Doris (Head) Stewart, 93, was called home to Heaven by her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at Southeast Health Medical Center in Dothan, Alabama. She was a loving mother to two sons and a proud grandma and great-grandma.
A family graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 30, 2024, at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Birmingham. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to, Wesley Place on Honeysuckle, 718 Honeysuckle Road, Dothan, Alabama, 36305.
She was born and reared in Trussville, Alabama. The daughter of William B. and Pearl Head. She was a retired rural mail carrier with the United States Postal Service and she also served as a pastor’s wife for almost 60 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband of more than 59 years, the late Reverend Harry A. Stewart.
Survivors include two sons, Michael Stewart, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Mark (Julie) Stewart, Dothan. Three granddaughters, Elizabeth (Braxton) George and Hannah Stewart, all of Dothan; Dakota Lane Stewart, Fitzgerald; a great-granddaughter, Riley Ann George, Dothan; a niece Lyndall McKay, Alexander City, Alabama; a nephew, William Head, Decatur, Alabama; and a host of great nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Mrs. Lounell Lassiter Baxley of the Fadette Community of Geneva County went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 26, 2024. She was 81. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 28 at 11:00 a.m. in the New Teamon Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Lee Chorn officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, December 27 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The family requests that flowers be omitted, and memorial contributions be made to New Teamon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3813 S. County Road 85., Slocomb, AL 36375. Mrs. Baxley was born July 13, 1943, in Geneva County to the late W.C and Elvie May Kirkland Lassiter. Lounell worked at Van Heusen in Hartford and Sony in Dothan for many years. Afterwards, she owned and operated the Flower & Plant Shop in Malvern for over 35 years. Lounell was a talented florist and considered her work to be a ministry to bring encouragement and comfort to others. She was a dedicated woman of faith and member of New Teamon Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, her loving husband of 52 years, Howell Gene Baxley; siblings: Estelle Sawyer, Lewis Lassiter, Sybil Holton, Sheila Mitchell, Larry Lassiter, Rex Lassiter, and Melba Grace Smith, all preceded her in death. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Tracy and Melissa Baxley; grandchildren: Matthew and Abigail Baxley, and Luke Baxley; siblings: Debra Fowler, Pete Lassiter, and Ricky Lassiter; several brothers-and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.
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Helen Ruth Taylor, cherished by many for her nurturing spirit and loving heart, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2024, in Graceville, Florida. Born on April 24, 1948, in Pansey, Alabama, to the late Robert and Daisy Watkins, Helen’s life was a testament to her resilience, warmth, and the deep bonds of family.
Helen’s journey began as the beloved daughter of her parents and grew to encompass the roles of a devoted wife, a caring mother, a doting nana, and a dedicated sister. She was the treasured matriarch of a family that revered her, including her son, David Lee Kirkland (Jo Ann), her daughter, Vikki Ruth Cheshire (Jason), her sister, Robbie Watkins Douglas (Bill), and sister in law, Sarah Taylor. Helen’s legacy of love is carried on through her grandchildren Benjamin Martin, Leigh Ann Ditz (Patrick), Judson, and Emma Cheshire, Taylor Cheshire and Stacie Waddell, as well as her eight great-grandchildren, with whom she shared countless cherished moments.
Helen’s family tree was rich and full, with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and notably, seven double first cousins, who will fondly remember her for her kindness, her laughter, and the wisdom she imparted. They, alongside her extended family and friends, will forever honor Helen’s memory.
Helen was a woman of faith and commitment, as evidenced by her long-standing membership at Cloverdale Baptist Church. After the loss of her beloved husband, Robert Earl Taylor, in 2008, she found solace and support within the congregation of Ridgecrest Baptist Church. There, she continued to nourish her spiritual life, actively participating in several Bible classes, and sharing her light with all those she encountered.
Professionally, Helen’s career was marked by loyalty and excellence. Starting as a teller in 1975 at Dothan Bank and Trust—later known as Regions Bank—Helen’s dedication and hard work saw her rise through the ranks. She retired in 2003 as an administrator assistant to the president of the bank, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship and integrity.
