Sally Ann Laney Covington of Bertha, Alabama passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, at New Hope Baptist Church, in the Bertha community, with Reverend Dan Sheppard and Pastor Daniel Huff officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the church. Holman Funeral Home of Headland is in charge of arrangements.
Sally was born on November 12, 1940, in Ariton, Alabama. She was the daughter of William Haywood Laney and Bessie Enfinger Laney. Sally attended Ariton Elementary School through the eighth grade. From 1955 to 1957, she lived in Sevierville, Tennessee where she attended Sevier County High School. She then moved to Bradenton, Florida, where she graduated from Manatee High School in 1959. During her senior year, she was selected to participate in Manatee High School’s student exchange program with Kenosha High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
After graduating from high school, she attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. In 1960, she married Foy Covington, Jr. and together they had three sons. While raising their children, Sally attended Troy State University (now Troy University), where she earned B.S. and M.S. Degrees in elementary education. She spent her entire twenty-seven-year career teaching the third grade at Lisenby Elementary School in Ozark Alabama before retiring in 1999.
Sally was a devoted and faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church in Bertha, Alabama. She was also a member of the Dale County Education Retirees Association, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the Dale County Friends of the Library, and the Ozark Literary Club. Sally loved to travel, read, and paint, and she had a wide circle of cousins and friends.
Sally was predeceased by her parents, William Haywood Laney and Bessie Enfinger Laney, her husband Foy Covington, Jr., and her faithful companion Dachshund, Keebler. Sally is survived by her sons, Keith Covington (Laura) of Birmingham, Sam Covington (Amy) of Enterprise, and Clay Covington of Holtville, as well as her six grandchildren, Ross Covington, Eleanor Covington, David Covington, Carter Covington, Graham Covington, and Millie Bess Covington, her sister-in-law, Judye Richardson, and her niece, Ada Pritchett and her family. She is also survived by her beloved cat, Heidi. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Barefield, Jon Barefield, Brent Barefield, Jackie Blankenship, Mark Blankenship, John Davis, Danny Enfinger, Robert Enfinger, Ray Grantham, and Keith Grantham.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dale Medical Center Home Health and Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center for the kind and loving care they provided. The family would also like to give a very special thanks to the family of Jeri and Charlie Foy Barefield for their love, support, and assistance in caring for Sally during the final months of her life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Sally’s memory to the Wiregrass Area Food Bank, Inc. 382 Twitchell Road, Dothan, AL 36303 at https://www.wiregrassfoodbank.com/ or to New Hope Baptist Church, c/o Gwen Barefield, 3387 County Road 69, Newville, AL 36353.
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
Former International Mission Board missionary, pastor and musician Donald Borland Snell, 86, passed away on June 22, 2026, in Rolesville, North Carolina.
Visitation with the family and a memorial service will be held on August 7, 2026, at Pinckard Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 A.M. and the service will follow at 10:30 A.M. Reverend Snell is under the care of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home of Wake Forest, NC and Holman Funeral Home of Ozark. In lieu of flowers Don’s request was donations to Convoy of Hope.
Born June 12, 1940, in Pinckard, Alabama, Don was the youngest son of Ralph Leon Snell, Sr. and Bertha Borland Snell. He was preceded into heaven by both parents, beloved wife, Nancy Batchelor Snell, and Siblings, Dorothy Dinkins, Ralph Leon Snell, Jr., Carolyn Davis and Jack Snell. The family farmed together in Pinckard, Alabama, faithfully served at Pinckard Baptist Church and enjoyed community life in the Wiregrass area of Southeast Alabama. After graduating from Dothan High School, Don attended Samford University in Birmingham, where he met his beloved wife, Nancy. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance, then continued to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning his Master’s Degree in church music.
