JoAnn L. Stewart, age 80, of Jack, AL, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. She passed away peacefully at Elba Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with her last days spent surrounded by family.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Sunday, January 5, 2025, at New Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Lanny Shepard officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 P.M. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 5711 County Road 114, Brundidge, AL 36010.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, William Harold Stewart, and parents, Jim and Evelyn Brown Lewis. Mrs. Stewart was a native of Geneva, AL.
Survivors include her daughter, Janet Stewart, Troy, AL; son, Michael Stewart (Nanna), Jack, AL; grandson, Ty Stewart, Elmore, AL; granddaughter, Taylor Felts, Birmingham, AL; and great-grandson, Kade Stewart.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Albert (Butch) Bumgardner of Daleville, AL. He passed away from natural causes on December 28, 2024 in his home at the age of 66.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 6, 2025, at Daleville Methodist Church.
Butch entered the Army after high school, which took him from Los Angeles, CA to Fort Rucker, AL. He loved this small town so much that he decided to call it home for the rest of his life. Butch went into business with his long-time friend, Glenn Ogle, and painted houses for many years before retiring. In his downtime, Butch enjoyed hunting, searching for arrowheads in local creek beds, playing the bass guitar in his Bluegrass band “The Bluegrass Hoppers” and reading. Butch also enjoyed dressing as Santa Claus each Christmas for local families and events.
Survivors include his wife Lynelle Bumgardner, Daleville, AL; daughter, Sarah Dodson, Enterprise, AL; two grandchildren, Emily Bumgardner and RJ Dodson; mother, Betty Shaw, Daleville, AL; two brothers, Thomas Bumgardner, Daleville, AL; David Bumgardner, Los Angeles, CA.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.”
Donna Camille Nevels of Geneva, AL passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in a Dothan Hospital. She was 55 years old.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home.
Donna was born on November 2, 1969. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Marie Perrigan.
She is survived by two children, Josh Carrol Lyerly, and Amber Nevels; two grandchildren, Avah Camille Odom and Anna Mae Odom; father, Carrol Wayne Lyerly; one sister, Carolyn Marie Lyerly; and one brother, Curtis Wayne Lyerly.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
Jimmy R. Killingsworth, born May 24, 1931, went to be with his Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ on December 28, 2024. He died peacefully at home with Shirley, his
loving wife of 70 years at his side. His 2 daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, and
great grandchildren visited and surrounded him with love and prayers during his
last days.
Jim was born and raised on a farm in Dothan, Alabama. He was the oldest of 5
children, with 2 sisters and 2 brothers. He enlisted and served in the Navy during
the Korean War, right out of high school. He met his beloved wife at a church
function while in port in Key West, and they married and lived in Miami as soon as
he was discharged. Once becoming a Christ-follower, Jim was committed to the
Lord and was a faithful member of Wayside Baptist Church, where he served for
over 70 years. He was highly respected, and always provided wise counsel.
He had a 34-year career at Florida Power & Light Co, in Miami, where he started as
a meter reader in 1954 and retired as Director of Procurement & Materials
Management. While working full-time, Jim attended University of Miami, where
he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1963, and attended
Harvard’s distinguished Program of Management Development in 1973.
Jim loved his family deeply. He is survived by his wife Shirley, daughters Barbara
Cruit and Kathy (Bill) Worton, 5 grandsons Cody (Kristen) Worton, Mitchell
(Rebecca) Cruit, JJ Worton, Matthew (Carolyn) Cruit, and CJ Worton, 6 great-
grandchildren Everly, Adalynn, Liam, Oliver, Colby, Bennett, and sister Mary
Killingsworth (Butch) Drew, sister-in-law Aloma Killingsworth, as well as many
loved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was predeceased by his parents Maude and VT Killingsworth, sister Betty
Paulk, brothers Doug Killingsworth and Max Killingsworth, as well as many loved
in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. There was a celebration in
heaven when Jim arrived!
