George Thomas Dennis, passed away on June 4, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 100. Born on December 11, 1925, in Dothan, he lived a long and meaningful life marked by faith, devotion to family, hard work, and a deep love for the people and places that shaped him.
George was the son of the late Marl Dennis and Bertha Pitts Dennis. He was also preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Crystal Lanier Dennis, and by his siblings, Lowell Mandeville Dennis, Rayford Marl Dennis, Bobbie Sullivan, and two infant siblings. He is survived by his wife of 82 years, Louise Dennis, whose companionship was the center of his life. He also leaves behind his son, Doug Mann (Karen); his grandchildren, Thomas Mann (Dee), and Jessie Heath (Whit); six great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Posey Dennis; and many nieces and nephews, including Gary Dennis (Jerri), Kim Meeker (Robin), Bradley Dennis (Krista), Rodney Dennis (Toni), David Dennis (Katrina), Steve Dennis (Lisa), Liz Ranson (Kevin), Nancy Barden (Terrel), and Stuart Dennis (Todd); first cousin, Jenni Tanner (Jess), He is also remembered by several great-nieces and great-nephews, along with many other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.
George was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Dothan, where his faith was a guiding force throughout his life. He served faithfully as a deacon and as a Sunday School teacher, and he especially enjoyed teaching youth and taking young people on summer trips. He was also on the cradle roll at First Baptist Church. His church family knew him as a steady, kind, and dependable man whose quiet example reflected the values he held dear.
In April 1944, George joined the United States Army and served his country during World War II, including in the Battle of Ardennes, where he was wounded and lost his leg. His service was a source of pride, and he carried the experiences of that time with humility and strength. Like so many of his generation, he answered the call to duty with courage and a sense of responsibility that never left him. He continued to serve long after he came home and was a member of the Disabled Veterans of America.
Following his military service, George devoted himself to a life of honest work and entrepreneurship. Together with Louise, he owned and operated Persian Gallery for more than 40 years. He also owned and operated George T. Dennis Greens Company. Through these businesses, he built a reputation for integrity, perseverance, and dedication. He took pride in providing for his family and in the relationships he formed along the way.
George enjoyed life in many simple and meaningful ways. In his younger days, he loved square dancing and showing horses with Louise. He enjoyed time at the lake, fishing, and RVing with family and friends. He also liked card games, especially Rook, Bridge, and Mexican Dominos, which often brought laughter and friendly competition to gatherings with those he loved. Above all, his greatest joy was spending time with his favorite person, Louise. Their marriage was a remarkable example of love, loyalty, and partnership, and it stood as one of the defining blessings of his life as it spanned 82 years.
George Thomas Dennis will be remembered as a faithful Christian, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a proud veteran, and a hardworking man who valued family, friendship, and service.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM, Sunday, June 7, 2026 at First Baptist Church Dothan with Dr. Taylor Rutland and Reverend Bob Gross officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 prior to the service at the church.
Serving as pallbearers will be Thomas Mann, Whit Heath, Trevor Barden, Patrick Barden, Stuart Dennis, and Matthew Garrett.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Shane Ransom, Raleigh Barden, Chris Dennis, Alan Dennis, Austin Dennis, Jake Dennis, Nate Dennis, Corey Dennis, Cale Dennis, Kevin Dennis, Bradley Dennis, Rodney Dennis, David Dennis, Gary Dennis, Steve Dennis, Stephen Dennis, Terrel Barden, Kim Meeker, David Mitchell, and Michael Carroccino.
With profound sadness and heartfelt love, we announce the passing of Tijuan Stacy Flowers, who transitioned from this life on May 31, 2026, at the age of 55.
Born on February 18, 1971, in Beaufort, South Carolina, Tijuan was raised in a close-knit family and was taught the values of love, loyalty, and resilience throughout his life. He was a devoted son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend whose presence brought joy and endless laughter to those who knew him.
