Michael William “Mike” Stransky, age 82, passed away on October 1, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama.
Mike was born on July 27, 1944, in Trenton, New Jersey, to the late Laura A. Hamilton and William A. Stransky. Though born in New Jersey, he grew up in Marianna, Florida, where he attended high school and built the foundation of the life he would later be known for. He carried with him the values of determination, loyalty, and resilience, and he lived his life in a way that reflected those qualities every day. Mike was known by many as a stubborn man, but those who loved him understood that his stubbornness was often simply another way of describing his strength, his conviction, and his unwillingness to give up when life became difficult.
A dedicated truck driver by profession, Mike spent many years on the road and took pride in his work. He drove for Walmart, Southern Ag, and Summerford, and he earned several driver safety awards during his career. He approached his work with seriousness and responsibility, and he was respected for the care he took in doing his job well. His years behind the wheel were more than just a career. They were a reflection of his dependability and his commitment to providing for the people he loved.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Stella Stransky, to whom he was married for 27 years. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Nelva Love, and by his sister, Louise Hamilton, who died at the age of five. The loss of loved ones was something he carried with him, yet he continued to live with strength and love for those who remained. He especially loved his mother, and that love remained a defining part of his life throughout the years.
He is survived by his daughters, Sonya Hickman and her husband Randy, and Andrea Stransky. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, John Andy Calloway, Jr. and his wife Sierra, Abby Pittman and her husband Jeffery, U.S. Navy First Class Diver Ethan Youngblood, and Camden Michael James. Mike was blessed to know his great-grandchildren, Bentley Calloway, Aubrey Calloway, JC Pittman, III, AnnaClaire Pittman, and LauraKate Pittman, each of whom brought joy and pride to his life. He also leaves behind his faithful black lab, Payton, who was a constant companion and source of comfort.
He was also a lifelong fan of Florida State University, and his loyalty extended to the things and people he cared about most. Whether at work, at home, or among family, Mike lived with a sense of purpose that was unmistakable. He was not a man who sought attention, but he earned respect through his actions, his perseverance, and his unwavering devotion to those he held dear.
With heavy hearts and profound love, we announce the passing of our precious baby, Ocean Ny’Cere Harris, who was called home to be with the Lord on September 25, 2026.
Though Ocean’s time with us was far too brief, the love and precious memories left behind will remain in our hearts forever. Ocean was deeply loved and will always be a beautiful part of our family.
Ocean leaves to cherish a lifetime of love and memories: parents, Keirra Bass and Sir-Kenneth Harris; siblings, Adriana, Elijah, Nolan, Calvin, and Kailyx; grandparents, Rena Daniel’s, Quan Bass, Melissa Brantley, and Moby Harris; along with many other loving family members and friends.
Our precious Ocean, you may have only been with us for a short time, but you touched our lives in a way that will last forever. Your little life will always be remembered, your name will always be spoken, and your love will forever remain in our hearts.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:4
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Dr. Kenneth Edward Phillips, 78, was welcomed home on September 30, 2026. He passed peacefully at his home in Midlothian, Virginia, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services for Dr. Phillips will be held 11:00 A. M. Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Skipperville Methodist Church with Reverend Jason Hanna officiating. Interment will follow in Skipperville Community Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Dr. Phillips graduated from Ariton High School in 1967 and joined the United States Navy shortly thereafter. He was part of the inaugural crew of the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, where he served until November of 1971. He received his associate’s degree from Wallace Community College, his bachelor’s degree from Troy University, and his master’s degree from Auburn University while continuing to serve in the Army National Guard Reserve. He taught at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee, as well as Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia. He then worked at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, before returning to Auburn University to obtain his doctorate. For more than two decades he then taught at Wallace Community College until retirement. In 2022, Dr. Phillips and his wife moved from Skipperville, Alabama, to Midlothian, Virginia, to live with their daughter and son-in-law.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Veva Roberts Phillips; daughter, Haley Phillips Hines; son-in-law, John Hines; sister, Betty Metcalf; brother, Roger Phillips, and sister-in-law, Annette Phillips. He was preceded in death by his parents, Counce and Alma Phillips, and sister, Ann McGee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to help support literacy in young people, a mission that was always close to Dr. Phillips’s heart. https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Dorine Mae Fuller Barranco, a resident of Ozark, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in Flowers Hospital with her family by her side. She was 86 years old.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned. A Celebration of Life Service with family and friends will be forthcoming. Dorine has donated her body to the University of South Alabama Medical School in Mobile. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com
Mrs. Barranco was born December 16, 1939 in Rome, New York to the late Sidney Austin Fuller and Jean Anita Call Fuller. She met her husband in Los Angeles, California while attending college and they were married September 9, 1959, Dorine worked various secretarial jobs before opening her health food Store “Health Concepts” in Dothan, retiring in 2018. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Sam Richard Barranco; and her step-granddaughter, Nikki Powell.
