ABBEVILLE… Lillian Edwina Bottoms Howerton, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away early Tuesday morning, May 13, 2025, at the home of her youngest daughter, Melissa, in Abbeville, Alabama. She was 86.
Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Brandon Turner at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday May 15, 2025, at Judson Baptist Church, 180 County Road 93 Abbeville, Alabama 36310. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery, 3924 County Road 46 Abbeville, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 3:00 P.M. prior to the funeral. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Edwina was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 05, 1939, but moved to Dothan, Alabama as a baby where she was raised and resided much of her adult life. Edwina was a beloved foster parent for many of her young adult years, providing a loving home and family to numerous children, some of which she still has a very special relationship with. She later moved to Abbeville with her husband, Foy, in 1980 where she happily spent the remainder of her years enjoying country life.
Edwina was a retired school bus driver of 23 years with the Henry County School System in Abbeville. She always bragged that she had “The Best Kids” on her bus route. She loved them all! She enjoyed fishing and going to yard sales. She was an active member of the Abbeville Senior Center until most recently when her health began to decline. She loved her many friends she made while there.
Edwina was preceded in death by her parents, Fannie Mae Davis Bottoms and Leonard Lee (Lynn) Bottoms; her husband of thirty-three years, Foy Randle Howerton, and a bonus grandson, Justin Phillip Watford.
Edwina is survived by her three children, Jimmy Walters (Dawn) of Abbeville, AL, Sherri Burgett of Monticello, FL and Melissa Watford (Bob) of Abbeville, AL; twelve grandchildren, Ronnie Blackman (Toni) of Kinsey, AL, Jessica Kniehase (Rich) of Ocala, FL, Rachel Bratt (Sky) of Rehobeth, AL, Chris Burgett (Cindy) of Tallahassee, FL, Carissa Kerce (Woody) of Tallahassee, FL, Crystal Ruggless of Crawfordville, FL, Morgan Lisenby (Garett) of Abbeville, Al, bonus granddaughter, Ashlyn Fleming (Jacob) of Headland, AL, Carolina Cheek, Dakota Watford, Brandon Watford, Christopher Watford, all of Abbeville, AL; twelve Great grandchildren with two bonus great grandchildren; two brothers, Johnnie A. Davis and Donald E. Davis of Plant City, FL.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Wayne Morrison, Nicholas Cheek, Virgil Bolt, Sky Bratt, Rich Kniehase, and Jon Taylor.
EUFAULA… Tamyra Fanay Williams, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. She was 21.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 P.M. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Oakey Grove Promise Land Church in Baker Hill, Alabama, with Pastor Ella K. Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will be accepting flowers.
Ms. Williams was born in Dothan, Alabama to Christopher Lamar Williams and Janrica Taquail Fanay Kinsey. She lived most of her life in Baker hill, Alabama, until she moved to Abbeville, Alabama in 2021. She was a 2022 graduate of Abbeville High School. She graduated from Wallace Community College. She was not able to walk to receive her diploma, so her sister will walk in her honor to receive her diploma posthumous, on May 12, 2025. She lit up a room when she entered. She loved her family with all her heart. She was a member of the Oakey Grove Promise Land Church in Baker Hill, Alabama.
Preceding her in death is her great-grandmothers, Katherine Williams and Morbie McCray; and her uncle, Joshua Kincey.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her daughter, Malani Austin; her daughter’s father, Jadarrus Austin; her mother, Janrica Taquail Fanay Kinsey; her father, Christopher Lamar Williams; her sisters, Tyianna Jackson (Ju’wan), Tyquasha Williams, and Tykeriah Williams; her brother, Christopher Tyshawn Williams; her grandmother, Lola White Grubbs; her great-grandmother, Alice Kincey; her several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Timothy Lance McCardle, a resident of Cottonwood, Alabama died Tuesday May 13, 2025 at his residence at the age of 42.
Funeral services for Lance will be held at 3 PM Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with his brother, Brandon McCardle and family officiating. Burial will follow at Ramah Primitive Baptist Church cemetery in Cottonwood, Alabama. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:45 PM at the funeral home prior to the service.
A lifelong resident of Cottonwood, Lance was a shining light in the lives of all who knew him. Born and raised in the town he held so dear, he graduated with pride from Cottonwood High School’s Class of 2000.With an infectious smile that could brighten even the darkest day, Lance had a rare gift for making others feel seen, valued and loved. His heart was especially tender towards animals and he found joy in caring for them and connecting with their quiet, loyal spirits. He was an avid arrowhead hunter who cherished time in the outdoors, where he felt most at peace. A gifted artist, Lance expressed himself through creativity, leaving behind pieces of his soul in every drawing. He had a special place in his heart for old western movies, drawn to their grit, loyalty and timeless charm. But above all, Lance was as real as they come, kind hearted, loyal and fiercely honest. He had a temper that was never cruel, just true, and everyone knew not to cross him because he stood firm in what was right. His strength, humor and unwavering sense of self left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Lance will be deeply missed, remembered for the joy he gave so freely and the strength he carried quietly, like a true cowboy at heart.
Lance is preceded in death by his father, Timmy McCardle; grandmother, Helen McCardle and his grandfather, Emmitt Gerald Lynn.
Survivors include his mother, DeeDee Lynn Smith (Michael); grandfather, BJ McCardle; brothers, Brandon McCardle (Maeghan), Devin Womack (Josie); niece, Charlie; nephews, Carter and Bishop; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Serving as pallbearers will be, Zack Morris, Eric Exum, David Ham, Brad Hatcher, Joseph Livingston, Brandon McCardle and Devin Womack. Cousins will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
James Wallace Thomley, 78, a resident of Wicksburg, AL, passed away on May 7, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a man of unwavering faith.
After graduating high school, Wallace served his country in the U.S. Army as a military police officer at Fort Hood, Texas. Following his military service, he began his civilian career with Page Aircraft at Fort Rucker, then spent 11 years in various roles at the Farley Nuclear Plant. In 1983, he embarked on a new path with Hardee’s, where he was quickly promoted to general manager and served in that role at several Wiregrass-area locations until his retirement in 2008.
A faithful member of Honeysuckle Road Church of Christ (formerly Appletree Street Church of Christ) for 65 years, Wallace served as a deacon and was the congregation’s longest-standing member. He was deeply involved in church life—teaching Sunday school, supporting various ministries, and offering heartfelt prayers that touched many. His faith and leadership left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Wallace’s life was shaped by the influence of strong Christian men: his great-grandfather Henry Thomley, who nurtured his faith in God; his father Ray Thomley, who instilled in him the value of hard work; and his uncle Taft Thomley, who guided him in raising a God-centered family. Wallace carried forward their legacy in the way he loved and led his own family with humility, strength, and grace.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Myrtle Reeves Thomley. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Margaret Ann Stephens Thomley of Wicksburg; daughter Melinda Sherrod (John) of Dothan; grandchildren Jessica Sherrod of Knoxville, TN, and John Sherrod Jr. of Dothan; three sisters, Brenda Herndon (Don), Wanda McSween, and Cathy Brown (Bill); and his brother-in-law Larry Stephens (Diane), who was like a brother to him.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Honeysuckle Church of Christ (986 Honeysuckle Road), with visitation to follow at the Courtyard by Marriott Dothan (3040 Ross Clark Circle).
In lieu of flowers, Wallace requested that donations be made to Enhabit Home Health and Hospice of Dothan or the American Heart Association.
