Larry Wayne Jones, of Goodman, AL, passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at his home. He was 69.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, February 21, 2025 at Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with Rev. Lamar Wood, Rev. Randall Pearson, and Rev. Ray Melton officiating. Burial will follow in Goodman Assembly Church Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory.
Larry was a true light in every room, always the life of the party and never meeting a stranger. His sense of humor and love for making others laugh was contagious. A dedicated worker, Larry put his heart into providing and caring for his family. He poured endless love into raising his two daughters and had the joy of raising two grandkids as his own. Larry gave his all to his family until his body could no longer keep up. His love was expressed in his own unique way, but his family always knew they were deeply loved. A devoted husband, loving father, and humorous Ganka, Larry’s life was defined by his hard work and dedication. Now, his earthly work is complete, and he can rest, free from pain, with his body finally healed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alcus and Annie Jones; father and mother-in-law, Leon and Louise Adkison; siblings, Elaine Donaldson, Ronnie Jones, Bill Jones, Monroe Jones, Lamar “Man” Jones, Margaret Avant, and Jan Adkison.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Tami Jones, Goodman, AL; three daughters, Brittani Nicole Jones (Matt), Level Plains, AL, Breonna Jones Zettel (Grant) Goodman, AL, Jayda Jones, Goodman, AL; one son, Mason Kelley, Goodman, AL; two grandchildren; Brent Mason, Level Plains, Madi Zettel, Tennessee; siblings, Patricia Avant (Joe), and Nell Griffin (Tim), Linda Savage (Guy), Judy Hanson, David Adkison (Lolita), and Jason Adkison (Tracy).
Serving as pallbeares will be, Jason Adkison, Grant Zettel, Jim Jones, Tim Jones, Brian Reid, Luke Reid, Dawson Reid, and Wayne Johnson.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
Darren Michael McDonald was born on March 16, 1959 and passed away on February 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
After nearly a year long struggle with depression, Darren lost the battle and joined his father in heaven where he is at peace.
Darren has spent his whole life in the restaurant business starting at age 14 working as a bus boy in a French restaurant in Amityville, NY.
After graduating from Amityville High School, he attended the University of Buffalo. He then moved to Denver, Colorado and worked in restaurants and hotels. He eventually returned to New York to work at the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group as a waiter, working himself up as General Manager. He was responsible for overseeing the construction and launching of many restaurants for that group all around the United States, including Las Vegas, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and Dallas. After many years with Smith & Wollensky his next move was to Ocean City, Maryland, where he resurrected a failing restaurant into a thriving and popular culinary establishment called Lighthouse Sound. His next move was to Ft. Worth, Texas to oversee the construction and opening of B&B Butchers & Restaurant working as Managing Partner. Then off to Houston to Berg Hospitality Restaurant Group and eventually becoming the President and COO.
The restaurant business was his life. All through his travels he has met and befriended many interesting people. He helped wherever there was a need. That was his forte, if anyone needed help Darren was there.
Darren is preceded by his father, Joseph P. McDonald. He leaves behind his mother JoAnn DiDomenico McDonald, his older brother Joseph F. McDonald (Janet) and his sister, Regina Taliaferro. He is the beloved uncle of Ryan McDonald, Megan McDonald, Annie Sider (Howard) and Emily Taliaferro. He also had a large extended family of first and second cousins.
A celebration of Darren’s life will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 12pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Father Thomas Lapointe officiating. Darren will be laid to rest in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. The family invites friends to join them at the family’s home for additional fellowship following the service, located at 261 N Park Ave, Dothan, AL 36303.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations be made in Darren’s honor to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at supporting.afsp.org or to the Humane World for Animals at www.humaneworld.org.
Elias Mitry Dabit, departed this life on February 14, 2025, after a period of extended illness. He was surrounded by the love and warmth of his family in his home in Dothan, Alabama. Elias was born on July 20, 1948, in Lydda, Palestine, and had lived in Jordan before making Dothan his home in 1976. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Elias’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to his family.
Elias is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Milad Dabit. Together, they built a life filled with joy and cherished memories. He was a proud father to his sons, Mike (Kimberly) Dabit and Rommie (Nariman) Dabit. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Elias Dabit, Leonardo Dabit, and Augustine George Dabit, who will carry forward the values and traditions he instilled in them. Elias also leaves behind his brother, Khader (Suhalia) Dabit, and sisters, Libiba Dabit and Victoria Qare, along with several nieces and nephews, and too many friends to name. His life was preceded by the passing of his parents, Mitry and Nahil Habbash Dabit, his two brothers, three sisters, and his mother-in-law.
Elias’s professional journey was marked by his entrepreneurial spirit as the owner and operator of Super Bad Men’s Clothes, a men’s clothing store in downtown Dothan. His charismatic personality and flair for style made both him and his store well-known fixtures in the community. Colleagues and customers alike knew him as the “Godfather” of the industry, a testament to his influence and the respect he garnered through years of dedicated work.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Elias was known for his humor, passion for life, and his generous spirit. He relished the opportunity to work and meet new people, creating lasting friendships with those he encountered. His commitment to family was evident from a young age, always ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Elias found joy in simple pleasures, like spending a day at Panama City Beach with his family or enjoying the excitement of Biloxi and Las Vegas in his later years. Elias always had a great time meeting with friends at McDonalds to discuss all the current events over coffee.
