Marsha Lowe Cain, passed away on August 24, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 89.
Born on August 3, 1937, in Dothan, Alabama, Marsha was the daughter of the late Charles Edward Lowe and Eloise Watson Lowe and grew up surrounded by the values and hard work that shaped the course of her life. Those who knew her will remember her as a kind and steady presence, someone who carried herself with quiet strength and genuine care for others.
In addition to her parents, Marsha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry Cain, as well as her brother, Edward Lowe. She is survived by her children, Stefanie (Chris) Cotter and Brad (Becca) Cain, who were a source of great pride and joy throughout her life. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Gracie Cotter, Caroline Cain, and Brayden Cain, each of whom held a special place in her heart. In addition, she is survived by her sisters, Mary Lois (Harrison) Parrish, Lynda Coley, and Janis Clifton, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends who will long remember her love and kindness.
Marsha found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life. She enjoyed tending to plants and flowers and took pleasure in watching them grow and flourish. She loved traveling, especially trips to the beach and outings with tour groups, where she enjoyed seeing new places and making memories along the way. A devoted Auburn football fan, she followed the Tigers with enthusiasm and loyalty. She also enjoyed baseball, especially cheering for the Braves and watching her nephews play professionally, a source of great pride and excitement for her.
Shirley Ann (Bowman) Hazel passed away peacefully Monday, August 24, 2026, with her family at her side. Born March 4, 1946, at Moody Hospital in Dothan, Alabama, Shirley devoted her life to excellence in all she did.
She served 37 years as Magistrate, Houston County District Court, where she was a trusted and respected officer of the court. Known for her unwavering work ethic, she earned the confidence and respect of those with whom she worked and served, including judges, attorneys, law enforcement officers, and fellow court officers. Shirley’s hallmark and enduring legacy will always be her steadfast commitment to honor and integrity. Her knowledge of the law and legal procedures, combined with her meticulous attention to detail, made her a respected leader at the Houston County Courthouse. Upon her retirement from the State of Alabama, Shirley continued to share her knowledge, experience, and talents as Municipal Court Clerk for the Town of Taylor. Shirley also owned and operated S & W Tax Service for 35 years, another reflection of the trust she gained from others. Her business was built not simply on her knowledge and professionalism, but also on the relationships she developed with people from all walks of life. Year after year, she welcomed many of the same clients back, some returning to her for decades and trusting her with one of their most important financial responsibilities. Her repeat customers were a testament to her honesty, attention to detail, reliability, and genuine commitment to taking care of people. Shirley valued that trust and never took it for granted. To her, every client mattered, and she worked tirelessly to make sure they were treated with the same dedication and care she gave to everything in her life. Shirley was also known for her wonderful sense of style and took great pride in her appearance. She believed in looking her best, with perfectly coiffed hair, flawless makeup, and colorful outfits. In the courtroom, her polished appearance reflected the poise, confidence, and professionalism with which she carried herself. She embodied independence, self-assurance, and poise. Of all the roles Shirley held, none was more important to her than being a mother and grandmother. She worked hard to provide for them, giving her children security and opportunities she felt she had missed as a child. She never hesitated to put her family’s needs before her own and never expected anything in return. Her family was her greatest accomplishment, and nothing she achieved professionally could compare to the pride and love she had for them. To her children, she was their protector and safe place. To her grandchildren, she was a source of unconditional love, encouragement, and joy. Shirley’s other treasured roles were those of wife, sister, and daughter. She adored her husband, Richard Marion Hazel, who doted on her until his death in 2022. With him, she shared a fondness for old Westerns, enjoying the familiar stories, characters, and simple pleasures they brought. She also cherished her brothers (and sisters-in-law), Wendell Eugene Bowman (Shirley) and Bobby Mack Bowman (Karen), both of whom preceded her in death, and her baby sister (and late brother-in-law), Elaine Collins (Joe), who remained a constant source of love and support through every season of life. Together, the siblings were a source of constant laughter and strength, qualities they gained from their beloved parents, the late R.L. and Ouida Mae Sasnett Bowman.
