Mark E. Brooks, age 60, a resident of both Dothan, Alabama and Bristow, Virginia, passed away on April 12, 2025 and went to be with the Lord. A fearless adventurer, devoted father, loving grandfather, faithful Christian, and loyal friend, Mark lived his life boldly to the very end.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, April 26th at Ward Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama. Visitation will be at 10 AM with the service following at 11 AM.
Born on April 7, 1965, in Ozark, Alabama, to Edsel and Mildred Brooks, Mark spent his younger years in Florida, where his love for the outdoors and high-speed adventures first took root. He later made his home in Virginia, and after retirement, also in Alabama. Throughout his life, he was deeply connected to the natural world and those around him.
A lifelong thrill-seeker, Mark found joy in motorcycle riding, dirt biking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, water skiing, and snow skiing. He was also a proud member of a close-knit group of competitive motorcycle riders, with whom he shared countless memories, challenges, and triumphs on and off the track
He was a gifted photographer with an artistic eye and a deep appreciation for beauty and nature. He had an innate curiosity and love of learning; he was a talented artist, taught himself to play guitar, and in his younger years practiced martial arts.
During his time in Dothan, he built a community of friends. He had many activities, but he spent most of his days volunteering at Forever Wild trails, assisting in improvements, maintenance, and riding the trails. He attended both Harvest Church and Ridgecrest Baptist Church.
Mark was a skilled software engineer who built a successful and well-respected career before retiring in 2020. Thanks to his hard work and determination, he was able to retire early and spent the past five years enjoying life on his own terms.
Mark’s outgoing personality and quick wit drew people in wherever he went. He built a strong community of friends and lived his life with passion, courage, and curiosity.
He will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his daughter, Mikayla (Long) Pham; a granddaughter, Edith Pham; his sister, Pamela (Jimmy) Franklin; his niece Jessica (Tanner) Barefield and their children; his nephew Zane (Vivian) Franklin, and their children.
In lieu of flowers, our family welcomes donations made in Dad’s name to SAM Dothan, an organization he was deeply committed to. He was one of the lead volunteers for trail maintenance, and all proceeds will go toward the upkeep of those trails he cared so much about. Donations can be made here: https://samdothan.org/make-a-donation/.
John H. White, a resident of Dothan, died April 19, 2025 at his residence following a brief illness. He was 91.
Funeral services for Mr. White will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Clearman Chapel with Reverend Billy Rich and Jim Corley officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 1:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
John was born January 15, 1934 in Graceville, Florida to the late Arthur and Lupher Smith White. He attended school in Wicksburg. Following graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Korea for 18 months and then a year and a half in Washington, D.C. as a security supervisor. He then spent 30 years with the Dothan Fire Department and worked his way up to Assistant Chief. Later he worked in Plumbing and Electric and retired at the age of 78. He was a member of Memphis Baptist church.
Mr. White is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debbie Farnsworth and a sister, Virginia White Johnson.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years Peggy White; children, Johnny (Bonnie), Mike (Becky) all of Columbia and Henry of Dothan; two step-sons, Tim (Kim) Shepard, Ozark, Tony (Tammy) Shepard of Dothan; a special niece, Ginny Johnson Morgan (Clint); 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; special brother in law, Don Sanders (Deicy), Dothan.
The Dothan Fire Department will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be, grandsons and Terry Mears.
DOTHAN… Jerrie Lynn Watson Bass, 70, a resident of Dothan, AL passed away Saturday April 19 at 12:38pm in her home surrounded by family.
Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Dr. Jerry Grandstaff officiating. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Headland, Alabama. The family receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday evening at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Jerrie was born on Scott Air Force base in Belleville, IL to the late LT. COL Jerry Frank Watson and Mary Nell Collier Watson. Preceded in death by the love of her life Tommy Dean Bass who were married 50 years before he went home to be with the Lord on October 24, 2024. Jerrie was a piano and voice teacher for over 30 years. She graduated from the Baptist College of Florida with a Bachelor’s in Church Music. She served numerous churches in the Columbia Baptist Association over a thirty-year period. She taught music at Calvary Child Development Center for over twenty years. She led Boy Scouts with her grandson Jonathon Bass. She was a 2nd degree black belt Tae Kwon Do. Jerrie released several songs on Bandcamp through Jerrie Bass Music. Though Jerrie accomplished all these wonderful things in her life, the greatest accomplishment is in the words of her song “She Loved”. She loved her family and God.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded by her sisters, Nancy Ann Watson Adams and her husband, Danny Adams; and her brothers-in-law, Butch Bass and Tim Bass.
Leaving to cherish her memories is her son, Matthew Frank Bass (Jamie); her sister, Kathy Jean Watson Boswell (Danny); her brother, Thomas Isaac Watson (David Pillow); her sisters-in-law, Diane Bass Killingsworth (Russell), Marrianne Bass Jones (Roy) and Lanetha Bass; her brother-in-law, Larry Bass; her grandchildren, Jonathan Spencer Bass, Abbie, Hannah, and Jeremiah; her three great-grandchildren; and her several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Serving as active pallbearers will be J.D. Harris, Tommy Love, Mark Woodham, Clay Collins, Clint Collins, and Jeremiah Jackson.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for DaySpring Hospice: Samantha, RN and Sonja, RN, Maleeka, CNA, Dalton, Chaplain, and all the other very kind staff for their kind and supportive care they showed to our family through this difficult time.
COLUMBIA. . .Lillie Crooms “ Shorty” Taylor, a resident of Columbia, died early Saturday morning, April 19, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. She was 91.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, near Columbia, with Pastor John Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 3894 Ebenezer Road, Columbia, AL. 36319.
Mrs. Taylor was born and raised in Pansey, daughter of the late Basil Crooms and Kimmie Parrish Crooms. She was a graduate of Ashford High School and attended Riley Business College. Mrs. Taylor lived all her adult lifetime in Houston County, near Columbia. She was retired from the Houston County Probate Office as a Licensing Clerk. Mrs. Taylor was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. She enjoyed aquacise, reading, watching television and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Taylor especially enjoyed a good Hallmark and any western movie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace N. Taylor and a son, Ricky W. Taylor.
Surviving relatives include her son, Ronnie N. Taylor (Laura), Dothan; a daughter-in-law, Tammy Tew Taylor, Columbia; a very special sister, Martha Jean Knighton, Hilton, GA; grandchildren, Jillian Taylor Chapman (Matthew), Erin Taylor, Beth Wisor, Heather Taylor Toro (Nathan), and Jennifer Taylor; great-grandchildren, Lilly Wisor, Nate Wisor, Beau Chapman and Scout Chapman, a niece Latona Little and a nephew, Waylon Knighton (Lisa).
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.
