NEWTON…Mr. Larry Burcham, a resident of Newton, passed away early Tuesday morning, February 4, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 68.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 7, 2025, at Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Griggs officiating. Burial will follow in Newton City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 11:00 A.M. Friday at the church.
Mr. Burcham, son of the late Arnold McClellan Burcham and Ida Mae Goad Mazzeo, was a native of Galax, Virginia. He moved to Newton in 1975 and was retired from Quality Ready Mix in Midland City as the Office Manager. In earlier years, he was employed with Couch, Incorporated. Mr. Burcham always enjoyed being with his family and was a loving and caring husband, daddy, and Papa. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Newton. Mr. Burcham was preceded in death by his sister, Brenda Mae Grimsley and an uncle, Arthur “Buck” Burcham.
Surviving relatives include his wife of forty-six years, Paula Beasley Burcham, Newton; two daughters, Misty Cherry (Mike), Newton and Kristy Barefield (Patrick), Brown’s Crossroads Community; two granddaughters, Madelyn Cherry and Reese Barefield; three nephews, Aaron Gartlan, Wicksburg, Patrick Gartlan, Australia, and Jesse Beasley (Wendy), Newton; niece, Jolie Beasley (Devin Fields), Pinckard; great nieces, Ashlyn Beasley and Emersyn Fields; great-nephew, Aaron Beasley; several aunts and uncles, including Shirley Burcham, and her daughter, his cousin, Lydia Sutphin (Hal), all of Galax, Virginia; his mother-in-law, Nell Bodiford (David), Newton; brother-in-law, Pete Beasley (Kim), Midland City; his “work family”, the workers at Quality Ready Mix.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Patrick Barefield, Mike Cherry, Aaron Gartlan, Ben Johnson, David Bodiford, Pete Beasley, Aaron Beasley, and Jesse Beasley.
He always be remembered as “Man’s Man, but a gentle girl dad and Papa”. “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
James Christopher Dodson, of Level Plains, AL, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, at his home. He was 56.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until service time.
James enjoyed working on vehicles and tinkering in the garage. He also loved to fish, have cookouts, and listen to country music.
James was preceded in death by his parents James Dodson and Ann Morehead, step-father Paul Morehead, and a sister Deborah Nell Bowers.
Survivors include his son, Shawn Kerry Dodson, Daleville, AL; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sherri Peeples (Howard), Daleville, AL; Lisa Strickland (Kenny), Seale, AL; two brothers, Shawn Dodson, Enterprise, AL; Robert Dodson (Sarah), Enterprise, AL; several nieces and nephews; step-mother, Linda Dodson, Birmingham, AL.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com .
Mr. Marion Ray Gilley of Slocomb passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at his home after an extended illness. He was 81.
Mr. Gilley was born on February 9, 1943, in Houston County, to the late Emon Edward and Kathryn Hanners Gilley.
In addition to his parents, son, Mark Gilley; brother, Gerald Gilley; and granddaughter, Hannah Gilley, all preceded him in death.
Ray is survived by two sons: Marion Ray Gilley, Jr. (Leslie), and Darren Gilley (Andrea); four grandchildren: Caitlyn Gilley, Aselyn Griswold (Collier), Averie Gilley and Trey Gilley; two great-grandchildren, Skylar Wimbush and Graham Griswold; sister, Mary McAllister (Don), three brothers: Gary Gilley, Robert Gilley (Liz) and William “Billy” Gilley; numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make a memorial contribution in Ray’s memory to the charity of your choice.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date with Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb
(334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements.
“Because We Care … Is Making A Difference” To sign a guest register, please visit www.sorrellsfuneral.com.
DOTHAN… Martin David Weiler, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, at his home. He was 90.
No services planned at this time.
Mr. Weiler was born in New York, New York, to the late Aaron Weiler and Helen Weiler. He worked and retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a statistician for over 34 years.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brothers and a nephew.
Leaving to cherish his memories is his wife, Judy Weiler; his son, Seth Weiler; and his several nieces and nephews.
BYRON, GA… Samuel David “Sammy” Jackson, a resident of Byron, Georgia, formerly of Headland, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 60.
Funeral services will be held 12:30 P.M. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Headland High School Gymnasium (Steve Williams Arena), with his brother, Reverend Dr. Bobby J. Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to the Samuel David “Sammy” Jackson Scholarship Fund at Headland National Bank, 40 Main Street, Headland, Alabama 36345.
Mr. Jackson was born in Headland, Alabama to Louise Thornton Jackson Williams and the late Bobby Joe Jackson, Sr.. He was a 1982 graduate of Headland High School. He furthered his education with a Bachelors of Communication from the University of Montevallo. He served as head coach at Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University and as assistant coach Auburn University, Tennessee State University, Georgia Southern University, Alabama A&M University, and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He had previously lived in Alabama and Tennessee, before making Byron, GA his home. He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. And a member of the Black Coaches Association. He was a member of the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
Along with his father, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Lynn Jackson and his nephew, Vantavius Dishon McKay.
Leaving to cherish his memories is his wife, Jill Burwell Jackson; his sons, Desmond Jackson (Gabriel), Devin Jackson, Kenneth Burwell, and Kyle Burwell; his daughter, Kourtney Burwell Parchman (Donovan); his mother, Louise Thornton Jackson Williams; his sisters, Barbara Jackson, Nakeshia Brown, Kimberly Bighems-Williams, and Demetra Jackson; his brothers, Dr. Reverend Bobby J. Jackson (Jackie), Franklin Williams (Marlita), Kenneth Jackson, Stevie Jackson, Wailon Minniefield, Torez Jackson, and Jeffrey Jackson; and his ten grandchildren.
Serving as active pallbearers will be his former players and his fraternity brothers.
Mrs. Dorothy Loraine Wentland Coker, of Hartford, went home to be with the LORD, Monday, February 3, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 62.
A Visitation of Family and Friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Wednesday February 5, 2025, Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb with Sister Lisa Eller officiating. A private family graveside service will follow in the Hurricane Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers and food, contributions may be made directly to the family.
Mrs. Coker was born September 1, 1962 in Montgomery, AL to the late Patricia Jean Nicholson and Phillip Thomas Wentland. Dorothy graduated from Pike County High School in 1980 and was proud to be a Pike County “Bulldog”. She met the love of her life Jeffrey Hugh Coker in 1987 and moved to Geneva County in 1988. She was employed with the Hartford Senior Center for 11 years developing many lifelong friendships along the way. Due to poor health, she became a fulltime stay at home wife and mother, raising her children and grandchildren. Dorothy was kindhearted, will forever be remembered for her strength, and will be dearly missed.
In addition to her parents, son, Joleb True Coker; grandson, Austin Jene Williams; and brother, Richard Lee Wentland, son-in-law, John Conley Williams, all preceded her in death.
Survivors include her loving husband of 38 years, Jeffrey Hugh Coker; daughters: Heather Diann Williams, and Shelinah Lozano (Trey); son, Joseph Noah Coker; grandchildren: Jacob Lee Williams, Rylee Hope Strickland, and Payslee Sage Strickland; siblings: Sammy Wentland, Henry Wentland, Kay Andress, and Shelby Sanders; special friend, Dianne Kimbro; several nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
Serving as very special pallbearers, Jacob Williams, Trey Lozano, Shelinah Lozano, Heather Williams, AJ Wentland, and Craig Wentland. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Southern Care Hospice of Enterprise.
