Richard Murray Swinehart, 76 of Cottonwood, Alabama passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Richard is survived by his wife, Connie Morris Swinehart and a daughter, Anna Floyd (Britt).
No services are to be held and condolences can be sent via Ward Wilson guest book.
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Master Sergeant (MSG) Tommie Carl Johnson, age 85, of Athens, Alabama, passed from this life to be with our Lord on February 2, 2026.
Tommie was born on December 26, 1940, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, to Jack and Lurene Johnson. He was a longtime resident of Dothan, Alabama, before moving to Athens in 2017 to be closer to family.
He lived a full life marked by his distinguished 20-year career in the United States Army, which included three combat tours in Vietnam, as well as assignments in Europe, Virginia, Kansas, Alaska, and Fort Rucker, Alabama. MSG Johnson’s military awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. His service to his country was a source of great pride and reflected his deep sense of duty and commitment.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1979, he completed his bachelor’s degree at Troy University and embarked on a second career with Southern Power Company, from which he retired in 2000.
MSG Johnson was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ and a faithful member of Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, where his quiet strength and steadfast faith were well known.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Jay); his grandchildren, Caitlin Horne, Callie Horne, Anna Grace Johnson, and Emma Catherine Johnson; and his sisters, Mrs. Connie Tagert, Mrs. Bobbie Mundie, and Mrs. Judy Metzger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 52 years, Glenda Johnson; his son, Jeffrey Johnson; and his siblings, Jackie Cook and Mickey Johnson.
The family will mourn privately at a graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the charity of one’s choice. The family also thanks Orion Healthcare and Hospice of North Alabama for the care provided during his extended illness.
CLIO…Carolyn Boston Helms, 76, of Clio, Alabama, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 1, 2026, at her home. She was born on June 2, 1949, in Panama City, Florida.
Carolyn was a graduate of Fairmont High School and retired from her career as a probation clerk at the Dale County Courthouse. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, and a faithful sister in Christ and member of MT Zion Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Haran Helms, of Clio, Alabama; her sister, Kay Jenkins, of Rome, Georgia; her brother, Rodney Boston; her son, Scott Preston Reeves, of Ranger, Georgia; her grandchildren Preston Reeves, Brittany (Jake) Grizzle, of Ranger, Georgia, and Allison (Trent) Black, of Calhoun, Georgia; her great-grandchildren Easton Grizzle, Rory Grizzle, and Emersyn Black; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pierce and Ruth Boston; her brother, William Boston; and her son, Corey Reeves.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 773 County Road 9, Louisville, Alabama 36048. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
COLUMBIA. . .Emily Jernigan Hunter, a resident of Columbia, Alabama, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2026, in Extendicare Health Center in Dothan. She was 95.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 6, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Keith Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 P.M. Friday at the mortuary in Headland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Zion Methodist Church, c/o Ed Hughes, 281 Crawford Road, Cowarts, AL 36321, or to Columbia Ambulance Emergency Rescue Squad (CARES), check made payable to Town of Columbia, P.O. Box 339, Columbia, AL 36319.
Mrs. Hunter was born and raised in Columbia, daughter of the late Laurel Washington Jernigan and Flora Mae Singletary Jernigan. She was a 1948 graduate of Houston County High School in Columbia. Mrs. Hunter moved to the Hunters Crossroads Community, near Columbia, in 1949. An active member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, a church which her family co-founded, Mrs. Hunter held most offices and positions in the church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Hunter, a grandson, Harrison L. Hunter, two sisters, Delone Henley and Ruth Hand, two brothers, Edwin Jernigan and Blake Jernigan and her step-mother, Florence Pitts Jernigan and a daughter in law, Patsy Hunter.
Miss Emily was a woman of fierce integrity and bold in her beliefs, strong in her faith, and often seen reading her Bible even in her final days of life. She raised four sons, providing a perfect example in her walk with our Savior. Miss Emily made an immediate and everlasting impact on everyone she met.
Surviving relatives include four sons, Charles Hunter (Kathy), Cottonwood, AL Gary Hunter, Mobile, AL; Phillip Hunter (Janet), Cowarts, AL; and Jim Hunter (Julia), Abbeville, AL; a sister, Ann Johnson, Webb, AL; and a sister-in-law, Betty Green, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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.
Paul Kober, 85, of Enterprise, AL, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Paul was born on March 30, 1940, and raised in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. Paul graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School.
Paul’s passions were family, automobiles, off-road motorcycling, Volkswagens, boating, hiking, and history. Family was extremely important to Paul. He was married for 51 years to his beautiful, dedicated wife Becky Kober, also from the San Fernando Valley, California. Together they raised five children, along with three daughters-in-laws, two sons-in-laws, with eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and cared for 18 foster children.
Paul’s love of family extended well beyond the traditional definition of the word “family”. Whether blood relative, adopted, in-law, foster, or friend, you were a member of the family. With family in many states, Paul would not hesitate to travel to visit, celebrate, support, or just be with them. Even when family were far away, they always knew Paul would be there with simply a phone call.
Paul and Becky cared for 18 foster children, spanning a time period of nearly 30 years. Paul and Becky opened their lives to these children and treated all of them as their own. All of these children’s lives were improved by having a loving home in which to start their journey.
Paul could fix anything, and even before graduating high school, he began a career as an automotive mechanic. Paul not only made a living as a mechanic but loved all things mechanical. His garage was constantly full of his projects, and often many other people’s. Cars, Boats, Motorcycles, Bicycles, even the occasional model rocket. Whether it was an oil change or an engine rebuild, Paul was the neighborhood and family go-to for all things fuel-burning. He retired from the City of Los Angeles as a diesel mechanic when he was 57.
Within his love of mechanical things, Paul was an air-cooled Volkswagen expert, building buggies for the California desert as well as street machines and show cars. Paul helped many people get their cars running and keep them running. Riding off-road motorcycles in the Mojave Desert was where he loved to be. Working with the California Off-Road Vehicle Association, Paul successfully lobbied local, state, and federal organizations to keep riding areas open. There is even a trail between the towns of Randsburg and Johannesburg, CA, that carries his name. Whether spending time with family, fixing cars and motorcycles, hiking the Grand Canyon, water skiing on the Colorado River, or tearing across the desert, Paul was always on the move. Paul’s boundless energy and deep love for family will be sorely missed.
To honor Paul’s wishes, no services will be held.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
William “Bill” Watson, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, at his home in Ozark, Alabama. He was born on August 19, 1940, in Louisville, Alabama, and during his 85 years, Bill left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lois Watson.
Bill shared 40 loving years of marriage with his wife, Katheryn Watson. Together, they built a family rooted in love, faith, and togetherness. He is survived by his children, Randy Watson (Linda), David Watson (Karen), Karen Hand (Doug), Rhonda Robertson (Mark), Paula Mathis (Wylie), and Chris Shepherd (Robbie). Bill was especially proud of his role as “Pa” to 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each one dearly loved and treasured.
A man of strong work ethic and remarkable skill, Bill spent his career as an aircraft mechanic and auto mechanic, known for his ability to fix just about anything with an engine. He took great pride in his work and was always willing to lend a helping hand. His dedication extended beyond his profession through his service in the National Guard, where he served his country with honor.
Above all else, Bill loved his family and enjoyed being around people. He had a lifelong passion for working on cars and could often be found under the hood, doing what he loved most. Bill never met a stranger, and his friendly nature and easy conversation left a lasting smile wherever he went.
Bill will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and the genuine care he showed to others. His steady presence, warm heart, and quiet wisdom will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Home with Bro. Michael Woodham officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Bill will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park.
Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com