Don and Nancy served several churches across the southeast until 1973, when they were appointed as music missionaries by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Both skilled musicians, they carried the joy of music and the love of Christ with them as they served the people of Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Bermuda, Barbados, and Brazil. Together they led music, directed choirs, and taught music to the people of the Caribbean so they could lead in their own churches. Their three children were raised across the Caribbean and the United States, and the family embraced and enjoyed local culture wherever they went. After retirement, they returned to Pinckard where Reverend Snell devoted himself to Bible study ministry, visiting the sick, and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief until he was no longer able. Don shared his life-long love of music and hymns with all those around him, often filling the house with his strong, beautiful voice. He encouraged his congregations to sing out with joy and enthusiasm, singing their best to God’s glory! Don had a love for plants and gardening. He cultivated beautiful flowers and vegetables wherever he went. He enjoyed sharing “pass along” plants with anyone he met. His yard was full of reminders of friends and family. Don was especially happy when those friends and family could gather for games and ice cream! He was a man of deep faith, generosity, compassion, and servant leadership. He touched countless lives through pastoral ministry, missionary work, and personal witness in faithfulness to Christ, and his love for others will be a lasting legacy for all who knew him.
Reverend Snell is survived by his children, D. Mark Snell and wife Stephanie of Boston, Nathan Snell and wife Melissa of Raleigh, and Lydia Barron and husband Jon of Colorado Springs; grandchildren, Jack Snell of Boston, MA, Hannah Waters and husband Caleb of Durham, NC, Ray Snell of Greensboro, NC, Caroline Snell of Raleigh, NC, Rachel Byle and husband, Johannes of Wheaton, IL, Deborah Barron and Titus Barron of Colorado Springs, CO; great grandchildren, JB Waters, Gideon Byle and Hezekiah Byle.
Mary Virginia Caldwell Sorrells (Mrs. Melvin Sorrells) of 3811 Quail Creek Drive Dothan, Alabama, beloved mother, grandmother, and retired educator passed away at home on Friday, July 10, 2026. She was 91 years old.
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31.
A private Family Funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb, Alabama to honor Mrs. Sorrells’ life and legacy. Interment will follow at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Hilltop Road, Houston County with Sorrells Funeral Home directing.
Contributions in Mrs. Sorrells’ memory may be made to: Bible Broadcasting Network P.O. Box 7300, Charlotte, North Carolina 28241-9943.
Mrs. Sorrells was born on October 30, 1934 in Opp, Alabama. She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Reuben (Rube) Caldwell (Ocala Huggins) of Samson, Alabama, the wife of 47 years, until his death, of Melvin Sorrells, mother of Mrs. R. Hudson Olliff III (Melva Virginia Sorrells), and the late Jon Melvin Sorrells. She is also the grandmother of Nathaniel Sorrells Olliff, MD.
Mrs. Sorrells is a 1952 graduate of Samson Sr. High School where she was Salutatorian of her class, President of the Student Body, Homecoming Queen, President of the Future Homemakers of America, Editor of the yearbook, Band Captain, and was a member of the Alabama All State Band, as a tenor saxophonist, National Honor Society, Girls State Representative and the receipt of the Samson Lion’s Club SHS Good Citizenship Award.
In 1956, Virginia earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Troy State Teachers College in Troy Alabama, where she was President of Shackleford Hall. She was also selected as Sophomore Favorite, Representative to the Student Government, a member of both the Troy State College Band and the Troy State College Waveman Dance Band where she was one of the first female members. Later, she earned a Masters of Art in Teaching degree with the first graduating Master of Art in Teaching Class in 1975 from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.
Mrs. Sorrells was a music educator for 30 1/2 years in the public schools of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. She began her career in Alabama as the first female band director of the Samson Senior High school in 1954. While teaching in Samson she was also the Choir Director of the First United Methodist Church Choir. In Georgia, she was the band director of the Charlton County schools in Folkson and at Pearson High School in Pearson.
In Florida, she was a music educator in Holmes, Orange and Duval counties. She was the first female band director at Holmes County high school in Bonifay; she taught elementary music in Orlando and held several teaching positions in the Duval County Public Schools, including being the first band director of Southside Jr. High School, as well as the first female band director of Fort Caroline Jr. High School. While she was the band director at Fort Caroline Jr. High School, she served as the Honor Band Chairman of the Duval County Jr. High Honor Band and was selected as Fort Caroline Jr. High School Teacher of the Year 1979. She was first runner up for the Duval County Teacher of the Year 1979 and was a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Band Masters Association, the Duval County Superintendent’s Faculty Forum, and was recognized as one of the most outstanding Band Directors in Southeast Florida. Under her direction, her bands earned numerous superior awards at band competitions throughout her career.
