TAYLOR, ALABAMA. . .Cleveland Wayne Mathis, a resident of Taylor, Alabama, died Wednesday afternoon, March 5, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. He was 65.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 8, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Ricky Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Midland City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the mortuary in Headland.
Wayne Mathis was born in Brevard County, Florida and was reared in Midland City, son of the late Cleveland James Mathis and Mary Ann Senn Mathis. He lived in Webb for twenty-five years before moving to Taylor in 2012. Wayne was retired, due to disability, from Perdue Farms as a Dispatcher and Truck Driver. He was preceded in death by a sister, Kathy Proctor.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Katie Brannon Mathis; two daughters, Michelle Mobley (Richard), and Mary Mathis, all of Midland City; a sister, Lisa Glover, Ocala, FL; and a brother, James Robert Mathis (Lisa), Dothan; grandchildren, Cheyanne Whitman (Dustin), Justin Mathis and Brandon Mobley; a great-granddaughter, Marleigh “Sunshine” Whitman; several nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Jessie Mathis, Logan Mathis, Tim Mathis, Bubba Hart, Dustin Whitman and Dylan Mathis.
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.
Ms. Cathy Ann Hunt Trimm, age 71, a resident of Dothan, died on Tuesday March 4, 2025 at Southeast Health after an extended illness.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Ms. Trimm was born on October 5, 1953 in Marianna, Florida. She moved to Dothan with her family at an early age. Cathy worked as an office manager at Memory Hill and Gardens of Memory for ten years; later working at the Dothan Airport and McLane before retiring due to declining health. She was a 1973 Graduate of Dothan High School and was of Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leon Trimm, brother, Buddy Hunt and son-in-law, Toby Baxley.
Survivors include her daughter, Kimberly Baxley, Dothan; grandson, Kyle Baxley (Ashley Stevenson), both of Dothan; a sister, Elaine Finley, Cottonwood; best friend, Rita Jemison (Gerald), Birmingham; an aunt, an uncle, nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
OZARK…Mr. Bruce Robert Williamson, Jr., a resident of Ozark, died early Tuesday morning, March 4, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. He was 95.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Williamson, son of the late Bruce Robert Williamson, Sr. and Hazel Stevenson Williamson, was a native of Woolrich, Pennsylvania. He formerly lived in Swissdale and Altoona, Pennsylvania before moving to Ozark in 2001. Mr. Williamson was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps and served during the Korean War Era. The veterans were very special to him and he was instrumental in the planning of the veterans home in Ozark. He was formerly employed with Piper Aircraft and retired from the Conrail Railroad in Pennsylvania, where he repaired rail cars. Mr. Williamson was a member of the Gold Wing Motorcycle Club Chapter U in Dothan and a former member of the Patriot Guard Motorcycle Club. He was an avid Square Dance Caller, a member of the American Callers Association, and had several gold, silver, and platinum records. Mr. Williamson was a member of the American Legion in Ozark and learned to play a guitar and operate a smart phone at the age of 95. He was a member of Westview Heights United Methodist Church in Ozark. Mr. Williamson was preceded in death by his wife of seventy years, D. Eileen Williamson, sons, Don Williamson, Norman Williamson, and Bruce Williamson, III, a grandson, Donald Edgar Williamson, a sister, Betty Hagler, and brother, Jim Williamson.
Surviving relatives include two daughters, Lauvon Stephenson and husband, Tim and Angeline Schenk, and husband, William, all of Ozark; three sons, True James Williamson and wife, Geri, Tennessee, Howard Williamson and wife, Marcia, Pennsylvania, and Glenn Williamson and wife, Melanie Woolet, Marianna, Florida; a sister-in-law, Georgie Bowman, Richard; a brother-in-law, John Yearick and wife, Mary, all of Pennsylvania; sisters, Nancy Mae Karichner, Woolrich, Pennsylvania and Jean Henry, Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania; fifteen grandchildren, Daniel Messenger (Victoria), Andrea Gordon (Scott), Nicole Boynton (TSgt, United States Air Force, Retired) and husband, Jason, John Schenk (Rachel), Angela Solhan (Michael), Billy Schenk, Tiffany Cook (MSgt, United States Air Force) and husband, Brandon Cook (SSgt United States Air Force), Barbara Kropp (MSgt, United States Air Force) and husband, Michael Kropp, Brandi Williamson, T.J. Williamson, Jr. and wife, Alicia, Caroline Williamson, Jennifer Lechner and husband, Rob, Donald Frank Williamson, Jr., Danielle Mosser and husband, Tim, and Bruce Williamson and wife, Rebecca; forty five great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren.