Beyond her professional and spiritual commitments, Helen will always be remembered for her “green thumb” and her love for growing things. Her garden was a vibrant tapestry of life that not only brought beauty into the world but also served as a symbol of her ability to nurture and care for all living things. Her passion for gardening was an extension of her nurturing nature, as she cultivated plants with the same tenderness and attention she gave to her family and friends.
Helen’s life was a beautiful blend of her love for her family, her unwavering faith, and her joy in the simple pleasures of life. She approached each day with grace and generosity, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she met. As a wife, she was a partner in the truest sense; as a mother and Nana, she was a beacon of love and guidance; as a sister, she was a confidante and friend; and as a colleague, she was respected and admired.
Though Helen’s presence will be profoundly missed, the memories she created, the lessons she taught, and the love she shared will continue to flourish in the hearts of those who knew her. Her spirit, like the gardens she so lovingly tended, will remain a source of comfort and inspiration.
A service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held on December 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dennis Singletary and Rev. Chuck Locke officiating. Helen will be laid to rest beside her husband in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm Friday evening at Sunset Funeral Home.
Serving as pallbearers are Judson Cheshire, Lamar Watford, Jason Watford, David Sewell, Steve Scott, and Warren Abraham.
Mrs. Patricia Ann Tolbert (Bowman), previously from Dothan, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 20, 2024. She was 84. A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery, Dothan, AL with Rev. Michael Lawson officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Patsy loved her family very much. She was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church and in earlier years, as her health permitted, enjoyed fellowship with her Sunday School class. She had a soft spot for pets and always was watching redbirds in the yard. Patricia was born June 7, 1940 in Columbus, Ga to the late Clayton C. and Lois (Comer) Bowman. In addition to her husband, Richard of almost 64 years, her parents, and grandson, Elijah Tolbert, all preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughter, Vickie Clearman (Tim) of Johnson City, TN; son, Richard Tolbert, Jr. (Pamela), Dothan; six grandchildren: Amy Rodriguez (Rene), Lori McCarty (Omar), Heather Caster, Ricky Tolbert (Angela), Sarah Jackson (Brandon), and Jessica Flowers (Charles); twenty great grandchildren: Nathan, Noah, Derek, Benjamin, Natalie, John Allen, Zion, Kennedy, Alli, Mia, Nora, Olive, Maille, Declan, Charles, Elijah, Charlotte, Madeline, Katelyn, and Ashlyn. Serving as pallbearers: Richard K. Tolbert III, Tim Clearman, Derek Chandler, Charles Flowers, Brandon Jackson and Chris Forsey. A special thank you to all the wonderful people at Graceville Health Center and Rehab who cared for Patricia.
Beverly “Bug” (Wheelless) Knowles, 71, a resident of Dothan, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at her residence following an extended illness.
Complete arrangements and survivors will be announced by Glover Funeral Home of Dothan.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Ruth (Lyons) Holsomback-Mercer, age 98, resident of Dothan passed away on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Noland Extendicare.
There will be no public services held at this time per the family wishes.
Ruth was born on February 10, 1926 in Kentucky to Curtis Lyons and Eva Fox Lyons. In the 1940’s, Ruth married and moved to Alabama. Later in the 1970’s, she moved to New Orleans. Ruth also lived in Mississippi and Florida before returning to Alabama. She worked as a clerical assistant in the medical field and a ticket salesperson in the theater industry over the years, but her main job and most important job was being a homemaker in her home to her family. Ruth loved painting and gardening, but her pride and joy was her cats. To her family, she was known as “the crazy cat lady”.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Willard Gibson, Ray Nash, Bobby Holsomback, and Paul Mercer; daughter, Shirley Ann Moore; brother, Jack; and sister, Jennie Russell.
Survivors include her daughter, Sue Robinson; son in law, Alton Moore; five grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
