ARITON…James Colton Blake Cumbie, a resident of Ariton, passed away, Saturday, July 19, 2025. He was 29.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
ARITON…Mrs. Carolyn Shadrack Batchelor, a resident of Ariton, died early Wednesday morning, July 23, 2025, at her home. She was 82.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 25, 2025, at Ariton Cemetery with Pastor Randy Adams officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Batchelor, born to the late Louis Shadrack and Iris Lavelle Spencer, was a proud native of Louisiana, where her roots ran deep and her heart was shaped by the warmth of Southern life. Over the years, she made her way through different chapters of her journey, living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Terrell, Texas, before settling in the quiet town of Ariton, Alabama in 2012—a place that quickly became her sanctuary.
She lived a life full of grit, grace, and determination. In her earlier years, she worked hard managing apartment complexes, always making sure folks had a safe and welcoming place to call home. Later, she took to the open road as an over-the-road truck driver, a job that suited her independent spirit and gave her a chance to see the country from behind the wheel. She was never afraid of hard work and always carried herself with strength and dignity.
But it was in Ariton where she found peace. She loved nothing more than sitting on her front porch, soaking in the stillness of the countryside, watching the world go by at its own gentle pace. That porch became her favorite spot—a place for quiet reflection, laughter with neighbors, and long talks with family.
Mrs. Batchelor had a deep love for animals, and they loved her right back. Her dog Lula was her loyal companion, always by her side. Her cat Katie brought her comfort and calm. Vera Bell, her donkey, and Candy, her miniature donkey, added joy and a touch of whimsy to her days. Each of them held a special place in her heart, and she cared for them like family.
She was a woman of faith and found community and comfort in attending the former Ariton United Methodist Church. Her belief in kindness, compassion, and the goodness of people was evident in the way she lived and loved.
Mrs. Batchelor was preceded in death by her son, Michael Batchelor, her beloved siblings—Sara Spencer, Claudine Shadrack, and Otis Shadrack—whose memories she carried with her always. Though she faced loss, she never lost her warmth, her humor, or her ability to make others feel at home.
Her life was a beautiful blend of strength and softness, of hard work and quiet joy. She will be remembered not just for the things she did, but for the way she made people feel—loved, welcomed, and at peace.
Surviving relatives include her husband of forty years, Jeff Batchelor, Ariton; children, Brad Westberry (Holly), Garland, Texas, Carla Sammons (Jimmy), Dothan, Robbie Batchelor (Ami), Savannah, Georgia, Malissa Simpson (Howard), Oceanside, California, and Anthony Batchelor, Lutz, Florida; two sisters, Vera Fowler (Jiffy), Farmerville, Louisiana, and Donna Weadock (Donald), Vidalia, Louisiana; brother, Felton Dupree (Barbara), Louisiana; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Bradley Peavy, Bryson Peavy, Jeremy Talbott, Brady Westberry, Chase Batchelor, and Micah Westberry.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
MIDLAND CITY. . .Betty Henderson Ammons, a resident of Dale County, between Headland and Midland City, died Wednesday morning, July 23, 2025, at her home. She was 83.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 27, 2025, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with eulogies to be given by family and friends. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the mortuary in Headland. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the Piney Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, near Rehobeth, with Pastor Keith White officiating.
Mrs. Ammons was born in Barbour County and was raised in Dale County, near Echo, daughter of the late Willie Henderson and Ethel Blankenship Henderson. She lived in Rehobeth before moving to Dale County in 2003. Mrs. Ammons was a member of Piney Grove Methodist Church. She was retired from Buffalo Rock as Food Service Manager. In earlier years, she was employed by Food Services and WestPoint Stevens. Mrs. Ammons was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt Ammons, two sisters, Ruth Palmer and Sylvia Whitehead and a brother, Edward Henderson.
