Kenneth Shane Smith, affectionately known by his friends as “Wormy”, of Geneva, AL passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026. He was 56.
Kenneth was 56 years old, but the measure of his life isn’t found in the number of years he lived-it’s found in the work of his hands, the laughter he shared, and the love he gave so freely to those around him.
If you knew Kenneth, you knew he was always busy. He was the kind of man who couldn’t sit still if something needed fixing, cleaning or building. There was always a project going on, working around the house, out in the yard, fixing cars or building something from scratch. He loved working in his vegetable garden, spending time tending to it and taking pride in what he grew. Most recently, he built a porch for his mother, and that feels so fitting. Even in his final projects, he was still taking care of her.
Kenneth cared for his mother’s needs, cooking, cleaning and making sure she had everything she needed. He looked out for her in quiet, steady ways. Never for praise, but simply because of who he was. While we’ll miss him deeply, she will feel his absence the most. His devotion to her was constant and the love will never be forgotten.
He had the gift of making others laugh, lighten the room, crack a joke and make the hardest days feel a little easier. His humor, smile and laughter are memories we will carry with us always. He was a son, father, brother, uncle and a friend.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, S.D. and Inez Sanders Leavins and his paternal grandparents, Alvin J. Smith and Murlene Gilley
Kenneth is survived by his loving mother, T’Otta Moore; father, Jamsey Smith (Delores), son, Hagen Clay Smith (Holly); daughters, Summer Borden (Josh) and Zann Spradlin (Wesley); sister, Brandi Rodriguez (Teddy); uncles and aunts, Dearl Leavins (Sherel), Clayton Smith (Bernice), Brail Sketoe (Layvonne), Maricia Pitts (Paul) and Gwen Golden; great aunt, Becky Houston; nieces, Bailee Taylor, Kaylee Richardson and Brali Rodriguez; great nephew, Maverick Smith; great niece, Harper Smith; proud grandfather to Edyn, Reagan, Greyson and Ezekial Smith; Finley, Avery, Ellie and Stevie Borden; and Tobias and Eowyn Spradlin. He is also survived by many cousins and close friends who loved him dearly.
Kenneth showed his love through action, showing up and doing work no one else wanted to do and through laughter when needed most. His legacy lives on through people he cared for, things he built, gardens he tended and memories we hold close to our hearts.
We will miss you deeply, Kenneth. Thank You for all you did, for everyone you loved and laughter you left behind. You will always be a part of us.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. from the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Brad Putnam officiating. Burial will follow in East Pittman Freewill Baptist Church cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Flowers will be accepted.
Mr. Robert Windell Helms, Jr. “Robby” of Leonia, FL passed away January 26, 2026 at his home. He was 61.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2026 in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home with Rev. Ryan Helms officiating. Burial will follow in the Leonia Baptist Church cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing.
Robby was born February 05, 1964 in Bonifay, FL to Robert Windell Helms, Sr. and the late Ruth Boswell Waddell. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially fishing, hunting and working in his garden. He was the happiest when he was on a riverbank or creek bed. He retired from the Florida Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. He proudly served his country for 8 years in the U.S. Army.
In addition to his mother, Robby was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Linda Sue Spann Helms.
Robby is survived by his son, Jacob Helms (C.J. Miller) of Bonifay, FL; four grandchildren, Kennedy Helms and Kevin Helms, both of Quincey, FL, Caroline Miller and Dakota Lipford, both of Bonifay, FL and one great grandson, Zander Lipford of Bonifay, FL; step-daughter, Brooke Curry (David) of Geneva, AL; father, Robert Windell Helms, Sr. of Caryville, FL, brother, Ryan Helms (Cristy) of the Bethlehem community and step-father, Bill Waddell of Chipley, FL.
John K. Melillo passed away on January 26, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. He was born on December 1, 1963, in Connecticut. John lived a life grounded in faith, strong relationships, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
John was born in Connecticut and raised in Virginia by his parents, Jim and Valerie Melillo. He was preceded in death by his father, Jim, and is survived by his mother, Valerie. For 25 years, John shared a devoted marriage with his wife, Karen Brenenstahl, building a life centered on partnership, shared interests, and mutual support.
He is also survived by his mother- and father-in-law, George and Martha Brenenstahl; his brother-in-law, George Brenenstahl, Jr.; and many close friends who were considered family, including Mary Ann and Eric Cmeyla, Kacey Cmeyla, Tiffany and Adrian Castro, Josh and Crystal Cmeyla, Stephanie Liller and her daughter Trisha, Bill Ezell, Jay Hall, and IHG Management.
John was employed with DynaLantic Corp. in Ozark, where he worked as a computer network specialist. He was respected for his knowledge, reliability, and willingness to help others. Outside of work, John was an active and faithful member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where his faith was an important part of his life.
He enjoyed running in his younger years and later found great pleasure in biking, particularly while living in Virginia with Karen. John also loved spending time outdoors, whether hiking, working on the farm with his friend Bill, or simply enjoying nature.
