Jason Clark Ketcham, age 53, of Ariton passed away June 25, 2025 from injuries sustained in a trucking accident.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Elam Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Rev. Randy Campbell will officiate. Interment will follow in the Elam Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Hughes, Ron Goodson, Sammy Senn, Joseph Floyd, Shawn Miller, Shawn McLaughlin.
Left to cherish his memory, fiancee, Deana Rivers Ketcham of Abbeville, AL; stepdaughters, India Floyd (Joseph), Jayda Johnson, Jorja Johnson; and Shaylee Spears (fiance TereDean Gebo), brother, Ricky Ketcham of Ariton, AL; sister, Paula Kay Yancey (Thad) of Troy, AL; step-grandchildren, Ashton Floyd, Axel Floyd; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Eugene Ketcham and Nell Clark Ketcham and brother Randall J. Ketcham. Jason was born June 28, 1971 and was a 1989 graduate of Ariton High School and was currently a truck driver with Southern Wood Products. In his leisure time, he enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, kayaking and camping.
Boyd Hartzog went to be with his Savior on Friday, June 27, 2025. He was 78 years old.
Boyd was born in Enterprise, Alabama on September 29, 1946 to Henry Boyd Hartzog, Sr. and Hilda Blackmon Hartzog. In addition to his parents, He was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Gene and baby sister; his in-laws, Tarver and Ara Bowden and sister-in-law Elaine.
Boyd is survived by his wife and love of his life, Sheila Bowden Hartzog, son, Eric Hartzog (Libba) and daughter, Gina Hussey (Mark); two grandsons, Cody Long and Dalton Myers, as well as a host of people that he considered his family. Those special family by heart include Jessica Totten Gillis (Chris), Maci & Wyatt Gillis and Sara Totten Messer (Seth).
Boyd served his country in the Army National Guard until retirement in March of 1995 when he retired as a Staff Sargent with the CID Unit out of Montgomery, Alabama. He started his military service in the U.S. Coast Guard but quickly decided his lack of swimming skills required a change and he served the remainder of his 30 years with the National Guard. He was a Rifle Expert and fixed wing mechanic with the Guard. He took those mechanic skills with him to a job at Ft. Rucker but soon felt the call to serve the State of Alabama as an Alabama State Trooper. Boyd was a skilled traffic homicide investigator – figuring out complex measurements (without the use of computer programs). He was told on many occasions he couldn’t be promoted or transferred because he was needed in traffic homicide too much. He was always happy to help the new guy’s double check their calculations and was one of the first investigators to actually use a computer program to assist in speed and skid calculations—but he always double checked the programs with pen and paper.
Most of all, Boyd loved serving His God. He was a chaplain with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team and for the Alabama State Troopers. He enjoyed working with Children and Senior adults. He especially enjoyed his Wednesday Morning Prayer Meeting with a group of Senior Adult Women while at Lee Street Baptist Church.
Boyd loved his wife and family well. His ring-tone for Sheila was “I’ll Go to my Grave Loving You” by the Statler Brothers. He definitely lived out that song. If he could tell you one last thing he’d say, “Get right with God” and if you already are, tell your family so that they have the assurance they will one day see you again in Heaven.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva, AL with Rev. Bruce Williams officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home.
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
Mary Jeane Reynolds Moss died on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Henry County Health and Rehabilitation in Abbeville, Alabama at the age of 98. Her most fervent prayer has always been that all people could dwell together on Earth in peace and with dignity.
Mary Jeane was born in Clopton, Alabama. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in several areas of education from Troy State University and Georgia State University. After teaching in a number of school districts in the south east United States, she joined the DeKalb County Georgia schools, becoming instrumental in the growth and development of Coralwood Center — a school dedicated to early intervention for children with disabilities. Here, and in her community, she was always known as dedicated, welcoming and deeply empathetic to everyone with whom she interacted no matter their position or station in life. An avid reader, learner, and music lover, Mary Jeane participated in numerous book clubs and regularly volunteered with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs. Moss is preceded in death by her most adored husband (Frederick W. Moss Sr.), her parents (Charles Jackson Reynolds and Lucille Norton Reynolds), and her brothers(Charles Whitfield Reynolds, Ralph Jackson Reynolds, and Jack Norton Reynolds. She is survived by her treasured children: LucyClaire N. Moss, (Abbeville, Alabama), and son and daughter in-law Frederick W. and Sandra V. Moss (Ann Arbor, Michigan).Her cherished extended family includes sister in-law Armeto .C. Reynolds (Dothan, Alabama) as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews and their children.
Mary Jeane’s family invites you to a visitation at 12:00 Noon and celebration of her life at 1:00 P.M. at Oak Grove United Methodist Church (1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur, GA.) on (Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens (3150 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker, GA.). Her stated request is that, in lieu of flowers, she be honored with donations to the music ministry at Oak Grove, which was her “beloved community” of faith for over 50 years.
Holman-Abbeville Mortuary, Abbeville, Alabama was in charge of local arrangements.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
Jamie Mathis walked into Heaven Thursday, June 26, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Bay Springs Baptist Church in Dothan with Rev. Wendell Holmes officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to service time.
