Dr. Arne Y. Foss, a loving family man and esteemed member of his community, passed away on July 19, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. His life was one marked by dedication, compassion, curiosity, and strength.
Arne was born on July 30, 1933, on Staten Island, New York, to Norwegian immigrant parents, Arne and Astri Skaardal Foss. Arne’s academic journey began at Cornell University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. He was a member of the Air Force ROTC and active participant in the university crew team and the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Following his time at Cornell, Arne joined the US Air Force and proudly served for three years as a jet pilot in Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Thule, Greenland.
In the early 1960’s, his pursuit of a medical career took him to Emory Medical School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he received his medical degree and subsequently completed a residency in radiology. In 1970, after a year of working for the University of Colorado in Denver, Arne and the family settled in Dothan, Alabama. He was one of only two radiologists in Dothan for years, and after more than 30 years of service, he retired a beloved physician known for his humor, work ethic, and generosity.
Arne met the love of his life, Jan Hinson Foss, on a blind date while a pilot in Georgia, and together they shared 67 years of marriage filled with love and laughter. Arne found one of his greatest joys spending time at Green Pond, his family’s New Jersey lake house, which he considered his favorite place on earth. He loved fishing and hunting, was a sports enthusiast of all kinds, and was happiest when outdoors. His love for seafood knew no bounds. In 1979, he and Jan purchased a beach home on 30-A, where he enjoyed spending time with family and friends for decades. Despite living in Dothan for over 50 years, he never lost his New York accent. Arne’s mischievous humor was routinely a source of joy and laughter for those around him. He was deeply committed to the Dothan Rotary Club, where he received the esteemed Paul Harris Award twice, reflecting his unwavering commitment to community service. Arne’s sensitive and sentimental nature made him a compassionate man, beloved by everyone who had the fortune to cross his path. His generosity, both with his money and time, was boundless, and his curious mind was always eager to learn and explore new things.
Above all, Arne’s love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was paramount. He leaves behind a legacy of love and learning in his children, Arne M. Foss, Ken (Diane) Foss, Karla (Kevin) Reilly, and Erik (Evin) Foss; his twelve grandchildren, Hannah, Brittany, Sara, Tyler, Cameron, Cecilia, Olivia, Michael, Patrick, Maya, Morgaine, and William; and his great-grandchildren, Nora Ingrid Luly and the soon-to-arrive Collins Jan Foss. Arne also leaves behind his beloved furry companion, Pepper.
Arne was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jan Hinson Foss; by his parents, Arne and Astri Skaardal Foss; and by his sisters, Alice Garcia and Judy Stuart. He is survived by his sister, Cathy Gustavsen, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and family. In his final years, the compassionate care provided by the team at Joy Keepers, who became like family, will always be cherished by his loved ones.
A celebration of Dr. Arne Foss’s life will be held at 11 am on Monday, July 28, 2025, at First United Methodist Dothan, with Dr. David Saliba officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10-11 am to share memories and honor the man who’s life touched so many.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to Wiregrass Pets Rescue and Adoption or First United Methodist Church in Arne’s memory.
BROWN’S CROSSROADS COMMUNITY…Mrs. Annie Jean McDaniel Davis, a resident of the Brown’s Crossroads Community of Dale County, died late Saturday evening, July 19, 2025, at her home. She was 82.
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Friday, July 25, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor David Lewis officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Davis was born and raised in Dale County, and she never strayed far from the place that shaped her. She was the beloved daughter of Henry Delmer McDaniel and Mildred Outlaw McDaniel, whose values and love laid the foundation for the kind of woman she became—steady, devoted, and full of grace.
For forty-six remarkable years, she worked at Phillips Van Heusen in Ozark, where she started as a sewing machine operator and retired as a supervisor. That wasn’t just a job to her—it was a second home, filled with friendships, challenges, and pride in a hard day’s work. She was respected by coworkers for her work ethic and her fairness, and the younger ones looked up to her as someone who always had their back and knew the ropes.
But beyond the walls of her workplace, Mrs. Davis found her true joy in family. She was the kind of mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who showed up without needing to be asked—whether it was a birthday, a school play, or just a quiet afternoon where someone needed company. Her love came through in small, constant gestures: warm meals, thoughtful phone calls, hand-written notes, and hugs that made everything feel alright again. Her support was unwavering, her presence comforting. She was a member of Bethel Methodist Church.
Mrs. Davis lived a quiet kind of greatness—the kind that doesn’t demand attention but leaves a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know her. She was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Freddie McDaniel.
