Boyd Vensent Atterberry, known affectionately as Vensent, departed from this world on February 27, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on August 11, 1959, in Warner Robbins, Georgia, he was a beacon of generosity and love to all who knew him.
Vensent was a devoted husband to his wife, Kristy Atterberry, and a hero to his children, Boyd Ashley (Bekah) Atterberry, Zackery Ray Atterberry, Bethany Ann (Preston) Burch, and Morgan Kristyne (Devin) Simpson. His love and playful spirit will live on through his six grandchildren: Boyd Miles Atterberry, Amelia “Millie” Atterberry, Lane Atterberry, Weston Burch, Declan Burch, and Evy Mae Simpson. Vensent was a cherished son to his father, Boyd James Atterberry, and a beloved brother to his three sisters, Sherrie Rafferty (Rickey) Thomas, Rhonda “Roni” (Brent) McFarland, and Donna (Keith) Hill. His life was enriched by the presence of many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Elijah Michael Simpson, by his mother, Priscilla Ann Baxley, by his brother-in-law, Kevin Rafferty, and by his special “son”, Johnny Leonard, Jr.
After serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles, California, from 1978 to 1980, Vensent dedicated his career to helping others as a school psychologist. His passion for service was evident in his commitment to his faith and his community, including his involvement with the Boy Scouts. He moved to Blakely, Georgia, in 2014, where he continued to make a positive impact on those around him.
Vensent’s servant’s heart was matched by his zest for life. He could often be found swing dancing with his daughter, crafting the perfect meal with anything chocolate for his family, or using his self-taught handyman skills—often with a roll of Duck Tape—to fix just about anything. His talent as a DJ brought joy to many at church dances, school events, community gatherings, and weddings.
His adventurous spirit was complemented by his love for snacks—sometimes getting “hangry” if he missed a meal. A planner at heart, Vensent was always guided by a list and stood firm in his beliefs, attributes that served him well in both his personal and professional life.
Vensent’s generosity extended beyond his family; he was known for his readiness to lend a helping hand and his ability to find joy in the happiness of others. His legacy is one of kindness, reliability, and a love for life that inspired everyone he met.
A funeral service to honor the life of Boyd Vensent Atterberry will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Bishop Joseph Dougherty presiding. The burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, where Vensent will be laid to rest. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories at Sunset Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5-7 p.m.
Vensent’s life was a testament to the enduring power of love, family, and faith. His memory will be cherished and kept alive in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have been touched by his generous and adventurous spirit.
MAGNOLIA CHURCH COMMUNITY…Mr. Warren Arthur Murphy, a resident of Magnolia Church Community, near Skipperville, died early Wednesday afternoon, February 26, 2025, in Dothan. He was 73.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Eddie Biss officiating. Burial will follow in Magnolia Church Cemetery, near Skipperville. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home.
Mr. Murphy, son of the late Buford Murphy and Inell Williams Murphy, was a native of Notasulga, Alabama. He was a graduate of Notasulga High School and received his college degree from Auburn University in Computer Science. Mr. Murphy was formerly employed with Troy University and the University of Alabama in Computer Science. He formerly lived in Tuscaloosa before moving to Skipperville twenty years ago. Mr. Murphy was a former member of Magnolia Church and attended Clopton Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Michael Murphy and Buford Murphy, Jr.
Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-three years, Retha Childers Murphy, Skipperville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Karin Murphy, Dadeville, Alabama, Janice Childers Graves (Aubrey), Chipley, Florida, Lance Childers (Kim) and Lee Childers (Angie), all of Skipperville; several nieces and nephews.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Julia Annette Worthy Trawick, 91, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Annette was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend. A gifted seamstress, she was famous for her M&M cookies and tea cakes and never forgetting a birthday. She enjoyed time spent with her card-playing ladies, was an avid reader, made a mean grilled cheese, and was the kind of Sunday School teacher that we could all learn a thing or two from. She loved shoes, was a notorious cheater at board games, cheered for the Crimson Tide, had the softest hands, was tough as nails, and always said exactly what was on her mind. She loved her God with a mountain-moving kind of faith, and we are comforted by the knowledge that we will see her again, happy and healed and home.
