DOTHAN… Katherine June Adams Kerecman, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025, at her home. She was 80.
Memorial services will be held 5:00 P.M. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel, with her son-in-law, Joshua Rainwater and her grandson, Ty Dailey officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:00 P.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
The family is accepting flowers or contributions may be made in Mrs. Kerecman’s memory to the Southeast Alabama Dance Company, 3010 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, Alabama 36301, www.southeastalabamadancecompany.org, or to Landmark Park, 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, Alabama 36303, or www.landmarkparkdothan.com.
Katherine was born February 11, 1945, in Meadville, PA and graduated from Saegertown High School. While in school, she was a cheerleader, nominated to the 1962 Homecoming Court, and served as the State Secretary for the FHA. Kathy married the love of her life, David Kerecman in July of 1963. She was employed with General Electric Motor Company in Information Services when she retired. She was then the Office Manager at Oz Performing Arts Centre. Kathy was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church of Dothan. She loved to cook and bake. Kathy was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves. She and her husband, Dave, were members of the Elks Lodge, Presque Isle Corvette Club (Erie, PA), and the Gourmet Club. Together they enjoyed traveling to Blue Grass Festivals across the U.S., and going to Callaway Gardens, especially the Fantasy in Lights. Kathy’s favorite role in life was “Grammy” to her three beautiful grandchildren: Ty, Emily Kayte and Jake.
Preceding her in death is her parents, Louis and Margaret Mae Perry Adams; her husband, David George Kerecman; and her siblings, Florence Louise Adams, Janet Ruth Allison, Virginia Helen DeRemer, and Frank Homer Adams.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her daughters, Anna Dailey and Amy Rainwater (Joshua); her sister, Jean Elizabeth Stearns (David); and her grandchildren, Ty, Emily Kayte, and Jake.
Roelaux Daniel Black, Sr., known to family, friends, and co-workers as Dan, Blackie, or Danny, finished his race of life on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the age of 80, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 14, 1944, in Binghamton, New York to Roelaux Willard Black and Erma Lee West Ruffino. He and his wife, Peggy, have permanently resided in Dothan, Alabama since 1985.
Dan pursued a myriad of occupations in his lifetime giving him a multitude of experiences shaping him into the man he became. At 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he mastered parachuting, scuba diving, and expert marksmanship. He earned the rank of Sergeant along with multiple medals, badges, and commendations during his 9 years of service before transferring to the United States Army to attain a career in aviation. After serving 14 and a half years as an aviator, earning the rank of CW3 working the ins and outs of aviation, Dan retired from his military service. During his 23 and a half years, he served his country in 6 tours–four in the USMC and two in the US Army–in Vietnam and other locations he was called to go. He loved the USA and was proud to have served her.
Following his military service, Dan (Blackie) finished his college education and began a 19 and a half-year career at Wallace Community College as the Director of Information Systems. He also taught computer classes at both Wallace and Troy University Dothan.
Dan was known for his strong work ethic and dedication to provide for his family. He was a loyal husband to his wife of 57 years, Peggy Jean Black, whom he married February 24, 1968. God blessed them with three children, Roelaux, Shawn, and Bonita, and 4 grandchildren. He surrendered his life to Jesus Christ in 1992 and continued educating himself for the rest of his life in many subjects, including Biblical studies and history. He loved learning about anything and everything he could believing that education never stops with the end of formal schooling.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents and step-parents Roelaux Willard Black (Fannie) and Erma Lee West Ruffino (Ross) along with his two siblings, Joann Vassar (Edward) and Samuel Perry.
Survivors include his wife Peggy J. Black, 3 children: Roelaux Black, Jr (Cate Trammel), Shawn Black, and Bonita Peters (Jim), and 4 grandchildren: Jamie Peters, Alex Peters, Trey Peters, and Rozi Black. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to name. He loved you long and loved you well.
Roelaux D Black, Sr. (Dan) will be laid to rest on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the Selma Baptist Church Cemetery. The funeral will be held at Ward-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Peters presiding. The family will receive guests during his viewing beginning at 10:00am with the service to follow at 11:00am. Please join the family in celebrating his life and continue to pray for them during this time of grief and transition. As a supporter of Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, in lieu of flowers, the family would like you to donate in his memory.
The family also thanks the Critical Care staff of Southeast Health for all of their assistance.
HEADLAND… Neil Wayne Thomas, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at his home. He was 60.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the home of his brother, Brad Thomas, 3414 County Road 13, Headland, Alabama 36345, with his friend, Rod Graham officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Thomas was born in Panama City, Florida to the late Billy Wayne Thomas and Carol Andrews Thomas. He lived in Dothan, Alabama until he moved to Headland, Alabama over twenty years ago. He worked in the flooring business before he was medically retired. He was an avid Alabama football fan. He loved drag racing and could be found just about every Saturday at One Way Dragway, now known as Cottonwood Motorsports Park. One of his favorite places to be was at the beach. He was a member of the Denton Road United Methodist Church.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his sons, Brandon Thomas (Kaylee Clevenger) and Matthew Monday (Debra); his brothers, Tim Thomas, Brad Thomas (Laurie), and Chad Thomas; his grandchildren, Paisley Thomas, Oaklynn Thomas, Logan Monday, and Penelope Monday; and his several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Mr. Braxton Lamar McLain, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025, at his residence. He was 77 years old.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Family of God Baptist Church in Eufaula, with Rev. Drexel Copeland officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing. Flowers will be accepted.
