Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Mary Walding Madison, a resident of Greensboro, Georgia and formerly of Ozark, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from complications due to Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 69 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Madison will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 6, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Dr. Eric Fuller officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday evening (September 5, 2024) from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.
Mrs. Madison was born November 26, 1955 in Dothan, Alabama to the late COL (Retired) Henry Dan Walding, Sr. and Nan Coleman Walding. She graduated from Carrol High School in 1973 and married COL (Retired) James G. Madison, III “Jim” of Tuscaloosa, Alabama June 28, 1980. Mary lovingly supported Jim throughout his 34 years in the United States Army. Mary enjoyed the overseas tours and experiences. Jim and Mary retired in June 2017, living in Greensboro, Georgia, Reynolds, and Lake Oconee area. Mary was a member of Ozark Baptist Church and currently a member of the Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church in Eatonton, Georgia. Survivors include her husband of 45 years, COL (Retired) James G. Madison, III “Jim”; two sons, SSgt James G. Madison, IV United States Marine Corps and Dan C. Madison and his wife Jessi Madison; two grandchildren, Will and Grayson Madison; siblings, Henry D. Walding, Jr. “Danny” of Dothan, Lisa Walding Sturdivant of Pinckard and husband deceased, CW4 (Retired) Jerry Sturdivant, Julie Walding Atterbury of Madison and husband MAJ (Retired) Bob Atterbury.
ECHO COMMUNITY. . .Robert Jerald “Jerry” Lurie, a resident of the Echo Community in Dale County, passed away early Thursday morning, August 28, 2025, at his home, after a short illness. He was 82.
Funeral services, with Air Force military honors, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with his grandsons, Joshua Blair and Will Pierce officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the Echo Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M Saturday at the mortuary in Headland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Echo Methodist Cemetery Fund, c/o Linda Ward, 12066 East Highway 27, Newville, AL 36353.
Jerry Lurie was born on January 11, 1943 to Henry and Elizabeth Smith Lurie in Dothan, Alabama. He was a graduate of Dothan High School class of 1961 and Troy University class of 1965. Jerry was known as “Lark” to his classmates and friends. He retired as a Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard in the Dothan unit after 36 years of service. Jerry was also employed with the state of Alabama as a Security Guard at the Air National Guard in Dothan. He was an avid outdoorsman who hunted and fished every chance he got. Jerry was a member of Echo Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Rod Lurie.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judy Tew Lurie, daughters, Heather Lurie Pierce (Clay), Julie Harpe Powell (Jim), and Wendy Harpe Blair. He was known as “Paw Paw” to his precious grandsons, Will Pierce, Graham Pierce, Jack Pierce, Matthew Powell, Joshua Blair (Heather Prather), and Dalton Spann. Jerry is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Mark and Michael Powell, a sister, Margie Bivins, a brother, Doug Lurie (Connie), a sister-in-law, Cheryl Lurie and his best friend, Jerry Brackin.
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.
Patricia Katharine (Jackson) Sirmon, 87, a resident of Dothan, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Grand South Senior Living following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 30, 2025, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. David R. Saliba and Reverend Lynn Nesbitt officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends in the First United Methodist Church Parlor from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m., prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, First United Methodist Church of Dothan, 1380 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301.
Patricia was born February 20, 1938, in Greenville to the late Horace Eugene & Katherine Newton Shephard Jackson. She spent the early years of her life in Butler County and was a 1956 graduate of Georgiana High School. Following school, she attended Huntington College and The University of Alabama. She raised her family and spent most of her life as a homemaker. Patricia was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Dothan, where she attended since 1963, and was a member of the Progressors Sunday School Class.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bobby Sirmon.
She is survived by her three children, Bobby Charles Sirmon, Jr., Katharine Forrester (David), Laura Hatcher (Stan) all of Dothan; her four grandchildren, David Reeves Forrester (Katee) of Dothan, Kash Deaton (Ryan) of Dothan, Preston Hatcher (Sarah) of Birmingham, Laura Beth Hatcher Carbine (Caleb) of Troy; her six great-grandchildren, Frannie Forrester, Mary Reeves Forrester, Jackson Ann Deaton, Zay Deaton, James Robert Hatcher, and Calhoun Sirmon Carbine.
Serving as pallbearers, David Reeves Forrester, Preston Hatcher, Stan Hatcher, David Forrester, Ryan Deaton, Keith Grantham, Chris Manasco.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be her Bridge Club.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
James R. White better known as Sam, of Enterprise, AL passed away Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Medical Center Enterprise. He was 88.
Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Mount Pleasant Senior Center, 388 Co Rd 650, Enterprise, AL 36330. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the SOS Animal Shelter 25944 AL HWY 134, Enterprise, AL 36330
sosshelter1981@gmail.com
Sam White was born November 6th, 1936 in Parrish, Alabama to the late Phil and Alice Odom White. He attended Phillips High School where he met his wife Linda Downey White. Linda and Sam were married 66 wonderful years filled with two children, three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Sam worked for 33 years at Prudential Insurance before retiring and enjoying his days playing golf or tennis and with his family and friends.
