Joseph Cleveland “Joe” Bell, age 86, passed away on October 3, 2026. Born on June 3, 1940.
Joe had a lifelong passion for farming and working with animals. A longtime horse trainer, he spent many years showing horses and tending to his cows. Most summers, Joe planted large gardens, finding true satisfaction in working the land alongside his wife and sharing the fruits of their labor. Above all, Joe was a storyteller at heart, always ready to share a good memory with anyone who sat down to listen.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey Bell and Maurine Strickland, and his grandsons, Drew Neidlinger and Tucker Bell.
Joe is survived by his wife, Regan Bell; his sister, Latricia Gavins; his daughters, Belinda Boyles, Teresa Strickland (Sid), and Angie Bell; a stepson, Roger Neidlinger (Dianne); a stepdaughter, Mandy Winstead (Mickey); and five grandchildren.
HEADLAND… Rex “Shane” Brackin, a resident of Headland, Alabama passed away Sunday afternoon, October 4, 2026, at a Dothan hospital. He was 45.
Memorial services will be held 3:30 P.M. Thursday, October 08, 2026 at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with Brother Hugh Kirkland officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Shane was born in Dothan, Alabama, to Evelyn Spence Brackin and the late Rex Brackin. He attended Dale County High School and worked as a laborer for many years.
Shane was a good-hearted and caring person who never hesitated to lend a helping hand. He had a kind spirit and a way of making those around him feel welcome. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, especially spending time outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish, creating many cherished memories along the way.
A devoted Alabama fan, Shane proudly cheered on the Crimson Tide and enjoyed sharing his love for Alabama football with family and friends.
Shane will be remembered for his caring heart, his love of the outdoors, and the kindness he showed to those around him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his dad, Shane is preceded in death by a brother in law, Randy Cogburn.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his daughters, Sophie Brackin, Olivia Brackin and Brooklyn Brackin; his mother, Evelyn Spence Brackin; his sister, Shannon Cogburn; his niece, Jessica Brooks (Carson); his nephew, Aaron Cogburn; his aunts, Frances Condrey and Julianne Walters; his uncle, Eudon Smith; his great-uncle and aunt, Willie and Margaret Adkinson; and his several cousins.
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ARGUTA COMMUNITY…Mr. James Rex Dorrill, a resident of the Arguta Community, near Ozark, died early Saturday evening, October 3, 2026, at his home. He was 90.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jason Waddell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Dorrill, son of the late George Bean Dorrill and Ethel Lee Mobley Dorrill, was a native of Pike County, where his roots ran deep and where many of the memories shaped his life. He was a 1954 graduate of Pike County High School, where he was active in athletics and played both basketball and baseball. Baseball, however, became much more than just a high school pastime for Mr. Dorrill. Following graduation, he continued playing the game he loved as a semi-professional baseball player in our area. Throughout his life, he was an avid Atlanta Braves and a University of Alabama Football fan.
As the years passed, Mr. Dorrill found another way to stay involved with baseball by coaching Pony League Baseball for the City of Ozark. Coaching gave him an opportunity to pass along his knowledge and love of the game to young players. For him, it wasn’t always just about winning or losing. It was about teaching young people how to play the game, encouraging them to do their best, and watching them grow along the way.
Mr. Dorrill also believed in working hard and learning all he could. In later years, he graduated from the Alabama Aviation and Technical College in Ozark. He had a long and dedicated career at Fort Rucker, retiring after forty years of employment. During those many years, he worked with several contractors, including Hayes Aircraft, Sikorsky, Bell, and finally DynCorp, from which he retired. Forty years on the job speaks volumes about the kind of man he was. He knew the importance of showing up, doing his part, and giving an honest day’s work.
Even away from work, Mr. Dorrill was rarely one to sit around with nothing to do. He enjoyed farming and working on vehicles and seemed happiest when there was something that needed fixing, tending, or figuring out.
But if there was one pastime that held an especially important place in his heart, it was fishing. Above all his other hobbies, Mr. Dorrill loved to fish. There was something about being near the water, waiting patiently for a bite, and enjoying the peace and quiet that made fishing special to him. A good day of fishing didn’t necessarily have to mean bringing home a big catch. Sometimes the best part was simply being outdoors, enjoying the day, telling a story or two, and leaving the worries of the world behind for a little while.
Mr. Dorrill was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Arguta. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Melanie Dorrill; and his great-grandson, Michael Dewayne King; and all of his siblings.
Surviving relatives include his wife of sixty-eight years, Vivian Danner Dorrill; three sons, Daniel Dorrill, George Dorrill (Joanie), all of Arguta Community and Allen Dorrill (Audrey), Ozark; grandchildren, Johnathan Paul Dorrill, Nikkie Dorrill, Melissa Dorrill, and Ricky King; nieces and nephews.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Loveta Jean (Fowler) Johnson, a resident of Georgetown, Georgia passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence. She was 72 years old.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula with Rev. Jeff Hines officiating. The burial will follow in the Georgetown Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted.
