Robert Earl Powell, a man of honor and generosity, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024, at the age of 90. Born on March 12, 1934, Robert’s life was a testament to the values of hard work, dedication, and the importance of family.
Robert’s journey began in the halls of Dothan High School, where he excelled and laid the foundation for a life of service and community involvement. After graduation, he answered the call of duty and served with distinction in the United States Marines, a period of his life that instilled in him a deep sense of patriotism and camaraderie.
Upon returning to civilian life, Robert became a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, where he was known for his unwavering commitment and generous spirit. His involvement in the church was not just a reflection of his faith but also of his desire to contribute to the community that he held so dear.
Robert’s love for the outdoors was unparalleled. He found solace and joy in camping and fishing at Lake Arrowhead and Lake Eufaula, where he would spend countless hours surrounded by nature’s beauty. His passion for woodworking allowed him to express his creative side, crafting pieces that were not only functional but also imbued with the warmth of his personality. An avid fan of Alabama Football, Robert’s enthusiasm for the game was infectious. He shared this love with friends and family, creating memories that would last a lifetime during spirited game days.
Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nancy Powell, and his son, Steve Powell. He leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, which will be carried on by his daughter, Cynthia Falzone (Ray), and his granddaughter, Savannah Birks, along with a host of friends who were like family to him.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Robert at 2 PM, Friday, January 10, 2025 from the Chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Dr. Taylor Rutland officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 2 PM, prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Dothan, 300 West Main Street, Dothan, Alabama 36301.
DOTHAN. . .Charlie Joe Hughes, a resident of Dothan, died Wednesday morning, January 1, 2025, in Wesley Place on Honeysuckle. He was 85.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 16, 2025, in the Memphis Baptist Church with Brother Billy Rich officiating. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. There will be a private burial in the family plot in the Memphis Baptist Church Cemetery, Friday, January 3, 2025.
Mr. Hughes was born and reared in Dale County, near Midland City, son of the late Travis Hughes and Ida Lee Martin Hughes. He formerly lived in Auburndale, Florida before moving to the Memphis Church community. Mr. Hughes was a member of the Memphis Baptist Church where he faithfully served as a greeter. He was employed as a truck driver for most of his lifetime. Mr. was preceded in death by his wife, Roslynn Green Hughes, a step-son, Jerry Woodham, two sisters and five brothers.
Surviving relatives include a step-son, Lynn Woodham (Sarah), Headland; a step-daughter-in-law, Shoanna Woodham, Marietta, GA; two sisters, Nell Hughes and Ann Stewart, both of Winter Haven, FL; a brother, J. L. Hughes, Dothan; several nieces and nephews.
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.
Kelly Saxon Ellenburg, age 48, of Wicksburg, Alabama, passed away peacefully, at UAB Hospital, on Monday, December 30, 2024, with her husband and 2 children by her side.
The family will receive friends at Sorrells Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. A private service will be held at a later date.
Kelly was born on Tuesday, March 23, 1976, in Ozark, Al. She graduated from Wicksburg High School in 1994. Shortly after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Paxton. A compassionate soul with a heart full of kindness, Kelly had a special way of making everyone around her feel valued. She was known for her infectious laugh, generous spirit, and ability to give compliments that brightened the day of anyone fortunate enough to receive them.
A lover of animals and nature was evident in the way she cared and respected all living things. This compassion extended to everyone she met. She spent countless hours enjoying music with her husband, Paxton, and creating memories through their shared love of tunes. She was also a talented photographer, capturing beautiful moments and telling the stories of families through her lens. Her photographs will serve as cherished memories for many.
Kelly was preceded in death by her half-brother, Jerry Oliver Williams, Jr.
She is survived by her husband, Paxton Ellenburg; her son, Tyler Ellenburg(Haviland); granddaughter, Nora Kate, due in February 2025; her daughter, Alle Ellenburg; her parents: David and Doris Saxon; half-sisters: Ruby “Laney” Giles(James), Lisa Ann Endler(Scott); brother, Dewayne Saxon(Bobbie Jo); sister in law, Thess Williams, and a host of extended family, friends, and loved ones who will miss her deeply. Kelly’s warm smile, kind words, and generous heart will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
Beverly Wheelless Knowles, affectionately known as “Bug”, age 71, a resident of Dothan passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 surrounded by love and cherished memories.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm at The Episcopal Church of Nativity on Saturday, January 4, 2025 with Rev. John Coleman officiating. A private family burial will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm until 1:45 pm in the Parrish Hall at the church prior to services.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Wiregrass Humane Society at P.O. Box 1045 Dothan, AL 36302.
Bug was born on December 11, 1953, in Dothan, Alabama, to Hugh Ward Wheelless Sr. and Billie Freeman Wheelless. She graduated from Dothan High School in 1972. During her time at Dothan High, she was honored to serve as Sophomore Beauty and was a member of the Homecoming Court all three years of high school. Following her high school years, she attended Auburn University, where she was a proud member of the Alpha Delta Phi sorority and pursued her passion for Early Childhood Education. She earned her degree in 1976 and returned to her hometown to begin a lifelong dedication to teaching young minds. Bug worked as a Kindergarten, First, and Second-grade teacher in the Dothan City Schools system, where she touched countless lives with her kindness, patience, and dedication until her retirement.
