Obituary for Barbara Burch Keel of Grimes
GRIMES…Mrs. Barbara Burch Keel, a resident of Grimes, died early Thursday morning, August 20, 2026, at her home. She was 70.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Don Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Midland City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Keel, daughter of the late Grady Brooks Burch and Virginia Elizabeth Whitehead Burch, was a lifelong resident of the area and a proud native of Level Plains. She attended Enterprise High School and carried with her the values of hard work, kindness, and dedication throughout her life. Over the years, she worked for Winn Dixie in Dothan and later as a florist for Wal Mart in Dothan, where she enjoyed helping others and adding beauty to the lives of those around her through her floral creations.
Mrs. Keel found joy in the simple things in life and had many hobbies that reflected her creative spirit. She loved spending time camping and enjoying the outdoors, crocheting handmade gifts for family and friends, and working on a variety of arts and crafts projects. She was also an enthusiastic collector of salt and pepper shakers and took great pride in finding unique additions to her collection. One of her favorite pastimes was antiquing, and she always looked forward to searching for hidden treasures and learning the stories behind old and cherished items.
More than anything, Mrs. Keel treasured the time she spent with her family. Her greatest happiness came from being surrounded by those she loved. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who never missed an opportunity to share her love, wisdom, and encouragement. Whether gathering for holidays, celebrating special occasions, or simply enjoying everyday moments together, she made each person feel special and deeply loved. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a particularly special place in her heart, and she delighted in watching them grow and creating lasting memories with them.
Mrs. Keel was a faithful member of Rainbow Meadows Baptist Church, where she lived out her Christian faith through service and fellowship. She especially enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School and sharing God’s love with children. Her caring nature, gentle spirit, and willingness to help others made a lasting impact on her church family and all who knew her.
Mrs. Keel will be remembered for her loving heart, her creativity, her strong faith, and the joy she brought to those around her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Byron Keel, Grimes; two daughters, Tanya Norwalk (Billy), Newton and Christa Dickerson (Scott), Ozark; two sons, Kevin Keel (Logan), Newton and Brian Keel (Kathy), Webb; two sisters, Martha Ellen Grant, Level Plains and Teresa Herrington (Randy), New Brockton; brother, Johnny Burch (Tammy), New Brockton; thirteen grandchildren, Terrance Hiers (Sierra), Katie Hiers (Travis), Justin Hiers, Hunter Norwalk (Brooke), Mary Beth Myers, Lauren Myers, Gage Norwalk, Hailey Borundas (Lincoln), Jessie Elliott, J.T. Elliott, Dallas Cox, Micah Keel, and Xander Keel; eleven great-grandchildren; her precious dog, “Buddy”; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Mrs. Myra Lassiter
Mrs. Myra Lassiter, a beloved resident of the Fadette Community, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at her home. She was 81.
Born December 23, 1944, in Geneva County, Alabama, Myra was the daughter of the late Floyd and Nell Martin Perkins. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Myra enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She loved fishing and spending time working in her flower beds. She especially enjoyed visiting a good thrift store and could often be found walking around the local Dollar General. Her warm personality and love for her family and friends created many cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Myra was preceded in death by her husbands, Jackie Lassiter and Jerry Murphy; her son, Greg Lassiter; and her sister, Brenda McCord.
Survivors include her children, Donna Sue Hightower (Alan) and Mark T. Lassiter (Amy); grandchildren, Jake Lassiter, Jason Hightower (Maggie), Derek Hightower (Emily), and Hannah McLendon (Marc); great-grandchildren, Samuel Hightower, Dansby Hightower, Wesley McLendon, and Bella McLendon; and numerous extended family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at New Hinson Baptist Church with Dr. J. Chris Adams officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Myra’s life was a blessing to those around her, and her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.
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Robert Lynnwood “Bobby” Smith, Jr. of Headland
ROBERT LYNNWOOD “BOBBY” SMITH
HEADLAND… Robert Lynnwood “Bobby” Smith, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at a Dothan hospital. He was 69.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Concord Baptist Church with Reverend Scott Wyatt and Brother Scotty Blankenship officiating. A eulogy will be given by Chris Parker. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church sanctuary from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Clint Hutto Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 157, Headland, Alabama 36345.
Mr. Smith was born in Dothan, Alabama to Joy Welch Smith and the late Robert Lynnwood Smith, Sr.. He lived his entire life in Headland, Alabama. He was a 1975 graduate of Headland High School. Bobby worked in agriculture his adult life. He retired in 2019 from the Auburn Experiment Station in Headland, Alabama after twenty-five years of loyal service. He loved restoring old farm equipment, tractors, and cars. He also raised cows, hogs, and chickens. He was a former partner with the Smith Brother’s Produce. Bobby loved his family deeply, especially his nephews and great-nieces. He was a member of the Concord Baptist Church.
Along with his father, he was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Don Hutto; and his nephew, Clint Hutto.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his mother, Joy Welch Smith; his sister, Debbie Hutto Sanders (Mike); his brothers, Paul Smith (Dale) and Phillip Smith; his nephews, Justen Hutto (Tiffany), Cade Hutto (Allison), Ty Smith, and Austin Smith (Natalie); his great-nieces, Margo Hutto and Isla Hutto; and several lifelong friends.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Chris Parker, Justen Hutto, Tommy Shirah, Cade Hutto, Edward “PeeWee” Richardson, Ty Smith, and Austin Smith.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
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www.wrightfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
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SSG Gregory Dwight Robinson, Ret. US Army
SSG Gregory Dwight Robinson, US Army passed away on August 18, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, surrounded by his loving family.
