Jessie “Paul” Jordan of Dothan, Alabama passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the age of 87 after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Friday, April 11, 2025 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday at 10 am, one hour prior to the service.
Born December 11, 1937, in Montgomery County, Alabama to Mr. Collis S. Jordan and Mrs. Merline Beasley Jordan. Paul was raised and attended school in Highland Home, Alabama and had fond memories of his childhood. He was a great storyteller.
On May 18, 1973, he married his wife of almost 50 years, Margarette Patterson Jordan in Donalsonville, Georgia and made their home in Houston County, Alabama.
Paul moved to Dothan in 1964 for a job opportunity with Charles Manufacturing. In 1975, he began his career with the State of Alabama as a Welcome Center attendant. He was proud to wear the uniform and grateful for the opportunity. He made many friends during his time at the Welcome Center and continued those friendships long after his retirement in 2000.
In his retirement years, Paul loved to support his granddaughters in their countless activities. He never missed a local soccer match, gymnastic meet, recital, or show performance and with his wife, would travel when possible. He was a lover of all types of music, but his favorite genres were Classic Country and Bluegrass. He attended many concerts and would walk to meet local musicians to listen and even offer vocals, on occasion. He and his wife also enjoyed attending music festivals.
Later in life when travel became more difficult, Paul found immense pleasure in audio books provided by the Alabama Library for the Blind, and for that reason, we ask for donations in his memory to be made to: Alabama Library for the Blind, 6030 Monticello Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117-1907 in lieu of flowers.
Jessie Paul Jordan is preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by a loving family that will miss their brother, dad, granddaddy, and newly renamed grandpa. We “wuv him” and will miss the stories and that wonderfully dry sense of humor. His strength, determination, work ethic, and overall gumption will be forever admired.
Gisela Veith Hancock, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, in Abbeville, Alabama, at the age of 88. Born on August 10, 1936, in Germany, Gisela’s life was a vibrant tapestry woven with love, laughter, and a spirit of adventure that touched everyone she met.
Gisela’s journey began in Germany, where she was raised by her parents, Adolf and Margaret Veith. She pursued higher education in her homeland, majoring in Business Administration, and went on to manage an office with the same precision and care she applied to every aspect of her life. It was in Germany that Gisela also discovered her talent for ping pong, becoming a champion in Darmstadt and carrying that competitive spirit throughout her life.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, Jessie Hancock, with whom she shared a life full of cherished moments. Her son, Paul Byrne, and a special son-in-law, Tim Davis, also predeceased her. Gisela’s legacy continues through her devoted daughter, Denise Davis, and her adored grandchildren, Jesse S. Davis (Deonne) of Dothan, Nicole G. Davis of Opelika, and Brooke D. Davis of Abbeville. Her great-grandchildren, Maddox Davis, Madison Vines, and Mason Vines, will grow up with stories of their great-grandmother’s zest for life and her boundless love.
Gisela’s infectious laughter and adventurous spirit made her a beloved member of her community. She was a social butterfly, known for her funny and spirited personality, which made her a cherished friend to many. Her special friends from Ft. Rucker, especially Lee, and her companions at the German Kaffe Club, will fondly remember the brightness she brought into their lives. Gisela’s warmth extended to her numerous other relatives and friends, who will miss her dearly.
An avid gardener, Gisela found peace and pleasure working in her flower garden, nurturing each plant with the same care she gave to her relationships. Her love for people was evident in her frequent visits to Ft. Rucker for shopping, where she enjoyed the camaraderie and the thrill of finding new treasures.
A Celebration of Gisela’s life will be held at 6 PM, Friday, April 4, 2025 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Pastor Sam Davis officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 PM until 6 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family will be accepting flowers or contributions may be made to Vintage Christian Church, 1505 Hartford Highway, Dothan, Alabama 36301. The family would also like to extend a sincere thank you to Gentiva Hospice for the care given to Gisela while under their care.
