ASHFORD. . .Lorinda Jean “Lori” Carlisle, a resident of Ashford, passed away early Monday morning, March 9, 2026, in Noland Hospital-Dothan. She was 63.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A. M. Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in the Chapel at Watermark Church with Pastor Todd Thorpe officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday in the church chapel. Burial will follow in the Ashford City Cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Promise Cancer Foundation, 101 Westside Drive, Dothan, AL 36303
Lori Carlisle was born in Dothan and raised in Gordon, daughter of the late William Lewis “Bill” Carlisle and Sara Whitaker Carlisle. Lori was a graduate of Ashford High School and attended Wallace Community College. She lived in Ashford for the past seventeen years. Lori was a member of Springhill Free Will Baptist Church. She was formerly employed by the Houston County Sheriff’s Department. Lori was preceded in death by a sister, Tracey Lynn Carlisle.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Lindsey Owens (Eric), Taylor, AL; a son, Jared Fordham, Ashford, AL; a brother, Jeff Carlisle (Allison), Webb, AL; grandchildren, Easton Owens and Erica Owens; nephews, Austin Carlisle (Amber), and Richard Carlisle (Bailey); a great-niece, Callie Austin Carlisle.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Melba Chandler at Extendicare Health Center and also the Ladies III Sunday School Class at Watermark Church for the loving care and kindness shown to Lori during her illness.
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.
OZARK…Mr. Kennard R. Coots, a resident of Ozark, died early Friday afternoon, March 6, 2026, at his home. He was 84.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, March 12, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Charles Goldsmith officiating. Graveside services, with military honors, will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Coots, son of the late James William Coots and Agnes Pearl Denny Coots, was a proud native of Madison, West Virginia, where he grew up and attended school. Those early years shaped him into the hardworking, steady, and good‑hearted man his family came to love so deeply. After finishing school, he chose to serve his country by joining the United States Army, where he spent four years building discipline, character, and lifelong friendships.
In 1963, life led him to Indiana, and it was there he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Lassiter Coots. Their marriage was a true partnership—full of devotion, laughter, and the kind of everyday moments that become treasured memories. He worked in the steel mills for thirty years, a job that demanded strength and grit, and he gave it everything he had. His coworkers respected him, not just for his work ethic, but for his easygoing nature and willingness to lend a hand.
He was proud to be a Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Elks Lodge, finding purpose in fellowship and service. In 1994, he and his family made Alabama their home. Even after retiring from the steel mills, he wasn’t one to sit still. He worked at Lowe’s in Dothan and later at the Swedish Match Cigar Plant, always staying busy and always giving his best. He also earned his Airframe and Powerplant License from Enterprise Ozark Community College, an accomplishment he was truly proud of.
In his quiet moments, he enjoyed collecting coins, playing solitaire, and settling in to watch a good western. He was a loyal Auburn football fan and cheered on the Chicago Bears every season. But some of his happiest times were simple ones—“hanging out” with his dog, Kiba, tinkering with projects, and using his natural handiness to help his family with anything they needed. He loved being useful, being present, and being someone his loved ones could count on.
Above all, he will be remembered for the way he showed up for the people he loved. Whether through a small favor, a shared laugh, or just being there, he made sure his family knew they mattered. His steady presence, his humor, and his big heart will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Lassiter Coots; brothers, William Coots, Clyde Coots, Bob Coots, Jack Coots, Jimmy Coots, Kenneth Coots, Charles Coots, and Gene Coots.
Surviving relatives include his daughter, Carolyn Planer, Ozark; sister, Judy Wise, Ozark; brother, Danny Coots, Corsicana, Texas; two grandchildren, Kenna Planer, and Jacob Planer (Dennis); nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
ARITON…Mr. Johnny Garner, a resident of Ariton, died early Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2026, at the home of his daughter. He was 93.
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.
Memorial contributions may be made to DaySpring Hospice, 2464 W. Main Street, Dothan, Alabama 36301 or to Evergreen Free Will Baptist Cemetery Fund, 3266 CR 113, Ariton, Alabama 36311.
Mr. Garner, son of the late James Gilbert Garner and Alga Sue Faulk Garner, was a proud native of Dale County. He grew up with deep roots in this community, and those roots shaped him into the hardworking, dependable man everyone knew him to be. Farming wasn’t just his job—it was his way of life. He spent most of his years working the land, tending to crops, and doing the kind of honest work that leaves a person tired at the end of the day but grateful for the life they’re building.
He served his country with honor as a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean War.
