James “Richard” Tice, 82 a resident of Graham, NC died on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at UNC hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. He was born in Dothan, Alabama and lived there most of his life until 2021, when he and Jeanette then moved to North Carolina. He is preceded in death by Willie Mae (Luther) Jones and Namon Tice, son Ricky LaDon Tice, daughter Sherri Lynn Tice McKeel, two sisters Martha Peacock and Shirley Comeford, and brother Ralph Tice.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jeanette McCardle Tice and daughter Donna Jean Tice. He was affectionately called “Granddaddy” by his grandchildren Britney (TC) Killingsworth, Jamie (Merilyn) Dowling, Kevin Tice, Jacob Thomas and great-grandchildren Kara Brooke Killingsworth, Briley Killingsworth, Nathan Tice, Whitten Bradley, Jameson Dowling, and Elijah Tice. Also survived by a sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
He was a long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church in Dothan, AL. He attended church at First Baptist Church of Mebane, NC. He retired from Houston County Road and Bridge Department as Garage Superintendent. After his retirement, he enjoyed several years relaying vehicles with Bondys Ford. He loved the Lord, his family, fishing, the Crimson Tide, a good joke, and banana pudding! He believed in honesty, standing by your word, having a strong work ethic, and providing for your family. He is loved dearly and will be greatly missed.
A Graveside Service will be held at 10am Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Memory Hill Cemetery.
WEBB, ALABAMA. . .Janice Rials “Jan” Sumerlin, a resident of Webb, Alabama, went home to be with her Lord Friday afternoon, May 30, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. She was 70.
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 P.M. Friday June 6, 2025, in the Webb Baptist Church with Reverend Danny Sumerlin, Reverend Shawn Fanchette, Reverend Tim Willis and Reverend Tim Gay officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:30 until 5:00 P.M. Friday in the sanctuary of the Webb Baptist Church.
A second funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 7, 2025, in the Serenity Funeral Home Chapel, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, Alabama 36582. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Serenity Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Mobile Memorial Gardens, 6100 Three Notch Road, Mobile, AL 36619.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Webb Baptist Church, P.O. Box 70, Webb, AL 36376.
Jan was born in Panama City, Florida and was reared in Panama City and Theodore, Alabama, daughter of the late Frank Davis Rials and Roberta Huffman Rials. She graduated with honors in 1972 from Theodore High School. Danny and Jan were married June 8, 1974 in Grand Bay, Alabama. Following their marriage, she followed Danny to Montgomery while he served in the U. S. Air Force until 1978. After moving to Montgomery, Jan developed a career in Office Management and served as an Office Manager in various businesses and Baptist Churches, serving as an Administrative Assistant until her retirement in 2017. From 2002 until 2014, she rehabbed orphan squirrels and was affectionately nicknamed “The Squirrel Whisperer”. Jan loved being “Mom” to Jessica, “Nana” to Taylor and Brayden, sister to John and Jimmy and friend to many. Most of all, she loved being Danny’s wife and best friend for almost fifty-one years. Jan loved children. Throughout their ministry together, she worked with children, started and built children’s ministries, and made lasting friendships with children. Jan is frequently called a “Kid Magnet”. They all knew she loved them. At Webb Baptist Church, she picked up children and brought them to church on Sundays and Wednesdays, taught a Children’s Sunday School Class and a Wednesday night children’s class. At the time of her homegoing, Jan was mentoring a sweet twelve year old young lady whom she dearly loved . She has made a lasting, profound, positive difference in countless lives and only eternity will reveal how many. Her last ministry assignment was teaching a Senior Adult Ladies Class whom she dearly loved. Jan had a loving appeal to people of all ages, an infectious sense of humor, a genuine warmth, and a delightful laugh.
Jan was a generous and selfless lady who was much loved and will be sorely missed.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Reverend Danny Sumerlin; a daughter, Jessica Sumerlin Donaldson (Michael), Dothan; grandchildren, Taylor Hope Zirlott and Brayden Alexander Donaldson; a brother, James Rials (Linda), Montgomery; a sister-in-law, Susan Rials, Pensacola, FL; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law from the Sumerlin family, David and Rita Sumerlin, Debbie Sumerlin, Donna Sumerlin and Tim Sumerlin, several nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be David Sumerlin, Tim Sumerlin, James Rials, Jamar Ivey, Trey Wright and Aaron Cornett.
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.
Chief Master Sergeant Sherman Hoover Horne, USAF, Ret., a cherished patriarch and respected community member, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025, in Ozark, Alabama, at the age of 96. Born on March 2, 1929, in Clopton, Alabama, to Tommie and Willie Horne, Sherman grew to embody the virtues of kindness, humor, and dedication throughout his long and fulfilling life.
Sherman attended Henry County Training School, shaping him into a young man of intelligence and character. Upon graduation, he entered into the Airforce on December 8, 1948, serving his country with honor and distinction until his retirement. Following his military career, Sherman was employed with Johnson Control Battery in Tampa, Florida, where he further demonstrated his strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.
In 2003, Sherman’s journey brought him back to Alabama, where he married his beloved wife, Lillian Lenard Horne. Together, they shared 22 years of love and companionship. Even after a successful military and second career, Sherman continued to serve his community, working at Wal-Mart in Dothan as a greeter and in asset control. His friendly demeanor and genuine care for others made him a favorite among customers and colleagues alike.
