Phyllis Jean Bancroft, 86, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 21, 2025, in Hartford, Alabama. Phyllis was born November 4, 1938, in Bowling Green, Ohio to Forrest and Myrtle (McBride) Bancroft.
Phyllis never forgot the years she spent in Liberia, Africa as a missionary nurse. She spoke of it often and continued to pray for the ministry there. After retiring from nursing at the Indiana Veterans’ Home, she lived her life simply so she could tell more people about Jesus. She encouraged, housed, and gave to missionaries at every opportunity. In her later years, she even saved pennies for the children to give to their “pennies for missions” offering. From Ohio to Alabama; wherever she lived, her church was her family whom she loved dearly. She crocheted daily as a ministry. Her rose patterned quilts can be found in many homes around the world. Her wry sense of humor remained strong to the end. Many chuckles will be had over the memories.
To cherish her memories, Phyllis is survived by a brother, Richard Bancroft; a sister, Betty Spreeman; and countless nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by her brothers: James Bancroft, George Bancroft, and John Bancroft; and her sisters: Barbara Brink, Ruth Whisnant, and Nancy Haeussler.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Faith Independent Baptist Church, 4481 Rucker Blvd, Enterprise, AL. Visitation will follow the service.
Phyllis loved Jesus and missions. In lieu of flowers, please give a gift in her memory to a mission organization of your choice.
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
DOTHAN… Audrey Faye Lamb, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. She was 70.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Northside Assembly of God, with Pastor Troy West officiating. The family will receive friends after the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Lamb was born in Newport, Tennessee, to the late Fred Holt and Lillie Mae Epley Holt. She graduated in 1972 from Cocke County High School. She was a member of the Northside Assembly of God in Dothan, Alabama.
Leaving to cherish her memories is her husband, Christopher Lamb; her daughter, Christen Lamb (Chuck Faison); her brother, Todd Edward Holt ( Dorlisa Henderson); and her grandson, Jaydin Gravette.
Mr. Ricky J Cothern, Sr. of Coffee Springs passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 63.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Shady Grove Assembly of God Church with Rev. Donnie Earls officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to service time.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made in Ricky’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Mr. Cothern was born October 8, 1961 in Orlando, Florida to the late JE and Lessie Bee Cothern. Ricky was an avid Alabama football fan, enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, and was a chevy truck enthusiast. He loved spending time with his family and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, his first wife and mother of his children, Rachel Elizabeth Cothern; and a brother, Billy Ray Cothern, all preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Hall Cothern; daughter, April Broussard (Corey); sons: Ricky J Cothern, Jr. (Jayme), and Clayton Anderson; grandchildren: Oliver Cothern, Ashton Cothern, Zelda Broussard, Devin Solony, Lillian May Anderson, and Abigayle Lee Anderson; sister, Wanda Pickren; brothers: Wayne Cothern, and Wade Cothern; many beloved nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
ARITON…Mr. Taylor Polk, a resident of Ariton, died late Friday evening, February 21, 2025, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. He was 31.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, February 27, 2025, in the Ariton High School Gymnasium with Reverend Dave Walsh, Reverend Jason Howell, and Reverend Scott Stevens officiating. Burial will follow in Pea River Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 4:30 until 7:30 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ariton High School Athletics in memory of Taylor, PO Box 750, Ariton, Alabama 36311.
Taylor was born on September 28, 1993, and was a native of Demopolis, Alabama. He was a 2012 Graduate of Demopolis High School where he was a member of the football team that won a State Championship in 2009. Following high school, he played football at Troy University as a long snapper under Coach Blakeney and Coach Brown. He received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Troy University in Special Education. Taylor began his teaching career at Charles Henderson High School, where he coached wrestling, baseball, and football along with being a special education teacher. He was currently a special education teacher, football, basketball, and baseball coach at Ariton High School. Taylor was coaching at Ariton in 2023 and 2024 when they won the State Championship in Baseball. His love for special education was evident to all that knew him at school and away from school.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Katie Knox, Ariton; son, Judge Polk; parents, Eddie and Stephanie Catt Polk, Demopolis, Alabama; grandparents, Jim and Dianne McKenzie Catt, Oxford, Mississippi; sisters, Ashley Carroll (Sam), Tennile, Allison Polk, Boca Raton, Florida, and Abby Polk, Mobile, Alabama; brother, Allen Tucker, Troy; aunts and uncles, Tracy Gho (Curtis), Jason Catt (Anna), and Marsha Miller (David); nephew, Knox Carroll; relatives from the Knox family, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Maria McKnight Knox, Ariton; grandmother-in-law, Mary Ann McKnight, Ariton; sister-in-law, Madison Knox, Ariton; numerous cousins and friends.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Allen Tucker, Sam Carroll, William Stewart, Trey Oates, Bob Pickett, Brett Goodson, Brandon Silvers, and Tom Causey. Honorary pallbearers will be Ariton High School Football and Baseball Coaching Staff and Teams.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Donna Iduma Roberts Grantham, age 71, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Donna was born on April 29, 1953 at Ft. Hood, Texas to Donald and Rita Roberts.
She married the love of her life, Wayne Grantham, on June 4, 1969. After moving to Alabama, she became the proud mother of three sons: Donald Wayne Jr., Daniel Lee, and David Orell.
Donna was an exceptionally clever and savvy business woman, working as a real estate broker and owner of Dothan Real Estate Sales & Property Management Co. for more than 3 decades. She was well known in the community for her kindness, friendship, boundless generosity and loving laughter. Donna’s heart was full of deep faith, which guided her every day. Most of all, Donna had an unwavering devotion to her large family, always ensuring that no need went unnoticed. Donna found great joy in giving, and her generosity touched countless people.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Rita, and three brothers: Tommy, Allen, and Buddy Paul Roberts. Donna is survived by two siblings, Sandra and Lee Roberts. Donna is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 55 years, Wayne and three beloved sons, Donald (Heather), Daniel (Paige), and David (Heather). Donna is deeply cherished by her grandchildren: John Grantham, Kristien Pierce (Kyle), Haley Garrett (Gaige), Landon Grantham, Donald Grantham III, Michael Grantham, Nola Hayes, Jesse Hayes, Tylar Grantham (Jessica), Trey Grantham (Lakin), Tanner Grantham (Emma), Trevor Grantham (Kerra), Magan Blake (Griffin), Carson Grantham, Trentin Phan, Jaitlyn Phan, and Kinsley Grantham. Donna’s dear great-grandchildren include Lawson Pierce, Myers Pierce, Ava Garrett, Emersyn Grace, Malachi Grantham, Roman Grantham, and Harper Blake.
Donna had a special place in her heart for her extended family, especially John and Judy Dove, Kevin Jackson, Phyllis Johnson, Diane Tillery, and Dora Wilkinson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Bay Springs Baptist Church (1721 S. Bay Springs Road) with Reverend Tommy Green and Reverend Cliff Morrison officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 am Tuesday.
