SKIPPERVILLE…Mrs. Helen Garner Riley, of Skipperville, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 12, 2025, at her home. She was 87.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday July 19th at Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tim Sewell officiating assisted by the Reverend Jean Watson and Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 P.M. Saturday afternoon at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the church or charity of your choice.
Helen was born October 5, 1937, to Wilmer and Ocie Baker Garner in Coffee County. From childhood she lived her life and raised her family in Dale County. She graduated from Dale County High School in 1955. She worked in the administrative office at George W. Long School and in the business office of Dale Medical Center while her children were in school. She delighted in spending her life as a devoted wife and mother making a home for her family. She was an excellent cook. Her talent was treasured by her family, friends and neighbors. Helen was a member of Morgan Baptist Church having attended Skipperville Methodist Church as a child and young adult. She was one of Morgan’s oldest members and served as Sunday school teacher, pianist, and organist. Helen was an avid gardener, always happy when working with her flowers, fruits, and vegetables. She loved nature and all animals and never tired of the majesty of the heavens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles “Buddy” in 2016, and her youngest son, Charles Mark in 1991, sisters, Lyle Childs in 2005, and Lurelle Watson in 2021, and her son-in-law, James Katsos in 2005.
Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Riley Katsos (Kevin) of Skipperville; son, Hubert Kent Riley of Skipperville; granddaughter, Eleni Riley Katsos Calderon (Carlos) of Leesburg, Virginia; great-grandsons, Leonardo Katsos Calderon, Lucas James Calderon, and great-granddaughter Lena Aminta Calderon also of Leesburg, Virginia; one sister, Rena Thompson of Alpine, and one sister-in-law, Sarah Helen Phillips of Prattville. She also leaves much-loved nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation for every person who touched Helen’s life in so many different ways on her journey home. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.
Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home in Ozark 334-774-4551 is in charge of arrangements. You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com.
ABBEVILLE. . .Carl B. Cosby, a resident of Abbeville, died early Saturday afternoon, July 12, 2025, at his home. He was 88.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Sunday, July 13, 2025, in the Abbeville Memorial Cemetery with Reverend Ed Ham officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services and are welcome to gather at the home of Cathy Owens, 405 Ward Drive, Abbeville. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Abbeville “Rebuild Fund”, P.O. Box 606, Abbeville, AL 36310.
Mr. Cosby was born and reared in Ashford, son of the late Leroy Cosby and Janella Jordan Cosby. He lived in Pansey before moving Abbeville seventeen years ago. Mr. Cosby served his country in the Army National Guard in the Ashford unit. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church, near Ashford, and attended First Baptist Church of Abbeville. Mr. Cosby retired as the owner and operator of Cosby Tire and Brake in Dothan. He was preceded in death by a step-son, Larry Patrick Hardwick, two sisters, Betty Fears and Nell Keisling, two brothers, Euell Lee Cosby and Willis Cosby, and a son-in-law, Tracy Owens.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Sandra Wheeler Cosby; three daughters, Cathy Owens, Abbeville; Connie Ethridge (Steve), Echo Community; and Cindy Glover (Joel), Abbeville; two step-sons, Anthony Hardwick and Robert Hardwick, both of Ft. Gaines; a sister, Mary Cosby Holloway (Denny), Dothan; a brother, Jerry Cosby (Rena’), Abbeville; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Cosby, Abbeville; grandchildren, Chris Owens (Brooke), Kaci Hughes (BJ), Corey Owens (Avery), Phillip Hartzog (Kate Killebrew), Whitney Rich (AJ), Kendall Glover, Brooks Hardwick (Nicole), Chase Hardwick and Conner Hardwick; great-grandchildren, Madison, Owen, Ava Joy, Brantley, Jaxon, Kayson, Mary Ellen, Jade and Knox; several nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be the grandsons.
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.
Christa LeAnn Thomas Lawyer, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025, at her residence. She was 54 years old.