John made Dothan his home for 17 years and grew to love the community deeply. He will be remembered for his kindness, loyalty, and steady spirit. His life leaves a lasting impression on all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.
A celebration of John’s life will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 12pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Chuck Locke officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in Belle Meade at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Curtis Monroe Johnson, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Monday, January 26, 2026 at Southeast Health Medical Center. He was 96.
Graveside services for Mr. Johnson will be held at 11 AM Friday, January 30, 2026 at Memory Hill cemetery with Reverend Jerry Grandstaff officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until 10:45 AM prior to the services at Ward Wilson Funeral Home.
Mr. Johnson was born April 7, 1929 in Geneva, Alabama to the late Noah and Dixie Hall Johnson. He moved to Dothan in the 50’s and began a job in Sales at the Dothan Eagle where he later retired. Mr. Johnson loved all sports especially softball, umpiring, tennis, shooting pool and playing his guitar. He was a longtime member of Southside Baptist Church.
Mr. Johnson is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dovie Louise Johnson; grandson, RJ Johnson and a brother, George Johnson.
Survivors include his son, Ronald Johnson (Kathy); daughter, Julia Casey; grandchildren, Jamie Stewart (Stew), Karmon Beagles (Chip), Kelley Register and Kristal Shimabukuro (Dirk) along with seven great grandchildren.
Mr. Joseph Fredrick “Joe” Overstreet, a resident of Oakview Manor Nursing Nome in Ozark, died Monday, January 26, 2026, in Dale Medical Center. He was 87 years old. A memorial service for Mr. Overstreet will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, February 14, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Charles Goldsmith officiating. Interment will be in Union Presbyterian Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.
Mr. Overstreet was born April 3, 1938 in Pike County, Alabama to the late Joseph Vernon Overstreet and Frankie Pearl Walker Overstreet. He lived in Florida for several years before moving back to Alabama. He worked various jobs including Holman Funeral Home, Ozark Building Supply and maintenance of the golf course at Fort Rucker. Joe had a special talent for growing plants and flowers. He enjoyed playing bingo and Alabama football. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Woodard Overstreet; one son, Joseph Duey Overstreet; two sisters, Evelyn Overstreet Wagner and Estelle Overstreet Louis; one brother, James Vernon Overstreet; and step-daughter, Sheila Woodard. Survivors include one daughter, Kelly Lee Overstreet; two sisters, Eloise Overstreet Lewis of Ozark and Shirley Faulk (Rodney) of Eufaula; step-daughter, Evelyn Sharp (Howard) ; two step-sons, Edward Woodard (Myra) and Randall Woodard (Debbie).
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Command Sergeant Major (United States Army, Retired), Myron Lynn Roessel a resident of Ozark, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 82.
Funeral services for CSM Roessel will be 2:00 P. M. Friday, January 23, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Dr. Scott Hannen officiating, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Full Military Honors will be presented following the service Friday. The family will receive friends Friday at the funeral home in Ozark from 12:30 P.M. until service time. Myron was born on November 17, 1943, in Seattle, Washington, and was raised in nearby Bellingham. After graduating from Bellingham High School, he answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Army at just 17 years old—a decision that would shape the course of his life and define his legacy. Myron’s military career was marked by extraordinary leadership and courage. He served three combat tours in Vietnam, beginning with his first tour from 1965 to 1966 as a helicopter crew chief (door gunner) with a special Assault Helicopter Unit. During that tour alone, his aircraft was shot down nine times under fierce enemy fire. He logged nearly 1,000 combat flight hours and earned 38 Air Medals across his three tours in Vietnam. For his bravery and exceptional service in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star. In addition to his Vietnam service, Myron completed other deployments to Korea and Germany and held numerous leadership roles throughout his 23-year Army career. His military service culminated with his final promotion to Command Sergeant Major, the highest rank attainable by a non-commissioned officer in the Army. After retiring from the Army, Myron and his family moved to Ozark, Alabama, where he continued his lifelong commitment to aviation, beginning a second 18 year career in helicopter maintenance management at Fort Rucker. Above all, Myron will be remembered as a man of unwavering strength, deep conviction, and steadfast commitment. His devotion to his faith, his family, and his country left an enduring impression on all who knew him, and his life stands as a powerful testament to service, sacrifice, and honor. Myron was preceded in death by his parents, Fred, Jr. and Elane Roessel. He is survived by his loving wife of more than 60 years, Cheryl Roessel; his brother, Gary Roessel (wife, Beverley); his daughters, Suzette Osborne and Michele Watford; his son, Ryan Roessel (wife, Jennifer); his grandchildren, Austin Evans (wife, Lauren), Addison Evans, Asher Evans (wife, Lauren), Savannah Gonzalez (husband, Aaron), Caroline Watford, Adam Watford, Aaron Osborne, Lillian Roessel, and Kathryn Roessel; and his great-grandchildren, Emery and Ginny Evans and Eleanor Gonzalez.
John K. Melillo passed away on January 26, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. He was born on December 1, 1963, in Connecticut. John lived a life grounded in faith, strong relationships, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
