Virginia was born April 8, 1944, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, to George Beuerlein and Marianna Niedergeses Beuerlein. She worked as a secretary at Henderson Chemical Company for many years.
Virginia enjoyed word puzzles, cooking, and arts and crafts. Above all, she devoted her life to her children and grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years; and her parents.
Survivors include her sons, Arthur Wrix Garland (Michelle Beer) and Joseph Allan Garland; grandchildren, Alexander Wrix Garland (Jessica), James William Garland (Shelby), Joseph Michael Garland, Heather Lynn Helms (Brandon), and Tiffany Walker (Klayton) great-grandchildren, Vincent Helms and Aria Helms; brother, Larry Beuerlein (Pam); sisters, Deloris Dockum and Ruth Stewart (Richard); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Jeanell Williams went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 15, 2026 at Wesley Place on Honeysuckle in Dothan, AL. She was 85.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Newton United Methodist Church in Newton, AL at 12:00 PM with her pastor, Sam Williams officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.
The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM and continuing until service time.
Interment will be held Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Pleasant Hill Methodist Protestant Church Cemetery in Ashland, AL.
Jeanell married Sam Williams on May 24, 1987 and they begin their journey as a Clergy Couple at Wallboro UMC on May 31, 1987. From there they went to Oak Valley Station UMC, then to Echo and Browns UM churches, then to Sardis UMC (Hartford, AL), Wesley Chapel UMC (Enterprise, AL), Westside and Corner Creek UM churches, Westview UMC, Columbia UMC, Kinsey UMC and finally to Newton UMC.
Jeanell was a beauty operator for 50 years, working in Montgomery, Dothan and Enterprise. In addition, she and Sam wrote, edited and published a monthly newsletter for 30 years. They were also members of THE GOPSEL SPREADERS singing group for almost 10 years.
In addition to her parents, Jeanell was preceded in death by her brothers, Willie Fred “Pete” (Earline), Russell, Pervis, Quinton and Lenward Robinson. She is survived by her husband and Pastor Sam Williams, her sisters Anne Lou Thomas (Dow) and Nancy Cassidy (Mike), her sister-in-law Betty Robinson and her spiritual son Rev Charles Newman.
Flowers will be accepted or you can make a donation to either Newton UMC, Kinsey UMC or The Gospel Spreader all in care of Sam Williams 209 East King St, Newton, AL.
Mr. Williams would like to thank God, Dr. Latimar and the staff of ICU 5 at Flowers Hospital for giving us two more weeks with Jeanell. Mr. Williams would also like to thank the staff at Wesley Place on Honeysuckle for the great care they took of Jeanell for over three years.
Dorothy Lillian Whitehurst, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 95. Born on August 12, 1930, in Holmes County, Florida, to the late William Jefferson Hough and Katie Winifred Rich Hough, Dorothy’s life was a testament to the power of kindness and the impact one person can have on the lives of many.
Dorothy, dedicated her life to her family, she was a loving mother to Cynthia (Richard) Ousley and Michael Whitehurst. Her legacy extends through her adoring grandchildren, Michael (Kim) Whitehurst, Jr., Scott (Tricia) Whitehurst, Heather (Chris) Myrick, Katie (Justin) Whitson, Lee Ousley, and Chris (Margaret) Ousley, and her cherished great-grandchildren, Emily Whitehurst, Cody Myrick, Brody Whitehurst, Ryan Whitehurst, Scarlet Whitson, Leland Whitson, Aidan Ousley, Joseph Ousley, and Carter Ousley. Dorothy was preceded in death by her two brothers and five sisters, two daughters-in-law, Ann and Debra; and her great-granddaughter, Kylee Morgan Whitson.
Throughout her career as a telephone operator for GTE, Dorothy’s sharp instincts and calm demeanor proved lifesaving. Her quick actions and unwavering commitment to her duty resulted in aid reaching three individuals, including a doctor, earning her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and those she served.
