Obituary for Mrs. Betty Ayres of Ozark
OZARK…Mrs. Betty Ayres, a resident of Ozark, died late Saturday afternoon, October 11, 2025, in the Ozark Health & Rehabilitation Facility in Ozark. She was 72.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Mitchell B. Kirkland
Mitchell B. Kirkland, 76, passed away on October 7, 2025, at Advent Health in Apopka, Florida, after a brief illness. Born on February 6, 1949, in Dothan, Alabama, Mitchell’s life was rooted in the Southern communities he called home and shaped by service to his Lord and enduring ties to family and friends.
Mitchell was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Sr. & Evelyn Kirkland, parents-in-law Abner & Mary Miller, brother Otis Kirkland Jr., nephew Thad Kirkland, brother-in-law Curtis Emerson, sister-in-law Carol Kirkland, and sister-in-law Helen Ruth Taylor.
Mitchell is survived by his wife Glenda Kirkland, Howey in the Hills, FL; son Randall Newberry (Alice) Phenix City, AL; daughter BJ Riday (Ryan) Clermont, FL; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, sisters Gloria White (Harold), Slocomb, AL; Mary Emerson Dothan, AL; Vivian Morrison (Billy), Dothan, AL; and a host of other relatives including a very special aunt Quinque Donley, his cherished nieces and nephews, his adopted family the Ozbuns, and other close friends.
Mitchell was a seemingly quiet man who was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was always there to lend a hand when anyone needed. His quick wit served him well when he was joking, and he never missed a chance to make you laugh, even if it came at your own expense sometimes.
Mitchell served in the US Navy for four years as an electronics mechanic, spending eight months at sea aboard the USS Saratoga during her deployment to the South China Sea supporting the Vietnam War efforts.
Mitchell, an electrician by trade, retired as the Director of Plant Services after 38 years working for Southeast Alabama Medical Center.
Mitchell loved fishing even though he didn’t often take time to go. He did find time to garden and took pride in his wicking pots and the vegetables they produced. In recent years, he also enjoyed watching bluebirds nesting in his bird boxes. He never turned down a request for dog sitting and will be greatly missed by Spice and Sugar.
Mitchell was a man of God. He traveled the world on various mission trips, but he viewed everyone in his daily life as his mission field. He ministered to those he worked with, and he developed lifelong friendships with those he fellowshipped with. He interceded in prayer for all those he knew.
If you choose to contribute in Mitchell’s honor, PersecutionProject.org is a cause he believed in.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 P.M. Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends after the Celebration of Life service at The DoubleTree, 2740 Ross Clark Circle. We would also love for you to share your favorite memories of Mitchell with us via email, even if you’re unable to join us. Lifetime.Lived@Gmail.com
Norma Jane Gilley Barber
Norma Jane Gilley Barber, 92, a long-time resident of Dothan, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 10, 2025. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Ward Wilson Chapel in Dothan, AL. Burial will follow in the Tabernacle Methodist Church Cemetery in Bald Hill (family only). The family will receive friends from 1:00 until service time at the Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
Norma was born on November 22, 1932, in Lynn Haven, Florida to the late Clois Bishop Gilley and Ruth Hoover Gilley. She was a 1951 graduate of Slocomb High School in Slocomb, Alabama. After graduation she began working at the Slocomb National Bank and later transferred to the First National Bank in Dothan. In the late 60’s she worked at Hedstrom Union Company until her marriage in 1967 to Ray Barber. Norma and Ray enjoyed fishing, playing games, working in the yard and spending time with the family together until his death in 2017. They were both members of the Goodwater Freewill Baptist Church in Newton.
She is survived by two step-sons Ray N. Barber (Patti) of Tifton, GA and Randy Barber (Darlene) of Chickamauga GA, and one step-daughter Jody Burke (Bo) of Marianna FL, four step-grandsons – Ben Burke (Kara), Daniel Burke (Emily), Austin Barber (Cara), Jonathan Barber (Brittney), five step-granddaughters – Mandy White (Ben), Natalie Keadle (Walker), Sarah Barber, Lawson Nagle (Connor), Maria Bible (Cameron), twenty step-great grandchildren, and several cousins including June (Ken) Winter of Tennessee.
2414 Hartford Highway
Dothan, AL 36305
Tel: 334-792-4194
https://www.wardwilson.com/
Robert Lee Beaubouef
Robert Lee Beaubouef, known affectionately as Bob to his friends and family, passed away on October 9, 2025 at his residence in Dothan, Alabama. He was 78 years old
Bob was born on December 5, 1946 in Alexanderia, Louisiana to Roland and Vertie Beaubouef who precede him in death. Bob is also preceded by all of his siblings: Roland and his wife Diane Beaubouef, Charles Beaubouef, Leonard Beaubouef, and his sister, Linda Cazes. His first wife, Peggy Beaubouef, also preceded him.
He is survived by his son, Joseph Beaubouef, Louisiana; daughter, Karen Beaubouef Jacobs and her husband, Alan Jacobs, Dothan, AL;. and son, Mathew Beaubouef, and his wife, Natalia, and their children, Elowyn and Milo Beaubouef, of Franklin, TN; sister-in-law, Gerry Beaubouef; and brother-in-law, John Cazes; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his second wife, Judy Bulot.
Per Bob’s wishes, he will be cremated and have a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Deville, Louisiana at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any donations to be sent to the church. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, P.O. Box 7, Deville, La 71328.
We would also like to give a special thanks to Encompass Health for the excellent care provided and a heartfelt thank you to Father Patrick Gallagher for his comfort and spiritual support not just for Dad but everyone in our family.
Margaret Gandy Austin
HEADLAND. . .Margaret Ann Gandy Austin, a resident of Headland, passed away Sunday morning, October 12, 2025. She was 70.
A private burial will be held in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Mrs. Austin was born in Hollywood, Florida and was raised in Davie, FL, Leesburg, FL and Apopka, FL. She lived in the state of Florida before moving to Headland, Alabama in 2016. Mrs. Austin was retired from Extendicare Health Center in Dothan as a Cosmetologist. In earlier years, she was employed by the Lake County School Board in Leesburg and Tavares, FL as a School Bus Driver for thirty-four years. Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Stephen Austin and a brother, James Steven Gandy.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Melissa Bryant, Headland; a sister, Carol Ann Farrar (Leslie), Headland; a special friend and caretaker, Carole Frank, Dothan; a niece, Leslyn Farrar, nephews, Michael Farrar (Jennifer) and Will Farrar; and a Grandpup “Gracie”.
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.
