Paul Lewis Watkins passed away on February 23, 2025, at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama. He was 79 years old.
Paul was born on March 11, 1945, in Mineral Wells, Texas. He served honorably in the United States Army in Korea and at Fort Rucker, where he met his future wife of 56 years. Both before and after his Army service he served in many roles providing aircraft maintenance support to the U.S. Army flight training mission. First at Fort Wolters, Texas, then at Fort Rucker, Alabama until his retirement in February 2011. Paul loved to fish and hunt, and enjoyed sharing his skills and passion with his two sons. He was also an excellent cook, and was celebrated and appreciated for sharing his talents at family fish fries and barbeques.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Waitmon and Oleta Watkins, his brothers John David and James “Jim” Watkins, and his sisters Carolyn “Sis” Faulkenberry (Chess) and Sandra Springwater (Wilkie).
Paul is survived by his wife, Shirley Ayers Watkins, two sons, Paul Lee (Dolores) and James (Eva) Watkins, his grandson William Watkins, his granddaughter Kaye Watkins, and many extended family members, friends, and neighbors whose lives he touched over the years.
In keeping with his wishes, there will be no public funeral services.
On Friday night, February 21, 2025, the stars were shining brightly as Willie Dell (Gray) Flowers closed her eyes and went to be with the Lord. Born August 13, 1942, in Elba, Alabama to the late Benjamin Gray and Ovetta Gray Flakes.
Willie Dell was known by her affectionate name “Sweetie”. She had a passion for cooking for her family that she treasured so dearly. She was known for her homemade banana pudding. The delight of her six-layer cakes was made with love on each layer. Early in her years, she was a seamstress and took great pride in her work. Because of her lifelong passion and love for cooking, she was inspired to open her restaurant, “Sweetie’s”, where she greeted many people with her smile. She was known for her outgoing personality and for never meeting a stranger.
Willie Dell was a member of North Highland Missionary Baptist Church and served on the usher board until her health declined.
She held a special relationship with her grandchildren. Some of her greatest memories with them included staying up late at night baking cakes, playing monopoly and having date nights at the Waffle House. They shared real-life experiences and testimonies. She instilled in them, “not to let anything or anyone silence your voice”. She also enjoyed traveling with her family, seeing the places that brought them happiness and new adventures.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son; Derrick Lee and 21 siblings.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 47 years, Harvey Flowers Sr. Willie Dell leaves her legacy to be cherished; one daughter: Patricia Flowers (Glen) of Dothan, AL; two sons: Willie Lee (Barbara) of Hoschton, Ga; James Lee (Delorise) of Huntsville, AL. Her extended children: Lindsey Walker, Steven Wilson, Harvey Flowers Jr. (M’leka), Andre Flowers (Valencia). She leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and countless friends.
A celebration of Willie Dell’s life will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Ann Berry officiating. The family will be receiving friends an hour prior to the service from 1-2pm in the Chapel. Willie Dell will be laid to rest in the Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Newton, Alabama.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com
Phyllis Jean Bancroft, 86, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 21, 2025, in Hartford, Alabama. Phyllis was born November 4, 1938, in Bowling Green, Ohio to Forrest and Myrtle (McBride) Bancroft.
Phyllis never forgot the years she spent in Liberia, Africa as a missionary nurse. She spoke of it often and continued to pray for the ministry there. After retiring from nursing at the Indiana Veterans’ Home, she lived her life simply so she could tell more people about Jesus. She encouraged, housed, and gave to missionaries at every opportunity. In her later years, she even saved pennies for the children to give to their “pennies for missions” offering. From Ohio to Alabama; wherever she lived, her church was her family whom she loved dearly. She crocheted daily as a ministry. Her rose patterned quilts can be found in many homes around the world. Her wry sense of humor remained strong to the end. Many chuckles will be had over the memories.