Jamie Mathis grew up as a farmer boy plowing a mule, riding to church in the back of a pickup truck, and later as a teenager driving the school bus. He was a standout athlete at Cottonwood High School. During his lifetime he worked at Sears & Roebuck for 40 plus years. As an adult he played football well into his thirties, softball until his forties; all the while coaching youngsters in baseball, football, and basketball. When he gave up playing and umpiring softball, he began coaching his daughters and other girls through their years of athletic ventures. If he was not at the ballpark, he was at home watching some kind of a ball game on television. Jamie was most proud of his children who are Veterans, Law Enforcement, and Educators. Truly one can say an All-American boy who grew up as a Christian man with many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved him dearly. He loved spending time with his family and friends, fishing and talking. Jamie could be found leading the conversations at family gatherings. He had a passionate love for his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Ella Estelle Mathis; brothers Thad Mathis, Ralph Mathis, Dalton Mathis, and Rosby Mathis; sisters Nina Sasser, Lila Ben Griffin, Murrelle Smith, Reba Martin, Laurie Barton, and Kathryn Mayo.
Jamie is survived by his wife, Lee Mathis; his son Lance Mathis of Dothan, daughters Winnie Ward of Barksdale AFB (Richmond), Jamie Ann Ruddock of Dothan (Scott); granddaughters Winnie Lee and Harper Kate Ward, Ella Ann Dean; a sister Joyce Sewell (Joe).
Mr. Jonathan Mason “Johnny” Evans, a resident of Skipperville, Alabama, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025 at his home. He was 53 years old.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, , June 29, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Brian Presley officiating. Private Interment will follow in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Sunday from 1:00 P. M. until service time.
Johnny was born October 5, 1971 in Fort McClellan, Alabama to Patricia Sharon Andrews Evans and the late Jerry Douglas Evans. He grew up in Skipperville, Alabama where he attended G. W. Long High School. Johnny earned his A & P License from Alabama Aviation College and went to work for Sikorsky Aviation.
Johnny married the love of his life, Stephanie Willis, on June 12, 2004. He enjoyed the simple things in life like spending time with his family and friends, hunting and fishing, and trips to the beach. His greatest source of joy and pride was his wife and children.
Johnny was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Douglas Evans and his infant daughter, Alexandria Evans.
Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Stephanie Willis Evans; his children, Chase Evans, Reece Evans, Riley Evans and Mason Evans; his mother, Patricia Andrews Evans; one brother, Doug Evans; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Amelia Willis; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Melissa Willis; and nephews, Judd Willis (Hannah) and Clay Willis. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends also survive.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116-7023.
OZARK…Mr. Larry R. Smith, a resident of Ozark, died Thursday morning, June 26, 2025, at his home. He was 67.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Charles Goldsmith officiating. Burial will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Smith, born and raised in the close-knit town of Ozark, Alabama, was the beloved son of the late Billy Ray Smith and Becky Marie Fulford Smith. Ozark wasn’t just where he came from, it was the foundation of who he was.
Over the years, Mr. Smith put his skills and passion for cars to good use. He worked as a Certified Auto Body Repairman at several local businesses, including Jerry Mitchell Chevrolet, Walter Hand Ford, Maaco, and Gilland Chevrolet. He had a real talent for bringing things back to life—whether it was a fender that needed straightening or a paint job that needed perfecting. He took pride in his craft, not just because it paid the bills, but because he genuinely loved what he did. He believed in putting in an honest day’s work, and his hands—often stained with grease and paint—were proof of his dedication.
When he wasn’t at work, you could almost always find him with a fishing rod in hand. Fishing wasn’t just a hobby for him, it was a way to find peace, to breathe a little deeper, and to enjoy the quiet moments that life too often rushes past. There was something about being out on the water that made him feel grounded.
Mr. Smith also had a keen eye for rare and vintage coins. He found joy in the stories each old coin held pieces of history he could hold in his hand. Collecting wasn’t just about value to him; it was about connection, about preserving something meaningful and sharing it with others who understood.
But perhaps nothing brought him more joy than his loyal dog, Aubie. To say their bond was special would be an understatement. Aubie wasn’t just a pet, he was family. They were constant companions, and anyone who saw them together could tell just how deep that love ran. Through good days and hard times, Aubie was always by his side.
Mr. Smith’s life was also marked by loss. He was preceded in death by his dear sister, Paula Michelle Potter, and his brother, James Harold Smith. Their memory never left him, and he carried them in his heart every day.
Surviving relatives include his aunt, Shirley Lowery, Ozark; sister-in-law, Sherry Smith, Skipperville; brother-in-law, Paul Potter, Skipperville; nieces and nephews, Misty Smith (Ricky Whitehead), Jennifer Barranco (Vince), Shelby Smith (Daniel Massey), B.J. Smith (Alicia), and Josh Smith; Gary Wimberly, his lifelong best friend; several cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Hunter Whitehead, Jaxon Whitehead, Brayden Whitehead, Bryce Smith, Braxton Barranco, and Paul Potter.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
