Clara May Kelly Franklin March 27, 1930 – April 1, 2025
Clara Kelly Franklin, age 95, a resident of Dothan, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025, at Westside Terrace Nursing Home.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2025 at Gardens of Memory in Dothan, Alabama.
Born March 27, 1930, in Bratt, Florida (Escambia County), Clara was the eighth of fifteen children born to John Ora and Elvina (Gilley) Kelly. She was preceded in death by her parents and thirteen of her siblings.
Clara was also preceded in death by her son, Joe Franklin, and daughter-in-law, Mary Franklin.
She is survived by her loving family, including her daughter, Jean Fucich; two sons, Jimmy (Pam) Franklin and Jerry (Starla) Franklin; nine grandchildren: Wendy Franklin, Barbara (Matthew) Stowe, Tina Franklin, Joey (Amy) Franklin, Jessica (Tanner) Barefield, Zane (Vivian) Franklin, Jerry (Alison) Franklin, Suzanna (Hunter) Roberts, and Katie (Julian) Happy; twelve great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson, all of whom knew and loved her as “Honey.” She is also survived by her brother, Charles (Eloise) Kelly of Dunn, North Carolina.
Clara was a woman of many talents. She had a natural gift for gardening—she could grow anything. Her easy laugh, warm spirit and home cooked meals made her home a place of comfort for all who entered.
She was a devoted member of Dothan First Assembly of God for decades, where she shared her love and faith with many.
Fowler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Marie Johnson age 92 of Cowarts,Alabamapassed away Friday, March 28, 2025 surrounded by her family.
Marie was born October 8, 1932 in Tennessee to Brady and Pauline Horner Hux. She married Pastor Robert Franklin Johnson. She co-pastored with her husband for 54 years at Northwest Church of God in Knoxville, Tennessee. Together, they touched hundreds of lives. Marie worked as a surgical technician at the local hospital. The couple also worked in Gatlinburg at a wedding chapel. Marie played the organ and assisted her husband the Chaplain with the ceremony. She treasured spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, family and friends. Marie also enjoyed her flowers and working in the yard.
Marie is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Pastor Robert Franklin Johnson; daughter Robbie Gail Johnson age 3; parents Brady and Pauline Hux.
Leaving to cherish her memory, daughter Debra Kizer (Pastor Kerry Kizer); grandchildren Heather Nichols (Jeff), Ryan Kizer; great grandchildren Dustin Nichols (Brooke), Breanna Luffy (Stephen), Braden Nichols, Blaine Kizer, Harley Kizer, Adalee Kizer, Cooper Kizer; great-great grandchildren Asher Nichols, Wren Nichols, Hunter Nichols; brother Bennie Ray Hux (Loretta); sisters Fern Johnson, Linda Moore, Pam LaRue (Ray).
Mae Estelle Walker, 99, our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at Flowers Hospital, on April 1, 2025, surrounded by her family, leaving behind a legacy of love, a strong abiding faith and service to others.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Walker, and her parents, R. J. and Hattie Pearl Raybon, and siblings, Harmon Raybon, Edward Raybon, Esther Raybon Walker, Gene Raybon and Bessie Raybon Bridges. She is survived by her loving family – children, Larry Walker (Kim), Phyllis Walker Taylor (Fred), and Bruce Walker (Cheryl), her grandchildren, April Walker McKinion (Randy), Neil Walker (Susan), Bryan Taylor (Laurel), and Christina Taylor Russell (Drew), 10 great-grandchildren, and multiple nieces and nephews as well as many other close family and friends.
Born in humble beginnings, she left the farm and began her career at the local Hosiery Mill, where her work ethic was first recognized. Her greatest accomplishment, however, was her decision to work from home—a choice made not for convenience but from dedication to serving her family. As an exceptional seamstress, she became well-known for her custom bedding, pillows and draperies for many families and businesses, including the old Houston County Courthouse.
In the kitchen, her talents were equally impressive. Known as a good cook and baker, her brownies became legendary among family, friends, and neighbors and were her signature creation, often requested for every gathering and celebration. Her table was always a place of warmth and welcome, with family recipes perfected through years of loving preparation becoming the centerpiece of celebrations and everyday moments alike.
