OZARK…Mr. Sean Michael Gilbert, a resident of Ozark, died early Monday morning, January 27, 2025, at his home. He was 47.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 31, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Josh Fisher officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gilbert was born February 16, 1977, in Mattooh, Illinois and formerly lived in Dothan before moving to Ozark. He attended D.A. Smith School and Carroll High School in Ozark. Mr. Gilbert was formerly employed with Harris Security, Imperial Fence Company, Kubota of Dothan, and Farmer’s Furniture Store in Ozark as the Collections Manager. He was an avid University of Alabama Football Fan, Star Wars, Superman, and the television show, One Tree Hill. Mr. Gilbert loved his daughter dearly and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Jamie Diane Gilbert; daughter, Sierra Mae Gilbert; mother, Sara Gilbert; sister, Connie Burcham, all of Ozark; brothers, Lyle Burcham, Carbondale, Illinois and Brooke Burcham, Enterprise; nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Marilyn Dees Bennett passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Gainesville, Georgia at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, DeAnna and Christopher Goellner, following an extended illness. She was born November 25, 1941, in Brewton, Alabama and grew up at Jay Villa Plantation, a large farm managed by her father in Conecuh County, Alabama near Evergreen. Marilyn was an outstanding student and graduated with honors from Evergreen High School and Auburn University. At Auburn, Marilyn was very active on campus, including as a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. As alumna of Auburn, Marilyn was devoted to Tri-Delta and was a proud and exuberant War Eagle fan! She became a very accomplished pianist and organist at an early age and served as the organist of Evergreen First Baptist Church as a high schooler and was pianist and organist at Louisville Baptist Church for more than 40 years.
Ms. Bennett lived a life dedicated to service to others. She worked for many years for the Auburn University Extension Service helping numerous members of the community learn about nutrition, meal preparation, child rearing, health and hygiene, and seeking job opportunities. Marilyn served for nearly 15 years at Dixie Academy as a beloved science and home economics teacher. So many of “Miss Marilyn’s” former students fondly recall her constant encouragement and positive influence in their lives. In 1993, Marilyn joined the staff at Farmers Exchange Bank and served there for 20 years as a Vice President and Cashier working primarily in administration, operations, and human resources. During her entire professional career, Marilyn remained active in the community and at her beloved Louisville Baptist Church. Marilyn was a tremendous leader and achiever, always motivated to help and improve the lives of others. She was instrumental in countless community project efforts including renovation of the Old Louisville School, Louisville school reunions, Veterans Day events, and Louisville’s Bicentennial celebration, just to name a few. At LBC, Marilyn was a GA and Mission Friends leader, VBS teacher, choir member, and was very active in the Barbour Baptist Association and the State Baptist Convention. Marilyn served several years on the board and as Chairman from 2017-2019, of the Alabama Women’s Missionary Union and Worldsong. She provided leadership and was instrumental in the two most recent renovations of Louisville Baptist Church. Marilyn was a master “yard person” and worked hard to beautify the grounds of not only her own lovely home but also the church and other parts of the community. Marilyn selflessly moved in with her son Robert for two years to help care for her daughter-in-law Tara and family following Tara’s debilitating car crash in 2019.
Marilyn’s death marks a glorious reunion with her beloved husband of 48 years Robert Harris “Bobby” Bennett Jr. Marilyn was also preceded in death by her parents Alvin Howard and Hermie Parrish Dees of Evergreen, brother Alvin Howard Dees Jr. of Montgomery, and Bobby’s parents Robert H. and Lenoree Shiver Bennett of Louisville.
