Edward Linnie Sims, age 88, of Ashford, passed away Monday, October 6, 2025 at his home, surrounded by his family.
Born August 13, 1937 in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Charles F. Sims and Lois Grambling Sims, Linnie graduated from Pinetta High School and Florida State University. Linnie served his country proudly in the United States Army. He worked in Technical Services at Georgia Pacific for 37 years before his retirement.
Linnie loved the outdoors, whether it was traveling or gardening. He also enjoyed collecting arrowheads and listening to the sounds of nature as he waited for the fish to bite. A proud alumni, Linnie would spend his Saturdays watching his Florida State Seminoles play football.
In addition to his parents, Linnie was preceded in death by his brothers, Fitch and Donald Lee Sims; and his sister, Edna Whigham.
Linnie is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Shelba Sims of Ashford, Alabama; his children, Krystel and Rusty Martin, Charles and Jan Whatley Sims of Pansey, Alabama, Mark and Kim Jeffcoat Sims of Dothan, Alabama, and Gene M. Sims of Huntsville, Alabama; his grandchildren, Justin and Kristi Martin of Pansey, Alabama, Tre` and Joni Eubanks of Gordon, Alabama, Tiffany and Josh Hoover of New Have, Connecticut, Tyler and Shelby Sims of Fort Gaines, Georgia, Zachary Sims of Dothan, Alabama, Emma Sims of Auburn, Alabama, Jarrett and Kelli Kelley of Odenville, Alabama; his 10 great-grandchildren; his brother, Phillip and Kaye Sims of Yuba City, California; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Darryl Bates officiating. Burial will follow in Ashford City Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until 11 AM, prior to the service at the funeral home.
Maurice Vertren Martinestz, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on October 5, 2025, in Dothan, AL, at the age of 63. Born in Geneva, AL, on September 14, 1962, Maurice was a vibrant soul who brought joy and laughter to all who knew him.
Maurice was a proud graduate of Geneva High School, where he first showcased his outgoing and engaging personality. His love for music and performance led him to attend the University of Alabama, and it was there that he became a proud member of the Million Dollar Band, leaving a lasting impression on both the band and the university community.
In his professional and personal life, Maurice was known as a “Jack of all trades.” His ability to fix, create, and improve was only matched by his culinary skills. Neighbors often found him grilling outside with his boombox playing, a testament to his love for good food, good music, and good company. Maurice’s outgoing and outspoken nature meant he never met a stranger and was beloved by all in his hometown of Geneva.
A dedicated family man, Maurice’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn Martinestz, his daughter, Essie Coradini, and his cherished granddaughter, Na’Kaiyah Holmes. Maurice was a brother to Raymond Martinez (Tommie) and a cherished uncle to his special nieces, Kim Campbell, Stacey Bunn, Chloe Bunn, and Tekima Lee. His legacy of love and laughter extends to his many nieces, nephews, friends, and family members who will miss him dearly.
Maurice’s passion for life was evident in his hobbies. An avid fisherman, he could often be found at his favorite fishing spot, patiently waiting for the next big catch. His love for Alabama Football was infectious, and he never missed a game, always cheering on his team with the same fervor he approached life.
Maurice’s ability to light up a room with his presence will be deeply missed. He had a unique gift for making everyone feel special and loved. His laughter, his stories, and his unwavering support for those he loved are the memories that will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
As we say goodbye to Maurice Martinestz, we celebrate a life well-lived and well-loved. His spirit, a blend of warmth, generosity, and humor, will forever be remembered as a bright light in the lives of many. Maurice’s passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but his legacy of love, laughter, and community will continue to inspire all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
A celebration of Maurice’s life will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, October 10, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.
Mrs. Velma Scott Bonner, of Newton, AL, passed away at Flowers Hospital on Sunday, October 5, 2025. She was 78.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 2:00PM at Shiloh Baptist Church with Reverend Ricky Hall and Reverend Gary DeBerry officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Love in Action in Dothan, Alabama.
Mrs. Velma was born, in Houston County, on July 30, 1947 to Ora Mae Scott. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and loved her church family. Velma enjoyed reading, cooking and preparing food for her family and friends but her greatest love was for her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Bonner; mother, Ora Mae Scott; one brother, Kenneth Scott; two sisters: Janie Smith and Sara Harrison; brother in laws; George Wells, Chet Smith, and Hubert Harrison.
Survivors include two daughters: Kim Hammack (Curry), Carol De Phillips (Donnie); son, Shelley Bonner (Sabrina); grandchildren: Jace, Michaila, Marissa, Taylor, Hannah, Logan, and Owen; great grandchildren: Connor, Brody, Peyton, Aubrey, Andy, Harper, Killian, Ryland, and baby Leonard; sisters: Mary Langford (Donnie), and Kathleen Wells; brothers: Wayne Scott (Jean) and Earl Scott; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Infusion Center at Flowers Hospital, Cara and the lab staff at Dothan Hematology and Oncology, Jeff Brannon and the staff at Flowers Hospital. Along with the CCU staff under Dr. Robert Latimer and Blake, Wicksburg EMS, Wicksburg Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue.
