HEADLAND… Dolores Eileen Koch, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Monday afternoon, December 23, 2024, at her home. She was 81.
The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Harvest Church in Dothan, with a memorial service to follow with Brother Jonathan Broyles officiating. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Koch was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania to the late Clarence Iry Harple and Dorothy Elizabeth Beam Harple. She was a 1961 graduate of Downingtown High School in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. She worked as a secretary with several school systems with the last being at St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York. She and her late husband were very active volunteers with the Special Olympics and also the Boy Scouts of America. She attended Harvest Church in Dothan, Alabama.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, George Russell Koch, Sr.; her son, Christopher Koch; her brothers, William C. Harple and Carl Harple; and her sister, Barbara Troupe.
Leaving to cherish her memories is her children; her sister, Marlene Hallan (Dr. Tom Hallan); her 12 grandchildren; and her 2 great-grandchildren.
DALEVILLE…Mrs. Fran McCarty Gardner, a resident of Daleville, died early Friday evening, January 10, 2025, at her home. She was 76.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 18, 2025, in the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, Wicksburg, with Pastor Allen Singley officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Gardner, daughter of the late Clayton Thomas McCarty and Lucille Maxcine Alfrey McCarty, was a native of Lexington, Kentucky where she was a 1966 Graduate of Lexington High School. She received a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Psychology both from Troy University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Mrs. Gardner retired as a social worker after over twenty years of employment. Some of her favorite things were restoring furniture, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was a member of Pilgrim Home Baptist Church. Mrs. Gardner was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Joe Gardner; son, Robert Gardner, Jr, sisters, Patricia Bristow and Sue McCarty, and a brother, James McCarty.
Surviving relatives include her daughters, Michelle Gardner, Daleville and Teresa Evans (David), Mason, Ohio; brother, Howard McCarty (Pattie), Indiana; seven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Jo Ann Hall, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Dothan, AL, on January 12, 2025. Born on December 27, 1942, in Huntington, WV, she was a beacon of love and wisdom throughout her 82 years of life.
Jo Ann, the daughter of the late Robert L. and Mildred Williams, grew up in Huntington, WV, where she developed a foundation of faith and family that would guide her entire life. She graduated from Barboursville High School and went on to achieve a remarkable balance of family life, career, and service. Jo Ann’s dedication to education was evident as she completed not only two undergraduate degrees but also a graduate degree while raising a family and supporting her husband’s ministry.
For 61 years, Jo Ann was the loving and devoted wife of Dr. Jerry Hall. Together they built a life full of love and purpose. She was a pillar of strength and support in their partnership, standing by his side during his tenure as a pastor and university professor. Jo Ann’s love for education led her to teach first grade for sixteen years, positively shaping the lives of countless children. Her passion for nurturing young minds extended beyond the classroom as she developed and directed a successful child-development center and later served as the administrative assistant to the CFO of a large church in Chattanooga, TN.
Jo Ann’s legacy lives on through her family. She is survived by her husband Dr. Jerry Hall; her daughter, Pamela (Darrell) Bishop of Slocomb, AL; her son, Jerry D. (Leigh) Hall, Jr. of Hartwell, GA; and her beloved five grandchildren: Jamey (Justin) Etheridge, Sydney (Kyle) Dodson, and Jerry D. (Gabi) Hall, III, of Hartwell, GA, Gabrielle (Cody) Irwin of Enterprise, AL, and Hannah (Sam) Loftin of Slocomb, AL. She was also the proud great-grandmother of fourteen great-grandchildren.
Her warmth and guidance will be missed by her siblings, Audrey Williams of Milton, WV; Brenda Chaney of Chesapeake, OH; Walter Williams and David Williams of Altizer, WV. Jo Ann’s capacity to love extended to all who knew her, and her family was the center of her universe. Her greatest joy came from being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose lives are a testament to her unwavering love and support.
The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to the Gentiva Hospice workers for their compassionate care during Jo Ann’s final weeks. A special thanks is also extended to neighbors Ty Powell and Gwin King for their readiness to assist whenever needed, and to her close friend, Mavis Mims, for her companionship and love during Jo Ann’s illness. The family is also grateful for the many friends and relatives who visited, provided meals, and lifted them in prayer during this time.
Jo Ann Hall’s life was a reflection of her faith and the love she had for her family and community. She will be remembered for her tireless dedication to her family, her unwavering faith in God, and the countless lives she touched through her teaching and ministry. Her memory will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.
Jo Ann’s life will be celebrated in a service that honors her faith and the beautiful legacy she leaves behind. Her journey on earth has ended, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of those she loved. Jo Ann Hall, a virtuous woman of grace and dignity, has found her eternal rest and peace with her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Visitation will be held at 1:00-2:00 pm on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home followed by a celebration of Jo Ann’s life at 2:00 pm on Thursday. Jo Ann will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park.
