Gladys Marie Tidwell, born April 21, 1938, passed away peacefully February 5, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, devotion, and family. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose kindness and quiet strength touched all who knew her.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva with Gary Galloway and Dr. Jerry Galloway officiating. Burial will follow in the Hurricane Creek Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Gladys was preceded in death by her loving husband, Alfred Tidwell; her daughter, Penny Hatcher; her parents, Cleveland and Fredonia McAdams; and her siblings, Herbert, Jessie, Gafford, Rosie, and Louise McAdams.
She is survived by her son, William Earl Tidwell, and his wife, Coreena Tidwell. She was a proud grandmother to Chad Tidwell and his children, Walker and Layla Tidwell, and to Jason Tidwell and his wife, Paige Tidwell, along with their children, Paisley, Jaxson, and Brayden Tidwell. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Family was the heart of Gladys’s life. She found her greatest joy in caring for those she loved and in watching her family grow through the generations. Her gentle spirit, unwavering love, and warm presence will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
Gladys Marie Tidwell’s memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends, and her life will remain a blessing to all who knew her.
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
DOTHAN… Nell Taylor Wall, a resident of Dothan, Alabama, passed away Friday morning, February 6, 2026, at her home. She was 80.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel, with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Wall was born in Aiken, South Carolina to the late Joseph Jackson Taylor and Dovie Virginia Rains Taylor. She was a homemaker and had previously lived in Lilburn, Georgia, before moving to Headland, Alabama, six years ago with her husband, Fred. She was a member of Union Freewill Baptist Church.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Frederic “Eric” Earl Wall, Jr. (Trish); her grandchildren, Steven Thomas Wall (Kori) and Kevin Patrick Wall; along with several other loving family members and friends.
Ellen May Hendrix, known to all as May, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the age of 95. Born on April 22, 1930, in Lebanon, Tennessee, to Jim Huddleston and Cora Hall Huddleston, May graduated from Watertown High School and lived a full and vibrant life.
May was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, known for her loving spirit, strong faith, and incredible cooking. She was a dedicated military spouse who cherished her family, her faith, and the simple joys of life, like canning food from her garden. A longtime member of Westgate Church of Christ, May was a faithful servant of God, often found reading her Bible and enjoying gospel music shows.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Hendrix; her son, Dennis Hendrix; and her siblings: Benton Huddleston, Glen Huddleston, Ada Dunaway, Corene McCulloch, JT Huddleston, Gertrude Phillips, Howell Huddleston, Ed Huddleston, and Carl Davis Huddleston.
May’s memory lives on through her loving family: her son, Steve Hendrix (LaDonna); her daughters, Shelia Poe (Tony) and Tammy Loyed (Gary); special nieces, Debra Williams (Scott) and Becky Holland (Steve); and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, all of whom were a source of great joy to her.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Ward Wilson Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Memory Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 10:30 AM until the start of the service.
May will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will continue to inspire those who carry her memory.
Robert “Bob” Diaz, Jr., known affectionately among his family and friends as “Blue Leader,” passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026, at the venerable age of 101 in Dothan, Alabama. He was a man of remarkable character and achievements, whose life story began on May 9, 1924, in Havana, Cuba to the late Ana Maria Gomez and Robert Diaz, Sr. Bob’s journey led him to the United States, where he grew up in Middletown, New York, and later became a treasured member of the Miami, Florida, community before settling in Dothan in 1995.
Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Mary Margaret Peters Diaz, and is survived by a legacy of love and leadership through his children: LeeAnn Diaz Bing (Billy), Linda Diaz Holder (Ted), Robert Charles Diaz (Sharon), and Mark Diaz (Susan). His life was further enriched by the joy of several grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry forward the values and memories he cherished.
A man of intellect and discipline, Bob pursued higher education with a fervor for knowledge and a passion for innovation. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Miami, followed by a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Texas. His academic journey culminated in a Master’s in Aeronautical Research Management and Development from Florida State University, setting the stage for a distinguished career.
Bob’s professional life was marked by over 30 years of dedicated service in the Air Force, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. His military career was storied, beginning in the final years of World War II as a mechanic in the Army Air Corps. In 1948, he transitioned into the United States Air Force, where he soared as a fighter pilot, serving his country during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and earning the deep respect and admiration of his peers. His service also took him abroad, including an assignment in the Panama Canal Zone. Following his military career, Bob continued his lifelong dedication to aviation as the Assistant Director of Operations for the Dade County Aviation Department until his retirement.
His commitment to service extended beyond his professional endeavors. Bob was a proud member of the Shriner organization, and he maintained active involvement with several aviation organizations, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). These affiliations reflected his unwavering dedication to his fellow service members and to the broader community.
Bob’s interests and hobbies were as expansive as the skies he once navigated. His love for aviation was not just a career but a lifelong passion. He was a mentor and friend to many within the aviation community and took great pleasure in sharing his experiences and knowledge with others. Family was his greatest joy and legacy. He met his late bride at a local dance- the beginning of a profound love and a shared passion for dancing that their family holds dear.
As we remember Robert “Bob” Diaz, Jr., we are reminded of the indelible impact he made on his family, friends, and the many lives he touched through his service and community involvement. He was a beacon of wisdom, courage, and kindness, and his story will continue to inspire those who knew him and those who will learn of his remarkable life in the years to come. Bob’s legacy will forever soar, much like the aircraft he once expertly piloted, in the hearts of all who were honored to call him husband, father, grandfather, friend, and Blue Leader.
A celebration of life and the rendering of military honors will be announced at a later date.
Retired Sergeant First Class (Supply), Robert “Bob” Harold Ferguson, age 93, of Dothan, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
Bob was born February 20, 1932, in Alliance, Ohio, to William Reed Ferguson and Elizabeth Allmon Ferguson. He graduated from Sebring High School in Ohio and later proudly joined the United States Army, where he served his country for more than 20 years. During his military career, Bob was stationed in Vietnam, Germany, and Japan. Following his retirement from the Army, he began working as a painter.
Bob enjoyed watching Ohio State football and had a lifelong love of skating. He was a professional dance skater who taught roller skating and was especially proud to have taught two Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders to dance on skates. He also invented a skate safety device. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed sudoko puzzles, painting, and most of all spending time with his family. He developed a very special bond with his nephew Allen.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Ferguson; brothers John Henry Ferguson (who passed as an infant) and Lewis Ferguson; sisters Vera Stroup (Jack), and Sylvia Mummert (Lloyd), Verla Detchon (Fred); nephews Dean Detchon and David Detchon; neice Sandy; LesLie (Les) Fertic and beloved K9 companion, Liebe.
He is survived by his daughters, Melody Ruble (Jack) and R. Jeanne Ferguson; stepson Mike; grandchildren Donald “Jamie” Villars(Yong), Niki Turney (Ron), Eddie Phillips, (Jan), and Scarlett Lester (Ed); great-grandchildren Katrina, Danny, Jacob (Autumn), Olivia, Christopher, Joe (Ally), and Tyler (Shelby); great-great-grandchildren Nolan, Beckett, Janson (due in March) as well as one in South Korea, one granddaughter in Seoul, Korea; cnieces and nephews Allen, Sharon, Diane, Jill, Tracy, Susie, and Steve.
He is also lovingly survived by his best friend and caretaker, Ella Fertic (“Mousey”), and her children Maria Luz Rowe, Brandon Guzman and Robert Guzman
Bob will be deeply missed by many and fondly remembered as an intelligent, kind, generous, and good man.