Dorothy’s passion for gardening was evident to all who visited her home. Her gardens, a vibrant tapestry of flowers and vegetables, were a source of joy and tranquility not only for her but also for friends and neighbors who were often recipients of her bountiful harvests. Her green thumb brought beauty to the world and nourished both body and soul.
Funeral services will be held to celebrate Dorothy’s life on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 1 PM from the chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Doug Seale officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 PM until 7 PM, Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the funeral home.
James Ware McCarty, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Washington Rehab and Nursing in Chipley, Florida. He was 80.
Graveside services will be held at 2 PM Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Gardens of Memory cemetery between Dothan and Headland on Hwy 431.
James was born September 15, 1945 in Columbus, Georgia. He moved to Dothan at an early age and graduated from Dothan High School. James began a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator with the City of Dothan where he worked for 25 years before retiring.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Doris Shirah.
Survivors include his son, Christopher J. McCarty; granddaughter, Kristen Wagg and her children, Riley and Reagan; brother, Will and Ceciela McCarty; nephew, Steven McCarty and niece, Heather and Jonathan Hurt; special friends and caregivers, Ms. Alice Bennett, Marie and Len Peterson and Mr. Wallace Yarbrough.
Billie Grace (Ketchem) Clark, 85, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at her home with family after a hard-fought illness. Billie was born on June 29, 1940, in Slocomb, Alabama to her mother Audrey Mae (White) (Ketchem) Wilson and her father Shelby Ketchem.
She is survived by her daughter, Terri Lyn (Boyles) Jennings (Robert); two sons, Gregory Clark and Grant Clark. Eight grandchildren, Ashley (Boyles) Martin-Culet (Michael), Amber (Boyles) Bibiloni (David), Christopher Knoff (Ashley), Jessica (Knoff) Garcia, Samantha Knoff, Jonathan Knoff, Courtney (Knoff) Allen (Michael) and Brittany Clark (Dustin); and sixteen great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death is her husband of 50 years, Gerald (Jerry) Kavanaugh Clark(2009) and her loving parents.
Billie Grace was born and raised in Slocomb, Alabama. Throughout her youth, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Slocomb. She was a graduate of Slocomb High School in 1957. During her senior year, she was the school, county, and district winner of the Birmingham News Oratorical Contest. She progressed to the state finals in Birmingham, AL., where she was awarded a college scholarship. In pursuit of her major in Elementary Education and a Minor in music, she attended Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, AL. and Troy University in Troy, AL. During the summer months, she attended the University of Alabama Extension Center in Dothan, AL. Billie Grace was blessed with intelligence, wit, and beauty. She was Geneva County’s Maid of Cotton in 1958, was voted Sophomore Beauty at Troy University in1959. She was a member of the Collegiate Singers, Baptist Student Union and Music Educator’s National Conference. Her sorority at Birmingham-Southern was Pi Beta Phi and as an adult, she was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, an international service, cultural, and social sorority for women.
During the early years of her marriage, Billie Grace was a homemaker, where she devoted her time to her husband and three children. Her husband was in retail management for the F.W. Woolworth Company for 35 years and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for 12 years. They traveled to and lived in many different cities throughout the Southeastern part of the United States. When the children were older, Billie began her career. She was a Sales Analyst for the Regional Office of American Cryogenics, a Sales and Market Research Specialist involving organizing in-store promotions and radio commercials, a Sales Trainer and Sales Representative for the Southeast region for Bic Corporation for 15 years. Billie also worked for the Duval County Public School System in Jacksonville, FL for 13 years. She worked in Special Education for one year and in the Library Media Center for 12 years. She retired in 2004.
Billie Grace was proud of her upbringing and of her small town of Slocomb, Alabama. The values that she had learned from her family and friends in that small town stayed with her throughout her lifetime. She had a passionate love and gift for writing poetry and short stories. She enjoyed collecting antiques and spending time with her family. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She always looked for the good in others and was a loyal and trusted friend. She loved deeply and touched so many lives. Above all, she loved the Lord with all her heart and is rejoicing in Heaven.
A memorial service for Billie Grace will be held at Thomas B Dobies Funeral Home on February 26, 2026, at 2 pm.
