OZARK…Mr. Roy Edward Sabatka, Sr., a resident of Ozark, died early Saturday evening, September 5, 2026, in Dale Medical Center. He was 91.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Sabatka, son of the late Charles Paul Sabatka and Julia Cora Popelska Sabatka, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. While serving in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Rucker, he met his beloved wife, Judy and was married in 1954. They moved to Chicago and raised their family before retiring and returning to Ozark in 1980, where he built a life filled with hard work, cherished friendships, and countless memories with those he loved. He was a man who believed in earning an honest living and took pride in every job he held throughout the years. He worked as a Security Guard at the Fort Rucker Gate, where he enjoyed meeting people and serving the community. He was also employed at Van Heusen and later at Wal Mart in Ozark.
More than anything, Mr. Sabatka treasured the simple joys of life, especially the time he spent with his beloved wife. One of their favorite places to visit was the beach, where they could relax together, listen to the sound of the waves, and enjoy each other’s company. Those trips created precious memories that he carried with him throughout his life. He also had a lifelong love for fishing and bowling, hobbies that brought him happiness, relaxation, and time spent with family and friends.
Mr. Sabatka proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He was a member of the Catholic faith. Those who knew Mr. Sabatka will remember him as a hardworking, dependable man with a gentle heart and a genuine appreciation for life’s blessings. He valued family, enjoyed spending time with loved ones, and found joy in the simple moments that often mean the most. His presence brought comfort to those around him, and his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by all of his siblings. Though they welcomed him into eternal rest before him, his legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to family will remain a lasting source of comfort to those he leaves behind.
Surviving relatives include his wife of seventy-two years, Judy Williams Sabatka; daughter, Donna Lynn Roberts; son, Ricky Sabatka, Jr., all of Ozark; grandchildren, Stephanie, Laura Jean and Jennifer; great-grandchildren, Shelby, Rumi, Lula, Asha, and Tala; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
WEBB. . .Kristie Lynn Harper Cobb Richards, a resident of Webb, Alabama, passed away early Monday morning, September 7, 2026, in Extendicare Health Center in Dothan. She was 39.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M, Thursday, September 10, 2026 in the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church with Dr. Ray Cobb officiating and a eulogy to be given by Scott Woodham. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Holman-Headland Mortuary directing. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the mortuary in Headland.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to; Osteosarcoma Institute, 3963 Maple Avenue, Suite 390, Dallas, TX 75219
Kristie Cobb was a lifelong resident of Webb. She was a 2006 graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia. Kristie received an Associates Degree in Business in 2009 from South University. She was retired, due to medical reasons, from Camping World as a Sales Associate, where she had been employed since 2018. Kristie was a member of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, James Earl Cobb, a brother, Michael LaDon Harper, grandparents, Nina Peacock Harper and Don Harper, Allen Cobb and Juanita Money, nephews, Jysen Smith, Kysen Scheruer and Casey Hammond, Jr., and a dear friend, Amanda Scheruer.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Maleigha Brooke Livingston, Enterprise; her parents, Dwayne Harper (Tracy), Ashford, and her mother, Robin Lynn Cobb, Webb; sisters, Alycia Hammond (Casey), Georgia; Faith Ann Carroll (Levi), Crestview, FL; Hannah Cobb (Aaron Sanders), Webb; and adopted sister, Alicia Andrews (Chess), Dothan; brothers, Christopher Cobb (Rachel), Webb; and Will Harper (Kelsey), Slocomb; a God-daughter, Ashton Owens, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, along with her best friend’s, Eula Mae Campbell, Heflin, AL., Candace Kirkland, Webb, AL., and her mentor Jimmy Deal.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Brandon McKenzie, Kendrick Santroa, Scott Woodham, Dallis Dasinger, Eric McKenzie, Aaron Sanders, Chess Sergeant and Slade Woodham.
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.
Christopher Paul “Chris” Reid of Samson, AL passed away on Saturday, September 05, 2026. He was 56.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 08, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Lime Springs Church with Rev. Danny Branch and Rev. Clifton McWhorter officiating. Burial will follow in Lime Springs Church Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Flowers will be accepted.
Chris was born on June 14, 1970 to Dianne McCollough Reid and the late Ronald “Ronny” Paul Reid. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt. He was a poultry farmer who helped carry on the daily operations of the family business. Chris enjoyed playing the guitar and making music with his family and friends. His passion was coaching football and baseball to the younger kids, who affectionately named him “Dr. Reid”. He dearly loved his family and friends and will be missed greatly. He was a life-long member of Lime Springs Church.
In addition to his father, Chris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ollen and Faye McCollough and Clifford and Narelle Reid.
Chris is survived by two children, Tanner Reid (Marley) and Emmy Reid Mock (Brandon); two grandchildren, Mallie and Maddox Reid; mother, Dianne McCollough Reid; brother, Brian Reid (Crystal); two nephews, Dawson Reid and Luke Reid ( Mollie Fain); special friend, Shyanne Carnley and her children, Ryder and Cambriella; and a number of very special aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brian Reid, Dawson Reid, Luke Reid, Brandon Mock, Tim Reid and John Jenkins.
