Lynda Gayle Kent, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Extendicare Health and Rehab in Dothan, Alabama. She was 84.
Graveside services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, June 23, ,2026 in Memory Hill cemetery with Dr. Ricky Plummer officiating.
Gayle was born August 7, 1941 in Dothan, Alabama to the late T J and Annie Enfinger Lashley. She worked at Wells Fargo in various jobs before retiring as Branch Manager at the Circle South location. Gayle enjoyed fishing and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and loved family dinners after church on Sunday.
Gayle is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Harold Gene Kent.
Survivors include her step-son, Mike Kent and numerous cousins and extended family.
Eric Duane Walden, Sr., born November 30, 1973, in Dothan, went to be with The Lord on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at his residence in Ozark, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Glover Funeral Home & Crematory with Pastor Gasmaska Vickers officiating and Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. Burial will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the night prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to: The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or Southeast Health Cancer Center Foundation, 1922 Fairview Avenue, Dothan, AL 36301, this organization helps cover the cost of cancer treatment expenses.
Eric was born and raised in Rehobeth, where he attended Rehobeth High School. When Eric left high school, he found his passion in life, working in the automotive industry, spending the past 13 years working as the Finance Manager at Chipola Ford in Marianna, Florida. He was able to make and maintain many relationships that he always cherished. Eric was an avid fisherman, terrible golfer, and loved Alabama Football, “Roll Tide!!”.
He was preceded by his parents, Rodney and Jackie Walden.
Eric leaves behind his best friend and cherished wife who was always by his side, Beth Walden; his children, Eric Walden, Jr. (Elizabeth), Colin Cureton (Jamie), his beloved daughter, Claire Elizabeth Smith, and Issac Walden; his grandchildren, Isaiah James Walden, John Brooks Walden, Kevin Hendricks, Genesse Walden, Nova Hendricks; his brothers, Bruce Walden and Robert Aplin; his cousins, Dorenda Battle and Paul Battle; along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Serving as pallbearers will be Paul Battle, John Allen, Jeff Epperson, Tim Gilland, Skip Gober, and Will Rogers.
Glover Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Maxine Shirah, age 91 of Skipperville passed away June 18, 2026, at her residence.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20th at Sykes Creek Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at 12 o’clock on Saturday at Keahey Funeral Home in Clio until time to depart for the graveside. Rev. Danny Rieben will officiate the graveside. Serving as pallbearers will be David McCleskey, Xanthe Castillo, Gaven Phillips, Keith Phillips, Tim Shirah, Charles Shirah.
Left to cherish her memory, daughter, Celena (David) McCleskey of Skipperville, Alabama; grandchildren, Morgan (Xanthe) Castillo and Stephen (Megan) Hamm; great grandchildren, Isaiah Castillo; Grayson Hamm, Charlee Hamm and Riley Hamm. She was preceded in death by her husband Barnie Shirah in 2022 and by a daughter, Charlotte Hamm.
Maxine Roberts, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, left behind a legacy of faith, hard work, and devotion to her family. She was the daughter of Alto Roberts and Nellie Casey Roberts.
Maxine earned a Business Certificate from Wallace Community College and dedicated many years of service to the ASCS Farm Office in Clayton, Alabama, before her retirement. She was a faithful and active member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, where she and her husband worshiped and served together for many years.
In addition to her professional career, Maxine worked alongside her husband in their farming operation, contributing greatly to the success of their family business. She had a special love for gardening and found great joy in caring for her flowers and plants. Maxine and her husband also shared a love for adventure and travel, spending many years exploring numerous states with friends on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Above all, Maxine cherished her family. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, creating memories that will be treasured for generations. Her kindness, dedication, and unwavering faith will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Maxine Shirah, age 91 of Skipperville passed away June 18, 2026, at her residence.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20th at Sykes Creek Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at 12 o’clock on Saturday at Keahey Funeral Home in Clio until time to depart for the graveside. Rev. Danny Rieben will officiate the graveside. Serving as pallbearers will be David McCleskey, Xanthe Castillo, Gaven Phillips, Keith Phillips, Tim Shirah, Charles Shirah.
Left to cherish her memory, daughter, Celena (David) McCleskey of Skipperville, Alabama; grandchildren, Morgan (Xanthe) Castillo and Stephen (Megan) Hamm; great grandchildren, Isaiah Castillo; Grayson Hamm, Charlee Hamm and Riley Hamm. She was preceded in death by her husband Barnie Shirah in 2022 and by a daughter, Charlotte Hamm.
Maxine Roberts, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, left behind a legacy of faith, hard work, and devotion to her family. She was the daughter of Alto Roberts and Nellie Casey Roberts.
Maxine earned a Business Certificate from Wallace Community College and dedicated many years of service to the ASCS Farm Office in Clayton, Alabama, before her retirement. She was a faithful and active member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, where she and her husband worshiped and served together for many years.
In addition to her professional career, Maxine worked alongside her husband in their farming operation, contributing greatly to the success of their family business. She had a special love for gardening and found great joy in caring for her flowers and plants. Maxine and her husband also shared a love for adventure and travel, spending many years exploring numerous states with friends on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Above all, Maxine cherished her family. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, creating memories that will be treasured for generations. Her kindness, dedication, and unwavering faith will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Sheryl Ann Barklage Akin, born September 20, 1972, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, June 18, 2026. She was 53 years old.
