Richard Cleveland Smith of Ashford passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2026. He was 79 years old.
He will be remembered with love by all who knew him.
2414 Hartford Highway
Dothan, AL 36305
Tel: 334-792-4194
https://www.wardwilson.com/
Mr. Franky L. Steele of Ashford passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the age of 68.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Union Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Billy Dickerson, Mark Donaldson, and Scott Turvin officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 2 P.M. Wednesday, prior to the graveside service.
Mr. Steele was born August 16, 1957, the son of the late William Robert and Jewel Steele.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Steele, brother, Robert Earl Steele (Phyllis), step-son, Kevin Traylor, mother-in-law, Carrie Dickerson, grandchildren, Drew Traylor, Kaylee Traylor, Hayden Traylor, three great-grandchildren, Paisley Traylor, Wrenley Traylor, Dallin Traylor, and several nieces and nephews.
OZARK…Mr. Earl Childree, a resident of Ozark, died late Sunday evening, June 7, 2026, in the Enterprise Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was 84.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 14, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dr. Jason Thrower officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Cemetery, Arguta Community. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity or to the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, PO Box 2502, Ozark, Alabama 36361.
Mr. Childree, the son of the late Judge Howard Childree and Lydia Paulk Childree, was born and raised in the close‑knit Arguta Community of Dale County. He carried the values of that small community with him throughout his life—hard work, loyalty, and a deep love for family. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1959, and not long after, he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army. He was proud to be a veteran of the Vietnam Era, and that experience shaped him in ways he carried quietly but firmly for the rest of his life.
After his military service, he began a long and dedicated career with the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), where he worked for thirty‑three years and eventually retired as the Director of Purchasing. During those years, he also earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University.
Life took him many places, and he embraced each one. He lived in Thailand, Hawaii, and Texas, making friends and memories wherever he went. But in 1993, he chose to come home to Ozark, where his roots ran deepest. After retiring, he found joy in farming. Working the land brought him peace, purpose, and a sense of connection to the place he loved most.
He had a special place in his heart for his dogs, loving them as dearly as family. Anyone who knew him knew how much happiness they brought into his life. He was also a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Ozark, where he found fellowship and community.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Darren Childree, and his niece, Marilyn Mitchell.
Mr. Childree will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his steady presence, and the quiet strength he carried through every chapter of his life. His story is one of service, dedication, and love—for his family, his country, and the simple joys that made his days full.
Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-seven years, Bethene Jackson Childree, Ozark; two sons, David Childree (Nenita), Matthews, North Carolina and Phillip Childree (Stephanie), Wise, Virginia; granddaughter, Christin Strickland; great-granddaughter, Aspyn Hope Strickland; four sisters, Dixie Childree, Enterprise, Norma Mitchell (Gene Mitchell), Ozark, Jan Sawyer (Dr. Sam Sawyer), Enterprise, and Linda Cook (Don Cook), Dothan; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
COLUMBIA. . .Wilma Rosebrough Keown, a resident of the Pleasant Plains community, between Headland & Columbia, passed away Sunday afternoon, June 7, 2026, at her home. She was 99.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, June 12, 2026, in Gardens of Memory, between Headland & Dothan, with Reverend Tony Hinton and Reverend Jimmy Griffin officiating. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. Friday at Holman Mortuary in Headland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wallace and Wilma Keown Scholarship Fund, c/o The Baptist Foundation of Alabama, P.O. Box 241277, Montgomery, AL 36124-1227.
Mrs. Keown was born and raised in Birmingham, daughter of the late Charles Thomas Rosebrough and Emma Bullock Rosebrough. She was a graduate of Jones Valley High School and attended Samford University. Mrs. Keown lived in Tennessee, Louisiana, Birmingham and Selma before moving to the Dothan area in 1974. She was a member of Pathway Baptist Church and taught music in the area for fifteen years. Mrs. Keown lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humble service, and deep love for her family. For many years, she faithfully served alongside her husband in ministry, sharing her gifts as a Sunday School teacher, church pianist and organist, choir member and leader within her churches. She was a Godly example to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family is grateful for her many years they were blessed to share with her and rejoice in knowing that she is home with the Lord. Mrs. Keown was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Wallace E. Keown, son-in-law, Gary Holloman, a sister, Loretta Cunningham and three brothers, Dr. Carl Rosebrough, Charles Rosebrough and Wayne Rosebrough.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Sherrill Holloman Griffin (Jimmy), Columbia; sons, Tommy Keown (Sandi), Cumming, GA; and Charles Keown (Linda), Phenix City, AL; sister-in-law, Lanice Rosebrough; grandchildren, Katie Marks (Dan), Mary Atchley, Andrea Holloman, David Holloman (Lindsay), Steven Holloman (Caitlyn), Joy Bedillion (Grant), Jon Keown (Kasey), Jes Keown (Elizabeth) and James McAllister; ten great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
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.
Amy “Susan” Tatom, age 76, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Southeast Health.
Susan was born on March 7, 1950, in Dothan, Alabama, to the late Spencer Tatom and Blondell Cameron Tatom. She was a proud graduate of Dothan High School, Class of 1968, and continued her education at the University of South Alabama, graduating in 1972.
Susan dedicated much of her professional life to serving her community. She worked at WTVY for 25 years, where she served as a head copywriter, production assistant, and news staff member. She later joined the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as Director of Information from 2000 until her retirement
Susan had a compassionate heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. She enjoyed taking people where they needed to go, assisting them with daily needs, and brightening their lives through her kindness and generosity. She treasured time spent with family and friends and was known for her warm conversations and caring spirit.
She had a deep love for animals, especially her beloved dogs and cats. Susan also enjoyed gardening, tending to her roses, cooking, and traveling. She especially enjoyed visiting Mobile to attend social balls and gatherings throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Spencer Tatom and Blondell Cameron Tatom; and her brothers, David Tatom and Mark Tatom.
Those left to cherish her memory include her nephew, Marcus Tatom of Dothan; her great-niece, Athena Tatom of North Carolina; her great-nephew, Kamron Tatom of Dothan; and her great-great-nephew, Raymond Tatom of North Carolina, along with many extended family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Fowler Family Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama.
Susan will be remembered for her kindness, dedication to her community, love for family and animals, and the many lives she touched throughout her 76 years.
ROBERT WILLIAM AKE
DOTHAN… Robert William Ake, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Sunday night, June 7, 2026, at his home. He was 77.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Wright Funeral Home & Crematory.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
Phone 334-6WE-CARE (693-2273)
www.wrightfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
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Our establishment DOES OWN AND OPERATE ITS OWN CREMATORY, so your loved one never has to leave our care.
