OZARK…Mr. Thomas Langford, beloved Father, Son, Brother, Father-in-law, and Great-grandfather, was called to his eternal resting place on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. He entered this world on Wednesday, January 5, 1938, in Dothan, Alabama. He was 88.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Langford, son of the late Jesse and Linny Kirkland Langford, was a native of Dothan and a hardworking man who spent much of his life providing for those he loved. For more than thirty years, he worked in the tile flooring industry. It was honest, demanding work, and over the years he took great pride in the skills he learned and the work he accomplished. He understood the value of a hard day’s work and was never afraid to put in the time and effort needed to get the job done.
When he wasn’t working, Mr. Langford enjoyed the simple things in life. He didn’t need anything fancy to have a good day. He especially loved watching old westerns and could easily settle in and enjoy a good cowboy movie. Fishing was another favorite pastime and gave him a chance to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, and spend a little quiet time away from the busyness of everyday life. Whether the fish were biting or not, there was just something about being near the water that he enjoyed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Linny Kirkland Langford; a son, Larry Register; a daughter, Christine Flowers; two brothers, Shelby Langford and Jesse Langford, Jr.; three sisters, Eloise Langford, Ruby Padgett, and Betty Houbler; and a son-in-law, Paul Campbell, Sr.
Surviving relatives include two daughters, Tammy Jo Conley (Billy) and Dot Campbell; two sons, Thomas Langford, Jr., and Gary Register (Brenda); a brother, Bill Langford; fourteen grandchildren; thirty-two great grandchildren; ten great-great grandchildren.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Joseph Cleveland “Joe” Bell, age 86, passed away on October 3, 2026. Born on June 3, 1940.
Joe had a lifelong passion for farming and working with animals. A longtime horse trainer, he spent many years showing horses and tending to his cows. Most summers, Joe planted large gardens, finding true satisfaction in working the land alongside his wife and sharing the fruits of their labor. Above all, Joe was a storyteller at heart, always ready to share a good memory with anyone who sat down to listen.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey Bell and Maurine Strickland, and his grandsons, Drew Neidlinger and Tucker Bell.
Joe is survived by his wife, Regan Bell; his sister, Latricia Gavins; his daughters, Belinda Boyles, Teresa Strickland (Sid), and Angie Bell; a stepson, Roger Neidlinger (Dianne); a stepdaughter, Mandy Winstead (Mickey); and five grandchildren.
HEADLAND… Rex “Shane” Brackin, a resident of Headland, Alabama passed away Sunday afternoon, October 4, 2026, at a Dothan hospital. He was 45.
Memorial services will be held 3:30 P.M. Thursday, October 08, 2026 at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with Brother Hugh Kirkland officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Shane was born in Dothan, Alabama, to Evelyn Spence Brackin and the late Rex Brackin. He attended Dale County High School and worked as a laborer for many years.
Shane was a good-hearted and caring person who never hesitated to lend a helping hand. He had a kind spirit and a way of making those around him feel welcome. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, especially spending time outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish, creating many cherished memories along the way.
A devoted Alabama fan, Shane proudly cheered on the Crimson Tide and enjoyed sharing his love for Alabama football with family and friends.
Shane will be remembered for his caring heart, his love of the outdoors, and the kindness he showed to those around him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his dad, Shane is preceded in death by a brother in law, Randy Cogburn.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his daughters, Sophie Brackin, Olivia Brackin and Brooklyn Brackin; his mother, Evelyn Spence Brackin; his sister, Shannon Cogburn; his niece, Jessica Brooks (Carson); his nephew, Aaron Cogburn; his aunts, Frances Condrey and Julianne Walters; his uncle, Eudon Smith; his great-uncle and aunt, Willie and Margaret Adkinson; and his several cousins.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
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ARGUTA COMMUNITY…Mr. James Rex Dorrill, a resident of the Arguta Community, near Ozark, died early Saturday evening, October 3, 2026, at his home. He was 90.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jason Waddell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Dorrill, son of the late George Bean Dorrill and Ethel Lee Mobley Dorrill, was a native of Pike County, where his roots ran deep and where many of the memories shaped his life. He was a 1954 graduate of Pike County High School, where he was active in athletics and played both basketball and baseball. Baseball, however, became much more than just a high school pastime for Mr. Dorrill. Following graduation, he continued playing the game he loved as a semi-professional baseball player in our area. Throughout his life, he was an avid Atlanta Braves and a University of Alabama Football fan.
As the years passed, Mr. Dorrill found another way to stay involved with baseball by coaching Pony League Baseball for the City of Ozark. Coaching gave him an opportunity to pass along his knowledge and love of the game to young players. For him, it wasn’t always just about winning or losing. It was about teaching young people how to play the game, encouraging them to do their best, and watching them grow along the way.