To cherish her memories, Phyllis is survived by a brother, Richard Bancroft; a sister, Betty Spreeman; and countless nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by her brothers: James Bancroft, George Bancroft, and John Bancroft; and her sisters: Barbara Brink, Ruth Whisnant, and Nancy Haeussler.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Faith Independent Baptist Church, 4481 Rucker Blvd, Enterprise, AL. Visitation will follow the service.
Phyllis loved Jesus and missions. In lieu of flowers, please give a gift in her memory to a mission organization of your choice.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
DOTHAN… Audrey Faye Lamb, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. She was 70.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Northside Assembly of God, with Pastor Troy West officiating. The family will receive friends after the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Lamb was born in Newport, Tennessee, to the late Fred Holt and Lillie Mae Epley Holt. She graduated in 1972 from Cocke County High School. She was a member of the Northside Assembly of God in Dothan, Alabama.
Leaving to cherish her memories is her husband, Christopher Lamb; her daughter, Christen Lamb (Chuck Faison); her brother, Todd Edward Holt ( Dorlisa Henderson); and her grandson, Jaydin Gravette.
Mr. Ricky J Cothern, Sr. of Coffee Springs passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 63.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Shady Grove Assembly of God Church with Rev. Donnie Earls officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to service time.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made in Ricky’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Mr. Cothern was born October 8, 1961 in Orlando, Florida to the late JE and Lessie Bee Cothern. Ricky was an avid Alabama football fan, enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, and was a chevy truck enthusiast. He loved spending time with his family and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, his first wife and mother of his children, Rachel Elizabeth Cothern; and a brother, Billy Ray Cothern, all preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Hall Cothern; daughter, April Broussard (Corey); sons: Ricky J Cothern, Jr. (Jayme), and Clayton Anderson; grandchildren: Oliver Cothern, Ashton Cothern, Zelda Broussard, Devin Solony, Lillian May Anderson, and Abigayle Lee Anderson; sister, Wanda Pickren; brothers: Wayne Cothern, and Wade Cothern; many beloved nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
ARITON…Mr. Taylor Polk, a resident of Ariton, died late Friday evening, February 21, 2025, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. He was 31.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, February 27, 2025, in the Ariton High School Gymnasium with Reverend Dave Walsh, Reverend Jason Howell, and Reverend Scott Stevens officiating. Burial will follow in Pea River Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 4:30 until 7:30 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ariton High School Athletics in memory of Taylor, PO Box 750, Ariton, Alabama 36311.
Taylor was born on September 28, 1993, and was a native of Demopolis, Alabama. He was a 2012 Graduate of Demopolis High School where he was a member of the football team that won a State Championship in 2009. Following high school, he played football at Troy University as a long snapper under Coach Blakeney and Coach Brown. He received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Troy University in Special Education. Taylor began his teaching career at Charles Henderson High School, where he coached wrestling, baseball, and football along with being a special education teacher. He was currently a special education teacher, football, basketball, and baseball coach at Ariton High School. Taylor was coaching at Ariton in 2023 and 2024 when they won the State Championship in Baseball. His love for special education was evident to all that knew him at school and away from school.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Katie Knox, Ariton; son, Judge Polk; parents, Eddie and Stephanie Catt Polk, Demopolis, Alabama; grandparents, Jim and Dianne McKenzie Catt, Oxford, Mississippi; sisters, Ashley Carroll (Sam), Tennile, Allison Polk, Boca Raton, Florida, and Abby Polk, Mobile, Alabama; brother, Allen Tucker, Troy; aunts and uncles, Tracy Gho (Curtis), Jason Catt (Anna), and Marsha Miller (David); nephew, Knox Carroll; relatives from the Knox family, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Maria McKnight Knox, Ariton; grandmother-in-law, Mary Ann McKnight, Ariton; sister-in-law, Madison Knox, Ariton; numerous cousins and friends.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Allen Tucker, Sam Carroll, William Stewart, Trey Oates, Bob Pickett, Brett Goodson, Brandon Silvers, and Tom Causey. Honorary pallbearers will be Ariton High School Football and Baseball Coaching Staff and Teams.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
