Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Mildred Mathews Beasley, a resident of Mims, Florida, went to Heaven on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the age of 95.
Funeral services for Mrs. Beasley will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 15, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Marty Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday from 10:00 A. M. until service time.
Mrs. Beasley was born in Troy, Alabama, on January 20, 1931 to the late James and Alma Mathews. She worked at a radio station on campus in Troy until she married Robert Dalton (Pete) Beasley on March 21, 1953. She worked in radio and television in Alabama, Texas, and Florida until she quit because her daughter and, later, sons, needed her. She successfully dedicated herself to being a full-time mother, wife, and, later, grandmother. The best possible! What a wonderful, long life she had, with many memories and stories to be shared with future generations!
Mildred was so supportive, always there for Harriet’s Girl Scouts, Candy Stripers, etc.; for Art’s football and wrestling; for Peter’s track and cross country; for Pete’s management club; and for anything at school. If anything was needed, she made sure it happened! A true southern woman, she was so loving and sweet but firm and reserved, and always dressed to the nines, with her face made and hair done, so pretty—she made us all so proud! In addition to being a wonderful mother and wife, Mildred was a great daughter and friend, and was always well-respected. But her children and husband were her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Dalton (Pete) Beasley; her in-laws, Nell and Hobson Beasley; her parents, Alma and James Mathews; and her brother and sisters and their spouses. She is survived by her daughter, Harriet (Ralph); her sons, Art (Lisa) and Peter (Sarah); her granddaughter, Alyssa; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, etc.
Her last few months have been very difficult, but her family and friends did their best they could to make her comfortable.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Grace Nobles Hagler, a resident of Skipperville, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Dale Medical Center. She was 97 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hagler will be 2:00 P. M. Sunday, May 10, 2026, from Concord Congregational Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Randy Adams, Reverend Kenneth Andrews and Reverend Kenneth Hagler officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Sunday from 1:00 P. M. until service time. Serving as pallbearers will be Jarrod Ward, Michael Spears, Corey Fillingim, David Hagler, Tony Welch and Haddan Ward.
Mrs. Hagler was born February 25, 1929 in Dale County, Alabama to the late Alvin Ace Nobles, Sr. and Laura Esther Thompson Nobles. Grace was a life-long resident of Skipperville. She loved working with her flowers and cooking many, many fine meals for her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Earl Melvin Hagler; one brother, Ace Nobles, Jr.; and one great grandson, Danny Stone. Survivors include two daughters, Elaine Fillingim (Billy) of Hartford and Vivian Ward (Earl) of Skipperville; one son, Joel Hagler of Skipperville; her special sister, Shirley Nobles Cooper of Ozark; seven grandchildren, Michael Spears (Kim) of Dothan, Corey Fillingim (Christi) of Chancellor, Shane Fillingim of Hartford, Jarrod Ward of Skipperville, Leah Stone of Ozark, Jody Hagler (Ping) of Madison, Alabama, and Melissa Farmer (Will) of Skipperville; eight great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff at Dale Medical Center and the employees at Ozark Nursing Facility for the special care they all gave Mrs. Hagler. They would also like to thank the pastors and other friends who visited her over the last six years while she was in the nursing home.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in her memory to Concord Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 1086 County Road 23, Ariton, Alabama 36311.
WEBB, ALABAMA. . .Ernie Ray Kirkland, a resident of Webb, passed away Thursday morning, May 7, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. He was 78.
Graveside services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the Center Baptist Church Cemetery, 546 Center Church Road, Webb, Alabama 36376, with Pastor John Holley officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center Baptist Church, P.O. Box 129, Webb, AL 36376.
Ernie Kirkland was born and raised in Webb, son of the late Raymond Kirkland and Blanche Forrester Kirkland. He was a graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia. Ernie served his country in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was retired from Chapman Homes as a Truss Builder. Ernie was a member of Center Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Tice Kirkland, a sister, Rhonda Kirkland Baucom, and a son-in-law, Christopher Bryan Laney.
Surviving relatives include his daughters, Shannon Laney, Blakely, GA; Amanda Kirkland and Dana Kirkland, both of Webb; grandchildren, Rebecca Harper (Nathan), Rachel Laney, Dalton Thorne, Savannah Thorne, Stephanie Thorne, Alexis Thorne, Chloe Thorne and Abigail Thorne; great-grandchildren, Laney Grace Harper and Madalyn Gonzales; a niece, Brittany Thorne.
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…Kathy Collins, a resident of Ozark, peacefully passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Ozark. She was born in Laconia, New Hampshire to Robert and Lorraine Collins and was the eldest of nine children.
Kathy dedicated many years of her life to a career she deeply loved as an accountant for the United States Army, retiring proudly in 2012. She was known for her strong work ethic, caring heart, and adventurous spirit. She especially enjoyed traveling throughout her life, with Germany holding a special place in her heart. Above all else, Kathy cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her endless joy. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lorraine Collins, and her siblings Donna, Bobby, and Cindy.
