DOTHAN… Jane Ladoris Besecker, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. She was 78.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel, with her nephew, A.P. Hoffman giving a eulogy. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Besecker was born in Midland City, Alabama to the late David Andrew Wright and Nettie Lou Sims Wright. She attended Dale County High School. She had previously lived in Midland City, Alabama, Jacksonville, Florida, Texas, and Germany, before moving back to Dothan, Alabama about five years ago.
Along with her parents she was also preceded in death by her daughter, Sigrid Gisela Gaines; her grandson, Kyler Smith; and her brothers, Denver “Demp” Wright, Lavon Wright, Richard Wright, and Doyle Wright.
Leaving to cherish her memories is her husband, Ted Besecker; her daughter, Ingrid Smith (Herlindo, San Juan); her sister, Glenda Hoffman; her brother, Lomax Wright; her grandchildren, Chase Johnson, Rindi Johnson, Jade Smith (Briana), Raven Brown, and Elisha Brown; her six great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Pam Wright; and her several nieces and nephews.
MIDLAND CITY… Michael “Mike” McClure, a resident of Midland City, Alabama, passed away Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. He was 57.
Memorial services will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Brother Scotty Wallace officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made to (C.H.A.R.M.) City of Headland Animal Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 216 Headland, Alabama 36345; or www.charmheadland.org.
Mr. McClure was born in Columbus, Georgia to Nina Ray Hamm and the late Harry Stevenson McClure. He was a 1986 graduate of San Gorgonio High School in San Bernardino, California. He had previously lived in Atlanta, Georgia, Shiloh, Georgia, Remington, Washington, Charleston, South Carolina, and Riverside County, California before moving to Midland City, Alabama about twenty years ago. He was presently employed as a retail manager at Circle K.
Along with his father, he was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry & Betty McClure and Gillis & Frances Ray.
Leaving to cherish his memories is his husband, Joe Turner; his mother, Nina Ray Hamm; his brother, Danny McClure (Tara); his aunt, Linda Ray; brothers and sisters-in-law from the Turner family; his nephew, Hunter McClure (Casey); his niece, Libby McClure; and his great-nephews, Gunner McClure and Tanner McClure, and his great-niece, Paisley McClure.
OZARK…Mrs. Joan Theresa Lightell Evans, a resident of Ozark, died early Sunday evening, March 30, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. She was 90.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Charles Goldsmith officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Evans, daughter of the late Joseph D. Lightell and Cecille M. Legendre Lightell, was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She moved to Violet, Louisiana in 1971 and it was there that she was a crossing guard for St. Bernard Sheriff’s Department for many years. Mrs. Evans enjoyed playing cards, visiting casinos, bingo, and country music. After Hurricane Katrina, she moved to Skipperville, Alabama and was a member of Bethel Methodist Church. Mrs. Evans was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, Everett Novairo Evans, grandsons, Michael Loustalot, Stephen Billiot, sisters, Beth Evans, Veta Watkins, brothers, Herman Evans, Paul Evans, and Joseph Evans.
Surviving relatives include her two daughters, Deborah LouStalot, Violet, Louisiana, and Lisa Billiot (Steve), Carriere, Mississippi; two sons, Raymond Evans (Terrie), New Orleans and Eugene J. “Cajun” Evans, Sr. (Kathleen), Ozark; nine grandchildren, Amy York, Raymond Evans, Jr. (Melissa), Joseph Loustalot, Jr., Mark Loustalot, Sr. (Jamie), Melissa Brown (Chase), Jeremy Billiot (Virginia), Tarasha Capps (Adam M.), Eugene Joseph Evans, Jr. (Ashley), and Everett Cody Evans (Kayla); eighteen great-grandchildren.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
OZARK… What a kick in the pants. Mary B. Miller passed away on April 1, 2025. (We will get to that later) She was born on November 29, 1935, was 89 years old, and had a wonderful life. She was loved by many, feared by most, and was a cheater at cards. She wanted everyone to know that after she died, as she took all your quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. Thank you for putting her two sons through college. She was motivated!
Born in West Point, New York, to wonderful parents, John Whitelaw and Emma Ranney, with endless opportunities, squandered by the consumption of Gordons Gin and the smoking of Moore’s cigarettes. Until she met an amazing soldier by the name of Andrew John Miller. He was patient and wise and had a hell of a sense of humor. For god’s sake he continued to implore her to quit drinking, smoking, cheating, and to go to bed!
