Rita Joyce Minton Wammock passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Wesley Place Nursing Home. She was 62 years old.
Rita was born on October 1, 1963, in Arkansas to Jackie Minton and Sylvia Joyce Higgs Allen. She earned an associate degree in drafting and worked for many years as an administrative assistant.
Rita’s family was her greatest accomplishment in life. She dearly loved being a grandmother and treasured every moment spent with those she loved. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, and spending time in nature. Rita loved Jesus and lived with a strong faith. In her free time, she enjoyed cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs, going to the beach, and watching HGTV and The Weather Channel.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jackie Minton.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Aaron Wammock, Dylan Wammock (Celeste Guerra), and Jessica Walker (Areon); her mother, Sylvia Allen; her grandchildren, Adrian Walker and Amelia Wammock; her brother, Randall Minton; and her beloved friends, Cindy Byron and Leah Lutz.
Jerry Lamar Hughes, age 79, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026.
Jerry was born on January 25, 1947. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jonnie Doyal Hughes and Mary Evelyn Clark Hughes.
Jerry lived a full and hardworking life. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was an honored Vietnam, veteran. He then spent many years as a long-haul truck driver. He was also a well known horse trainer and had a deep passion for carpentry, often using his hands to create and build things for those he loved. In his downtime you would find him in his recliner watching old westerns. Jerry will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love for family, and his ability to connect with others through his many talents and stories.
He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 42 years, Shirley Flowers Hughes of Dothan, Alabama. He leaves behind his children: Melissa Tyson of Greenwood, Arkansas; Sherry Bullard of Dothan, Alabama; Angel Reigelsperger (Will) of Niceville, Florida; Ty Tyson of Dothan, Alabama; Steve Lindsey (Aimee) of Grand Bay, Alabama; Kelli Carroll (Clint) of Dothan, Alabama; and Danny Moss of Granbury, Texas. Jerry was a proud grandfather to Anniston, Lynsey (Matt), Brittney (Dennis), Madison (Mason), Chase, Trey, Jon, Jeremy (Rashell), Scarlet (Izick), Jorgia, Haleigh, Kayden (Ashton), Hunter, Kolby, Lacey, Blakely, Nicholas, and Canaan, and a loving great-grandfather to 12 great-grandchildren, Sadi, Wesley, Kaylee Ann, Karson, Karleigh, Kynleigh, Kolson, Blake, Remi, Stella and 2 on the way.
He is also survived by his siblings: Mary Alice Hughes Curl; Jonny Hughes (Carolyn); Wanda Hughes Simmons (Ed); Robin Hughes (Cheryl); Pam Hughes Henderson (Cliff); and Billy Clark (Wendi).
He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
Jerry also leaves behind cherished friends, including Ronald Hovey, Brent Morris, and Andy Rogers, who will miss him dearly.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, April 1, ,2026 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Robert Hamilton officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 2 PM prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory cemetery with Military Honors.
Pallbearers- Josh Bullard, Jon Bullard, Jeremy Bullard, Chase Correll, Jody Ward, Jessie Strickland.
Jerry’s legacy of love, hard work, and dedication to family will live on in all who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
We would like to thank the nurses at Gentiva, Cindy, Hannah and Joanne, and the nurses at South East Medical Center third and fourth floor CCU for all you did.
HEADLAND……Maria Angeles Casillas Carrazco, a resident of Headland, passed away Friday morning, March 27, 2026. She was 67.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 01, 2026 at St. Columba Catholic Church. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory in Headland.
Maria Angeles Casillas Carrazco was born in La Garita, Jalisco, Mexico, to the late Calletano Casillas Contreras and Aurora Torres. She carried with her the values of her upbringing throughout her life, cherishing her roots and the love of her family. In time, she made her home in the United States, where she created a life centered on faith, resilience, and devotion to those she loved. Maria was a faithful and devoted member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Eufaula, Alabama, where her presence and spirit will be deeply missed.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Raymundo Carrazco Lopez; three daughters, Bertha Alicia Carrazco, Griselda Carrazco, and Maria de Lourdes; four sons, Ignacio Carrazco, Armando Carrazco, Alfredo Carrazco, and Fernando Carrazco; nineteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; several other loving family members and friends.
Mr. Dean Curtis Belden, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at his home following a short illness.
