July 25, 1958 – February 20, 2025
Jennifer Solomon-McInish, 66, of Dothan, passed away peacefully at Southeast Health on February 20, 2025. Her loved ones are devastated by their sudden loss but comforted by the knowledge that she is at home and at peace with her Lord.
Jennifer was born on July 25, 1958, to Alice and Edward Earl Solomon of Headland, Alabama. She was raised with a strong sense of family, love of service to her tightly knit community, and a faith in God that endured her entire life. While raising Jennifer and her sister, Cindy Hollis, the Solomons cultivated a peach orchard, served on the county school board, and taught Sunday school. Those themes of gardening, service, teaching, and faith would emerge continually throughout Jennifer’s life.
After graduating from Dothan High School in 1976, Jennifer attended the University of Alabama where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She married in 1983 and had two children. Jennifer devoted her time to raising her two children whom she loved unconditionally.
Jennifer’s nurturing spirit was perfectly suited to the roles of mother and grandmother, as well as to serving her community. While raising her children, Jennifer was frequently relied upon as a substitute teacher for Dothan City Schools. She also devoted much of her time to her church, through bake sales, childcare programs, and the altar guild—often bringing flowers cut from her own garden to decorate the altar of First United Methodist Church.
Jennifer was a gifted gardener and loved spending time outside. She cultivated her small allotment of the earth for beauty and nourishment, always greeting family, friends, and guests to her home with fresh cut greenery from her garden, no matter the season or how brief the visit. She also took great pride in growing her own tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables. Jennifer so thoroughly enjoyed the songs of the birds that visited her garden that she never let the birdbaths or feeders go empty. Her garden is a little quieter today.
Jennifer was full of love for the people and places she nurtured. She was quick to share a laugh, a hug, or a knowing smile and doted on her children and grandchildren without restraint. There are simply no words to describe how much she will be missed.
Jennifer was preceded in death by her grandparents, Oscar and Mildred Starling Bland, and Robert and Blanche Reynolds Solomon; and by her parents, Edward Earl and Alice Bland Solomon. She is survived by her sister, Cindy Hollis (Hayne) of Dothan, Alabama; her daughter, Mary Margaret Vick (Josh) of Birmingham, Alabama; son, Peter McInish of New York, New York; and grandchildren, Charlie Vick and Annie Vick.
Jennifer’s family will receive friends in the parlor at First United Methodist Church of Dothan at 10:00 a.m. on February 25, 2025. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary with Dr. David Saliba officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Dothan, 1380 West Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301 or to the Wiregrass Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Dothan, AL 36302—a cause always close to Jennifer’s heart.
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.
Henrietta (Carpenter) Saliba, 88, a longtime resident of Dothan, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Flowers Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in New Hope, Alabama, Henrietta attended the University of Alabama, majoring in music performance, where she met her future husband, Alfred Saliba. After they married and moved to Dothan, she assisted him in establishing a regional residential construction firm. Her sense of design and spatial efficiency contributed to the success of Alfred Saliba Homes. Later, she supported her husband through two terms as Mayor of the City of Dothan.
Henrietta and Alfred took great pride in their three children and nine grandchildren, and she delighted in being Great Nana to 15 great-grandchildren. She shared her love of reading, flower-arranging, singing, and learning with her family, and her deep, abiding Christian faith has inspired three generations. Known as Henri, she cultivated many friendships through women’s clubs for bridge, book study, and gardening. Her Westgate church family also treasured her, just as she cherished them.
Henrietta was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Alfred Joseph Saliba; her parents, Anna Ruth (Farris) and Dr. James Lauler Carpenter; her sister, Jimmie Ruth (Carpenter) Richard, and a nephew, James William Richard, Jr.
Surviving family: daughter Annamarie (Saliba) Arens (Bill), sons Alfred (Fred) J. Saliba, Jr. (Dale) and James Mark Saliba (Angie); grandchildren David Raymond Saliba (Elizabeth), Emily Rose Proctor (Richard), Laura Marie (Saliba) Ellis (Russell), Adam Joseph Martin (Sarah), Benjamin James Saliba (Katie), Abby Katherine (Saliba) Rogers (Zach), Daniel Anthony Martin (Anna McKoy), Rachel Lisbeth (Saliba) Ferren (Ben), and Hilton Elias (Eli) Saliba; 15 precious great-grandchildren Layla/James Rogers, Joseph/Grace/Jacob Saliba, Julian/Madeleine Proctor, Farah/Jude Ellis, Joseph/June Martin, Sloan/Ellis/Marshall Saliba, Maddox McKoy; sister-in-law Norma Saliba Hanson, brothers-in-law James (Jim) William Richard, Sr. and J.E. Saliba, Jr.; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Westgate Church of Christ with Dr. David R. Saliba officiating. A private family burial will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:15 p.m., prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Westgate Church of Christ, 617 Westgate Parkway, Dothan, AL 36303, or Alfred Saliba Family Services Center, 545 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301. Flowers will be accepted.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Kenneth Lennard Lewis, a resident of Dothan, AL, passed away on February 9, 2025 at a local hospital.
