ABBEVILLE. . .Sara Roberts Griggs, a resident of Henry County, near Abbeville, passed away Wednesday afternoon, September 30, 2026, in the Henry County Health & Rehabilitation Facility. She was 94.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 3, 2026, in the Oakey Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Minister Bob Blalock officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside services. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Abbeville Church of Christ, P.O. Box 254, Abbeville, AL 36310 or Oakey Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Judy Newman, 103 Carter Ridge Road, Abbeville, AL 36310.
Mrs. Griggs was born and raised in Roanoke, Alabama, daughter of the late Reuel Y. Roberts and Lola Kirby Roberts. She was a graduate of Handley High School in Roanoke and attended Auburn University. She was retired from Claudine’s in Dothan as a salesperson. In earlier years, Mrs. Griggs was employed in the medical office of Dr. Louis Johnson. She formerly lived in Mobile and Dothan before moving to the Oakey Grove Community of Henry County in 1983. Mrs. Griggs was a member of the Abbeville Church of Christ and was a former member of Westgate Church of Christ in Dothan. Mrs. Griggs was preceded in death by her husband, James Walter “Jim” Griggs.
Surviving relatives include her son, James Roberts “Jim” Griggs (Renae), grandchildren, James Watson “Jim” Griggs (Stephanie), and Eric Y. Griggs (Lauren); great-grandchildren, Eli Griggs, Luca Griggs, Remy Griggs and Jesse Griggs.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
Richard Middleton Acker, known affectionately as Dick, passed away on September 30, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 89.
Born on August 5, 1937, in Washington, D.C., he lived a life marked by faith, service, intelligence, humility, and steadfast devotion to the people he loved. Dick was the kind of man who made a lasting impression wherever he went, not through loud words or grand gestures, but through quiet strength, patience, and an unfailing willingness to help. He was, in every sense, the rock of his family, and those who knew him best understood that his presence brought comfort, stability, and wisdom.Dick graduated from Auburn University in 1961 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, a field in which he excelled and which became the foundation for a long and meaningful career. He loved his work and never considered it work in the ordinary sense, because he truly enjoyed what he did and took pride in doing it well. During his time at Redstone Arsenal with NASA, he earned the nickname “Humdaddy,” because he constantly hummed and whistled while he worked. He had a remarkable ability to fix almost anything, including Barbie dolls, and he approached every challenge with patience, skill, and a calm confidence that reassured everyone around him.
Dick married the love of his life, Bonnie Webster Acker, in 1961, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, and enduring love. Their marriage was a beautiful partnership that stood as an example to all who knew them. He was preceded in death by his brothers David Acker (survived by Evelyn) and Dan Acker (survived by Ursula). He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie, daughters, Laura Acker Nelson (Wes Nelson), and Rebecca Acker Miner (Garth Miner). He also leaves behind his brothers Louis Acker (Allie), and Tom Acker (Dawn), along with several nieces and nephews who will cherish his memory.
He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Wesley Nelson (Cadie), James Nelson (Emma), Benjamin Falter (Kelly), and Daniel Falter (Kelsey). He was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Audrey Nelson, Mollie Nelson, and Lucy Miner, who brought him great joy. His family was the center of his world, and he loved them with a steady, generous heart.
Dick’s faith was the guiding force of his life. He was a man of deep belief who loved his Lord and Savior and trusted fully in God’s timing. He was patient and steadfast in spirit, often reminding others through both his words and his example that everything happens in God’s time. His ministry was one of quiet compassion and service, especially through his visits to hospitals, where he checked on others and brought Communion to parishioners in the Catholic Church. He also had a special talent for woodworking, which he generously used in service to his church, creating and building pieces that became a lasting part of its ministry and worship. Whether through his hands, his presence, or his willingness to care for others, Dick lived out his faith in a way that was genuine and deeply personal. His ministry reflected the essence of who he was a man who understood that love is best shown through service, presence, and care.
He was a member of Saint Columba Catholic Church, where he also sang in the choir. His life in the church was an important part of his identity, and his commitment to his faith community was evident in all he did. Dick was also an Eagle Scout, a distinction that reflected the values of character, responsibility, and service that he carried throughout his life. He was proud of his accomplishments, but he never sought attention for them. Instead, he lived with quiet dignity and a sincere desire to do good for others.
Those who knew Dick will remember his optimism and his constant ability to look on the bright side. He had a reassuring spirit and a warm sense of humor, and he made life better for the people around him simply by being himself. He was the best man in the world to those who loved him, and his legacy will live on in the family he nurtured, the faith he practiced, and the many lives he touched with kindness and grace.
A life so well lived leaves behind more than memories. It leaves behind an example. Dick Acker’s life was one of devotion, service, and love, and he will be remembered with deep affection and gratitude by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Saint Columba Catholic Church Chapel with Father Patrick Gallagher officiating. Dick will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park with military honors. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5:00pm-6:30pm at Sunset Funeral Home. A vigil service will be held on Friday beginning at 6:30pm.
DALEVILLE…Prudencio Pablo Jeronimo, a resident of Daleville, died late Saturday evening, September 26, 2026, at his home. He was 66.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, October 3, 2026, in For His Glory Worship Center, Level Plains, with Pastor Cesar Ramirez officiating. Burial will be in Guatemala at a later date. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Saturday at the church.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Gary Robert Thames of Samson, Alabama went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. He was 75.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2026 in the chapel of Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Ron Thames officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Burial will follow in Liberty Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home directing.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery ℅ Joy Thames, 7003 Goathill Rd, Samson, AL 36477.
Gary was born in Florala, AL, on August 21, 1951 to the late Leamon Randolph and Wauree Mae Pippin Thames. He was a faithful and life long member of Liberty Chapel Baptist Church. He took care of looking after the church as well as the cemetery. Before his retirement, he had owned and operated G&R Logging for 47 years. His favorite pastime was watching Nascar Racing and Alabama Crimson Tide football. Above all, his family came first by the dedication and love he showed them. His faith and service to the Lord was always top priority in his life.
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by one son; Benjamin Ryan “Ben” Thames and three siblings; Peggy Faulk, Jozan Plaza and Max Thames.
Gary is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Joy Thames; one son, Berry Thames (Stacy) of Enterprise, AL; three grandchildren; Carson Thames of Samson, AL, Ryan Holub of Bluffton, SC, and Alexis Holub of Enterprise, AL; one bonus son, Benjie Wise (Sheena) of Samson, AL; three siblings, Carol Waller (Jeff) of Samson AL, Ron Thames (Johnnie) of Freeport, FL, Tonya Hillman (Roger) of Leesville, LA and a number of special nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
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
Arthur Wayne Paulk, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Saturday, September 26, 2026 at his residence. He was 76.
There will be no services at this time.
Mr. Paulk was born October 23, 1949 in Dothan, Alabama to the late Arthur Wayne and Florine Pipkin Paulk. He was born and raised in Dothan and was a graduate of Dothan High School and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Mr. Paulk was in Sales before his retirement and enjoyed building and flying model airplanes.
Mr. Paulk is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sue Singletary.
Survivors include his son; Ashley Paulk (Leah Beasley); niece and nephews, Priscilla Caggiano (Rocco), Cory Singletary (Anna), Cade Singletary and Chris Singletary.
