DOTHAN….Kenneth Earl Preston, II, a resident of Dothan, passed away Friday night, March 27, 2026. He was 55.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 01, 2026 at Restoration Church, 3849 Mance Newton Rd. Midland City, AL 36350 with family receiving friends from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Pastors Ric Jenkins and Andy Wood will be officiating.
Mr. Preston was born in Dothan, Alabama, to Janet Smith Ridgeway and the late Kenneth Earl Preston. He later made his home in Abbeville, where he was raised and graduated from high school. He was employed by Miller Clapperton Company as a foreman for many years.
Mr. Preston had a deep love for music and found great joy in it throughout his life. He was also passionate about history and genealogy, always eager to learn more about the past and the stories of those who came before him. He had a special love for motorcycles, which brought him both excitement and a sense of freedom.
Above all, Mr. Preston dearly loved his family. He treasured every moment spent with his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, finding his greatest happiness in their laughter and the memories they created together. His time with them was filled with love, joy, and a playful spirit that will be deeply missed.
He will be remembered for his kind heart, his love of family, and the joy he brought to those who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Earl Preston and step-father, John Ridgeway.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his wife, Nina Watson Preston; his mother, Janet Smith Ridgeway; daughters, Cynthia Justice (Ricky) and Tiffany Jenkins (Ric); sons, Jeremiah Bush (Rachel) and Jessica Anderson; grandchildren, Baley Fowler (Remi), Braden Justice (Gracie), Katie Southerland, Emma Reese Southerland, Loraina Bush, Paisleigh Anderson, Blake Jenkins (Racheal); siblings, Mandy Redding (Tommy), Olivia Thompson (JT), Matt Ridgeway (Corina), Jennifer Silva, Mark Ridgeway (Mandy), Joey Preston, Chad Preston, Marjorie Griffith, James Preston; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and life long friends.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
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Sharon Sue Blanchard Forehand, a resident of Gordon, Alabama passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Marianna Health and Rehab. She was 67.
No public services are held at this time.
Sue was born in Bartow, Florida on August 25, 1958, to the late John L. and Nettie Culpepper Blanchard. She moved to Midland City, Alabama at a early age and resided there until moving to Dothan, Alabama. Sue loved gardening, cooking, and beautiful flowers. She was a loving wife, mother, and sister. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her.
Sue is preceded in death by her husband of twenty-six years, Andy Forehand; parents and a son, Drew Forehand.
Left to cherish her memories are her son, Matthew Forehand (Jessica); brother, John Dennis Blanchard (Carly), and sisters, Linda Irene Hand, Mary Veale, Charlene Roney (Sammy), and Barbara Lewis (Danny); several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Joby Wayne Smith, 57 of Milaca, Minnesota and formerly of Clio, AL, entered his eternal rest surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Brookwood Medical Center Birmingham.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Clio, AL with Doctor Randy Adams officiating along with Jeff Kolodzinski and Joby’s son Ethan Leuthner speaking. Burial will follow in the Calvary Assembly of God Church Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 30 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Calvary Assembly of God Church. A memorial service will be held in Milaca, Minnesota at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Assembly of God Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 393, Clio, Alabama 36017.
Joby was born October 25, 1968 in Ozark, AL to Gary & Nell Smith. Following his graduation from Louisville High School in May of 1987, Joby attended The Alabama Aviation College in Ozark, AL. While in high school, Joby worked at the Dixie Dandy Grocery Store in Clio. After college, he worked briefly with Van Heusen before beginning his 37 year long career with Johnson Outdoors in which his coworkers who worked alongside him became his family on the road. As he traveled the world with his career, Joby became a fixture in the bass fishing community and a friend to everyone he had the pleasure of meeting. He truly loved what he did. Joby spent his days fixing things for others, but his real gift was the kindness, humor, and attention he brought to every conversation. In reality, no matter where he was working, it was never too far for him to always find a way to stop by Nanny and PaPa’s home to visit family. Joby, better known as “J” to those who loved him most, was a loving husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. His face always lit up when talking about his family. To know Joby was to love Joby. In addition to being an avid outdoorsman, Joby was a huge Alabama Crimson Tide fan, enjoyed a good turkey hunt with Ethan, spent many hours ice fishing, enjoyed time spent with his grandkids, and prided himself in taking care of his family. Joby will be remembered for his infectious laugh, unwavering friendships, and willingness to help anyone in need. Joby married the love of his life, Jackie Smith, in September 2016. Joby & Jackie were each other’s best friend and soul mates. Joby was Jackie’s rock. Together, they built life-long memories and friendships.
Joby was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Otis “Peanut” & Pauline Bowman Smith and his maternal grandparents JD & Ollie Morris.