OZARK…Whitney Amelia Pittman King, a resident of Ozark, died Sunday afternoon, March 30, 2025, at her home. She was 39.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Bill Hart officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church.
Whitney was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where she was raised and taught by a wonderful church family who she loved.
Whitney was an avid Tennessee Volunteers fan and enjoyed watching them play during football season. If they were winners, that would be a good day, but win or lose, she was a loyal fan. Although she had no children of her own, she was an awesome Aunt to Jackson and Addison. She enjoyed being involved in their summer fun and was always ready to go to the movies or swimming when called on.
Whitney loved her family. She loved her friends and loved what she did, working several years in the medical field as a floor secretary. She had a passion for helping the elderly and children. She was a loving caregiver for her grandmother Pittman and also to her parents, who she resided with.
She is survived by her parents, Jimmy and Susan Pittman; a brother, Brandon Pittman and his wife, April; her niece and nephew, Jackson and Addison Pittman, all of Ozark; cousins Kaylee Carter of Ozark and Quade Carter of Birmingham; her aunt and uncle, Shannon and Chuck Carter of Ariton; and a great-aunt, Shirley Thrasher of Ozark.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Ms. Elinor Ruth (Armstrong) Douglas, age 97, a resident of Dothan passed away on March 31, 2025 at Noland Extendicare Health Center.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00PM on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Craig Springfield and Mr. Roger Douglas officiating. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 1:45 pm on Thursday in the chapel prior to services.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, 3300 Cottonwood Road Dothan, AL 36301.
Ruth was born in Newville on October 26, 1927 to Olin Armstrong and Susie Davis Armstrong. She grew up in the Camp Springs Community and graduated from Newville High School in 1945. She later obtained an Associate’s degree from a business college. Ms. Elinor worked as a seamstress and did drapery work for Sears Roebuck, but was a homemaker for her husband and family most of her life. She enjoyed cooking for her family and playing cards. She also loved Braves Baseball.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dewey Mixon Douglas; son, Roscoe Douglas; four brothers, Roscoe Armstrong, Royce Armstrong, William “Polly” Armstrong, Woodrow Armstrong; two sisters, Christine Hardy, Jean Davis.
Survivors include son, Roger M. Douglas (Martha) of Birmingham; six grandchildren, Matt Douglas (Kim) of Taylor, Laura Willford (Scott) of Dothan, Aleve Douglas (Kris) of Louisville, KY, Wendy Rankine (Will) of Macon, GA, Elizabeth Peed (Caleb) of Macon, GA, Roscoe Douglas (Leah) of San Diego, CA; fourteen great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be Seth Douglas, Jamie Nelson, Joey Nelson and Ben Welborn.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Mr. Jerry Lee Speed, age 75, a resident of Midland City, died Sunday March 30, 2025 at Noland Hospital in Dothan.
The family will be receiving friends at Glover Funeral Home on Wednesday April 2, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to Respite Ministry, c/o First United Methodist Church, 1380 W. Main St., Dothan, Alabama 36301.
Mr. Speed was born on December 4, 1949 in Fayette, Alabama the son of Robert Roy Speed and Costa Lee McCraw Speed. He was retired as owner/operator of Speed’s Repair Services following forty seven years of service. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sports and especially enjoyed attending all his grandchildren’s activities and games.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Donald Speed.
Survivors include: wife of fifty-seven years, Judy Speed, Midland City; two daughters, Beth Summerford (Andy), Dothan; Leigh Griffin (Scott), Dothan; a brother, Roger Speed (Linda), Pensacola, FL.; eight grandchildren, Joshua Summerford (Bailey); Jeremiah Summerford, John Curtis Summerford (Emma Brooke Kinsey), all of Dothan; Marlee Beth Andrews (Calvin Nowell), Dothan; Emma Kate Andrews (Tanner Barnett), Birmingham; Chapman Lee Andrews (Breana Henning), Dothan, Andrew Griffin (Patricia Dyer), Birmingham, Libby Griffin, Dothan; two great-grandchildren, Sellers and Townes Summerford, Dothan; several special nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