Mrs. Sorrells’ retired from the Florida Education System on January 1, 1985, passing her baton to her daughter who succeeded her as band director of Ft. Caroline Jr. High. After retirement, Mrs. Sorrells enjoyed caring for her family, fishing, needlework, preparing family dinners, helping with her son’s General Store, attending her grandson’s activities, spending time at her beach condo, and serving as the First United Methodist Church of Hartford, Alabama Handbell Choir Director. Mary Virginia Caldwell Sorrells was a Christian, a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, and in later years became a member with her daughter‘s family of the First Presbyterian Church of Dothan, Alabama.
Mrs. Sorrells was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Hershel Caldwell (Jackie), her husband of 47 years Melvin Sorrells, her son (Jon Melvin Sorrells), her stepdaughters-in -law, Shirley Pennington Sorrells, Emma Johnson Sorrells, her special friend and former college roommate (Lacey Vaughn), and most all of her close family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. R. Hudson Olliff III (Melva Virginia Sorrells Olliff) her grandson, (Nathaniel Sorrells Olliff, MD), her nephews and their families, (Terry Caldwell, Chris Caldwell), three step-sons and their families, as well as, many special former students.
The family is thankful for the employees of Enhabit Hospice for their care.
Mary Virginia Caldwell Sorrells’ love, kindness, strength of character, Christian lifestyle, beautiful smile, and her commitment to excellence in every area of life will be missed.
Mrs. Sorrells’ motto “Results not Excuses” will guide her family and former students to achieve their personal goals now and into the future.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Carla Suzanne Lady Cruz, a resident of Ozark, passed away Monday, July 6, 2026, at her home. She was 65 years old. A life well lived.
A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Cruz 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 1, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home of Ozark with Chaplain Jonathan Smith officiating, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.
Mrs. Cruz was born September 9, 1960 in Panama City, Florida at Lisenby Hospital. Carla lived with her mother, brother and grandparents, Minnie and Bob Everage near Highland Park, Florida for several years. Then she lived near them while she attended Highland Park Elementary School. Later she moved with her mother and brother to Fall River, MA where she attended Middle School in Bristol County, MA. She and her brother spent summers with Granny Minnie and Bob Everage in the Panama City, Florida area and returned to Fall River with her mother each Fall for school. Carla lived with her mother and brother in Swansea, MA (Bristol County) throughout her high school years and then returned to Panama City. She married Donnie Minchew February 14, 1981 and they lived in Bay and Gulf Counties in Florida. She and Donnie divorced and she later married Wayne Marlow. The minor children were raised by her as she and Wayne divorced. She spent time in Boynton Beach, Florida with her mother and married Joel Cruz. They raised his son in Dothan and Newton. After Nick entered the United States Army, she and Joel Cruz divorced. She remained faithful through all of her marriages. Carla lived in Newton, Alabama until illness forced her to live with her son, Kevin Minchew, in Ozark for the last several years. Carla was always a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother. She will be missed but never forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Lynn Lady; and one brother, Michael Lynn Lady. Hearts are heavy but also joyful because we know that Carla is with her Beloved grandmother, Minnie, in Heaven.
Survivors include her mother, Bobbie Anne Everage Rigby of Dothan; two sons, James Michael Minchew of Pinckard and Kevin Jack Minchew of Ozark. Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2502, Ozark, Alabama 36361; or to The American Lung Association, 2642 Novel Drive, Bessemer, Alabama 35023.
Juanell Stephens, born on August 22, 1933, in Hamlin, Texas, passed away on July 13, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama.
Juanell lived a life centered on family, faith, and resilience. Though she considered herself a homebody, she had an outgoing personality and was well known for being independent and always knowing what she wanted. Her spirited nature made a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, Juanell lived in several places, including Indiana, before making Dothan her home in 2023. No matter where she lived, she created a warm and welcoming home for those she loved.
During her working years, Juanell was employed with Bank of America, where she was known for her dedication and strong work ethic.
Her faith was an important part of her life. She was active in church and found great joy in worship, fellowship, and serving alongside others.
Above all, Juanell loved her family. She is survived by her son, Mitchell Wilcox, (Mary); her daughters, Linda Ireland (Henry Mayer), and Lana Ulrich; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will cherish her memory for years to come.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Urban Lincoln and Rosie Barry, along with two brothers and two sisters.
Juanell will be remembered for her strong spirit, unwavering independence, and deep love for her family. Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched and the memories her loved ones will forever hold close to their hearts.
