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.
Peggy Sue Green of Samson, AL passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025. She was 59 years old.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva, AL with Rev. Donnie Earles officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Peggy was born on September 29, 1965, to the late Elmer Lee and Cloie Stephens Green. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews. Animals also held a special place in Peggy’s heart. She was a very loving and caring person who was always willing to help anyone or animal in need.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Debbie Adams and a nephew, Michael Adams.
Peggy is survived by one brother, Bobby Howell (Andra) of Winter Haven, FL; one sister, Marie Castillo (Fulgencio) of Samson, AL; nieces and nephews, Tammy Thomas (Jarade Chaisson), Jamie Ruiz (Ancelmo), J.T. Thomas (Cameron), Adrianna Castillo (Edwin), Sherry Adams, Bobby Howell, Jr., Felecia Howell, and Jessica Duran (Ryan); several great nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank Phadrah Bradford, Quanesha Dunlap, Iesha Crawford with Holders Helping Hands for the excellent love and care they provided. They always went above and beyond their duties to make sure Peggy was taken care of and the family appreciates it more than you know.
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
Frances Jeannette Cordell, a resident of Texasville, Alabama, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan. She was 78 years old.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 10:00 am at New Prospect Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in the Edwin Community with Rev. Clyde Hancock officiating and Glover Funeral Home of Eufaula directing. A visitation will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Glover Funeral Home in Eufaula.
Flowers will be accepted, or donations can be made to the New Prospect Freewill Baptist Church cemetery fund.
Frances was born July 7, 1946, in Barbour County, Alabama to the late Ruby J. and Nellie C. Gulledge Cordell. She graduated from Bakerhill High School and worked at West Point Pepperell in Abbeville, Alabama for over 20 years. She enjoyed fishing, flowers, and gardening in her spare time.
She is preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; Rufus Cordell (Josie), JC Cordell, Sr., Woodrow Cordell, Ruben Lee “Doodle” Cordell (Myrtle), and Johnny Cordell; three sisters, Sadie Smith (Pete), Winnie Blankenship (Hubert), and Christene Brown (Wayne).
Survivors are her loving husband of 60 years, Olin Cordell, Jr.; three sons, Norman Cordell (Barbara) of Texasville, Alabama, Terry Cordell (Lori) of Valley, Alabama, and Kenny Cordell (Misty) of Radcliff, Kentucky; ten grandchildren, Terry Cole Cordell, Haley Richburg, Ryan Cordell, Alyssa Donner, Shelby Blankenship, Megan Wood, Corey Wood, Lexie Wood, Alex Brown, and Ryan Brown; numerous great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Willie Nell Cordell and Susan Cordell; many nieces and nephews.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Norman Cordell, Terry Cordell, Kenny Cordell, Ryan Cordell, Andrew Harris, and Ray Simmons.
Jean Knight Golden, 95, passed away February 2, 2025 at Superior Residence in Niceville, Florida.
Born on September 28, 1929, in Greenville, AL, Jean spent most of her adult life in Dothan, where she was a member of Southside Baptist Church for many years. A devout Christian, she lived a life dedicated to serving others and sharing about her faith in Jesus.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Allie Knight, her husband, Earl, and her brother, Pete.
She is survived by her daughter Kaye Barrett (Roger), grandsons David (Katie) of Dallas, TX, Mark (Angel) of Orlando, her great-grandchildren, Luke, Matthew, Hailey, Charlie, Hannah and Jack and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. at Ward Wilson Funeral Home, located at 2414 Hartford Hwy. Dothan, Alabama. Visitation will be held from 10 to 10:30 A.M. on Friday, prior to the service. Interment will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice.
Sarah Elizabeth (Woodham) Shepard, 90, a resident of Dothan, passed away with her family by her side, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Flowers Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2025, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Sterling Boykin and Reverend Elizabeth Hinton officiating and Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends in the church parlor from 11:00 until 11:45 a.m. prior to the service. A private family burial will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, First United Methodist Church Respite Care Ministry, 1380 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301.
Sarah was born January 1, 1935, in Hartford to the late Robert Bentley & Sally Cleo (Stewart) Woodham. She spent the early years of her life there and attended Geneva County High School. At the age of 16, she met and married the love of her life, Jack Hayes Shepard. Soon after they married, Jack’s time in the service quickly moved them to Pennsylvania, where she attended and graduated from New Cumberland High School. Sarah and Jack moved back to Alabama after his time in the service ended. Once back in Alabama, Sarah pursued a career as a dental hygienist, where she worked until she had her children, Lynne and Ben. Outside of family, she frequently participated in her Friday Morning Coffee Bunch, Geneva County High School Lunch Bunch, Suburban Women’s Club in Albany, Bridge Groups, and Garden Club. Sarah was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Dothan, serving in many areas such as a founding member of the Pathfinders Sunday School Class, and was an active member of the Progressor’s Sunday School Class, multiple women’s bible study groups, Church Study Club, FUMC book club, Respite Care volunteer, FUMC Altar Guild, and the FUMC Senior Exercise Group. Throughout her life, she managed her family farm and in 2018, she was named the Geneva County Outstanding Conservationist.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years, Jack Hayes Shepard; her three sisters, Dorothy (Woodham) Williams, Mary (Woodham) Hutchinson, and Margaret (Woodham) McDonald; and her brother, James Woodham.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynne (Shepard) Woods of Dothan; her son, Ben Shepard (David) of Birmingham; her two grandchildren, Sam Woods (Brandi), and Sally Kelley (Tyler); her two great-grandchildren, Finley Woods, and Evelyn Kelley; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Frances Jeannette Cordell, a resident of Texasville, Alabama, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan. She was 78 years old.
