OZARK… What a kick in the pants. Mary B. Miller passed away on April 1, 2025. (We will get to that later) She was born on November 29, 1935, was 89 years old, and had a wonderful life. She was loved by many, feared by most, and was a cheater at cards. She wanted everyone to know that after she died, as she took all your quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. Thank you for putting her two sons through college. She was motivated!
Born in West Point, New York, to wonderful parents, John Whitelaw and Emma Ranney, with endless opportunities, squandered by the consumption of Gordons Gin and the smoking of Moore’s cigarettes. Until she met an amazing soldier by the name of Andrew John Miller. He was patient and wise and had a hell of a sense of humor. For god’s sake he continued to implore her to quit drinking, smoking, cheating, and to go to bed!
This soldier beat her to the glory of God knowing he could never get her to stop the party. He welcomes her with open arms and a soft kiss on the lips. She is survived by her oldest son John W. Miller, and his wife Sandi (last one to be flipped off by her), and Grandson Zach (Now married to Jessica) and Andrew R. Miller, the youngest son, his wife Kellie, and Granddaughters, Nicholette, Gabriella, and Kinslee.
Accomplishments? Fun! She was forever grateful to her extended family and friends. Suckers she would say, but in truth, gave her the continued belief that life was grand. They are listed, not for informational purposes, but because they were so much a part of her. Her brother Robert beat her in the race of death, but she has now slipped past her sister Nancy in that game. (It was always a competition with those three hats off to Nancy!)
Nieces and nephews: Susie and Ray Drummond, their children Jamie and Nick (Erica Lane and Livey). Jamie’s children: Ashley, Michael, and Katherine. Jay Whitelaw, her favorite! (Number one sucker) Scott Whitelaw, his children, Bo and Tori. Debbie (Waiting patiently and partner in crime) and Terry Griswold (In the same situation as AJM) their children Liz and Rob. Liz and Marcus Howel’s children Kailey and Logan. Rob and Nicole Griswold’s children Owen and Laney. Gay and George Patton, Great nephew John and wife Nat, their children Lauren and Dillon. Great niece Laura and husband, Lamont, with their children Morgan and Wyatt. Lynn Dawson and husband Reid. Robert Ernest, her second favorite.
These mentioned nieces and nephews will remember her for many things. Grand Haven, Pine Hurst, puzzles, sunsets, cocktails, cards, Thanksgivings and discussions about life. We will always remember her snort, as it was a tell of her cheating while playing any game. We will always remember the good times with Barbar, and as reminded by Cousin Gay, “what could be more fitting than the passing of life of this dame on April fool’s day!”
She suffered no pain in her passing and in spite of her wishes to forgo any type of ceremony celebrating her passing we would ask her family and friends to join us at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home, 508 Faust Ave, Ozark, Al 36360 on March 5, 2025 at 2:00. An internment will be at Ft. Mitchel National cemetery, with a date to be determined.
Flowers are acceptable. Please be advised that there will be no restitution for any of the monies she stole from you. However, you can always donate on her behalf to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave. Montgomery, Al 36104, splcenter.org.
God, you blessed this one, and we are so grateful for that. You have shaken your head at her escapades, but we know that the prayers of her family and friends are strong and should be enough to help her on her journey to you. Finally, when she convinces you to give it a go at Gin Rummy, always cut the cards. In Jesus name, Amen.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Clara Merle (Brooks) Harden a resident of Wesley Place in Dothan passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Clara was born in Houston County on January 6, 1932 to her parents, Clem and Buelah Brooks. Clara was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother who would meet you at the door with a smile, a hug, and a good home cooked meal. She was a lifelong member of Harper Joy Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben Harden; son, Danny; daughter, Carolyn Marie; six brothers; two sisters; numerous other family members.
Survivors include her son, Donald (Mary); daughter-in-law, Brenda; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Thomas Harrison, Rev. Eddie Littlefield, and Rev. Jerry Harden officiating. Burial will follow at in the Harper Joy Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
A special thanks to Wesley Place and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Russell Edwin Hollinhead, of Enterprise, AL passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at CSM Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home. He was 76.
His wishes were honored through cremation and no services are scheduled at this time.
Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Hollinhead and his parents, Charles and Carolyn Hollinhead.
Mr. Hollinhead retired from the United States Army after 20 years of service as an Air Traffic Controller. In his spare time Russell enjoyed watching Atlanta Braves baseball. When not riding his Harley Davidson, he liked spending time at home.
Survivors include his son; Clayton Hollinhead (Elise), Vestavia Hills, AL; two daughters, Lisa Kraus (Bryan), New Market, AL; Alison Hollinhead, Enterprise, AL; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers; Wayne Hollinhead, Toney, AL; Mark Hollinhead, Oklahoma City, OK. Also surviving is his lifelong friend, Don Wyzlic, Daleville, AL.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
Mrs. Sara Nell (Butts) Stuckey, age 87, a resident of Dothan passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025 after an extended illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm on Monday, April 7, 2025 in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Judy Dyson officiating. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1:30 pm until 2:15 pm at the funeral home on Monday prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted.
