ASHFORD. . .Mary Annette Faulk Phillips, a resident of Ashford, died Saturday afternoon, March 15, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. She was 74.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, March 17, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Jerry Harden officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Ridge Methodist Cemetery, near Ozark. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 P.M. Monday at the mortuary in Headland.
Mrs. Phillips was born and reared in Ariton and was a graduate of Ariton High School. Mrs. Phillips was formerly employed by Houston Propane as a Secretary. She was a member of Madrid Assembly of God. She was dearly loved by her family and was a dedicated Christian in the Assembly of God faith. Mrs. Phillips was preceded in death by her father, Oliver Ree Faulk and her mother, Dona Rosalee Kirkland Giles, a son, Bryan Phillips and a sister, LeMerle Stephens.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Roy Gene Phillips; three daughters, Rita Hughes (John), Webb, AL; Rinda Brannon (Todd), Pansey, AL; and Rena Eldridge (David), Ashford; a sister, Ruby Adams, Dothan; a brother, LaDerle Faulk (Lynda), Abbeville; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; several nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Jacob Peacock, Lee Peacock, Christopher Senn, Christopher Eldridge, Christian Eldridge, and Randy Kirkland.
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.
Mrs. Norma Jean Smith Keith, a resident of Ozark, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at her home. She was 83 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Keith will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Kenneth Nowell and Reverend Greg Aman 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 Tuesday from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P. M.
Mrs. Keith was born November 28, 1941 in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late William Howard Smith and Thelma Annalee Bradley Smith. She was a faithful member of Ozark Baptist Church. Mrs. Keith was an avid reader and studied her Bible daily. She loved her family and enjoyed taking care of them. She also enjoyed cooking for everyone.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Vicy Ann Cox and one granddaughter, Sherry Marguerite Thuener.
Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Richard Keith of Ozark; three children, Lesia Andrews (Rusty) of Dothan, Julie Thuener (Allen) of Abbeville and Pamela Carroll (David) of Titus, Alabama; grandchildren, Blake Batchelor (Terresa) of Ozark, Cynthia Clayton (Michael) of Eutis, Florida and Trey Morris (Brooke) of Wetumpka; great grandchildren, Lexi Worley, Kala Worley, Katalyna Malin, Luke Morris, Laikyn Morris, Ellie Clayton and Cooper Clayton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the charity of your choice.
Janice Sharon West Howell of Geneva, AL passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025. She was 76 years old.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva, AL with Rev. Jonathan West, Rev. Troy West, and Rev. Wayne Brannon officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Assembly of God Church Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Sharon was born on August 18, 1948, to the late Charlie Adoskie and Vada Barton West. Sharon was a gifted singer who enjoyed singing with her sisters at many different churches. In their younger years they were known as the “West Sisters”, and they would sing on the local radio station. Sharon was an excellent cook who loved entertaining and spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her love of people and her gentle spirit.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Edna Maxine Hughes, Mary Agnes Lee, and Catherine Snuggs; two brothers, Charles Hubert West, and Jimmy Wade West.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 52 years, Jimmie Howell of Geneva, AL, and many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
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
HALEBURG. . .Gary Sumlar, a resident of Haleburg, died Friday morning, March 14, 2025, in Extendicare Health Center in Dothan. He was 74.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30 P.M. Sunday, March 16, 2025, in the Haleburg Methodist Church with Dr. Perry Mobley officiating. Burial will follow in the Haleburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:30 until 3:30 P.M. Sunday in the church sanctuary. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Haleburg Methodist Church, c/o Jane Pitchford, 1982 Old Columbia Road, Columbia, AL 36319.
Gary Sumlar was born and reared in Haleburg, son of the Edward Sumlar and Enze Cureton Sumlar. He attended school in Headland, Newville and Columbia. Gary served his country in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Haleburg Methodist Church. Gary was retired as a welder and owned and operated his own welding business in Haleburg. He was an avid Alabama football fan. Gary was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Sumlar and three brothers, Paryman Sumlar, Jerry Sumlar and Bobby Sumlar.
