Mrs. Mary E. Parks, a beloved mother and grandmother, passed away Monday, December 16, 2024, in Southeast Health Medical Center, surrounded by her family. She was 97 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Parks will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 23, 2024, in the chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Doug MacCormack 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 Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mrs. Parks was born December 12, 1927 in Manheim, Pennsylvania to the late Samuel and Frances Gaus. In her 97 years of life, Mary was known for her fierce independence, strength, fortitude, and often dry sense of humor. Before leaving the house, she was known to always have on jewelry, lipstick, and painted nails to match. She was a talented pianist who played both for Sunday service at church and for family when at home. She loved fashion and spending time shopping – in fact, she could outlast even the most experienced, committed shopper at the mall. Her shoe collection alone was an impressive feat. In 1947, she married Richard Paul Parks, Sr., after his passing on December 11, 1984, Mary lived on her own and served as the matriarch of her growing family. Her children and grandchildren have many fond memories, including those of her love of puzzles, her holiday sand tarts, her Pennsylvania Dutch idioms, her egg sandwiches and tuna salad, her entertaining phone calls, and her commitment to living life in her own way. Mary spent her last days celebrating her 97th birthday eating chocolate cake and spending time with her family before passing away peacefully on December 16th. Modeled after her own virtues, Mary has left a legacy of strong women in her family who credit her for their values and strength.
She is survived by her children, Yvonne Walker (Charles), Richard Parks, Jr. (Kitta), and Elizabeth Skipper (Keith), along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Parks, Sr., her daughter, April; brother, Charles Gaus (Kathryn); and sister, Dorothy Sonnon (Hubert).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Crossroads Baptist Church of Dothan, 2574 Westgate Pkwy, Dothan, Alabama 36303; or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Attn: Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Psalms 71:18
Richard Bradford Clark, 47, went home to be with the Lord on December 16, 2024, after an extended illness. Born in Albany, GA, Richard later made Dothan, AL, his home when he moved there in the 7th grade.
A 1995 graduate of Northview High School in Dothan, Richard pursued a successful career in finance. Beyond his professional achievements, Richard’s lifelong passion was creating music, leaving behind a cherished legacy of his recorded work that continues to inspire.
Above all, Richard was a devoted father to his three children: Aden (22), Ava (15), and Alex (10). He loved life, his family, and especially his children, and he treasured the countless friendships he built over the years.
Richard is survived by his loving mother, Ginger Pitchford (Michael), his father, Martin Clark, and his beloved brothers, Chris Clark (Karen) and James Clark (Allison). He will also be deeply missed by his cherished children, Aden, Ava, and Alex, as well as by his extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held January 26, 2024, 2 p.m. at the Harley Davidson Event Facility on Ross Clark Circle next to Harley Davidson Store. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Steven Ted “T-Bone” Watson of Enterprise, AL passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2024. He was 60. Steven was born January 18, 1964, in Enterprise, son of the late Ted and Sandra Watson.
Graveside services will be held at 4:00 PM, Friday, December 20, 2024, at Meadowlawn Cemetery with Rev. Malcomb Sewell officiating and Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the SOS Animal Shelter, 25944 Alabama 134, Enterprise, AL 36330.
Steve, like his father, spent all his living years on the Watson land. He found great joy in walking the land, fishing, and plowing the fields. He was at peace in the woods checking his trail cameras, watching the wildlife, chasing “Big Foot” and exploring nature. His love of animals was evident with all the pets he had over the years. Steve always had a dog to keep him company and numerous cats!
Survivors include his cousin and caregiver for the last four years, Ginger Redd (Bozy); two aunts, Barbara Reagan (Henry) and Sue Watson; numerous cousins; special friend, Dawn Hendrix.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dayspring Hospice, Dr. Harrelson, April, and Daisy; and his sitter and caretaker, Beverly Aponte.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com .
James Joel Conaway, a long time resident of Enterprise, Alabama and Panama City, Florida departed this life on The 16th of December, 2024. Joel was born on May 4 1946 in Enterprise, Alabama, He was predeceased by his Father and Mother George W. and Cumi M. Conaway of Enterprise.
