rickey@rickeystokesnews.com

Text Rickey: 334-790-1729

Mr. Coy Gordon Walker

Mr. Coy Gordon Walker

Coy “Gordon” Walker, of Dothan, Alabama went to his heavenly home in the early morning hours on Thursday, July 17, 2025. He was blessed with 89 years on this Earthly home to spend with friends and family.

Gordon and his wife, Glenda Cook Walker, shared 67 years of marriage. Together they built a life for themselves and their three daughters: Sheila Barfield (Rickey / predeceased), Denise Beatty (Brad), and Pam Hall (Tim), who will always treasure his memory and carry on the faith and generosity their daddy showed.

As time passed and his family grew, he took on a new and cherished role as “PaPa” and boy, did he love his grandchildren and great-grands! They loved playing with PaPa and he could make the best silly faces they had ever seen. Joy is the only word to describe the times they spent with him. He had six grandchildren including: Tiffany Tomaino (Anthony), Tammy McCall (David), Daniel Smothers (Kelsey), David Barfield (Janet), Tabitha Wallace (Brian), Tina Thomley (Colby) along with 15 great-grandchildren. What a blessing of God!

Gordon joined the military at a young age and became an awesome sailor in the U. S. Navy. Throughout his career he showed dedication, hard work, patriotism, and love for our great country so much so that he was honored as “Sailor of the Year”. He retired while serving on the USS Lexington in Pensacola in 1974. The decision to retire came as a bittersweet moment for him, as he cherished and was proud to serve this great nation. Upon retiring, he and his family returned to Dothan, Alabama and he began a new adventure. Gordon and Glenda soon opened Walker’s Barber Shop. The business grew quickly and became more than a job for him as he made friends, gave advice, and helped those who needed a hand up. Each customer was always greeted with his infectious smile and the children with bubble gum; even the children getting off the school bus in the afternoon came in for their daily bubble gum “fix”.

Gordon was definitely a “handy man” and could fix just about anything. He loved fishing, classic cars, and working in the yards. His favorite thing to do was to tell others about his Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus was faithful to him throughout his life and he wanted others to know and experience his faithful Father and Friend. He was generous in praying with others, giving his testimony and helping others when they were in need. If he were here today, he would tell you, the reader, that Jesus loves you. He would continue by saying, “I love you, too.” So, today, know that no matter what you are facing, God loves you and he can be your Father and your Friend too.

While the family cherishes their friends and family, they have chosen to celebrate the homegoing of their husband, father, and PaPa privately and no services will be held. No need to be sad because Gordon is at peace and is in the most beautiful place, with Jesus. May we keep our lamps lit and be ready to join him when the time comes.

Donations to honor Gordon’s memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ May we never forget those who serve our country.

Mrs. Mary Helen Grant Gearhart

Mrs. Mary Helen Grant Gearhart

Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama

Mrs. Mary Helen Grant Gearhart, a former resident of Ozark, passed away Monday, July 7, 2025.  She was 93 years old. The family will receive friends at the Holman Funeral Home in Ozark Thursday morning, July 24, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M.  Private interment will be in Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Mrs. Gearhart was born September 12, 1931 in Ozark, Alabama to the late Lee Roy Grant and Prillie Hines Grant.  She graduated from high school in Ozark and began work with Civil Service at Fort Rucker. Later she continued her work with Civil Service and retired as a Contractor with the Department of Defense.  Helen met and married Donald Eugene Gearhart while he was serving in the United States Army stationed at Fort Rucker. They made their home in California where they lived until his death. She then lived with her son and later moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to be with her daughter. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Pamela Gearhart Cooper; her sister, Martha Levelle Grant Bryant; and one niece, Susan Bryant.    Survivors include one daughter, Valerie J. Andersen of Las Vegas, Nevada; and one son, Wesley Gearhart of Fernley, Nevada; ten grandchildren, James McGill, Joshua Duhon (Lua), Caitlyn Cooper, Jennah Cooper, Nicole Andersen, Samantha Gearhart, Kristen Logan (Kolby), Jason Andersen, Stephen Andersen (Brynley) and Christopher Andersen (Julia). Nine great grandchildren and seven nieces also survive.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association,  P. O. Box 96011, Washington,  DC 20090-6011.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com

