Mr. Dennis Lamar Crooms of Dothan passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the age of 80.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Chaplain Daulton Keel officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, one hour prior to the service.
A complete list of survivors will be announced later by Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
Wayne “Buddy” Brooks, who was born on May 31, 1952, in Dothan, Alabama, passed away on October 26, 2026, leaving behind a life marked by hard work, devotion to family, and a spirit that was deeply loved by all who knew him.
Buddy grew up in the country on a farm, where he learned the value of responsibility, perseverance, and an honest day’s work. Those early years shaped the man he became, and throughout his life he carried with him the practical wisdom and steady determination that came from a rural upbringing. He was known as a jack of all trades, someone who could turn his hand to just about anything and do it well. Whether he was working with his hands, helping someone in need, or finding a way to get a job done, Buddy approached life with skill, grit, and a dependable nature that earned the respect of others.
Over the years, Buddy made his home in several places, including Orlando for a number of years before returning to Alabama. He later lived in Elba and then Slocomb, where he continued to build a life centered around family, work, and simple pleasures. No matter where he lived, he remained the same genuine and hardworking man. He was especially proud of the life he built through honest labor, and he spent many years as a handworker in construction, where his strength, experience, and strong work ethic were evident to all who worked alongside him.
Buddy also spent time on the road as a truck driver, beginning at the age of 62 and continuing with long hauls. Even later in life, he remained active and committed to providing for himself and those he loved. His years behind the wheel of his semi was another example of his willingness to work hard and keep going, no matter the challenge. He took pride in being dependable, and he lived in a way that showed his family and friends what it meant to be resilient and steadfast.
Above all else, Buddy was a family man. He cherished his loved ones and held a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews, whom he spoiled with affection and attention. He enjoyed being present in their lives and sharing in their joys, and his kindness left lasting memories with them. Buddy’s warmth, humor, and generous spirit made him a beloved uncle, brother, and relative whose presence brought comfort and laughter to those around him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert Brooks and Cora Lee Britt Brooks; brother, JT Brooks; his sister, Gladys Brooks; and his stepdaughter, Debra Wright. He is survived by his brothers, Glenn Arthur Brooks and his wife Patricia, Jimmy Lee Brooks and his wife Krystal, and James Walter Brooks; his sisters, Jeanette Brooks McMiller, Shirley Ann Brooks Baxter, Mary Jean Brooks, and Patience Ann Brooks Johnson; a host of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren; and his great aunt, Bonnie Grubbs. His family will remember him with love and gratitude for the many ways he enriched their lives.
Buddy Brooks lived life to the fullest and did so in his own way, with strength, humor, and a clear appreciation for the people and experiences that mattered most to him. He will be remembered for his hardworking nature, his love of family, and the quiet dignity with which he lived each day. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, and his memory will remain a lasting source of comfort and pride.
Eugene Martin, Sr., known to many as Gene, of Pinckard, Alabama, passed away on October 27, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 86. He leaves behind a family who will forever cherish the love, laughter, guidance, and memories he shared with them throughout his life.
Born on March 14, 1940, in Iowa, Gene spent much of his life on a farm, where he learned the values of hard work, honesty, and perseverance. He carried those lessons with him throughout his years, approaching life with determination, quiet strength, and a willingness to lend a helping hand. Gene served four years in the United States Army, where he met the love of his life, Betty. Following his military service, he returned to Iowa and worked a variety of jobs before eventually joining Midtown Hardware. Throughout his working years, Gene was known for his dependability, integrity, and straightforward nature.
Gene was a man who found happiness in the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing, hunting, golfing, and gardening. He also enjoyed working on crosswords and puzzles, watching movies, and spending time with his beloved electric trains. Whether enjoying a favorite hobby or simply sitting and talking with family, Gene understood that life’s greatest treasures were not material things, but the people we love and the moments we share with them.
To his family, Gene was more than a husband, father, and grandfather. He was a familiar voice, a comforting presence, and a steady source of love and guidance. He was a man who did not need a special occasion to make a memory. Sometimes, the best moments were simply sitting together, sharing a conversation, or enjoying a quiet afternoon. His love was often shown through his actions rather than words, and his selfless, caring nature left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
Gene will be remembered for his toughness, sincerity, intelligence, and kind heart. He believed in doing things the right way and took pride in the life he built and the family he loved. His legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the memories he created, and the generations of family who will continue to carry his love with them.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Betty Martin; his sons, Larry Martin (Effie) and Eugene Martin, Jr. (Stacy); his daughter, Ann Gilley (Eugene); and his son, Samuel Cunningham. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, his sister, Jenni Wilson, and many other relatives and friends who were blessed to know and love him.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Peal Martin; his daughter, Mary Joann Giles; his brothers, Harry Thomas Martin and Harold Frank Martin; his sister, Martha Marie Hude; and his grandson, Eugene Everett Martin, III.
A celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, with Donald Clark officiating. Military honors will follow the service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Although Gene’s chair may now be empty, the place he holds in the hearts of those who loved him never will be. His life was a reminder that a meaningful life is built through loving your family, appreciating the little things, and creating memories that make the people you leave behind remember what home feels like.
Wallace Davis Malone Jr., devoted husband, father, grandfather, and respected Alabama business and community leader, passed away on October 25, 2026, at the age of 90.
Born in Dothan, Alabama, Wallace was the son of Wallace D. Malone Sr. and Alice Mae Dee Malone. He grew up on his family’s farm, where his father pursued his interests in banking, farming, and exploring the world. One of Wallace’s fondest memories of his father was a road trip they took with friends from Dothan all the way to Alaska and back in the late 1940s. He shared a particularly close bond with his many cousins from Dothan, relationships he treasured throughout his life. As a teenager, he served as a Congressional Page in Washington, D.C., before graduating from Dothan High School. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Wallace joined First National Bank of Dothan in 1959, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. In 1971, while leading the family bank, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. The following year, he helped establish a bank holding company that brought together First National Bank of Dothan and three other Alabama banks. With approximately $500 million in assets at its founding, the company would eventually become SouthTrust Corporation.
Serving first as President and later as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wallace guided SouthTrust through more than three decades of remarkable growth. Under his leadership, SouthTrust became a Fortune 500 company with more than $53 billion in assets, over 700 banking locations across nine states, and approximately 12,500 employees. By 2004, SouthTrust ranked among the 20 largest bank holding companies in the United States.
Beyond its financial success, Wallace took great pride in the people and culture of SouthTrust. He believed in hiring talented individuals, setting high standards, and creating an environment where employees could thrive. The loyalty he inspired endured long after his retirement. Former employees have often told his family that their years at SouthTrust were among the happiest and most rewarding of their professional lives.
Wallace’s contributions to business and his home state earned him numerous honors, including induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, and the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame. His commitment to helping others extended well beyond banking to education, healthcare, and community service. He served on numerous charitable, educational, and civic boards, including those of Troy University, Samford University, the Eye Foundation Hospital, Baptist Health System of Birmingham, the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, UAB Health System, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Alabama-Florida Boy Scout Council, the Greater Alabama Boy Scout Council, and the United Way.
Through The Malone Family Foundation, he supported educational institutions and initiatives that created opportunities for future generations. He was also a faithful supporter of First Baptist Church of Dothan and Mountain Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham.
In 1978, Wallace married Ocllo Boykin Smith of Mobile, Alabama. Their 48 years together were marked by love, devotion, and a shared enjoyment of travel and time with family and friends. Ocllo brought out a lighter, more playful side of Wallace that those who knew him primarily through business might not have expected. She accompanied him throughout his career, meeting U.S. Presidents, members of Congress, fellow CEOs, and SouthTrust employees across the Southeast. Like Wallace, Ocllo treated everyone she encountered with the same genuine interest, warmth, and respect, regardless of their position. Amid the demands of their busy lives, she made certain that each of their six children’s birthdays and milestones were celebrated and made to feel special. She was the love of his life, and she remained by his side, holding his hand until his final moments.
Wallace was never one to sit idle. Even during his busiest years at SouthTrust, he enjoyed tackling projects around the house, whether it was attaching a satellite dish to the roof or digging and installing his own sprinkler system. After more than four decades in banking, he returned to his agricultural roots on his farm in Campbellton, Florida. There, he found great satisfaction in improving the property, clearing land and mending fences himself. His enthusiasm for hands-on work reflected the same curiosity, determination, and work ethic that had characterized his professional life.
Family remained central to Wallace’s life despite the considerable demands of his career. He was home for dinner most evenings and took a genuine interest in his children’s education, careers, and aspirations, often staying up late to help them study for tests, offer constructive feedback on their writing, or guide them through professional transitions. He offered thoughtful, direct advice and encouraged each of them to pursue their goals with determination. Even in his later years, he rarely ended a conversation without asking, “What can I do for you?” or “How can I help you?” It was a simple expression of the care and support his family could always count on.
