Lynda Gail Shelley, a beacon of love and kindness, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on September 1, 1952, in Houston County, Alabama, she was a cherished member of her community and a loving mother, grandmother, and friend.
Lynda graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1971 and spent her life nurturing her family, cultivating friendships, and serving her church. She was a devoted member of Rainbow Meadows Baptist Church for over 30 years, where she found great joy in fellowship and worship.
Preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Edith Radney, her beloved husband, Larry Shelley, her daughter, Patricia Dianne Walden, her sister, Bobbie Whitehead, and her brother, Roy Radney, Lynda’s legacy of love and compassion lives on through her family. She is survived by her adoring children, Don Shelley (Kathy), Anthony Shelley, Christopher Shelley, Bryan Shelley, and Cynthia Elmore. Her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially Allison C. Shelley, Reba Davis (Blake), and Louie Peterson, along with special great-grandchildren, Brielle Beacham and Aurelia Davis, will forever cherish their memories with her.
Lynda’s siblings, Roger Radney and Ann “Doodle” Adams, along with special family friends and neighbors, Alvie and Linda Davis and Kay Hudson, will miss her warm presence and the light she brought into every room.
A loving and protective mother, Lynda’s life was a testament to her selfless nature. She had a knack for making everyone around her feel at home, whether she was chatting with neighbors, enjoying movies and game shows like Family Feud, or sitting on her porch soaking up the sunshine. Her banana pudding and pies were the highlight of many family gatherings, and she relished in the simple pleasure of savoring dishes cooked by her neighbor, Mr. Davis.
Funeral Services to honor and celebrate Lynda’s life will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, at Rainbow Meadows Baptist Church, with Pastor Don Clark officiating. She will be laid to rest in Memory Hill Cemetery, with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church, providing an opportunity to share stories and remember a life lived to the fullest.
Lynda Gail Shelley’s journey on earth may have concluded, but the impact of her loving, kind, and selfless spirit will continue to resonate with all who were blessed to know her. Her memory will be a guiding light, reminding us to cherish the simple joys in life and to always extend a hand of friendship and care to those around us.
OZARK…Mr. Henry Dewitt Halger, a resident of Ozark, died late Sunday afternoon, February 2, 2025, in the Birmingham VA Medical Facility in Birmingham. He was 94.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 8, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dr. Dennis Tew officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home.
Mr. Hagler, son of the late John Thomas Hagler and Mary Frances Mitchell, was a native of Clayton, Alabama. He attended Clayton Schools and was engaged in farming after school. Mr. Hagler was drafted in the United States Army and served two years before moving to Ozark in the 1960’s. He attended Diesel Mechanic School at Napier Field following his service in the military. Mr. Hagler was formerly employed with Walter Hand Ford in Ozark for twenty years and in earlier years was employed with the Ford dealership in Union Springs. In later years, he was employed by the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer. Some of his hobbies include “tinkering” and gardening. He enjoyed gardening so much that he planted a garden for a boys ranch. Mr. Hagler was a mentor to many and enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a former member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Ozark where he served as a deacon. Mr. Hagler was preceded in death by his wife, Estelle Hartzog Danner Hagler; two sons, Derrel Wilson Hagler and Anthony Dewitt Hagler; his siblings, Joseph Carl Hagler, Tom Hagler, Leon Hagler, Lucille Jernigan, Betty Lou Arrington, Essie Mae Watson, Ruby Hagler, John Thomas Hagler, Jr. and Gertrude Greathouse.
Surviving relatives include his daughter, Marilyn Frances Diamond, North Carolina; two sons, Grover Keith Hagler, Ozark and Thomas Andrew Hagler, Pinson, Alabama; twelve grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Nancy Catherine Smith Pitman passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at her home in Dothan after a brief illness, surrounded by family. She was 73.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Dothan, with Dr. Johnny Fain, Dr. Taylor Rutland and Pastor Albert Williams officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, one hour prior to the service. A private family graveside service at Memory Hill Cemetery will follow at a later date.
Born June 10, 1951, to the late Homer J. Smith and Catherine Frances Smith. She spent the early years of her life in Dothan and attended Dothan High School. Upon graduating, and pursuing a love of art and design, Nancy received her degree from the Famous Artist School of New York and began a successful career in advertising in Albany, GA, Dothan, And Panama City, FL. During her career she received many professional honors including serving as the president of the American Advertising Federation’s 7th district, covering much of the Southeastern United States.
Always in pursuit of new challenges, following a 20-year career in advertising and raising a family, Nancy chose to return to college, graduating summa cum laude from Auburn University with a bachelor of science, and the University of Alabama School of Law with a Juris Doctor. She returned to Dothan and practiced law for over 25 years. She was a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, a certified mediator, and a licensed arbitrator.
Nancy loved the Lord and was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Dothan for many years.
Throughout her life Nancy always had a passion for music and the arts. She was an accomplished pianist since childhood, and her love of singing led to extraordinary opportunities to travel and sing with a statewide choral group. She was most proud and also very humbled by special moments including when she stood in centuries-old cathedrals in Florence, Italy, singing the Halleluia Chorus with 200 voices from around the U.S., accompanied by the Florence Orchestra, and to follow, performing at the historic Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Nancy dearly loved and treasured every moment she had with her three amazing granddaughters. She was their “Mimi” and they each shared a very special bond with her.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and the love of her life, Bobby Wayne Pitman. She is survived by her son Matt (Caroline) Majors, Charlotte, NC; her granddaughters, Caitlin, Grayson, and Payton Majors; her brothers, Joe (LaNelle) Smith, Dothan, and Jon (DeNiece) Smith, Auburn, AL; her nephew, Parrish (Ashlan) Smith, Dothan, and her niece, Sydney (Will) Hewitt, Auburn, AL.