 

Patrick Clayton Holt

Patrick Clayton Holt

Patrick Clayton Holt of Samson, AL passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. He was 57 years old.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva, AL. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Patrick was known by many as a master mechanic. He had a lifelong passion for anything with an engine — NASCAR, motorcycles, and the simple satisfaction of making things run again. His greatest love was for his family, and being a Dad and Paw Paw was his greatest joy. Every mile he worked, every long day he put in, was for them. He gave his life to serving others — not with big words, but with steady presence, loyalty, and a mechanic’s kind of love: practical, patient, and always there when it mattered most.

Patrick is survived by two daughters, Jamee Hitt (Garrett) and Toni Meeks (Colby); three grandchildren, Sutton Hitt, Bennett Meeks and Bowen Meeks; mother, Alice Christina Hedrick; three siblings, Tanya Ashmore, Richard Robert, and Violet Everett; his former spouse and mother of his children, Ellen Augusiak; and many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

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

Obituary for Joshua David-Ray Lawson of Ozark

Obituary for Joshua David-Ray Lawson of Ozark

OZARK…Joshua David-Ray Lawson, a resident of Ozark, gained his wings late Tuesday evening, July 15, 2025, at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. He was 16.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 26, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Charles Goldsmith officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Joshua was born and raised in the close-knit town of Ozark, Alabama, where he made deep and lasting connections throughout his life. He attended Ozark City Schools and proudly wore the jersey of the Carroll High School Eagles Basketball Team. Whether it was practice or game day, Joshua gave it his all on the court—never afraid to dive for the ball or cheer on a teammate. His love for basketball wasn’t just about scoring points—it was about friendship, teamwork, and feeling like part of something bigger.

Joshua had a special way of connecting with people. He had one of those smiles that could light up a whole room—it was genuine, warm, and came from a heart full of love. Everyone who met Joshua could feel his kindness. He was the kind of young man who would wave at neighbors from across the street, share his favorite songs, or stop to ask how someone’s day was going just to make them feel seen.

Music was one of Joshua’s great loves. Whether he was tapping his foot to the beat or singing along with his favorite tunes, music made him feel alive. He dreamed of being a DJ someday, spinning tracks that would get people dancing and smiling just like he always did. He also had a real gift when it came to cars, especially modified ones. He could spot a cool ride from a mile away and was always curious about how they worked. Becoming an automobile mechanic was one of his biggest dreams, and he talked about it often, imagining a future where he’d fix up cars and make them shine.

And if you asked him about the NBA? His eyes would light up. Joshua loved the game so much that he dreamed of one day playing on the big stage—not just for fame, but because he believed in chasing your passion, no matter what.

More than anything, Joshua loved people. He had a way of making others feel important just by being himself. Whether it was friends at school, teammates, teachers, or someone he met just once, Joshua left an impression that never faded.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wanda Jean Green, Andrew Elton Green Green, and Sherry Allen; great-grandparents, Karen Davis, Jeanette Graham, and Charles Graham; his puppy dog, Chopalop.

Surviving relatives include his parents, Courtney Nichole Kunes (Jason Finley) and Marshall Dean Lawson (Courtney); three sisters, Savanna Nichole Lawson, EzraLee M. Lawson, and Kylie Gean Hand; grandparents, Tammy Lynn Collins, Jeff Collins, Charles Ray Kuns, Jr., and Jerri Elizabeth Kuns; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be members of the Carroll High School Basketball Team.

 

You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com

Linda Darlene Siler

Linda Darlene Siler

Linda Darlene Siler, known affectionately as Linda to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, on her 70th birthday, in Cowarts, Alabama, after a courageous battle with liver cancer. Born on July 16, 1955, in Fresno, California, Linda was a beacon of light and love to all who knew her.

