Obituary for Mrs. Emogene Wilcoxson Jones of Ozark

by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home | Aug 30, 2025 | Obituaries

OZARK…Mrs. Emogene Wilcoxson Jones, a resident of Ozark, died early Friday afternoon, August 29, 2025, at her home. She was 84.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, September 1, 2025, in the Pine Level Baptist Church near Louisville, with Reverend Dr. Russell Hagler officiating. Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery in Ozark. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. Monday at the church.

Mrs. Jones, born in the rolling hills of Metcalf County, Kentucky, was the cherished daughter of Dolon Wilcoxson and Opal Atwell Wilcoxson. She grew up surrounded by the values of faith, family, and hard work—principles that would guide her throughout her life. In January of 1959, she married the love of her life, Clarence D. Jones,  beginning a journey that would span decades and take her across several states, always with love at the center.

After starting their life together in Louisville, Kentucky, the couple eventually made their way to Brooksville, Florida, where they built a home filled with laughter, music, and the aroma of home-cooked meals. In 1999, they settled in Ozark, Alabama, where Mrs. Jones spent her later years surrounded by the peace and quiet she had come to treasure.

Mrs. Jones worked for many years at the Winn Dixie Grocery Store in Spring Hill, Florida, where she served as the Deli Manager. She was known not just for her skill and dedication, but for the way she treated everyone like family. Her coworkers admired her steady presence, and customers often returned just to see her warm smile and hear her kind words.

But her true passion was music. From a young age, Mrs. Jones had a gift for the piano, and she shared that gift generously. She played for various churches over the years, her fingers dancing across the keys in praise and worship. She was also a proud member of several gospel quartets, lending her voice and spirit to harmonies that lifted hearts and brought people together. Music was her way of expressing joy, faith, and love—and she never stopped playing.

Mrs. Jones had a deep love for the American West. Every summer, she looked forward to traveling out west, soaking in the beauty of the mountains, deserts, and wide-open skies. These trips were more than vacations—they were moments of reflection, adventure, and connection with the world beyond her front porch.

She was a devoted member of Pine Level Baptist Church, where she found fellowship, comfort, and a spiritual home. Her faith was quiet but unwavering, and she lived it out in the way she treated others—with kindness, humility, and grace.

Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Pauline Childress, with whom she shared a lifetime of memories, laughter, and sisterly love. Those who knew Mrs. Jones will remember her as a woman of gentle strength, deep faith, and a heart full of music. She leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and song—a life well-lived and deeply cherished.

Surviving relatives include her husband of sixty-six years, Clarence D. Jones, Ozark; two daughters, Regina Ann Carver (William A.), Ariton and Susan Valentine, Ozark; four grandchildren, Charity Ann Carver, Andrea Michele Threats, Andrew Carver, and Kasady Brodhead (Matthew); three great-grandchildren, Esther Threats, Tye Threats, and Ezra Brodhead.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Matthew Brodhead, Heath Fisher, Derek Sasser, Leman Littlefield, Tommy Danford, and Craig Phillips.

You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com

Everett Lamar Tolar

by Sunset Memorial Park | Aug 30, 2025 | Obituaries

Everett Lamar Tolar, known as Everett to his friends and family and Evie to his Navy buddies, passed away on August 22, 2025, in Birmingham, AL, at the age of 63. Born on November 1, 1961, in Pansey, AL; he was a true southern gentleman that loved his family, friends, and country.

Everett was a graduate of Ashford Academy, where he was known for his musical talents, which earned him a scholarship to Wallace Community College. There, he obtained an associate degree in music, a pursuit that brought joy to him and those fortunate enough to hear his performances. His passion for music was only matched by his love for his country, which led him to enlist in the Navy, serving with distinction and forming lifelong friendships.

After his naval service, Everett embarked on a career as an electrician, a trade that took him on the road before he settled into positions at Georgia Pacific’s paper mill and later at Farley Nuclear Plant. His work was not only a means to provide but also a source of pride, especially in his commitment to American-made quality.

Everett’s life was a tapestry of dedication, dedication to his family, his work, and his country. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Everett Faye Tolar and Mary Evelyn Cherry and his older brother, Terry Tolar. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his beloved wife, Amie Tolar; his children, Melissa (Jim) Conroy, Logan Tolar, Samantha Tolar, and Clay Tolar; and his 7 adoring grandchildren, James, Shane, Henry, Jackson, Luke, Brynlee and Ava, whose names and laughter filled his home with joy. He will also be fondly remembered by his siblings, Mary Ann Elmore, Jean Cook, Glenda Marilyn Holmes, a host of nieces and nephews, and the band of Navy friends who remained in close contact through the years.

Outside of his professional life, Everett was a man of many interests and talents. For four years, he lit up the stage on “Dancing with the Stars Dothan Style,” moving with a rhythm that matched his vibrant spirit. A devout man, his faith was ever-present, and he often shared it through song with his church band.

Everett’s love for his family was paralleled only by his love for the great outdoors. An avid hunter and fisherman, he found solace and excitement in the natural beauty of the Chattahoochee River, where many family memories were made aboard his boat. He was also a frequent visitor to the sandy shores of Panama City Beach, FL, and St. Andrews State Park, where the ocean’s embrace was a source of endless fascination and relaxation. As a staunch Alabama Football fan, his autumn Saturdays were spent cheering for his beloved team, a tradition he passed down to his children.

Described by those who knew him as faith-filled, loving, and friendly, Everett’s legacy is one of a life well-lived and love well-given. His patriotism, passion for American craftsmanship, and commitment to his community marked him as a man of principle and heart.

Everett’s life was a testament to the values he held dear, and his memory will continue to inspire those who knew him. His gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and the joy he found in the simple pleasures of life will be deeply missed but never forgotten. As we bid farewell to Everett Lamar Tolar, we do so with gratitude for the time we shared with him and the lessons he taught us through his example of a life filled with love, laughter, and loyalty.

A celebration of Everett’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Fred Bacher officiating. Following the service, the family will continue the celebration and receive friends in the reception hall. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity in Everett’s memory or to one of these which directly benefit those who are having a bone marrow transplant:

BMT Cancer Research – Everett’s case was complex and will be used to help future transplant patients. Support this research here.

https://tinyurl.com/Bone-Marrow-Research — “choose fund” / O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer – Bone Marrow Transplant Research

NMDP – covers the cost of bone marrow donors process

https://giving.nmdp.org/

Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home and Crematory, 1700 Barrington Road, Midland City, AL 36350 (334) 983-6604