Known affectionately as “Opa” to his grandchildren, Wallace cherished his growing family. He was an avid skier, and annual family ski vacations, complete with incredibly competitive card games, became a treasured tradition. He also enjoyed bird hunting and traveling the world extensively with Ocllo and close friends.
The family is deeply grateful to the caregivers who provided Wallace with compassionate care, particularly Ree Scott, whose patience, kindness, and genuine affection brought comfort to Wallace and his family. The family also extends its sincere appreciation to CareFirst Home Care and ACG Hospice for their care and support.
Wallace was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace D. Malone Sr. and Alice Mae Dee Malone; his sister, Roberta Malone Henderson; and many cousins from Dothan with whom he shared lifelong bonds of affection and friendship.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ocllo Smith Malone; his six children, W. Davis Malone III (Susan), Frances R. Jay (Brad), Catherine M. Wilson (Scott), S. Lee Kuwica, Alyson D. Malone, and Ocllo R. Mason (Paul); 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Dothan, with Dr. Taylor Rutland officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. A private family burial will be held at Dothan City Cemetery. The services will be livestreamed, and a link will be made available closer to the service date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Dothan, 300 W. Main Street, Dothan, Alabama 36301, or online at www.fbcdothan.org.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements
and the family welcomes those who wish to sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com.
Mrs. Rea Hammock Cook, of Wicksburg, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at her home, surrounded by the love and comfort of her devoted family. She was 86 years old.
A celebration of Rea’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Christian Home Church of Christ in Wicksburg, with Minister Mark Turner officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. The family will receive friends at Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb on Friday, October 30, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A private family burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Alford, Florida.
Born on July 28, 1940, to the late Otis and Katherine Hammock, Rea, lived a life grounded in faith, love, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was a loving wife, a devoted mother, and a cherished grandmother who treasured the special bonds she shared with those she loved. Her faith in Christ was a guiding light throughout her life, and she faithfully served the Church of Christ for many years. Through her steadfast faith, her love for her family, and the kindness she shared with others, Rea touched many lives and leaves behind a legacy that will continue to flourish in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, Rea was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Kenneth Cook; her brother, Donnie Hammock; her sister, Jeanette Deschepper; and her daughter-in-law, Marian Bridges Cook.
Left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Joseph Daniel Cook (Mitzi Jo), James Timothy Cook, and Stephen Othniel Cook (Sheila); grandchildren, Aaron Cook (Kayla), Elizabeth Danielle Cook-Collins (Julian Harris), Karina Cook, Joseph Caleb Cook (Victoria), Joshua Cook, Mary-Anne Cook Callahan (Maddox), Andrew Cook, Sarah Frish (Gabriel), Whitney Trishelle Cook (Chevy Case), Demond Deishawn Peterson, and Daniel Keyshawn Peterson (Shakarri); great-grandchildren, Abbie Cook, Liam Cook, Carter Cook, Elizabeth Roxanne Case, and Amiri Peterson; her brother, Gerald Hammock; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Though Rea’s earthly journey has ended, the faith that sustained her and the love she shared will continue to shine through the lives of those she leaves behind. Her family and friends can find comfort in the cherished memories they hold, the enduring legacy of her love, and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
DOTHAN. . . Donna Lewis Brackin, a resident of Dothan, passed away late Monday afternoon, October 26, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. She was 76.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 30, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Doug MacCormack officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P M Friday at the mortuary. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory, between Headland & Dothan. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Donna Brackin was born in Columbus, Georgia and moved with her family to Orlando, Florida as a child. She moved to the Dothan area in 1959. Donna was a 1969 graduate of Dothan High School. She was formerly employed by Dr. Tyrone Parrish as a Dental Hygienist. Donna was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Lester Lewis and her mother, Ruby Jewel Paulk Lewis.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Bernard Wilson Brackin; a daughter, Melissa Brackin, Birmingham, AL; a son, Aaron Brackin (Abigail), Chelsea, AL; a brother, Isaac Nelson Lewis (Deborah), Slocomb, AL; grandchildren, Lorelai Brackin, Waylon Shattuck, Oriana Shattuck and Laila Brackin.
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.
