OZARK…Mrs. Chris Sitz Roberts, a resident of Ozark, died early Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2025, in Early Medical Center, Blakely, Georgia. She was 73.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, April 14, 2025, in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. Monday in the church sanctuary.
Mrs. Roberts, daughter of the late Albert Wesley Sitz and Glennie Ruth Goodson Sitz, was a native of Tracy City, Tennessee. She moved to Ozark at an early age and retired from Thompson Propane Gas Company. Mrs. Roberts enjoyed working in her yards and loved children. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Roberts was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Roberts, sisters, Linda Adkins, Debbie Lowe, and Judy Sauls, brothers, Albert Sitz and Jimmy Sitz.
Surviving relatives include her daughter, Amanda Boudinot (John, Sergeant First Class, United States Army, Retired), Fort Novosel; son, Chad Roberts (Angela), Ozark; brother, Bobby Sitz (Judy), Ozark; five grandchildren, Sarah Boudinot, Jessica Adams (Landon), Meghan Sprinkle (Gabe), Dalton Roberts, and Rebekah Roberts; three great-grandchildren, Lillian Boudinot, Paul Adams, and Lainey Grace Adams.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
ASHFORD. . .Roy Gene Phillips, a resident of Ashford, died Friday morning, April 11, 2025, at his home. He was 75.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A. M. Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Robert Lunsford and Reverend Jerry Harden officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Ridge Methodist Church Cemetery, near Ozark. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A. M. Monday at the mortuary in Headland.
Mr. Phillips was born in Roswell, New Mexico and was raised in Eufaula, Alabama, son of the late Millard Earl Phillips and Myrtle Jane Sutton Phillips. He was employed as a Truck Driver most of his adult lifetime. Mr. Phillips formerly served as a Constable in Barbour County. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Faulk Phillips, a son, Bryan Phillips, grandsons, Phillip Senn and Joshua Senn, and sisters, Cheryl, Belinda, Renee’ and an infant sister.
Surviving relatives include three daughters, Rita Hughes (John), Webb, AL; Rinda Brannon (Todd), Pansey, AL; and Rena Eldridge (David), Ashford; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Darla Luna, San Angelo, Texas; and two brothers, Danny Hojeda, Garland, Texas; and Carl Phillips, Columbia, Alabama.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Jacob Peacock, Christopher Senn, Christopher Eldridge, Randy Kirkland, Tristan Senn and Mark Miller.
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.
Linda J Howell, 77 years old, of Ozark, AL passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at her residence.
Graveside services will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Magnolia Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Raymond A Rivers officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
The family request that in leu of flowers, contributions be made to your personal charity of choice.
Mrs. Howell was born on September 8, 1947, in Midland City, to the late Dewey Ray and Mattie Jewel Cain Tharpe. Linda was a member at Magnolia Freewill Baptist Church.
Mrs. Howell was preceded in death by her spouse, Curtis Howell; parents, Dewey Ray and Mattie Jewel Cain Tharpe.
Survivors include a brother, Wilmer Tharpe (Paula); sister, Ann Crowley: Niece, Angela Whatley (Robert); nephews: Timothy R. Crowley and Chris Tharpe along with many other family members and friends.
On Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, God shined His face upon Joseph Ryan Bowen and called him home to receive his ultimate healing. Ryan is now resting in the arms of his Savior, restored and redeemed by Jesus Christ.
Born on April 6th, 1965, to the late Christine Bowen (Oliver) and Simon Bowen Sr., Ryan was a lifelong resident of Dothan, Alabama. He lived a life full of simple joys—sipping sweet tea on a warm day, fishing by quiet waters, salvaging for parts and working on vehicles with the kind of care and precision that reflected his heart. Ryan was a restorer—of things like old lawn mowers or cars, His passion was in bringing things back to their original beauty, much like the redemption Jesus gave him and the divine restoration Ryan now experiences in Heaven.
Ryan is lovingly remembered by his sister Martha Pearl Daniels (Bowen); his brothers Simon Bowen Jr. (Linda) and Charles Bowen (Joyce); and a host of nieces and nephews who adored him.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. While his absence leaves an ache in our hearts, we rejoice in knowing he is reunited with his Creator and family in Glory. Until we meet again, we will carry his memory in our hearts and look forward to that Heavenly reunion.
Homegoing Celebration will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Memory Hill Cemetery, 2390 Hartford Highway, Dothan, Alabama 36305.
Rebecca Jo Newman of Hartford, AL lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on April 9, 2025 at the age of 68.
