Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Carla Suzanne Lady Cruz, a resident of Ozark, passed away Monday, July 6, 2026, at her home. She was 65 years old. A life well lived.
A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Cruz 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 1, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home of Ozark with Chaplain Jonathan Smith officiating, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.
Mrs. Cruz was born September 9, 1960 in Panama City, Florida at Lisenby Hospital. Carla lived with her mother, brother and grandparents, Minnie and Bob Everage near Highland Park, Florida for several years. Then she lived near them while she attended Highland Park Elementary School. Later she moved with her mother and brother to Fall River, MA where she attended Middle School in Bristol County, MA. She and her brother spent summers with Granny Minnie and Bob Everage in the Panama City, Florida area and returned to Fall River with her mother each Fall for school. Carla lived with her mother and brother in Swansea, MA (Bristol County) throughout her high school years and then returned to Panama City. She married Donnie Minchew February 14, 1981 and they lived in Bay and Gulf Counties in Florida. She and Donnie divorced and she later married Wayne Marlow. The minor children were raised by her as she and Wayne divorced. She spent time in Boynton Beach, Florida with her mother and married Joel Cruz. They raised his son in Dothan and Newton. After Nick entered the United States Army, she and Joel Cruz divorced. She remained faithful through all of her marriages. Carla lived in Newton, Alabama until illness forced her to live with her son, Kevin Minchew, in Ozark for the last several years. Carla was always a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother. She will be missed but never forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Lynn Lady; and one brother, Michael Lynn Lady. Hearts are heavy but also joyful because we know that Carla is with her Beloved grandmother, Minnie, in Heaven.
Survivors include her mother, Bobbie Anne Everage Rigby of Dothan; two sons, James Michael Minchew of Pinckard and Kevin Jack Minchew of Ozark. Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2502, Ozark, Alabama 36361; or to The American Lung Association, 2642 Novel Drive, Bessemer, Alabama 35023.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com