She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Kroger and her husband Dwane Kroger, and Kristen Vegh and her partner Raj Kondur. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Tyler Vegh and his fiancée Mileena Alma, Lindsey Kroger and her husband Robert Younkins, Peyton Kroger, Myah Rodriguez-Alvarado, and Alyssa Rodriguez-Alvarado. Kathy was also blessed with great-grandchildren whom she adored: Raelynn, Tyson, and Zayden; her sisters Mary, Vicki, Judy, Lori, and Betty.
Kathy will be remembered for her kindness, dedication to family, love of travel, and the lasting impact she made on all who knew her. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
NEWVILLE… Anthony “Tony” Arnold, a resident of Newville, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at his home. He was 75.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 09, 2026, at Union Springs Baptist Church in Newville with Brother Jim Cordes and Brother Henry Fullington officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gideon’s International Bible Donation, P.O. Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214 or https://gideons.org/donate.
Mr. Tony was born in Newville, Alabama, to the late Ralph Jackson Arnold and Mary Agnes Bond Arnold. He graduated from high school and went on to build a life centered around faith, family, hard work, and service to others. A skilled carpenter and business owner, he took great pride in working with his hands and creating things that would last for generations. He believed in doing things the right way, treating people fairly, and always lending a helping hand when someone was in need.
Tony proudly served in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard and was a faithful member of Union Springs Baptist Church. He was a good and Godly man who loved the Lord deeply. Throughout his life, he made it a priority to read his Bible daily. Even as his eyesight began to fail and reading became more difficult, he continued trying faithfully. As recently as this week, he was determined to read the Book of James, showing the strength of his faith and the devotion that guided his life until the very end.
Tony had a deep love for woodworking and building. One of his most treasured creations was a porch swing he made for his daughter, a gift crafted with both skill and love. He enjoyed staying busy and always seemed to have a project in mind. Later in life, when someone told him he needed another hobby, he decided to get chickens — and before long, he absolutely loved them. Caring for his chickens became one of the simple joys that brought him happiness.
Known for his warm heart and playful spirit, Tony had a special way of making people smile. He loved picking at people, telling jokes, and making others laugh. He never met a stranger and could brighten a room with his humor and kindness. To those who knew him best, he was many things — a craftsman, veteran, faithful Christian, father, grandfather, and friend — but his favorite title of all was “Pop.” Hearing his granddaughter lovingly say, “Pop is silly,” brought him great joy and perfectly captured the fun-loving spirit that made him so special to everyone around him.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Tony is preceded in death by a brother, Durwood Arnold.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Cathie Arnold; daughter, Janice Stockman (Jeff); sons, Tony Arnold, Jr. (Deborah), and D.J. Arnold; sisters, Mary Ellen Jones (James) and Judy Williams (Don); brother, Gene Arnold (Sandra); grandchildren, Carter Stockman, Cleveland Stockman, and Ann Marie Arnold; several other loving family members and friends.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Paul Andrews, John Arnold, Carter Stockman, Cleveland Stockman, Shad Jones, and Tyler Lipscomb. Honorary pallbearers will be the Union Springs Baptist Church Men’s Sunday School Class.
NEWTON…Jennifer Griggs, a resident Newton, died Tuesday evening, May 5, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. She was 57.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with her uncle, Mr. Bimbo Turner officiating. Graveside services will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery with Mr. Earl Blocker officiating. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
Jennifer was a proud native of Newton, Alabama, where she grew up surrounded by the familiar faces and close‑knit community she loved so much. She graduated from Dale County High School in 1987, a year she often looked back on with fond memories of friends, teachers, and the small‑town moments that shaped her. After high school, she continued her education at Riley Business College, always determined to better herself and build a future she could be proud of.
Jennifer spent many years working within the Dale County School System, serving at both Newton Elementary and Southdale Middle School. She had a natural way with children—patient, kind, and always willing to lend a hand or a listening ear. Her time in the school system allowed her to touch countless young lives, and she carried those memories with her. Later, she worked at Conestoga Steak House in Dothan, where she became known for her friendly smile, her work ethic, and the way she treated everyone like family.
One of Jennifer’s greatest joys in life was being involved in her daughter’s world, especially when it came to softball. She loved coaching the various teams her daughter played on, cheering from the sidelines, offering encouragement, and celebrating every victory—big or small. Those seasons spent on dusty fields, surrounded by teammates and parents, were some of her happiest times.
Jennifer was also a devoted member of Bethel Baptist Church in Newton. Her faith was a steady part of her life, and she cherished the fellowship and friendships she found there.
Above all else, Jennifer was someone who loved deeply and gave freely. She poured her heart into her family, her work, and her community. Her kindness, her laughter, and her gentle spirit will be remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
Surviving relatives include her daughter, Ramsey Cheyenne Griggs; her parents, Robert D. Griggs and Linda Gayle Turner Griggs, all of Newton; brother, Bob Griggs (Amy S.), Ozark; aunts and uncles, Bimbo Turner (Sherry), Newton, Neal Griggs (Sandra), and Mickey Griggs (Kathy); several niece, nephews, and cousins, including Jake Griggs (Hannah) and Kate Enzor (Dalton).
Serving as active pallbearers will be Mark Potts, Steven Turner, Jake Griggs, Colton Turner, Mason Turner, and Kevin Bond.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