Sam was an active member in his community usually throwing his voice on new people he met often resulting in someone getting a ladder to check the roof for someone trapped up there. He never met a stranger, and left smiles and laughter everywhere he went.
He was preceded in death by his parents Phil and Alice Odom White and his siblings Joe White and Nesta VanWezel.
He is survived by his wife Linda Downey White; son, James “Jay” Rayburn White Jr. (Amanda); daughter, Jill White Coale (Maury); three grandchildren Sallie Katherine Chapman (Nick), Jessica Ann Ruiz (Jonathon), and Samuel Talmage Coale; and eight great-grandchildren.
Elaine Saliba Mitchell, a beacon of knowledge and warmth, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, at the age of 90, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on December 15, 1934, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Elaine’s life was a tapestry of dedication to education, a love for history, and the joys of family and friendships that she cultivated throughout her remarkable journey.
Elaine’s pursuit of knowledge led her to the University of Alabama, where she began her academic career. Her love for learning led her to earn a bachelor’s degree from Troy University, followed by a master’s degree from Auburn University. In 2006, Elaine moved to Dothan, Alabama, where she would spend her golden years surrounded by the community and culture she cherished.
As an educator, Elaine left an indelible mark on the lives of countless students in Ozark, Marianna, Prattville, and Montgomery. Her passion for teaching was evident in her dedication to her students and her innovative teaching methods. She was not only a teacher but also a mentor and friend to many, always ready to offer guidance and support.
Elaine’s zest for life extended beyond the classroom. She was a history fanatic, always eager to share her latest findings in genealogy or recount tales from the past. Her love for travel took her to many places, enriching her stories and broadening her understanding of the world. Elaine was also an avid reader, often found with a book in hand, lost in the pages of a captivating story.
Her sociable nature meant that she was happiest when surrounded by people. Elaine’s home was a welcoming space where conversations flowed, and laughter was a common sound. She had a particular fondness for potted plants, which added a touch of green to her warm abode. Her sweet tooth was no secret, with chocolate chip cookies and Hershey Bars being her treats of choice.
Her family was the cornerstone of her life. Elaine is survived by her adoring children, Joseph A. Saliba and Charlotte (Rick) de Jesus; her cherished grandchildren, Annalise and Austin de Jesus; and her niece, Janet Norton. She was predeceased by her sister, Sarah Norton.
Elaine Saliba Mitchell’s life was a testament to the power of education, the importance of family, and the joy of lifelong learning. Her memory will be treasured by all who knew her, and her impact will continue to be felt by the many lives she touched. She was a true educator, a loving mother, grandmother, and aunt, and a friend to all. Elaine will be deeply missed, but her light will continue to shine in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home with Chaplain Tim Mayhall. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.
Roscoe Todd, was called home to the Lord on August 26, 2025, at the age of 95 in Brundidge, Alabama. Born on November 26, 1929, in Attapugus, Georgia, to the late John Todd and Mary Powell Todd, Roscoe’s life showed the power of determination and the pursuit of the American dream.
From his early days working on tobacco farms in the Quincy, Florida area, Roscoe’s entrepreneurial spirit began to shine brightly. Even though he lived the majority of his adult life in Miami, Florida, where he and Ora Belle raised their children, when he retired, he sought a quieter life. After retirement, they moved to the quiet countryside area of Madrid (Cottonwood), Alabama and built a house and spent his retirement years travelling, fishing, hunting, and playing golf. Even at the age of 93, he stayed active, walking at least two miles a day.
He was a man who could create tools out of necessity and turn a simple hardware store into a thriving bait and tackle business. His business acumen led him to the ownership of rental properties and an investor as well as held a respected position on the Board of Directors of the first African American owned bank in Miami, Florida. Roscoe’s work history was as diverse as it was impressive. Starting as a young man parking cars at a hotel, he left for Newark, New Jersey, at 17, with dreams of joining the Barnum & Bailey Circus—a ticket out of Quincy that took him as far as New York. His adventurous nature was also evident in his service to his country. Roscoe proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict, with a station in France, further showcasing his dedication and resilience.
His interests were as vast as the landscapes he traveled. Roscoe accepted Christ at an early age and grew up singing in the church. He believed firmly that he could achieve anything he set his mind to, a belief that propelled him throughout his life. Roscoe’s love for travel took him and his family camping across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, visiting landmarks such as Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, and Niagara Falls.
His love for his family was unparalleled. A devoted husband to his late wife, Ora Belle Todd, whom he married, after she finally said yes on the third try, on Christmas Eve in 1950, Roscoe was also a loving father to his late son, Roscoe Todd, Jr., his late daughter, Carolyn Williams, and his surviving daughter, Marilyn Todd. Roscoe was the cherished brother of Nona P. Gray and Horace Todd, and he was predeceased by his siblings Margaret Correthers, James Todd, John David Todd, Willie J. Todd, Thelma Wilcox, Booker T. Todd, Hazel Lundy, and Joe Luis Todd. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who will remember him for his adventurous, generous, and selfless nature.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the Springfield AME Church, 4194 Union Road, Marianna, Florida 32446 with Pastor Jonathan Broyles officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 AM until 11 AM, prior to the service. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery in Dothan, Alabama.
