Betty Marie Minton, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, at the age of 81 in Taylor, Alabama. Born on August 22, 1943, in Palatka, Florida, to the late Albert Minton and Winnie Merle Coulliete Minton.
Betty’s warmth and kindness were the cornerstones of her existence. Her daughter, Carolyn Gibson, was the apple of her eye, and she took immense pride in her role as a mother. Betty’s legacy continued to flourish through her beloved grandchildren, Wesley Letourneau, Ariel Hall and her husband Charles, and Brianna Carranza and her husband Alex. The joys of her life multiplied with the arrival of her great-grandchildren, Brinlee and Aubree Letourneau, Rylee and Jasper Hall, and A. J. and Jasmine Carranza, who all held a special place in her heart.
Betty’s brother, Glenn Minton, and sister, Lorraine McClellan, will fondly remember the countless cherished moments they shared. Her love extended beyond her human family to her adored dogs, Allie, Bentley, and Bailey, who were her constant companions and brought her immense happiness.
Betty’s love for cooking was evident in the delicious meals she lovingly prepared for her family and friends. She found joy in the simple act of sharing a meal with those she loved. Her kitchen was not just a place for cooking but a haven where memories were made, and laughter was shared.
Betty’s love for her family was unparalleled, and she reveled in every opportunity to spend time with her “grandbabies.” Each moment spent with them was treasured, and she was their unwavering cheerleader in all their endeavors. Her presence at family gatherings will be deeply missed, but the love and values she instilled in her family will continue to resonate through generations.
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.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Lynda “Lynn” Williford, 56, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, in Dothan, Alabama, surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 1, 1969, in Mobile, Alabama, to the late Raymond and Patricia Rambo, Lynn was known for her caring nature, steady presence, and warm smile.
A 1987 graduate of Dothan High School, Lynn went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Governors University. She spent her career serving others at Southeast Health for 36 years as a registered nurse. Her work was more than a job—it was a calling. Patients trusted her, colleagues respected her, and she took pride in providing care that was both skilled and compassionate.
Lynn and her husband, Tommy Williford, shared 37 years of marriage marked by love, mutual respect, and unwavering support for each other. She was a devoted mother to her daughters, Tiffany Free (Bryan) and Tori Williams (Blake), and found joy in watching her six grandchildren—Keith, Adalynn, Brayden, Hudson, Riley, and Tyler—grow and thrive. She also was a loving sister to her siblings, Charles Rambo and Joy Land. She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews. Family gatherings were her favorite, and she rarely missed a chance to celebrate life’s milestones.
She had a lighthearted side and enjoyed simple pleasures—shopping for shoes, and spending time with her dachshunds, Gator and Elvis. Her home was always a place where people felt welcomed, cared for, and loved.
Lynn Williford’s life was a testament to the beauty of a kind heart, the strength of a nurturing soul, and the joy of a life dedicated to the well-being of others. She will be profoundly missed, yet her light will continue to shine in the memories of her family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have been graced by her presence.
A celebration of Lynn’s life will be held at 11am on Monday, August 18th, 2025 in the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel with Pastor Michelle Benson officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. She will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jeanne Kyle Hutto, a remarkable and kind-hearted spirit, passed away on August 12, 2025, after a life rich with service and compassion. Born on June 1, 1956, her journey was one filled with dedication, both to her country and to the field of nursing.
In honoring her wish there will be no funeral services. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/donate.html or to the Wiregrass Pet Rescue and Adoption Center,106 Adris Place Dothan, AL. 36303 https://wiregrasspetrescue.org
Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Hutto and Winona Woods Hutto. She is survived by two sisters, Julie and Janis Hutto, her aunt, Martha Woods and many beloved cousins. Jeanne’s nurturing spirit extended to her cherished fur babies, her rescue cats, who provided her with endless joy and companionship.
A lifelong learner and dedicated professional, Jeanne achieved her bachelor’s degree in nursing, a testament to her commitment to caring for others. Her passion for healing and helping those in need was the cornerstone of her life.
Jeanne’s career was marked by her distinguished service in the United States Air Force, where she served valiantly for 16 years. As a flight nurse, providing critical care in the most challenging of circumstances. Her leadership and excellence were recognized with her promotion to the rank of Captain, a role she fulfilled with integrity until her retirement. Jeanne’s work in the medical field was not just a job but a calling. She was a source of comfort to those she served.
Jeanne’s nights were often spent gazing upwards, as she loved the different phases of the moon. As we look at the stars, we are reminded of Jeanne’s luminous spirit, a light that will continue to shine in the hearts of those she touched.
Age 63, of Dothan, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Southeast Health.