Bobbie Dunn Caldwell of Samson, AL, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family on September 5, 2026. She was 95.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Samson First Methodist Church with Rev. Dustin Wise officiating. Burial will follow in Travelers Rest Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL, directing. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to Samson First Methodist Church in her memory.
Bobbie was born in Geneva County AL on June 9, 1931 to the late Grady Wilburn and Buna Estelle Maloy Dunn. She was an active member of the Samson Garden Club for many years. She worked for 18 years as the news editor for Samson Ledger, served as postal clerk at the Samson Post Office for more than 20 years, before retiring as Postmaster in Kinston AL. She was a faithful and devoted member of Samson First Methodist Church for many years, where she served the Lord in various ministries within the church.
In addition to her parents, Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband and father of her children, Charles Glynn Caldwell, one daughter, Susan Kay Caldwell Wilson, one brother, James Wilburn Dunn and wife, Susie N. Dunn, and her second husband, Harold Roney.
Bobbie is survived by her children, Mary Charles Caldwell Akridge (Randy) of Brewton, AL, Cathi Lynn Caldwell Harris and Robert “Bob” Caldwell (Tammy), all of Samson, AL; grandchildren, Dr. Lori Akridge McStoots (Hallam) of Louisville, KY, Garrett Akridge (Jada) of Warrior, AL, Jennifer Wilson Colvin (Jonathan) of Geraldine, AL, Jessica Caldwell Wise (Mark) and Charles Britt Caldwell (Morgan) all of Samson, AL; great grandchildren, Jaxon, Caroline and Cannon Colvin, Caleb and Joshua Akridge, Bryce and Charlotte McStoots, Judson and Jameson Wise and Cooper and Grady Caldwell; one sister, Betty Jean Dunn Head (Fred) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and a number of special nieces, nephews, extended family and church family .
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Agage Care Group and her caregivers, Hosea Robinson, Sally Smith and Zakina Henderson-Hart.
Betty Garrett Schmidt, 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Madison, Alabama, on Friday, September 4, 2026, surrounded by her two daughters.
Betty was born on August 20, 1932, in Bridgeport, West Virginia, to Harold Michael Garrett and Margaret Hoyt Garrett. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 54 years, Donald Eugene Schmidt; and her brother, Edmund Garrett.
Above all else, Betty was devoted to her family. She was a loving mother to Donna Schmidt-Wright and her husband, Kenneth, and Martha Schmidt Gilpin and her husband, Sean. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Mason Wright; Victoria Wright Szucs and her husband, Attila; Ryan Wright; and Connor Gilpin. Her family was the greatest source of joy and pride throughout her life.
After graduating from high school in Bridgeport, Betty attended Mary Baldwin College, where she earned a degree in Biology. She went on to graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she studied to become a physical therapist.
Following her education, Betty moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and began her career at Cincinnati General Hospital. There, she cared for patients who had survived polio, including those living in iron lungs. Her compassion, dedication, and commitment to helping others became hallmarks of both her professional and personal life.
It was through the Newman Club that Betty met her future husband, Donald Schmidt. Their meeting marked the beginning of a remarkable partnership that would span 54 years of marriage, built upon love, faith, family, adventure, and unwavering devotion to one another.
Donald’s career took the family to several parts of the country, and Betty embraced each new chapter with grace and enthusiasm. Their journey carried them from Ohio to New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, and ultimately to Dothan, Alabama, where Betty established and operated her own home health physical therapy business. She took great pride in her profession and in the many people she was privileged to serve.
Betty found joy in the simple and meaningful things of life. She loved tending her garden and especially her roses, becoming a Master Gardener. She enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, swimming, reading, and, most of all, spending time with family and friends. Her home was always open, and family and friends were welcomed with warmth, generosity, and genuine affection.
Those who knew Betty will remember her remarkable resilience, kindness, independence, and generous spirit. She had a gift for making people feel welcome and cared for. Through her work, friendships, and especially her family, she touched countless lives with her warmth and compassion.
In her later years, Betty moved to Madison, Alabama, to be closer to her family. She was lovingly cared for and surrounded by those she cherished most. Her final days were peaceful, at home, with her two daughters by her side.
Betty is now reunited in eternal peace with her beloved husband, Donald, whose love remained with her every day throughout the years following his passing. Together again, they leave behind a lasting legacy of faith, family, love, and devotion—a legacy that will continue through their children, grandchildren, and all those whose lives they touched.
Visitation will be held at Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama, on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:20 p.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 12:30 p.m.
An additional visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home in Midland City, Alabama on Monday, September 14th from 10:00-11:00 a.m. A Graveside service will follow the visitation starting at 11:00 a.m.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home, 1700 Barrington Road, Midland City, AL 36350 (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com
