Mr. Paul Jason Dowling passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025 at Southeast Health Center surrounded by family. He was 55.
Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 13, 2025, in the Chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home Slocomb with Reverend Ronnie Gilespie officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home directing. Interment will follow at Hartford City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 6-8 PM at Sorrells Funeral Home Slocomb.
Paul was born on August 29, 1969, in Geneva, Alabama to the late Daniel Foster and Phoebe Sue Helms Dowling. He was a Geneva County graduate. He worked at Dowling Hardware and was in Law Enforcement for over 30 years. Paul loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Debra Dowling; son, Gavin Dowling (Savanna); grandchildren: Hudson and Saylor Dowling; brother, Jeff Dowling; a special friend, Allen Cole, who was like a brother to him, and K-9 Companions: Riley and Rascal.
Serving as pallbearers will be Cory Dean, Prez Brunner, Pete Markow, Mike Johnson, Jere Jensen, and Josea Martinez.
Elizabeth Jeannè Gates, known affectionately as Jeannè to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, at the age of 55. Born on July 28, 1969, in Mobile, Alabama, Jeannè was a beacon of love and faith throughout her life, touching the hearts of everyone she met.
Jeannè’s early years in Mobile were filled with the warmth of Southern hospitality and the strength of community. Her passion for helping others was evident from a young age, and she carried this dedication throughout her life. As she grew, so did her commitment to service, leading her to become an integral part of her local community in Dothan, Alabama, where she spent her final years.
Jeannè’s life was a testament to the power of love and faith in action. She was a cherished member of the Harvest Church community, where she contributed her time and energy to numerous programs and events. Her legacy within the church is one of compassion and dedication, reflecting the depth of her commitment to her faith.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Harvest Church, with a visitation beginning at 1 p.m. until the start of the service. This gathering will not only honor Jeannè’s memory but also serve as a testament to the countless lives she enriched through her loving nature and faith-filled spirit.
COLUMBIA. . .Betty McKemie Oakley, a resident of Columbia, died Monday morning, June 9, 2025, at her home. She was 91.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 12, 2025, in the Columbia City Cemetery with Reverend Chip Oakley officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia Methodist Church, P.O. Box 188, Columbia, AL 36319.
Mrs. Oakley was born in Headland and was reared in Columbia, daughter of the late William Rogers McKemie, Sr. and Iva Killingsworth McKemie. She was a graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia and attended Wallace Community College. Mrs. Oakley was a member of Columbia Methodist Church, Columbia Historical Society and Columbia Garden Club. She was retired from Wiregrass Pulpwood and Timber Company in Columbia as a bookkeeper. Mrs. Oakley was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin F. Oakley, Sr.
Surviving relatives include her sons, Reverend Chip Oakley (Kathy), Grove Hill, AL; and Lawrence Oakley (Kim), Pike Road, AL; grandchildren, Beth Oakley Taylor (Crosby), Dexter Larson, Will Oakley and Lexie Crane (Travis); a great-grandson, James Taylor; and a very special friend and caregiver, Nancy Griffin.
Serving as active pallbearers will be the grandsons and Belcher Griffin. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be John Palmer Beasley and Elliott Whitton.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
Jo Ann Crenshaw Brookins, a resident of Dothan died Monday, June 9, 2025 at Extendicare Health and Rehab. She was 86.
Funeral services for Jo Ann will be held at 11 AM Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with Brother Keith White officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until 10:45 AM prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial services will be held at 2 PM EST Friday, June 13, 2025 at Restlawn Memory Gardens in LaGrange, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Piney Grove UMC, 21 Piney Grove Road, Rehobeth, AL 36301.
Jo Ann was born April 9, 1939 in Wedowee, Alabama to the late Orley Daniel David and Mattie Mae Thrasher Cummings. She was a retired textile worker from Westpoint Pepperell who loved cooking, keeping house and working in her flower beds. Jo Ann was a member of Piney Grove United Methodist church.
Jo Ann is preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husbands, Clifford M. Crenshaw and Milton Brookins and a grandson, Matthew Coy Bryant.
