MILTON, FLORIDA…Ms. Peggy Sue Ellis Thomas, a resident of Milton, Florida (formerly of Ozark), died early Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026, in Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola. She was 68.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at a later date in Brewton, Alabama. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Thomas, daughter of the late Jessie Ellis and Eva Lee Raybon Ellis, was born and raised in Milton, Florida, a place she always held close to her heart. In 2014, she moved to Ozark, Alabama, where she spent several meaningful years before eventually returning home to Milton. No matter where she lived, she carried with her a quiet strength, a love for people, and a deep appreciation for the simple joys in life.
She worked for many years as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Andalusia Manor, where her gentle spirit and caring hands made a difference in the lives of countless residents. Earlier in life, she also worked at Pizza Hut in Lucedale, Mississippi, where she was known for her friendly smile and hardworking nature.
Ms. Thomas had a lifelong love for horses—a passion that began in childhood when her family raised thoroughbred racehorses. She found peace in the presence of animals and joy in the rhythm of country life.
She was of the Baptist faith and carried her beliefs quietly but firmly, leaning on them through life’s ups and downs. Her heart was full of love for her family, and she faced life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Carolyn Krystal Olsen, her brother, Danny Ellis, and her sister, Lisa Kay Ellis. Though their absence left a deep ache, Ms. Thomas held onto the memories they shared and the love that never faded.
Surviving relatives include her daughter, Jennifer Hamm (Kenneth), Troy; son, Jerry Allen Baker, Milton, Florida; two sisters, Mary Mateleska (Tony Young), Milton, Florida and Sharon Manning, Dothan; four grandchildren, Leah Enfinger (Cody), Lane Clark (Hannah), Caleb Brooks, and Christian Brooks; two great-grandchildren, Emerson Clark and Silas Clark and one on the way, Chase Enfinger; her favorite friend and companion, her dog, Trixie; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Martha Ellen Bradford, affectionately known as Marty to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at the age of 100 in Enterprise, Alabama. Born on May 31, 1925, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Raymond William Fleming and Martha Wilhelmina Krause, Marty grew up with a foundation of love and strong family values that would carry her through an extraordinary century of life.
Marty’s journey led her to marry her first love, William Henry Basham, Jr., at the tender age of 18. Their union was one of adventure and deep affection. After William’s military career ended in 1945, they moved to the canal zone in Panama. After William’s untimely passing on May 7, 1961, Marty demonstrated her remarkable resilience and independence. She later found love again with Clayton Bradford, who became a cherished husband until his passing. After Clayton’s passing in 1979, Marty resided in the canal zone until 1980, then she relocated to Dothan, Alabama.
Blessed with a large and loving family, Marty was preceded in death by her first husband, William Henry Basham Jr., her second husband, Clayton Bradford, her parents, Raymond William Fleming and Martha Wilhelmina Krause, her children, Patricia Christian and Susan Basham, and two brothers. She is survived by her children: Michael Basham (Linda), Nancy Stanford (Larry), Daniel Basham (Fran), and Kathleen Monday (Craig). Her legacy continues through her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who will remember her with great affection and respect.
Marty was a graduate of South High School in Columbus. Her commitment to community service was evident in her 30 years of volunteer work at the Southeast Alabama Medical Center gift shop. A devout Catholic, she lived her faith through acts of kindness and service to others.
Her interests were as diverse as the places she lived. Marty was a kind and personable soul who found joy in crafting, quilting, and crocheting. A brave and independent woman, she made friends easily, including a special bond with her son’s mother-in-law, Mildred Patton. Marty’s love for animals was boundless, with a particular soft spot for cats.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11am at Saint Columba Catholic Church with Father Gallagher officiating. Inurnment will take place in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
OZARK…Mr. James Robert Brannon (Staff Sergeant, Alabama Army National Guard, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died Thursday morning, March 19, 2026, at his home. He was 98.
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
Teresa Cooper Gilley, born August 2, 1963, in Brewton, Alabama, passed away on March 17, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. Teresa’s life was defined by a gentle spirit, a generous heart, and an unwavering ability to see the good in others.
She was the beloved daughter of Larry Cooper Sr. and the late May Lorena McArthur Cooper, with whom she now shares a joyful reunion, along with her grandmother, whose presence shaped so much of her life. Teresa carried forward the legacy of love, faith, and kindness instilled in her from an early age, living each day with quiet grace and deep compassion.
From a young age, Teresa found joy in movement and music. She was a majorette at Young Junior High School and Northview High School and later continued her passion as a majorette with the Sound of the South Marching Band at Troy University, where she also performed with the University Dancers. She later gave that same passion back to others, volunteering for many years as the majorette sponsor for Northview High School. Whether twirling a baton, dancing to a favorite song, or encouraging young performers, she brought a natural elegance and light to everything she did.
Teresa was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Dothan. Her faith was a steady and guiding presence in her life, reflected not in grand gestures, but in the way she loved others, with patience, forgiveness, and a heart that always sought peace.
Her compassion was not only something she felt, but something she lived out daily in her work. She served the Dothan community through her time at Vaughn-Blumberg Services, a nonprofit organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she worked closely with adult members. She later continued that calling as a Parent Involvement Specialist with Dothan City Schools, building meaningful connections with families. After retiring, she remained devoted to caring for others as a caregiver with Home Instead Senior Care, providing comfort and companionship to elderly members of the community. In every role, Teresa’s kindness was not just present, it was the foundation.
She found happiness in life’s simple, quiet moments. The beach was her sanctuary, where she could sit for hours listening to the rhythm of the waves. She had a special love for butterflies, seeing beauty in their delicacy and transformation. Music was another constant companion, with the songs of James Taylor, The Carpenters, Chicago, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé often filling the spaces around her.
Above all, Teresa was the definition of a devoted and selfless mother, wife, and daughter. She gave endlessly of herself, always putting the needs and happiness of others before her own. Her love was steady and sacrificial, shown in both the big moments and the quiet, unseen ones. She took immense pride in her daughter, celebrating every accomplishment with a full and joyful heart, never missing an opportunity to share that pride with others.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Tim Gilley; her father, Larry Cooper Sr.; her daughter, Courtney Gilley Petrizzi (Anthony); her twin sister, Tonnie Cooper; her brother, Larry Cooper Jr. (Lisa). She leaves behind a family who will forever carry her love with them.
Those who knew Teresa will remember her as truly kind, endlessly forgiving, and gentle in spirit. She had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and cared for, and her presence brought a sense of calm and comfort to those around her.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 23, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Ward-Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama, with services immediately following. Memorial contributions may be made to the National MS Society, a cause meaningful to her and her family.
Teresa’s life was a quiet but powerful reflection of love in its purest form. The world is softer, kinder, and better because she was in it, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
