James Oliver “Jim” Oates, a resident of Dothan, entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 31, 2025, surrounded by his family at the age of 87.
Jim was born on March 04, 1937 to Robert and Ethel Oates in Americus, GA. He graduated from Cairo High School in 1955 and attended and graduated college from Georgia Southern University. His career was spent in the field of Parks and Recreation where he was the Director in Dalton, Carrollton, and Cobb Counties in GA. He then worked in the Department of Natural Resources in Georgia before he moved to Dothan, AL to become the Director of Parks and Recreation, now known as the Dothan Leisure Services from 1977-1998. He was a faithful member of Cloverdale Baptist Church.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Ethel Oates; his father and mother in law, Charles and Virginia David; his sisters, Carolyn Oates and Bobbie Carter; brother in law, Fred Carter; grandson, Robbie Brinson; brother in laws, Gil and Britt David.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pennie Oates, Dothan; sons, Reid Oates (Karen) of Cobbtown, GA; Chuck Oates (Shannon) of Mobile, AL; grandchildren, Taylor Melvin (Michael); Madison Atchison (Colin); Makenzie Dempsey (Cole); Carolyn Oates; Bayleigh Oates; Great-grandchildren, AJ Melvin, Alaina Melvin, Asher Melvin, Catherine Atchison, Wesley Athchison, Maia Oates, and Price Taylor Dempsey; sister in law, Dorothy Brantley (Billy); and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at the Cloverdale Baptist Church with Pastor Alan Bryan officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery in Dothan.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 3, 2025 from 4-6 PM at the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Cloverdale Baptist Church, 806 Dexter Street, Dothan, AL; Dothan Botanical Gardens, 5130 Headland Ave., Dothan AL 36303; or Dothan Leisure Services Special Olympics, 501 Recreation Rd., Dothan, AL 36303.
The family would like to thank Pam, with Home Instead as well as Jada and Mackenzie with Gentiva Hospice for their care.
Mrs. Martha Janet Greene Helms, a former resident of Ozark, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025. She was 90 years old. Graveside services for Mrs. Helms will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 8, 2025, in Westview Memorial Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until time to depart for the service.
Mrs. Helms was born November 4, 1934 in Henry County, Alabama to the late Floyd Chappell Greene and Minnie Belle Horne Greene. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and taught elementary education until her retirement. She was dedicated to her Dawn Bible Students Class of Louisville, Alabama. Mrs. Helms was an avid reader who enjoyed poetry, particularly Emily Dickenson. She loved flowers and enjoyed a sun-shiny day working in her yards.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, William Noah Greene and Martha Stafford Greene. She is survived by three nephews, Terry Greene (Cindy) of Northport, Alabama, Carl Greene (Nicole) of Dothan, Alabama and Eric Greene (Jill) of Trussville, Alabama. She leaves behind great nieces and great nephews, Clint Greene and Chelsea Newels of Northport, Whitney Bass and Hannah King of Dothan, Elijah, Ethan and Phoebe Greene of Trussville.
Mrs. Helms is also survived by four great-great nieces and four great-great nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Dawn Bible Students Association, 199 Railroad Avenue, East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073; or to Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35404. (hospicewestal.com)
ARITON…Mr. Lomax E. Robinette, a resident of Ariton, died late Friday afternoon, January 31, 2025, in a Dothan hospital following a short illness. He was 88.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 3, 2025, at Holmes Baptist Church with Reverend Wayne Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Pea River Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 3:30 until 5:30 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, Dale County Camp, P.O. Box 291, Ozark, Alabama 36361 or to Clio Heritage Association, P.O. Box 521, Clio, Alabama 36017.
Mr. Robinette, son of the late Elmo Jackson Robinette and Myra Louise Wilson Robinette, was a native of Elamville, Alabama and moved to Ariton in 1962. He was a proud 1954 Graduate of Barbour County High School. Mr. Robinette owned and operated Robinette Drywall for more than forty years. He was honored to have served his country in the United States Army. Mr. Robinette was a member of the Model A Club of America and the Clio Heritage Association. He was a member of the Holmes Baptist Church. Mr. Robinette was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, James Bryan and Chuck Hutchinson.