Shirley was also preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Daniel McNeil and Amanda Gray Bowman and maternal grandparents, Bishop Marvin and Cora Lee Anna Cunningham Sasnett.
Shirley is survived by her children, Billy Martin Ward, Jr. (Sara) and Angela Rae Richardson; her grandchildren, Jordan Tyler Smith, Athena Ann Ward, and Brandon Miles Ward; her sister, Patricia Elaine Collins; her sister-in-law, Karen Whitney-Bowman; a special cousin, Sally Hogg Buchanan; and a cherished friend, Sharon House Hubbard, as well as many extended family members, former coworkers, and friends whom she had always considered “family.”
Stephanie Ann Crawley, age 61, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on August 19, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on October 31, 1964, in Queens, New York, and from the beginning she carried a vibrant spirit that would remain with her throughout her life. Stephanie was known for her warmth, her strength, and her ability to make others feel welcome. She lived with a joyful presence that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her, and she brought light and energy into every room she entered.
Stephanie was a proud and devoted daughter to the late Mamie and Lawrence Crawley. Her bond with her mother was especially close, and the two were inseparable throughout life. That relationship was one of deep love, loyalty, and companionship, and it remained one of the most treasured parts of her story. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Dale Crawley and Reginald Boatwright. She is survived by her brother, Lawrence Crawley (Carmen) and her aunt, Eloisa Crawley Bonaparte, who will carry forward her memory with love and gratitude.
She leaves behind a loving family of nephews and nieces, including Isaac Crawley, Ajamon Boatwright, Rasheem Boatwright, Manny Crawley, Christina Crawley, and Brian Crawley; and her cousin, Dr. A. Louise Bonaparte. Her legacy continues through her great-nieces and great-nephews, Alianna Vasquez, Aneela Crawley, Esme Crawley, Ozell Crawley, Brayden Boatwright, and Beverly Boatwright. Stephanie also held a special place in her heart for her dear friends Janice and Peaches, whose friendship meant so much to her over the years.
Stephanie was a woman of determination and accomplishment. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business, reflecting her commitment to education and personal growth. She spent 20 years working at General Electric, where she was respected for her dedication and steady work ethic. She also worked at McLane’s in Dothan, where she continued to share her dependable nature and strong sense of responsibility. In every role she held, Stephanie was known for her professionalism, her kindness, and her ability to connect with others.
Beyond her work, Stephanie embraced life with enthusiasm and style. Halloween was her favorite holiday, a fitting choice for someone who appreciated fun, celebration, and the joy of dressing up. She loved shopping, clothes, and jewelry, and she always enjoyed expressing herself with flair. Stephanie had a natural gift for conversation and could speak to anyone with ease. She was genuinely encouraging to others and had a way of lifting spirits simply by being herself. Her personality was lively and memorable, and she was often described as the life of the party.
Stephanie will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her outgoing nature, and her loving heart. She had a special ability to make people feel seen and valued, and she carried herself with confidence and grace. Her life was marked by love for her family, devotion to those close to her, and a spirit that remained strong even in difficult times. Though her passing leaves a deep emptiness, her memory will continue to bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.
A celebration of Stephanie’s life will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home.
Mr. Henry Leon Hatcher, age 87, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Graceville Health and Rehab.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb, with Rev. Jerry Norris officiating. Interment will follow in the New Post Oak Assembly of God Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions in Henry’s honor may be made to the Post Oak Assembly of God Church.
Mr. Hatcher was born on June 10, 1939, in Geneva County to the late Lehmon and Cora Mae Glover Hatcher. Henry was a true man of faith and a devoted member of New Post Oak Assembly of God Church. He was a simple, hardworking man who found joy in the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He proudly served as a veteran of the Army National Guard and retired after many years of honorable service.
