Lloyd Junior Best

Lloyd Junior Best, 88, a resident of Highland Home, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 21.  A graveside service for Mr. Best was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in New Ebenezer Cemetery with Rev. Kenny Horn and Turner Funeral Home of Luverne directing.  Mr. Best served in the National Guard and was a long-time Mason.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Hillery V. and Vinee Thomas Best; sister, Louise Stough; and two brothers, Glen Best and Odis Best.  Mr. Best is survived by his three nieces, Patsy Smith, Phillis English and Evelyn Keenan; five nephews, Michael (Zully) Best, Mickey (Bonnie) Best, Kenny (Kari) Keenan, Victor Best and James Mitchell; a host of great-nieces and great-nephews; special cousin and friend, Paul and Judith Best; and caregiver Judith Gardner.  The family would like to extend a special thanks to Margaret Foster and the Highland Home Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Active pallbearers were Paul Best, Mickey Best, Kenny Keenan, Steven Broadway, Stanley Gardner and Buddy Knighten. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Highland Home Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.

Mary Ann Sasser Southard

Mary Ann Sasser Southard, 82, a resident of Brantley passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home with Rev. Keith Morgan officiating and Turner Funeral Home of Luverne directing. Mrs. Southard was preceded in death by her husband, John Preston Southard, Jr., and four sons, James Edward Tidwell, Billy Joe Southard, William Albert Southard and Martin Carl Southard. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Ann Southard; two daughters-in-law, Deborah Kitchens Southard and Donna Southard; eight grandchildren, Christina (Clint) Wells, Preston Southard, Brittany Southard, Kelly (Chad) Powell, Terry (Charlotte) Southard, Heather Kilcrease, Whitney Kilcrease and Taylor Kilcrease; nine great-grandchildren, Weston Nobles, Jaxson Wells, Brayden Wells, Alexis Southard, Emily Southard, Eva Southard, Lucas Southard and Tucker Powell; and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

James “Jim” Patrick Owens, Jr. 

James “Jim” Patrick Owens, Jr., 65, a lifelong resident of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, following an automobile accident.  A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, in Canterbury United Methodist Church, Mountain Brook, Alabama.  Interment followed on Saturday, Jan. 21, in Holley Cemetery of Mount Pleasant at Fuller’s Crossroads, which is the maternal family cemetery of Patrick Michael Owens. Jim graduated from Mountain Brook High School and attended UAB. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. Jim was an avid sportsman, who loved flying, skiing and deep-sea fishing. He was also a pilot and held a captain’s license for large watercraft, as well as being a long-term member of both the Birmingham Ski Club and the Aero Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Owens, Sr. and Mary Myrtis Owens, and his brother, Tom Owens.  He is survived by his son, Patrick Michael Owens; stepson, Chase Carlisle; his former wife, Jennifer Welch Owens; his step-granddaughter, Brylee Carlisle; all of Vestavia Hills, as well as his sisters, Mary Lil Owens of Montgomery, Alabama; Kathy Chapman of Powder Springs, Georgia; Marnei Zei of Phoenix, Arizona; and Ellen Owens of Vestavia Hills; and his stepmother, Penney Owens of Foley, Alabama.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Southern Museum of Flight, 4343 73rd St N, Birmingham, AL 35206.

Donna Sue Henley

Donna Sue Henley, 57, a resident of Lapine, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Matthew Henley; two sons, Danny Wayne Watson and George Michael Watson; father and stepmother, Grady Howard and Irene Patterson; and mother, Wanda Sue Vize.  Mrs. Henley is survived by her husband, Jackie Hall; four children, Billy (Christina) Watson, Bobby (Rachel) Watson, Dottie Watson and Ashley (Alton) Horne; 13 grandchildren, Junior Watson, Jayda Stallions, Taylor Stallions, Shelby Horne, Jon Horne, Jasmine Watson, Jewel Watson, Jenna Watson, Tyler Watson, Jace Watson, Whitney Davis, Brianna Davis, and Gabe Davis; and two daughters-in-law, Patricia Thomas and Shannon Davis. The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.