OZARK…Cuba P. Horsley Wallce-Hill, age 72 of Ozark, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Cuba was born in Maysville, Kentucky and was the daughter of the late James and Anne Horsley from Garrison Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Valery Clawson Smith, brothers, Charles Sartin, Jimbob Sartin, and Henry Horsley, and her sister Mary Brough.
Cuba enjoyed sitting on the front porch of her home talking with her sister Alice and visiting with her kids and grandkids when they came to visit.
Surviving relatives include her son, Charles (Chuck) Clawson; her brother Jamie Horsley, sisters, Alice A Winterrowd and Delores Gibson; five wonderful grandchildren, Donovan Clawson, Dillion Smith, Jay Jay Smith, Kambe, and Michael Seidle; three great-grandchildren, Brielle Clawson, Jax Clawson, and Evalyn Clawson; several nieces and nephews.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Eva Merle Parrish Harrell, affectionately known as Eva Merle, who passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, in Taylor, Alabama, surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 10, 1933, in Houston County, Alabama, Eva Merle’s journey through life was marked by her loving nature and gentle spirit, which touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Eva Merle was a beacon of joy and warmth in her community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Mallie Mallory Parrish; her beloved husband, John Harrell; her cherished daughter, Deborah Harrell McLendon; and her siblings, Lomax Parrish, James Parrish, Sarah Nell Carbonelli, Billie Parrish, Gerald Parrish, and Jeanette Johnson. Her memory will be treasured and kept alive by those she leaves behind, including her grandson, Adam McLendon (Jeanette); her granddaughter, Stephanie Turvin (Shane); her sister, Diane Baxley (Tommy); her son-in-law, Mike McLendon (Carol); her great-grandchildren, Hannah Brunson (Ryan), Shellie Yeoman (Dustin), Daniel McGraw, Colby Turvin (Heather), and Courtney Dowd (Johnny); and her great-great-grandchildren, Miles, Lucas, Axel, Kairi, Lawson, Birdie, Gillie, and Johnny Dowd, as well as several loving nieces and nephews.
Eva Merle’s life was one of dedication and passion. She was a manager at Hallmark, where she was known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to make every customer feel special. Her interests were as vibrant and varied as her personality. She had a love for shopping, finding joy in the hunt for the perfect gift or the next addition to her beloved nutcracker collection. Scrapbooking was another of her passions, allowing her to preserve precious family memories with creativity and care.
A master at growing flowers and plants, Eva Merle’s garden was a testament to her patience and nurturing touch. Her dog, Allie, was a constant companion and source of unconditional love. Family was the cornerstone of Eva Merle’s life, and she cherished the time spent with them, especially during Sunday dinners, which she hosted with love and enthusiasm. Despite being an Alabama fan in a family of Auburn supporters, her gentle ribbing and playful banter during football season will be fondly remembered.
Eva Merle’s love for Christmas was evident in her extensive nutcracker collection and the joy she took in decorating her home for the holidays. Her spirit of giving and celebration made every Christmas time a magical experience for her family and friends.
A graveside service to honor the life of Eva Merle Parrish Harrell will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Memory Hill Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Reverend Travis Free, who will share words of comfort and remembrance for all those whose lives were enriched by Eva Merle’s presence.
ARITON…Mrs. Carolyn Shadrack Batchelor, a resident of Ariton, died early Wednesday morning, July 23, 2025, at her home. She was 82.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 25, 2025, at Ariton Cemetery with Pastor Randy Adams officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Batchelor, born to the late Louis Shadrack and Iris Lavelle Spencer, was a proud native of Louisiana, where her roots ran deep and her heart was shaped by the warmth of Southern life. Over the years, she made her way through different chapters of her journey, living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Terrell, Texas, before settling in the quiet town of Ariton, Alabama in 2012—a place that quickly became her sanctuary.
She lived a life full of grit, grace, and determination. In her earlier years, she worked hard managing apartment complexes, always making sure folks had a safe and welcoming place to call home. Later, she took to the open road as an over-the-road truck driver, a job that suited her independent spirit and gave her a chance to see the country from behind the wheel. She was never afraid of hard work and always carried herself with strength and dignity.