A celebration of Sheryl’s life will be held 2:00 P. M. Sunday, June 21, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Ricky Bruner officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Sunday from 1:00 P.M. until service time.
Though her time on earth ended far too soon, she filled her years with love, service, adventure, and deep devotion to the people she cherished most.
Sheryl proudly served her country in the United States Air Force. She carried that same strength, courage, and determination throughout her life, including during her courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Even in difficult seasons, she remained focused on what mattered most to her—faith, family, and the people she loved.
Sheryl was also a devoted teacher who loved her students deeply. Teaching was more than a profession to her; it was a calling. She found joy in encouraging children, celebrating their progress, and speaking life and confidence into them. Her care for children extended far beyond the classroom, and she often thought about and cared for her students long after the school day ended. The impact she made on countless young lives will continue to be felt for years to come.
A lover of adventure, Sheryl embraced life fully. She treasured traveling with her daughter, Katie, grandson, Colten, family, and loved ones, creating memories that will be cherished forever. Whether exploring the rainforests of Puerto Rico, standing in awe of the Grand Canyon, enjoying cruises with those she loved, snowmobiling through the mountains of Colorado, or soaring above North Carolina in a hot air balloon, she approached life with curiosity, enthusiasm, and gratitude for every experience. She believed life was meant to be lived and memories were meant to be made.
Even in her final months, Sheryl continued making memories with those she loved, refusing to let her illness define her life. Her strength, resilience, and determination inspired those around her and reflected the courage with which she lived every chapter of her life.
While Sheryl enjoyed seeing new places, her greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She loved deeply and generously, always putting the needs of others before her own. She was immensely proud of her grandson, Colten, and one of her greatest motivations throughout her illness was her desire to see him graduate from high school. Being able to celebrate that milestone surrounded by family and loved ones brought her tremendous joy and peace.
Sheryl is survived by her beloved companion, Rick Sterner, whose unwavering love, support and devoted caregiving provided comfort, strength, and companionship throughout her cancer journey; her daughter, Katie Birchler; her grandson, Colten Birchler; her mother, Sidonna Brown; her sister, Shelley Bartlett; her nephew, James Bartlett; her nieces, Luv DuBose and Hope Bartlett; and her beloved cats and kittens, who filled her home and heart with companionship and love.
Sheryl had a special place in her heart for animals, particularly the many rescued and adopted cats she lovingly cared for throughout her life. Her home was often a refuge for animals in need, reflecting the compassion and kindness she freely gave to both people and pets.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donation of cat food and cat litter. Sheryl leaves behind twelve beloved cats who will continue to be cared for by her family, and contributions of food and litter will directly support their ongoing care. Providing for these animals would be a meaningful way to honor Sheryl’s generous heart, her love of rescue animals, and the compassion she showed throughout her life.
Though her family grieves her loss deeply, they find comfort in knowing she is now free from pain and resting in the presence of Jesus Christ. Her legacy of courage, service, compassion, faith, adventure, and unwavering devotion to family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.
CW3 (Ret.) Daniel J. Ziemba, United States Army, 82, of Geneva, Alabama, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama.
Dan was born in Lackawanna, NY, on April 21, 1944, to the late Joseph and Clara (Zablonski) Ziemba. He graduated from St. Francis High School of Athol Springs, NY, in 1961. During his 22 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army, Dan served as an infantryman, aircraft maintenance technician, door gunner, and helicopter pilot.
Among his many decorations were the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Aviator Badge, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star representing five campaigns. After his military retirement, Dan continued his passion for aviation, working as an aircraft inspector and maintenance technician until the age of 76.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine; his brothers, Ronald (Margaret) and Gerard; and his second wife, Sharon Ziemba (Broxton).
He is survived by his loving first wife, Virginia A. Ziemba (Brown) of Rogers, AR; his son, Mike (Dawn) of Rogers, AR; his daughter, Deanna of Centerton, AR; and his grandchildren, Lee, Rosalynn, Madison, and Camryn; and his great-grandchild, Elijah. He is also survived by his sister, Justine of Orchard Park, NY; his brothers, James (Renata) of Red Oak, TX, and Joseph (Maria) of Cazenovia, NY; sons of his late wife Sharon Ziemba, Brad (Haley) and Scott; and grandchildren, Layla, Aiden Seay, Hunter, Hayden, and Halli.
Dan had several interests that kept him busy. He loved to work on vehicles as well as airplanes well into his later years. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and SEC college football alongside his close friends, Max and Carol Ausley. Dan was also passionate about supporting numerous charitable organizations, especially those benefiting his fellow Veterans.
A man of profound faith, Dan was a devoted member of Devco Baptist Church in Geneva, Alabama. Over the years, he served the congregation in multiple capacities, including Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Discipleship Training Leader, and VBS volunteer. He especially cherished his morning routine of meeting his good friend, Shorty White, for breakfast at Porky Barn to solve the problems of the world.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Devco Baptist Church with Rev. Truman Scarbrough officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. EST in the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, AL with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ken Ellis, Terry Roney, Britt Ables, Shorty White, Chad Broxton, Lee Ziemba.
Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Max Ausley.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Dan may be made to:
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