Tijuan lived in several cities throughout his life, including Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee. No matter where he resided, he maintained strong connections with his family and friends and never forgot the roots that shaped him.
Known for his handsome smile, quick wit, and remarkable sense of humor, Tijuan had a gift for making people laugh and feel at ease. His personality lit up every room he entered. Beyond his humor, he was fiercely protective of those he loved. He cherished his family deeply and was especially devoted to his mother and sisters, always standing as a source of laughter and encouragement.
Throughout his life, Tijuan faced challenges with courage and determination. He fought through adversity and emerged stronger, ultimately achieving independence and creating a life marked by perseverance and personal growth. His strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit was unmatched.
Tijuan was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Easter Baines, who was born and raised in Broomfield, South Carolina. Their bond was unbreakable, and her love and guidance remained with him throughout his life.
He leaves to cherish his memory three loving sisters: Shantelle Brown (Douglas Brown) of Texas, Tameka Baines Hardwick of Birmingham, Alabama, and Kyisha Baines of Birmingham, Alabama.
He was a proud and loving uncle to his nieces, Satonia, Dezaraye, Alicia, and Faylee, and his nephews, DaeVon, Tyler, TraeVon, Christion, and DaMarko. He also leaves behind his cherished great-nieces, Kaydence, Halo, Raelynn, Zi’Raya, and Kali, and his great-nephew, TraeVon Jr., all of whom brought immense joy to his life.
Tijuan loved his family wholeheartedly. He treasured his relationships with his aunts and uncles: Rose Penn (the late Irvin L. Penn), Maggie Reynolds (the late Tony Reynolds), the late Joe T. Wallace, the late Robert Wallace, Elmo Middleton, Cheryl White, Rodney Wallace (Renee), and Patricia Newton, all of South Carolina, along with a host of cousins and friends. He never hesitated to protect and support those he loved. His life was a testament to resilience and unconditional love.
Though his earthly journey has ended, Tijuan’s legacy of love, laughter, and perseverance will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”
Final Resting Tribute
In accordance with Tijuan’s wishes and in honor of the deep love he shared with his mother, his ashes will be spread beside the beloved Easter Baines. Family and friends are invited to join this special remembrance on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson Cemetery, Lady’s Island, South Carolina 29907, as we gather to celebrate his life, cherish his memory, and honor the enduring bond between mother and son.
Betty Coleman Herring went to be with her Lord at the age of 92 on June 4, 2026. Betty was born in Dickson, Tennessee on June 7th, 1933 to Willard and Lois Coleman. As a child, she was a fearless tomboy who loved the outdoors, climbing trees, and roller skating through her mother’s flower shop. She was a majorette and drum major in high school (the first female drum major at her school) and college at Austin Peay State University. An excellent student, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Austin Peay, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at University of Central Florida, and a Master’s Degree in School Administration at University of North Florida.
While at Austin Peay, she met a football player named Kenneth Dewey Herring. She described him as, “6’2, good looking, flat top, crew cut, red hair, and just out of the army.” She married the love of her life soon after college and then came to Auburn University for Ken to get his Master’s Degree. Ken and Betty enjoyed a wonderful life together of family, friends, and church. Ken was a coach and principal and Betty taught elementary school in Alabama and Florida. She especially loved teaching first graders because of that beautiful “lightbulb” moment when they learned how to read. Ken and Betty retired and moved to Reeltown, Alabama in 1994. They were married 51 years until Ken’s death in 2008. They had four children; Ron (Libba), Randy (Liz), Rhonda Herring (Craig), and Rod (Karen); eleven grandchildren- Laura Crook (Wheeler), Stephanie Lucas, Ryan Herring (Stacie), Will Herring (Ashley), Rusty Herring (Kathryn), Kate Manning (Shon), Caroline Myers (Tre’), Neal Herring, Rachel Herring, Ross Herring, and Samantha Gipson (John Todd); and twenty-four great-grandchildren.
