Mr. Dean Curtis Belden, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at his home following a short illness.
Interment will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2026, at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Mr. Belden was born on January 25, 1945, in Lyons, Kansas to Henry and Evelyn Buckles Belden. He was raised in Saxmann, Kansas majority of his early years and then moved to South Hutchinson, Kansas. He attended high school in Nickerson, Kansas where he was a member of the football and track teams. After high school, he obtained an associate degree in fire safety. Mr. Dean made a career as a civil service fire fighter at Grand Forks Air Force Base and retired. He was in the United States Air Force Reserve as a fire fighter for thirty years and retired as MSGT. He was dedicated to his country, his career, and his family. He was a devoted husband and father since March 8, 1966, when he and his wife started their family. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. He enjoyed admiring and planting cactus. He was a member of Covenant Methodist Church.
Mr. Dean is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gary Belden and Phil Belden; sisters, Betty Dobbins and Ellen Vallijo.
Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Sandy Nester Belden; son, Kevin Belden (Jennifer); daughter, Kimberly Klocek (Paul); grandchildren, Kevin Klocek, Victoria Hooker (Chris), Tyler Belden (Cassidy), Brooke Belden, Jade Belden, and Chloe Belden; great grandchild, Henry Thomas Hooker; sister in law, Sharon Stockham (Terry); brothers in law, Tom Nester (Jeanne) and Gary Nester; nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
OZARK…Mr. Ronald E. Shell (Senior Master Sergeant, United States Air Force, Retired) a resident of Ozark, died early Monday afternoon, March 23, 2026, at his home. He was 71.
Funeral services, with full military honors, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 30, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Matt Sasser officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made Tunnel to Towers, T2T.org, Folds of Honor, or to Ronald McDonald House Charities in Mr. Shell’s memory.
Mr. Shell, son of the late Derald Bowman Shell and Elizabeth Spacholtz Shell, was a proud native of Ozark. He grew up here and carried the values of this community with him no matter how far he traveled. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1972, and not long after, he chose a path of service that would shape the rest of his life.
Following graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, beginning a career that took him around the world and allowed him to serve his country with honor. He was a veteran of both the Vietnam Era and Desert Storm, and his military service carried him to forty‑three countries across five continents. He often shared stories of the places he’d seen and the people he’d met, but he never boasted about it, he simply appreciated the experiences and the perspective they gave him.
He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after twenty‑two years and seven months of dedicated service. One of his final assignments was at Bolling Air Force Base, where he supported Air Force One — a responsibility he carried with quiet pride. Even while serving full time, he pushed himself to keep learning, earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Golden State University and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland. Education mattered to him, not for recognition, but because he believed in always growing.
After retiring from the Air Force, he began a second career with Nextel Communications, working as a Senior Engineering Manager for nine years before retiring once again. But “retirement” didn’t slow him down. He and his brother set out on an adventure many only dream of — traveling the country in an RV, visiting forty‑seven states and more than sixty national parks. He loved the open road, the quiet beauty of nature, and the freedom of exploring new places.
He was a man who embraced life fully. He was an avid golfer and proudly earned a hole‑in‑one. He was a certified scuba diver, and he enjoyed windsurfing, snowboarding, and skiing — hobbies that showed his adventurous spirit and his willingness to try anything at least once. In 2014, he returned home to Ozark, ready to enjoy a slower pace and spend time with the people he loved.
What people will remember most about him isn’t just his accomplishments, though they were many. They’ll remember the way he mentored others — in the military, in his professional life, and especially within his own family. His nieces and nephews looked up to him, leaned on him, and learned from him. He had a way of guiding people without ever making them feel small, offering wisdom with kindness and patience.
Mr. Shell lived a life filled with purpose, adventure, and heart. He served his country, explored the world, and poured into the people around him. His legacy lives on in the stories he shared, the lessons he taught, and the love he gave so freely. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Jane Haymon Shell.
Surviving relatives include his siblings, George Shell (Linda), Colorado Springs, Colorado, Terry Shell, Ozark, Dorothy Patrick (Douglas), Toney, Alabama, Michael Shell, Owens Crossroads, Debra Shiver (Edwin), Ozark, David Shell (Rosalinda), Anaheim, California, Richard Shell, Ozark, and Linda Tew (Joel), Ozark; nineteen nieces and nephews, twenty six great nieces and nephews and one great-great niece.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Mrs. Sylvia G. Donley of Dothan, AL passed away on February 18, 2026 at HCA Fort Walton- Destin Hospital. She was 73.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home Slocomb, AL with Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. and continuing until service time.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Milford and Margaret German Donley and husband, Roy Donley.
Survivors include a daughter, Kelly Donley; son, Steven Preachers; grandchildren: Chase Preachers, Steven Rutledge, Braelyn Kelly Tindell, and Marla Wade; great grandchild, Rosalie Rutledge; sisters: Patricia Ward, Sandra Sperry, Debra German, and Bobbie Ann Cox; and other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Mrs. Donley memory by making contributions to the charity of your choice.