She was born April 10, 1962, in Dothan, Alabama, Rhonda was the beloved daughter of the late Nelson and Betty Peters Granberry. She worked as a dedicated payroll specialist and was known for her kind spirit and warm heart.
Rhonda cherished babysitting her fur nephew, Jax, and held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews. She loved listening to John Lennon, The Beatles, and Steely Dan, and enjoyed shopping, reading, and cheering on Alabama football.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Left to treasure her memory are her sisters, Sonja White (Greg) and Mandy Strickland (Dwight); nieces and nephews, Talia Mills (Gene Mills, Jr.), Mark Webster, Jr (Janelle), Jesse Webster, Peyton Brown, and Maddox Brown; great-nieces and nephews, Alexa Mills, Lilly Mills, Jagger Webster, Nick Webster, and Luna Webster; and her partner, Jeri Radtke.
Rhonda will be remembered for her unwavering love for family, her joyful spirit, and her appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.
LTC Ret. Keith E. Gay of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at home after a battle with Cancer. He was 72.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 16 at 11 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Dothan. The family will receive friends following the service in the parish hall. A graveside service and burial will be held Monday, August 18 at 10 a.m. at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery in Vicksburg, MS. The family will first meet up at Glenwood Funeral Home. Sunset Memorial Park in Dothan is in charge of local arrangements.
Pallbearers at the Vicksburg service will be Adam Gay, Mike Gay, Tom Gay, Bill Mendrop, Robert Arnold, and Rick Linton.
Mr. Gay was born on March 16, 1953, in Vicksburg, MS, to the late Wallace Gay and Ruth Mendrop Gay. He was a 1971 graduate of Cooper High School, and a 1975 graduate of The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). He received a master’s degree in leadership and organizational management at University of Redlands in California in 1978.
Mr. Gay was preceded in death by his parents, and his son Adam Gay.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 51 years Peggy Lum Gay, of Dothan, and his son, Sam Gay (Katie), of Dothan, three grandchildren who affectionately called him PePaw – Millie Gay, Adam Gay and Margaret Gay, and two brothers, Randy Gay (Marsha), Vicksburg, MS, and Mark Gay (Sue), Springfield, VA.
A retired lieutenant colonel and a dual rated aviator, Mr. Gay had 22 years of combined joint military service in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, where he served in multiple air and ground assignments.
Mr. Gay was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in 1975, and went through T-37/38 training at Craig, Air Force Base in Selma, Ala. The Air Force’s reduction-in-force placed new pilots on inactive reserve status for 36 months. Mr. Gay resigned and entered the Marine Corps’ Officer Candidate School.
During his time in Marine Corps he served as a second lieutenant in Artillery at 29 Palms, Calif., from 1976-1979; selected for Naval Flight Training, Naval Air Station (NAS) in Pensacola, Fla.; selected for Aviation Maintenance Management Officer (AMMO) School, NAS, Millington, Tenn., in 1980; assigned to VMFA-212 as an F-4 Naval Flight Officer in Kaneohe, Hawaii, from 1980-1983; attended Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and served as the detachment commander; served overseas deployments to Japan, Korea, and the Philippines; and was assigned to McDonnell Douglas Hornet Introduction Team (HIT) for F-4 transition to F-18- MCAS, El Toro, Calif.
Wanting to get back into flying, Mr. Gay transitioned to the Army for flight school at Fort Rucker, Ala., in 1983. He attended the Maintenance Course and AH-1 Cobra Maintenance Test Pilot course in 1984; was assigned to the 228th AHB, 1st CAV DIV, Ft. Hood, Texas; commanded the F/227, AVIM, 1st CAV DIV; executive officer for 1-7 CAV, 1st CAV DIV; served as the Aviation General Staff Officer, 19th Theater Support Command, Taegu, Republic of Korea; attended Command and General Staff College in 1991; served as Chief, Concepts/Studies Branch, Directorate of Combat Development (DCD), Fort Rucker in 1992; Deputy Director, DCD in 1993; Director, Aviation Battle Lab in 1995; served in the Operational Test Evaluation Agency/Command until 1997.
Following his retirement from the military, he helped start up Navigator Development Group Inc. Through a partnership buyout in 2016, Keith became the full owner of Navigator, and its headquarters, which is the historic Rawls Hotel in downtown Enterprise. Navigator is a defense industry consulting firm that provides contract support to the Department of Defense agencies across the Aviation, Training and Technology domains. Navigator supports government and industry customers at multiple locations: Enterprise, Dothan, Fort Rucker, Huntsville, Redstone Arsenal, AL; Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field, FL; Fort Leavenworth, KS; Kirtland AFB, NM; Fort Sill, OK, and Fairchild AFB, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.
