TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA. . .Betty Rowe Busey, a resident of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away early Saturday evening, January 17, 2026, in Aviata at the Gardens in Tallahassee. She was 91.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. (CST) Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel, Headland, Alabama, with Reverend George Bryan officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the mortuary in Headland. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery, Frisco City, Alabama (Monroe County).
Mrs. Busey was born and raised in Hanceville, Alabama, daughter of the late Dr. George Thomas Rowe and Mattie Adeane Cribbs Rowe. She attended Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham. Mrs. Busey lived most of her lifetime in Montgomery before moving to Tallahassee in 2010. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Montgomery and the church choir. Mrs. Busey played the piano and pipe organ at different churches in the Birmingham and Montgomery area. She was an excellent cook and homemaker, as well as skilled with needlework and embroidery. Mrs. Busey was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Busey, and a sister, Peggy Rowe Wakefield of Columbia, Alabama.
Surviving relatives include several nieces and nephews.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
ABBEVILLE… Erik William Peterson, a resident of the Screamer Community near Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026, at his home. He was 60.
A complete obituary with a list of survivors will be announced later by Wright Funeral Home & Crematory.
HEADLAND… Christopher Layne Barron, a resident of Headland, Alabama, passed away early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, from injuries sustained from a motor vehicular accident. He was 33.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home & Crematory with Brother Jeff Brewer officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 5:00P.M. until 7:00P.M. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Christopher Layne Barron, beloved soldier, husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and cousin, passed away on January 17, 2026, at the age of 33. Born August 14, 1992, Christopher lived a life marked by courage, loyalty, and devotion to the people he loved. He served his country with honor, carrying himself with the discipline and quiet strength that defined him. His service reflected the heart he brought into every part of his life, steadfast, selfless, and committed to something greater than himself.
Christopher was a devoted father, and his children Christopher Layne Barron, II, Paisley, and Jemma, were his greatest pride. His love for them was deep, constant, and unmistakable.
He is survived by his mother and bonus father, Karen and John Delgado; his father, Scott Barron (Debbie Hayden); his siblings, Selena Taylor (Earnest), Tara Shelley (Garrett Meyers), Brianna Shields (Charles), Breanna Santome (Vincent), and Andrew Barron (Courtney); his maternal grandfather, Joseph D. Harris; his paternal grandmother, Regina Armstrong; his grandfather, Samuel Madrid; and his many aunts & uncles, and his ten nieces and nephews.
He leaves behind his wife, Faith Barron, who shared life’s journey with him and now carries forward the love and memories they built together.
Christopher’s life touched countless others, family, friends, and brothers-in-arms. His absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, but his memory remains a source of strength, pride, and love.
A Soldier’s Strength. A Father’s Heart. A Legacy That Lives On.
OZARK…Savannah Ross Coaker, a resident of Ozark, passed away late Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, at the home of her parents, near Clio. She was 28.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Ozark First Assembly of God Church in Ozark with Pastor Matt Worley and Pastor Darin Easter officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Echo Community. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 3:30 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Savannah was born May 23rd, 1997, in Dothan Alabama, and was the daughter of John F. and Tonya Ross. She attended George W. Long High School where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Caleb Coaker. Savannah was an active member of Bethel Methodist Church. Throughout her battle with cancer, she touched many lives with her testimony. Even when the fighting got hard, she chose joy and gave God all the glory. Savannah and Caleb were blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Ross immediately became Savannah’s reason to keep fighting. Her favorite things were being a Mama, reading a good book, and spending time with family. Most importantly, Savannah loved the Lord and chose to be faithful through the good times and bad.
Savannah is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mr. Hughie and Lula Barnes, paternal grandfather, Mr. John F. Ross Jr., and a nephew, Jimi Byrd.
Those left to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Caleb Coaker; son Ross Coaker; Parents: John and Tonya Ross; Siblings: Kirstie Johnson (Justin), John F. Ross IV (Kristy), Erica Byrd (Justin), and Selena Ross. Grandmother: Patricia Ross; nieces and nephews: Bailey, Tommy, Colt, Walker, and Heidi Johnson; Blakely and John Ross V; Etta Johnson and Freya Byrd; Rhemy and Emma Carpenter; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Greg and Joley Coaker, and sister-in-law, Christian Carpenter (Brandon); along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers are John Ross IV, Justin Johnson, Justin Byrd, Brandon Carpenter, Brandon Hovey, and Nyk Money. Honorary pallbearers will be the George W. Long High School Class of 2015 and members of the Fort Rucker Fire Department.