Surviving relatives include her husband of sixty-four years, Harold C. Davis; daughter, Laurie Davis Wilson (Frankie),all of Brown’s Crossroads Community; son, Harold Christopher Davis (Melanie), Ozark; three brothers, Bobby McDaniel (Margaret), Steve McDaniel (JoAnn), and Mickey McDaniel; grandson, Trey Grammont; two great-grandchildren, Beau Grammont and Will Davis Grammont; several nieces and nephews; special thanks to Neil and Anna McDaniel and Paula Kennedy for their loving care; brother-in-law, Kenneth Davis (Barbara), Midland City; caretaker, Heather Pace.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Gentiva Hospice for their loving care and kindness shown to Mrs. Davis and her family during this time.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Callie Sue Monday, a resident of Dothan, died Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Southeast Health Medical Center following a brief illness. She was 85.
Funeral services for Callie Sue will be held at Timbers Drive Church (First Free Will Baptist) at 11 AM Wednesday, July 23, 2025 with Pastor Josh Horton officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until 10:45 AM prior to the services at the church.
Callie Sue was born in Browns Crossroads, Alabama to Thomas E. and Audrey Louise Fleming Long. She was raised on a farm in Seminole County, Georgia graduating from Seminole County High School in 1957. She was a member of the basketball team and played the clarinet in the band. She continued her education in Albany, Georgia, and after finishing Business College she started a life-long career in bookkeeping at Albany Air Service. She truly enjoyed her work and all the fascinating people she met traveling through the airport. She would commute to work on the company car and was told she was so short that the car appeared to be driving itself!
Callie Sue met, fell in love with, and married her life-long partner in adventure, Delmer Monday, in 1958. They moved from Georgia to Fort Ord, Monterey Bay, California for the start of Delmer’s military career. Upon completion of that tour, they moved to Dothan, Al. She then worked for Sears & Roebuck until the birth of their baby girl. Callie Sue returned to work with the Alfred Saliba Corporation for many years, then finished out her career at the WASCO Corporation. Our family wants to say a very special thanks to the Alfred Saliba and John Watson families for their love and support.
Callie Sue had many talents that she blessed her family and friends with: a photographic memory of numbers, quick wit, beautiful smile, and best of all, her cooking. Callie Sue shared that she had always been told she was beautiful too. Delmer and Callie Sue enjoyed a large garden together, growing wild black berries, figs and raised livestock to provide the family with very fresh meals. Cooking, canning, baking, and sweet tea – there truly was no end. Callie Sue and Delmer raised three children, instilling the virtues of hard work, truthfulness, and finance management (and never sparing the rod to bring home those values). They entertained family and friends at their home, lake house and beach house, enjoying many great meals and memories. Callie Sue was a long and very proud member of Timbers Drive (First Free Will Baptist Church of Dothan). It cannot be measured how much she loved and cherished God, her church and her church family.
Callie Sue is preceded in death by her husband Delmer Monday, Son Jeffery Alan Monday, and adopted son Randy Mathis. Her parents Tom and Louise Long, Brother Thomas and his wife Jean Long.
She is survived by children Nicholas Mark and Amy Monday, Christina Louise Bell; adopted children Barbra Mathis Taylor, Tim and Penny Stewart; grandchildren Casey and Regan Bell, Shelby and Cris Copley, Mason Monday and Rachel Hilarides, Carly Ethridge, Cole Ethridge; Great-grandchildren Leah, Forrest, Sadie and Caleb Bell, Skylar Copley; Siblings Annie Carol and Howard Jones, Patsy Paulk and Roy Townsend, Catherine and Delwyn Corbitt and Talmadge Long.
Mary Evelyn Mathis Hodges, 85, a life-long resident of Houston County, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Southeast Health, following an extended illness.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Mount Enon Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Don Tew officiating and Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to, Mount Enon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3167 Iris Road, Dothan, AL 36301.
Evelyn was born on December 5, 1939, in Cottonwood to the late Carlos & Eura Hall Mathis. She spent the early years of her life there and was a 1958 graduate of Cottonwood High School. Evelyn worked as Teachers Aide at both Cottonwood and Rehobeth schools. Outside of work, she loved to shop and was a devoted Christian lady. She was a member of Mount Enon Baptist Church for over 50 years, serving in numerous roles such as, Sunday School, Joy Group, WMU, Children’s Sunday School & VBS teacher, and the church choir.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Carlos & Eura Mathis; her sister, Dorothy Nell Raley; her four brothers, Carl Mathis, Jr., Theo Mathis, Charles Mathis, and Bobby Mathis.
