, Yvonne and Roland returned to the Fadette, AL area. Roland faithfully served his brothers and sisters in Christ at New Hinson Baptist Church as well being an avid gardener, outdoorsman, and fisherman.
In addition to his parents, Roland was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne. and his son Steven. Roland was also preceded in death by all of his siblings.
NEWVILLE… Mildred Dowdy Kiser, 94, of Newville, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, August 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
A celebration of her life will be held in Fort Myers, Florida, at a later date.
Mildred was born in Fulton County, Georgia, to the late Thomas Reid Dowdy and Ann Park Dowdy. Her early years were spent in Georgia before her family made Fort Myers, Florida, their home. She graduated from Fort Myers High School and, not long after, married the love of her life, Earl Kiser, on February 2, 1951, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Together, Mildred and Earl built a life filled with hard work, love, and adventure. They were the proud owners and operators of Eden Wineries in Alva, Florida, which they ran with dedication for three decades. Along the way, they also owned a hardware store and a glass shop, pouring their energy into everything they did. They shared 66 beautiful years of marriage before Earl’s passing, a love story marked by loyalty, partnership, and devotion.
Mildred found joy in the simple pleasures of life—reading a good book, sharing a laugh with family, and cherishing time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her warm heart, her love of family, and her steadfast faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Woody Dowdy, Tom Dowdy, Harold Dowdy, and Bit Dowdy; and her daughter, Cynthia Lynn.
Those who will forever hold her in their hearts include her children, Bonnie Carmack (Dan) and Michael Kiser (Roxann); her grandchildren, Shelby, Taylor, Ashley, William, Austin, and Amy; her great-grandchildren, Caden, Teagan, Daisy Lynn, Lucas, and Lilly; her special caregivers, Joanne and Betty; and many other loving family members and friends.
Her life was a testament to love, family, and perseverance, and her memory will be a blessing to all who knew her.
Paul Preston Hall, Sr., esteemed family man, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. Born on August 3, 1943, in Ozark, Alabama, to the late Preston Brady Hall and Mary Bowman Hall, Paul’s life was a testament to the values of hard work, dedication, and kindness.
Paul, affectionately known as “Mr. Fix It,” was a man whose hands were rarely still. His early education at Ashford High School laid the foundation for a lifetime of practical knowledge and skill. After graduation, he proudly served in the Alabama National Guard, where he honed his discipline and commitment to service. Paul began his working career at what was then Dothan Telephone Company, demonstrating a knack for understanding the intricacies of communication technology.
His professional journey led him to Georgia Pacific, where he retired after many years of diligent work. Paul’s colleagues remember him as a man who could always be relied upon, a true team player whose generosity extended beyond the workplace.
In 2015, Paul moved from Dothan to Tallahassee, where he quickly became an integral part of the Deer Lake Church community. His faith was a guiding light in his life, and he lived it out through his actions, always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear.
Paul’s interests were as varied as they were engaging. An avid gardener, he took great pride in his ability to nurture life from the soil. Cycling was not just a hobby but a way to explore the world around him, enjoying the simple pleasures of nature and the open road. But it was his role as “Mr. Fix It” that truly defined him. There wasn’t a sprinkler system, AC unit, or any household challenge he couldn’t tackle. Neighbors knew that with Paul around, help was always just a call away.
His family was the center of his universe. Though preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tommy, and his beloved wife, Margaret Jacqueline Hall, Paul’s legacy lives on through his son, Preston Hall (Sarah) of Tallahassee, FL, his daughter, Elizabeth Hall of Fairfax, VA, his adored grandson, Asher Hall, and his sister-in-law, Judith Hall of Dallas, TX. His presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 12 PM (CST) at Memory Hill Cemetery in Dothan, Alabama with Reverend Kyle Gatlin officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 AM until 12 PM (CST) at Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Lung Association at www.lung.org
Harley Ivy Addison Dunegan, 25, a soul as vibrant as a golden sunflower basking beneath a kaleidoscope sky, where hues of sunset melted into one another, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous two-year battle with an aggressive malignant brain tumor.
Harley, a 2018 graduate of Northview High School, carried a work ethic well beyond her years. She began working at the Elks Lodge at just 14, starting out by serving Bingo players with a sparkle in her eye. Over time, she became the beloved queen of the pool area, making sure everyone was having a good time. Her infectious laugh, sharp wit, and genuine care for others made her a treasured presence to coworkers and members alike.
Her mother, Kimberly Nicole Rudd Addison, her rock and confidante; her brother, Christen Sean Addison (Crystal); her father, Eric Addison; her grandparents, John and Gladys Rudd, who instilled in her a love for the simple joys in life; her uncle, Jon Rudd (Susan); her cousins, Solomon Rudd and Gunner Rudd; her aunt, Autumn Dampier; her cousins, Chloe Smith, Malana Duren and Oren Dampier; her second mother, Natalie Rogers, who provided a second home filled with warmth; her faithful canine companion, Beastie Boy; and her husband, Jacob Dunegan, survive her.
Her interests were as vibrant and varied as the sunflowers she adored. Music was her refuge, the ever-present soundtrack to her life’s journey. Halloween was her favorite holiday—she reveled in the thrill of horror movies and the magic of the season. The Dothan Botanical Gardens offered her a quiet sanctuary, a place where she could immerse herself in the beauty of nature. She cherished the serenity of the beach and the splendor of sunsets, finding peace in the rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves.
Though shy by nature, Harley’s loving spirit effortlessly drew people to her. She was blessed with a close-knit circle of friends who became an extension of her family. Her whimsical love for unicorns, the flutter of yellow butterflies, and the enduring charm of Hello Kitty brought smiles and light to those lucky enough to know her. It is often said, “God picks the most beautiful flowers first,” and Harley was truly one of the most radiant—taken far too soon, yet leaving an indelible mark on every heart she touched.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Harley will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Pastor Dee Koza officiating. The burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. Friends and family are invited to gather at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, to share memories and comfort one another.
Harley’s life was a melody composed of the softest notes and the most resonant chords. She danced to the rhythm of her own drum, leaving an unforgettable beat in the hearts of all who loved her. As we say goodbye to our beloved Harley, let us remember her not with tears, but with the laughter and joy she so freely shared. Her legacy is not one of sorrow, but of the love and light she radiated—a beacon for all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Harley, here’s to you: the brightest star in our comedic universe—forever shining, forever missed.
