HEADLAND. . .It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear loved one, Mrs. Jewel Elaine McClenney (Lanie), age 94, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the home of her eldest granddaughter in Dothan, AL, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 21, 1931, in Texasville, Alabama, to Dowling and Shelley Mae Warr Woodham. She was a 1949 graduate of Baker Hill High School and went on to Troy State Teachers College, where she graduated with a BS Degree in Education and later received a Masters Degree in Education. Later, she was married to her sweetheart of almost 68 years, Mr. Tince McClenney (Papo) where they raised two children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Lanie dedicated her life in service to our Lord Jesus and to children, both through the school system, where she taught for many years and the First Baptist Church of Headland Children’s Ministry. She and Papo sent countless numbers of cards, words of encouragement to many, including a prison ministry and engraved New Testament Bibles to newborns of families in the area. Lanie loved her family, both her immediate and extended on both the Woodham and McClenney sides and had a deep understanding of how to be a good friend to young and old. She loved flowers, playing the piano, cooking and making all feel welcome at her table. Lanie was a once in a lifetime special person who took time to love all those around her with open arms. She is welcomed into heaven by Papo and her sweet daughter, Melanie.
Surviving relatives include her son, Joseph Ray McClenney, III and his wife, Susan, her five grandchildren & spouses, Mandi & Josh Sowell, Seth & Aubrie McClenney, Claire & Billy Smith, Cole & Ashleigh McClenney and Meg & Kelly South, her great-grandchildren, Anna Claire Sowell, Aiden Sowell, Clarke Ferguson, Lucie Ferguson, Decker Smith, John Bennett Smith & Miller McClenney. She is also survived by her two sisters, Mary Payne and Rena Henson, her sisters-in-law, Peggy Woodham and Mary Ethel Woodham, and her brother-in-law, Frank McClenney and his wife, Jan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in the Worship Center of the First Baptist Church of Headland with Dr. Cecil M. Sanders, Jr., Reverend Norman C. Simmons and a nephew Barry Woodham officiating. Burial will follow in the Newville Baptist Church Cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church. At other times, the family will be at the home of Josh and Mandi Sowell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Headland “Bridge To Tomorrow” Building Fund, 301 East Church Street, Headland, AL 36345 or to the Newville Baptist Church “Cemetery Fund”, P.O. Box 13, Newville, AL 36353.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Joseph Ray “Seth” McClenney, IV, John Colter “Cole” McClenney, Joshua William Sowell, Billy Decker Smith, Jon Kelly South, Jr., Aiden Joshua Sowell, and Clarke Lowell Ferguson.
The family wants to thank the many wonderful people that have loved, cared for and checked on Lanie. To all of her many sitters, we say a sincere thank you. To her primary sitters, NaKeshia Brown and Quilla McCain, you are loved by all of us and are a part of our family-we are eternally grateful for the care that you provided for her and the love & compassion that you showed. The family would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice and especially Stephanie Clark for the compassion and loving kindness shown to Mrs. McClenney during her illness.
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.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Hayes Hammond Godwin Jr., 75, of Ozark, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 17, 2025, at his home.
Funeral services for Mr. Godwin will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 22, 2025, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ozark with Elder Donald Bradley Phipps officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with Military Honors, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Friday in the church from 9:30 A.M. until service time.
Born on July 25, 1950, in Ozark, Alabama, to Lucile Johnson Godwin and Hays Godwin Sr., Hayes lived a life marked by humor, service, and an unwavering love for his family, faith, and the outdoors. Professionally, Hayes worked at Michelin in Dothan, Alabama, where his strong work ethic and kind demeanor left a lasting impression. A proud veteran, Hayes served his country during the Vietnam War, embodying courage and dedication. His commitment to serving others extended beyond the battlefield, as he lived a life guided by the light of Christ. In 2013, Hayes and his beloved wife, Rebecca Anne Godwin, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tell City, Indiana, sharing their faith and love with those around them. Hayes’s warm humor and generous spirit touched everyone he met. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life—tending to his chickens, caring for his tractor, feeding bluebirds, and spending time outdoors. Whether mowing the lawn, fishing, or riding the mule with his grandchildren, Hayes’s love for nature and family was ever-present. His devotion to his family was evident in the love he shared with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Hayes is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Anne Godwin; children, David (Lori) Godwin, Melissa (Jud) Boyd, Christopher “Grant” (Rome) Godwin, Jacob (Allyson) Godwin, Adam (Ansley) Godwin, and Anthony “Tuck” (Rachel) Godwin; 15 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and his sisters, Rhoda (Marvin) Weide and Naomi Johnson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucile Johnson Godwin; his father, Hays Godwin Sr.; and his brother, Timothy Johnson Godwin.
Hayes’s legacy of faith, laughter, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His life was a testament to the joy of serving others and the beauty of a life well-lived.
TYLER, TEXAS…Mrs. Chong Sun Eller, a resident of Tyler, Texas (formerly of Ozark), died late Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025, in Tyler, Texas. She was 83.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with Pastor Randy Adams officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Eller was born January 15, 1941, in Seoul, South Korea and has lived in Ozark 1983. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard J. Eller (Master Sergeant, United States Army, Retired).