Braxton was born on March 1, 1948, in Eufaula, Alabama, to the late James Jetty and Gladys Inez Griffin McLain. He was a veteran of the United States Army National Guard. Braxton worked for 30 years at Baker Furniture. He was known for his great faith in the Lord and enjoyed spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Braxton loved people and was an avid Alabama football fan. He was a member of Family of God Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, J. Roscoe McLain, J. Lynn McLain, Clarence McLain, and Bobby McLain; sister, Florence McLain Hawes; son, Jimmy E. Houston; grandson, Joshua Kyle Flowers.
Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia Maxine Sinquefield McLain; son, Mack Houston (Deborah) of Clayton, Alabama; three daughters, Debbie Houston Childs (Harlan) of Eufaula, Alabama, Becky McLain Horton of Eufaula, Alabama, and Jennifer McLain Utley (Steven) of Eufaula, Alabama; nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Mr. Mark Anthony DeLidle of Hartford, Alabama passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Southeast Health Medical Center. He was 63.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Union Baptist Church, Hartford, AL with Bobby Crumpler and Bryan Carpenter officiating.
Mr. DeLidle was born on October 27, 1961 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Frank and Bernell Jerkins DeLidle. Mark spent many years driving countless hours across the country as a semi-truck driver. He had a free spirit and never stayed in one area too long. The road and seeing the country was his home.
In addition to his parents, two sisters: Linda Bacon and Elaine Peak, all preceded him in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Marcy Carpenter (Bryan); grandchildren: Case, Colt, and Cam Carpenter; three sisters: Bertie Welch (Wicksburg, AL), Layla Holloway (Atlanta, GA) and Mary Ann Johnston (Atlanta, GA); three brothers: Mike DeLidle (Marianna, FL) Bobby Crumpler (Enterprise, AL), Curtis Crumpler (Athens, AL), nieces: Stephanie Dyess and Brittney Welch who were like daughters and numerous other extended family and friends.
ABBEVILLE…Linda Faye Gamble Belcher, a resident of Abbeville, passed away early Friday morning, September 19, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 77 years old.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, September 21, 2025, in the Calvary Baptist Church with Reverend Otis Derrah and Reverend Jeff Brewer officiating. Burial will follow in the Abbeville Memorial Cemetery-East. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary& Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the church sanctuary.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 310 Dothan Road, Abbeville, AL 36310 or to the First United Methodist Church of Dothan Respite Ministry, 1380 West Main Street, Dothan, AL. 36301.
Linda Belcher was born and raised in the Pleasant Plains community, between Headland and Columbia. She was a 1966 graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia. With a heart for teaching, Linda pursued higher education at Wallace Community College and Troy State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1969 and later her Master of Science in Elementary Education in 1983.
Linda was a dedicated and passionate educator. Linda’s teaching career began in August 1969 at Pinedale Elementary School in Enterprise, Alabama, where she taught sixth grade. She then moved to Houston County, teaching first grade from September 1970 to 1972. After getting married, she transferred to Abbeville Primary in 1972. In 1975, Linda chose to resign from her teaching position to become a full-time mother. However, her love of teaching never diminished, and in 1983, she returned to teaching in Abbeville. Her excellence in education was recognized with multiple Teacher of the Year awards over her career, a testament to her exceptional dedication and impact on her students. She taught for 27 years, with her final years at Abbeville Elementary School.
Linda was also a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church and very active in various church activities throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her father, David Cecil Gamble; father-in-law, Albert Glen Belcher, and mother-in-law, Florine Singletary Belcher. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bruce Belcher; a son, Sidney “Sid” Belcher (Kimberly), Auburn; a daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Shelton (Scott), Gainesville, Georgia; her mother, Cassie Gamble, Headland; her brother, Wyman Gamble (Tammy), Headland; grandchildren, Caroline, Philip, and Elizabeth Belcher and Paige and Mason Shelton; and her niece, Amy Gamble DuPriest (Jason), Headland.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Jim Smith, Frankie Johnston, Brian Gamble, Dwight Gamble, Jimmy Money, Jerry Brown, David Money, Philip Belcher and Mason Shelton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Women I Sunday School Class.
The family would like to especially thank all of the friends and caregivers that have provided immense love and support over of years.
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.
Mr. Braxton Lamar McLain, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025, at his residence. He was 77 years old.
