It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Barbara Phillips Sasser, who left us on November 5, 2025, at the age of 86, surrounded by her family.
Born on September 28, 1939, in Henry County, Barbara lived a life filled with compassion, strength, and devotion to her family and community. She was known for her kindness, laughter, strong work ethic, cooking skills, and unwavering faith. She touched the lives of all who knew her.
Barbara dedicated many years of her life to hard work and commitment. She was employed for a time with Pepsi-Cola and later joined General Cigar, where she built lasting friendships and retired after a long and fulfilling career. Her strong work ethic and caring nature earned her the respect and admiration of everyone who knew her.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Dwanis Sasser; sons, Terry (Cecelia) Phillips and Gary (Kristie) Phillips; daughters, Patsy (Rick) Glover and Janie Sasser; sisters, Daphne (Sam) Jones and Betty Battle; grandchildren, Angela (Tim) Brannon, Natalie Jackson, and Taylor (Kevin) Roberts; and four great-grandchildren. Her family will forever cherish her memory and the love she gave so freely.
She was preceded in death by her parents B.O. and Ollie Dean Bodiford, daughter Debbie Jackson, sister Jewel Saunders and Margarette Battle.
A funeral service honoring Barbara’s life will be held on Friday, November 7th, at 11:00 a.m. at Wyatt Funeral Home, with visitation beginning one hour prior at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Weed Cemetery. Gary Holloway will be officiating the service.
Pallbearers will be her nephews, Jackie Battle, Donald Battle, Sammy Jones, Tracy Jones, Todd Brown, and close family friend Trent Warrick.
Barbara’s legacy of love, kindness, and faith will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Flowers are accepted, or donations in her memory may be made to the Weed Cemetery Fund.
Eugene Donald Bianchetti, age 76, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Eugene was born July 8, 1949, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to Fred Bianchetti and Grace Bean Bianchetti.
He worked for many years as a bar manager. He enjoyed playing bingo, working markets, traveling, spending time with friends, and cheering for Auburn football.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Fred Bianchetti, James Bianchetti, Robert Bianchetti, and Ken Bianchetti; and sisters Violet Lehtinen and Mary Fitzpatrick.
Survivors include his sons Marcus Bianchetti and Mario Bianchetti; daughter Marie Moore; brother John Bianchetti; sisters Grace Cardullo; and grandchildren Dallas Bianchetti, Dixie Bianchetti, Crimson Bianchetti, Jedi Bianchetti, Preston Bianchetti, Leia Bianchetti, Jesse Edwards, and Nola Moore
Barbara Sue Harris, a beacon of love and creativity, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on December 28, 1949, in Kentucky, Barbara’s life was a tapestry woven with devotion to family and loved ones. She carried the warmth of her birth state and the charm of Biloxi, Mississippi, where she grew up, into every room she entered and every life she touched.
A proud graduate of Biloxi High School in 1967, Barbara dedicated her life to the nurturing and upbringing of her family. As a stay-at-home mom, she poured her heart and soul into creating a loving home for her children, Jeff Harris (Faith), and Rebecca “Becky” Harris. Her grandchildren, Christopher Thomas, Ann Margaret “Maggie” Elkins (James), and JD Harris, brought her immeasurable joy. She also leaves behind her brother, Ernie Miracle, cousin, Holly Bowman (Mike), and special family member Christy McGill.
Predeceased by her beloved husband of 32 years, Leonard Harris, her parents Alma and Ray Neal, her grandchild, Aaron Hamm, and sister Bonnie.
Barbara’s special friends, Randy Seay and Dennis Hughes, could attest to her kind and creative nature, as they shared countless memories filled with laughter and companionship. Her interests were a reflection of her vibrant and artistic soul; she reveled in the melodies of oldies music, expressing herself through arts, crafts, and drawing. A collector of coffee mugs, each one held a story, a memory, or a smile from the past.
After moving to Malvern in 1977, Barbara became a cherished member of her community. She shared her love for children beyond her own family as a Sunday school teacher and daycare worker, impacting many young lives with her gentle guidance and wisdom. An avid Alabama Football fan, Barbara’s enthusiasm for the game was infectious, and her support for her team unwavering.
Barbara’s life was a reflection of all that is good in the world. Her loving and kind nature was a comfort to all who knew her. Her creativity was not just in her hobbies but in her ability to solve problems with grace and to make every day special for those around her by often cooking breakfast and lunch for those she loved. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and creativity that will be cherished and carried on by those who were fortunate enough to know her.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 2 pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Christopher Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Barbara will be laid to rest in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery next to her beloved, late husband, Leonard.
BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA. . .Billy Legrand Belcher, a resident of Beaufort, South Carolina, a native of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away November 5, 2025, at his home. He lived a wonderful 95 years.