Survivors include her son Dr. Robert H. Bennett, III and his wife Tara of Eufaula, Alabama and her daughter DeAnna Bennett Goellner and her husband Christopher of Gainesville, Georgia. Marilyn had four beloved grandchildren: Anna Frances Goellner, Christopher Bennett Goellner, Robert Harris Bennett IV, and Sidney Rhodes McDonald Bennett. Survivors also include sisters-in-law Deborah Weaver Dees of Montgomery, Alabama, Lynne Bennett Givhan and husband Sam of Safford, Alabama, Beth Bennett Simpson and husband George of Birmingham, Alabama, and Carol Bennett Frederick and husband Beebe of Montgomery. Marilyn loved her many nieces and nephews and their spouses very much. Marilyn is also survived by her beloved Louisville Baptist Church family and her sweet and devoted companion, puppy Ruffles.
Funeral services for Marilyn Bennett will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Louisville Baptist Church in Louisville, Alabama with the Reverends Michael Whitman, Robert Baker, and Tim Callaway officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at noon and a graveside service will follow the church service.
Active pallbearers are Sen. Sam Houston Givhan, Matthew John King, David Bennett Givhan, Stephen Parrish Dees, Beebe R. Frederick III, Christopher Bennett Goellner, Robert Harris Bennett IV, and Sidney Rhodes McDonald Bennett.
Honorary pallbearers are the deacons of Louisville Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Louisville Baptist Church- PO Box 115 Louisville, Alabama 36048.
The family wishes to send sincere appreciation to Inspire Hospice of Gainesville, Georgia for their exceptional care and support.
Glover Funeral Home of Clayton was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 775-3403. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Mr. Bernett Joel “Bernie” or “Jergy” Jergenson, Jr. (United States Army, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died late Saturday night January 25, 2025, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan. He was 83 years old.
A memorial service for Mr. Jergenson will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, January 31, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Mr. Jimmy Owens officiating. Full Military Honors will be presented following the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mr. Jergenson was born August 6, 1941 in Benson, Minnesota to the late Bernett Joel Jergenson, Sr. and Lillian Leona Smith Jergenson. He graduated from Benson Senior High School in 1959 where he was on the wrestling team and was the state champion in his weight class. In 1961 he joined the United States Army. He met his wife, Monique, in Paris while stationed in Orleans, France. Mr. Jergenson served as a Military Policeman and was a crew chief on the DHC-3 Otter with one tour in Vietnam. He served most of his military career at Fort Rucker, the Panama Canal Zone and Germany, retiring with twenty years of service. Following his military service, he worked for Civil Service as a heavy equipment mechanic and later worked as a Federal Game Warden. Bernie was a scuba diving instructor and an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman who loved nature. He was an avid pet owner who loved his fur baby, Bernie Jr.
A devoted husband, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, Monique Kampf Jergenson of Ozark; one son, Mark Lee Jergenson of Pensacola; one sister, Judith Ann Edwards (Donald) of Benson, Minnesota; two brothers, Joel Jergenson (Sharon) of Willmar, Minnesota and Lee Roy Jergenson (Marilyn) of Lincoln, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Attn: Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105; or to the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2502, Ozark, Alabama 36361.
Mr. Roger Arlis “Poochie” Simmons, a resident of Newton, died early Saturday morning January 25, 2025, in Extendicare Health Center in Dothan following an extended illness. He was 87 years old.
Funeral services for Mr. Simmons will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 30, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with full Masonic Rites, Mr. Bimbo Turner officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Community Cemetery in Newton, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mr. Simmons was born February 25, 1937 in Clayhatchee, Alabama to the late Walter Leonard Simmons and Allen Blondell Bryan Simmons. He graduated from Ozark High School in 1955 and attended the University of Alabama Extension Branch at Dothan, Alabama. He worked as an aircraft mechanic at Camp Rucker and Fort Rucker with Hayes, Page, Northrop, Raytheon, Sikorski and DynCorp. Mr. Simmons retired in April 1999 from the Quality Control Department ending a 43-year career. Mr. Simmons was an active member of Newton Baptist Church where he served through the years as Usher, Adult Men’s Sunday School Class Teacher, Chairman, Board of Deacons, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Lay Leadership Director, Church Training Superintendent and Financial Secretary. He was active in the Newton Ruritan Club where he served as a member of the Board of Directors and as Vice President.