Surviving relatives include her sons, Mickey Ammons (Brandi), Abbeville; and Keith Ammons (Linda), Rehobeth; grandchildren, Tyler Ammons, Heather Ammons and Daphne Faulk (Scott); great-grandchildren, Lawson Faulk and Claire Faulk; four sisters, Imojean Selph, Clarksville, TN; Judy Maas (Alex), Midlothian, VA; Belita Hancock and Bobbie Willoughby, both of Ariton; numerous nieces and nephews.
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.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Laura Towery McDonald, who left this world on July 23, 2025, at the age of 62.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Monday, July 28, 2025 at Ramah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 2 P.M. Monday, prior to the Graveside Service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity.
Born September 9, 1962, Laura was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who made a lasting impact on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Laura dedicated over 20 years of service to Wal-Mart, where she was admired and appreciated by co-workers and customers alike. Her kindness, sense of humor, and strong work ethic made her a beloved part of the Wal-Mart family. Beyond her career, Laura was deeply committed to her community, especially through her volunteer work with the Children’s Miracle Network, a cause close to her heart.
Laura is survived by her daughters, Samantha Nicole Jiminez (Cory), Krystal Dawn McDonald (Junior Freebourne), and Paula Hribal, grandchildren, Daniel Thompson, Alyssa McDonald-Ward, Blake Jiminez, Krystina Hanks, brother, Karl Towery, and her sister, Christi Fink.
She will be remembered as a selfless, generous, and compassionate woman who always put others first. Laura’s love for her family was unmatched, and her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched with her kindness, laughter, and unwavering support.
Laura will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Charles Lawson Forrester, a resident of Houston County, died on July 22, 2025 at his home between Ashford and Columbia at the age of 95.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation in the sanctuary of Ebenezer Baptist Church (3894 Ebenezer Road, Columbia, AL) at 10 am on Saturday, July 26, followed immediately by funeral services at 11:00 am and then burial in the church cemetery with Reverend Don Tew officiating. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Forrester was an avid animal lover and enjoyed caring for numerous stray pets that became family members. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wiregrass Humane Society (www.wiregrasshumanesociety.com) or Felines Under Rescue (FUR) (https://www.paypal.com?US/Ffundraiser/charity/1470404) .
Mr. Forrester was born to the late Carl and Berrell Forrester on December 20, 1929 in the Greenfront Community and lived in Houston County for most of his life. After graduating from Houston County High School in 1948 he worked on the family farm with his father. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and was stationed in El Paso, which was the beginning of a life-long fascination with the state of Texas. On June 8, 1951 he married the love of his life, Bonnie Juanita Crooms. In 1954 he returned to work on the family farm for several years. He moved to Ocala, FL where he was an insurance salesman for 11 years – he enjoyed the people he met during this time and had some interesting stories. In 1968 he returned to work at Forrester Farms with his father and then his brothers Ted and Glenn until his retirement in 1995. In addition to being a proud peanut farmer, he had a passion for growing fruits and vegetables and carefully nurtured an orchard with over 30 citrus trees, which he enjoyed sharing with others.
Mr. Forrester was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, a sister Annette, brothers Jackie, Glenn, and Ted and a nephew Arnie. Surviving family members include a daughter, S. Dru Forrester (John Jacobson), Lawrence, KS; a sister-in-law, Betty Sue Forrester, Ashford, AL; a granddaughter, Sarah Jacobson (Thomas Ordway), Bryan, TX, great grandson, Theodore Forrest Ordway, and his beloved pets Buddy and Blackie.
The family greatly appreciated the exceptional care provided by the team members at DaySpring Hospice and SouthCARE Specialty Services. We are forever grateful for the love and unwavering support of the Forrester family, especially Betty Sue, Jared, Jonas, and Lynn.
Serving as active pallbearers will be John Jacobson, Jared Forrester, Jonas Forrester, Bo Stewart, Andy Moates, Daniel Forrester, Logan Mason and Samuel King.
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.
