John Richard Garst, a longtime resident of Pinckard, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026. He was 84 years old.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Chris Woodall officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10:00–11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday.
Richard was born on December 11, 1941, to Marion and Peggy Garst in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He grew up in Parker, Kansas, where he was a proud 1959 graduate of Parker Rural High School. He married the love of his life, Gloria Jean Troxel, and together they moved their family to the Pinckard area in 1974. Richard worked for Whatley Supply Company, Whatley Transportation, and Andrews Trucking Company.
Richard enjoyed his cats and dogs and loved watching and feeding the many birds at his home. He was an avid reader and a longtime member of Pinckard Baptist Church.
Later in life, he married Rose Cooper and moved to Hazelhurst, Georgia, with her granddaughter, Hadleigh.
Richard was preceded in death by Gloria Jean Garst, his wife of 58 years; his parents, Marion and Peggy Garst; his brother, Dale Garst; Gerry and Frank Mansfield, Mike Robinette, J.P. Partridge, Truman Stauffer, and Larry Byers.
Survivors include his children, Alicia Francine Garst Pescod (Joseph Windham), Joseph Marion Garst (Tina Garst), and John Richard Garst II (Grace Mordido-Martin); his grandchildren, Richard Pescod, Joseph Garst II (Michelle), Molly Pescod (Rickey), Justin Garst (Mekennah), Rosemary Tores Pescod (Camiĩo), AJ Martin, Shaun Martin, Riky Martin, Evan Garst, and Aeryn Garst; and his great-grandchildren, Kolby, Alexander, Richie, Samuel, Benji, Melody, Pippa, Jeremyah, and Odette.
He is also survived by his sisters, Fran (Eldon) Richardson, Patricia Stauffer, Marilyn Robinette, Deanna Byers, and Bonnie Partridge, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Sheila Finch Spears of Dothan, AL passed away at her home on Sunday, February 8, 2026. She was 79 years old.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 12:00 noon at the First United Methodist Church of Dothan with Rev. Lynn Smilie Nesbitt officiating. Burial will follow at Travelers Rest Cemetery in Samson, AL with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Spears to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pulfibfou/ or to First United Methodist Church of Dothan 1380 West Main Street Dothan, AL 36301.
Sheila was born in Andalusia, AL on August 19, 1946. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Minnie Finch; three brothers, Dennis Finch, Mike Finch, and Cyrus Smith; one sister, Annie Clyde Sims; and one brother-in-law, John David Spears.
Sheila retired after 40 years as a school teacher, spending most of her career with the Geneva County Board of Education. She loved traveling, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and anything related to The University of Alabama Athletics.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 58 years, Roy B. “Moose” Spears, Jr. of Dothan, Alabama; one son, Barry Spears (Sandie) of Alabaster, Alabama; one daughter, Ashley Cannon (Chris) of Nashville, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Grayson Spears and Elizabeth Spears, both of Troy, Alabama; one brother, Stan Smith (Karla) of Atlanta, Georgia; two sisters-in-law, Diana Finch of Samson, Alabama, and Gail Smith of Jupiter, Florida; one brother-in-law, Eddie Spears (Rhonda) of Geneva, Alabama; and several 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
ELAMVILLE…Mr. Macon Eugene McLendon, a resident of Elamville, died late Sunday afternoon, February 8, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He was 93.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Kenneth Earles officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. McLendon, the son of the late Milton McLendon and Lois Byrd McLendon Dansby, was a lifelong resident of his beloved hometown of Elamville. He took great pride in the life he built there and in the people he shared it with. Over the years, he became known as someone who worked hard, cared deeply, and could always be counted on.
He spent fifty years with Walter Hand Motor Company in Ozark, where he served faithfully as the service manager. His strong work ethic and dedication earned him the respect of both coworkers and customers alike. In addition to that long career, he also owned and operated McLendon Water Well Drilling Company for thirty years. He truly enjoyed staying busy, and being a “workaholic” was something he claimed with a smile. Working with his hands, helping neighbors, and keeping things running smoothly brought him joy and purpose.
Faith was an important part of his life. He was a proud member of Elamville Assembly of God Church, where he found fellowship, support, and a strong sense of community.
Mr. McLendon was preceded in death by his beloved wife of seventy years, Mildred Evans McLendon. Their bond was a true example of lifelong love and partnership. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, Trent McLendon and his siblings: Lanell Teal, Oyed McLendon, Sybil Adkinson, Sarah Popp, and Darryl McLendon. Each of them held a special place in his heart.
