Early in summer 1982, while on staff at Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, Mississippi, Celeste King’s gaze was drawn to the Center of Attention. She had not been introduced to him and didn’t cotton to strangers, so she maneuvered near him and smiled.
“Hi! I haven’t met you. I know your name is Celeste. My name is Chuck.”
She gasped at her goof, and how her mouth often worked faster than her mind. But he knew at that moment that he was gonna marry that girl. Her mama’s pound cake and her granny’s beef hash sealed the deal on his love. She fell in love with him, because he made her laugh. She married him, mainly, because her mama wanted a guitar-picker as a son-in-law.
As a preteen, Chuck told his grandmother if she’d buy him a guitar, he’d never ever ask her for anything else for the rest of his life. She upheld her end of the bargain, and he became who he was meant to be. He took one official lesson and decided he’d rather figure it out on his own. Celeste called him First-Verse Chuck, because that’s all the words he could remember. She finished his songs for him.
Over Christmas break, she went to Memphis to meet his family. He took her to the newly opened Mud Island Park, where she learned about the mighty Mississippi and the mighty Elvis Presley. At the exhibit, Celeste, an Elvis neophyte, said to Chuck (too loudly, as always), “What is everybody’s deal with Elvis?! Why won’t they let the man rest in peace?!”
Chuck gently leaned over and whispered, “You better lower your voice. You can’t talk like that in this town.”
Celeste had much to learn about Elvis, and Chuck spent the rest of his life teaching her … and their children … and whoever would listen. “If you rearrange the letters in ELVIS, it spells LIVES!”
Chuck loved Elvis. And 70s rock and roll. And gospel. And country.
Once, on a business trip to Nashville, Chuck ran into Conway Twitty. He stuck out his hand for a shake and stated, “Mister Twitty. Chuck Conner.” Impressed at his own calm, he thought how silly he’d have looked if he had rushed up, starstruck, and asked for an autograph. He knew he was much cooler than other fans. Except he didn’t have proof of the encounter. So, he grabbed paper and pen and hurried back. He tucked the signature in his Bible, where it remains.
The Life of the Party and his sidekick Martin guitar could play whatever they wanted. One time at the lake, a three-year-old buddy hollered at him, “Hey Mister Chuck! Play me some bluegrass!!!” With his underdeveloped speech, the words sounded more like, “Hey Mistaw Chuck! Pway me some bwuegwass!!” But his intention was understood. So, Mister Chuck played the boy some bluegrass.
All along, the damn diabetes was devouring his body. A related shoulder injury nightmare eventually stole his ability to hold his guitar, and therefore, his solace.
As a young man, Chuck worked at Honey Baked Ham Company. For two decades, he owned and operated Conner Business Solutions. That’s what he did. That’s not who he was. He was a good son, a good brother, a good husband, a good father, a good friend, and an all-around good guy. On September 13, 2026, he finished his good fight.
By far, the best of Chuck and Celeste manifests in their cherubic babies, who grew to stellar adults. The Conner Kids bore burdens too heavy, too young; yet they exhibit only kindness and dignity for their journeys. They grieve that another generation must be built upon the absence of a father and grandfather. But they are forever grateful for their foundation of faithfulness laid by the instigator of so much delight.
Chuck is predeceased by Mok, Nana, Papaw, Papa Chuck, Mama Nell, Little Granny, Biscuit, his right shoulder, and his pancreas.
He is survived by his reasons for getting out of bed every day: Celeste, wife of 39 years; twin daughters Abby Conner and Emma (Jordan) Johnson; son Phillip, who kept the wolves away; brand-new, perfect, long-desired grandson Jay-Landon Johnson; siblings Dollie Conner, David Conner, and Christina Conner; sisters-in-law Starla (Steve) Spencer and Angie Anderson; many much-teased nieces and nephews; beloved Yankee cousins; Bradley Caesar, for unwavering friendship; and Myrtle, Mayberry, and Memphis.
