Mr. Thomas Patrick “Tommy” Wilks of Geneva, AL passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025. He was 62.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Ricky Hall and Rev. Teddy Ward officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Coffee Springs, AL with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Tommy was born on May 17, 1963, in Geneva, AL to the late James Curtis and Margaret “Peggy” O’Connor Wilks. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family, especially his children. Tommy loved nothing more than to make people laugh and telling jokes or “tall tells”. He valued time well spent with his family and close friends. He was loved and will be missed by many who were honored to know him.
In addition to his parents, two brothers, Max Neil “Bucky” and John Frank Wilks; sister-in-law, Alisa Wilks; brother-in-law, Bobby Simmons; and one niece, Jodi Wilks Commander, all preceded him in death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Mindy Wilks; three sons, Jake Wilks (Kacie) of Coffee Springs, AL, Luke Wilks and Eli Wilks, both of Geneva, AL; one sister, Patsy Simmons of Dothan, AL, three brothers, Michael Wilks (Janet) Enterprise, AL, Donald Ray Wilks (Debra) Geneva, AL, Terry Wilks Geneva, AL; sister-in-law, Tamar Wilks of Geneva, AL and several nieces and nephews.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
Marking the end of an era, Ila “Joan” Welsh passed away peacefully at her home in Eufaula, Alabama, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. She lived 93 remarkable years and will be missed.
Ila Pearl was born October 19, 1931, in Louisville, Alabama to the late JC Dykes and Eula Kennedy Dykes. As the eldest of nine children, she honed her leadership skills at an early age. She utilized those skills while she proudly served as a Sergeant in the Women’s Army Corps, working as a statistical analyst at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. During her military service, she met her husband, Daniel C. Welsh, in a chance encounter at Walter Reed Hospital. The exact story of their meeting has varied over the years, but the consistent thread was an undeniable connection leading to a beautiful life story. They were married at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia, and started their family after settling in Cleveland, Ohio. While their five children were young, they returned to Alabama so their children would grow up in a small town surrounded by extended family. Ila later joined Harbison Walker where she worked diligently in several roles until she retired after many years of service.
The Welsh family was blessed with Ila as the matriarch. She has been the centering force of the family through her tenacity, strength, sass, and love. She was never happier (but also maybe a bit stressed) as when she was surrounded by loved ones. As her family grew, she was so proud as each new grandchild or great-grandchild joined the fray. Never one to sit still for long, Ila enjoyed spending time cultivating her yard, fishing, entertaining, or feeding her loved ones. She could often be found enjoying the view of Lake Eufaula from her beautiful back yard. Ila’s strength, wit, and perseverance are all a part of the legacy she has woven into the fabric of the family and life she built. Her memory will carry on in each family gathering and in beautiful days spent outside.
She is preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Daniel C. Welsh; sister, Leola Wilkes.
Survivors include one son, Daniel T. Welsh (Mendi) of Eufaula, Alabama; four daughters, Theresa Searcy of Eufaula, Alabama, Linda Bratcher (Wayde) of Eufaula, Alabama, Debbie Welsh of Johns Island, South Carolina, and Danette Stiggleman (Mark) of Ft. Myers, Florida; brothers, Cecil Dykes of Columbus, Georgia, and John Dykes of Brundidge, Alabama; four sisters, Bobbie Shelley of Phenix City, Alabama, Robbie Hughes of Phenix City, Alabama, Nell Mills of Saint Simons Island, Georgia, and Judy Cole of Midland City, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Amber Martin, Brandy Bickley (Marcus), Kristin Stiggleman, Mark Stiggleman, Jr., Bryan Bratcher (Devon), Alex Welsh (Lindsey), and Auston Welsh; five great-grandchildren, Harper Hutchison, Cooper Bickley, Walker Bickley, Bryar Bratcher, and Brixton Bratcher.
Graveside services with military honors were held Friday, June 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fairview Cemetery Addition in Eufaula, Alabama. Father David Shoemaker officiated, and Glover Funeral Home directed.
Ila was a member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church- 533 W. Broad St. Eufaula, Alabama 36027.
Mary Dell Paramore passed away peacefully on June 12, 2025, at the age of 85 in Ashford, Alabama. Born on September 13, 1939, in Houston County, Alabama.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Monday, June 16, 2025 at Enterprise Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the church from 10 to 11 A.M. Monday, one hour prior to the service.
Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Elmer and Hulitte Trawick Paramore. Her life was a rich tapestry woven with the love of her family and the many lives she touched. She was a protective force in the lives of her nieces and nephews. Mary’s presence was a comforting constant, her guidance a compass through the trials and triumphs of their lives. Mary also was an avid Auburn fan.
Mary’s sisters, Shirley Watford Gene), Voncile Johnson (Earl), Martha Colmar (Carl), and Bonnie Shelley (Mickey), will remember her as the loving heart of their family. Mary’s life was a beautiful reflection of the love she gave so freely, and her memory will be cherished in the countless stories and shared moments that will be passed down through generations.
The family she leaves behind is a testament to the love she both gave and received. Her nieces and nephews, each carrying a part of her spirit, will continue to honor her memory by living out the values she instilled in them. Her legacy is one of love, a legacy that will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be profoundly missed, yet forever remembered.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dayspring Hospice for their care and support.
Michael Clifford Jastrzebski, age 75, of Dothan, AL peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on June 6, 2025. Mike was born June 14, 1949.
Mike was a writer, a wanderer, and a man who lived life on his own terms. Never one to shy away from risk, he followed his dreams wherever they led, from the mountains of Maine to the turquoise waters of the Bahamas. He owned a bookstore and a sewing machine shop, built and lived in a log cabin in Maine, and for sixteen years he and his wife, Mary, sailed from the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi and then on to Florida, across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, up to the Chesapeake Bay and back to Florida all aboard a 36-foot sailboat, accompanied by their faithful dog.
Mike wrote what he loved: tropical mysteries filled with the flavor of Florida and the quirky characters of Key West, paranormal mysteries, and fantasy tales. While cruising he turned his experiences into stories that entertained and inspired, becoming the author of nine novels and two novellas. A regular at the Mystery Writers of America’s Florida Chapter meetings and a frequent participant in SleuthFest, Mike was always generous with his time and encouragement. He delighted in talking shop, swapping stories, and supporting fellow writers at readings.
Long before he took to the sea, Mike was an avid swing dancer. It was on the dance floor that he met Mary, the love of his life. He had a great sense of humor, and even in his playful teasing, it was clear to everyone how much he adored her. The affection was unmistakable in the twinkle in his eye whenever he joked about how he suffered from life on “Mary Time.” Once the legendary writer Elmore Leonard told him, “Mary must be a saint.” Mike just grinned.
Mike was a big guy who lived life large. He was a proud father and grandfather. Writing was always his passion, but Mike’s greatest joy was in his family.
Mike is survived by his wife, Mary, of 30 years and his son Neil (Stacie) and granddaughter, Cianna and grandson, David. Mike is proceeded in death by his parents Betty and Dan and son David Jastrzebski. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Bobby Gene Driver, 88, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, after a long illness. A proud Marine, successful business owner, and devoted man of faith, Bobby lived a full and meaningful life defined by honesty, service, and love.
Born on June 21, 1936, and raised in Coffee County, Alabama, Bobby went on to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps as a young adult. After settling into civilian life for some time, he moved his family to Ohio where he and Linda raised their three girls and then went on to become the owners of a respected air duct cleaning business. His customers trusted him not just for the quality of his work, but for the integrity and truthfulness that defined every interaction.
Bobby was a faithful member of his church throughout his life, dedicating countless hours to volunteer service. He lived his faith through action, offering a helping hand, a kind word, or a story that lifted someone’s spirit just when they needed it most.
He was the devoted husband of Linda, his beloved wife of 65 years. Together they built a family grounded in love. Bobby was a proud and loving father to his three daughters, Susan, Terri, and Jennifer; and a doting grandfather to Elizabeth, Zach, Evan, and Sam, who brought great joy to him. He was also a loyal and protective big brother to his siblings, Lomax and Diane.
Bobby had a gift for storytelling and an infectious sense of humor that brought light to every room he entered. Whether sharing a joke, a memory, or a song, he made people feel seen, valued, and loved.
His legacy is one of unwavering faith, integrity, and a deep love for family and community. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
The Driver family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Gentiva Hospice and our regular nurse, Jada Culbreth, for their excellent and compassionate care over the previous two years.
A celebration of life will be held at 11am on Monday, June 16, 2025, in the Sunset Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Carl Greene and Rev. Dave Cortes, officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30am at the funeral home prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Bobby’s honor to Gentiva Hospice, located at 2431 W Main St #1102, Dothan, AL 36301 or call to make a donation at 334-792-1100.
Marking the end of an era, Ila “Joan” Welsh passed away peacefully at her home in Eufaula, Alabama, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. She lived 93 remarkable years and will be missed.
