Imogene Hicks Wright, a resident of Dothan, Alabama passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026 at Westside Terrace. She was 100 years old.
Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Memory Hill cemetery with Brother Billy Rich officiating. In memory of Mrs. Wright, donations may be made to Memphis Baptist Church, 4595 Eddins Road, Dothan, AL 36301.
Mrs. Wright was born in Newville, Alabama on September 26, 1925 to Genus and Carrie Hicks. She grew up a farm girl and married her sweetheart, William, on June 27, 1942. They moved to Dothan a few years later. She worked for Dothan Fabric Company for many years.
Mrs. Wright was a member of Memphis Baptist Church. She loved working in her yard and being outside. Her favorite pastime was sitting on her back porch and watching hummingbirds.
Mrs. Wright was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Silas “Zeke” Wright and two sisters, Frances Hicks Bradley and Lavada Hicks Watson.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Charlotte Wright McKnight (Jerry), son, Terry C. Wright; grandchildren, Kimberly McKnight Judy (Eric), Gina McKnight Riley (Shawn), Chandra Wright, Christi Riche’ (Todd), Chad Wright (Sarah); great grandchildren, Madeline Judy Wheeler (Matt), Wyatt Judy (Madison), Cullen Riley, Owen Riley, Cole Riche’; great great grandchildren, Evelyn May Wheeler and Eloise Leigh Wheeler; numerous nieces and nephews, special neighbors and friends.
The family wishes to thank Westside Terrace and Gentiva Hospice for the love, care and compassion provided to Mrs. Wright and her family.
Ralph Reid Knight Jr., aged 84, of Satellite Beach, FL sadly passed away on April 30th, 2026, at Viera Del Mar Rehabilitation Center in Melbourne, FL.
Reid hailed from Sanford, NC, graduating from Sanford Central High School in the Class of 1960. He moved to Florida and not long after was drafted into the military. He always liked to joke that when he was sent to basic training in North Carolina that he was sent home to serve. After his military service, he attended Brevard Community College, studying engineering and computer science. He lived in Satellite Beach where he met his wife-to-be, the late Martha Kay Knight. They made their home in Satellite Beach, before settling in Melbourne to start a family. Reid was a valued member of many teams that supported the space program from the 1960s through to the 2010s. He travelled throughout the US and Caribbean to support launch operations and provide technical support to NASA’s space program for over 50 years.
He loved the outdoors, enjoying fishing in Steinhatchee, swimming at Cocoa Beach, canoeing in the many lakes & rivers around Brevard County, boating in the Indian River, bird watching at Black Point, and hiking nature trails throughout Florida. He had a keen eye for spotting gators, eagles, hawks, and wild turkeys.
Reid was loved for his tall tales, deep laughs, and fun facts. He was quick to share stories of his youth in North Carolina, swimming in streams, dodging water moccasins, and fox hunts with hound dogs. He enjoyed late nights of Monopoly and competitive games of cribbage with his children. He coached his children’s softball, t-ball, and basketball teams, encouraging early weekend practice despite their groans and moans. He was a fan of movies with microwave popcorn, especially Cool Hand Luke and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Reid has family and many friends in Florida, Alabama, and North Carolina that will miss him dearly. His nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews provided him with support, love, and care in his final years. A special thank you to Tracey, Brandon, and Kristin who did so much to help Reid.
Reid is survived by his son, Trey; daughter, Krisandra (Katie); granddaughter, Tilly; and sisters, Donna and Wanda. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay; partner, Esther; and sister, Jennie.
Ernestine Jo Guyette Carey of Westville, FL passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. She was 59 years old.
A celebration of life service and fellowship will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the fellowship hall of West Pittman Baptist Church, 1599 Bradley Rd., Westville, FL 32464 with Rev. Daniel Smith officiating.
Ernestine was born on November 12, 1966, in Gloversville, NY, to Ethel Louise Fetrow Guyette Yates and the late Ernest Guyette. She was known for her love of family and friends, having the biggest heart to help anyone in need. Regardless of if she had just met you or known you for years, she was always willing to help. Ernestine was an amazing artist that only few closest to her knew about. She was known as a “jack of all trades” but being a loving and devoted mother and grandmother was at the top of her list. Her career was being the best mother and raising her sons. Her unconditional love was shown to her children and grandchildren, who were her world. She will be deeply missed by those she loved.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one brother, Kevin Tindell and 1 brother-in-law, Donald McLean.