In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by his precious wife, Mary Jane Hatcher, and his brother, Edward Hatcher.
Henry leaves behind a loving family who will cherish his memory, including his son, Tracy Hatcher (Alicia); grandsons, Colby Hatcher (Brittney) and Cody Hatcher (Natalie Buckles); great-grandson, Henry Reid Hatcher; sister, Helen Gilstrap; brother, Eugene Hatcher (Joyce); along with several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Henry’s quiet strength, steadfast faith, love of family, and appreciation for the simple things in life will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Though he will be deeply missed, his family finds comfort in knowing that he is now at home with his Lord and reunited with those who went before him.
David Tindell, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on August 4, 2026, at home in the comforting presence of his cherished family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
A Celebration of His Life will be 2 p.m. (CDT), Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Chapel of James & Lipford Funeral Home in Graceville with Bro. Addis Habbard and Military Honors provided by the U.S. Army. Family will receive friends Saturday, 1 p.m. until time of the service.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers who provided compassionate care during David’s final years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s memory to the American Cancer Society or a local animal rescue organization, honoring his enduring love for life and the creatures within it.
Born into a military family on September 29, 1949, at Fort Meade, Maryland, David’s life was a tapestry of love, service, and dedication. David was the treasured son of the late Rosie Lee Bass and Carlton Tindell and was predeceased by his dear sister, Anita Rosie Mann. He shared a beautiful life with his devoted wife, Frances Tindell, whom he married in 1970, in Savannah Georgia. Their partnership spanned 55 years, marked by mutual respect and shared dreams. Together, they nurtured a family that includes their son Jonathan Tindell and his wife Christi, and their granddaughter Tiffanie Hodges and her husband Joseph. David is also survived by his sister, Susanne Wallace, who held a special place in his heart, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
David proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1972, achieving the rank of Specialist 4. His last station was at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Following his military service, David embarked on a career that reflected his passion for problem-solving and innovation. Initially working as an automobile mechanic, he soon transitioned into electronic repair. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own television repair shop, a well-respected business that operated for many years in Graceville and later in Noma, Florida.
A man of varied interests, David had a profound love for his family, for all animals and for country life. His home was a sanctuary for many—chickens, roosters, dogs, a pig, and a small herd of outdoor cats that he tenderly cared for. Walking or sitting in the woods was his calming place. Music was another of David’s great loves; he enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica and found solace in their melodies. An avid reader, he often journaled his thoughts, leaving behind a rich tapestry of reflections and musings.
David’s kind nature and gentle spirit touched all who knew him. When he loved, he loved big. He was always ready to lend a helping hand, even when he did not have anything himself, or share a comforting word. His legacy of love and kindness will be cherished by his family and friends forever.
David’s life was a testament to the power of love, resilience, and community. As we say goodbye, we hold onto the joy he brought into our lives and the lessons he imparted through his living example. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.
PINCKARD…Mr. Bobby Joe Rains, Sr., a resident of Pinckard, died early Sunday morning, August 23, 2026, in Westside Terrace Healthcare in Dothan. He was 86.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. (E.T.), Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Marseilles Cemetery, West Point, Georgia with Reverend Dr. Ronnie McBrayer officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals, Scottish Rite Children’s Hospitals, or to the American Cancer Society.
Mr. Rains was born, July 24, 1940, in Middlesboro, Kentucky, to the late Garnet and Delphia Rains. The second of six children, he was a hard worker from his earliest days with paper routes, grocery deliveries, working at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville selling peanuts and cokes at Tennessee football games and he even built a complete bedroom suit in wood shop at 15 years of age. He was very mechanically inclined and took his skills to the US Air Force in 1959 where he was assigned to a B-52 squadron at Robbins AFB in Georgia.
