DOTHAN. . .Ealar Barnette Pritchard, a resident of Dothan, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at her home. She was 75.
A private graveside service was held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 30, 2026, in the Adoniram Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations was in charge of arrangements.
Ealar Pritchard was born in Dothan and raised in the Union Community of Henry County, daughter of the late William Oyd Barnette and Jeanette McKnight Barnette. She attended the Union School and graduated from Abbeville High School. Ealar received a B. S. Degree in Education from Huntingdon College in Montgomery. She later received a Masters Degree in Education from Auburn University-Montgomery. Ealar retired from Daisy Lawrence Elementary School in Montgomery as Principal. In earlier years, she served as Assistant Principal at Bellingrath School and also taught as an Elementary School teacher in the Montgomery County System. Mrs. Pritchard was a member of the First Baptist Church of Headland.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Frederick Hardy Pritchard; a sister, Mary Sue McClurkin (Van), Indian Springs, AL; and a brother, Mack Barnette (Beverly), Abbeville; a sister-in-law, Peggy Johnson and a brother-in-law, Dennis Pritchard (Mary Beth).
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.
Linda Lou McAdams of Geneva, AL passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at her home. She was 57.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home with Bro. John Boy Trim and Bro. Donnie Earles officiating. Burial will follow at Hurricane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:00 pm until service time.
Linda was born on December 16, 1968 in Geneva, AL to James Gafford McAdams and Peggy Ann Tidwell. Cherished by her family, she was lovingly referred to as “Granny,” and she delighted in showering her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with affection. Cooking for her loved ones brought her immense joy, and she enjoyed moments spent outdoors with friends.
She is preceded in death by her father, James Gafford McAdams; and her brothers, James, William “Cooter Bug”, Ricky, Charlie, and Cleveland.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Deana Louise Leavins of Birmingham, AL; her special friend of 20 years, James Berry of Geneva, AL; her God-daughter, Kristy Dunn of Birmingham, AL; her mother, Peggy Ann Willoughby of Geneva, AL; her granddaughters, Daisy Ward (Hunter) of Westville, FL, and Destiny Leavins of Niceville, FL; great-grandchildren, Amelia Leavins-Meeks, Brody Smith, Lilly Whitehurst, and Carson Whitehurst; her sister, Patricia Lawhorn of Geneva, AL; her brother, Jessie McAdams of Westville, FL; and a host of special nieces and nephews.
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
Jimmy Ray Fennell, 87, a longtime resident of Houston County, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Cowarts Baptist Church with Reverend Jonathan Sorenson officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home & Crematory of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 p.m., prior to the service at the church.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Cowarts Baptist Church, 2855 Jordan Avenue, Cowarts, AL 36321.
Jimmy was born March 9, 1939, in Enterprise to the late Alton & Elizabeth (Hinson) Fennell. He spent the early years of his life at Enterprise and attended Enterprise High School. After school he moved to Houston County and served in the United States Army Reserves and the Alabama National Guard. Following his time in the service, he worked as a Crane Operator for Qualico Steel and Enfinger Steel. Jimmy was enjoyed participating at the Cowarts Senior Center and was a longtime member of Cowarts Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his four sisters, Shirley Faye Fennell, Betty Lou Strickland, Mildred Weist, and Becky Adkins; his three brothers, James Fennell, Preston Fennell and Gene Fennell; and his daughter-in-law, Ann Fennell.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Nell (Blackmon) Fennell of Cowarts; his son, Keith Fennell (Robin) of Webb; his grandson, Ryan Fennell (Emily) of Atlanta, GA; and his sister, Sybil Phillips of Dothan; and several nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Fennell, Greg French, Larue Lee, Ed York, Dennis Morrison, and Daniel Morrison.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses and staff of Southern Care Hospice for the love and support shown to their loved one during this difficult time.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.
HEADLAND… Timothy Savell, a resident of Headland, Alabama passed away Thursday, October 29, 2026, at his home. He was 70.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 07, 2026 at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with Chaplain Darryl Bates officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. prior to the service. A private burial will follow in the family cemetery at a later time.
Mr. Timothy Savell was born in Columbia, Alabama, to the late Morris Penuel Savell and Sybil Elouise Harbert Savell. He was a graduate of Headland High School and furthered his education by attending Wallace Community College and Troy State University obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
Mr. Savell was of the Baptist faith. Throughout his life, he worked in several fields, including as an accountant and mechanic, and also served as the manager of a body shop for many years.