He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, devotion, and quiet strength—one that will be remembered warmly by all who knew and loved him.
Surviving relatives include his three daughters, Vivian Hagler and her husband, Harold, Clio, Jeannie Parrish and her husband, Bobby, New Brockton, and Beth McConvery, Enterprise; his son, Richard McLendon and his wife, Susie, Virginia; sister-in-law, Mary Nell Wright, Wicksburg; brother-in-law, Carl Phillips (Jann), Ariton; grandchildren; Brian Hagler (Lacey), Derrick Hagler, Jeremy Hagler (Bobbi), Laura Hagler, Brett Parrish, Ben Parrish, Jessica Parrish, Taylor McConvery (Hannah), Tanner McConvery (Meg), Hannah McGuire (Heath), Lily Long (Trent), Braxton McLendon, and Derek Wyrick (Darlyn); twenty four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be his grandsons.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Lawrence Alfred “Larry” Peoples, 73, of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026. Larry was born on August 23, 1952, in Sewickley, PA.
He is survived by his loving sisters, Darcy Peoples and Jackie Peoples; his children, Ashley and (Mace) Hardman, Nicole and (Gil) Torres, and Matthew and (Emily) Peoples; and his twelve beloved grandchildren: Brandon, Macie, Aunnah, Noah, Madison, Jonah, Morgan, Bennett, Lucas, Riley, Atticus, and Lennox. Numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins also survive him.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred “Jack” and Connie Peoples; his sister, Cynthia Conard; and his nephew, Jeremy Coon.
A private gathering for immediate family will be held to honor and celebrate Larry’s life. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who loved him.
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
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Mrs. Nina Beth Widgeon Simmons of Dothan passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the age of 63
A Celebration of Life service for Nina will be held at 2 P.M. Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Johnny Simmons officiating.
Nina was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and moved to Alabama as a teen.She was a 1981 graduate of Dothan High School, and a longtime Buffalo Rock and Dairy Fresh administrative specialist. She loved anything Elvis, getting her nails done, sunflowers, sunsets, and Alabama football. She also loved her cats and dogs.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Sue Thompson and step-father, Billie Thompson, and her father, Donald Otis Widgeon.
She is survived by her husband, Luke Simmons of Dothan, daughter, Bethany Vick of Dothan, sisters, Judy Grooms Mowrey (Gary), of Cottonwood, Kathy Butler (David) of Dothan, brothers, Dwayne Sayers (Mary) of Webb, Bryan Sayers (Amanda) of Clayhatchee, Les Widgeon (Sue) of Jacksonville, FL., David Howe (Debbie) of Corfu, New York, best friend of 40 years, Vicki Bruner, step-son, Michael Simmons (Stephanie), grandsons, Jon-Jon and MJ, brother-in-law, Johnny Simmons (Jeanetta), and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to kittykottageofdothan@yahoo.com or any animal shelter.
Mr. Rickey Vann Voss of Slocomb went home to be with the Lord, Monday, February 9, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 66.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Teddy Ward officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Voss was born August 27, 1959 in Houston County to the late Helen Smith Houston and Charles Voss. Rick lived a life marked by quiet strength, deep loyalty, and steady faithfulness. He was not someone who sought attention or recognition, but those who knew him understood the depth of his character and his capacity for love. Rick was fiercely loyal to his family. He expressed love not through grand gestures or constant words, but through steadiness and protection. He always stood by those he loved and remained a constant source of support. Professionally, Rick devoted more than three decades to education, serving as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the Geneva County School system. He loved coaching football and softball and believed deeply in preparation, teaching, and doing things the right way. Though he was never loud or demonstrative, his passion for students and athletes was evident in his dedication and care. He believed in second chances and was especially affected by children who were struggling or hurting. Rick believed that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right—not perfectly, but with honesty, effort, and integrity. He lived those values consistently in his own life. Rick leaves behind a life that mattered deeply to those who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, a sister, Bambi Voss Carter preceded him in death.
Survivors include his loving wife of 28 years, Kim Voss, daughters: Jessica Harper (Jeremy), and Raina Voss; grandchildren: Branson Harper, and Braxton Harper; sister, Kim Adams (Glenn); brothers: Andrew Voss (Lori), Otis Voss (Shannon), and Robert Voss; several nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