 

Linda spent her life dedicated to her family and her work. She was a talented Body Shop Manager, a role in which she excelled and brought joy to her colleagues and customers alike. Linda’s work ethic was unparalleled, but she always found time to be a devoted mother and caregiver, a testament to her loving and kind nature.

 

Family was the cornerstone of Linda’s life. She is survived by her sons, Richard Schneider (Stacie), Bobby Schneider, Mike Carlson (Megan), and stepson Rob Carlson. Her light will forever shine in the life of her daughter, Amanda Siler (James). Linda was a cherished sister to J.R. Abraugh and Steve Abraugh and is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Siler, her sister, Betty Palmer, and her parents, Betty and Marshall Abraugh. Her furry companion, Buddy, was a source of great comfort and joy throughout her life.

 

Linda’s zest for life was evident in her love for the outdoors. She relished every moment spent at the beach or lounging by the pool, always working on her perfect tan. Her move to the Dothan area in her later years allowed her to enjoy a more relaxed pace of life, which she embraced wholeheartedly as she entered retirement.

 

Known for her exceptional baking skills, Linda’s cookies were legendary among her friends and family. She delighted in sharing her tasty creations, spreading happiness with every batch. Linda’s generous spirit was reflected in her constant thoughtfulness; she always put others before herself.

 

Her children knew the depth of her love and support, as she was ever-present in their lives, offering guidance and encouragement at every turn. Linda’s fondness for jewelry and all things feminine was an expression of her girlie girl persona, a trait that she carried with pride and elegance.

 

Linda Darlene Siler will be remembered as a woman who embodied love, kindness, and thoughtfulness. Her legacy of caring and devotion to her family will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched. Linda’s memory will be treasured and kept alive through the rich tapestry of stories and shared experiences that her loved ones will carry forward. She will be profoundly missed, but the warmth of her spirit will remain a comforting presence to all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

 

Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com

Martha Ann Frost Mitchell

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of our beloved Martha departed this life on July 14, 2025, surrounded by the family she so deeply cherished.

Martha was a kind-spirited woman whose quiet presence spoke volumes. Though soft-spoken, her actions were always bold, intentional, and full of love. She lived a life anchored in family, finding joy in laughter and comfort in togetherness, her warmth could be felt in every hug, every shared meal, and every small, thoughtful gesture.

A woman of few words, she was nonetheless gifted with deep insight. Her wisdom never demanded attention—it simply spoke when needed and always hit the heart. Shew as the calm in the storm, the rock we leaned on, and the steady rhythm of our family’s heartbeat. She loved her family deeply and found joy in the simple things: dancing to a good beat, laughing at a comedy movie, and serving up her famous banana pudding and sweet potato pie, made with love every time. Martha had a special way of making those around her feel comforted, cared for, and at home.

Martha leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and grace. She will be remembered not only for who she was, but for the way she made us feel—seen, safe, and loved.

She is preceded in death by her husband; Minister Rowe Mitchell; brother, Tommy Hollis; father, Elige Frost; mother, Lula Mae Frost; niece, Chrislyn Frost McClain and Tiffiany Hollis; aunt, Johnny Ruth Price.

Survivors included her son, Aaron Cordell Mitchell (Donna), Dothan; daughter, Amelia Mitchell, Dothan, Stephanie Nicole Frost, Palo Alto, CA; grandchildren, DeAndre Davis, Marquez Mitchell, Charleston Jackson, Calia Anderson, Amaya Mitchell, Alyssia Mitchell, London Mitchell; great grandchildren, Jassidee Davis, Justice Anderson, Justyn Anderson; siblings, Linda Campbell, Patricia Scott; special aunt, Hattie Harper; nieces and nephews, Kevin Frost, Kendrick Frost, Jaime Scott, Nina Hollis, Tonya Grant, Tamekia Scott, Teadrian Hollis, Tamina Hollis.

Her spirit lives on in each of us, and though she may be gone from our sight, she will never be gone from our hearts.

Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com