A devout Greek Orthodox Christian, Elias’s faith was a cornerstone of his life. He took great comfort in his spiritual practices and was an active member of his church community. Those who knew Elias will remember him as a kind, caring, and gentle man with a strong personality that was both hardworking and honest. He enjoyed unwinding with a good soak in the hot tub, sauna, or steam room, and his easygoing nature made him a beloved figure to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
A celebration of Elias’s life will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with V. Rev. David Bleam officiating. Elias will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park, leaving behind a wealth of memories and a family that will honor his memory by living out the values he championed. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, prior to the service. Flowers are being accepted or the family requests that you plant a tree in Elias’ memory.
Elias Dabit will be remembered as a loving, passionate, and gentle soul who made an indelible impact on the lives of those around him. His laughter, wisdom, and the warmth of his presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit will continue to guide and inspire his family and friends for generations to come.
William Nelson Paulk, a resident of Cottonwood, Alabama passed away after a short but courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. He was 68.
Funeral Services will be held at 2PM Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Cottonwood with Reverend Jimmy Bolin officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service in Mount of Olives Cemetery with Southern Heritage Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 6PM to 8PM Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home.
Nelson was born to the late Arthur and Florene Pipkin Paulk on July 12, 1956. He attended Dothan High School and George C. Wallace Community College. He retired from Ansel Incorporated and Sarah Lee Bakery. His hobbies included camping and fishing in the parks in the tri-states area and cruising the Caribbean every September. Nelson was a diehard Auburn fan, and you could catch him and his family cheering on the Tigers in the fall “War Eagle”. He loved his Lord and savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Cottonwood First Baptist Church.
Nelson was dedicated to his family and cherished making lasting memories with the joy of his life, his wife , children, and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hilda Hill and Allie Sue Singletary; a father in-law Edward Stephens.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his wife of thirty-one years, Kimberly Stephens Paulk; two daughters, Brittany Renee Grimsley (Allen) and Bridgette Nichole Bolin (Patrick); three grandsons, Noah William Dismukes, Kellan Edward Grimsley, and Aston Bruner Grimsley; one granddaughter, Noelle Emerson Bolin; a brother, Wayne Arthur Paulk; a brother in-law, Edward Stephens (Meredith); a sister in-law, Melinda Cannon (Danny). Numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Allen Grimsley, Patrick Bolin, Danny Cannon, Edward Stephens, Bo Grimsley, and Tim Hill.
The family wishes to thank Ramona Bolin PA-C, SE Health and SE Home Health doctors, nurses and staff for their loving care and support.
ENTERPRISE… Donna J. Fearing, a resident of Enterprise, Alabama, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025, at her home. She was 90.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, in Headland, Alabama, with her son, Harold Allen Fearing giving a eulogy and her granddaughter, Emily, singing “The Lord’s Prayer”. The family will receive friends following the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Fearing was born in Beloit, Kansas to the late Allen C. Morine and Sarah Elizabeth Kent Morine. She met her husband Harold E. Fearing in Manhattan Kansas, and they married in 1954. Harold was in the Army and as an Army wife, Donna raised four children while living in Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Germany, Virginia, and Delaware before finally settling in Enterprise in 1973. In 1972 Donna graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In Enterprise, she substitute taught and taught first grade for several years.
Donna loved her family and life to the fullest. In 1985 she learned to drive a motorcycle and for the next 32 years she and Harold took motorcycle trips all over the United States and to Canada, Mexico, and Australia. She was proud of riding motorcycles into her 80s and collected piles of “oldest female rider” plaques at motorcycle events.
Those who will always cherish her memory include her husband, Harold Ernest Fearing; her daughter, Kathryn Ruth Bigler (Wallace J. Bigler); her sons, Harold Allen Fearing (Donna Willis Fearing), Paul David Fearing (Pamela Fearing), and Steven John Fearing (Elizabeth Fearing); her ten grandchildren; her seven great-grandchildren; and her one great-great-grandchild.
OZARK…Mr. Obie E. Sanders, a resident of Ozark, died early Friday morning, February 14, 2025, at his home. He was 78.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 17, 2025, at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Randy Kuhn and Reverend Cuong Le officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Sanders, son of the late Ellis Sanders and Louise King Sanders, was a native and lifelong resident of Dale County. He was formerly employed with Dale Farmer’s Co-Op in Ozark and retired from Ozark Striping in Ozark after over forty-years of employment. Mr. Sanders was a veteran of the Alabama Army National Guard having served in the Ozark Unit. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid University of Alabama Football fan. Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by siblings, Dorothy Williams, Estelle Langford, and O’Neal Sanders and a brother-in-law, Buster Woods.
Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-eight years, Virginia Woods Sanders, Ozark; two daughters, Tammy Marie Johnson (Paul), Montgomery and Cindy Smith, Ozark; son, Ricky Sanders, Ozark; sister, Betty Smith (Ricky), Ozark; five grandchildren, Cody Smith, Kyle Smith (Anna), Ashley Johnson (Josh), Brittany Whiddon, Lindsay Hamilton (Hayden), Mason Johnson, Raelynn Johnson, Whaylon Whiddon, Ember Whiddon, Maverick Smith, Enzo Smith, Cameron Smith, and one on the way; relatives from the Woods family, David Woods (Michelle), Midland City, Margaret Weber (Ed), Kempner, Texas, Mary Clements (Bobby), Chancellor, and Deborah Woods, Ozark; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 
