Gloria Dean Williams, lovingly known to all as Gloria, passed away peacefully on the 12th of March, 2025, at the age of 67, in Abbeville, Alabama, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on May 9, 1957, in Clayton, Alabama, Gloria was a beacon of kindness and friendliness, touching the lives of all she encountered with her warm spirit and generous heart.
Gloria was the cherished daughter of the late Eddie Lee Williams and Mary Lee Young Williams. She was a beloved sister and is survived by her adoring sisters, Mary Ruth Lawrence, Mary Ann Murray, Lois Lindsay (Sonny), Louise Mason (Leroy), Cherry Jones (Raymond), and Mary Alice May (James). Gloria was preceded in passing by her siblings, Eddie Dean Williams, Mary Lilly Williams, and Betty Ann Williams, yet her legacy continues to thrive through her loving family.
As a devoted mother, Gloria’s pride and joy were her daughter, Amanda Blackmon, who is married to Ricky Nelson. She reveled in the accomplishments and milestones of her grandchildren, Carriss Dozier (Deion), Breanna Glover, and Tyris Blackmon. Her great-grandchildren, Noah Dozier, Kyla Dozier, and Hope Dozier, were a constant source of delight and happiness in her life.
Gloria’s presence was a gift to her many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family members, who all benefited from her eternal optimism and enduring support. Her love for her family was matched only by her passion for life’s simple pleasures. An avid player of bingo and an enthusiast of crossword puzzles, Gloria found joy and contentment in these activities that kept her mind sharp and her spirit engaged.
Gospel music filled Gloria’s home and heart, often serving as the soundtrack to family gatherings and quiet moments alike. Her love for the soul-stirring melodies was infectious, and she was known to hum along to her favorite tunes while going about her day.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Gloria will remember her as the embodiment of kindness. Her friendly demeanor was a constant, and her ability to make everyone feel welcome and valued will not be forgotten. Gloria’s compassion extended beyond her family, touching the lives of everyone she met.
Gloria’s life was a journey of joy, resilience, and unwavering faith. She faced life’s challenges with grace and emerged with a smile that could brighten the darkest of days. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate the remarkable woman she was and the countless ways she enriched our lives.
Gloria Dean Williams will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her story is one of a life well-lived and a heart given freely to all. She leaves behind a tapestry of love and cherished moments that will continue to inspire and comfort her family and friends for generations to come.
A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11am in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, March 21, 2025, from 4-6pm in the Sunset Parlor. Gloria will be laid to rest in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ralph Lamar Crutchfield, Jr., husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away March 16, 2025, at the age of 85.
Born February 13,1940 in Macon, GA, Ralph loved his community and always gave of his time and efforts to make Dothan, AL a great place to live.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Lamar Crutchfield, Sr. and Latha Thomas Crutchfield.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Patsy Humphrey Crutchfield, son David Crutchfield (Sonia); daughter Dawn Hankins (Kraig); sister, Kaye C. Stoudermire; brother-in-law, Danny Humphrey (Joy); grandchildren, Brighton Hankins, Bronwen Hankins, Baron Hankins, Mason Crutchfield (Mackenzie), Mitchell Crutchfield; great-grandchildren, Benjamin Hankins, Zaida Cole, Noah O’Banion, Sawyer Crutchfield and Cory Crutchfield, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Ralph was a graduate of The University of Gorgia. He retired from Sears in 1994 after a 32 year career in retail. Among Ralph’s many years of serving, his accolades included: United Way President, Boy Scouts of America Board Member, Red Cross Board Member, Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Dothan Rotary Club Member since 1974 and Paul Harris Award recipient, Dixie Youth Baseball Volunteer for 35 years, and a proud member of Ray’s Restaurant’s “Table of Knowledge.”
The family will hold a private ceremony to celebrate the life of Ralph. You are welcome to make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Ralph.
Mrs. Kathleen Brown Phillips of Gordon passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the age of 94.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Bryant Register and Reverend Roger Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Springhill Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in the Ward Wilson chapel.