Survivors include two sons, Rick Barranco (Iris) and Chris Barranco (Daphne); one daughter, Denise Kasper (Marty) all of Ozark; her sisters, Sharon Carter (Dick) of Nixa, Missouri and Wendy Culver (Tim) of Johnson City, Illinois; her brother, Keith Fuller (Teri) of Yarnell, Arizona; her grandsons, Vince Barranco (Jennifer) of Ozark and Tony McKenna (Samantha) U.S. Air Force; her granddaughter, Laura Fowler (Jerod) of Bay Minnette, Alabama; five great grandsons, two great granddaughters; step-grandson, Kenneth Powell (Amanda) of Munford, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, P. O. Box 1008, 475 Camilla Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36361.
HEADLAND. . .David Edward Saxon, a resident of Headland, passed away Thursday morning, October 1, 2026, at his home. He was 86.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend T. J. Allen officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the mortuary in Headland. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory, between Headland & Dothan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Mr. Saxon was born in Hall County, Georgia, near Gainesville, son of the late Everett Paul Saxon and Ruby Emory Saxon. He served his country in the U. S. Navy from 1959 until 1963. Mr. Saxon was a member of Hebron Baptist Church. He was formerly employed as Operations Manager with West Building Materials in Dothan. In later years, Mr. Saxon worked as a motor grader with the Henry County Road & Bridge Department. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kelly Ellenburg, a son, Jerry Oliver Williams, a grandson, Jonathan Jones, a granddaughter, Kristie Adkinson, and several sisters and brothers.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Doris Ellis Saxon; daughters, Laney Saxon Giles (James), Malvern; and Lisa Saxon Engler (Scott), Williamson, GA; a son, Dwayne Saxon (Bobbie), Headland; a brother, Dennis Saxon, Columbus, GA; sisters-in-law, June Saxon and Heidi Saxon; seventeen grandchildren, several 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.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
CW4 David Anthony Kenny (United Sates Army, Retired), a resident of Ozark, passed away early Friday morning September 25, 2026, in Dale Medical Center following a brief illness. He was 68 years old.
In keeping with the wishes of the family, no public funeral services will be held for CW4 Kenny. A private service for close family will be held at a future date. Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, with Full Military Honors under the auspices of the United States Army. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements.
David is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan Hubbard Kenny of Ozark, AL; his son, David W. Kenny of Pittsburgh, PA; his mother, Kay Kenny of Canton, MI; his sisters, Chris Gardner of Pinckney, MI; Toni Brantley (William) of Savannah, GA; Catherine Johnson of Canton, MI; his brothers-in-law, Tom Hubbard (Nancy) of Montgomery, AL; George Hubbard (Monica) of Auburn, AL; and his sister-in-law, Helen Reeder of Elba, AL. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, MAJ David L. Kenny (United States Army, Retired); his brothers-in-law, Bradley Gardner and Don Nichols; and his sister-in-law, Martha Nichols.
David was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was a graduate of Benedictine Military School in Savannah, GA. He received a B.S. Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. David began his career in the United States Army as a Field Artillery Surveyor in 1979 and was recognized as an Honors Graduate of Basic Combat Training for exemplary service. Shortly thereafter, he attended Warrant Officer School and was awarded the rank of Chief Warrant Officer to pilot UH-60 Black Hawks. From 1982 until his retirement in 2002, he advanced to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four. During his tenure in the U.S. Army, he progressed from Pilot/Pilot in Command to Instructor Pilot and then to an Instrumentation Examiner under the Directorate of Evaluation and Standards at Ft. Rucker, AL. Throughout his Army career, he received numerous awards and commendations. Among those he was most proud of was his Master Army Aviator Badge, awarded in 1997. His commanders routinely characterized him in his evaluations as a superb officer, role model, and professional soldier, capable of making significant contributions at any staff level in the United States Army. David was a devoted sports fan of the Michigan Wolverines and Auburn Tigers football teams, the Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team, and the Detroit Tigers baseball team.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Wounded Warrior Project, ATTN: Community Events, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. www.woundedwarriorproject.org
