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
OZARK…Mrs. Hilda Marie Nieves, a resident of Ozark, died early Wednesday morning, July 16, 2025, at her home. She was 92.
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.
Hilda was born in the winter of 1932, in the small community of Skipperville, Alabama. Life there was quiet and close, filled with simple joys and strong family ties. She spent her childhood playing beneath the pine trees, helping around the house, and building the kind of character that would carry her through all her days. Skipperville was where she learned the value of kindness, hard work, and resilience.
As a young girl with a bright spirit and a curious mind, Hilda eventually moved to Ozark and attended Dale County High School. She graduated proudly with the Class of 1950, leaving a mark on everyone who knew her—through her grace, gentle laughter, and her undeniable spark. After school, she began working at Sheppard’s Jewelry Store, a place where her keen eye and thoughtful nature made her a beloved part of the local community. She had a way of making each customer feel like they mattered, whether they were picking out something simple or searching for the perfect gift.
In 1954, Hilda’s journey took her far from home to Long Island, New York, after she married the love of her life and then to Puerto Rico where they raised their children. It was a new chapter filled with new experiences, and she embraced the adventure with the same steady heart she’d always carried. Years later, she moved once more—this time to Houston, Texas—where she did something truly special: she started her own travel agency. Hilda helped others discover the world and made their trips unforgettable. It wasn’t just about booking flights and hotels—it was about making dreams come true. She poured love and attention into every detail, because that’s just who she was.
Eventually, Hilda found her way back to Ozark, the place where her roots ran deep. She retired there, surrounded by memories and familiar faces, and spent her golden years tending to her beloved yard. She took great pride in keeping it beautiful. Flowers bloomed under her care, and birds came to visit like old friends. Even when it became harder for her to get around, she still made sure her yard reflected her love for nature and beauty.
Hilda’s energy was something people noticed. It wasn’t loud or flashy—but it was steady, kind, and full of life. Whether she was sharing stories, giving advice, or simply showing up for the people she loved, she had a way of making everything feel a little brighter. Her absence leaves a quiet space in the hearts of all who knew her, and her memory will be cherished for generations.
Hilda was preceded in death by her parents John Emmett and Dovie Mae Smith, husband, Anthony J Nieves, son Anthony J Nieves Jr., daughter, Christina Marie Nieves, sisters Edna Arnold, Evelyn Carroll, and Sara Catherine Simmons; brothers Fred Smith and Jack Smith, a niece Maria Dunlap and Bill Carroll Jr.
She is survived by her oldest daughter TerryAnn Garcia-Villamil; her grandsons Hector Garcia-Villamil, Bryan Anthony Nieves, and her granddaughter and caregiver Kayla Marie Nieves; four great grandchildren Hector Alejandro and Leia Nicole Garcia-Villamil, and Saphyra Alicia and Bryan Silas Nieves; several nieces and nephews.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Rosanne “Rose” Day Johnston of Geneva passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025. She was 63 years old.
A celebration of life service will be held privately by her family at a later date.
Rose was born in Andalusia, AL on July 14, 1961, to the late Andrew Jack and Clara Evelyn Jordan Day. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. She was an avid outdoor enthusiast, who enjoyed her flower gardens, planting, harvesting, canning and preserving fruits and vegetables and watching her family enjoy the bounty. Rose was never scared of hard work and believed in providing for her family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Gary Day.
Rose is survived by six children, Donna Antolik (Ian) of Geneva, AL, Kelly Mathis (Trevor) of Midland City, AL. Angela Mitchell (Reggie) of Hartford, AL, Christie Tucker, Daniele Johnston and Daniel Johnston, Jr., all of Geneva, AL; 14 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, a number of special brothers and sisters; her husband and companion, John Medley, also survives.
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
DALEVILLE…Mr. William Alan Riley, a resident of Daleville, died early Thursday evening, July 17, 2025, at his home. He was 49.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Matt Sasser officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Riley was a native of Dothan, Alabama, where he graduated from Dothan High School in the class of 1993. He spent much of his life in and around the place he called home, building a legacy of craftsmanship, kindness, and deep faith. For years, he owned and operated Aquariums by Will, a business that reflected both his entrepreneurial spirit and his love for nature. He took great pride in his work, and anyone who ever stepped into his shop knew they were dealing with someone who truly cared about what he was doing.
Beyond work, Will was a man of many passions. He had a true talent for woodworking—he could take a simple piece of wood and turn it into something beautiful and lasting. He was most at peace when he was outdoors, soaking up the sunlight and the fresh air, especially down by the river. The calm of the water and the quiet moments in nature brought him joy and reminded him of God’s creation.
More than anything, Will loved his family. He was a devoted grandfather who lit up when spending time with his grandsons, teaching them how to fix things, showing them how to build, sharing life lessons, and patiently answering every curious question they asked. Watching them grow and guiding them with love gave him a deep sense of purpose.
His faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of everything he did. It was evident in the way he lived, the way he treated others, and the way he faced both the good and hard times. That strength carried him through life’s toughest moments, including the heartbreaking loss of his son, Jacob Wade Smith, in 2024. Though that pain never left him, Will remained steadfast in his faith and continued to pour love into those around him.
Will Riley will be remembered not just for the things he did, but for the way he made people feel—welcomed, valued, and cared for, especially his loving wife, whom he adored, Rosie.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Rosie Serna, Daleville; his children, Kaylin Cureton (Kyle), Sable Riley, all of Dothan, Corporal United States Marine Corps, Anthony Nash (Anya), San Diego, California, Isabell Nash, Daleville, and Krista Bogert, Enterprise; his mother, Ellice Lord (Larry), Dothan; three sisters, Maggie Lord, Dothan, Mindy Terryn (Raymond), Miami, Florida, and Lanice Riley, Jacksonville, Florida; step-sister, Amy Lord, Dothan; six grandchildren, Carson Alan Cureton, Carter Cureton, Liam Wood, Ellis Riley, Marcus Nash, and Kynleigh Cureton; aunts, Donna Snyder and Denise Johnston; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
ABBEVILLE… Roy Lee Daniels, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025, at a Dothan Hospital. He was 77.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Reverend James Turner officiating. Burial will follow in the First Baptist Missionary Church in Shorterville, Alabama. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Daniels was born in Abbeville, Alabama to the late Mitchell Daniels, Sr. and Mary Alice Daniel Daniels. In his earlier years he lived in Abbeville, Alabama, but moved to New York, New York in 1969, and lived there until moving back to Abbeville, Alabama in 2005. While in New York, he worked with UCP as a bus driver for the disabled. He was a member of the First Baptist Missionary Church in Shorterville, Alabama.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Oza Dell Daniels; his sisters, Willie Reece, Johnnie Mag Lewis and Eva Mae Daniels; and his brothers Johnny Daniels, Frank Daniels, Horace Daniels, and Bennie Daniels.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his children, Michael Daniels, Johnny Daniels, Victoria Daniels, Valerie Daniels, Crystal Daniels, Roy Daniels, Jr., Monique Daniels, Alicia Daniels, Deidre Daniels, Sharon Daniels, and Faith Daniels; his sister, Betty Daniels; his brother, Mitchell Daniels, Jr. (Lynn); his several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