Leann was born on October 14, 1970, in Sylacauga, Alabama to Larry Gilbert and Geneva Faye Bryant Thomas. She was an avid Alabama football fan. Roll Tide Roll! Leann loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Geneva Faye Bryant Thomas.
Survivors include her loving husband of 17 years, Eric James Lawyer; father, Larry Gilbert Thomas; son, Taylor Jordan Chapman of Eufaula; daughter, Brynna Morgan Chapman of Fort Mitchell; three grandchildren, Kynlee Dakota Chapman, Kenzie Lee Chapman, and Gracie Reign Chapman.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
OZARK…Marquez Laster, a resident of Ozark, died late Friday evening, July 4. 2025, in Dale Medical Center. He was 27.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 19, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Andrew Turner officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
James Kranak, a dedicated husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, Navy veteran, and talented musician, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love and family.
James shared 50 years of marriage with his devoted wife, Carol, who survives him. Together they built a family rooted in laughter and resolve, raising three daughters who will carry his memory forward: Erica (Junior) Delgado, Aimee (Brandon) Plake, and Melanie (Kevin) Pfeiffer.
Nothing brought James more joy than being “Pappy” to his nine grandchildren, who adored him: Sydney, Adriana, Marah, and Aidan Delgado; Logan, Braeden, and Colton Plake; and Wyatt and Claire Pfeiffer.
James proudly served in the United States Navy, and his love of country was only rivaled by his love of music. A gifted musician, James could often be found sharing a song or strumming his guitar, filling the room with warmth and life. He was also known by many as the “Stude Dude” for his passion for restoring Studebaker cars, a hobby that reflected his appreciation for classic craftsmanship and hard work.
James’ presence will be deeply missed, but his stories, songs, and steady love will live on in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Betty Ann Bowden passed away at her home in Taylor, AL on Wednesday July 9th, 2025. Betty lived a beautifully selfless life. She was a pillar of strength and sacrifice, working tirelessly to provide for her children who were the light of her life. She was a proud and devoted wife to her loving husband of 29 years, and a fiercely loyal and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved her family with all of her heart and soul. She was passionate, hardworking, and incredibly strong with the kindest soul and the most gentle spirit. She led with compassion, always found the very best in everyone, and never hesitated to help someone in need. She was humble, kind, generous, and nurturing, and she spent her whole life pouring her love into the lives of everyone she loved. Above all else, Betty loved the Lord and proudly declared her faith in Him all the days of her life.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving parents, Samuel & Hazel Watson, and her beloved daughter, Lindy Bailey. Left to love her from afar are her devoted husband, Fred Bowden; her loving children, Brandy Hartzog (Chris) and Lee Massey (Jessica); her bonus children, Keith Bowden, Karen Gosnell (Steven), and Becky Bowden; her son-in-law, Brent Bailey; her grandchildren, Richard Cordle (Jamie), Hannah Cochran (John), Cameron Griffin (Caitlin), Avery Phillips (Mollie), Austin Bowden (Emily), Brennan Collins (Conner), Caroline Smith (Evan), Chloe Rice (Evan), Hunter Norwalk, Drew Hartzog, Olivia Gosnell, Jackson Bailey, Kamryn Bailey, Will Hartzog, and Anna Grace Massey; her great grandchildren, Aiden Cordle, Charlotte Cordle, Jacey-Kate Trawick, Isabella Bowden, Kellan Griffin, Lucas Bowden, Ivy Kate Norwalk, Zeke Griffin, Kye Norwalk, and Waylon Smith; her siblings, Faye Watson, Frank Watson (Della), Jerry Watson, and Shirley Watson Cureton along with their families; and so many other family members and friends who she loved dearly. She was deeply loved and will be missed by so many.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home with Gene Oden officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.
Christa LeAnn Thomas Lawyer, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025, at her residence. She was 54 years old.
