Martha Dillard Bowers, a loving wife, mother, and “MiMi,” passed away on August 31, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. She was born on November 22, 1937, in Houston County, Alabama, and lived a life marked by devotion, kindness, and quiet strength.
Graveside services will be held at 10 A.M. Friday, September 4, 2026, at Memory Hill Cemetery with Reverend Cliff Morrison officiating and Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday, September 3, 2026.Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe and Leamon Dillard, whose memory she carried throughout her life. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Gerald Bowers, her daughter, Brenda Aplin and her husband Andy, her brother, Jerry Dillard, and her grandsons, Ben Aplin and Bryant Aplin. Her family was the center of her world, and she cherished every moment spent with those she loved.
Martha devoted herself to her family with unwavering care and affection. She was a steadfast partner to Gerald and a loving mother to Brenda, always offering encouragement, support, and a steady hand. Her role as “MiMi” was one she treasured deeply, and her grandsons were the light of her life. She found great joy in their presence and in the special bond they shared with her.
In addition to the love she shared with her family, Martha had many interests that brought her happiness throughout the years. She was an avid reader who appreciated the quiet comfort of a good book. She enjoyed birds and nature, finding beauty in the world around her and peace in simple moments outdoors. She had a green thumb and took pride in caring for plants and watching them grow. Camping was another favorite pastime she enjoyed.
She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to live on in the hearts of her husband, daughter, brother, grandsons, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ben Aplin, Bryant Aplin, Steve Aplin, Phillip Hayes, Kevin Rodgers, and Clay Sellers.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Southern Care Hospice and to the nurses, Coty, Althea, and Ester.
Ellie Summer Wells, beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, was born sleeping on August 27, 2026.
Though her time with her family was far too brief, Ellie was deeply loved and will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who awaited her arrival. Her life, however short, brought love, hope, and precious memories that will remain with her family forever.
Ellie is survived by her loving parents, Brandon Wells and Alana Harrison; her brother, Dawson Wells; grandparents, Pennie and Howard Harrison and Terry and Denise Wells; along with many loving aunts, uncles, extended family members, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.
Ellie will always be held in her family’s hearts. She will be loved and remembered always.
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.”
Our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Friend, Janice McGowan Speigner, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and joined other family members inside Heavens’s Gate on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb, with Reverend Tommy Green officiating. Interment will follow in the Esto Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions in Janice’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.
Born November 15, 1942, in Graceville FL. Janice was the daughter of Dorothy “Inez” Wells Hampton of Esto FL. The sadness of Her absence in our lives will be over shadowed by the wonderful memories that were created through her Love and desire to serve others. She genuinely possessed a Servant’s Heart. Her Life abounded with Love, but none greater than what She had for her Grandsons and Great-Grandchildren – they were the sparkle in her eyes. (Of course, unless she caught them cheating in Uno – so they could win!!) Known best as Grandma Janice, her arms were always full of love and her heart was overflowing with Joy and Happiness for her family and friends. She will be greatly missed – her hugs, her laughter, and especially her cooking – of which none can ever be replaced. Grandma Janice is preceded in her heavenly birth by her mother, Dorothy Inez Galloway, her husband, Clifton Frank McGowan and her grandparents, James O. and Lizzie Pearl Wells.
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Lasiter (Michael) and her son, Cliff McGowan (Cindy) all of the Esto FL community. Her Grandsons Tre McGowan (Megan) of Woodstock GA, Justin McGowan (Jenny) of Wicksburg, AL and Max Lasiter of the Esto Community. Her great-grandchildren – Brady, Aidan, Sutter, Emery, Maverick, Kannon, Jax, Maddux and Quinn. Her sister, Dorothy Nell Miller (Junior) of Marianna FL. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Her church family from Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church. Her friends from County Road 744, Enterprise AL, whom will forever be considered within her family circle – they were her caregivers, her watchmen, someone who listened, someone she Loved and Loved her back – they were more than just her friends and neighbors.