Mrs. Stuckey was born in Elba on April 6, 1937. She spent her early years growing up in Columbus, Georgia before moving to Lakeland, Florida then back to Alabama in 1971 when she moved to Dothan. Mrs. Stuckey was a manager of convenience stores in the area where she lived. She enjoyed fishing, watching wrestling and westerns, and reading books by her favorite author, Louis L’Amour.
Mrs. Stuckey is preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; husband, Hollie Ray Stuckey; son, Marcus Junior Allen.
Survivors include her son, Steve Allen, Dothan; daughter, Patricia Shirah, Dothan; sister, Ruby Dale Kelley, Dothan; two grandchildren, Dana Hernandez, Dothan and Tom Thompson, Dothan; four great grandchildren, Tracen Hernandez, Talen Bardell, Serenity Thompson and Waylon Thompson; one great-great grandchild, Hazellynn Sconiers; three nephews; and special puppy “Tiny”.
Pallbearers will be: Talen Bardell, Tracen Hernandez, Conner Bush, Tom Thompson, Waylon Thompson and Jay Sconiers.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Athenian Foster “Pa” Holley of Samson, AL went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 02, 2025. He was 95.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 04, 2025, in the Piney Grove Assembly of God Church Cemetery with Rev. Jack Chancey and Rev. Mike Medley officiating. Burial will follow with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, April 03, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Piney Grove Assembly of God Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 391, Samson, AL 36477 in Pa Holley’s memory.
Pa Holley was born in Coffee County, AL on October 05, 1929, to the late Joseph Bascom “Bud” and Gladys Allen Holley. He accepted the Lord and was saved in 1972, which opened the door to faithfully serve God for the next 53 years. He was a member of Piney Grove Assembly of God Church for 51 years, where he served various offices within the church. Pa Holley taught Sunday School, was Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee and Board member over 40 years, Royal Ranger leader and Geneva County Jail ministry. He faithfully read his bible several hours a day which was an encouragement to the generations of his family. Pa Holley exemplified what it was to be a Christian. IF he had any spare time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a “ROLL TIDE” fan. He will forever be remembered as a man with a strong work ethic, deep Christian values and a quick sense of humor.
He served in the Korean War in 1951 as a tank fuel supply officer. Pa Holley worked in many employment opportunities from farming as a boy to seasonal work with fruit in Carolina to construction work in Florida. In the late 1960’s, he and his family moved to Samson where he worked at Wex-Tex as the Shipping/Receiving Department Manager until it sold, following with Covington Industries for many years. He did not retire, he helped Ma Holley open and operate Ma Holley’s Day Care for many years before moving to Crews Diner as the major dishwasher and jokester.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Jo Versie “Ma” Holley; one grandson, Chris Vann; one great grandson, William Griffin and one sister, Maxine Holley Jordan Murph.
Pa Holley is survived by four daughters, Yolanda Holley Kimble, Linda Gail Vann Chancey, Virginia Ruth “Jenny” Mock (Ronnie) and Blenda Kaye Chancey (Jack), all of Samson, AL; nine grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, eight great great grandchildren and one on the way in June; three sisters-in-law, Faye Lawson, Nellie Mock and Lois Mock (Roger), all of Samson, AL; one brother-in-law Billy Peacock; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and 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
Timothy Scott Rafferty, known affectionately as Scott to his friends and family, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Born on December 2, 1963, in Decatur, Alabama to the late Edward Lee Rafferty and Margaret Ann McCulloch Rafferty, Scott was a cherished son, devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather, and a loyal brother. He leaves behind a legacy of love, intelligence, and dedication that will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Scott’s journey through life was marked by his unwavering commitment to his family. He is survived by his adoring wife of 40 years, Sandra Rafferty, and their three children, Ashton Reinelt (Josh), Houston Rafferty (Summer), and Rachael McCurdy (Jared). The joy of his life was further multiplied by his grandchildren, Owen and Ryanne Reinelt and Millicent and Margot McCurdy, who will miss their grandfather’s guiding presence. Scott also leaves behind his sisters, Pam Watford (Mike) and Missy Strength (Terry), his brother, Eddie Brown, sisters-in-law, Sherrie RaffertyThomas and Kim Rafferty Abbott. and a host of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Margaret Rafferty, as well as his brothers, Kevin Rafferty, Mark Rafferty, and Matthew Rafferty.
A proud graduate of Ashford High School in 1982, Scott’s thirst for knowledge led him to Troy University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. His academic achievements laid the foundation for a successful career as an IT Director at Flower’s Hospital. Scott’s colleagues will remember him not only for his brilliant mind but also for his kind-hearted nature and willingness to lend a helping hand.
Outside of his professional life, Scott was a man of diverse interests and talents. His love for technology never waned, and he could often be found tinkering with computers, staying abreast of the latest advancements, and sharing his knowledge with others. Those who knew Scott would describe him as an intelligent and loving individual.
His memory will be cherished and kept alive in the stories shared by those who loved him and the values he instilled in his children and grandchildren.
A service honoring the life of Scott will be held at 11 am on Friday, April 4, 2025 at Bethel Baptist Church. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at The Mount of Olives Memorial Garden in Cottonwood. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to the service at the church to offer their condolences and support.
Clara Merle (Brooks) Harden a resident of Wesley Place in Dothan passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Mrs. Sara Nell (Butts) Stuckey, age 87, a resident of Dothan passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025 after an extended illness.