She is survived by her husband, Larry D. Hodges of Dothan; her three daughters, Susan McAnulty (Mike), Jan Watts (Brian), and Starla Watford (Jason) all of Dothan; her five grandchildren, Kaitlyn McAnulty of Dothan, Troy Watts (Hedaya) of Dothan, Hayley DeLoach (Riley) of Troy, Dylan Watford, and Blake Watford both of Dothan; and several nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be, Dylan Watford, Blake Watford, Troy Watts, Riley DeLoach, Michael Mathis, and Sidney Mathis.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be her Sunday School Class and Cottonwood High School Class of 1958.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Hunter Champion, the nurses and staff of Southeast Health 4E, the staff of Southern Care Hospice, and Brittany Sasser & her nurse Montana of Southern Clinic for the love and care shown to their loved one during this time.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Meril C. Berry of Troy, AL passed away Monday, July 14, 2025 at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, AL. She was 73.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2025 at Skeen Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Greg Aman officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memorial Park Cemetery with Skeen Funeral Home of Troy directing. The family will receive friends Friday at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until time of service.
Meril was born October 24, 1951 in Haleburg, AL to the late Hirschel and Maudrie Creel, In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Hirschel Creel, Donald Creel, Larry Creel, and Danny Creel; sister Shirley Moring; brothers- in-law, Bobby Moring, and Herbert Henderson; sister-in-law Jackie Creel; nephews, Tim Creel, Mark Burdeshaw, and Micah White; niece Monette Copeland; special claimed grandchildren: Eden Sophia Sims, Naomi Faith Sims, and Katie Grace Sims. She is survived by her husband, Franklin Berry, Troy; daughter, Meagan Elizabeth Berry, Portland, OR; sisters, Fran Henderson, Murphy, North Carolina, Glenda Borener, Dothan, AL, Gayle White, Madison, AL, and Kathy Creel, Tallahassee, FL; sister-in-law, Clarice Creel, Malvern, AL; nieces and nephews: Terry Creel (Denise), Ocean Springs, MS, Connie Cox, Columbus GA, David Moring (Maria), Birmingham AL, Allen Moring, Marble Hill, MO, Janet Ford Columbia, TN, Gary Moring, Columbus, GA, Victor Henderson (Joetta), Quitman, GA, Sherry Shirah (Greg), Wicksburg, AL, Sandy Brown (Perry), Lagrange, GA, David Burdeshaw (Tracie), Headland, AL, Kristin Sims (Joshua), Athens, AL, Keisha Akhavein (Mehdi), Tallahassee, FL, and Kristopher Creel, Tallahassee, FL; many great nieces and great nephews; special friends, Ola Mae Starks, Carol Miller-McLendon, and Robert Schofield.
Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Sims, Robert Schofield, Carl Hussey, Bill Hussey, Charles Brown, Greg Brown, Morgan Brown, and Weston Brown.
The guest book may be signed and words of condolences expressed at www.skeenfuneralhome.com
Nellie was born to Ouida and Edward Lawrence on December 8, 1933, at the rural Jackson County home of her maternal aunt and uncle back when doctors still made house calls. She had fond memories of growing up at the farm with her dear friend Gloria Lawson Goodreau and her many cousins as her playmates, and she vividly recalled when the farm got electricity and also listening to the radio the day of her birthday in 1941 when President Roosevelt gave his famous speech in response to the Pearl Harbor attack.
The family moved to Panama City after World War 2 where she attended Cove School (and where she later taught with the best faculty EVER) and was a proud member of the Bay High Class of 1950. A die-hard Seminole, Nellie attended Florida State University for her undergraduate teaching degree and while on campus she was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity and the FSU Flying High student circus among other activities. She received her master’s in early childhood education at the University of Florida where her first husband, John S. “Jack” Laird, was finishing his studies in Forestry, and then worked in the Bay County school system as a teacher and an administrator until her retirement.
While in Panama City she was an active member of Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church and the Junior Service League, serving as a sustaining recipe coordinator on the award-winning Bay Leaves cookbook. She later moved to Geneva, Alabama, the hometown of her second husband, Joel E. Johnson, Jr., where she was active in the Geneva Presbyterian Church, the Athenaeum Club, and the Artful Wonders after school art program. She loved reading and delighted in sharing that love with other educators as well as her students, becoming a driving force of the Bay County Reading Association and also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma teacher’s professional society.
Nellie and Joel were fortunate enough to travel widely, but her very favorite destination was her mountain cabin in North Georgia, where she spent many happy hours with family and friends.
Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Gene, and her husband Joel E. Johnson, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Leslie Laird Whited (John) and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Very special thanks to Melanie, Mary, and Catherine Walters for their lifelong love for Nellie, and to Shanice Rouse, Sam Rouse, Iman Davie, Lucretia Kennedy, and Janie Connor for the blessing of their care and companionship.
There will be a visitation at Wilson Funeral Home in Panama City, FL on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Geneva Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the Geneva City Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday beginning at 12:00 noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to
Bay County Public Library
Library Administration Office
P O Box 610
Panama City, FL 32402
Or
Emma Knox Kenan Public Library
P O Box 550
Geneva, AL 36340
Attn: Mishelle Hidle
Please include “in memory of Nellie L. Johnson” on the memo line of the check.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
