Estelle Thompson Ward, age 93, of Dothan, Alabama passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025.
Born in Andalusia, Alabama on December 24, 1931 to parents Gaston and Willie Thompson, Estelle was born one of seven other children. Being the child of a large family in the Great Depression, she was taught from an early age to appreciate and make the most of everything she was given. Those are qualities that stayed with her until her final breath, along with the ability love boldly and walk humbly with her God. Estelle was a loving and determined woman, who did not desire public attention, was stubbornly independent, and was tough as nails when she needed to be.
Estelle met and later married the love of her life, Marion Winston Ward, on June 28, 1952, The couple went on to have two beautiful daughters together. She worked tirelessly for many years as a bookkeeper, but her most beloved and important role in life was to always first be a wife, mother, and later a grandmother. Her family was everything to her, a fact that she always made abundantly clear each time she was with them. Estelle also got joy from the simple things in life and always loved attending summer fish fry’s with friends, working in her garden, and enjoying a late afternoon walk in her neighborhood.
Estelle was a dedicated Christian who loved her lord Jesus Christ, and exhibited this through her life, thoughts, and deeds. She always made sure to read her Bible faithfully and pray for her family daily. She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church of Dothan, where she regularly attended and loved being a part of the Joy Whaley ladies Sunday school class.
Estelle is preceded in death by her parents, Gaston and Willie Thompson, her husband Winston Ward, her brothers Tommy Thompson and Gene Thompson, as well as her sisters Shirley Ellison and Genese Gatlin. She is survived by her daughters Carol Ward Hartley (Alan) and Sherry Ward Drake. Siblings: Frances Prater, Voncile Tidwell, and Joan Gwynne. Grandchildren: Amy Richards Cox (Bill), Alex Richards (Tracy), Elizabeth Hartley, and Stuart Hartley (Amber). Great Grandchildren: Bailey Garner, Megan Garner, Allie Cox, Will Richards, Thomas Hartley, and Eli Hartley.
Services will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Ward-Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and graveside service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Dothan, Alabama.
Robert S. Stahulak of Dothan passed away peacefully at his home on, Saturday, February 8, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was 68.
Mr. Stahulak was born on March 7, 1956 in Chicago, IL to Edward and Mary Stahulak. Robert was raised in Cicero, IL and was a well-known mechanic before his retirement. He loved finding junk cars to piece together just so he could smash them at the demolition derby.
He was preceded in death by his three sons: Stanley, Zachary and Anthony; father, Edward Stahulak; paternal grandparents: Ignatius and Josephine Stahulak; maternal grandparents; Clifford and Margaret Gennett.
Robert is survived by his wife, Rebecca Stahulak; daughter, Amber Shaver (Greg); sons, Robert “Robbie” Stahulak, Jr. (Gabriella), Christopher Stahulak and Brandon Stahulak (Sarah); grandchildren, Alexandria, Brandon Jr., Giana, Alex, Hayley, Ty, Mackenzie and Robert; great grandchildren: Daisy and Harrison; mother, Mary Stahulak; sisters, Janet Bixby (Ned) and Diane Stahulak; numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
Memorialization will be by cremation with no services planned at this time.
OZARK…Mrs. Elaine Engle Land, a resident of Ozark, died early Tuesday morning, February 4, 2025, at her home. She was 78.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 13, 2025, in the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Jason Thrower officiating. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ozark Dale County Library, 296 North Union Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Mrs. Land, daughter of the late Boyd Engle and Mary Ann Barr Engle, was a native of Glendale, West Virginia. She was a graduate of West Liberty College in West Virginia. Mrs. Land moved to Ozark in 1971 and retired from the Ozark City School System as a 6th grade teacher at D.A. Smith School. Following her retirement, she enjoyed working with the Ozark Dale County Library. Some of her favorite things to do, especially working at the library, was to read. Mrs. Land enjoyed traveling and making plastic mats out of old Walmart bags for the homeless. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Lynn Engle.
Surviving relatives include her husband, James D. Land; her son, Zachary Engle Land (Jackie), all of Ozark; sister, Nancy Jane Woods (Bob Shreve), Moundsville, West Virginia; brother, Tom Engle (Kathy), Glendale, West Virginia; grandson, Jayce Land; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