A man of faith, Sherman attended St. Paul AME in Ozark, where he found strength and solace in his beliefs and the fellowship of the congregation. His involvement in the church was a testament to his commitment to service and his compassionate spirit.
Sherman’s love for his family was unparalleled. He leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter with his wife, Lillian, his children, Tonita Williams, Sherilyn Williams, Darryl (April) Horne, and James Horne, and his treasured 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. His sister-in-law, Jacquelyn Horne, along with a special cousin, Rowanna Mathis and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends, will also hold his memory dear. Sherman was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mariah B. Horne, and his eight siblings.
Those who knew Sherman will remember him as a man who loved to grill and entertain, always ensuring that his guests were well-fed and smiling. His sense of humor was infectious, and his stylish presence never went unnoticed. Sherman was the embodiment of thoughtfulness and selflessness, always ready to lend a supportive hand or share a humorous anecdote. His ability to brighten the day of those around him was one of his most beloved traits.
Sherman Hoover Horne’s rich legacy will be celebrated by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. As we bid farewell to a man who brought joy, wisdom, and kindness into the lives of so many, we take comfort in the knowledge that his spirit will continue to inspire and guide us. Sherman’s life was a tapestry of love, laughter, and service, and his memory will be treasured forever in the hearts of those who loved him.
A funeral service celebrating the life of Sherman Horne will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be held following the ceremony in Sunset Memorial Park.
Clifford L. Davis Sr., affectionately known as Don, passed away on May 29, 2025, in his hometown of Dothan, Alabama. Born on June 30, 1950, in Dothan, Alabama, Don’s 74 years were marked by a warm heart, a tireless work ethic, and an ever-present smile that made him a beloved figure in his community.
Don’s life was a testament to the value of hard work and dedication. He spent many years at Southside Granite, providing comfort to countless families as he meticulously installed headstones at local cemeteries, ensuring their loved ones’ memories were eternally etched in stone. His reputation for reliability and craftsmanship was equally evident in his time with PFG Trucking, where his colleagues knew him as a man who could always be counted on.
Beyond his professional life, Don was a pillar in his family and is survived by his wife, Margaret Jeanette Singleton. He was a loving father to his children, Chris Davis (Sarah Price), Clifford Davis Jr. (Paula), Chris Singleton (Wanda), and Michelle Chandler (Brad). His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Brittnee Holley, Brandi Singletary, Blake Davis, Madison Davis, Josh Davis, Lillian Davis, Jake Singleton, Colton Chandler, and Tessa Chandler, as well as several great-grandchildren who will carry forward the values Don instilled in them.
Don joins his brothers, Willie, Tom, Thuril, Billy, Johnny, and Robert in eternal rest. He is survived by his brother, Arthur Davis, and sisters, Mary Ivey and Patricia Burkett, who will miss his presence dearly, as will his numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and family members.
Those who knew Don understood that his heart was as big as his smile. His love for life was evident in his daily routines, which often included visits to the Waffle House, where he was a staple and where friends and family were always greeted with his warm, friendly manner. Don’s life was a reflection of the words that best described him: loving and friendly. He was a man who worked hard all his life, and if you knew him, you loved him.
As we bid farewell to Clifford Ladon Davis Sr., we celebrate a life lived with joy, commitment to family, and a deep-seated kindness that touched everyone he met. His memory will be cherished, and his legacy will live on in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him. Don’s journey through life was marked by the love he gave and the love he received, a journey that has now taken him to a place of eternal rest and peace.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com
OZARK…Reverend James F. “Jim” Smith, Sr., a resident of Ozark, died early Thursday morning, May 29, 2025, at his home. He was 75.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Ozark First Assembly of God Church with Reverend Murray Kelly, Pastor Brian Presley and Dr. Michael Sharp officiating. Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missions Department, Ozark First Assembly of God Church, 170 Country Club Drive, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Reverend Smith, son of the late Charlie Franklin Smith and Viola Catherine Blackmon Smith, was a native of Geneva, Alabama where he was a 1968 Graduate of Geneva High School. He attended Southeastern Bible College and was a graduate of Global University, Springfield, Missouri. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Judith Ann Harclerode and he received his credentials in 1976. Pastor Jim’s first church was in 1979 at First Assembly of God in Huntsville as their Music/Youth Minister. In August 1983, he was called to Wewoka Assembly of God in Talladega and then in June 1985, he became the Pastor of Daleville Assembly of God Church where he remained thirty-three years prior to retirement. He also served as the District Presbyter for the Alabama Assemblies of God for twenty-nine years. Pastor Jim was a member of the Ozark First Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Ann Harclerode Smith.
Surviving relatives include his daughter, Jodi Michelle Smith Sandler (Mikey), Midland City; two sons, James F. “Jimmy” Smith, Jr. (Laura), Ozark and Zachary Andrew Smith (Callie Worthy), Daleville; brother, Billy Joe Smith, Enterprise; two grandchildren, Jadon Micah Burwick and Lanie Michelle Burwick; sister-in-law, Terri Ream (Rick), Red Lion, Pennsylvania; several cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Heath Whatley, Alex Alford, Michael Gassett, Jim Maxfield, Mike Wolfe, Danl Hale, Aubrey Sullivan, and Reverend Bill Mansfield.
The family would like to thank nurses, Jessyka Casey, Kelli Stevens, and Libby Babington for their loving care and kindness shown to Mr. Smith and his family during this time.