In 1961 he met his future wife at a USO club dance and in 1962 he began a sixty-one-year marriage to Barbara Ruth Bennett. He also spent part of 1962 riding herd as the crew chief on a B52 carrying four nuclear bombs as his squadron flew missions toward the Soviet Union during the Cuban missile crisis. In 1963, following the birth of his son, Bob decided to pursue a civilian career and was promised a job in Atlanta with Eastern Airlines as a mechanic, only to be told upon arrival that they couldn’t hire anyone due to the economy. But the hiring manager gave him a place where he might find work in a little town called Ozark, Alabama. Neither he nor the hiring manager knew where Ozark was, so Bob quickly bought several maps and found his way to Ft Rucker that week. As fate would have it, the civilian contractor, Paige Aircraft, hired him and he started a forty-year career at Cairns Field working on helicopters.
He and Barbara were blessed with a daughter in 1965 and relocated to Dothan in 1966. Eventually Bobby was offered an opportunity to work in management and in 1976 he took it. 4 years later in 1980, he was assigned one of the most important roles of his career…. he was tasked with assembling a crew, going to Arizona and under the direction of then Major Richard Cody (later Army Vice Chief of Staff and Lt General Cody a confidant and friend) to modify helicopters for a hostage rescue attempt in Iran. Though the mission failed, the Army, with the help of Bob and his team, learned from the failures and all future helicopters like the Blackhawk and Apache were modified to withstand the rigors of desert warfare based on that experience.
After his children, Bobby and Donna, finished high school, Bob and Barbara began to square dance. They joined the local “Goober Gamboleers” Square Dance Club, earned their certificates in both square and round dancing, so they began traveling to other area clubs on the weekends to participate in dances. In 1986 they made another big move literally and purchased a new home with some land in Pinckard to get away from the city (and that statement cracked me up). They continued to lead square dancing and went to state, regional and national conventions. Bob’s in-laws, Joan and Edmond Tingle also attended, and these four travelled all over the US to dance. It was fun period for all of them, until Edmond became ill in 1995 and passed in 1996.
Bob retired in 2003 and, sadly, a year later, on his birthday weekend, lost his daughter Donna. It was a difficult time. He and Barbara spent a lot of their free time fishing at Lake Eufaula with family. In addition to fishing, Bob and Barbara loved to garden and had a fairly large garden dating back to their time in Dothan. Green beans, peas, okra, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes in abundance came from their efforts, and they always gave away more than they kept. Barbara instigated their in-house pickle and jelly making efforts, but Bob was always by her side to help.
Though he spent a large portion of his adult life away from church, his mother and grandmother had instilled a deep believe in God at an early age. He and Barbara joined the Pinckard Methodist Church and were regular attendees. Bob rededicated his life to Christ in 2021 and was re-baptized that year.
Surviving relatives include his son, Bobby Rains, Jr. (Louisa), Pinckard; sister, Phyllis J. Greatorex (Richard), Knoxville, Tennessee; three brothers, Jim Rains (Regina), Knoxville, Tennessee, Eddie Rains, Gary, Indiana, and Lynn Rains, Houston, Texas; grandson, Matthew Rains; nieces, nephews, and cousins. He loved his extended family and was also happy to claim Louisa’s four children from a prior marriage as his own grandchildren, Vic, Jill, Beth, and Jim; and Louisa’s 6 grandchildren, Luke and Lilly Addison, Kayte, Evelyn, Anna Blayke, and Ronnie Grace McNease.
Bob and Barbara were both diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and Barbara passed in 2023 from complications arising from Covid and her cancer treatments. Bobby’s cancer remained in control for seven years thanks to the efforts of Dr. Krishna Basarakodu and his amazing team at Southeast Health Hematology & Oncology. From the front desk to the nurses and technicians, to both Dr K along with his partner and wife, Dr Valsareddi, he was very well cared for! We also want to thank the team at The Terrace at Grove Park and at Westside Terrace for their kindness and care during his final years.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