Mr. Belcher was born and raised in Abbeville, Alabama, son of the late Jesse Green Belcher and Sarah Jane Sowell Belcher. He was a graduate of Abbeville High School and received a BS Degree in Accounting from Auburn University. Mr. Belcher served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He retired from Westinghouse as a Financial Manager. Mr. Belcher was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Shipman Belcher, a sister, Frankie Belcher White, and brothers, John Belcher, Edwin Belcher, Floyd Belcher and Marcus Belcher.
Billy loved his family, the South Carolina Lowcountry and First Scots Presbyterian church in Beaufort. He also enjoyed RV camping across the USA.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Julia Hetherington (Tom), Beaufort, SC; sons, Glenn Belcher, Beaufort, SC and Phillip Belcher, Long Creek, SC; grandchildren, Grant Hetherington (Kerry), Ben Hetherington, Luke Hetherington and Rachel Hetherington; great-grandchildren, Laurel Hetherington and Levi Hetherington
Visitation and Memorial services are scheduled at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM Friday, November 7, 2025 at First Scots Presbyterian of Beaufort. Officiant will be Rev Alex Mark.
Graveside services will be held at 12:00 P.M. Noon Monday, November 10, 2025 in the Pea River Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2950 Louisville Street, Clio, Alabama 36017, with Reverend Trip Etheridge officiating. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations, Abbeville, Alabama, is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:15 A.M. Monday at the mortuary in Abbeville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Scots Presbyterian Church of Beaufort “Building Fund”, 335 Sams Point Road, Beaufort, SC, 29907.
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.
HEADLAND… Betty Jean Slappy, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away early Wednesday morning, November 5, 2025, at her home. She was 82.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 P.M. Friday, November 7, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Reverend Don Clark officiating. A eulogy will be given by her grandson, Carter Powell. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Headland, Alabama. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Friday at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory, prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Slappy was born in Randolph County, Georgia to the late Clarence Bud Merritt and Eunice Turner Merritt. She had lived in Dothan, Alabama and on Lake Eufaula before moving to Headland, Alabama about eighteen years ago. She was a graduate of Andrew College and Wallace Community College where she earned her degree in nursing. She worked at Southeast Health for over thirty-six years. She was a dedicated member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Dothan, Alabama since 1975.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Slappy; and her brother, D.K. Merritt.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her daughters, Senena Slappy Sullivan and Sonia Slappy Kelly (Marvin); her grandchildren, Brandon Slappy, Carter Powell, and Jackson Powell; her brothers-in-law, Brian Slappy and Harmon Slappy (Lynn); her sisters-in-law, Adrian Slappy and Linda Slappy; and her several nieces and nephews.
If you knew Jane Arnette, you have a Jane story. She was one of a kind — full of laughter, love, and a little bit of sass. You never had to wonder what she was thinking, because she’d tell you. And somehow, she’d have you laughing about it by the end of the story.
Jane loved people and lived life with a big, open heart. She loved having fun, traveling, gardening, and hunting for treasures at her favorite thrift stores. She had a gift for finding beauty in everything — whether it was the people she loved most, a blooming flower or a good deal.
She was the glue that held everyone together — the caretaker, the nurturer, the one who made sure everyone felt seen and loved. From a young age, Jane took it upon herself to look after others, and she did it with joy. She loved her children and grandchildren fiercely, and if she loved you, she was in your corner — cheering you on, bragging about you, and probably keeping you laughing along the way.
Even in her final weeks, Jane’s spirit never dimmed. She made friends everywhere she went, including the radiation oncology clinic, where she kept nurses and patients in the waiting room laughing and hearts lifted.
Jane was born in Eufaula, Alabama to the late Emory Battle and Martha Crawford and was preceded in death by her beloved big brother, Clay Battle.
Those left to cherish the wonderful memories of Jane are her devoted husband Harry Thomas Arnette; her daughters Michelle Arnette Swanner and husband Lance, Katie Arnette Lindsey, and Chrissy King, who was like a daughter; her five treasured grandchildren — Harrison Swanner, Emily Lindsey, Elizabeth-Jane Swanner, Reid Lindsey, and Everly Golden; her sister-in-law Connie Whitehurst and husband Rick; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends who loved her deeply.
She had lifelong friendships and a family who will never stop telling her stories. Because to know Jane was to laugh, to be loved, and to feel like you mattered.
We could write a book about all the wonderful things she was — but even then, it wouldn’t be enough. She truly was one of a kind, and she leaves behind a legacy of joy, strength, and love that will never fade.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Jeff Ross officiating and Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 to 11 A.M. Saturday, November 15, 2025, one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society @ https://donate.cancer.org
and grandchildren Dallas Bianchetti, Dixie Bianchetti, Crimson Bianchetti, Jedi Bianchetti, Preston Bianchetti, Leia Bianchetti, Jesse Edwards, and Nola Moore