The life journey of Gregory Dwight Robinson began on January 28, 1954 in Panama City, Florida where he was born into the union of the late Coley and Neanzie Robinson. In his youth, he spent time in the Springfield, Campbellton, and Marianna, FL communities and Lakeview community in Dothan. Gregory matriculated through the Dothan City School System where he graduated from Dothan High School in 1974. He accepted Christ at an early age where he joined Stringer Street A.M.E. Church and later moved his membership to First Missionary Baptist Church where he was baptized again.
Upon graduating from Dothan High School, Gregory enlisted in the U.S. Army where he traveled to various countries including Germany and Korea during an active period of 5 years. Staff Sergeant Gregory Robinson was also stationed at the former Ft. Rucker, Alabama and Ft. Campbell base in Kentucky. He spent the remainder of his years serving our country in the U.S. Army Reserves (191st Maintenance Company) for a total of 29 ½ years until he retired from his duties in 1999. While serving his country, Gregory completed several training programs and received achievements such as The Army Achievement Medal in 1992.
Gregory also attended Wallace Community College in Dothan, Al where he enrolled in the trade program and obtained an associate’s degree. While at Wallace, he studied programs such as Radio and Television Repair, Small Engine, and Printing. Gregory was employed with Sony Magnetic Products in Dothan, Al from 1980-2010. At this time, Gregory’s life took a pivotal turn when he experienced a heart attack and stroke in January 2010. Although this was a challenging time, God and the love and care of family brought him out on the other side. Gregory looked at this health scare as a blessing in disguise because it allowed him to spend time relaxing, going fishing, watching WWE wrestling, and enjoying time with family and friends. He officially retired from Sony in January 2011 with 33 years of service.
At his home on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as he was surrounded by his wife Loretta, daughters Candice and Lakeshia, and loving friends and family, Gregory was called home to be with his Heavenly Father. The sun shined bright and heaven rejoiced as he was reunited with those family members preceding in death before him; including his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and other family members. They all welcomed him home.
Gregory leaves to cherish and celebrate his memories: the love of his life, his wife, Loretta Smiley-Robinson; loving daughters, Candice N. Robinson of Pelham, AL and Lakeshia M. Robinson of Kinsey, ALand Grandsons Hunter and Haisten Robinson who affectionally called him Paw Paw. Loving siblings: Deborah (Samuel) Crawford of Dothan, AL, Catherine (Joseph) Johnson of Tallahassee, FL, Virgil (Jackie) Ward of Marianna, FL, Phyllis Dillard of Dothan, AL, Efrin Dixon of Louisiana, Jennifer (Sheldon) Bynum of Valdosta, GA, Tony (Tajuana) Williams of Alpharetta, GA, Scotty Bryant of Baltimore, MD, Tasha Everette of Tallahassee, FL, and Morris Thomas of Dothan, AL; all of whom he leaves with fond memories and love.Also loving brothers and sisters in love (in-laws): Janice Diane Harrison, James and Patricia Holloway, George and Lisa Smiley, Jack and Teresa Smiley, Elizabeth Smiley, Brenda and Wayne Castle, and Dr. Cathy Smiley-Naughton and Dr. Michael Naughton.
Gregory is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, classmates, childhood and church friends, Army buddies, a special neighbor, Debbie Moody and special friends: James (JB) Brooks, Greg Edwards, Willie Shannon, Steve Sanders, Dan Rutledge, and Robert Earl Tyson.
A celebration of Gregory’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at First Missionary Baptist Church. Military honors will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Sunset Funeral Home.
Dennis Lehnerz
Dennis Lehnerz, age 71, of Ozark, Alabama, passed away on August 17, 2026. He was born on July 17, 1955, in Denver, Colorado, and lived a life marked by faith, service, devotion to family, and a deep appreciation for the simple blessings of each day.
Dennis graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Ft. Carson, Colorado, and later answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged after four years of service as a tank mechanic. During his military service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, a recognition of his commitment and dedication to the nation he loved so dearly. His patriotism remained a defining part of who he was throughout his life, and he carried that sense of duty and pride with him in all that he did.
Following his military service, Dennis built a long and steady career as a Flight Mechanic at Ft. Rucker. He retired in 2021 after 20 years of faithful work with M-1. His coworkers and friends knew him as dependable, hardworking, and committed to doing the job well. He approached his work with the same determination and integrity that guided the rest of his life, and he earned the respect of those who had the privilege of knowing him professionally.
Dennis was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Ozark. His faith was an important part of his life and provided strength, comfort, and direction through every season. He was known as a man who believed deeply, loved sincerely, and lived with a spirit of gratitude. Those who knew him best will remember his adventurous nature, his loving heart, and the quiet but steady way he met life’s challenges. He loved hard and fought hard, and he never lost sight of what mattered most to him.
An outdoorsy person by nature, Dennis especially loved camping, particularly in Colorado. He found joy in the beauty of the outdoors and in the peaceful moments that came with sitting around a campfire. He appreciated the simple things in life and took pleasure in time spent with family, good conversation, and shared laughter. He also enjoyed playing dice with his family, a pastime that brought fun and togetherness to many gatherings. His life was enriched by these moments, and he treasured the memories made in their company.
Family was at the center of Dennis’s life, and he loved his family very much. He is survived by his daughter, Mandy Lehnerz; his grandchild, Shelby Lehnerz; his brother, Jim Lehnerz and Nancy; his sisters, Barbara Bradley and Therese Silvers; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Elizabeth Lehnerz; his brother, Tom Lehnerz; his sister, Sharon Lightfoot; and his nieces, Lisa Bradley, Shelia Silvers, and Laura Herd. The bonds he shared with his family were strong and enduring, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 10:30am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ozark, AL. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5pm until 6pm with a Rosary and military honors to follow. He will be laid to rest in Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder, CO.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com