The family would like to express great appreciation to her dear friend and assistant, Teresa Steiner, and Enhabit Hospice. in leu of flowers, gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Dothan, 300 W. Main St., Dothan, AL 36301.
Lucille Finnigan Dees, a resident of Clopton, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, February 2, 2025, with her two daughters by her side. She was 71 years old.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Sardis Freewill Baptist Church in Eufaula with Pastor Joey McCreight officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing. The burial will follow in the Sykes Creek Baptist Church cemetery in Clio, Alabama. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Anyone wishing to honor Mrs. Lucy can do so by wearing her favorite color, pink to the service.
Flowers will be accepted, or donations can be made to The Pregnancy Resource Center- 604 South Eufaula Ave. Eufaula, Alabama 36027.
Lucy was born on August 31, 1953, in Haskell, New Jersey, to the late Walter James and Lucille Gannon Finnigan. She retired as a Registered Nurse from Central Alabama Home Health and prior to retirement she loved working oncology in Florida, Lakeview Community Hospital in Eufaula, Dialysis Clinic Inc. in Eufaula, and really enjoyed her time working at Henry County Health and Rehab in Abbeville. She was very dedicated to the Pregnancy Resource Center in Eufaula and the Barbour County RSVP. Her hobbies included crocheting, sewing, scrapbooking, crafting, painting, reading, bible studies, but most of all she loved her family and spending time with them.
She is preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 30 years, Michael Lamar Dees; two sisters, Lois Jean Winterfeld and Jenny Moore.
Left to cherish her memories are two sons, Joseph Dees (Tiffany) of Ariton, Alabama and William Thomas Dees (Khristina) of Eufaula, Alabama; two daughters, Suzanne Carlile (Hill) of Midland City, Alabama and Amanda Johnson (Jared) of Clopton, Alabama; brother, Walter James Finnigan, Jr. (Sharon) of Manhawkin, New Jersey; three sisters, Leila Klaus of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Dianna Austin of Iowa, and Caroline Myer of New Jersey; eight grandchildren, Cody Lane Dees (Tori), Carlee Dees, Katie Hubbard (Will), Bryan Dees (Kalee), Tiffany Hartzog, Brandon Carlile (Taylor), Broxton Carlile (Emily Cox), and Addison Johnson; four great-grandchildren, Jesslyn Dees, Remi Dees, Ayden Grace Bradshaw, and John Mark Bradshaw; several nieces and nephews.
Active pallbearers are Dylan Patterson, Brad Hutto, Aaron Hutto, Wayne Pittman, Jimmy Baxter, Louis King, Tony Baxley, and Bob Cox.
Honorary pallbearers are Chad Stokes, Greg Peel, Michael Williams, Bucky Anderson, and William Sowell.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Bradley Dean Faulk died on February 5, 2025, celebrating a lifetime of enjoying God’s creation. Brad was most at home on a riverbank fishing, in the woods hunting and enjoying God’s handiwork. He enjoyed gardening and sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors. He gave pounds and pounds of fish away. He enjoyed anything that would keep him outside. His dream was realized when he was able to secure the farm owned by his grandparents. His most recent time was spent thanking and praising God for the blessings in his life.
Brad could hardly wait for school to be out in Dothan. He would leave home for the farm in Geneva and spend every summer there with loving grandparents who are now deceased, Andrew and Athalone Faulk and Titus and Ruby Hatcher. Other special family members who preceded him in death were Wade Faulk (uncle) and Robert Still (brother-in-law).
Bradley Dean Faulk was born on January 8, 1970, in Dothan, Alabama. He graduated from Northview High School in 1988 and attended Wallace College and Auburn University. He was employed at Reliable Products in Geneva.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Lanea Weeks Faulk; son, Cade (Leigh Anna) and parents, Wayne and Anndra Faulk; sister, Dina Still; godson, Hunter Helms (Madison); close friend, Danny Brown and a host of relatives and special friends.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Children’s of Alabama Foundation 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 or Geneva County DHR 1831 West Magnolia Ave., Geneva, AL 36340.
Brad’s family wishes to thank ACG Hospice for their devoted love and care they provided during his illness.
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
William Tobias Brinkley Jr., a cherished father, grandfather, and brother, passed away at his residence on February 4, 2025, at the age of 72. Born on August 22, 1952, in Bluefield, West Virginia, William was known for his kind heart and handy skills.
William retired after 25 dedicated years as a truck driver from Pollo Pallet in Maryland. His mechanical inclination and passion for drag racing were well-known among his friends and family. William’s legacy of kindness and his knack for fixing anything will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
He was predeceased by his parents, William Brinkley Jr. and Flossie Murdock Brinkley, his sister Brenda Rhodes, and his granddaughter Arianna Nicole Brinkley. William’s memory will be lovingly carried on by his daughters, Mary Binkley, Brandy Brinkley Karpov (Andre) and Dawn Anders; numerous grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren Alex Cox and Charlie Buerklin.
William’s life was a testament to the love and care he extended to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by many.
The family will hold a memorial service at a later date in Maryland.
Lucille Finnigan Dees, a resident of Clopton, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, February 2, 2025, with her two daughters by her side. She was 71 years old.