ABBEVILLE… Liliana “Lili” Grace Sparrow, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 4, 2025, at Children’s of Alabama Hospital. She was 13.
A memorial service will be held 1:30 P.M. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Sardis Baptist Church, with Reverend George Bryan officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 P.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Lili was born in Dothan, Alabama to Brandi Wells and the late Joseph Andrew Sparrow. She lived in Abbeville, Alabama most of her life. She had previously attended Abbeville Elementary and Abbeville High School. She was a flute player with the Abbeville High School Marching Band. She was a member of the Sardis Baptist Church.
Leaving to cherish her memories is her mother, Brandi Wells (Cory Yeater); her brothers, Noah Wells and Colton Sparrow; her grandmothers, Donna Turner and Rhonda Bullington (William); her great-grandmother, Faye Turner; and several cousins and friends.
NEWVILLE… Ben Gregory “Greg” Bell, a resident of the Mt. Pisgah Community, near Echo, Alabama, passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 4, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. He was 73.
Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday March 07, 2025, at Omega Holiness Church Cemetery, 268 North County Road #67 Ozark, Al 36360, with Pastor Jamie Hattaway officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service in the church. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Greg Bell was born in Dothan, Alabama, to the late Ben Bell and Pastor Betty Jenkins Bell. He spent his early years in Midland City, Alabama, where he was raised with a strong sense of community and family. A proud member of the Class of 1970 at Dale County High School, Greg made a name for himself as an All-State linebacker for the Warriors. His athleticism and dedication on the field were indicative of his strong work ethic that would carry through the rest of his life. He served his country for ten years in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War.
After high school, Greg went on to pursue a career as a welder. His skills in the trade led him to establish his own business, Bell’s Welding and Machine Shop, where he became well-known for his craftsmanship and dedication to providing quality service.
Outside of his professional life, Greg had a passion for fishing, often finding peace and enjoyment on the water. He was also a regular at the local drag strip, where he could indulge his love of cars and racing. He never met a stranger and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, making him a beloved figure in his community. He loved his friends and family, especially his son.
Surviving relatives include his son, Trapper Bell (Emily); his uncles, James Earl Jenkins and Bill Jenkins; as well as several other loving family members and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Todd Simmons Blake Walden, Heath Moorehead, Mark Beverett, Reginald Burks, Donald Shipes, Willie Atkins, and Ralph Brown.
Emma “Nell” Helmer, a beacon of love and warmth, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2025, at the age of 87 in Dothan, Alabama. Born on July 5, 1937, in the heart of Alabama, Nell’s life was a testament to the power of love and the strength of family bonds.
A Celebration of Life service honoring Nell will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Kocsis officiating.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Nell’s journey through life was marked by her unwavering devotion to her husband, Edward Helmer. Their marriage was a beautiful partnership that flourished over 50 years, filled with shared dreams and mutual support. She was a cherished presence in the lives of her family and friends, who found comfort and joy in her company.
She was the embodiment of kindness, her actions always guided by her generous spirit.
Those who knew Nell will remember her for the love she so freely gave and the grace with which she lived her life. Her legacy is one of compassion and tenderness, traits that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to have known her. Emma “Nell” Helmer will be deeply missed, but her light will continue to shine in the hearts of her loved ones.
A special thank you to Wesley Place for their compassion and support and to Dayspring Hospice for their love and care.
Ms. Cathy Ann Hunt Trimm, age 71, a resident of Dothan, died on Tuesday March 4, 2025 at Southeast Health after an extended illness.