Annette was born on March 21, 1933, in Newville, Alabama to Walter S. and Gladys Simmons Worthy. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lafayette Trawick; son, Kirby Gordon Trawick; and son-in-law, Charles Steven Harris.
She is survived by her children, Sandra Trawick Warren (Jimmy) of Dothan, Alabama, Walter Steven Trawick of Montgomery, Alabama, and Kathy Trawick Harris of Monroeville, Alabama; grandchildren, Amy Warren Dulion (Michael) of Roswell, Georgia, Ashley Steven Harris (Jessica) of Spanish Fort, Alabama, Kristin Warren Marsh (Craig) of Dothan, Alabama, and Bartley Trawick Harris (Hannah) of Hernando, Mississippi; and the “great grands” who brought her such joy, Anna Grace Dulion, Cooper Warren Dulion, Harrison Reid Marsh, Kathleen Ella Harris, Hayes Edwards Marsh, Steven Stuckey Harris, Charles Park Harris, Luke Sanford Harris, Addison Richard Melton, and Mollie Annette Harris.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Southern Heritage Funeral Home (1000 Hodgesville Road) in Dothan, Alabama on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. with Brother Dennis Singletary officiating. Family and friends will gather for a reception at the funeral home immediately following the service. To honor Annette’s wishes, a private interment at Gardens of Memory Cemetery will take place prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.
Southern Heritage Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
“And may you have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:18)
Mr. John Albert Galloway, Jr., a beloved resident of Skipperville, Alabama, passed away Tuesday evening, February 25, 2025, at the age of 89.
Family, friends, and community members are invited to celebrate the legacy of a man who enriched the lives of all who knew him. His lifelong commitment to service, family, and faith will forever remain in our hearts.
Funeral services for Mr. Galloway will be 11:00 A.M. Monday in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Phil Craddock and Reverend Gail Joyner officiating. Mr. Galloway will lie in state for one hour prior to service time Monday. Interment will follow at Browns Church Cemetery in Echo, Alabama with Full Military Honors, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.
The family will receive friends Sunday at the funeral home in Ozark from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.
Mr. Galloway proudly served for over 40 years in the Alabama Army National Guard and retired as a Command Sargant Major of the 131 Armored Battalion. He dedicated many years as an aviation mechanic at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. A steadfast pillar in his community, John was an active member of both Browns Church and Skipperville Methodist Church, as well as a committed participant in the Echo and Skipperville communities. He also took great pride in his affiliation with the local Alumni Association of the 131 Armored Battalion. Born in Dale County, Alabama, to the late John Albert Galloway and Mary Elizabeth Brown Galloway, Junior led a life defined by service, faith, and community.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Green Galloway. John is survived by his devoted children, David Galloway (Anne) of Mobile, AL; Deborah Gaston (Shane) of Helena, AL; Damon Galloway (Debbie) of Skipperville, AL; Rhonda Johnson (Larry) of Midland City, AL; Debra Nall (Anthony) of Columbia, AL.; his grandchildren, John David Galloway (Mary Kate); Elizabeth Raymond (Michael); Caroline String (Sam); Connor Gaston (Jamie); Lillie Boley (Brett); Ron Johnson (Lauren); Chad May (Christie); and Katie Norton (Dylan). Eleven great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren also survive.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Attn; Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105; or to the charity of your choice.
Mrs. Penny Jo Bowden Vickers, 73, a longtime resident of Malvern, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home at 1315 W Lawrence Harris Hwy, Slocomb AL with Rev. Larry Newton and Rev. Craig Bailey officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until service time.