As a newlywed, Chuck told Celeste he wanted bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” at his graveside. He said, “It’s the saddest sound ever, and I want everybody to be real sad.” She quipped that she’d have George Jones singing, “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” But she doesn’t think he did.
In lieu of a public funeral, his people prefer to rest in private with family, spending days together, retelling his relentless stories …
“Tony! Tony! Tony!”
“I heard you. I don’t know what you said. But I heard you.”
“Linda!!! PULL (pause) HIS (pause) LICENSE!!!
… and honoring his legacy of laughter.
The family does not want flowers. If you’d like to honor Chuck with a donation, give to your favorite charity that brings light into people’s hearts. Donations to Jay-Landon’s adoption fund are also welcome through checks or Venmo @Emma-Johnson-0316.
The best way to honor Chuck is to pick up the phone and call the friend you’ve been needing to check on for a decade. Chuck excelled at old friends. And forgiveness.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.”
The Legacy of a Hard-Working Cowboy John Kevin Amerson April 23, 1979 – September 16, 2026
Some men leave behind a name.
Some leave behind a business.
Some leave behind accomplishments.
But every now and then, God gives us a man who leaves behind a legacy, one that lives on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. John Kevin Amerson was that man.
Born on April 23, 1979, to Pat and Fran Amerson, Kevin grew up with a cowboy’s heart. As a young man, he chased the dream so many cowboys understand. He competed in high school rodeo as a team roper and calf roper, learning early the value of hard work.
But after Kevin married his soulmate, Tonya, he discovered that his greatest passion in rodeo wasn’t being the man on the back of the horse competing, it was being the man who came running when another cowboy needed him.
Kevin became a pickup man.
And if you knew Kevin, you knew that job was more than a rodeo position. It was a perfect reflection of who he was.
He was always the man who came to the rescue.
For 26 years, Kevin and Tonya walked through life together, married for 24 of those years. She was his person, his best friend, and without question, one of the greatest loves of his life. Together they built a family and raised three sons: Kason, Kolton, and Kasston.
His boys were his pride and joy.
And then came the girls God blessed his sons with, the Donaldson sisters, who Kevin loved as his own. His family was his greatest treasure, and there was never any question about how deeply he loved them.
Kevin also had a servant’s heart when it came to his work. For more than 20 years, he served the cattle industry, providing farmers and ranchers with Anipro Xtraformance Feed supplements. He didn’t simply sell a product. He built relationships. He knew people, cared deeply for them, and treated people with respect.
Kevin also poured his heart into Dothan Livestock Company, working alongside Mr. Ed and Dallas “Catfish” Neel. Though they may have been his employers on paper, Kevin considered them family. Through his work, he gained countless friendships, many of which became some of the most meaningful relationships of his life.
That was Kevin.
He worked hard.
He loved deeply.
He showed up.
He helped people.
And he made friends everywhere he went. Everybody knew Kevin. And everybody loved him.
Kevin grew up in church, but at the age of 43, something changed. He didn’t simply know about Jesus, he truly surrendered his life to Him.
And that decision became the most important decision he ever made.
When cancer entered Kevin’s life, he fought a hard battle. There were days of uncertainty, fear, pain, and heartache, but even in the hardest moments, his story was never ultimately about cancer.
It was about faith, because Kevin knew where his story was going to end.
Today, the cowboy who spent his life helping others is finally home.
No more sickness.
No more pain.
No more sorrow.
No more battles.
His boots may no longer be walking through these earthly pastures. His hands may no longer be working cattle. His pickup-man days may be over.
But his legacy is still riding on.
It lives in Tonya.
It lives in Kason, Kolton, and Kasston.
It lives in Savanna and Delaney.
It lives in his parents, Pat and Fran, his brother Jeffrey and Tayler, and his in laws, the Bartons: Ken, Rhonda, Chad, Ashley, Kenny, Kaylee, and Khloe.
