COLUMBIA. . .Betty McKemie Oakley, a resident of Columbia, died Monday morning, June 9, 2025, at her home. She was 91.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 12, 2025, in the Columbia City Cemetery with Reverend Chip Oakley 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 Columbia Methodist Church, P.O. Box 188, Columbia, AL 36319.
Mrs. Oakley was born in Headland and was reared in Columbia, daughter of the late William Rogers McKemie, Sr. and Iva Killingsworth McKemie. She was a graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia and attended Wallace Community College. Mrs. Oakley was a member of Columbia Methodist Church, Columbia Historical Society and Columbia Garden Club. She was retired from Wiregrass Pulpwood and Timber Company in Columbia as a bookkeeper. Mrs. Oakley was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin F. Oakley, Sr.
Surviving relatives include her sons, Reverend Chip Oakley (Kathy), Grove Hill, AL; and Lawrence Oakley (Kim), Pike Road, AL; grandchildren, Beth Oakley Taylor (Crosby), Dexter Larson, Will Oakley and Lexie Crane (Travis); a great-grandson, James Taylor; and a very special friend and caregiver, Nancy Griffin.
Serving as active pallbearers will be the grandsons and Belcher Griffin. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be John Palmer Beasley and Elliott Whitton.
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.
Jo Ann Crenshaw Brookins, a resident of Dothan died Monday, June 9, 2025 at Extendicare Health and Rehab. She was 86.
Funeral services for Jo Ann will be held at 11 AM Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with Brother Keith White officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until 10:45 AM prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial services will be held at 2 PM EST Friday, June 13, 2025 at Restlawn Memory Gardens in LaGrange, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Piney Grove UMC, 21 Piney Grove Road, Rehobeth, AL 36301.
Jo Ann was born April 9, 1939 in Wedowee, Alabama to the late Orley Daniel David and Mattie Mae Thrasher Cummings. She was a retired textile worker from Westpoint Pepperell who loved cooking, keeping house and working in her flower beds. Jo Ann was a member of Piney Grove United Methodist church.
Jo Ann is preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husbands, Clifford M. Crenshaw and Milton Brookins and a grandson, Matthew Coy Bryant.
Survivors include her daughter, Delana and Joel Upchurch; grandson Jacob (Tiffany) Hudmon; great granddaughter, Alexia Byrd, and great grandsons, Cole and Jordan Hudmon; step daughter, Becky (Craig) Parnell, Shirley (Bob) Eller; step sons, Kent (Susan) Brookins, Scott (Marian) Brookins; step granddaughters, Makenzie (Joseph) Brookins, Brittany (Chris) Yokley and Lani (Andrew) Marsh; step grandsons, Tyler Brookins and Trent Parnell; six step great grandkids and several nieces and nephews. A very special friend, Dottie Broyles.
The family sends a special thanks for the loving care given by Gentiva Hospice, Karen, Kevin and Jo Ann and the nurses at Extendicare and also the Mary and Martha’s Ladies Group from Piney Grove UMC.
Terry Kirkland, 70, passed away on June 9, 2025. Born December 21, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida, Terry grew up surrounded by a tight-knit community and a strong, loving family.
Terry was known for his sense of humor and his love for simple joys—especially motorcycles and auto auctions. His interest in mechanics turned into a career, earning him the respect of many in Jacksonville, Florida, where he lived and worked. He was known not just for his skills, but for his willingness to help and his straightforward nature.
He faced challenges in life, but never lost his ability to bring laughter to those around him. Terry had a talent for making people feel welcome and turning ordinary moments into memorable ones. Above all, he loved his family. He is survived by his son, Cameron Kirkland; daughters, Katherine “Katie” Kirkland and Joanna “JoJo” Sanchez; and grandchildren, Ayden, Sara, Jada, Joey, and Julian—all of whom brought him pride and joy. His family looks forward to welcoming a great-grandchild who will grow up hearing stories about him.
Terry is also survived by his sister, Gloria Whaley, and his brother, Larry Kirkland, with whom he shared many childhood memories. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Betty Kirkland, whom he loved deeply and missed greatly.
Terry didn’t pretend to be perfect. He was honest about the ups and downs of life, and that honesty, paired with his deep love for family, is what defined him. He lived with resilience, and he’ll be remembered for his warmth, his laughter, and the way he connected with others.