The family would like to thank each and every person who has followed Savannah’s journey over the last several years. The kindness and generosity have made a lasting impact.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
NEWVILLE… Marilyn Rose Ward, a resident of Newville, Alabama, passed away Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026, at a Dothan hospital. She was 73.
Graveside services will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Pleasant Hill Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, with Brother Larry Sowell officiating. Family will receive friends following the service. At other times the family will be at the residence, 338 South Broad Street, Newville, Alabama 36353. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made to the Pleasant Hill Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3391 County Road 13, Headland, Alabama 36345.
Mrs. Ward was born in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Joe Thomas Simpson and Reba Mae Brady Simpson. She had lived most of her adult lifetime in Newville, Alabama after she married the love of her life, Freddie Ward. She was a very devoted member of the Pleasant Hill Freewill Baptist Church.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, JoAnn Pace and Deborah Simpson.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her husband, Freddie Ward; her daughter, Lara Cornett (Heather Cornett); her sisters, Shirley Simpson and Floella Henderson (Joseph); her grandchildren, Cameron Whitehurst, Colton Cornett, Serenity Whitehurst, and Josiah Whitehurst; and her very good friends, Belinda and Brother Larry Sowell.
HEADLAND… Jean Phyllis Damren, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, devoted mother, nanny, and beloved child of God, entered into eternal life on Tuesday evening, January 13, 2026, at the age of 72. Though we grieve her passing, we find comfort in God’s promise in the hope of the eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Ms. Damren was born on May 13, 1953 in Yokohama, Japan to the late Eugene Phillip Damren and Dorothy Elizabeth Penn Damren. She graduated from Kendrick High School in Columbus, GA, class of 1971. She earned her nursing degree from Homer D. Cobb Memorial Hospital in Phenix City, AL in 1978. She worked for many years at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, AL as a Labor and Delivery nurse as well as a scrub nurse at the Surgery Center of Dothan. In 1983 she became a volunteer with the Ministry of Wiregrass Hope, where she eventually became a full time staff nurse. Her attention to detail and her professional excellence were matched only by her kindness and warmth with both clients and staff. While working with Wiregrass Hope, she felt led to develop a post abortion recovery program offering women a path toward healing from trauma, grief, and guilt. Through this ministry, she guided countless women toward forgiveness and, for many, towards salvation. Over four decades, thousands of women and young families were touched by her ministry. She faithfully served the Lord through Gateway Church with a passion for the children’s ministry, living out her faith through acts of love and service. Her faith also led her to travel to Guatemala to assist with healthcare and spreading the love of God on several occasions. She lived a life grounded in faith, love, and service to the Lord. She trusted Christ as her Savior and sought to honor him in all that she did. Her faith guided her through every season of life and was evident in her kindness, humility, and unwavering devotion to her family. She believed in the power of prayer and found peace in God’s presence, even in life’s difficult moments. She embodied the words of scripture, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Phillip Lee Damren, Jesse Vaughn Damren; sister, Mary Allen Strickland; her sister-in-law, Misty Damren; and her brother-in-law, Tim Strickland.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her son, James Carlton Pearson II (Lindsay); her grandchildren, Emilee Breanne Pearson, James Carlton “Bubba” Pearson, III (Joie), William Kyle Godbee, Kiley Godbee Ivy (Blake); her sisters, Linda Sue Linogon (Mike West), and Ethel Irene Creel (Terry Allen); her brother, Junior Damren (Pam); and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. CST Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Gateway Church in Headland, Alabama, with Pastor Ruth Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Donations may be made in Ms. Damren’s honor, to Wiregrass Hope, P.O. Box 7154, Dothan, AL 36302, www.supportwiregrasshope.com ; or to the Gateway Church Children’s Ministry, 1641 AL-134, Headland, Alabama 36345.