Interment will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2026, at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Mr. Belden was born on January 25, 1945, in Lyons, Kansas to Henry and Evelyn Buckles Belden. He was raised in Saxmann, Kansas majority of his early years and then moved to South Hutchinson, Kansas. He attended high school in Nickerson, Kansas where he was a member of the football and track teams. After high school, he obtained an associate degree in fire safety. Mr. Dean made a career as a civil service fire fighter at Grand Forks Air Force Base and retired. He was in the United States Air Force Reserve as a fire fighter for thirty years and retired as MSGT. He was dedicated to his country, his career, and his family. He was a devoted husband and father since March 8, 1966, when he and his wife started their family. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. He enjoyed admiring and planting cactus. He was a member of Covenant Methodist Church.
Mr. Dean is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gary Belden and Phil Belden; sisters, Betty Dobbins and Ellen Vallijo.
Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Sandy Nester Belden; son, Kevin Belden (Jennifer); daughter, Kimberly Klocek (Paul); grandchildren, Kevin Klocek, Victoria Hooker (Chris), Tyler Belden (Cassidy), Brooke Belden, Jade Belden, and Chloe Belden; great grandchild, Henry Thomas Hooker; sister in law, Sharon Stockham (Terry); brothers in law, Tom Nester (Jeanne) and Gary Nester; nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
OZARK…Mr. Ronald E. Shell (Senior Master Sergeant, United States Air Force, Retired) a resident of Ozark, died early Monday afternoon, March 23, 2026, at his home. He was 71.
Funeral services, with full military honors, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 30, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Matt Sasser officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made Tunnel to Towers, T2T.org, Folds of Honor, or to Ronald McDonald House Charities in Mr. Shell’s memory.
Mr. Shell, son of the late Derald Bowman Shell and Elizabeth Spacholtz Shell, was a proud native of Ozark. He grew up here and carried the values of this community with him no matter how far he traveled. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1972, and not long after, he chose a path of service that would shape the rest of his life.
Following graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, beginning a career that took him around the world and allowed him to serve his country with honor. He was a veteran of both the Vietnam Era and Desert Storm, and his military service carried him to forty‑three countries across five continents. He often shared stories of the places he’d seen and the people he’d met, but he never boasted about it, he simply appreciated the experiences and the perspective they gave him.
He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after twenty‑two years and seven months of dedicated service. One of his final assignments was at Bolling Air Force Base, where he supported Air Force One — a responsibility he carried with quiet pride. Even while serving full time, he pushed himself to keep learning, earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Golden State University and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland. Education mattered to him, not for recognition, but because he believed in always growing.
After retiring from the Air Force, he began a second career with Nextel Communications, working as a Senior Engineering Manager for nine years before retiring once again. But “retirement” didn’t slow him down. He and his brother set out on an adventure many only dream of — traveling the country in an RV, visiting forty‑seven states and more than sixty national parks. He loved the open road, the quiet beauty of nature, and the freedom of exploring new places.
He was a man who embraced life fully. He was an avid golfer and proudly earned a hole‑in‑one. He was a certified scuba diver, and he enjoyed windsurfing, snowboarding, and skiing — hobbies that showed his adventurous spirit and his willingness to try anything at least once. In 2014, he returned home to Ozark, ready to enjoy a slower pace and spend time with the people he loved.
What people will remember most about him isn’t just his accomplishments, though they were many. They’ll remember the way he mentored others — in the military, in his professional life, and especially within his own family. His nieces and nephews looked up to him, leaned on him, and learned from him. He had a way of guiding people without ever making them feel small, offering wisdom with kindness and patience.
Mr. Shell lived a life filled with purpose, adventure, and heart. He served his country, explored the world, and poured into the people around him. His legacy lives on in the stories he shared, the lessons he taught, and the love he gave so freely. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Jane Haymon Shell.
Surviving relatives include his siblings, George Shell (Linda), Colorado Springs, Colorado, Terry Shell, Ozark, Dorothy Patrick (Douglas), Toney, Alabama, Michael Shell, Owens Crossroads, Debra Shiver (Edwin), Ozark, David Shell (Rosalinda), Anaheim, California, Richard Shell, Ozark, and Linda Tew (Joel), Ozark; nineteen nieces and nephews, twenty six great nieces and nephews and one great-great niece.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Mrs. Sylvia G. Donley of Dothan, AL passed away on February 18, 2026 at HCA Fort Walton- Destin Hospital. She was 73.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home Slocomb, AL with Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. and continuing until service time.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Milford and Margaret German Donley and husband, Roy Donley.
Survivors include a daughter, Kelly Donley; son, Steven Preachers; grandchildren: Chase Preachers, Steven Rutledge, Braelyn Kelly Tindell, and Marla Wade; great grandchild, Rosalie Rutledge; sisters: Patricia Ward, Sandra Sperry, Debra German, and Bobbie Ann Cox; and other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Mrs. Donley memory by making contributions to the charity of your choice.