A viewing will be held in the Wayside Baptist Church chapel (7701 SW 98 St,
Miami, FL) on Saturday, January 11th at 11:30a, followed by a memorial service at
12:30p. (The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person;
link will be available on stanfillfh.com) The graveside interment will take place at
2:30p at Woodlawn South Cemetery (11655 SW 117 Ave, Miami Florida).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Jim
Killingsworth to Wayside Baptist Church. Checks may be mailed to the above
address or Online donations can be made at: https://waysidemiami.org/give/,
select fund: Jimmy Killingsworth Memorial Fund
Jerry Mack Seagers Jerry Seagers age 80 of Dothan, Alabama passed away early Wednesday morning, January 1, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral service for Mr. Seagers will be Monday, January 6, 2025, 2 p.m. at Fowler Family Funeral Home (965 Woodland Drive, Dothan, AL) with Pastor Raymond Rivers officiating. Family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Jerry was born October 10, 1944 in Dale County, Alabama to Charlie James and Grace Parramore Seagers. He served in the United States Army and worked as a sheet metal mechanic on helicopters until his retirement. He enjoyed traveling, being outdoors fishing, building things and playing with his great grandchildren. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Grace Seagers. Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Barbara Thomas Seagers; daughter April Rhoades (Sherri); grandchildren Sierra Goff (Brandon), Dakotah (Kodi) Hyatt; great grandchildren Tristan Goff, Brayden Goff, Mallie Gray Goff and special cousins and other family members Becky Parramore Owens, Rodney Parramore, Tony Deese, Mike Deese, Joe Seagers and Alan Seagers. Pallbearers will be Rodney Parramore, Brandon Goff, Chad Goff, Eric Hyatt, Cael Hyatt and Brad Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be great grandsons Tristan Goff and Brayden Goff. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Children’s Home in Eldridge, Alabama.
Donovan “Don” Brooks Bennett, a dedicated family man and respected railroad electrician, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025, in Ashford, AL, at the age of 78. Born on December 11, 1946, in Lakeland, FL, Don’s early years laid the foundation for a life characterized by hard work, love for his family, and a passion for the outdoors.
Don spent the majority of his career working on the railroad, a job that saw him and his family moving throughout the country. His expertise and dedication eventually led him to the role of an electrical supervisor for the railroad, where he not only contributed significantly to the industry but also formed lifelong friendships and associations. Even after his retirement, Don was often fondly remembered by his colleagues for his reliability and strong work ethic.
For 30 years, Don called Waycross, GA, home, where he and his beloved wife, Becky, raised their two children, Jean and Danny. Despite the demands of his career, he always ensured he was a good husband and father first. Sadly, Don was predeceased by his daughter Jean Bennett. He is survived by his wife, Becky Bennett; his son, Danny Bennett; and his cherished grandchildren, Carter Bennett, Walker Bennett, and Ashley Lang, who will miss their grandfather’s guidance and loving presence.
Don was a true provider for his family, ensuring their well-being and happiness were always at the forefront. His love for hunting was more than a hobby; it was a way for him to connect with nature and instill in his family the value of self-sufficiency. Those who knew him often spoke of his ability to share his knowledge and passion for the outdoors with grace and patience.
Though he and Becky had only recently moved to Ashford two weeks prior to his passing, he had quickly begun to make his mark on the community, sharing stories of his adventures on the rails and in the woods. His absence will be felt not only by his immediate family but also by the many friends and acquaintances he made over the years.
Don’s life was one of movement – from the trains he worked on to the many homes he made for his family. Yet, through all the changes, his steadfast nature and commitment to his loved ones remained constant. He was a beacon of strength and love, and his legacy will continue to live on through the lessons he taught and the memories he created with all who were fortunate enough to know him.
As we bid farewell to Donovan Brooks Bennett, we celebrate a well-lived life, filled with the joy of a family cherished, the satisfaction of a career that made a difference, and the simple pleasures that come from a life embraced with enthusiasm and integrity. Don’s journey may have reached its final stop, but the tracks he laid in the hearts of those he loved will guide them for generations to come.
A memorial service to honor Don’s life will be held at a later date in Waycross, GA.