Mr. Simmons faithfully served the Masonic craft for many years. He began his Masonic career in Newton Masonic Lodge No. 224. He was appointed District Lecturer of Masonic District 27 in 1981 and served the Alabama Grand Lodge in that capacity through 1988. He progressed through the Grand Line and was installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Alabama at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in November 2001. Mr. Simmons was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was honored as the President of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. He was very active in the York Rite Bodies both locally and State-wide. He was a Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alabama; Past Most Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Alabama; and Right Eminent Grand Commander, Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Alabama. He and Sally’s (and Princess their prized Chihuahua) most pleasurable past time was traveling in their Motor Home. He served as National President of the National Camping Travelers, Inc. (NCT). This organization is a Masonic Family Camping Club exclusive for Master Masons in good standing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Sally Ann Williams Simmons; and one sister, Mildred Fuller. Survivors include one sister, Helen Marie Cope of Texas; one brother, Ted Simmons of Clayhatchee; four nieces, Renee Deloney (Marley) of Newton, Debra Childress (Willie) of Ariton, Glenda Gammons (Jr.) of Waco, Texas and Pattie Meier (Russell) of Waco, Texas; and two nephews, Russell Simmons (Rebecca) of Ariton and Otto Fuller of Waco, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Bethel Community Cemetery, C/O Mr. Joe Willliams, 2001 County Road 31, Newton, Alabama 36352.
OZARK…Robin Eastridge, 64, A longtime resident of Ozark, Alabama entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at his home.
Mr Eastridge was born in Beach Groove, Indiana, on Saturday September 10, 1960, to the late Claude and Mary Eastridge.
Mr Eastridge attended Brown County High School in Brown County Indiana. Shortly after completeing school, Mr. Eastridge moved to Ozark in 1983. He was a Millwright for many years and retired from the Millwright union. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church for many years. He enjoyed traveling to Indiana to visit family and friends. He enjoyed playing his guitar, singing and spreading the word God. He enjoyed the outdoors and spent much of his free time enjoying his Grandchildren, and hunting ginseng with his Siblings in Brown County Indiana.
On September 18th, 1985, He married Ruth Ann (Senn) Eastridge, she proceeded him in death on June 4, 2021.
He leaves behind a host of family including his children, Betty Gray, Robert Eastridge, Timothy Pierce; grandchildren Robby Phillips, Katelyn Phillips, and Jimmy Gray- His brothers and sisters , Sarah Eggers (husband Denzel) of Greene County Indiana -Brother Claude Eastridge (wife Debra) of Bloomington Indiana ,Brother Samual Eastridge of New Jersey, Brother Tim Eastridge of Spencer Indiana, Brother John Eastridge of Travelec, Indiana, Sister Rebecca Britt (husband Robert) of Travelec, Indiana, Sister Rosalund MacMillian (husband Scott) of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Sisters Kimberly Eastridge and Katherine Royer of Brown County, Indiana
He was Proceeded in death by Sister Casandra Eastridge and great-granddaughter Katie
Funeral services will be held at 12pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home with Pastor William Parr and Pastor Dewayne Watson officiating. Burial will follow in Newton City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Marilyn Dees Bennett passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Gainesville, Georgia at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, DeAnna and Christopher Goellner, following an extended illness. She was born November 25, 1941, in Brewton, Alabama and grew up at Jay Villa Plantation, a large farm managed by her father in Conecuh County, Alabama near Evergreen. Marilyn was an outstanding student and graduated with honors from Evergreen High School and Auburn University. At Auburn, Marilyn was very active on campus, including as a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. As alumna of Auburn, Marilyn was devoted to Tri-Delta and was a proud and exuberant War Eagle fan! She became a very accomplished pianist and organist at an early age and served as the organist of Evergreen First Baptist Church as a high schooler and was pianist and organist at Louisville Baptist Church for more than 40 years.
