Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Sara Frances Lavender Doster, a resident of the Salem Community outside Skipperville, died late Friday night July 24, 2026, in Henry County Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Abbeville. She was 83 years old.
Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Kenneth Hagler officiating. Interment will follow in Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home in Ozark from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mrs. Doster was born November 8, 1942 in Barbour County, Alabama to the late Ernest Edmond Lavender and Myrtis Lorene Hagler Lavender. She graduated from Barbour County High School in 1963. Following graduation, Sara met and married James Lewis Doster. They made their home in the Salem Community where she was a life-long member of Salem Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading (especially the Bible), cooking, sewing and planting flowers. Sara loved her family, cats and dogs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, James Lewis Doster; her son, Gary Lewis Doster; and two sisters, Martha Wynn and Linda Hoar.
Survivors include her sister, Vickie Thompson of Ozark; special nieces, Angie Thompson and Terri Hoar Lewis; special nephews, Mark Wynn (Brenda) and Wayne Hoar (Allison).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, Fund, C/O Mr. Don Johnson, P. O. Box 196, Skipperville, Alabama 36374.
ABBEVILLE. . .Duke Henderson Crocker, a resident of Abbeville, passed away Saturday night, July 25, 2026, at his home. He was 47.
There are no funeral or memorial services planned at this time. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Duke Crocker was born in Kennewick, Washington. He formerly lived in Elmore County, Alabama before moving to White Oak Shores on Lake Eufaula. Duke was a graduate of Holtville High School in Elmore County and attended Alex City Junior College, Wallace College Sparks Campus and Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. He was affiliated with Fellowship Baptist Church in Eufaula. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Duke Crocker.
Surviving relatives include his mother, Linda Hogan Crocker, Abbeville; two brothers, Timothy W. Crocker (Porsche), Wetumpka, AL; and Donald Wayne Crocker (Lynn), Millbrook, AL; an aunt, Gloria Gittings (John), and an uncle, Jonathan Hogan (Ronnie); several nieces and nephews.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261.You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This firm does not own a crematory.
HEADLAND… Samuel Wayne Weeks, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away Friday afternoon, July 24, 2026, at Extendicare Health & Rehabilitation. He was 79.
No services are planned at this time.
Mr. Sam Weeks was born in Henry County, Alabama, to the late James Lowe Weeks and Janice Anelle Knowles Weeks. He attended Headland High School before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University. Mr. Sam proudly served his country as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
A man of faith, Sam was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Headland. He will be remembered for his dedication to his country, his love for his family, and the many friendships he cultivated throughout his life.
In addition to his parents, James Lowe Weeks and Janice Anelle Knowles Weeks, Sam was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Samuel Hurley Knowles and Mattie Knowles, and his paternal grandparents, Urial Weeks and Veela Weeks; and his niece Suellen Weeks Payne.
He is survived by his brother, Lowell Weeks (Dianne); his great niece, Melinda Bui (Daniel) and his great nephew, James Whitehurst; his great great nieces, Harper Bui and Serenity Whitehurst; his great great nephews, Lennox Bui, Cameron Whitehurst and Josiah Whitehurst; and his several other loving family members and friends.
ABBEVILLE… Billy Joe White, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026, at his home. He was 84.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Union Freewill Baptist Church with Reverend Joey Hudspeth officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask for memorial contributions to be made to the Union Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in c/o Carol Johns, 800 CR-28, Abbeville, Alabama 36310.
Mr. White was born in Abbeville, Alabama to the late Walter Howard White and Carolyn Owens White. He lived his entire life in the Abbeville, Alabama area. He was a 1961 graduate of Abbeville High School. He served his country in the Army Reserves during the Cuban Crisis. He owned and operated Bill’s Cabinet Shop until his retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman where he loved hunting and fishing. His passion was quail hunting, where he started Quail Ridge Hunting Reserve. He loved being with his grandchildren, whether it was hunting, fishing, or sporting events. He was a devoted member of the Union Freewill Baptist Church, where he served over fifty years as a deacon.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Doretha Robinson.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his wife, Carole B. White; his daughter, Charla W. Smith (Benny); two grandchildren, Billy D. Smith (Claire) and Chase W. Smith (Haley); his four great grandchildren, Hudson W. Smith, Martha Kate Smith, Decker H. Smith and John Bennett Smith; his sister, Patricia White Marshall (Carl); several other loving family members and friends.
CLIO… Mrs. Billie Jewel Kirkland Blankenship, 90, of Clio, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Calvary Church with her son, Pastor Keven Blankenship officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the church.
Flowers are welcomed and memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Church Cemetery, 415 County Road 8, Clio, Alabama 36017.
Born on June 16, 1936, in Houston County, Alabama, Billie Jewel was the daughter of Dewey and Myrtis Gilmore Kirkland. She was a lifelong woman of faith whose love for the Lord shaped the way she lived each day. She quietly reflected Christ through her kindness, humility, and unwavering devotion.
Billie Jewel was a patient and supportive wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She faithfully stood beside James Fred throughout their marriage, supporting his ministry in countless quiet ways. While James Fred decorated the many wedding cakes they made together, Billie Jewel baked every cake layer and was always there cleaning up behind him when the work was done, never complaining and never seeking recognition. Together, they prepared meals, delivered food to friends, neighbors, and members of their church family, and welcomed countless family members and friends around their table, where there always seemed to be enough food for everyone. Billie Jewel believed one of the greatest ways to share Christ’s love was by serving others, and she did so with a humble servant’s heart. Her quiet faith, gentle spirit, and unwavering devotion to her family and her Savior touched countless lives and will remain her lasting legacy.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Fred Blankenship; her parents, Dewey and Myrtle Kirkland; her sons, Mike Blankenship and David Blankenship; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Blankenship; her brothers, Earl Kirkland and James Kirkland; and her sisters, Eloise Franklin and Murrell Short.
She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Maund (Martin) of Ariton; her sons, Tim Blankenship of Ariton and Keven Blankenship (Genia) of Calera; her daughter-in-law, Patty Blankenship; her cherished grandchildren, Eric Blankenship (Marion), Matt Blankenship (Mindy), Brittany Cade, Jennifer Christenberry (John), Brandi Blankenship (Eric), Justin Blankenship, Ben Blankenship (Erin), Blake Himburg, Abby Richardson (Garrett), and Ashland English (Charles); her beloved great-grandchildren, Paige, Cole, Mattox, Micah, Maxton, John David, James, Heidi, Allie, Sophia, Judah, and Isla, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to caretakers Mary Jean Jones and Diamond Brown as well as Brett Smith, Kerrie Cox and Chaplain Charles Goldsmith with Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate care, unwavering support, and the love they showed Billie Jewel. Your kindness brought comfort to our entire family and will never be forgotten.
Though her family grieves from her absence, they rejoice that Billie Jewel has been reunited with James Fred and her beloved sons, Mike and David, in the presence of her Savior. Her life was marked by quiet faithfulness, humble service, and steadfast love. She never sought recognition but believed one of the greatest ways to share Christ’s love was by serving others. Her family finds peace in knowing she was welcomed home with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)
Serving as active pallbearers will be Blake Himburg, Eric Blankenship, Matt Blankenship, Stephen Murphy, Cole Blankenship, and Joe McCraney. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Ben Blankenship.