Mr. Billy Harlan Cobb, age 80, of Wicksburg, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at his daughter’s home, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home with Reverend Tim Simmons officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow at Wicksburg Assembly of God Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Cobb was born on September 18, 1945, in Hartford, Alabama, to the late David and Myrtle Cobb. He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing, as well as fishing, farming, and coon hunting. Above all, he took great pride in his work as a lineman with Wiregrass Electric for 54 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Ann Cobb and two great grandchildren: Rylan and Khloe.
He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Cobb Brannon (Jonathan); his sons, Hal Cobb (Michele) and Lee Cobb (Julie); five grandchildren, Skylar Chadwick, Taylor Wofford, Leann Svoboda (Philip), Ashley Cobb, ; many great-grandchildren; siblings, Neal Cobb, Janice Shepard, and Carol Culverhouse; as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to ACG Hospice, especially his nurses, Audrey and Kiva. They also extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited him, including his Wiregrass Electric family.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements. “Because We Care … Is Making A Difference”
Robert “Bobby” Brandon Tolleson, a resident of Dothan, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the age of 49.
Bobby was born in Dothan on July 28, 1976, the son of David Hal Tolleson and Reba Renae Green Tolleson. A lifelong resident of Dothan, he graduated from Northview High School with the Class of 1995.
Bobby will always be remembered for his quick humor and the way he could make people laugh when they least expected it. If you spent any time with Bobby, chances are you walked away with a good story or at least a good laugh. His friends have no shortage of “Bob stories,” and those memories will continue to be shared for years to come.
He valued friendship deeply and was fortunate to have many loyal friends who stood by him throughout his life. Bobby also loved spending time at Lake Eufaula, a place filled with special memories, especially the time he shared there with his dad.
Bobby was preceded in death by his father, David Tolleson, and his grandparents, Hal and Beth Tolleson, and Lloyd and Reba Green.
He is survived by his devoted mother, Renae Green Tolleson; his two brothers, Bryan Tolleson and Brantley Tolleson, both of Dothan; and his sister, Bronwyn Hanahan (Bunk) of Dothan. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a whole crew of lifelong friends who will miss him dearly.
A private service will be held at a later date.
To honor Bobby, make someone laugh today or consider making a contribution in his memory to Wiregrass Angel House, 1106 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, Alabama 36301.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Headland….. Betty Snellgrove McCraney, a resident of Headland, passed away Thursday morning, March 26, 2026 at her home. She was 92.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, March 29, 2026, in the Pleasant Plains Baptist Church with Reverend Dwayne Efurd officiating. Graveside services will follow in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the church sanctuary.
Mrs. McCraney, a native of Henry County, was born to the late Hezzie Carr Snellgrove and Beatrice Farmer Snellgrove. She graduated from Headland High School and dedicated many years to the Bay County, Florida school system as a teacher’s aide. Later, she returned home to Henry County in 1978, where she continued her service in education as a substitute teacher. She was a faithful member of Pleasant Plains Baptist Church. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and raised her children in church and constantly encouraged each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their faith. She loved spending time with her friends and her family building lasting memories that will be cherished by both.
Mrs. McCraney was preceded in death by her husband, Foy McCraney; sisters, Christine Raybon, Ethel Raley, Ruthel Raley, Mary Alice Blair, Kate Eldridge; brothers, Cordell Parker, Ned Parker, Tom Snellgrove, Durelle Snellgrove; and a granddaughter, Anna Michelle Shelley.
Surviving relatives include three daughters, Pam McCraney Jackson (Tom), Ann McCraney Thames (Jim), and Jan McCraney Shelley (Kirby); a son, Reverend Tim McCraney (Janet); a sister-in-law, Aline Snellgrove; grandchildren, Amanda Jackson, Alex Jackson (Whitney), Zach Shelley, Taylor Wheeler (Brandon), Kasey Shelley Thomas (Colby), and Julia McCraney; great-grandchildren, Lauren Jackson, Samantha Jackson, Xander Jackson, Cohen Jackson, Thomas Wheeler, Brooks Shelley, Mahayla Nowell, Madelyn McNeal, Camilla Thomas, Cruz Thomas.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Kirby Shelley, Jim Thames, Zach Shelley, Alex Jackson, Brian McCraney, and Lyn Blair. Honorary Pallbearers are the members of the Ladies Lunch Group: Marcella Miller, Joann Gamble, Aline Snellgrove, Sara Hamm, Bonnie Smith, Annette Olsen, Jewel Taylor, Shirley Adkins and Peggy Livingston.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Jodi, Kevin, Buford, JoAnn, Victoria, Valencia and the rest of the Gentiva Hospice staff for their kindness and compassion while caring for their loving mother.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
Phone 334-6WE-CARE (693-2273)
www.wrightfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
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Our establishment DOES OWN AND OPERATE ITS OWN CREMATORY, so your loved one never has to leave our care.
