Johnny McKissic, born on August 28, 1959, in Dothan, Alabama, passed away on September 14, 2026, in Dothan, leaving behind a life marked by faith, hard work, family, and a straightforward nature that those who knew him will remember.
Johnny valued honesty, humility, and purpose. He was a simple, plainspoken man who was known for saying what he meant and living by his values. He carried himself with quiet strength and earned the respect of others through his integrity, consistency, and sense of responsibility.
He graduated from Dothan High School in 1978 with high honors. After marrying Carmella, Johnny gave his life to the Lord, beginning an important chapter in his faith journey. He later earned a doctorate degree in Bible Theology, reflecting his desire to continue learning and growing in his faith.
He attended United Holiness and later Ridgecrest, where he continued to grow in his relationship with the Lord and fellowship with others. His faith remained an important part of his life.
Johnny was also a hardworking businessman and the owner of Mills Janitorial. He took pride in his work and in providing for his family. His strong work ethic and reliability were evident throughout his career.
Johnny is survived by his wife of 35 years, Carmella McKissic; his children, Adrian Hardrick and his wife Andrea, Tamara Doyle and her husband Jeffrey, and Amy Faulk; and his grandchildren, Javeon, C ierra, Alia, Tylon, Alexandria, Carmen, Camren, Christian, Uriah, James, Kinley, Kymari, Dinah, and Princeton. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Denise Hanks and Dennis Duke; brother-in-law, James Anthony Ward; and a host of extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Melissa McKissic; his sister, Joann McKissic; and two children, Cassandra Garth and Amos Hardrick; and his niece, Nicole Williams.
Johnny’s life was defined by his faith, his family, and his commitment to working hard and living by his principles. He will be remembered for his honesty, strong character, love for his family, and devotion to the Lord. His memory will continue to live on through the family he loved and the many lives he touched.
A celebration of Johnny’s life will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 2pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Clarence “Eugene” Shiver of Geneva, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He was 77 years old.
The family will have a private service.
Eugene was born on October 7, 1948, in Hartford AL, to the late Lester and Ludie Shiver. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 1976. During his working career, he was employed as an Assistant Forman with the Geneva County Road and Bridge Department. Eugene will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, KL and Lamar Shiver; sister, Edna Bailey; Brother-in-laws, Johnny and Jimmy Brock; and his sister–in–law, Janice Brock.
He is survived by his loving wife, Bobbie Shiver of Geneva, AL; his two children, Timmy (Deborah) of Geneva, AL and Jennifer (Nick) of Andalusia, AL; His grandchild, Teala Mills (Josh); his great-grandchildren, Riett Brewer, Stella Sorrells, AJ Sorrells, and soon to be born Ryder Gene Garland; His siblings, Louie (Rhonda), Brothers-in-law Ricky (Shanna) Brock and Danny Ray (Carol) Brock; Sister-in-law, Earnestine Shiver, all of Geneva, AL.
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
Mr. Tommy Frank Roland of Malvern went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at his home. He was 84.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Malvern Baptist Church with Rev. Hosea Parker officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Tommy will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made in Tommy’s honor to Malvern Baptist Church.
Tommy was born January 10, 1942, in Geneva County to the late Reginald and Bonnie Smith Roland. He was a man of many talents and interests who lived life with passion and purpose. Tommy was an avid short-track race car driver and had a lifelong love for all types of racing. He was an accomplished auto mechanic and a pilot, and he enjoyed working with his hands. A talented woodworker, Tommy enjoyed building and making furniture for his family. He also enjoyed painting portraits and landscapes. A perfectionist by nature, Tommy believed in doing things the right way and took great pride in everything he did. He was known for his patience and for being a wonderful teacher. He especially enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren how to drive. Tommy loved traveling and taking vacations, eagerly anticipating new trips and adventures with his family. He also had a deep love for music and was a self-taught guitar player. He enjoyed playing guitar with various groups and bands throughout the area, sharing his love of music with others and making many wonderful memories along the way. Most importantly, Tommy was a man of strong faith and a devoted member of Malvern Baptist Church. Throughout the years, he faithfully served his church in many capacities, including as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, music leader, and in numerous other positions of service. Above all else, Tommy was a loving family man who adored his children and grandchildren. He cherished his family and especially adored his beloved wife of 63 years.
In addition to his parents, his beloved wife, Judy; son-in-law, David Cain; stepfather, Alto Walden; siblings: Annette Edmondson, David Pete Roland, and Jimmy Walden, all preceded him in death.
Tommy is survived by his daughters, Kathi Cain, Vicky Marsh (Reggie), and Jennifer Brazzelle (Randall); his son, Thomas Roland (Bobbie); his cherished grandchildren, Crystal Girton (Jordan), Jennifer Newman (Jason), Robbie Cain (Ashley), Anna Himes (Zack), Justin Marsh (Alyssa), Emma Branch (Gavin Seay), Leighann Rinehart (Tim), Rachael Godwin (Tuck), Garrett Brazzelle (Lacee), Steven Brazzelle (Leah), Jackson Roland, and Caroline Roland; brother, Johnny Walden; sister-in-law, Libby Walden; brother-in-law, Phillip Pippin; several beloved great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
James Edward Anderson, a resident of Cowarts, Alabama died Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Southeast Health Medical Center. He was 73.
There are no services planned at this time.
