Betty Wills Hudgins, 82, passed away on November 13, 2025, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Betty was born in Shorterville, AL, and grew up in Abbeville, AL, the daughter of W.C. and Lucile Wills. She graduated from Abbeville High School. Betty held a degree in social work from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide), where she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority, a source of lifelong friendships. After graduation, she began a career in advertising, where she met her husband, Don. She later became a successful residential real estate agent in Atlanta, GA. As a real estate agent, Betty loved getting to know her clients and many of them became lifelong friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her mother, father, and husband. She is survived by her daughter Stephanie Philippo and her son-in-law Drew Philippo, as well as her five cherished siblings and spouses: brothers George Wills, Jerry Wills (and wife Patty), Bill Wills, and Phil Wills (and wife Janet) and sister Barbara Wills. Betty is also survived by a large family of nieces, nephews, and in-laws, all of whom she loved dearly.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation for her longtime caregivers Jackie Saunders and Karen White. Their loving care, dedication, and support were invaluable and made Betty’s cancer journey the best it could possibly be.
A memorial service will be held in January at H.M. Patterson & Son – Arlington Chapel, Sandy Springs, GA. Details, date, and time will be posted later. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
For further information please contact Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations at 334-585-5261.
John J. McCraney, a resident of Blountstown, FL, went to be with the Lord Saturday, November 15, 2025. He was 70.
John was born in Barbour County, Alabama, the son of the late JC McCraney and Annie Mae (Grubbs) McCraney. He loved the water, enjoyed freshwater fishing, and could often be found working on cars and restoring lawn mowers. He was a heavy equipment operator in the Pulpwood industry and of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his eight siblings– five brothers and threesisters, and a brother-in-law, James Vinson.
Survivors include three sisters: Alberta Vinson, JoAnn Shuyler (husband, Terry), and Patsy Vaughn (husband, Bob) all of Alabama; along with additional family members.
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA. .Jerry Keith Skeen, a resident of Panama City Beach, Florida, formerly of Ozark, passed away Wednesday morning, November 19, 2025, in the Vitas Suites @ Community Health & Rehabilitation in Panama City. He was 85.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, November 21, 2025, in the Union Free Will Baptist Church, near Abbeville, Alabama, with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 P.M. Friday in the church sanctuary. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Jerry Skeen was born and raised in Henry County, Alabama, near Newville, son of the late Legon Littleton Skeen and Willie Mae Smith Skeen. He was a graduate of Newville High School. Jerry lived in Ozark, Alabama for many years before moving to Panama City Beach in 1985. He was the founder and lead vocalist for Jerry Skeen & the Starlighters. In earlier years, Jerry was employed by Alabama Power Co. He was preceded in death by a sister, Faye Skeen Hamm and a brother, Terry Skeen.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Phyllis Barfield Skeen; two sons, Jerry L. “Jay” Skeen (Donna), Dothan and Keith Skeen (Angela), Gardendale, AL; four sisters, Peggy Herring, Abbeville; Ann Walker, South Carolina; Martha Dunagan, Cullman, AL; and Rosa McCoy (Tommy), Abbeville; a brother, Mickey Skeen, Abbeville and a sister-in-law, Martha Skeen; grandchildren, Anne-Marie Wilson, Julia Skeen and Jordan Deritas; great-grandchildren, Briggs Wilson and Hadley Wilson; several nieces and nephews.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
In loving memory of Mrs. Sarah Lee Braswell Pitts, who gracefully departed from this life at the age of 63 on November 19, 2025. Born on June 17, 1962, in Geneva County, Sarah was the beloved daughter of the late M.L. Braswell and Sarah Catherine Brock.
Sarah’s journey through life was shaped by her deep love for her family and friends. She now joins those who have gone before her, including her devoted husband, Ronald Milton Pitts; her cherished daughter, Jessie Lee Cobb-Pacheco; and her brothers, Alan Brock Braswell and Marvin Lyle Braswell. Each of them held a special place in her heart, and they will be forever missed.
Sarah’s spirit lives on through her beloved children, Amber Skye Anglin, Marcus Lyle Braswell, and Randall Evan Pacheco. The legacy of her nurturing love continues in her grandchildren, Leland Ray Pacheco, Nathaniel Evan Pacheco, Ryleigh Claire Braswell, and Reid Austin Braswell, who brought her immense joy and pride. She is also survived by her dear sister, Sylvia Ann Bucklin (Mike), along with a host of extended family members and friends who will carry her memory forward.
In honoring Sarah’s wishes, she will be cremated, with no formal services, allowing those who loved her to remember her in their own special ways. May her memory be a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements. “Because We Care … Is Making A Difference”
Sam Genovese, a cherished husband, father, and community pillar, passed away November 16, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on February 20, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, Sam’s life was marked by dedication to his family, his faith, and his work.
A memorial service will be held at Saint Columba Church on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 12-1 PM at the church.
Sam is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Bobbie, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and devotion; a son, David Genovese (Rosalyn); grandchildren, Natalie and Eric Lind and Lily Genovese; Sister in laws, Karen Lunardi and Joyce Neher (Greg) He is preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Santa Genovese and a daughter, Cindy Lind.
A proud veteran, Sam served his country in the Army for three years before embarking on a notable career in advertising. His professional journey began at Scott Foresman Publishing, where he met his wife, Bobbie, the duo later went on to own the successful advertising agency Higgins, Hegner, and Genovese in Chicago.
Sam was an avid football fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and in his youth was a football player for the Chicago Bears. His commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth was evident through his studies at Southern Illinois University and his artistic endeavors at the Chicago Art Institute.
Sam’s interests extended well beyond his professional life. In 1968, Sam and Bobbie attended their first Cursillo event, which sparked a lifelong commitment to church and charitable causes. This experience ignited Sam’s deep passion for outreach to the homeless and prisoners, among other charitable endeavors.
A member of St. Columba Catholic Church in Dothan, Sam promoted their Cursillo group. He loved music and singing and shared his gifts in many church activities and liturgies.
As we say goodbye to Sam, he leaves a resounding echo of a life well-lived, one filled with love, service, and an enduring faith that inspired everyone he met. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Vonceil Nichols, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, at the age of 93 in Dothan, Alabama. Born on October 27, 1932, in Samson, Alabama, to the late F M Speed and Lois Vonceil White Speed, Vonceil’s life was a testament to her unwavering faith and the deep bonds of family.
Vonceil’s journey through life was one of devotion and partnership, having worked side by side with her beloved husband, the late Thomas Nichols, Jr. in all their endeavors. Together, they built a legacy of love and commitment that was felt by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing them. Vonceil was predeceased not only by her husband but also by her brothers, Jack Speed and James Speed, and sister, Genella Scott.
She is survived by her children, Kathryn Walker and Thomas Nichols, III. Vonceil embodied the virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her love for her children was only magnified by the joy she found in her role as a grandmother to, Nicholas Walker (Brittney), Jonathan Walker (Mary), and Thomas Nichols IV and as a great-grandmother to, Tiler Walker, Jackson Walker, Isaac Walker, and Cora Walker. Vonceil is also survived by her close friends, Patsy Creel and Jan Arthur and her husband, Richard.
Vonceil’s life was marked by her gracious spirit and her innate ability to organize and nurture not only her family but also her community. She was a woman who loved and served the Lord with all her heart, and her faith was the cornerstone of her existence. Her presence was a comfort to those in need, and her hands were never idle as she sought to make the world a better place through her actions and prayers.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, November 25, 2025 from the chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