Ernestine is survived by two sons, Cody Carey (Alex) of Westville, FL and Bradley Dylan Jackson (Maggie) of Panama City Beach, FL; four granddaughters, Abbi, Alli, Aubri and Autumn Carey, all of Westville, FL; her mother, Ethel Yates of Westville, FL; five siblings, Joe Guyette (Cindy) of Enterprise, AL, Richard Tindell of Enterprise, AL, Victoria Jackson (Dave) of Jonestown, NY, Robin McLean of Westville, FL and Net Guyette of Arkansas.
Emily Adams Fitch passed away at her residence in Ashford, Alabama on Sunday, May 10, 2026. She was 90 years old.
Emily was born on September 8, 1935 in Ashford and resided there her entire life. She was a 1953 graduate of Ashford High School. She was a member of the Ashford United Methodist Church. Emily was a devoted Wife, Mother, and Grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her son, James “Jimmy” Fitch, III, her husband, James F. Fitch, Jr., her brother, Clyde Oates “Sonny” Adams, III, and by her parents, C. O. Adams, Jr. and Ruby Lee Stott Adams.
Emily is survived by her two daughters, Pam Fitch of Ashford, Alabama and Jill Fitch of Pike Road, Alabama; three grandsons, Elliot Fitch, Brandon Fitch, and Adam Fitch of Pike Road, Alabama.
Graveside services will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at the Ashford City Cemetery with Rev. Mike Grimes officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Macon East Academy, 15396 Vaughn Road, Cecil, Alabama 36013, (334) 277-6566.
CWO 3 Robert E. Whittaker Sr. (USA, RET), 82, of Ozark, Alabama, passed away on May 9, 2026, after an extended illness. He was born on April 7, 1944, in Chilhaley, Virginia, and was raised in Tennessee. Robert lived a life centered on service, family, and hard work.
At the age of 17, Robert volunteered for the United States Army, beginning a military career that spanned 25 years from April 1961 until October 1985. During his service, he completed three tours in Vietnam. He first served as a military police officer before later becoming a helicopter pilot. His military service was a great source of pride throughout his life. Throughout his distinguished career, Robert earned several honors and commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal, recognizing his courage, dedication, and faithful service to his country.
Outside of the military, Robert enjoyed computers, research, and aviation. He especially enjoyed watching helicopters fly overhead. He also loved caring for animals and his ranch with more than 90 animals. He preferred the comfort of home and valued quiet time with those he loved most.
Robert shared 25 years of marriage with his wife, Patricia Kay Whittaker. He was a devoted husband, father to his three sons, Robert Whittaker, Jr., Russell Whittaker and Brandon Whittaker and grandfather who deeply loved his family. He also shared a special bond with his service dog, Patches, who brought him companionship and comfort for five years.
Robert will be remembered for his strength, intelligence, loyalty, and caring nature. His legacy of service will continue through all who knew and loved him.
EWELL COMMUNITY…Amber A. Grimes, a resident of the Ewell Community, near Ozark, died late Friday afternoon, May 8, 2026, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Ozark. She was 40.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Michael Woodham. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Amber was born on February 23, 1986, in Ozark, Alabama, and from the very beginning she carried a light that touched everyone around her. She graduated from G.W. Long High School in 2003 and later went on to earn her degree in Avionics from Alabama Aviation College in Ozark. She was proud of that accomplishment, and her family was proud of her too.
Amber was a loving daughter, sister, and mother—roles she held close to her heart. She had a way of bringing laughter into a room without even trying, and she shared her love freely with the people she cared about. Her daughter, Natalie, was truly her whole world. Everything Amber did, she did with Natalie in mind, and the bond they shared was something beautiful to witness.
She had a gentle spirit and a big heart, always choosing to see the good in people, even when it wasn’t easy. That kindness made her someone others naturally gravitated toward. She loved deeply, and she loved honestly. Because of that, she will be missed by so many.
Amber enjoyed the simple joys of life—spending time with family and friends, cheering on the University of Alabama football team, feeling the sun and sand at the beach, and listening to music that made her feel alive. Those were the moments that brought her peace and happiness.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Pat and Wilda Grimes and William and Betty Jane Childree; her uncle, Jeffery Grimes; her aunt, Patty Grimes; and her cousin, Ryan Harbuck.
Amber’s time here was far too short, but the love she gave and the memories she leaves behind will stay with us always. Her laughter, her kindness, and her gentle way of moving through the world will never be forgotten.
Surviving relatives include her daughter, Natalie Cutts, Ewell; parents, David and Laura Childree Grimes; brother, Krey Grimes, all of Ewell; nephews, Ryan Grimes and Brooks Kelley; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; her boyfriend, David Maxwell.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