A private burial will follow at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Vickers was born October 8, 1951, in Houston County to the late Bobby Joe & Essie Gilmer Bowden. Penny attended Dothan High School and Wallace College. She spent many years as a hairdresser, bus driver, florist, and in Central Scheduling and Neuro at Flowers Hospital. However, her greatest joy was working with children and eventually opening an in-home daycare which she operated for 21 years. She loved taking care of little ones and always referred to these children as “her children” too. Her children lovingly referred to her as “Nanny Penny”. Penny was always a caregiver at heart and enjoyed caring and being a blessing to others. She was the matriarch of her family, always bringing the family together. She loved nothing more than her family and her savior, Jesus Christ. Her passing brings sorrow, but heaven celebrates gaining the sweetest angel!
Upon her passing, she was joyfully reunited with her parents, Essie Henderson and Bobby Joe Bowden; sister, Mary Alice Jordan; and nephew, Kade Lee.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Tom Vickers; two daughters, Hope Cochran of Malvern, Hayley Blount (Ken) of Fadette; one son, Tommy Vickers (Joy) of Phenix City, AL; seven grandchildren, Hannah Cochran, Jaycee Cochran, Peyton Chestnut, Austin Chestnut, Dylan Blount (Lara), Taylor Fitzgerald (Christopher), and Tommy Vickers III; one nephew, Josh Lee; two great-grandchildren: James Bennett, and Adalynn Grace; as well as many dear friends and extended family.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Southeast Health, along with her caregivers through Enhabit Hospice, for the thoughtful care that Mrs. Penny received.
Joyce Langham, peacefully passed away on February 27, 2025, at the age of 87 in Dothan, Alabama. Born on August 28, 1937, in the heart of Walker County, Alabama, Joyce’s journey began, one that would be marked by her deep devotion to her family and her impressive range of talents and endeavors.
Joyce’s life was rich with love and accomplishments. While she faced the loss of some of her dearest family members, including her parents, Claud Oscar Trice and Genola Best Trice, her beloved husband, Marrel Frank Langham, her sons, Terrell Gene Nix and Douglas Nix, her sister, Shelby Greathouse, and her brother Jerriel Trice, she continued to pour her heart into those who survived her. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted son, Terry Nix (Jenny), her adored grandchildren, Garrett Nix (Ashley) and Jessica Unterkofler (Jon), and her precious great-grandchildren, Virginia, Jack, and Henry Unterkofler. Joyce’s spirit will also be lovingly remembered by her sisters, Rita Boshell (Gary) and Freda Davison (Tom), her brother Billy Trice (Barbara), and a host of other relatives and friends whose lives she touched deeply.
From her youthful days, the Church of Christ played a substantial role in shaping Joyce’s values. Her faith remained a light throughout her life, reflecting in the love she shared and the life she led. Joyce’s hands were rarely still, as she was often found tending to her garden, a space where she cultivated beauty and serenity just as much as she did the colorful flowers and lush greenery that filled her yard.
A seamstress unmatched in skill, Joyce will be forever remembered for her incredible talent in crafting beautiful garments, including several wedding dresses that remain treasured heirlooms. This creativity was a testament to her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to turn simple fabrics into works of art. Not one to rest on her laurels, Joyce was also a formidable entrepreneur. After the loss of her husband, she bravely took the reins of a car lot, overseeing its success with the same precision and dedication that she applied to every project. Furthermore, she managed several rental properties, showcasing her versatile business acumen and extraordinary work ethic.
Joyce also had a passion for cooking, and many will recall with fondness the flavors of her famous fried shrimp and hushpuppies that graced family gatherings, leaving her loved ones with memories of joyous feasting and togetherness. Above all, the center of Joyce’s world was her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the heartbeats of her existence, as well as her canine companions over the years, and her unwavering support and boundless love were the foundation of many cherished family memories.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Friday, February 28, 2025 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Tommy Green officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:00 PM, prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bay Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 1721 S Bay Springs Road, Dothan, Alabama 36305.
