Recent Obituaries and Guest Books

Brian Lee Austin Brian Lee Austin, 52, of Dothan passed away Friday, May 17, 2013 at his residence. Arrangements will be announced. Robert Byrd of Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home, (334) 983-6604, www.SunsetMemorialPark.com. Sign the guestbook at www.dothaneagle.com.

James Earl Barron James Earl Barron, a resident of Dothan, died Friday, May 17, 2013. He was 75. Private Graveside services will be held at 2 P. M. Monday, May 20, 2013 at Memory Hill Cemetery with Dr. John Thomas and David DePriest officiating, Ward Wilson Funeral Home Directing. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Piney Grove United Methodist Church, 21 Piney Grove Road, Dothan, AL 36301 or Wiregrass Humane Shelter, P. O. Box 1045, Dothan, AL 36302. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Creamer Barron of Dothan; one son, Michael E. Barron and wife Casey of Dothan; one granddaughter, Lily Catherine Barron; one brother, Raymond Barron and wife Jessie of Blakley, GA; one sister, Merle Cooper of Warrior, AL; several nieces and nephews Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory, (334) 792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.

Grady Gerald Byrd Mr. Grady Gerald Byrd, 72, of Ozark, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013 at Ozark Health and Rehab. Graveside services will be held at 10 A.M. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at the Selma Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Brent Parker officiating and Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. Flowers will be accepted. Mr. Byrd was preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Imogean Byrd. Survivors include his twin sister, Martha Paramore, of Ashford, AL; his brother & sister-in-law, Hugh and Judy Byrd of Dothan, AL; as well as aunts, uncles and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Mabalene Norris and Janice, and the staff of Ozark Health and Rehab for their care of Grady for the past several years. Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory, (334) 792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.

Emma Nell Copeland Emma N. Copeland of Slocomb passed from this life to be welcomed by the Father into the Land of the Living Friday, May 17, 2013 at SAMC with family and friends at her side. She was 85 years of age. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 598 County Line Drive in Slocomb, AL, Countyline MB Church with Rev. James B. Dawsey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Hammond Funeral Home of Dothan AL. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to funeral services. Visitation will be Monday, May 20, 2013 from 6-7 at Hammond Funeral Home 586 East Burdeshaw Street, Dothan, AL. Mrs. Copeland was preceded in death by her husband Ozzie L. Copeland, her parents Willie and Fannie Green, and her daughter Emma L Jones. She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters Fannie C. Morris, Evelyn Copeland, one son, Willie Copeland, Jr., all of Slocomb, AL. Three adopted daughters, Annie (James) Dawsey, Cowart, AL, Norma Neal and Vivian Murry, Slocomb, AL. Three sisters, Louise Harmon, Slocomb, AL, Eloise Pryor, Clio, AL, Janice (Earl) Williams, Tampa, FL. Six grandchildren, Terrence Raymond Morris, Slocomb, Al, Eric LaRon Jones, Enterprise, AL, Rachel Wyatt and Ronald Sewell, Utica, NY, Roshawda Kelly, Loretta Johnson of Dothan, AL. adopted grandson, Will Eillis (LaFrancis) Craig, Dothan, AL, One adopted grand-daughter Whitney Nichlle Neal, Birmingham, AL. 11 great-grandchildren, a special cousin, Joyce Govan, Clio, AL, two special friends, Gertha Brown and Wilbert Bradham all of Slocomb, AL, one son-n-law, Raymond Morris, Chicago, IL, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Hammond Funeral Home in Dothan, (334) 792-7913, is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com

Sarah Nell Cox Sarah Nell Cox, a resident of Dothan, died Saturday, May 18, 2013. She was 75. Funeral services will be held at 11 A. M. Monday, May 20, 2013 from the Chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Reverend Bobby Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory with Ward Wilson Funeral Home Directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 until 11 A. M. one hour prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted. Mrs. Cox was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Jimmy Rex Cox, her parents, Selma and Odelia Caraway, brothers, Billy Wayne and Eugene Caraway and her sister Betty Cox. Survivors include her sons, Scotty Cox and his wife Karen of Hartford, AL and Randy Cox and his wife Pam of Dothan; three grandchildren, Alex, Saje and Cody Cox; one brother, Jimmy Caraway and his wife Linda of Geneva, AL, several nieces and nephews. Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory, (334) 792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.

Sylvia Ruth English Culpepper Mrs. Sylvia Ruth English Culpepper, age 65, a resident of Dothan since 1975, died Thursday, May 16, 2013 at her residence following an extended illness. The family will be gathering privately. Sylvia was born on April 30, 1948 in Columbus, GA. the daughter of Seymour Trobridge (S.T.) English and Edna Wynn English. From a very young age, Sylvia exhibited a remarkable talent for playing the piano. She could listen to any song just once and play it back entirely from memory. Throughout the years, Sylvia entertained at weddings, church services, and retirement homes, as well as for family and friends. Sylvia graduated from Central High School in Phenix City in 1966 where she met Joseph (Joe) Culpepper whom she married in 1967. After graduating, she attended nursing school and enjoyed a career as a labor and delivery nurse for several years while living in various cities with her husband who was in the Navy. Upon settling in Dothan in 1975, Sylvia devoted herself to raising her two daughters and actively participated in their education, activities, and sports. She eventually returned to her career in healthcare as a medical transcriptionist. She is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Joe Culpepper. She is also survived by her daugther and son-in-law, Candice and Dave Charlton (Bethesda, MD.); daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Rowell Bernardo (Foster City, CA.), sister and brother-in-law, Marsha and Clyde Copeland (Smiths Station); brother, Steven English (Seale); brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Joanne English (Phenix City); granddaughters Zoey and Emily Charlton; grandsons Jackson and Sawyer Bernardo; and several nieces and nephews. Glover Funeral Home of Dothan, (334) 699-3888, is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit www.gloverfuneral.com to sign the guest register. Sign the guestbook online - www.dothaneagle.com.