Mrs. Phillip’s was born June 23, 1930, in Baker County, Georgia, the daughter of the late Samuel and Effie Lou Isler Brown. She attended Springhill Freewill Baptist Church. She enjoyed being outdoors, going to the mountains and the lake. She also enjoyed the simple things in life, like flowers and watching birds. Another favorite pastime was listening to wind chimes which brought her a sense of peace.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husbands, Almer Hayes and Dan Phillips; son, Jerry Hughes; sisters, Ida and Flossie Fulton; and brothers, Fred, Melvin, Jay and Robert Brown.
She is survived by her daughters, Pauline Benton (Eugene) and Kathy Hilliard; son, Michael Hayes; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mr. Jimmy Morris, 69 of Cottonwood, AL passed away Monday, March 17, 2025, after a brief illness.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00am Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Memory Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Morris is preceded in death by his wife, Terry Morris and his parents, Hubert and Nell Morris.
Survivors include a son, Zachary Morris; a granddaughter, Alana (AJ) Morris; sisters, Vicki (Charlie) Knight and Connie (Richard) Swinehart; niece, Anna Swinehart, and best friend, Ronald Tucker.
Special thanks to Ellen Jones and Gentiva Hospice.
Mary Julia Lee passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at the age of ninety, on March 17, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on October 13, 1934, in Abbeville, Alabama, Mary Julia was a dearly loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend to many.
Mary Julia was preceded in death by her beloved husband Rufus E. Lee, Jr. and her parents Reuben and Evelyn Martinson of Abbeville. She is survived by her children, Russell Lee (Pat), Stacy Lee Hall (David), Chris Lee (Vera), Mary Julia Beamon Fedel (Alex), and her brother William D. Martinson. She was the proud grandmother of six, Christin Lee Bishop (Heather), Ross Lee (Crystal), Nathan Hall (Summer), Mary Amanda Hall, Jon David Hall, Mary Duncan Lee, Cassadey Fedel McKeague (Sean) and seven great-grandchildren. Her nieces, nephews, and other family members will remember her with great affection.
Mary Julia was a cheerleader during her days at Abbeville High School where she graduated in 1952. She was selected as Miss Abbeville twice, once in 1949 and again in 1950. She attended the University of Alabama where she was a member of Delta Gamma Social Fraternity.
Mary Julia and Rufus were married at First Baptist Church in Abbeville on June 8, 1954. Soon thereafter they began a journey that would take them to medical school in Birmingham, residency in Minneapolis and a stint in the Airforce which took them through Denver, Co and Clovis NM. After which they moved to Los Alamos, NM where Rufus joined a busy Pediatrics practice.
During her days in New Mexico not only was Mary Julia a devoted wife and mother, she was President of the Los Alamos County Medical Auxiliary and President of the Santa Fe Opera Guild. She was deeply involved in service to the surrounding community and headed a project to bring clean water to a local Native American Pueblo. She was an avid private pilot who was aerobatic qualified, loved working and riding horses, skied every weekend of the season, and took her kids on too many adventures to recount.
Mary Julia and Rufus moved to Dothan in 1972. She became very actively involved in the community in addition to being practice manager when Rufus opened the first Allergy Clinic in Dothan. She has been a board member, founder, and/or president of over a dozen major organizations including, but not limited to: the American College of Allergy & Immunology Auxiliary, Dothan Chamber of Commerce, Zonta Club, the Houston County and Alabama Medical Auxiliaries. She was a member of the original Board of Directors of Wiregrass Hospice, Wiregrass Foundation, and Family Health Clinic. In 1985, Mary Julia and a team of ladies established Chrysalis, a home for abused or neglected girls in Dothan, where she continued to serve as a board member for many years. She was a very involved member of First Baptist Church in Dothan where she enjoyed teaching Sunday school and a variety of activities. She loved the Lord with all her heart and will be greatly missed.
Visitation for Mary Julia will be held at First Baptist Church at 12:00 on Thursday March 20, 2025 with a funeral to follow at 1:00. Dr. Taylor Rutland presiding.
In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests your donations be made to the following Chrysalis Dothan or
First Baptist Church of Dothan
The family wishes to extend our most sincere gratitude to the following:
Dr. Chris Miller; Dr. Frank Crockett, Dr. Edwin Morriss, and Dr. John Burgess.
Melissa Watson and the incredible angels of Joykeepers; Karen Kelly and the entire team with Gentiva Hospice, and especially The Terrace at Grove Park memory unit.
