Kathi Lynn Kelley Atkins died peacefully on April 17, 2025, after a battle with cancer.
She was born on July 10, 1964, in Dothan, AL, to Anne and Dorsey C. Kelley, Jr. She is
predeceased by her father.
Kathi is survived by her husband of 37 years, J. Brian Atkins, and her children, James
Kelley Atkins and Leigh Anne Atkins. She is also survived by her mother, Anne Kelley;
her sister, Tami Todd; sister-in-law, Sheri Fitzgerald (Lee); her uncle, Joe Kelley
(Margaret); her aunt, Charlotte Solomon; her nephew, Eli Howell; and nieces, Mary
Frances Howell and Sydney Fitzgerald. Kathi loved the Lord, her family, friends, and
teaching children.
A visitation will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, April 22, at 12:00
PM, and a funeral service at 1:00 PM. A graveside service will follow at Greenwood
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Montgomery Christian School
(3265 McGehee Rd., Montgomery, AL 36111); Trinity Presbyterian Church (1728 S. Hull
St., Montgomery, AL 36104); or to a charity of your choice.
James Clarence Quick passed away on April 18, 2025, at the age of 70, in Midland City, Alabama. Born on July 27, 1954, in Bay County, Florida.
James graduated from Rutherford High School, where he was known for his quick wit and ability to make friends with ease. He carried these traits into his adult life, making lasting connections with those he met. For over two decades, James dedicated himself to his craft, working with storefront glass.
Beyond his professional life, James was a man of many interests. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, passions that he shared with his close-knit circle of friends and family. James could often be found tying flies for fishing, a skill he had perfected over the years and took great pride in. His love for the outdoors was only matched by his love for his family.
James’s family was his world. He is survived by his son, Michael Quick (Miriam), and daughter, Norma Quick, who both remember their father as a man who taught them the value of perseverance and the joy of a good joke. James’s legacy continues through his eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, whom he adored and who will miss his larger-than-life presence.
He is also survived by his sisters, Frances Moreno (Phil) and Cathy Kolonusz. James’s ex-wife and caretaker, Lenora Graham, remained a close and caring part of his life, providing comfort and companionship in his later years.
James was predeceased by his parents, Charlie Quick and Norma Petrey Quick, as well as his brothers, Jack Quick and Tommy Quick.
Those who knew James will remember him as a man who was hard-headed yet funny, a jokester who could lighten the mood no matter the circumstances. He was a jack of all trades, always ready to lend a helping hand or share his knowledge with anyone who needed it.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com
Morimitsu “Mori” Shimabukuro, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on July 21, 1946, in Okinawa, Japan, Mori was the son of the late Kimiko and Seige Shimabukuro, and one of five spirited children. His life was a testament to the power of love, family, and dedication.
Mori’s journey led him from Japan to Canada at the age of 16, where his family started a restaurant, igniting his lifelong passion for cooking. It was in America during the 1960s that Mori’s heart found its true match in Linda Marie Schmidt. They married and shared a remarkable 58 years together, building a legacy through their three loving sons, James Shimabukuro (Hope), Dirk Shimabukuro (Kristal), and Scott Shimabukuro (Heather). His role as a father was only surpassed by his joy in being “Papa” to his eight grandchildren, Katie Lewis (Ethan), Gillian Shimabukuro, Colby Shimabukuro (Kinley), CadenShimabukuro, DevinShimabukuro, WyattShimabukuro, AnabelleShimabukuro, and KaiShimabukuro, and his three great-grandchildren.
Professionally, Mori was a respected Dental Technician. For over 30 years, he honed his craft and built a reputation for excellence at his own business, Mori’s Dental Studio, in Dothan, Alabama. His precision and care in his work were paralleled only by his commitment to his community. He was a proud member of the Dothan Masonic Lodge and Alcazar Shriners club for over a quarter of a century.
Mori’s interests were as varied as they were heartfelt. His early experiences in Canada may have sparked his culinary curiosity, but it was his love for his family that turned cooking into an expression of affection. Always adventurous in the kitchen, he delighted in creating new “concoctions” for his grandchildren to savor. His passion extended to the soccer field, where he coached his sons and mentored his grandchildren, rarely missing a game no matter the distance.
Settling in Dothan, Alabama, in 1972, Mori and Linda created a home that was often filled with the sounds of laughter and the aroma of delicious meals. His commitment to youth extended beyond his family as he dedicated eight years to teaching chess at Highlands Elementary School’s chess club, sharing his strategic mind and nurturing potential in each child.
Mori’s love for the water was as deep as the ocean itself. A member of the aqua activity class at Westgate Recreation Center, he found joy and serenity in the water. The beach was his sanctuary, a place where he felt most connected to his island roots, and where he spent countless hours on his back porch, simply enjoying the beauty of nature.
Known for his wisdom and passion, Mori was not just a family man but also a seeker of knowledge. He filled hundreds of notebooks with numbers, studying the lottery with a discipline that brought him close to winning on several occasions. This analytical side of him was balanced by his adventurous spirit and his eagerness to impart wisdom and learn new things alongside his grandchildren.
Mori’s siblings, Eiko Mah (Allan), Jimi Shima, Michi Shima, and Fugi Shima, will fondly remember his loving nature and the warmth he brought to their lives. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him, but his legacy of love and unwavering support will continue to inspire and guide his family.
Mori was a beacon of love and wisdom, a passionate soul who lived a full and meaningful life. As we remember him, we celebrate the joy he brought into our lives and the countless ways he made our world a better place. Mori Shimabukuro will be deeply missed, but the memories of his loving, wise, and passionate spirit will be cherished forever.
OZARK… Beverly Hartzog Freeman, a resident of Ozark, Alabama, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, at Oakview Manor in Ozark, Alabama. She was 69.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
Mrs. Freeman was born in Dothan, Alabama to the late James Lee Hartzog and Evelyn Elaine Walker Hartzog. She lived much of her life in the Midland City, Alabama area. She was a 1974 graduate of Dale County High School. She worked for HealthSouth as a transcriptionist for nineteen years before retiring. She was an avid Auburn fan. She loved working in her yard and just doing anything outside. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Ocala, Florida.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by several siblings.
Leaving to cherish her memories is her son, Trapper Bell (Emily); her sisters, Beth Smith, Lynn Smith, and Ann McCallister; her brother, Bob Hartzog (Pat); and her many nieces and nephews.
COWARTS, ALABAMA. . .Ronda Rae Brusius, a resident of Cowarts, Alabama, died Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Wiregrass Medical Center in Geneva. She was 68.
There are no memorial or funeral services planned at this time. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Ronda Brusius was born in Long Beach, California, daughter of the late Ronald William Brusius and Betty Lorraine Weitz Brusius. She lived in the Enon community, near Webb, before moving to Cowarts. Ronda was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was formerly employed as a Data Processing Manager in a medical clinic.
Surviving relatives include two daughters, Erin Bassett and Emily Carlson, both of Omaha, Nebraska; three sons, Erik Carlson, St. Louis, MO; Kyle Baublitz, Nashville, TN; and Zachary Baublitz, Dothan; three sisters, Kathy Merrill, Farmington, MO; Paula Owens, Mason, TN; and Krista Stutz, Houston, TX; seven grandchildren.
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.