Lester Bruce DeVane, Jr., Lester Bruce DeVane, Jr., a resident of Dothan, died Tuesday, May 21, 2013. He was 70. Funeral services will be held at 2 P. M. Saturday, May 25, 2013 from the Chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home Directing. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home Friday, May 24, 2013 from 6 until 7 P. M. Flowers will be accepted. Mr. DeVane was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his son, Stephen DeVane and his wife Patti of Birmingham, AL one granddaughter Haley DeVane. Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory, (334) 792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.

Sheila Enfinger Mrs. Sheila Enfinger, 55, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Memory Hill Cemetery with Reverend Riley Enfinger officiating and Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will be receiving friends from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Ward Wilson Funeral Home. They will be accepting flowers. Mrs. Enfinger was born and raised in Dothan and lived here all of her life. She loved rock & roll music and the sun. She loved her grandchildren and family. Mrs. Enfinger was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents Survivors include her daughters, Melissa Enfinger (Dallas Stringer) of Dothan, AL, Jamie Skinner of Dothan, AL, and Shannon Skinner of Dothan, AL; sister, Shawna Vesey (Chad) of Fargo, ND; brothers, John Ellis Enfinger of Dothan, AL, and Donald Jerome Enfinger (Susie) of Dothan, AL; grandchildren, Deajia Enfinger, Allen Cooper, and Landon Miller; and several nieces and nephews. Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory, (334) 792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.

Charles Edward Gamber Mr. Charles Edward "Ed" Gamber of Slocomb passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013 at his home. He was 75. Memorialization will be by cremation followed by a private celebratory service. Ed was born on July 4, 1937 in St. Lois, MO. A man of great leadership, he influenced and impacted the lives of thousands with his infectious laugh and artistic flare for life. He shaped and molded the minds of children everywhere, from teaching, mentoring and parenting. A man of great wealth, he graduated with a Master's degree from Florida State University in Art, then shared his passion with the world. Mr. Gamber was preceded in death by his parents: Harry and Katherine Gamber. He is survived by the love of his life, Bibbs, with whom he shared over 38 years of marriage. Survivors also include his siblings: James, Robert, John, William, Julie and Kitty; his children who will miss him greatly: Kenneth and Lynn, Keith and Patty, James and Dee, and Jama; his grandchildren; Madeline, Harrison and Conner, whose lives will be forever shaped as we were. As to this man, the legend of our lives, will live forever with us in body and spirit. Ed has gone home and been made incorruptible in Christ. Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb, (334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements. Please sign an online guest register at www.sorrellsfuneralhomes.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.

Jerry B. Gobble Jerry B. Gobble, a resident of North County Road 67, Skipperville, died early Wednesday morning, May 22, 2013, at his home. He was 79. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 24, 2013, in the New Hope Baptist Church, in the Bertha Community, with Reverend Shane Traylor and Reverend Dan Sheppard officiating. Graveside services, with full military honors, will follow in the church cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the mortuary in Headland. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Billy R. Grantham, 826 County Road 7, Skipperville, AL. 36374. Mr. Gobble was born and reared in Salisbury, North Carolina, son of the late Albert Lee Gobble, Sr. and Flora Wilkerson Gobble. He was a 1953 graduate of Boyden High School in North Carolina. As a young adult, Mr. Gobble enlisted in the U. S. Army and served three years. While stationed at Fort Rucker, he met his future wife, Mary Snell, and they were married August 31, 1957. After his discharge from the Army, Mr. Gobble enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve in North Carolina and was also employed by the North Carolina Finishing Plant. In 1967, Mr. and Mrs. Gobble moved to Dale County, near the Bertha Community. He joined the Army National Guard in Abbeville and served twenty-two years retiring with the rank of Sergeant Major from the National Guard in Ozark. Mr. Gobble was formerly employed by the Henry Farm Center and retired from Pea River Electric in 1996. Mr. Gobble was an active member of the New Hope Baptist Church where, he served as a past chairman of the Deacons and on the building and maintenance committee. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kimberly Marie Rood and a brother, Albert Lee Gobble, Jr. Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-five years, Mary Snell Gobble, Skipperville; a daughter, Donna L. Horne (Tom), Dothan; a son, Andy Gobble, (Jennifer) Skipperville; four grandchildren, Traci Rood, Phillip Rood, Courtney Gobble and Josh Gobble; a niece, Beth Gray and husband, Kelley, Charlotte, N.C.; a nephew, Al Gobble and wife, Denise of Arizona; several nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law from the Snell family. Jerry Gobble greatly enjoyed his family and was a Godly man. He was patriotic and loved baseball and enjoyed playing softball in his younger years. Serving as active pallbearers will be Jessie Snell, Don Snell, Roger Barefield, Danny Enfinger, Edward Rhodes and Danny Martin. Holman-Headland Mortuary, (334) 693-3371, www.holmanmortuaries.com is in charge of arrangements. Sign a guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.