In his spare time, Timothy enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and had a special appreciation for antique cars and tractors. He was particularly fond of Fords—and, as those who knew him well would say, they had to be Ford.
He will be remembered for his hard work, his many interests, and the enjoyment he found in the things he loved most.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Theresa Anderson Savell; children, Erin Bodie, Ginger Lynn Burgess and John Morris Savell; seven grandchildren; several other loving family members and friends.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
Phone 334-6WE-CARE (693-2273)
www.wrightfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
…Celebrating a life, one family at a time…
Our establishment DOES OWN AND OPERATE ITS OWN CREMATORY, so your loved one never has to leave our care.
Melvin Adams, Sr., known affectionately as Frog, passed away on October 29, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 81. Born on October 24, 1945, in Dale County, Alabama, he lived a life marked by determination, independence, and devotion to the people he loved. He was a strong-willed man who believed in hard work, doing things the right way, and taking care of his family above all else.
Mel spent his early years in Dale County and grew up in the Blackwoods community, where the values of perseverance, responsibility, and self-reliance became part of the foundation of his life. Those who knew him understood quickly that he was a man who did not wait for opportunities to come to him. He created them. He had a natural drive and a practical mind, and he was always ready to put his energy into whatever task or business needed attention. He was the kind of man who made things happen.
A proud veteran, Mel served in the United States Navy, an experience that reflected his sense of duty and discipline. His service was one of the many ways he demonstrated his commitment to something greater than himself. The lessons of responsibility and resilience that shaped his military service stayed with him throughout his life and were evident in the way he carried himself and handled his business affairs. He approached life with confidence and purpose, and he expected the same level of effort from himself that he gave to others.
Mel was an entrepreneur through and through. He was involved in many different business ventures over the years, including the tire business and used car sales, and he was never afraid to try something new. There was nothing he would not attempt if he believed it could lead to success. He had a sharp business sense and a relentless work ethic, and he was known for being all about business. His independence was one of his defining qualities, and he took pride in building his own path and providing for his family through his efforts. He was not a man to sit still when there was work to be done, and he remained active and engaged in the things that mattered to him throughout his life.
Above all else, Mel was devoted to his family. He is survived by his son, Melvin “Red” Adams, Jr. and wife Angela; his stepson, Larry Arnold; his granddaughter, Melanie Adams; and his stepgrandson, Dalton Arnold. He also leaves behind his brothers, Lonnie Adams and Steve Adams; his sisters, Barbara Jackson, Jane Gullege, Debbie Simmons, and Kimberly Adams Veal; and several nieces and nephews who will cherish his memory. His family will remember him not only for the roles he held, but for the example he set through his strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to those he loved.
Melvin Adams, Sr. lived a life that reflected grit, resilience, and purpose. He was a man who valued action over words and believed that success came through effort, persistence, and faith in oneself. His presence was strong, his work ethic was unmistakable, and his love for his family was constant. He leaves behind a legacy of independence, perseverance, and the kind of determination that inspires those who follow. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Mel’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am -11:00 am on Saturday.
Mary E. Rutledge, age 92, passed away on Thursday morning, October 29, 2026. She was born on October 21, 1934, in Mississippi to Archie Newell and Sallie Rainer Newell.
Mary was a hardworking woman who raised her seven children on her own. She worked hard to provide for her family and devoted her life to her children. Her strength and dedication were evident in the life she built for her family. She was also a woman of faith and a member of Hodgesville Baptist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and reading her Bible.
Mary enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, including working in her flower beds, painting, crocheting, playing the piano, working puzzles, and playing Scrabble. She also loved watching The Price Is Right. Her grandchildren fondly remember watching the show with her when they were little and staying at her house. Once the show was over, it was time for a nap so Mary could enjoy her soap operas.
Above all, Mary loved spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking homemade meals for those she loved, and her family will always remember her wonderful cooking, particularly her banana pudding and sweet potato pie. Those meals and the memories made around her table will always hold a special place in their hearts.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Archie Newell and Sallie Rainer Newell; her daughter, Cheryl Lamb; and six siblings.
She is survived by her loving children, Deloris Saunders (Tim Mathis), Roy Keith Rutledge (Beth), Pamela Bradley, Teresa Wise (Kenny), Susan Graham (Roland), and Kerry Rutledge (Marilyn); 65 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her sister, Shirley Clark.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Westside Terrace for the love, kindness, and dedication they showed Mary.
In Mary’s own words, “I gave you my love, you can guess how much you gave me in happiness.”
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home, with Dr. Jonathan Broyles officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Burial will follow at Hodgesville Baptist Church Cemetery, with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