It lives in the friends he made at Dothan Livestock Company, in the cattlemen he served with his Anipro business, in the cowboys he helped, and in every person who can tell a story that begins with, “Do you know Kevin Amerson…”
And perhaps most importantly, Kevin’s legacy lives in the message he leaves for all of us: Don’t wait until something bad happens to turn your life over to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Kevin learned that lesson while fighting his greatest battle.
And now, because of that surrender, he has won the only victory that matters forever.
Our cowboy has entered his heavenly home.
The pickup man has made his final ride.
The hardworking husband, father, son, brother, friend, and servant has finished his race.
And the man who spent his life coming to the rescue of others has finally been rescued himself, not from this life, but into eternal life with Jesus. We know he heard the words: Well done, good and faithful servant.
Your work on earth is done.
Life here won’t be the same without him, but Happy Trails, Kev, until we meet again.
Services will be held at Carmel Assembly of God Church on Saturday 11:00 AM, September 19, 2026, with interment to follow in the Gully Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 AM Saturday at Carmel Assembly of God Church,1485 Carmel Church Road, Bonifay, Florida. Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements. Serving as pallbearers will be: Jamie Hightower, Kenny Woodham, Colby Gay, Tim Adams, Stacy Ward, Vance Cauley, Kerry McLaney, Jason Waters, Jonathan Stephens, Josh Hodge, Clayton Ward, and Clint Long. Honorary pallbearers will be: Kenny Barton, Brasyn Miller, Kaden Hodge, Justin Miller, Roman Purvee, Dawson Taylor, and Bailey Miller.
Nancy Spann, 80, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026. She was born on September 12, 1946, to George Stoll Spann and Frances Gwaltney Spann and lived in Dothan her entire life.
Nancy devoted 38 years to public education as a first-grade teacher, touching the lives of generations of children throughout her career. She began teaching at Wilson Street Elementary, later taught at Girard Elementary, and completed her career at Highlands Elementary, where she retired.
Nancy was a graduate of Auburn University, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She later earned her master’s degree from Troy State University. Outside the classroom, Nancy had a passion for decorating and loved entertaining her friends. She treasured time spent with her family and especially enjoyed their trips together to the mountains and the beach. Nancy was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church in Dothan.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, George Stoll Spann and Frances Gwaltney Spann.
Nancy is survived by her sister, Sandra Fowler and brother-in-law, Wayne Fowler; her niece, Kimberly Fowler Del Rosal, and her husband, Derek Del Rosal; her nephew, Kevin Fowler, and his wife, Jennifer Fowler; and her two beloved great-nieces, Madison and Harper Fowler.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Extendicare and VITAS Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to Nancy.
Nancy will be remembered for her dedication to her students, her love of family and friends, and the warmth and hospitality she shared with those around her.
Dustin “Earl” Ward, 36, of Geneva, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on September 14, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Carmel Assembly of God with Rev. Jerry Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the Bar W Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Dustin was born on August 15, 1990. He spent his life devoted to the things that mattered most to him—his faith, his family, and the people he loved. Dustin was a hardworking man with a kind heart and a witty sense of humor. He never met a stranger and would give anyone the shirt off his back. He especially enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, and riding his motorcycle, affectionately known as the “Silver Bullet.” He loved his friends and treasured the time he spent with them. Above all, his pride and joy was his son, Cooper.
Dustin was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Frank Ganous.
He is survived by his beloved son, Cooper Earl Ward; his father and stepmother, Robert and Lisa Ward; his mother and stepfather, Beth and Ronnie Turner; his sister and brother-in-law, Nichole and Travis Williams; step-sisters, Karli Whidden and Kaila Whidden; step-brother, Blake Whidden; godbrother, Mack Stackhouse; grandparents, Buddy and Eloise Ward, Norma Jean Ward, and Sue Ganous; aunts and uncles, Stacy and Peggy Ward, Kathy Griffin, Linda and Phillip McKnight, Pam and Steve Calhoun, and Vicki Walton; cousins, Clayton (Aubrey) Ward, Jacee (Gus) Maraman, Brian (Maria) McKnight, Billy (Carol Curry) McKnight, and Jay Calhoun; and nieces and nephews, Hadley, Hudson, Madi, Blakely, Emmie Kate, Adaline, Waylon, Makaila, and Karson.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Smith, Larry Cook, Jeff Cain, Justin Chandler, Jeremy Brock, Danny Hidle, and Ricky Soles. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Thomas, David Biddle, Ben Barnes, and Mack Stackhouse.