Simply known as “Granny” to many, Betty was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, beloved aunt, and dear friend. Through many moves, she made the decision to bloom wherever she was planted and collected friends everywhere she went— in Florida and Alabama, even later in life in Reeltown, Opelika, First Baptist, and Auburn Assisted Living. She wrote to one of the grandkids, “It’s amazing how God drops people and opportunities into our lives. We just have to listen!” She loved life and lived it well. At 86 years old, Betty still worked in the church library, attended exercise class, volunteered at the hospital, went to church whenever the doors were open, worked at the Community Food Bank, and ate lunch with a group of widows every Friday.
Betty had a special love of words. Some of her favorite hobbies included reading, working crossword puzzles, watching word-based game shows, and playing word games. Articulate and witty, she certainly had a gift with words. Her family members loved playing Scrabble with her, though they knew it meant certain defeat. Betty’s favorite word was God’s Word. She read it daily and she loved the Author.
Jesus was Lord of her life. She said, “I gave my heart to Jesus when I was 11 years old. I didn’t really know what I was doing then but now I know God had His hand on me from the get-go!” One of Betty’s greatest spiritual gifts was hospitality. Her home was always welcoming to family, friends, and strangers. She was a great cook and her joy came from seeing others share laughter and a meal around her table. Betty and Ken had a food ministry in Tallassee where they fed over 46,000 meals to the less fortunate over the course 12 years. James 2 says that faith without works is dead. Betty lived out her humble yet bold faith in action, over and over, spending her time on many good works and serving others as long as God allowed her strength to do so. The Bible tells us to practice hospitality and she did this from her heart. She was always present for her children and grandchildren and her influence on them was immeasurable. They felt loved and supported as she cheered them on in their various activities. Her dedication and example helped shape them into the people they are today, and will impact generations to come. She will be deeply missed by us all. Her favorite Scripture was Joshua 1:5- “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
Visitation and funeral services will be held on Monday, June 8th at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home.
Visitation is at 10:00AM and the funeral will be at 11:00AM. Graveside services will be held at 3:30 P.M. Monday in the Oakey Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, near Abbeville, Alabama. Holman Abbeville Mortuaries & Cremations is assisting with local arrangements in Henry County. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Food Bank of East Alabama.
ABBEVILLE. . .John Parker “ JP ” Champion, a resident of Abbeville, passed away early Friday morning, June 5, 2026, at his home. He was 66.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, June 7, 2026, in the Family Life Building First Baptist Church Abbeville with Pastor Ricky Sowell officiating and eulogies to be given by Darden Kirby, Brendt Murphy and Rusty Champion. A private graveside service for the family will follow in the Shorterville Baptist Church Cemetery. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the Family Life Building.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Abbeville “Rebuild Fund”, P.O. Box 606, Abbeville, AL 36310.
JP Champion was born in Montgomery and raised in Shorterville, son of the late John Russell “Rusty” Champion and Margaret White Champion. He lived in Abbeville most of his adult lifetime. JP was a 1979 graduate of Abbeville Christian Academy and attended Sparks State Technical School in Eufaula where he received an Associates Degree in Electrical Technology. He was retired as the owner and operator of Wiregrass Plumbing & Electric of Abbeville. JP was a member of the First Baptist Church Abbeville and the Brown’s Crossroads Masonic Lodge No. 529. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Deloris Champion Bailey and Drenda Champion Williams and a brother, Mitchell Champion.
JP loved life, his friends, and enjoyed making a joke or getting a laugh out of everyone who crossed his path. To know him was to love him; and JP lived life to the fullest.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 39 years, Sarah “DeeDee” Messick Champion, two sons, Rusty Champion (Sarah) and Parker Champion (Abby), all of Abbeville; sisters, Russelle Champion and Dianne Champion, both of Abbeville; grandchildren, Carter Champion, Eli Champion, Becky Champion, Jackson Champion and JD Champion; numerous nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Tae Hui Flowers, Troy Wilson, Brendt Murphy, Justin Murphy, Don Johnson and Robby Culp.