Her pride and delight in her family was a source of great joy, and she found a friend in everyone she met. Those who knew her well will forever remember her infectious giggles. This joy stemmed from her unwavering faith, which served as the compass of her life. Her relationship with God informed every decision as well as her interactions with others.
Hard-working yet tender-hearted, she demonstrated daily that true strength lies in service to others. Her life was a beautiful testament to the power of selfless love and quiet devotion. She leaves behind a family who will strive to honor her memory by continuing her legacy of faith, generosity, and love. Though we mourn her absence, we celebrate a life extraordinarily well-lived and the eternal peace she now enjoys.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Westside Terrace for their many years of dedicated love and care, and to the compassionate staff at Flowers Hospital, 6th Floor North, and Gentiva Hospice, for their exceptional care, dignity, and kindness during her final days.
A private graveside service will be held followed later by a celebration of life.
OZARK. . .Cindy Laurimore Garrett, a resident of the Ewell Community, near Ozark, died Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025, at her home. She was 64.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, April 4, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Doug MacCormack officiating. Family Scattering Services will follow in the Midland City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Friday at the mortuary in Headland.
Cindy Garrett was born and reared in the Dothan area, daughter of the late John Laurimore and Marie Mathis Laurimore. She lived in Abbeville and Headland before moving to the Ewell Community in 2021. She was affiliated with Crossroads Baptist Church in Dothan. Cindy was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Wayne Garrett and a nephew, Johnathan Laurimore.
Surviving relatives include three daughters, Marie Garrett, Midland City; Rebecca Sessions, Melbourne, FL; and Vicky Garrett, Kinsey, AL; a son, Jesse Frank Garrett, Cowarts, AL; step-children, Barbara Brannon (Bobby), April Long, Wayne Garrett (Angel) and Jimmy Garrett; sisters, Cynthia Wood, Teena Hensley, and Lisa Mathis; brothers, Randy Laurimore and Ricky Laurimore; grandchildren, Deanna Hammon, Tyler Graham, Ashley Barnes, Destiny Barnes, Molly Wilkerson, Dustin Wilkerson, Abigail Garner, Jonathan Garner, Emily Garrett, Haley Garrett, Austin Garrett and Jacob Garrett; a great-grandson, Tatum Hammon.
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… Marvette Rivers, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at her home. She was 88.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at St. Peter AME Church with Reverend Joshua Mann officiating. Pastor Eddie Thomas of Mt. Sinai Church in Newville will give a eulogy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Rivers was the last of eight children born to L.E. Hollis and Hattie Driggers Hollis. Her loving and close siblings were Lucille Key, Juanita Rambo, Evelyn Hollis, Sylvia Brantley, Lawrence Hollis, Annie Lewis, and Rosie Minniefield.
She was a faithful member of the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Newville, Alabama and later joined St. Peter AME Church where she held numerous positions throughout her life. She was a graduate of Rosenwall High School. She was a Nursing Assistant with the Henry County Public Health Department for twenty-two years. During this time, she met and cared for numerous individuals through Henry County.
Along with her parents and her siblings, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Earl Joe Nathan Rivers and her son, Master Billy Rivers.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her children, Anthony E. Rivers (Lisa Edwards), Deborah D. Rivers (Rubin Cole), Rex Rivers, and Danita Rivers (Barry Brinson); her grandchildren, Tracy Rivers, Lasharion Graham, and Tiffany Rivers; her twelve great-grandchildren, whom loved her dearly; and her host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and dear friends.
Serving as active pallbearers will be her nephews.
Hubert Allen Dansby, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama. He was 73 years old.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Glover Funeral Home in Eufaula, Alabama with Rev. Shane Traylor officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing.
Allen was born April 23, 1951, in Barbour County, Alabama to the late Seaby Dansby and Eunice Inez Bowden Dansby. He worked for Carbo Ceramics for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, fishing, and dirt road riding.
He is preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Morris Dansby, Bobby Earl Dansby, Eugene Dansby, William Noah Dansby, Tony Dansby, Billy Bowden, and Bobby Bowden; sister, Ruby Hatfield.
Survivors include his two sisters, Mary Dansby Hawkins of Eufaula, Alabama and Edna Dansby Jernigan (James Dean) of Newton, Alabama; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his loving dog, Cricket.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Clara May Kelly Franklin
Hubert Allen Dansby, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama. He was 73 years old.