Loveta was born on June 20, 1954, in Sylvester, Georgia, to the late Royce Green and Mary Alethea (Welch) Fowler. She worked for many years at the Quitman County Superior Clerks Office. Loveta enjoyed sewing and was a great seamstress. She also enjoyed gardening, flowers, fishing, and she loved people and spending time with her friends and family. Loveta was of the Baptist faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rex Maurice Johnson, Sr.; two brothers, Kenneth Fowler and Royce Fowler; sister-in-law, Pam Fowler.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Leslie Weeks and her husband Jason of Georgetown, Georgia; brother, Tony Fowler of Lake Park, Georgia; two grandchildren, Jacob Weeks and Shelby Weeks.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Jason Weeks, Jacob Weeks, Derek Weeks, Orell Weeks, Matthew Self, and Tim Kilpatrick.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Linda Key Shirah, a resident of Blue Springs, Alabama, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 75 years old.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 5, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Peniel Baptist Church in Skipperville, Alabama, with Bro. Bob McMath and Logan Shirah officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to Vivian B. Adams School- 2047 Stuart Tarter Road Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Born on December 27, 1950, in Blue Springs, Alabama, Linda was the daughter of the late Roy Allen and Marian Jean (Scott) Key. She was Valedictorian of the 1969 graduating class of Blue Springs High School. She worked and drove a bus for Vivian B. Adams School for many years. Linda also worked at Ventress Correctional Facility for over 20 years as an accountant and business manager. She retired in 2017. She loved plants and flowers and enjoyed entering them in the Horticulture Showcase at the National Peanut Festival. Her submissions earned top honors and multiple ribbons. She loved crafting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, and antiques and collectibles. Most of all, Linda loved her grandchildren and spent countless hours supporting their activities.
She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jeral Ronnie Carpenter.
Survivors include her son, Keith Shirah of Blue Springs, Alabama; two daughters, Amy Gulledge (Chad) of Midland City, Alabama and Lara Tyler (Ty) of Bakerhill, Alabama; brother, Ricky Key of Dothan, Alabama; two sisters, Cheryl Heifner of Blue Springs, Alabama and Lisa Bruner of Dothan, Alabama; nine grandchildren, Josh McCoy (Savannah), Hunter Gulledge, Logan Shirah (Anna), Dylan Gulledge (Morgan), Caleb Tyler (Fran), Brody Tyler (Madie), Kalei Faulk (Davey), Josie Tyler, and Abigail Gulledge; thirteen great-grandchildren and 4 more on the way.
Active pallbearers will be Hunter Gulledge, Logan Shirah, Dylan Gulledge, Caleb Tyler, Davey Faulk, Brandon Wells, and Josh McCoy.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brody Tyler, Chad Gulledge, and Ty Tyler.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory of Clayton was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 775-3403. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Mr. George Beale Dennis, age 84, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, at his home.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity with Reverend Carl Sexton and Reverend John Coleman officiating.
The family will be receiving friends in the church Parish Hall of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity prior to services from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 pm. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Nativity Choir, 205 Holly Lane, Dothan, Al. 36301.
Mr. Dennis was born on March 4, 1942, in Montgomery, AL the son of Everett Rodney Dennis and Martha Beale Dennis. He was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery and the University of Alabama where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity. George worked for over 20 years with Sears & Roebuck as the merchandise manager, owned Circle West Hardware in Dothan for 10+ years and then with Coleman American Moving Services until retirement. He was a longtime member of the Dothan Rotary Club where he served in many positions, a two-time past president and honored as a Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Mr. Dennis was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity where he served as Sunday school teacher, choir member, chalice bearer, a Vestry member and twice as the Senior Warden. He actively supported the Dothan Boys Club and served as a Past President.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, E. Jack Dennis and a grand-daughter, Millie Dennis.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Miriam Jordan Dennis, Dothan; two sons, Mark Dennis (Cara), Dothan and David Dennis (Kim), Montgomery; six grandchildren, Carolyne Ashwander (Walton), Catie Nichols (Stetson), Jackson Dennis (Ashley), Sam Dennis, Jordan Dennis (Madison) and Jon Dennis; nine great-grandchildren.
The family would like to acknowledge and give thanks to the care givers of Home Helpers Home Care (Woods, Sonya, Crystal and Sandy), Enhabit Hospice (Taylor Perkins) as well as the Episcopal Church of the Nativity Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study group.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with the arrangements.
Loveta Jean (Fowler) Johnson, a resident of Georgetown, Georgia passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence. She was 72 years old.
Linda Key Shirah, a resident of Blue Springs, Alabama, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 75 years old.
