Mr. Marion Ray Gilley of Slocomb passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at his home after an extended illness. He was 81.
Mr. Gilley was born on February 9, 1943, in Houston County, to the late Emon Edward and Kathryn Hanners Gilley.
In addition to his parents, son, Mark Gilley; brother, Gerald Gilley; and granddaughter, Hannah Gilley, all preceded him in death.
Ray is survived by two sons: Marion Ray Gilley, Jr. (Leslie), and Darren Gilley (Andrea); four grandchildren: Caitlyn Gilley, Aselyn Griswold (Collier), Averie Gilley and Trey Gilley; two great-grandchildren, Skylar Wimbush and Graham Griswold; sister, Mary McAllister (Don), three brothers: Gary Gilley, Robert Gilley (Liz) and William “Billy” Gilley; numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make a memorial contribution in Ray’s memory to the charity of your choice.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date with Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
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.
DOTHAN… Martin David Weiler, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, at his home. He was 90.
No services planned at this time.
Mr. Weiler was born in New York, New York, to the late Aaron Weiler and Helen Weiler. He worked and retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a statistician for over 34 years.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brothers and a nephew.
Leaving to cherish his memories is his wife, Judy Weiler; his son, Seth Weiler; and his several nieces and nephews.
BYRON, GA… Samuel David “Sammy” Jackson, a resident of Byron, Georgia, formerly of Headland, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 60.
Funeral services will be held 12:30 P.M. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Headland High School Gymnasium (Steve Williams Arena), with his brother, Reverend Dr. Bobby J. Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to the Samuel David “Sammy” Jackson Scholarship Fund at Headland National Bank, 40 Main Street, Headland, Alabama 36345.
Mr. Jackson was born in Headland, Alabama to Louise Thornton Jackson Williams and the late Bobby Joe Jackson, Sr.. He was a 1982 graduate of Headland High School. He furthered his education with a Bachelors of Communication from the University of Montevallo. He served as head coach at Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University and as assistant coach Auburn University, Tennessee State University, Georgia Southern University, Alabama A&M University, and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He had previously lived in Alabama and Tennessee, before making Byron, GA his home. He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. And a member of the Black Coaches Association. He was a member of the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
Along with his father, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Lynn Jackson and his nephew, Vantavius Dishon McKay.
Leaving to cherish his memories is his wife, Jill Burwell Jackson; his sons, Desmond Jackson (Gabriel), Devin Jackson, Kenneth Burwell, and Kyle Burwell; his daughter, Kourtney Burwell Parchman (Donovan); his mother, Louise Thornton Jackson Williams; his sisters, Barbara Jackson, Nakeshia Brown, Kimberly Bighems-Williams, and Demetra Jackson; his brothers, Dr. Reverend Bobby J. Jackson (Jackie), Franklin Williams (Marlita), Kenneth Jackson, Stevie Jackson, Wailon Minniefield, Torez Jackson, and Jeffrey Jackson; and his ten grandchildren.
Serving as active pallbearers will be his former players and his fraternity brothers.
Mrs. Dorothy Loraine Wentland Coker, of Hartford, went home to be with the LORD, Monday, February 3, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 62.
A Visitation of Family and Friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Wednesday February 5, 2025, Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb with Sister Lisa Eller officiating. A private family graveside service will follow in the Hurricane Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers and food, contributions may be made directly to the family.
Mrs. Coker was born September 1, 1962 in Montgomery, AL to the late Patricia Jean Nicholson and Phillip Thomas Wentland. Dorothy graduated from Pike County High School in 1980 and was proud to be a Pike County “Bulldog”. She met the love of her life Jeffrey Hugh Coker in 1987 and moved to Geneva County in 1988. She was employed with the Hartford Senior Center for 11 years developing many lifelong friendships along the way. Due to poor health, she became a fulltime stay at home wife and mother, raising her children and grandchildren. Dorothy was kindhearted, will forever be remembered for her strength, and will be dearly missed.
In addition to her parents, son, Joleb True Coker; grandson, Austin Jene Williams; and brother, Richard Lee Wentland, son-in-law, John Conley Williams, all preceded her in death.
Survivors include her loving husband of 38 years, Jeffrey Hugh Coker; daughters: Heather Diann Williams, and Shelinah Lozano (Trey); son, Joseph Noah Coker; grandchildren: Jacob Lee Williams, Rylee Hope Strickland, and Payslee Sage Strickland; siblings: Sammy Wentland, Henry Wentland, Kay Andress, and Shelby Sanders; special friend, Dianne Kimbro; several nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
Serving as very special pallbearers, Jacob Williams, Trey Lozano, Shelinah Lozano, Heather Williams, AJ Wentland, and Craig Wentland. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Southern Care Hospice of Enterprise.
Norma Eileen Yuhas Young, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama passed away Friday, January 31, 2025, at Medical Center Barbour in Eufaula. She was 87 years old.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at God’s Way Baptist Church in Eufaula with Rev. Randy Stokes officiating.
Norma was born on August 3, 1937. In Elizabeth, Pennsylvania to the late Stephen and Ethel Agnes Coughenour Yuhas. She owned and operated Young’s Lawn Care in Naples, Florida. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, and arts and crafts. Norma was a member of Gods Way Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Conrad Matthew Young; grandchild, Harold J. Fowler; two brothers, Jake Yuhas and Ron Yuhas; four sisters, Geraldine Warren, Jean Rogers, Donna Morgan, and Linda Davis.
Left to cherish her memories are two sons, Timothy K. Ridings and Jamie Lee Young; daughter, Marcilynn Josie Raines; two brothers, Richard Yuhas and Gary Yuhas; five grandchildren, Raymond Fowler, Cody A. Young, Savannah Nicole Dray, Logan Tyler Raines, Trevor Taylor Raines; two great-grandchildren, Sierra Fowler and Eva Daisy Fowler.
Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Benjamin Franklin Lawrence, Jr., affectionately known as Benny, passed away on February 1, 2025, after a 30-year battle with chronic illnesses. Born on March 8, 1959, in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, Benny spent his final days surrounded by love in Cottonwood, Alabama, at the age of 65.
Benny was a man who could grow a tomato plant in the desert and find a silver dollar in a pile of pennies. His green thumb was the envy of gardeners far and wide, and his coin collection could make a numismatist weep with joy. When he wasn’t reeling in the big one at the lake, you could find Benny under the hood of a car, turning rust buckets into roadsters, or wheeling and dealing in the high-stakes world of junk entrepreneurship.
Above all, Benny cherished his family. His love for his children was evident in every action. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 33 years, Gay Lawrence, and his mother, Frances Heinmiller of Cottonwood. His legacy continues through his daughters, Jamie Spencer (Benjamin) of Cottonwood and Jenny Lawrence of Florida, his adored grandchildren, Tyshaun Spencer, Elijah Spencer, Cadence Spencer, and Lily Grace Biggs, and his caring sisters, Carol Crampton (Terry) of Cottonwood, Leanna Gipson (Archie) of Cottonwood, and Tina Pellas of Slocomb.
Preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Lawrence, Sr., and granddaughter, Isabella Spencer, Benny’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