Kenneth was born on November 22, 1967 to the late Annie Irene Health and the late Andrew Scott. He was known to everyone as “Grinder”. He enjoyed driving 18 wheelers, but in his words, he was a “Community Transport Engineer”. In addition to Kenneth’s parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Eva Massey and his brother Bobby Joe Lewis.
He leaves behind fond memories, his wife of 26 years, Mary Lewis; one brother, Henry Lewis (Porsha) of Clayton, AL; four sisters, Laquitta Griffith of California, twin sisters Annette and Jeanette of Atlanta, GA, and Gloria Harris (Rick) of Winter Garden, FL; two biological children, Jeremey Brown, Sr. (Brittany Ritter) and Brittaney Lewis of Clayton, AL. He also leaves behind a special daughter, Destiny Condrey-Brown; three stepchildren, Kimyatta and Shemekki Burks of Dothan, AL and Dewayne Burks (Chasity) of Union Springs, AL; three grandchildren, Jeremy Brown, Jr., Jazayla and Jeremiah Brown; two nieces, Shironela Conty (Lu) and Sherry Hampton (PJ) both of Killeen, TX; one nephew, Cordarro Smith of Clayton, AL; 1 sister-in-law, Sendra Lewisof Killeen, TX and a host of friends, family and loved ones.
A celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 21, 2025 in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel.
Mr. Ray Frank Avrett, Sr., a resident of Ozark, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old.
Funeral services for Mr. Avrett will be 2:00 P. M. Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Tim Bates officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Tuesday from 1:00 P.M. until service time.
Mr. Avrett was born November 15, 1936 in Samson, Alabama to the late Obie Frank Avrett and Martha Ann Jones Avrett. He graduated from Samson High School where he enjoyed being on the football team. Mr. Avrett moved to Birmingham where he was an armed mail clerk on the mail train between Birmingham and Columbus, Georgia. He started and operated White’s Auto in Ozark in the late 60’s and 70’s. Ray had a logging business in Dale County, drove a truck for Sunnyland in Dothan and started an over-the-road trucking company. He returned to work with the United States Postal Service where he worked for thirty years until his retirement. He and Fay loved to ride their Goldwing Motorcycle and were members of the Goldwing Road Riders Association. They were “work campers” – working and traveling all over the United States. Ray was a member of Southside Baptist Church and enjoyed woodworking.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Evelyn Fay Bunton Avrett; one son, Eddie Buckinger; and one sister, Annie Ruth Lolley. Survivors include one daughter, Julie Jones (Dale) of Ozark; three sons, Mark Buckinger (Belinda) of Ozark, Chuck Buckinger (Cindy) of Lexington, North Carolina and Frank Avrett (Lynn) of Woodstock, Georgia. Fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren also survive.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in his memory to Southside Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 902 Highway 123 South, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Mr. Ronald David “Ronnie” Lassiter, of Fadette, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama. He was 73.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Lee Chorn officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
Ronnie was born July 10, 1951 in Graceville, Florida to the late W. H. “Dick” Lassiter and Earline Smith Lassiter. He was a graduate of Rehobeth High School. He was self-employed as a heavy equipment operator: Clearing land and digging ponds. He enjoyed farming, was a hard worker, and an avid outdoorsman. He loved his family dearly and was extremely fond of his four-legged boys.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Sherri Lassiter; daughter, Dianne Lassiter (Steve Morris); stepdaughter, Tara Wells (Tiffany): siblings: Wallace Wayne(Tim) Lassiter, Phyllis Sewell (Randy), Brenda Barrentine (Michael), and Kenneth Lassiter (Rhonda): aunt, Pat Roland (Pete), and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family .
David Tanner, a cherished father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 68. Born on February 5, 1957, in Alabama, David’s life was a testament to the joy and laughter he brought to everyone around him.
Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Friday, February 21, 2025 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with James Lowe officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 to 2 P.M. Friday, prior to the service.
David proudly served his country as a Helmsman in the United States Navy. After his military service, he embarked on a fulfilling career with Sony, where he retired after several dedicated years. His colleagues at Sony will fondly remember the spirited fishing tournaments in which David was both a fierce competitor and a source of endless entertainment.
Beyond his professional life, David was a man who loved the simple pleasures. Fishing was a hobby he truly enjoyed. His laughter was infectious, and his humor and kindness were the hallmarks of his personality, and those who knew him were all the better for it. He was an avid sports fan and loved Alabama football.
David is preceded in death by his parents, wife Evelyn, and brother Chuck Tanner.
David’s legacy is carried on by his son, William Ward and daughter-in-law Sandra, his sisters Dale Hall and Lee Baxter, sister-in-law Teresa Tanner and the many nieces and nephews who adored their fun-loving uncle. Each family member reflects a piece of David’s kind and funny spirit, ensuring that his memory will continue to bring smiles to faces for years to come.
As we say goodbye to David Tanner, we celebrate a life lived with joy, a heart given to laughter, and a presence that brightened the lives of all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His was a life well-lived, full of moments that will be cherished and stories that will be told and retold with warmth and affection. David will be deeply missed, but his legacy of kindness and humor will endure forever.