When he wasn’t working, Mr. Garner enjoyed coon hunting and growing vegetables. He had a natural gift for making things grow, and he took pride in watching a garden come to life under his care. He was one of those people who simply couldn’t sit still—he always had to be doing something. Whether it was fixing, building, tending, or checking on something, he stayed busy from sunup to sundown. That steady motion was part of who he was.
He had a special love for animals of all kinds. His chickens, goats, and dogs were more than just animals, especially his longtime loyal dog, Smut. They were part of his daily life and brought him joy and companionship. He had a way with them, and they trusted him completely. Truth be told, he loved just about any creature he came across.
Mr. Garner was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Hayes Garner, whom he loved. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Sarah Marshall, Cullen Garner, an infant brother, and Carolyn Phillips. Though he endured great loss, he carried himself with quiet resilience and continued to pour love into the people and animals around him.
He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love for the outdoors, his heart for animals, and the way he always kept his hands busy. But more than anything, he will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, uncle and for the steady, simple, good life he lived—one built on love, loyalty, and the land he called home. He will be remembered by his family as a loving father, grandfather, and uncle
Surviving relatives include his daughters, Andrea G. McLendon (Terrance) and Renee Garner, both of Ariton; sister, Ann Phillips; brother, Thomas Garner (AnnDora) both of Ozark; two grandchildren, Libbi McLendon Mitchell (Justin) and Hannah Beckworth; nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
OZARK…Mr. James C. Harrison, a resident of Ozark, died early Friday afternoon in a Dothan hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, near Newton. He was 45.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. Sunday, March 15, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Harrison was born in Fort Benning, Georgia, and spent his childhood in Columbus, Georgia, where he grew up surrounded by family, friends, and the kind of memories that stay with a person for life. In the early 2000’s , he made his way to Dothan, a move that opened a new chapter for him and eventually became the place he called home.
He worked hard and took pride in what he did. He was employed with Apec Metals as a metal fabricator, and before that he spent several years with Eastern Sheet Metal. He was the kind of man who showed up, put in an honest day’s work, and earned the respect of the people around him.
Outside of work, he was happiest when he was with the people he loved especially his two sons. He enjoyed being a good father and spending time with his family, whether they were gathered around the house, out fishing, or just enjoying a quiet moment together. He loved playing video games, laughing, and being the one who could turn any room into a good time. He had a natural way of lifting spirits—he was often the life of the party without even trying.
He will be remembered for that big smile of his and the endless supply of dad jokes he shared with anyone who would listen. If you were around him, you were going to laugh—he made sure of it. He was also a proud Atlanta Falcons fan, cheering them on through every season with the same loyalty he showed in every part of his life.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilson Thomas Harrison (Sergeant First Class, United States Army, Retired), whose service and strength he deeply admired, and by his brother, Daniel Harrison.
Surviving relatives include two sons, Brandon Harrison, Ozark and Dorian Lee, Dothan; mother, Carol Jean Harrison, Ozark; two sisters, Summer Harrison, Ozark, and Rachel Harrison, Columbus, Georgia; six brothers, Daniel Ketchum, Daleville, John Dalvin Harrison (Dwynne), Taylor, David Harrisn, Fitzgerald, Georgia, Reverend Thomas Harrison (Paula), Cottonwood, Andrew Harrison, Winchester, Kentucky, and Michael Harrison, Atlanta, Georgia; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Mrs. Sarah Margaret Goolsby, a resident of Dothan, passed peacefully from this life on March 6, 2026, at the age of 91, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by the love of her devoted family, wrapped in the same warmth she so freely gave to others throughout her life.
Funeral services for Mrs. Goolsby will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Heritage Baptist Church, 1951 Westgate Parkway, Dothan, Alabama 36303, with Bro. Jeff Ross officiating and Holman Funeral Home of Headland directing. The family will receive friends at Heritage Baptist Church from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Graveside services will be held at 3:30 P.M. Tuesday at Midway Memorial Gardens, 24348 U.S. 31, South, Jemison, Alabama.
Margaret was born May 4, 1934, in West Blocton, Alabama, to the late Huey Lawrance West and Maggie Willard Morse Logan. She was the eldest of five children and learned early the values of hard work, faith, and family. At sixteen, she moved to Birmingham and began a lifetime marked by determination and resilience.
Over the years, she held many positions: bookkeeping, retail management, working in a portrait studio, owning a ceramic shop, and later serving as a Realtor and Broker while living in Arizona. Yet the role she cherished most was that of mother. She was a member of the Daughter’s of Rebekah, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Chilton County Master Gardeners.