The family requests that all relatives and friends dress casual.
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.
Richard Kenneth Avant of Kinston, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 04, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his devoted family. He was 78.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, June 06, 2026, at the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva, Alabama with Bro. James Linton and Sis. Brenda Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Geneva with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Kenneth was born on January 26, 1948, in Samson, AL to the late Welcome and Richardine Grace Bedsole Avant.
Kenneth was a proud and hardworking man whose life was marked by service, dedication, and simple joys that brought him lasting happiness. He served his country honorably in the United States Army and later continued his career at Ft. Rucker, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic and later retired as an inspector.
Kenneth also knew how to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. He always looked forward to Friday night, when he would go to the dance in Samson and enjoy the fellowship and music that made those evenings special to him. He also treated himself to his weekly hamburger on Saturday night, a small tradition that became one of the many things he cherished.
In his spare time, Kenneth found comfort and enjoyment in attending New Life Worship Center, where his faith remained an important part of his life. He also enjoyed watching westerns, a pastime that reflected his appreciation for old time stories. When he wanted to spend time outdoors and relax, he enjoyed riding his side-by-side, taking in the open air.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Jones Avant, and one son, Gregory Avant.
He is survived by two brothers, Joe Avant (Patricia) and Doug Avant (Faye) all of Kinston, AL; three sisters-in-law, Brenda Jones of Samson, AL, Tammie Jones of Goodman, AL, and Nell Jones Griffin of Geneva, AL; special friend, Diane Coskrey of Samson, AL; two special caregivers, Tracy Coskrey and Dana Garcia all of Kinston, AL; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Enterprise Fire and Rescue along with Gentiva Hospice for their dedicated care.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brian Reid, Dawson Reid, Luke Reid, Chris Reid, Trace Archie, and Michael Harrison.
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
ROCKY HEAD COMMUNITY…Mr. O’Neal Hughes, a resident of Rocky Head Community, near Ariton, died Thursday afternoon, June 4, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. He was 86.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, June 8, 2026, in the Pleasant Ridge Community Church with Pastor Anita Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Monday at the church.
Mr. Hughes, the son of the late O.V. Hughes and Gertrude Ellis Hughes, was a proud native and lifelong resident of the Rocky Head Community near Ariton. He spent his whole life in the place he loved, surrounded by the people and the land that shaped him. After many years of hard work, he retired from the Golden Peanut Company in Ozark, where he was known for his steady hands, strong work ethic, and willingness to help anyone who needed it.
What truly brought him joy, though, was time spent with his family—especially his grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Whether he was out fishing on a quiet morning, walking through the woods during hunting season, or simply sitting and talking with the people he loved, he found happiness in the simple things. He had a gentle way about him and a down‑to‑earth spirit that made others feel at ease.
Mr. Hughes was a faithful member of Pleasant Ridge Community Church, where he found comfort, fellowship, and a sense of belonging. His life was rooted in kindness, humility, and a deep appreciation for the blessings around him.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel C. Hughes. Those who knew him will remember his steady presence, his quiet strength, and the love he carried for his family and community. His memory will live on in the stories shared, the lessons passed down, and the hearts of all who loved him.
Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-seven years, Maxine Adkinson Hughes, Ariton; two sons, Billy O’Neal Hughes (Christi), Elamville and Christopher John Hughes (Jacqueline), Rocky Head; two brothers, Howard Hughes (Janet), Enterprise and Garrett Hughes, Rocky Head Community; three grandchildren, Cheyenne Hughes Brownfield (Tyler), Mason Hughes, and Chase Hughes; three great-grandchildren, Asher Brownfield, Isla Brownfield, and Elaina Brownfield; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Billy Hughes, Mason Hughes, Chase Hughes, Tyler Brownfield, Dennis Ezell, and Kenny Baker.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