Surviving relatives include his wife of sixty-two years, Pat Spivey Robinette, Ariton; his daughter, Traci Paramore (Michael), Dothan; his son, Jason Lomax Robinette (Jana), Enterprise; two sisters, Annette Bryan, Brundidge and Sara Hutchinson, Elgin, Illinois; four grandchildren, Chase Paramore (Yadira), Hayden Paramore, Macy Robinette, and Jack Robinette; great-granddaughter, Camila Paramore; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be James Phillips, Alan Peavy, Ty Tyson, Tyler Tyson, Lomax Bryan, and Greg Nelson.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Joe Edwin Graves of Troy, AL (formally Enterprise, AL) passed away Friday, January 31, 2025, at his home. He was 96.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, February 3, 2025, at Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with Dr. Olivia Poole officiating. Burial will follow at Meadowlawn Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 PM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 201 Heath Street, Enterprise, AL 36330.
Mr. Graves was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years Alva Graves and son-in-law Homer Pettengill.
Survivors include his two daughters, JoAnn Pettengill, Level Plains, AL; Kathy Hendrix (Buddy), Troy, AL; son, Jim Graves (Jeanine), Dallas, TX; eight grandchildren, Emily Stallsmith (David), Alison Pettengill, Katie Bradley (Aaron), Megan Ingram (Kurt), Christopher Hendrix (Halee), Jeffrey Graves (Jelena), Jennifer Cantu, Jayna Bond (Chris); ten great-grandchildren and another on the way.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compassus Hospice for the care Mr. Graves received during his illness.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
George Wallace Jr., a resident of Dothan, Alabama, stepped out of time and into eternity on Monday, January 27, 2025. He now rests with his Jesus Christ, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Greater Beulah Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until 11:00am on the day of the service.
We are gathered here today to celebrate the life and legacy of a remarkable woman, Willie Mae Dawsey Freeman, affectionately known to us all as Willie Mae. Born on November 5th, 1950, in the warm and welcoming city of Dothan, Alabama, Willie Mae was a beacon of light and love until her peaceful passing on January 29th, 2025, in Alabaster, Alabama. She was a woman of remarkable faith and boundless love, and her memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew her.
Willie Mae was the cherished daughter of Willie Grayson Jr. and Mary Ella Dawsey Kennedy, who preceded her in glory along with her beloved son, Xavier Freeman. Her radiant spirit is carried on through her devoted children, James Freeman III and Aisha Freeman; her adoring grandchildren, Brittany, Justin, Joshua, Jordyn, Emerson, and Dylan; and her seven great-grandchildren, who were the apples of her eye. She also leaves behind her loving sisters, Marjorie Cook, Bessie Brown, and Linda Copeland, who will miss her dearly.
From her early days at E.R. Grimsley Colored High School in Ashford to the time she earned her bachelor’s in theology from Minnesota Theology Graduate School of Ministry in Dothan, Willie Mae’s life was a testament to her unwavering faith. She nurtured her spirit within the walls of St. James Baptist Church in Dothan, where she was not just a member, but a pillar of the community.
Willie Mae’s professional journey was marked with dedication and a strong work ethic, as she served as a switchboard operator and later as a supervisor. After 25 years of committed service, she retired from GTE, leaving a legacy of professionalism and camaraderie.
But beyond her professional achievements, Willie Mae was a mother figure to all, with an open door and an even more open heart. Her home was a sanctuary for anyone in need, and her ministry was not a task but her hobby, her passion, and her life’s work. She had the unique ability to relate everything to the Word of God, finding lessons and comfort in the sacred text that she shared generously with others. Willie Mae was easy to talk to, always ready with a comforting word, a piece of wisdom, or a fervent prayer.
Faith-filled, loving, and selfless—these words encapsulate the essence of Willie Mae. She embodied the love of Christ in every action, every word, and every prayer. She was a living example of the scripture she held so dear, and her influence extended far beyond the walls of her home and her church.
To speak of Willie Mae is to speak of a life well-lived and a faith well-kept. She was a woman who planted seeds of love and kindness wherever she went, cultivating a garden of fellowship that bloomed with the flowers of community and togetherness. In every role she embraced—whether as a mother, grandmother, sister, or friend—Willie Mae exemplified grace and selflessness.
Willie Mae, we thank you for the love you’ve given, the wisdom you’ve shared, and the example you’ve set. Your journey on this earth has ended, but your spirit soars in the heavenly realms. Rest now in the arms of the Lord, good and faithful servant, until we meet again.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11 am in the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel with Pastor Albert A. Williams officiating. She will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
James Oliver “Jim” Oates, a resident of Dothan, entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 31, 2025, surrounded by his family at the age of 87.