Marl Campbell, age 57 of Slocomb, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Flowers Hospital following an illness. A gathering of friends and family will be held Thursday, January 16, 2025, 3-5pm at Fowler Family Funeral Home (965 Woodland Drive Dothan, Al).
Marl was born April 15, 1967 in Miami, Florida to Irvin A. Tate and Linda Jean Cauffman Tate. He worked many years at Collins Signs and as a tow truck driver. He enjoyed car racing, watching Alabama football and spending time with his family and friends.
Marl is preceded in death by his parents Irvin and Linda Tate.
Survivors include his sons Brennen Campbell and Matthew Campbell; daughter Jennifer Henderson; grandchildren Rebecca Cameron, Brooklynn McCormick, Alexandria Henderson and Emilie Richardson; brothers Carl Tate (Cindy), Jimmy Tate; aunts June Brown (Tony), Julia Suggs (Lonnie).
Deborah “Gayle” Killingsworth, age 65, of Dothan, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and holding the hand of the love of her life and husband of 49 years, Larry Killingsworth, Sr. She was a caring wife, a loving mother, a spoiling grandmother, which was her favorite title, and one of the best friends you could ever ask for.
Gayle was one of a kind. She loved hard and fiercely, and you never had to wonder where you stood with her. When they say that dynamite comes in small packages, they were not wrong when it came to her.
Gayle loved going to the mountains with her love, Larry. Cherokee, North Carolina and the Biltmore in Asheville had a special place in her heart. She had a green thumb and love of flowers that she got from her mother, and she saved many of her daughter Tonia’s flowers. She loved going to the thrift stores with her friend, Sharon, and she loved visiting with her neighbors Mrs. Janice, Mr. Jermone, Mr. Andy, Mrs. Doris, Mr. Ed, Mrs. Dora, Mrs. Sarah, Mrs. Martha, Georgia, Leanna, and Chris. They all kept the neighborhood safe and full of laughter. The neighborhood yard sales will never be the same, especially since Gayle never met a stranger. She always welcomed you with a hug and offered you a drink and a snack.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Manual and Stella Milner; her brothers, Pete, Buck, and Mickey Milner; and her brothers-in-law, Ricky and Raymond Killingsworth.
Gayle is survived by her husband, Larry Killingsworth, Sr. of Dothan; sons, Larry Killingsworth, Jr. (Erica) of Headland, and Jeff Killingsworth (Amanda) of Wicksburg; daughter, Tonia Hall (Scotty Enfinger) of Cowarts; grandchildren, Morgan Hall of Montgomery, Jake Killingsworth of Headland, Taten and Kainen Killingsworth of Wicksburg; her adopted grandchildren, Jordan McCord of Montgomery, and Kayleigh Capps of Tuscaloosa; her neighborhood grandchildren, Sophie, Kaylee, and Rowan; sisters, Jean Walsh (Brian) of Pensacola, Florida, Rebecca Parnell of Jacksonville, Florida; brother, Tony Milner of Headland; brothers-in-law, Tommy (Patti) Killingsworth of Cowarts, Roger Killingsworth of Cowarts, Jimmy Killingsworth of Ashford, and Terry Killingsworth of Ashford; sister-in-laws, Cathy Crawford (Jerry) of Panama City, Florida, Sonya Killingsworth of Midland City, and Kathy Killingsworth of Webb.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 5-7PM at Southern Heritage Funeral Home. A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at UAB Hospital and ACG Hospice.
MIDLAND CITY. . .Norman Lafayette White, a resident of Midland City, died late Monday night, January 13, 2025, at the home of his daughter. He was 84.
Funeral services will be held at 5:30 P.M. Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Jim Corley and Chaplain Charles Goldsmith officiating. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Gardens of Memory, between Headland & Dothan. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:30 P.M. Wednesday at the mortuary in Headland.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Mr. White was born and reared near Midland City, son of the late Collie Eugene White and Odessa Hicks White. He served his country in the Army National Guard in the Headland unit which was activated during the Berlin Crisis. Mr. White was a lifelong resident of Dale County, near Midland City. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Mr. White was formerly employed by AAA Cooper Transportation Company, Dolly Madison Furniture and Rebwood Furniture, as a truck driver. He was also engaged in farming all his lifetime. Mr. White was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Hartzog White, a son, Wayne White, a brother, Carl E. White, and two sisters, Melba Yeomans and Sue Sims.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Marie White Whiddon, Headland; a son, Randy White (Kevin), Headland; a daughter-in-law, Tanya White, Pinckard; sisters, Josie Ann Whaley, Bainbridge, GA and Linda Aman, Midland City; grandchildren, Chris Whiddon, Jessica Welch (Matthew), Josh White, Jordan White (Felicia), Chastity Turner (Joseph), and Brandon White (Chloe); great-grandchildren, Aiden Whiddon, Josie Rae Welch, Ellison Cole Welch and Charlie Wayne White; several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice for the loving care and kindness shown to Mr. White during his illness.
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.