Grandma Janice loved life and lived it to its fullest. She took great joy in sharing time with her family and friends, often ending with hours of playing dominoes.
ABBEVILLE, ALABAMA. . .Robert Franklin Stotler, a resident of Abbeville, passed away early Saturday evening, August 29, 2026, at his home. He was 79.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in the Holman-Abbeville Mortuary Chapel with Reverend George Bryan officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the mortuary in Abbeville. After the funeral services in Abbeville, Mr. Stotler will be taken to Resthaven Funeral Home, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway, Frederick, Maryland, where another funeral service and visitation will be held. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SouthernCare Hospice, 2576 Montgomery Highway, Suite 2, Dothan, AL 36303; or Safe Haven Animal Rescue & Kennels (S.H.A.R.K.), P.O. Box 126, Abbeville, Alabama.
Mr. Stotler was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, son of the late George Frank Stotler and Helen Marie Forsythe Stotler. He lived in Montgomery County, Maryland and Jefferson, Maryland before moving to Abbeville in 2006. Mr. Stotler was affiliated with Sardis Baptist Church. He formerly owned and operated Wash N Tumble Laundromat in Abbeville. In earlier years, Mr. Stotler was self-employed as a Landscaper. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Keith Stotler, two brothers, Larry Stotler and his wife, Nancy Stotler, and also Ronald Stotler.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Connie Fling Stotler; a daughter, Lorena Stotler Lee (Gary), Adamstown, Maryland; a sister, Donna Wiles (Maurice), Mt. Airy, Maryland; a sister-in-law, Jane Stotler, Hagerstown, Maryland; grandchildren, Chad Stocks (Jodi), Matthew Stotler, Rebecca Robertson, Bryan Lee, Phillip Lee (Bekah), Amanda Lozinski (Steven) and Gary Lee (Matie); great-grandchildren, Carleigh Stocks, Cheyenne Stocks, Wyatt Stocks, Graceland Stocks, Lucas Stotler, Kaylee Stotler, Tallulah Stotler, Ryan Menze, Owen Lee, Maci Lee, Dakota Lee, Spencer Lee, Christian Lozinski, Briella Lozinski, Josephine Lozinski and Lacey Kline; a special friend, Kathy Roberts.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Chad Stocks, Mark Murphy, Bryan Lee, Phillip Lee, Steven Luzinski, Owen Lee, Christian Luzinski and Gary Lee.
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.
Johnny H Robinson passed away on August 28, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 85.
He was born on July 17, 1941, in Malone, Florida, to the late Johnny Edwin Robinson and Minnie Mavis Williams Robinson. Johnny grew up with a strong sense of family, faith, and hard work that would guide him throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his brother, James Earl Robinson, his sister, Robbie Jean Olive, and his granddaughter, Morgan Taylor Robinson.
Johnny was a proud husband to Betty Sue Robinson for 59 years, and their marriage stood as a lasting example of loyalty, partnership, and enduring love. Together, they built a family that was central to his life and brought him great joy and pride. He was a loving father to his sons, John Robinson and Jason Robinson, and a devoted grandfather to Colin Hayes Robinson and Cale Edwin Robinson.
Johnny served his country in the Army National Guard, a chapter of his life that reflected his sense of duty and responsibility. He carried the values of service and discipline with him long after his military years, and those who knew him respected the integrity with which he lived. He was also a hardworking farmer, and he found purpose in the land, the seasons, and the honest labor that farming required. Through his work, he demonstrated patience, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for the simple blessings of life.
Those who knew Johnny will remember him as a man of few pretenses and great substance. He was dependable, kind, and steady, and he met life’s challenges with courage and humility. He valued family gatherings, meaningful conversation, and the comfort of familiar routines. His presence brought reassurance to those around him, and his example left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Funeral services for Johnny will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Randy Hunt officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until 11 AM, Thursday, September 3, 2026 prior to the service at the funeral home.