ABBEVILLE… Mark E. White, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Sunday night, October 5, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. He was 59.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with John Riley officiating. Burial will follow in the Abbeville Memorial – East Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted, or contributions may be made in Mr. White’s memory to the S.H.A.R.K. (Save Haven ARK) a no-kill animal facility, P.O. Box 126, Abbeville, Alabama 36310, or www.shark37.care, or to the American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284-0692, or www.heart.org.
Mr. White was born in Dothan, Alabama. He lived his youthful years in Headland, Alabama. He was a 1985 graduate of Headland High School. He moved to Dothan, Alabama shortly after high school. In 2008 he moved to Abbeville, Alabama. He had worked with Danco Construction for twenty-seven years and was working with them until his passing. He loved his Danco family. Mark was an avid Alabama Football fan. He loved his motorcycles, especially his Harley Davidsons. Mr. White was very adventurous and loved to travel. He was always happy to be wetting a hook (fishing).
Mr. White was preceded in death by his parents, Joyce Woodham Snell and Horace E. Snell, Jr., and his biological father, Walter E. White.
Leaving to cherish his memories is his loving partner, Kathy Olmsted; his son, Rex A. White (Kelly); his sisters, Terri Deaton (Ryan), Mandie Wright (Doug), and Kristi White; his grandchildren, Camilla Helms, Tyson Everette White, and Brooklyn White; his nieces and nephews, Justin Snell, Jessica Snell, Seth Wright, and Shelby Wright; his 1 great-niece; his three great-nephews; and loving canine companion, “Grunt”.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Doug Wright, Seth Wright, Justin Snell, Jimmy Barnes, Harold Robison, and Bill Welch. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his Danco Construction work family.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Marjorie Opal “Marge” Sherbourne Jones, a resident of Ozark, died Friday, October 3, 2025, in Dale Medical Center. She was 92 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Jones will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Wednesday from 1:00 P.M. until service time.
Mrs. Jones was born February 18,1933 in Akron, Ohio to the late Edward Raymond Sherbourne and Ivy Opal Stevens Sherbourne. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1951 where she was active as a cheerleader and member of the Future Homemakers of America, Girls Glee Club and Secretarial Science Club. She was voted “Least Likely to Get Married”. In 1971 she married Jim Jones and moved to Alabama. They both worked at Fort Rucker, Alabama until retirement. Mrs. Jones enjoyed a full life, entertaining family and friends around the pool, camping, fishing, working outside with her flowers and gardening. She was an avid animal lover. She enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with her family, reading, watching Fox news and Alabama football! Roll Tide! In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Jim Garvin and James Henry Jones; two sisters, Donna Quimby and Ethal Robinson; and one brother, Dean Sherbourne.
Survivors include three sons, Terry Allen Garvin (Cheri) of Akron, Ohio, Gary Wayne Garvin of Atmore, Alabama and Jeffery Allen Jones (Donna) of Northport, Alabama; one daughter, Sharon Ann Walters of Ozark; one brother, Gerald Sherbourne of Ohio; six grandchildren, Arther H. Walters III, Joshua A. Walters, Craig A. Randall, Kimberly A. Randall, Christopher D. Frost and April Garvin; and her cat “Patches”. Eight great grandchildren also survive.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in her memory to the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2502, Ozark, Alabama 36361.
BAKER HILL…Jane Smith Wells, a resident of Baker Hill, Alabama, passed away Saturday morning, October 4, 2025, at her residence. She was 89.
Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Monday, October 6, 2025, in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, 85 Pleasant Hill Road, Eufaula 36027, with Reverend George Bryan and Chaplain Ernie Gray officiating. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:30 P.M. Monday at the mortuary in Abbeville.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
Mrs. Wells was a lifelong resident of Baker Hill, daughter of the late O. B. Smith and Jimimae Eubanks Smith. She was a graduate of Baker Hill High School and attended Wallace Community College in Dothan. Mrs. Wells was an active member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she served as pianist and taught a Sunday School class. She was formerly employed as a substitute teacher at Baker Hill High School and was the co-owner and operator of Tom Wells T.V. in Abbeville. Mrs. Wells was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Rogers Wells, Sr. and a sister, Laura Richards.
Surviving relatives include her son, Roger Wells (Marlene), Headland; grandchildren, Brandon Wells (Destiny), Jordan Wells, Heather Blalock (Josh), and Jennifer Dippold (Dan); great-grandchildren, Walker Wells, Keagan Wells, Katheryn Wells, Brody Blalock, Jase Blalock, Hunter Simmons, Drake Simmons and Ella Dippold; a brother-in-law, Larry Wells (Virginia), Eufaula; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Dot Lindsey and Joyce Morris, and a special canine great-grandson, “Knox”.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Josh Blalock, Brody Blalock, Dan Dippold, Hunter Simmons, Chase Peterson and Dylan Slater.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Southeast Home Health and to SouthernCare Hospice for loving care and kindness shown to Mrs. Wells during her illness.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