After retiring, Bug devoted much of her time to her mother, Billie. Together, they spent their days crafting beautiful creations and tending to their flower gardens, sharing laughter and love along the way. Bug’s compassionate spirit extended to animals as well; she was an avid animal lover and volunteered her time with the Wiregrass Humane Society, advocating for and caring for animals in need.
Summers brought joy and relaxation as Bug spent cherished time at the lake with her children and friends. She was a source of light, always bringing warmth and laughter to those around her.
Bug was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dwayne Knowles; her daughter, Jessi Knowles; her parents, Hugh Ward Wheelless Sr. and Billie Freeman Wheelless; her sister, Patricia Wheelless (Goldman) Paschen; and her brother, Hugh Ward Wheelless Jr.
She is survived by her loving son, James Dwayne Knowles Jr. (Elizabeth) of Auburn; her adored granddaughter, Elizabeth Grace “Lizzy Grace” Knowles of Auburn; other family members, Trip Wheelless (Michelle), Barbara Wheelless, Hayes Wheelless (Paola Ramirez), Richard Goldman, Beth Knowles Cain (Tom of Webb and Dot Knowles Bristow (Lowell) of Columbia, Courtney Bristow Henderson (Jamie), Jamie Sewell (Nick), Caleb Bristow (Freda). Bug’s life was also graced by special friends Casey Phillips and Sherry Hodgson, who remained close to her heart.
Bug’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to family, friends, and community. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Serving as pallbearers will be Darren Kennard, Will Sconyers, Brock Hodgson, David Reves Forrester, Josh West, Landon Wheelless, and Brannon Vann.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Hubert “Tony” Thomas passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, December 22nd 2024. Born to the late JB and Essie Roy Thomas September 9th 1946 in Slocomb Alabama. He was one of twelve children. Hubert had a love for travel. He drove semi long distance for many years with trucking companies such as Country Wide and Wiley Sanders. In his day Hubert AKA “Billy Dee” was quite the ladies man. Handsome, charismatic, and stylish. He had a smile that would light up a room with a personality and demeanor that demanded respect. Left to cherish his memory are his brother, James “Chip” Thomas of Killeen TX ; children Louis Thomas of New York, NY, Maria Phillips of Chesterfield VA, Tony Thomas of Delaware OH, Alicia Thomas of Canton, OH, grandchildren; KeAndrea Organ, Jazmine Towles, Christopher Hobbs II, Samari Burnette, Damario Christian, Rayna and Lorenzo Thomas. Great -Grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his father and mother, he is preceded in death by the love of his life, Ex-wife Bonnie K. Thomas; niece Kimberly Petty-Ramirez; siblings Joe Hunter, Audrey Green, Mary Thomas, Allie Jean Hogan, Mary Evelyn Carpenter, Betty Petty, Pearlia Mae Jackson, Clifford Thomas, Lillie Mae White, and most recently Jewel Holmes. We are looking froward to the day when we will all meet again. Revelation 21:4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
Elizabeth Margaret Asher entered eternal rest on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama. Elizabeth was born in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on October 18, 1944, to the late Bernard “Pat” and Dorothy May.
She graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School, class of 1962, and married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, John Robert Asher on July 30, 1966. Together, they were a perfect example of true love that lasted 53 years, until John’s passing in 2019.
Elizabeth was a cherished wife and devoted mother, grandmother, and educator. When she was not teaching science, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, sewing, quilting, and serving others through numerous volunteer organizations. Elizabeth had an amazing sense of humor which often led to everyone laughing uncontrollably.
She is survived by her three children Marty (Tracie) Asher, Michael (Cally) Asher, and Mary Pat Peterson; nine grandchildren Haley-Marie and Orion Asher, Sladon, Shylee, and Shaylyn Asher, and Luke, Savannah, Miles, and Sarah Beth Peterson; one sister, Suzanne (Chuck) Wagner, two sisters-in-law, Sue (Frank) Carmody and Erika May, one brother-in-law, Steve (Donna) Asher; and a host of extended family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother, Karl May.
A Celebration of Elizabeth and John’s life will held together in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to RIFA, 133 Airways Blvd, Jackson, TN 38301.
such as Country Wide and Wiley Sanders. In his day Hubert AKA “Billy Dee” was quite the ladies man. Handsome, charismatic, and stylish. He had a smile that would light up a room with a personality and demeanor that demanded respect. Left to cherish his memory are his brother, James “Chip” Thomas of Killeen TX ; children Louis Thomas of New York, NY, Maria Phillips of Chesterfield VA, Tony Thomas of Delaware OH, Alicia Thomas of Canton, OH, grandchildren; KeAndrea Organ, Jazmine Towles, Christopher Hobbs II, Samari Burnette, Damario Christian, Rayna and Lorenzo Thomas. Great -Grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his father and mother, he is preceded in death by the love of his life, Ex-wife Bonnie K. Thomas; niece Kimberly Petty-Ramirez; siblings Joe Hunter, Audrey Green, Mary Thomas, Allie Jean Hogan, Mary Evelyn Carpenter, Betty Petty, Pearlia Mae Jackson, Clifford Thomas, Lillie Mae White, and most recently Jewel Holmes. We are looking froward to the day when we will all meet again. Revelation 21:4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