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
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Patricia Sharon “Patsy” Andrews Evans, a resident of Skipperville, went home to be with her Heavenly Father Tuesday, September 15, 2026, following an extended illness. She was 80 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Evans will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, September 18, 2026 from Skipperville Methodist Church with Reverend Jason Hanna officiating. Interment will follow in Skipperville Community Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Serving as pallbearers will be Doug Evans, Chase Evans, Riley Evans, Jimmy Willis, James Willis and Clay Willis.
Patricia was born on July 19, 1946, in Ewell, Alabama, to the late Mason Andrews and Maude Napier Andrews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Jerry Evans; her son, Jonathan “Johnny” Evans; her brother, Mason Kermit Andrews Jr.; and her granddaughter, Alexandria Savanna “Alex” Evans.
She is survived by her son, Doug Evans of Skipperville; her daughter-in-law, Stephanie Evans of Skipperville; her cherished grandchildren, Mason, Chase, Reece, and Riley Evans all of Skipperville; her sister, Peggy Eschik (Gary) of Michigan; several nieces and nephews; and numerous dear friends.
Patricia worked as a cosmetologist for more than 30 years. In the late 1990s, she fulfilled her dream of opening her own business, Patsy’s Sheer Designs, where she faithfully served her clients and community until her retirement in 2012. Through her work, many clients became treasured friends.
A devoted woman of faith, Patricia was an active member of Skipperville Methodist Church. She generously shared her time and talents through the Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, missions, and church choir. Her faith was reflected in the way she loved and served those around her.
Patricia loved traveling, especially when her destination included the beach. She was an excellent cook and found great joy in gardening. Though she stood only four feet ten inches tall, she possessed a spirit much larger than her stature. Her strength, warmth, humor, and unmistakable personality left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
Above all, Patricia loved her family deeply. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and mother-in-law, proud grandmother, caring sister, faithful church member, and cherished friend. Her life was a beautiful testimony of faith, service, perseverance, and love. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Ozark Health and Rehabilitation for the kindness and care they showed her. A special thank-you is also extended to Gentiva Hospice for the compassionate care, love, and support they provided to Patricia and her family during this time.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in her memory to Skipperville Methodist Church Missions; 5189 Highway 105, Skipperville, Alabama 36374.
BLAKELY, GA… Ronnie Gene Parr, a resident of Blakely, Georgia, passed away late Sunday evening, September 13, 2026, at his daughter’s home in Kinsey, Alabama. He was 60.
Graveside services will be held at 4:00 P.M. EST, Friday, September 18, 2026, in the White Plains Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in Lucile, Georgia, with Pastor Sterling Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 P.M. EST, at the church prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Parr was born September 28, 1965, in Blakely, Georgia, to the late Clarence Parr and Shelby Jean Lanton Parr. He was a lifelong member of White Plains Freewill Baptist Church in Lucile, Georgia. Ronnie worked as an HVAC technician with Bob Woodall Air Care Systems for thirteen years, serving customers throughout the Wiregrass area. Before beginning his HVAC career, he worked at the AMOCO Fabrics Mill in Bainbridge, Georgia. He also farmed between those careers.
Ronnie enjoyed searching for arrowheads and playing his guitar. He will be remembered for the life he shared with his family, friends, coworkers, and church community.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Clarence Allen Parr.
Leaving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Bethanee Raygan Woodham (Brett); his sister, Sherri Keeter (Nathan); his nephew, Ryan Keeter (Tammie); and his nephew, Shelby Parr (Sunni).
Nancy Spann, 80, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026. She was born on September 12, 1946, to George Stoll Spann and Frances Gwaltney Spann and lived in Dothan her entire life.