Surviving relatives include her brother, In Ki Paek (Amber), Tyler, Texas; niece, Olivia S. Paek; nephews, Pat Muenstermann and Robert J. Paek; great nieces, Charlotte E. Paek and Cora B. Heaton; great-nephew, William Hyun E. Heaton, V.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
On August 16, 2025, Francis Roland Franklin was embraced by his LORD and Savior Jesus Christ as a good and faithful servant. Simultaneously, fish all across the countryside breathed a collective sigh of relief. He was 91 years of age.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025 at New Hinson Baptist Church with Reverend Bryan Klobe officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Interment will follow at New Hinson Baptist Church Cemetery.
Roland was born on February 16, 1934 to the late Reamus and Pauline Franklin. He was one of 11 children. He was married to the late Mrs. Yvonne Franklin on February 21, 1953. They were married until her death on July 11, 2025. They were married for 72 years. Roland spent his working career at the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Hapeville, GA. He served his fellow workers as their representative with the United Auto Workers. After retirement, Yvonne and Roland returned to the Fadette, AL area. Roland faithfully served his brothers and sisters in Christ at New Hinson Baptist Church as well being an avid gardener, outdoorsman, and fisherman.
In addition to his parents, Roland was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne. and his son Steven. Roland was also preceded in death by all of his siblings.
NEWVILLE… Mildred Dowdy Kiser, 94, of Newville, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, August 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
A celebration of her life will be held in Fort Myers, Florida, at a later date.
Mildred was born in Fulton County, Georgia, to the late Thomas Reid Dowdy and Ann Park Dowdy. Her early years were spent in Georgia before her family made Fort Myers, Florida, their home. She graduated from Fort Myers High School and, not long after, married the love of her life, Earl Kiser, on February 2, 1951, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Together, Mildred and Earl built a life filled with hard work, love, and adventure. They were the proud owners and operators of Eden Wineries in Alva, Florida, which they ran with dedication for three decades. Along the way, they also owned a hardware store and a glass shop, pouring their energy into everything they did. They shared 66 beautiful years of marriage before Earl’s passing, a love story marked by loyalty, partnership, and devotion.
Mildred found joy in the simple pleasures of life—reading a good book, sharing a laugh with family, and cherishing time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her warm heart, her love of family, and her steadfast faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Woody Dowdy, Tom Dowdy, Harold Dowdy, and Bit Dowdy; and her daughter, Cynthia Lynn.
Those who will forever hold her in their hearts include her children, Bonnie Carmack (Dan) and Michael Kiser (Roxann); her grandchildren, Shelby, Taylor, Ashley, William, Austin, and Amy; her great-grandchildren, Caden, Teagan, Daisy Lynn, Lucas, and Lilly; her special caregivers, Joanne and Betty; and many other loving family members and friends.
Her life was a testament to love, family, and perseverance, and her memory will be a blessing to all who knew her.
Paul Preston Hall, Sr., esteemed family man, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. Born on August 3, 1943, in Ozark, Alabama, to the late Preston Brady Hall and Mary Bowman Hall, Paul’s life was a testament to the values of hard work, dedication, and kindness.
Paul, affectionately known as “Mr. Fix It,” was a man whose hands were rarely still. His early education at Ashford High School laid the foundation for a lifetime of practical knowledge and skill. After graduation, he proudly served in the Alabama National Guard, where he honed his discipline and commitment to service. Paul began his working career at what was then Dothan Telephone Company, demonstrating a knack for understanding the intricacies of communication technology.
His professional journey led him to Georgia Pacific, where he retired after many years of diligent work. Paul’s colleagues remember him as a man who could always be relied upon, a true team player whose generosity extended beyond the workplace.
In 2015, Paul moved from Dothan to Tallahassee, where he quickly became an integral part of the Deer Lake Church community. His faith was a guiding light in his life, and he lived it out through his actions, always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear.
Paul’s interests were as varied as they were engaging. An avid gardener, he took great pride in his ability to nurture life from the soil. Cycling was not just a hobby but a way to explore the world around him, enjoying the simple pleasures of nature and the open road. But it was his role as “Mr. Fix It” that truly defined him. There wasn’t a sprinkler system, AC unit, or any household challenge he couldn’t tackle. Neighbors knew that with Paul around, help was always just a call away.
His family was the center of his universe. Though preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tommy, and his beloved wife, Margaret Jacqueline Hall, Paul’s legacy lives on through his son, Preston Hall (Sarah) of Tallahassee, FL, his daughter, Elizabeth Hall of Fairfax, VA, his adored grandson, Asher Hall, and his sister-in-law, Judith Hall of Dallas, TX. His presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 12 PM (CST) at Memory Hill Cemetery in Dothan, Alabama with Reverend Kyle Gatlin officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 AM until 12 PM (CST) at Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Lung Association at www.lung.org