But it was in Ariton where she found peace. She loved nothing more than sitting on her front porch, soaking in the stillness of the countryside, watching the world go by at its own gentle pace. That porch became her favorite spot—a place for quiet reflection, laughter with neighbors, and long talks with family.
Mrs. Batchelor had a deep love for animals, and they loved her right back. Her dog Lula was her loyal companion, always by her side. Her cat Katie brought her comfort and calm. Vera Bell, her donkey, and Candy, her miniature donkey, added joy and a touch of whimsy to her days. Each of them held a special place in her heart, and she cared for them like family.
She was a woman of faith and found community and comfort in attending the former Ariton United Methodist Church. Her belief in kindness, compassion, and the goodness of people was evident in the way she lived and loved.
Mrs. Batchelor was preceded in death by her son, Michael Batchelor, her beloved siblings—Sara Spencer, Claudine Shadrack, and Otis Shadrack—whose memories she carried with her always. Though she faced loss, she never lost her warmth, her humor, or her ability to make others feel at home.
Her life was a beautiful blend of strength and softness, of hard work and quiet joy. She will be remembered not just for the things she did, but for the way she made people feel—loved, welcomed, and at peace.
Surviving relatives include her husband of forty years, Jeff Batchelor, Ariton; children, Brad Westberry (Holly), Garland, Texas, Carla Sammons (Jimmy), Dothan, Robbie Batchelor (Ami), Savannah, Georgia, Malissa Simpson (Howard), Oceanside, California, and Anthony Batchelor, Lutz, Florida; two sisters, Vera Fowler (Jiffy), Farmerville, Louisiana, and Donna Weadock (Donald), Vidalia, Louisiana; brother, Felton Dupree (Barbara), Louisiana; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Bradley Peavy, Bryson Peavy, Jeremy Talbott, Brady Westberry, Chase Batchelor, and Micah Westberry.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
MIDLAND CITY. . .Betty Henderson Ammons, a resident of Dale County, between Headland and Midland City, died Wednesday morning, July 23, 2025, at her home. She was 83.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 27, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with eulogies to be given by family and friends. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the mortuary in Headland. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the Piney Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, near Rehobeth, with Pastor Keith White officiating.
Mrs. Ammons was born in Barbour County and was raised in Dale County, near Echo, daughter of the late Willie Henderson and Ethel Blankenship Henderson. She lived in Rehobeth before moving to Dale County in 2003. Mrs. Ammons was a member of Piney Grove Methodist Church. She was retired from Buffalo Rock as Food Service Manager. In earlier years, she was employed by Food Services and WestPoint Stevens. Mrs. Ammons was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt Ammons, two sisters, Ruth Palmer and Sylvia Whitehead and a brother, Edward Henderson.
Surviving relatives include her sons, Mickey Ammons (Brandi), Abbeville; and Keith Ammons (Linda), Rehobeth; grandchildren, Tyler Ammons, Heather Ammons and Daphne Faulk (Scott); great-grandchildren, Lawson Faulk and Claire Faulk; four sisters, Imojean Selph, Clarksville, TN; Judy Maas (Alex), Midlothian, VA; Belita Hancock and Bobbie Willoughby, both of Ariton; numerous nieces and nephews.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Laura Towery McDonald, who left this world on July 23, 2025, at the age of 62.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Monday, July 28, 2025 at Ramah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 2 P.M. Monday, prior to the Graveside Service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity.
Born September 9, 1962, Laura was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who made a lasting impact on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Laura dedicated over 20 years of service to Wal-Mart, where she was admired and appreciated by co-workers and customers alike. Her kindness, sense of humor, and strong work ethic made her a beloved part of the Wal-Mart family. Beyond her career, Laura was deeply committed to her community, especially through her volunteer work with the Children’s Miracle Network, a cause close to her heart.
Laura is survived by her daughters, Samantha Nicole Jiminez (Cory), Krystal Dawn McDonald (Junior Freebourne), and Paula Hribal, grandchildren, Daniel Thompson, Alyssa McDonald-Ward, Blake Jiminez, Krystina Hanks, brother, Karl Towery, and her sister, Christi Fink.
She will be remembered as a selfless, generous, and compassionate woman who always put others first. Laura’s love for her family was unmatched, and her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched with her kindness, laughter, and unwavering support.