Joby is survived by his wife Jackie Smith; his daughter and son in law Chelsea & Roy Knopp and his son Ethan Leuthner; his grandchildren RJ Knopp, Kaylah Knopp, Jayden Knopp, Royce Knopp, Charlette Knopp, and Catheryn Knopp; his parents Gary & Nell Smith; his brothers Brent (Chasity) Smith and Terrell (Amy) Smith; his father & mother in law Richard & Shirley Perry; his brother-in-law John (Sara) Perry; his nieces Brooke (Justin) Russell, Emma Jo Smith, Keyara Perry, Jayden Perry, and Anya Perry; his nephew Brock Perry; and all of his service crew members.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Cochran, Andy Stallings, Jacky “Chan” Suguru Takaui, Chad “Monkey” Smith, Daniel “Boner” Tucker, Trent Miller, Lance Scroggins, Scott Beattie, and Lester Taylor.
Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Littlefield, Rob Riden, Joe Martin, Joe Dinicola, Jerry Harris, Greg Wilkerson, and Johnny Godbold.
The Smith family would like to thank each person who took such great care of Joby. You all made a lasting impact on our family.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 775-3403 . Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
John Wyatt Pickett of Clayhatchee, AL, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026, at his home surrounded by family. He was 78.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with William Mansfield officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at Shiloh Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time.
John honorably served his country in the United States Army as a flight engineer, including service during the Vietnam War. Following his military career, he continued his work in aviation, retiring from Army Fleet Support in avionics. A hardworking man who never shied away from a project, John found great joy in working with his hands—whether riding his motorcycles, building with wood, or spending time outdoors on his tractor. His passion for aviation extended beyond his career, as he even built an airplane runway on his property and cherished time working his experimental aircraft.
Above all, John loved his family and treasured the moments he spent with them, especially the time shared with his son. He had a deep appreciation for music and could often be found playing the banjo or guitar. A faithful member of Daleville Assembly of God Church, John loved serving Jesus and living out his faith. He also enjoyed shooting sports and was a proud gun enthusiast. John will be remembered for his strong work ethic, adventurous spirit, and the love he had for his family, his faith, and the life he built.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Pickett and Willine Godwin; brother, Willie Paul Pickett; step-brother, Steve Jones.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years Von Pickett, Clayhatchee, AL; two sons, Anthony Pickett (Wendy), Enterprise, AL, Jonathan “J.P.” Pickett (Joni), Clayhatchee, AL; four grandchildren, Hunter Pickett, Nathan Pickett, Jocelyn Pickett, Summer Pickett; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine Davis (Marshall), Valley Grande, AL, Denise Andrews (Danny), Clayhatchee, AL; two brothers, Dan Pickett, Idaho, Stanley Jones (Cheryl), Auburn, AL; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
Robert Michael Regan of Black, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at his residence. He was 65 years old. He was born on April 10, 1960, in Mobile, Alabama to the late Jesse Ray Regan and Marion Garrett Collier.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Stewart Regan.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Hartford. Burial will follow in Black Community Cemetery under the direction of Shelby Lett of Bottoms Garden Chapel. The family will begin receiving friends at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. until service time on Monday.
Mike Regan will be remembered as a man whose presence brought strength, humor, laughter, and comfort to those around him. Mike lived with a quiet resilience and a genuine kindness that left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He was defined by his unmatched work ethic, taking immense pride in his craft and building a reputation as someone who could always be counted on—never missing a day of work and never cutting corners. His dedication, reliability, and commitment to doing things the right way earned him the respect of coworkers and customers alike. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, integrity, and unwavering dependability that will not be forgotten. His memory will live on in the stories told, the lessons he left behind, and the love he gave so freely. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his son, Robert Michael Regan, Jr. (Krystal); granddaughter, Emma Renee Regan; siblings, Jesse Ray “JR” Regan, Jr, Gary Stewart, Scott Collier, Cain Regan (Lucretia), Shane Regan (Tanya), and Brent Regan (Terri), along with several nieces and nephews.
Ann Nicole Johnson Mock of Samson, Alabama passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026. She was 45 years old.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Jonathan Presley and Rev. Jimmy Eddins officiating.
Ann was born in Opp, Alabama on December 17, 1980, to David and Brenda Bowers Johnson. She was always willing to help anyone in need and had a kind and generous spirit. Ann enjoyed spending time at the beach and in the mountains. At the time of her passing, she was employed with Sysco, where she worked as a finance manager.
She is survived by her husband, Jim David Mock of Samson, Alabama; two sons, Jacob Mock and Brandon Beck (Amber), all of Samson, Alabama; two grandchildren, Molly Beck and Briar Beck of Samson, Alabama; her parents, David and Brenda Johnson of Samson, Alabama; two sisters, Amanda Biddle (Doug) and Amy Wilson (Tony), all of Samson, Alabama; and several special nieces and nephews.
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