Margaret was first married to William David Matthews, with whom she shared many unforgettable years. As an Air Force wife, she spent several years in southern Germany, where she fell in love with the beauty of the Alps. In 1974, she married Hobert “Buddy” Edwin Goolsby, her beloved husband and companion of 46 years until his passing in 2020. Together they spent seventeen years in Arizona, surrounded by the mountains she adored, before returning to Alabama to be near family.
Margaret was also preceded in death by her brothers, Fred Lawrance West and James Robert Logan, and her cherished niece, Tammy Breasseale Woodward.
Margaret leaves behind a proud legacy in her children: Richard David Matthews (Vicki), Kenneth Dale Matthews (Tanya), Sheila Goolsby Baker (Danny), Sylvia Goolsby Pugh (Gordan), and Allen Goolsby. Her love continues through her grandchildren, Nikki Gillespie (Kris), Joshua Matthews (Caitlin), Danielle MacConnell (Thomas), Garrett Wells, Chris Wells (Tiffany), Haylie Hughes (Cade), Michael Wells (Aubrey), Joseph Matthews (Kelly), Steven Matthews (Stephanie), Margaret Paige Pritchett (Mike), Patrisha Matthews, Ben Phillips (Lynsey), Amy Pierce (Brandon), Landon Johnson (Jaime), Lauren Okor (Mamerhi), Graham Pugh, Emma Pugh and Leah Pugh; thirty-nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her dear sister, Doris West Breasseale; her brother, Thomas Douglas West (Barbara); her adored niece, Connie Waldron (Ryan); a host of beloved extended family members, and innumerable faithful friends.
Margaret lived a full and beautiful 91 years. A life rich with adventure, faith, resilience, and deep devotion to family. Her smile was radiant, her laughter contagious, and her spirit unforgettable. She found joy in life’s simple and sacred gifts, such as tending her garden, creating beautiful art, and sharing that beauty she created with the people she loved. She cherished her church family and delighted in gathering the people she loved around her.
Margaret believed people need not always agree, but that there was no room for hatred in the heart. It was a belief she carried throughout her life. She lived with kindness, generosity, and quiet strength that shaped the lives of those around her. Though her presence will be deeply missed, the love she gave so freely will continue through the many lives she touched.
Serving as active pallbearers are Joseph Matthews, Joshua Matthews, Steven Matthews, Christopher Enfinger, Cade Enfinger, and Logan Pitchford. Honorary pallbearers are Isaiah Matthews, Ben Phillips, Thomas MacConnell, and Kris Gillespie.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Enhabit Hospice for their compassion and gentle care.
HEADLAND… Cheryl Ann Riley Solomon, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away peacefully Friday evening, March 6, 2026, at a Dothan hospital. She was 78.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 with visitation from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. and the ceremony starting at 2:00 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
The family is accepting flowers or contributions may be made in her honor to Wiregrass Humane Society, 255 Jerry Drive, Dothan, Alabama 36303, or to www.wiregrasshumanesociety.com.
Mrs. Solomon was born to the late Marvin Harold Riley and Ethel Glynn Riley. She was a 1965 graduate of Bay High School in Panama City, Florida. She furthered her education at Gulf Coast Community College and Wallace Community College. She had previously worked as a sales associate at Parisians in the Wiregrass Commons Mall. She also served as a substitute teacher for several years. Her caring heart also let her take care of so many of the elderly as well while working with Hearts Homecare. She was known by many as “Mama Cheryl”. Her favorite pastime was singing Karaoke, and one of her favorite songs she always sang was “He Stopped Loving Her Today”. “Delta Dawn” was her favorite back in her younger years, and she would sing it pretty much everywhere, whether anybody wanted her to or not! She was a member of the Headland Methodist Church.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Ligon Thomas Solomon II.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her son, Chris “Biscuit” Solomon; her daughter, Robin Solomon Robinson (Larry); her brothers, Mike Riley (June) and Terry Glynn Riley (Lynn); her grandchildren, Rustin Solomon (Holly Hunter), Skyler Reynolds (Stephen), Harley Waits, Hunter Robinson (Taylor), Conner Robinson (Leah), and Jordan Vick (Jake); and her great-grandchildren, Scarlett Solomon, Oliver Solomon, Laynie Jack Robinson, and James Vick; her sister-in-law, Rhoda Solomon Boone (Robert V. “Bobby” Boone); her brother-in-law, John W. Solomon (Jill); and several nieces and nephews.
