Bessie (Howell) Skipper, 88, a long-time resident of Cottonwood, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with her family by her side.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 28, 2025, at Glover Funeral Home with Chaplain Buford Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Hodgesville Baptist Church Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m., prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted.
Bessie was born February 11, 1937, in Dothan to the late Albert & Johnnie (Roland) Howell. She was raised in Cottonwood and was a graduate of Cottonwood High School. Bessie spent her life as a homemaker, helping her husband on the family farm, and was a dedicated preacher’s wife. Her number one job was raising her son and her grandchildren as well as her great-grandchildren. Bessie was a long-time member of Hodgesville Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Reverend Ray Skipper; her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Parrish (Herman); her brother, Billy Joe Howell; and her nephew, Billy Ray Howell.
She is survived by her son, Kenny R. Skipper (Sharon) of Cottonwood; her two granddaughters, Katlin A. Johnson (Blake) and Samantha Skipper Clark (Justin) both of Cottonwood; her four great-grandchildren, Wesley Anderson, Braylee Clark, Parker Johnson, and Blakelyn Johnson; her sister-in-law, Dianne Howell; her niece, Deborah Hussey (Roger); her nephew, Billy Wayne Howell (Jennifer); and her great-nephew, Tyler Howell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Roger Hussey, Brad Anderson, Tyler Howell, Billy Wayne Howell, Alex Belflower.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Carolyn Blanch (McDaniel) Sheff, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted friend to many lives, lives on in spirit, and remains eternally in the hearts of her family and friends. Memorial service for Carolyn will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 6, 2025, in the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Peter Sheff officiating.
Carolyn was born in Opp, Alabama on February 8, 1950, to William McDaniel and Doris Kennedy McDaniel, and is predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Noel. She leaves behind her loving husband of nearly 50 years, Tom Sheff, their two sons, Sean and Justin, daughters in law, Abby and Sarah, as well as five beautiful grandchildren, Noah, Nathan, Caroline, Lily and Morgan. She also leaves behind many sister- in- laws, brother- in- laws, nieces and nephews, all whom will remember time spent in her company.
Carolyn and her family resided in Dothan, Alabama for many years, prior to retiring and relocating to Burnsville, North Carolina, where they spent the summers, while wintering in Miramar Beach, Florida. Carolyn helped countless students with learning disabilities reach their potential during her career as a special educator. In her free time, she spent many hours garden and could easily identify plants, their culinary and medicinal uses, as well as their growing habits. She also enjoyed skiing in the North Carolina mountains with her family.
OZARK…Mrs. Patricia Hood Coffey, a resident of Ozark, died late Monday afternoon, November 25, 2025, at her home. She was 87.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Scott Thompson and Reverend Jim Hill 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 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
Katie Dell Pinkerton Weeks of Samson, AL passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025. She was 84.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Eddins officiating. Burial will follow in Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Katie was born on December 03, 1940, in Geneva Co., AL to the late Henry Hurtis and Mattie Odell Jackson Pinkerton. Prior to her retirement, she was an LPN and exhibited great love and found much joy in helping others, especially the elderly and children. She was a member of Trinity Church of God in Samson, AL.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vernell Weeks, brother, Henry Jack Pinkerton and sister, Dorothy Peacock.
Katie is survived by her son, Walter “Walt” Egnew (Shane Ruff) of North Berwick, Maine; daughter, Teresa Baisden (Rob) of Gainesville, GA; two grandsons, John Kalon Ingram (Michelle) of Gainesville, GA and Justin Michael Ellenburg of Gainesville, FL; one great granddaughter, Maybeth Ingram of Gainesville, GA and a number of special nieces and nephews.
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
Debbie Bragg Davis, 72, surrounded by her family, went to be with the Lord on October 15, 2025. Born on July 7, 1953, in Tampa, Florida, Debbie was the daughter of Edna and Jay Bragg. She grew up in Dothan, Alabama, and shared an enthusiasm for horseback riding with her sisters. Debbie graduated from Dothan High School and later attended the Atlanta School of Interior Design, earning her degree in Interior Design—a field in which she discovered her true passion.
Debbie built a successful business in Dothan, where her remarkable eye for beauty, love of color, and meticulous attention to detail earned her the admiration of clients and friends. In 2006, she made Lynn Haven, Florida her home, embracing a life close to the beach. She was happiest near the water and cherished the peace and joy it brought her.
A vibrant and creative spirit, Debbie filled her world—and the worlds of those around her—with warmth and beauty. She loved tending to her garden, cultivating colorful blooms, and preparing wonderful meals that gathered her loved ones around the table. Her creativity, kindness, and generous heart will be remembered by all who knew her.
Debbie is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marilyn Joy Jinks. She is survived by her loving husband, Bobby Davis; her three children, Jay Marchman (Kelli), Hillary Marchman, and Ben Marchman (Haley); her three stepdaughters, Dolly Floyd (Robert), Trish Mathis (Wesley) and Jessica Perez (Jesus); and her 17 treasured grandchildren and 6 great grands.
She also leaves behind her sisters, Susan Bragg Snider (Mehmet) and Hilda Bragg Jackson (Wade), along with many extended family members and friends who will forever hold her in their hearts.
Debbie also leaves behind her precious fur babies, Johnson and Simone, who brought her great comfort and companionship.
A memorial service will be held in her honor at 4:00pm on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home.
Gene Biddle, a man whose strength, grit, and steady presence shaped every path he walked, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on September 29, 1939, in Calhoun County, Alabama, Gene lived a life built on hard work, faith, and unwavering loyalty to the people he loved.
Gene dedicated his life to logging, a trade that matched his strong hands and enduring spirit. The buzz of a chainsaw was more than a tool of the job, it was the rhythm of a life spent working outdoors, providing for his family, and mastering a craft few could do with such pride. Whether handling a horse, keeping his yard in top shape, or offering a firm, reassuring embrace, Gene carried himself with a quiet confidence that left an impression on everyone who knew him.
Family was the foundation of Gene’s life. He is survived by his devoted wife, Elaine Biddle, who stood by his side for 36 years—32 of them as husband and wife. Through every adventure, challenge, and accomplishment, their partnership remained solid, a bond built on respect, trust, and a love that continues to live through Elaine and all who cherished Gene.
Gene was the proud father of his children: Eugene Biddle (Kelly), Adam Biddle, Vanessa Martin, and Lisa Johnson (Philip). His love for his family extended deeply into each generation; he was blessed with seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy. He is also survived by a brother and a sister, each holding their own special place in Gene’s life and memories.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Annie Biddle; his son, Kenneth Pete “Bo” Biddle; two great-grandchildren; two brothers; and three sisters.
Gene’s interests reflected the straightforward, grounded man he was. He found joy in the dependable spirit of his horses and the steady hum of a lawn mower cutting through a fresh patch of grass. His yard was his domain—kept neat, clean, and cared for with the same dedication he brought to every part of his life. And though he carried a quiet demeanor, Gene had a gift for bringing moments to life with a song, a story, or a well-timed joke that always drew a laugh.
A man of faith with old-fashioned values, Gene appreciated the simple things: classic country tunes, heartfelt gospel music, and the good book that guided his steps. He carried the heart of a man who believed in God, treated others with respect, and found something to be grateful for in each day.
Gene was the kind of man who earned respect without asking for it. His steady nature, strong character, and generous spirit made him someone people naturally gravitated toward. He faced every day—and every challenge—with humility, courage, and a genuine goodness that set him apart.
A celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 2pm in the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel with Dalton Keel officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
