William Nelson Paulk, a resident of Cottonwood, Alabama passed away after a short but courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. He was 68.
Funeral Services will be held at 2PM Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Cottonwood with Reverend Jimmy Bolin officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service in Mount of Olives Cemetery with Southern Heritage Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 6PM to 8PM Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home.
Nelson was born to the late Arthur and Florene Pipkin Paulk on July 12, 1956. He attended Dothan High School and George C. Wallace Community College. He retired from Ansel Incorporated and Sarah Lee Bakery. His hobbies included camping and fishing in the parks in the tri-states area and cruising the Caribbean every September. Nelson was a diehard Auburn fan, and you could catch him and his family cheering on the Tigers in the fall “War Eagle”. He loved his Lord and savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Cottonwood First Baptist Church.
Nelson was dedicated to his family and cherished making lasting memories with the joy of his life, his wife , children, and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hilda Hill and Allie Sue Singletary; a father in-law Edward Stephens.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his wife of thirty-one years, Kimberly Stephens Paulk; two daughters, Brittany Renee Grimsley (Allen) and Bridgette Nichole Bolin (Patrick); three grandsons, Noah William Dismukes, Kellan Edward Grimsley, and Aston Bruner Grimsley; one granddaughter, Noelle Emerson Bolin; a brother, Wayne Arthur Paulk; a brother in-law, Edward Stephens (Meredith); a sister in-law, Melinda Cannon (Danny). Numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Allen Grimsley, Patrick Bolin, Danny Cannon, Edward Stephens, Bo Grimsley, and Tim Hill.
The family wishes to thank Ramona Bolin PA-C, SE Health and SE Home Health doctors, nurses and staff for their loving care and support.
ENTERPRISE… Donna J. Fearing, a resident of Enterprise, Alabama, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025, at her home. She was 90.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, in Headland, Alabama, with her son, Harold Allen Fearing giving a eulogy and her granddaughter, Emily, singing “The Lord’s Prayer”. The family will receive friends following the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Fearing was born in Beloit, Kansas to the late Allen C. Morine and Sarah Elizabeth Kent Morine. She met her husband Harold E. Fearing in Manhattan Kansas, and they married in 1954. Harold was in the Army and as an Army wife, Donna raised four children while living in Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Germany, Virginia, and Delaware before finally settling in Enterprise in 1973. In 1972 Donna graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In Enterprise, she substitute taught and taught first grade for several years.
Donna loved her family and life to the fullest. In 1985 she learned to drive a motorcycle and for the next 32 years she and Harold took motorcycle trips all over the United States and to Canada, Mexico, and Australia. She was proud of riding motorcycles into her 80s and collected piles of “oldest female rider” plaques at motorcycle events.
Those who will always cherish her memory include her husband, Harold Ernest Fearing; her daughter, Kathryn Ruth Bigler (Wallace J. Bigler); her sons, Harold Allen Fearing (Donna Willis Fearing), Paul David Fearing (Pamela Fearing), and Steven John Fearing (Elizabeth Fearing); her ten grandchildren; her seven great-grandchildren; and her one great-great-grandchild.
OZARK…Mr. Obie E. Sanders, a resident of Ozark, died early Friday morning, February 14, 2025, at his home. He was 78.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 17, 2025, at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Randy Kuhn and Reverend Cuong Le officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Sanders, son of the late Ellis Sanders and Louise King Sanders, was a native and lifelong resident of Dale County. He was formerly employed with Dale Farmer’s Co-Op in Ozark and retired from Ozark Striping in Ozark after over forty-years of employment. Mr. Sanders was a veteran of the Alabama Army National Guard having served in the Ozark Unit. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid University of Alabama Football fan. Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by siblings, Dorothy Williams, Estelle Langford, and O’Neal Sanders and a brother-in-law, Buster Woods.
Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-eight years, Virginia Woods Sanders, Ozark; two daughters, Tammy Marie Johnson (Paul), Montgomery and Cindy Smith, Ozark; son, Ricky Sanders, Ozark; sister, Betty Smith (Ricky), Ozark; five grandchildren, Cody Smith, Kyle Smith (Anna), Ashley Johnson (Josh), Brittany Whiddon, Lindsay Hamilton (Hayden), Mason Johnson, Raelynn Johnson, Whaylon Whiddon, Ember Whiddon, Maverick Smith, Enzo Smith, Cameron Smith, and one on the way; relatives from the Woods family, David Woods (Michelle), Midland City, Margaret Weber (Ed), Kempner, Texas, Mary Clements (Bobby), Chancellor, and Deborah Woods, Ozark; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Our community lost one of its truest and most faithful servants, when, following a brief illness, William Clarence Logan, known to his many family members and friends as “Bill”, died on the morning of February 12 at Southeast Medical Center in Dothan. He was 86. Born on September 3, 1938, to Charles and Beanie Roe Logan of Ariton, Bill graduated from Ariton High School and earned his Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant Certification from the Alabama Aviation Technical Center (now Alabama Aviation College) in Ozark.
Apparently equipped with endless energy and the nation’s strongest work ethic, Bill was employed for 67 years by numerous government contractors at Fort Rucker, as aircraft mechanic, flight mechanic, and technical inspector. He served in the Alabama Air National Guard from 1961 to 1966. He eventually retired from Fort Rucker in 2023 at the age of 84. In 1966, Bill married Jane Locklar of Elba, where they resided for ten years. In 1973, they brought their only child, Molly, into the world. In 1976, the family relocated to the outskirts of New Brockton.
