Susan Elizabeth Meldrum, age 61, passed away gracefully on January 25, 2026, in Birmingham, Alabama. Born on July 15, 1964, in Ithaca, New York, Susan lived a life marked by generosity, skill, and the love of family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 3PM Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Union Hill Baptist Church in Cottonwood, AL.
Susan is Preceded in death by her parents, William Meldrum and Betty Jane VanDyne Meldrum. She is survived by her sisters, Annette Meldrum, Linda Riley, and Anna Lane (John), her brother, Donald Meldrum (Debra), and an extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and an array of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was deeply loved by her family.
As a long-time employee of Lowe’s, where she dedicated 18 years, Susan was known for her diligence and a hands-on approach that made her both respected and adored by her colleagues. Her involvement in her work extended beyond her professional duties, touching the lives of those she worked with through acts of kindness and her ever-present willingness to lend a helping hand.
Susan found peace and joy in the simple pleasures of yard work, uncovering the beauty of her surroundings through her meticulous care. Her hobbies extended into the kitchen, where she loved to lose herself in cooking and baking. Susan’s spirit was further animated on game days as she rooted for her beloved Florida State University and the New York Giants, her enthusiasm and loyalty as unwavering as the teams themselves.
Those who knew Susan would describe her in two definitive words: kind and handy. She carried these traits like a badge of honor and left an indelible mark on the hearts and homes of those fortunate enough to have been graced by her presence. Susan’s kind-hearted nature was not just an aspect of her character; it was the very essence of her being.
As we bid farewell to Susan, we reflect on a life beautifully lived—a life of unwavering compassion and an undeniable gift for making the world a better place. Her departure is not just a loss, but a reminder to us all to lead with kindness and to always extend a helping hand.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Betty Grace Edmonds, a resident of Ariton, died Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 94 years old. Funeral services for Mrs. Edmonds will be 11:00 A. M. Monday, February 9, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Chaplain Jonathan Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mrs. Edmonds was born July 22, 1931 in Dale County, Alabama to the late James Ralph Edmonds and Ila Lee Baker Edmonds. She graduated from Ariton High School. Following graduation she obtained a degree in nursing and worked as a travel nurse for over twenty years. She met and married Dean Edmonds; they were married for forty-three years until his death. Betty enjoyed southern gospel music, sewing, collecting Avon and ordering from QVC. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Dean Edmonds; one daughter, Dina Leigh Edmonds Hughes; one son, Gary Dean Edmonds; two sisters, Nina Pridgen and Joann Peters; and one brother, Bob Edmonds. Survivors include one son, Lynn Edmonds (Belinda); one brother, Jerry Edmonds; one grandchild, Kristen Raymond (Cody); one great grandchild, Colton Raymond all of Ariton.
The family would like to give a special thank you to her caregivers: Cathy, Tonjulla, Yolanda, Catherine, and Jasmine; also her nurse, Kathy with Community Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Mount Olive Cemetery, C/O Mrs. Kathryn Goodson, 1681 Highway 51, Ariton, Alabama 36311.
Master Sergeant (MSG) Tommie Carl Johnson, age 85, of Athens, Alabama, passed from this life to be with our Lord on February 2, 2026.
Tommie was born on December 26, 1940, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, to Jack and Lurene Johnson. He was a longtime resident of Dothan, Alabama, before moving to Athens in 2017 to be closer to family.
He lived a full life marked by his distinguished 20-year career in the United States Army, which included three combat tours in Vietnam, as well as assignments in Europe, Virginia, Kansas, Alaska, and Fort Rucker, Alabama. MSG Johnson’s military awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. His service to his country was a source of great pride and reflected his deep sense of duty and commitment.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1979, he completed his bachelor’s degree at Troy University and embarked on a second career with Southern Power Company, from which he retired in 2000.
MSG Johnson was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ and a faithful member of Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, where his quiet strength and steadfast faith were well known.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Jay); his grandchildren, Caitlin Horne, Callie Horne, Anna Grace Johnson, and Emma Catherine Johnson; and his sisters, Mrs. Connie Tagert, Mrs. Bobbie Mundie, and Mrs. Judy Metzger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 52 years, Glenda Johnson; his son, Jeffrey Johnson; and his siblings, Jackie Cook and Mickey Johnson.
The family will mourn privately at a graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the charity of one’s choice. The family also thanks Orion Healthcare and Hospice of North Alabama for the care provided during his extended illness.
CLIO…Carolyn Boston Helms, 76, of Clio, Alabama, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 1, 2026, at her home. She was born on June 2, 1949, in Panama City, Florida.
Carolyn was a graduate of Fairmont High School and retired from her career as a probation clerk at the Dale County Courthouse. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, and a faithful sister in Christ and member of MT Zion Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Haran Helms, of Clio, Alabama; her sister, Kay Jenkins, of Rome, Georgia; her brother, Rodney Boston; her son, Scott Preston Reeves, of Ranger, Georgia; her grandchildren Preston Reeves, Brittany (Jake) Grizzle, of Ranger, Georgia, and Allison (Trent) Black, of Calhoun, Georgia; her great-grandchildren Easton Grizzle, Rory Grizzle, and Emersyn Black; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pierce and Ruth Boston; her brother, William Boston; and her son, Corey Reeves.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 773 County Road 9, Louisville, Alabama 36048. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
COLUMBIA. . .Emily Jernigan Hunter, a resident of Columbia, Alabama, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2026, in Extendicare Health Center in Dothan. She was 95.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 6, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Keith Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 P.M. Friday at the mortuary in Headland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Zion Methodist Church, c/o Ed Hughes, 281 Crawford Road, Cowarts, AL 36321, or to Columbia Ambulance Emergency Rescue Squad (CARES), check made payable to Town of Columbia, P.O. Box 339, Columbia, AL 36319.
Mrs. Hunter was born and raised in Columbia, daughter of the late Laurel Washington Jernigan and Flora Mae Singletary Jernigan. She was a 1948 graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia. Mrs. Hunter moved to the Hunters Crossroads Community, near Columbia, in 1949. An active member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, a church which her family co-founded, Mrs. Hunter held most offices and positions in the church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Hunter, a grandson, Harrison L. Hunter, two sisters, Delone Henley and Ruth Hand, two brothers, Edwin Jernigan and Blake Jernigan and her step-mother, Florence Pitts Jernigan and a daughter in law, Patsy Hunter.
Miss Emily was a woman of fierce integrity and bold in her beliefs, strong in her faith, and often seen reading her Bible even in her final days of life. She raised four sons, providing a perfect example in her walk with our Savior. Miss Emily made an immediate and everlasting impact on everyone she met.
Surviving relatives include four sons, Charles Hunter (Kathy), Cottonwood, AL Gary Hunter, Mobile, AL; Phillip Hunter (Janet), Cowarts, AL; and Jim Hunter (Julia), Abbeville, AL; a sister, Ann Johnson, Webb, AL; and a sister-in-law, Betty Green, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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.