We say goodbye to Terry with gratitude for the time we had and the memories he gave us. His story lives on through the people he loved and the lives he touched.
William “Truman” Meadows, 82, a resident of Cottonwood, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025 in Dothan.
Truman Meadows was born on October 6, 1942 in Cottonwood, he was the son of Frank and Myrtice Bradberry Meadows. He was a true southern original with a heart full of grit, kindness, and a knack for fixing just about anything with an engine. He married the love of his life, Clyde Butler, on September 28, 1963, and together they raised four children. He spent his working years as a mechanic, but his real talents showed in his backyard raising chickens like they were royalty, along with fishing like it was an Olympic sport, and never missing an Alabama football game. Roll Tide!
Truman was a man who loved the simple things, fishing with his friend Larry Love, going to the flea market to buy chickens, and enjoying a good meal. His idea of a perfect evening included an old western on TV.
Truman is preceded in death by his wife, Clyde Butler Meadows; sister, Virginia Meadows Gallagher.
Survivors include his children; Carolyn (Johnny), Dewey, Jean (Earl) and Shawn; grandchildren, William (Caitlin), Blake (Thea), Kam, Cassie (Taylor), and Alyssa; great grandchildren, Gracyn, Ashlyn, Will, Millie, Vaelynde, and Evelynde; sisters, Sue Meadows, Althea Jackson (Norwood), and Gayle Monday, who know well that a brother like Truman only comes around once.
Truman didn’t go for fuss or fanfare, just give him a fishing pole and a good western and he was content for a peaceful day. He’ll be remembered with love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the simple life he lived so well.
In Truman’s honor, cast a line, put on a John Wayne movie, or root hard for the Tide. That’s the kind of tribute he’d truly appreciate.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 13, 2025 in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Troy West officiating. Burial will follow in the Cottonwood City Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 1:45 pm at the funeral home prior to services on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
BAUXITE, ARKANSAS. . .Janet Campbell Johnson, a resident of Bauxite, Arkansas, formerly of Headland, died early Monday morning, June 9, 2025, at her home. She was 70.
Graveside services will be held at 9:30 A.M. Friday, June 13, 2025, in the Headland Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. The family will receive family and friends following the graveside services. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that daylilies be planted in memory of Janet.
Janet Johnson was born in Dothan, daughter of the late Curtis Carl Johnson and Janelle Sue Graddy Johnson. She was a 1972 graduate of Headland High School and received a B. S. Degree in Elementary Education from Troy University. Janet later received a Masters Degree in Early Childhood from the University of Alabama. She formerly lived in Headland and Panama City before moving to Bauxite, Arkansas in 2014. Janet formerly taught Kindergarten at the Headland Primary School and Abbeville Elementary School where she retired. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Headland. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Carl Johnson, Jr.
Surviving relatives include her daughters, Katherine Holt, and Sydney Vincent (Jeffrey), all of Bauxite, Arkansas; grandchildren, Mason Mills, Alexander Vincent, Cooper Vincent and Logan Vincent; a special former sister-in-law, Lisa Stelter (Bob).
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.
HEADLAND… Frederic “Fred” Earl Wall, Sr. a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Saturday evening, June 7, 2025, at his home. He was 80.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Wall was born in Augusta, Georgia to the late Doctor Earl Wall and Odessa Higgs Wall. He was a 1964 graduate from Academy of Richmond County in Augusta, Georgia. He attended Kennesaw State College and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Augusta State University. He served his country as a Aviation Electronics Technician in the United States Navy from March 1, 1965 until honorably discharged on April 30, 1969. Mr. Fred was a dedicated member of Shriners International and was also a member of the Browns Crossroads Masonic Lodge #529. He had previously lived in Lilburn, Georgia before moving to Headland, Alabama five years ago. He was a member of the Union Freewill Baptist Church.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his wife, Nell Taylor Wall; his son, Frederic “Eric” Earl Wall, Jr. (Trish); his sister, Elizabeth Warren (Tom); and his grandchildren, Steven Thomas Wall (Kori) and Kevin Patrick Wall.
William “Truman” Meadows, 82, a resident of Cottonwood, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025 in Dothan.