Mr. Dorrill also believed in working hard and learning all he could. In later years, he graduated from the Alabama Aviation and Technical College in Ozark. He had a long and dedicated career at Fort Rucker, retiring after forty years of employment. During those many years, he worked with several contractors, including Hayes Aircraft, Sikorsky, Bell, and finally DynCorp, from which he retired. Forty years on the job speaks volumes about the kind of man he was. He knew the importance of showing up, doing his part, and giving an honest day’s work.
Even away from work, Mr. Dorrill was rarely one to sit around with nothing to do. He enjoyed farming and working on vehicles and seemed happiest when there was something that needed fixing, tending, or figuring out.
But if there was one pastime that held an especially important place in his heart, it was fishing. Above all his other hobbies, Mr. Dorrill loved to fish. There was something about being near the water, waiting patiently for a bite, and enjoying the peace and quiet that made fishing special to him. A good day of fishing didn’t necessarily have to mean bringing home a big catch. Sometimes the best part was simply being outdoors, enjoying the day, telling a story or two, and leaving the worries of the world behind for a little while.
Mr. Dorrill was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Arguta. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Melanie Dorrill; and his great-grandson, Michael Dewayne King; and all of his siblings.
Surviving relatives include his wife of sixty-eight years, Vivian Danner Dorrill; three sons, Daniel Dorrill, George Dorrill (Joanie), all of Arguta Community and Allen Dorrill (Audrey), Ozark; grandchildren, Johnathan Paul Dorrill, Nikkie Dorrill, Melissa Dorrill, and Ricky King; nieces and nephews.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Loveta Jean (Fowler) Johnson, a resident of Georgetown, Georgia passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence. She was 72 years old.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula with Rev. Jeff Hines officiating. The burial will follow in the Georgetown Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted.
Loveta was born on June 20, 1954, in Sylvester, Georgia, to the late Royce Green and Mary Alethea (Welch) Fowler. She worked for many years at the Quitman County Superior Clerks Office. Loveta enjoyed sewing and was a great seamstress. She also enjoyed gardening, flowers, fishing, and she loved people and spending time with her friends and family. Loveta was of the Baptist faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rex Maurice Johnson, Sr.; two brothers, Kenneth Fowler and Royce Fowler; sister-in-law, Pam Fowler.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Leslie Weeks and her husband Jason of Georgetown, Georgia; brother, Tony Fowler of Lake Park, Georgia; two grandchildren, Jacob Weeks and Shelby Weeks.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Jason Weeks, Jacob Weeks, Derek Weeks, Orell Weeks, Matthew Self, and Tim Kilpatrick.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory of Eufaula was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 687-5725. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Linda Key Shirah, a resident of Blue Springs, Alabama, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 75 years old.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 5, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Peniel Baptist Church in Skipperville, Alabama, with Bro. Bob McMath and Logan Shirah officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to Vivian B. Adams School- 2047 Stuart Tarter Road Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Born on December 27, 1950, in Blue Springs, Alabama, Linda was the daughter of the late Roy Allen and Marian Jean (Scott) Key. She was Valedictorian of the 1969 graduating class of Blue Springs High School. She worked and drove a bus for Vivian B. Adams School for many years. Linda also worked at Ventress Correctional Facility for over 20 years as an accountant and business manager. She retired in 2017. She loved plants and flowers and enjoyed entering them in the Horticulture Showcase at the National Peanut Festival. Her submissions earned top honors and multiple ribbons. She loved crafting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, and antiques and collectibles. Most of all, Linda loved her grandchildren and spent countless hours supporting their activities.
She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jeral Ronnie Carpenter.
Survivors include her son, Keith Shirah of Blue Springs, Alabama; two daughters, Amy Gulledge (Chad) of Midland City, Alabama and Lara Tyler (Ty) of Bakerhill, Alabama; brother, Ricky Key of Dothan, Alabama; two sisters, Cheryl Heifner of Blue Springs, Alabama and Lisa Bruner of Dothan, Alabama; nine grandchildren, Josh McCoy (Savannah), Hunter Gulledge, Logan Shirah (Anna), Dylan Gulledge (Morgan), Caleb Tyler (Fran), Brody Tyler (Madie), Kalei Faulk (Davey), Josie Tyler, and Abigail Gulledge; thirteen great-grandchildren and 4 more on the way.
Active pallbearers will be Hunter Gulledge, Logan Shirah, Dylan Gulledge, Caleb Tyler, Davey Faulk, Brandon Wells, and Josh McCoy.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brody Tyler, Chad Gulledge, and Ty Tyler.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory of Clayton was entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 775-3403. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Loveta Jean (Fowler) Johnson, a resident of Georgetown, Georgia passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence. She was 72 years old.
Linda Key Shirah, a resident of Blue Springs, Alabama, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 75 years old.