Surviving relatives include a son, Kevin Michael Sumlar, Baltimore, MD; a sister, Marietta Johnson, Lakeland, FL; a brother, Ed Sumlar, Haleburg; grandchildren, Ariel Sumlar, Justin Sumlar and Elise Sumlar; a great-granddaughter, Leira Hall.
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.
Retired Urologist, Julian Wayne “Doc” Brannon, age 85, died Monday, March 10, 2025, at his residence. Visitation will be held at Shelton Funeral Home on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Virtual Guestbook is available at www.sheltonfuneralhome.net.
Dr. Brannon was born March 31, 1939 in Headland, AL, to Julian Adair Brannon and Grace Vann Brannon. After the University of Utah and UAB Medical School, he served as a Major in the US Army. Wayne loved sports, fishing, and his TN River community.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Dorothy Walton Brannon.
He is survived by two brothers: Sam Vann Brannon (Linda) and Sidney Adair Brannon; six children: Betsy Brannon Green (Butch), Curtis Wayne Brannon (Shay), Julie Brannon Brown (Larry), James Walton Brannon (Pam), Amanda Brannon Overby (Walter), William Benjamin Brannon (Casey) and Brandi Terry Shankle (Sidney); 21 grandchildren: Catherine Green Acker (Ricky), Laura Green Farrer (Josh), James Robert Green (Paris), Grace Green Acker (Aaron), John Thomas Green (Brittany), Emily Anne Green, Joseph Andrew Green (Libby), William Clayton Green (Teagan), Olivia Brannon Pirtle (Derek), Meredith Brannon Adair (Lucas), Russell Lee Brown (Sarah), Michael Wayne Brown (Carissa), Logan Walton Brown (Kristen), Ruth-Anne Brown Spiers (Seth), Jonathan Curtis Brannon (Sara), Emma Kate Brannon, Caroline Adams, Catherine Adams Lindsay (Ford), John Kirkland Adams, Jaelynn Clark, Presley Clark and Sydney Olivia Shankle; 44 great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, please support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org).
For further information, please contact Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations at 334-693-3371.
LTC Ret Donald Stanley Galla, affectionately known as “Pops” to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama. Born on June 2, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, Don’s journey through life was marked by his courage, patriotism, and selflessness. He was a proud alumnus of Taft High School’s class of 1953 and a former student and football player at Wright Jr. College.
In 1955, Don enlisted in the Army, embarking on a distinguished 20-year military career. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, after which he attended flight training. His military service included tours in Korea, Germany, and two tours in Vietnam. As combat aviator and leader, Don was recognized through numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, the Vietnamese Honor Medal, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 18 air medals, and the Master Aviator Badge. He logged an impressive 850 combat hours.
In 1970, Don returned to Fort Rucker where he was selected to serve as the post Inspector General. His army career was completed with what he described as the best job in the Army, when, in 1972, he was honored to serve as the Commander of the US Army helicopter precision demonstration team, The Silver Eagles, coordinating over one hundred appearances at airshows across the country. He retired from the Army in 1975, after which he served for 20 years as a fixed wing and rotary instructor pilot.
Don was the eldest of four children and was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Lillian Galla. He was a dedicated family man, committed to supporting and celebrating his loved ones in every aspect of their lives. He was the beloved husband of 63 years to Lt. Col (Ret) Margaret “Peggy” Galla, an Army nurse. Together, they raised a family that included their daughter, Joyce Fendley (Steve), and their son, Donald Galla (Jenny). He was a cherished grandfather to Michaela, Madison (Jordan Harvey), and Zachary Galla.
His role as “Pops” was the one he cherished most, embracing it with boundless love and pride. He was the most devoted and supportive grandfather, never missing an event for his grandkids and always being their biggest champion. His kindness and warmth extended far beyond his own family, earning him many “adopted” grandchildren who adored him. Being “Pops” was his greatest achievement, and he lived it with unmatched joy. Don’s passing is a deep loss to his family, his friends, and the nation he served with unwavering dedication.