James was born May 16, 1953 in Houston County, Alabama to the late John and Ruth Matthews Anderson. He was raised in the Cottonwood and Cowarts area and owned and operated Anderson Pallet Company. James also enjoyed gardening and cheering for the Auburn Tigers…War Eagle.
James is preceded in death by his parents, son, Fred Colby and his siblings, Robert, Arthur and Earnest Anderson, Johnnie Barrentine, Betty Hughes, Edna Forrester and Marie Worrell.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Anderson, children, Scotty Anderson (Sherry), Tim Anderson and Michelle Gray (Albert); 14 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; brothers, Early Anderson, Charles Anderson (Beverly) and Junior Anderson; nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews and extended family.
Foy Eugene Holmes passed away on September 11, 2026, in Marianna, Florida, at the age of 79.
He was born on December 25, 1946, in Opp, Alabama, to the late Willard Eugene Holmes and Phoy Louise McKnight Holmes. Eugene lived a life marked by devotion, hard work, service, and a deep love for the people and places that shaped him. He carried himself with quiet strength and a steady presence that earned the respect of all who knew him.
Eugene proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Navy, a chapter of his life that reflected his sense of duty and commitment to something greater than himself. After his military service, he built a life centered on honest work and dependable service through Holmes Appliance, which he owned and operated. Through his business, he became a familiar and trusted presence in the community, known for his integrity, his work ethic, and the care he brought to every task.
He also remained deeply involved in service to fellow veterans. Eugene served as Veterans Liaison for Disabled Veterans Chapter 87 and taught classes at DVC, where he shared his knowledge and experience with others. His willingness to give his time and energy to help fellow veterans reflected the compassion and leadership that were hallmarks of his character. He understood the value of service, and he lived that value in both public and personal ways throughout his life.
Eugene found great joy in the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing, as well as the animals that came with enjoying the outdoors including horses and bird dogs, especially Labradors, and he treasured the peace and freedom that came from spending time outside. These interests were more than hobbies to him. They were part of the life he loved and the memories he created with those closest to him. Whether he was in the field, around animals, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, Eugene was at home in the outdoors.
Above all else, Eugene loved his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Marjorie Livingston Holmes, whose partnership was the foundation of a long and loving marriage. He also leaves behind his son, Scott Holmes and his wife Cynthia; his daughters, Heather Seawright and her husband James, and Christy Holmes; his grandchildren, Tristan Seawright and his wife Caely, Larson Seawright, and Ashley Messick and her husband David; and his great-granddaughter, Harper Messick. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Holmes and his wife Sylvia. Eugene cherished each of them deeply and took great pride in the family he helped build.
In addition to his surviving family, Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Willard Eugene Holmes and Phoy Louise McKnight Holmes. Their memory remained an important part of his life, and he carried forward the values they instilled in him with honor and faithfulness.
Funeral services for Eugene will be held at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from the chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Ricky Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:30 PM, prior to the service at the funeral home.
OZARK…Mrs. Mary Jane “Janie” Strickland Payne, a resident of Ozark, died early Friday afternoon, September 11, 2026, in Dale Medical Center. She was 96.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Ozark First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Brian Presley and Pastor Matt Sasser officiating. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the church.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Mexico Ministries, c/o, Ozark First Assembly of God Church, 170 Country Club Drive, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Mrs. Payne, daughter of the late Jesse William Strickland and Tempie Dell Brown Strickland, was born and raised with the values of hard work, faith, and family that would guide her throughout her life. A native of Dale County, she was still a young girl when her family moved to Ozark, where they owned and operated the beloved Ozark Café.
She graduated from Dale County High School in 1947 in Ozark and soon began a beautiful journey alongside the love of her life, Roy Payne, Sr. The couple married in 1950 and shared many wonderful years together until his passing. As Roy proudly served in the United States Air Force, they made homes in various places across the country and overseas, embracing the opportunities and adventures that military life provided. After years of travel and military service, Roy and Mrs. Payne returned to Ozark in December of 1976, a place that had always held a special place in her heart. Once back home, she became a familiar face in the community through her work in the lunchroom at Carroll High School
More than anything, Mrs. Payne treasured her family. Family gatherings were among her greatest joys, and she loved nothing more than having those she loved gathered around her. Whether sharing a meal, celebrating special occasions, or simply spending time together, she delighted in creating memories that would be cherished for years to come. Her love for her family was evident in everything she did, and she found great happiness in watching her family grow through the generations.
Her faith was also an important part of her life. She attended Ozark First Assembly of God Church, she found strength, comfort, and fellowship through her church family. Her quiet faith, loving heart, and caring spirit served as an example to those who knew her.
In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Roy Payne, Sr., she was preceded in death by a son, Dan Payne; her brothers and sister, Odell Strickland, Lawrence Strickland, Coolidge Strickland, and Margaret Worsham. She was also preceded in death by her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ruth Griffith, Judge Payne, Jesse Payne, and Melba Oakley.
Surviving relatives include her children, Teresa Payne, Ozark and Edwin Payne and wife, Sherry, Peachtree City, Georgia; two brothers, Billy Strickland (Myrlene), Echo Community and Donald Strickland (Linda), Ozark; grandson, Scott Payne; numerous nieces and nephews.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Mike Strickland, Bill Strickland, Wes Strickland, Wade Strickland, Mike Wolfe, and Scott Payne. Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be Randy Strickland.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