Survivors include her daughter, Delana and Joel Upchurch; grandson Jacob (Tiffany) Hudmon; great granddaughter, Alexia Byrd, and great grandsons, Cole and Jordan Hudmon; step daughter, Becky (Craig) Parnell, Shirley (Bob) Eller; step sons, Kent (Susan) Brookins, Scott (Marian) Brookins; step granddaughters, Makenzie (Joseph) Brookins, Brittany (Chris) Yokley and Lani (Andrew) Marsh; step grandsons, Tyler Brookins and Trent Parnell; six step great grandkids and several nieces and nephews. A very special friend, Dottie Broyles.
The family sends a special thanks for the loving care given by Gentiva Hospice, Karen, Kevin and Jo Ann and the nurses at Extendicare and also the Mary and Martha’s Ladies Group from Piney Grove UMC.
Terry Kirkland, 70, passed away on June 9, 2025. Born December 21, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida, Terry grew up surrounded by a tight-knit community and a strong, loving family.
Terry was known for his sense of humor and his love for simple joys—especially motorcycles and auto auctions. His interest in mechanics turned into a career, earning him the respect of many in Jacksonville, Florida, where he lived and worked. He was known not just for his skills, but for his willingness to help and his straightforward nature.
He faced challenges in life, but never lost his ability to bring laughter to those around him. Terry had a talent for making people feel welcome and turning ordinary moments into memorable ones. Above all, he loved his family. He is survived by his son, Cameron Kirkland; daughters, Katherine “Katie” Kirkland and Joanna “JoJo” Sanchez; and grandchildren, Ayden, Sara, Jada, Joey, and Julian—all of whom brought him pride and joy. His family looks forward to welcoming a great-grandchild who will grow up hearing stories about him.
Terry is also survived by his sister, Gloria Whaley, and his brother, Larry Kirkland, with whom he shared many childhood memories. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Betty Kirkland, whom he loved deeply and missed greatly.
Terry didn’t pretend to be perfect. He was honest about the ups and downs of life, and that honesty, paired with his deep love for family, is what defined him. He lived with resilience, and he’ll be remembered for his warmth, his laughter, and the way he connected with others.
We say goodbye to Terry with gratitude for the time we had and the memories he gave us. His story lives on through the people he loved and the lives he touched.
William “Truman” Meadows, 82, a resident of Cottonwood, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025 in Dothan.
Truman Meadows was born on October 6, 1942 in Cottonwood, he was the son of Frank and Myrtice Bradberry Meadows. He was a true southern original with a heart full of grit, kindness, and a knack for fixing just about anything with an engine. He married the love of his life, Clyde Butler, on September 28, 1963, and together they raised four children. He spent his working years as a mechanic, but his real talents showed in his backyard raising chickens like they were royalty, along with fishing like it was an Olympic sport, and never missing an Alabama football game. Roll Tide!
Truman was a man who loved the simple things, fishing with his friend Larry Love, going to the flea market to buy chickens, and enjoying a good meal. His idea of a perfect evening included an old western on TV.
Truman is preceded in death by his wife, Clyde Butler Meadows; sister, Virginia Meadows Gallagher.
Survivors include his children; Carolyn (Johnny), Dewey, Jean (Earl) and Shawn; grandchildren, William (Caitlin), Blake (Thea), Kam, Cassie (Taylor), and Alyssa; great grandchildren, Gracyn, Ashlyn, Will, Millie, Vaelynde, and Evelynde; sisters, Sue Meadows, Althea Jackson (Norwood), and Gayle Monday, who know well that a brother like Truman only comes around once.
Truman didn’t go for fuss or fanfare, just give him a fishing pole and a good western and he was content for a peaceful day. He’ll be remembered with love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the simple life he lived so well.
In Truman’s honor, cast a line, put on a John Wayne movie, or root hard for the Tide. That’s the kind of tribute he’d truly appreciate.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 13, 2025 in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Troy West officiating. Burial will follow in the Cottonwood City Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 1:45 pm at the funeral home prior to services on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
William “Truman” Meadows, 82, a resident of Cottonwood, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025 in Dothan.