She was born July 29, 1956, to Charles Rex Newman, Sr and Luvena Phillips Newman, in Winter Haven, FL. She graduated from Haines City High School in 1974 and later moved to Hartford with Family. After she moved to Alabama, she began working at the shirt factory in Hartford where she met one of her dearest friends Lisa Adams, who became family to Jo and the rest of our family. After she left the shirt factory, Jo started her career at Sony, where she stayed until they closed in 2010. After Sony, she worked at Michelin until she retired. Of all her jobs, the one Jo enjoyed the most was Sony, where she met some of her close friends. Her life wasn’t all about work though. Jo was very involved with her family. From sporting events to family vacations, she was always planning trips to spend time with family. One of her favorite places to visit was the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, where she would have moved to if she could have. She spent so much time with her niece, and nephews that they looked to her as a second mother. This is especially true for her two grandnephews Damien and Dorian who were the light of her life. She also enjoyed watching football. If there was a game on you could bet, she would be watching, but her favorite team of all was the Auburn Tigers. She loved going to Jordan Hare Stadium to cheer on the Tigers and rolling Toomers Corner after a victory. She was a true orange and blue Auburn fan, War Eagle! She was a generous person as well, always there to help with whatever problems would come up with her family, whether it be a listening ear, or needing help with getting something fixed. She would come to the rescue whenever one of us called her. She will be dearly missed. A soul gone far too soon from our family, and this world.
Jo was preceded in death by her father, Charles Rex Newman Sr, a younger brother Michael Wayne Newman, her nephew Charles Anthony Newman (Chuck), and an older half-sister Judy Carol Storie.
She is survived by her mother, Luvena Phillips Newman, her younger brothers Charles Rex Newman Jr (Joyce), James Anthony Newman, her younger sister Sandra Gail Newman, dearest friend Lisa Adams, her niece Amber Rebecca Farmer (Jonathan), her nephew Alexander Grant Newman, her grandniece Hailey Victoria Farmer, her grandnephews Stephen Christopher Farmer, Damien Thorn Farmer, Dorian Ezra Farmer, her great grandnephew Micah, her older half-brother Rickey Lloyd, and older half-sister Jimmie Walker (James). Plus, multiple other nieces and nephews.
If anyone wishes to honor Jo’s memory, a special donation made in her name to The Appalachian Bear Rescue, her favorite charity, would be a great tribute to her.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Day Spring Hospice especially to Amy, Brittney, Patricia, and Brittney.
A Heartfelt thank you to Terry Sorrells, Chad Bright and the entire staff at Sorrells Funeral Home.
There will be a celebration of life held at a later date.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.
“Because We Care … Is Making A Difference” To sign a guest register, please visit www.sorrellsfuneral.com.
Elizabeth Diana Austin embarked on her eternal journey on April 7, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. Born on March 22, 1956, in Belleville, IL, Elizabeth grew up to be a beacon of love and kindness, touching the lives of all who knew her.
Elizabeth was the cherished daughter of the late Rachel Lee McGriff Kemp and of the late William Newton Kemp Sr., and her warm spirit was nurtured in a loving family alongside her sister, Linda Kemp Starks (Willie Earl) and her brother, William Newton Kemp Jr. (Gertrude). Her life was further blessed when she met and married her soulmate, Carlton Austin. Their union of 41 years was filled with joy, laughter, and the gift of three wonderful children: Christopher Austin (Ama Powell), Kimberly Austin (David Saffold) and Andrea Austin. Elizabeth’s love and legacy continued to flourish with the arrival of her beloved grandchildren, Amahris, Aeris, and Ara Austin. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephew, Nikkia Starks Jones (Tony), Allyse Starks Daniels (Stephfon), and Matthew Kemp; and a host of great nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and her best friend/sister in Christ, Janice Butts.
A product of her hometown’s educational institutions, Elizabeth was a proud graduate of Dothan High School in 1974. She furthered her education at Wallace Community College and Alabama State University, where she honed the skills and knowledge that would inform her professional and personal life.
Elizabeth dedicated many years of her life to the students at Beverlye Middle School as an ISS Teacher and as an assistant reading teacher at Lake City High School in Lake City, South Carolina. Her involvement extended beyond the classroom as she actively participated in band competitions, served as both Vice President and President of the PTA, and was instrumental in starting the James H Daniels Scholarship, which provided a generous donation to the Houston County Library. Elizabeth’s commitment to the community shone through her work as she has touched the lives of thousands of students throughout the years.
Her faith was a cornerstone of her existence. Elizabeth worshipped at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church for many years, where she served as a deaconess, teaching arts and crafts at Vacation Bible School, and exemplifying a special connection with God that inspired all around her.
Elizabeth’s interests were a reflection of her generous spirit. She loved to help others discreetly, always ready with great advice and a calm demeanor. She had a special knack for taking care of children and the elderly, and her home was often filled with the aromas of her cooking, the precision of her sewing, and the sweetness of her baked cakes. Elizabeth’s sense of humor, love for games, and watching westerns with her son, David, brought joy and laughter to family gatherings. Her investigative skills often made her the family’s private detective, as she helped her husband find his biological parents.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Elizabeth will remember her as the epitome of a loving, kind, and passionate soul. Her giving heart was evident in every aspect of her life, from her dedication to her family, to her service to the community.
As the sun sets on Elizabeth’s earthly chapter, her memory will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those she touched. Her presence will be deeply missed but her spirit will live on, a guiding light of love and kindness. Elizabeth Diana Austin’s journey was one of compassion and joy, and her story will be told with fondness and admiration for generations to come.
A celebration of Elizabeth’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 11am at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Owens officiating. She will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com