As his years turned golden and his hair turned white, Bill grew a full, luxuriant beard. For the rest of his life, he portrayed a most believable Sants Claus at elementary schools, daycare centers, assisted living facilities, and holiday social events throughout the area.
Besides Jane, Molly, and their grandchildren, the loves of Bill’s life were fishing, working on antique tractors, and hosting barbecue reunions for his family and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Jane Locklar Logan, his parents, Charles and Beanie Roe Logan; his sisters Tula Logan Long and Mabel Logan Hardin; and his brothers, hayward logan, Charles Roe Logan, and Elmer Logan.
Surviving Bill are his daughter, Molly Logan Jones, son-in-law Christopher P. Jones and his grandchildren, Jake and Claire Jones, of New Brockton, and several nieces and nephews.
Bill Logan will be remembered for his piercing blue eyes, his overalls and suspenders, his quick, dry wit, his enjoyment of the great Southern outdoors, and his long career in aviation.
Funeral services will be held from Hayes Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM with Min. Greg Hanchey officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty Church of Christ Cemetery under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home. Visitation will be at Hayes Funeral Home on Saturday, February 15, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Janice Marino age 86 of Midland City passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at SE Health following a brief illness. A Celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Cedar Grove Baptist Church 2797 County Road 14 Midland City, Al with Pastor Randy Kuhn officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m.
Janice was born April 17, 1938 in Echo, Alabama to C. B. Riley and Vera Walker Riley. Janice was a caregiver all of her life She loved all and served all. She worked at Vivian B. Adams for 26 years before she retired. Her love for helping special needs did not stop. Grant Gary was very special to her, and she cared for him until his passing. To Grant she was Reno.
She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, shopping with Barbara and Sandy, going out to lunch, cooking, gardening, watching Alabama football and the Braves.
Janice is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Paul Marino; son Anthony Marino; daughter Mandy Marino; great granddaughter Olivia Everage; brothers Tommy Riley, James Riley; sister Wilene Riley.
Survivors include her son Jeffrey Marino; daughters Tonia Everage (Jay), Heather Hinckley (Chris); grandchildren Anthony Marino, Lee Everage, Ben Everage (Amanda), LaShay Marino (Aubrey), Todd Marino (Angel), and Ally Hinckley; great grandchildren Myah Marino, Mason Marino, Jaxon Everage, Madox Everage, Clara Everage, Alex Marino, Cody Marino, Mia Everage, Jase Everage, Landon Marino, Talia Marino, and DaKota; brother Roger Riley; sister Bobbie Uptain; many nieces and nephews that always loved Aunt Jan; many special friends, and her church family who she loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Vivian B. Adams School or Cedar Grove Baptist Church.
Honorary pallbearers; Anthony Marino, Lee Everage, Ben Everage, Todd Marino, Mason Marino and Larry Parker
Kimberly Jo Brannan Dove, lovingly known as “Kimmie” to family and friends, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025, in Phenix City, Alabama, at the age of 60.
Funeral services for Kimberly will be graveside 1:00 P.M. Monday, February 17, 2025, in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with Reverend Chris Wilkerson officiating. Interment will follow, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Monday from 12:00 Noon until time to depart for the graveside service.
Born on July 16, 1964, in Ozark, Alabama, Kimmie lived a life defined by love, learning, and unwavering devotion to her family and her students. Kim graduated from Charles Henderson High School in 1982 and went on to pursue her passion for education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Troy University, followed by a master’s degree in education from Auburn University, and later completed her Education Specialist (EDS) degree at Alabama State University. Her academic achievements laid the foundation for a remarkable career dedicated to teaching and inspiring young minds. Her professional journey began as an elementary school teacher at Andalusia Elementary School, where she taught with dedication and joy from 1989 to 2004. In 2004, she transitioned to Troy University as the Director of the AMSTI/ASIM program, where she worked until retiring in 2017, supporting teachers across the region with innovative math and science instruction.
Missing her true passion, the classroom, in 2018, she returned as a middle school math teacher at Rainey-McCullers School of Arts in Columbus, Georgia. Her impact on her students was profound, as she made math come alive with her warmth, humor, and genuine care for their success. Beyond her career, Kim was a proud and devoted mother and “Kimmie” to her grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were the absolute center of her world. She would light up when talking about Joseph, David, and Morgan. She adored her grandchildren—Hayden, Grayson, Sawyer, Emory, and Madeline—and cherished every moment with them. Whether cheering at a ballgame, attending a recital, or simply sharing a story, Kimmie was always present with a heart full of pride and joy. Kim’s passions extended beyond her family and career. She was an avid reader, an enthusiastic Alabama football fan—“Roll Tide!”—and a committed member of her community. A woman of strong faith, she was involved in countless extracurricular activities at her school, always willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. Her calming presence and genuine interest in others made her a friend to many. She could talk with you for hours and leave you feeling heard, valued, and uplifted.
She is survived by her loving children and their spouses, Joseph (Hayley) Dove, David (Kristin) Dove, and Morgan (Will) Forgey; her beloved grandchildren, Hayden, Grayson, Sawyer, Emory, and Madeline; her mother, Betty Jo Brannan; her sister, Patty Jo Herndon; and her brother, Joey Brannan. She was preceded in death by her father, Patrick (Pat) Brannan. Kim’s legacy is one of kindness, dedication, and boundless love. Her life was a testament to the power of faith, family, and education. Though she is no longer with us, her influence lives on in the hearts of her family, the minds of her former students, and the memories of all who were fortunate enough to know her.