This soldier beat her to the glory of God knowing he could never get her to stop the party. He welcomes her with open arms and a soft kiss on the lips. She is survived by her oldest son John W. Miller, and his wife Sandi (last one to be flipped off by her), and Grandson Zach (Now married to Jessica) and Andrew R. Miller, the youngest son, his wife Kellie, and Granddaughters, Nicholette, Gabriella, and Kinslee.
Accomplishments? Fun! She was forever grateful to her extended family and friends. Suckers she would say, but in truth, gave her the continued belief that life was grand. They are listed, not for informational purposes, but because they were so much a part of her. Her brother Robert beat her in the race of death, but she has now slipped past her sister Nancy in that game. (It was always a competition with those three hats off to Nancy!)
Nieces and nephews: Susie and Ray Drummond, their children Jamie and Nick (Erica Lane and Livey). Jamie’s children: Ashley, Michael, and Katherine. Jay Whitelaw, her favorite! (Number one sucker) Scott Whitelaw, his children, Bo and Tori. Debbie (Waiting patiently and partner in crime) and Terry Griswold (In the same situation as AJM) their children Liz and Rob. Liz and Marcus Howel’s children Kailey and Logan. Rob and Nicole Griswold’s children Owen and Laney. Gay and George Patton, Great nephew John and wife Nat, their children Lauren and Dillon. Great niece Laura and husband, Lamont, with their children Morgan and Wyatt. Lynn Dawson and husband Reid. Robert Ernest, her second favorite.
These mentioned nieces and nephews will remember her for many things. Grand Haven, Pine Hurst, puzzles, sunsets, cocktails, cards, Thanksgivings and discussions about life. We will always remember her snort, as it was a tell of her cheating while playing any game. We will always remember the good times with Barbar, and as reminded by Cousin Gay, “what could be more fitting than the passing of life of this dame on April fool’s day!”
She suffered no pain in her passing and in spite of her wishes to forgo any type of ceremony celebrating her passing we would ask her family and friends to join us at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home, 508 Faust Ave, Ozark, Al 36360 on March 5, 2025 at 2:00. An internment will be at Ft. Mitchel National cemetery, with a date to be determined.
Flowers are acceptable. Please be advised that there will be no restitution for any of the monies she stole from you. However, you can always donate on her behalf to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave. Montgomery, Al 36104, splcenter.org.
God, you blessed this one, and we are so grateful for that. You have shaken your head at her escapades, but we know that the prayers of her family and friends are strong and should be enough to help her on her journey to you. Finally, when she convinces you to give it a go at Gin Rummy, always cut the cards. In Jesus name, Amen.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Clara Merle (Brooks) Harden a resident of Wesley Place in Dothan passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Clara was born in Houston County on January 6, 1932 to her parents, Clem and Buelah Brooks. Clara was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother who would meet you at the door with a smile, a hug, and a good home cooked meal. She was a lifelong member of Harper Joy Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben Harden; son, Danny; daughter, Carolyn Marie; six brothers; two sisters; numerous other family members.
Survivors include her son, Donald (Mary); daughter-in-law, Brenda; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Thomas Harrison, Rev. Eddie Littlefield, and Rev. Jerry Harden officiating. Burial will follow at in the Harper Joy Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
A special thanks to Wesley Place and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Russell Edwin Hollinhead, of Enterprise, AL passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at CSM Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home. He was 76.
His wishes were honored through cremation and no services are scheduled at this time.
Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Hollinhead and his parents, Charles and Carolyn Hollinhead.
Mr. Hollinhead retired from the United States Army after 20 years of service as an Air Traffic Controller. In his spare time Russell enjoyed watching Atlanta Braves baseball. When not riding his Harley Davidson, he liked spending time at home.
Survivors include his son; Clayton Hollinhead (Elise), Vestavia Hills, AL; two daughters, Lisa Kraus (Bryan), New Market, AL; Alison Hollinhead, Enterprise, AL; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers; Wayne Hollinhead, Toney, AL; Mark Hollinhead, Oklahoma City, OK. Also surviving is his lifelong friend, Don Wyzlic, Daleville, AL.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
Clara Merle (Brooks) Harden a resident of Wesley Place in Dothan passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