Joel lived most of his early life in Enterprise, Alabama graduating from Enterprise High School and later in life received Bachelor and Masters Degrees from Troy University. He had many occupations and performed them with exuberance having success and failure. He always felt he had one more comeback in him despite his limitations and never gave up despite the odds against him. Joel always tried to leave you smiling and Life will be a little less brighter without him!
A private celebration of life is planned for a later time, so with heavy hearts and great sadness at his death, but with appreciation for his life, we commit him to his final rest in the care of his Lord. Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes , and Dust to Dust.
He is survived by his wife, Sherriel Gregston Conaway of Douglass, Texas; his daughters, Robin Conaway Mitchell and Hayley Conaway Harris, Enterprise, Alabama; his Brother J. Michael Conaway and his nephew, Edward Russell Conaway of Dothan, Alabama; several grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com .
HEADLAND… Richard Lemuel McKnight, age 67, of Headland, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, December 16, 2024, at a Dothan hospital. A memorial gathering to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to C.H.A.R.M. (City of Headland Animal Rescue Mission), P.O. Box 216, Headland, Alabama 36345, or online at www.charmheadland.org. Richard was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to Peggy Simmons McKnight Page and the late Judge Lemuel McKnight. He proudly served his country for eight years in the U.S. Navy following his high school graduation. Richard retired from the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, where he enjoyed both his work and the camaraderie of his colleagues. An adventurous spirit, Richard loved a variety of activities. He was passionate about playing poker, golfing, and fishing. A licensed pilot early on in his life, he enjoyed flying whenever he had the chance, and he was a certified scuba diver who loved being in the water. He was also a black belt in Taekwondo, reflecting his commitment to discipline and personal growth. Richard lived life with enthusiasm and embraced every moment to its fullest, enjoying every moment and living for today. He had faith that tomorrow would take care of itself and tried to not let the fear of the future spoil the present. He is survived by his loving wife, Averil McKnight; his son, David McKnight (Samantha); his daughter, Jacquelyn Hutto (Peter); his cherished grandchildren, Benjamin McKnight, Devon Hutto, Athena Hutto, and Dorian Hutto; and his sisters, Debbie Miller (Danny) and Maria Knox (Bill). Richard will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
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DOTHAN. . .Mary Charles Maybin Gamble, a resident of Dothan, passed away Tuesday morning, December 17, 2024, in a Dothan hospital. She was 95. A private family funeral service will be held at 3:30 P.M. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Woodrow Farrington officiating. Entombment will follow in the Gardens of Memory Mausoleum. A public memorial service will be held in early January 2025 at a time to be announced by Holman-Headland Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dogs For Better Lives, 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, Oregon 97502; www.dogsforbetterlives.org or Calvary Baptist Church, 901 Montezuma Avenue, Dothan, AL 36303. Mrs. Gamble was born and reared in the Maybinton Community in Newberry County, South Carolina, daughter of the late Arthur Harvin Maybin, Sr. and Nellie Chappell Maybin. She moved to Dothan in 1971 where she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Mrs. Gamble was self-employed as a co-owner and operator and on site Manager of Dothan Stor ‘N Lok. In earlier years, she assisted her late husband in the operation of Gamble Realty and Gamble Appraisals. Mrs. Gamble was preceded in death by her husband, Ted A. Gamble, sisters, Elsie Wise, Honoria Woodward, and Nell Howle, and a brother, Arthur Harvin Maybin, Jr. Surviving relatives include a son, Richard Gamble, Hoover, AL; two daughters, Sharon Roberts (Mark), Meridianville, AL; and Laura Gamble, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; a brother, William Maybin (Shirley), Maybinton, SC; grandchildren, Jennifer Floyd (Charles), and Kristin Roberts (Andrew Alford); great-grandchildren, Spencer Nell Floyd and Charles Jack Floyd; eleven nieces and nephews, and her service dog “Carli.” 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.
