NANCY LOUISE OWENS
Nancy Louise Owens, 85, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 1, 1939, in Waverly, the daughter of Lonnie and Elizabeth Smith.
She will be remembered for her love of fishing, gardening and cooking.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Allen O’Neal Owens, after 66 years of marriage, and three brothers, Alfred Smith (Shirley), Woodson Smith (Barbara Jean) and Bruce Smith (Martha). Nancy is survived by her son, Rocky Owens (Karen); daughter, Caron Gibson (Randall); sister Shirley Lackey; Hunter, her dog of 17 years; four grandchildren, Natalie Johnson (Chris), Haylie Gibson, Travis Gibson (Lauren) and Tommy Gibson (Tiffany); along with several nieces, nephews, and brothers/sisters in-law. She was blessed by four great-grandchildren: Owen, Julie, Kason and Oliver.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m. at Farmville Baptist Church, located at 3607 Alabama Highway 147 North in Auburn, with a fellowship gathering after the service.
Virginia’s Florist in Opelika will be handling all flowers. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bethany House in Auburn for the wonderful care they provided during her final days.
CAROL LOUISE DEANGELO
Carol Louise DeAngelo was born April 17, 1943, and died June 29, 2024.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 11, at 10 a.m. at Camp Hill Memorial Gardens, with Brother Willie L. Ford officiating. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the family or charity of choice.
EDWARD RYAN
Edward Ryan, known as Tabb to his childhood friends, died early in the morning of July 6, 2024, at University Hospital in Birmingham. He was 65 years old.
Edward was born in Greenville to William Halsell Ryan Jr., a pharmacist and Navy officer during WWII, and Olga Lee Ryan, a loving wife and mother. He attended W.O. Palmer Elementary School and Greenville Junior High School and graduated from high school at Brandon Hall School in Sandy Springs, Georgia, in May 1977.
After completing a year of studies at Marion Military Institute, Edward chose a career in law enforcement, spending three years as a policeman in Greenville and two years as a member of the Auburn University police department. He followed these years of law enforcement experience by becoming an Alabama State Trooper in Lee County and served with distinction in this role for 25 years before retiring.
Edward is survived by his wife Katrina, their son Tabb, step-daughter Katie (Taylor) Mitchell, step-son Hunter Herbert, brothers Will and Allen and sister Lee.
Visitation was held July 10 at First Baptist Church of Opelika, followed by a graveside service at Magnolia Cemetery in Greenville. Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Rather than sending flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alabama State Trooper Association.
MARY ANN DORSEY
Mary Ann Turner Dorsey, age 94, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, at Arbor Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Opelika after a brief illness.
She was born in Opelika on Feb. 7, 1930, to James Webb Turner and Mattie Lou Thames Turner, and was the youngest of three children. She was a 1948 graduate of Clift High School (now Opelika High School) and a 1952 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) with a B.A. degree in Education. While at API, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta social sorority. She taught English at Jordan High School in Columbus, Georgia, from 1952 to 1954 before marrying Walter Cullars Dorsey on Oct. 30, 1954. Upon her marriage, she moved back to Opelika to become a homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother for her family.
Mrs. Dorsey served for many years as a Sunday School teacher to three-year-olds at First Baptist Church Opelika and was a member of the Ledbetter Sunday School class. She was a charter member of the Opelika Arts Association, a charter member of the Phalo Study Club and was a troop leader for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies. She enjoyed playing the piano and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their Mum.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Walter Cullars Dorsey of Opelika; two children, Walter Cullars Dorsey Jr. (Amy) and Lou Thames Dorsey Hamlet (Dennis) of Opelika; four grandchildren, Mary Turner Barron Pigg (Tyler) of Texas, Dorsey Kate Barron of Opelika, John Thornton Barron (Alysa) of Opelika and Cole Richardson Dorsey (Amberli) of Dothan; three great-grandchildren, John Ellis Pigg, Caroline Louise Pigg and Charlotte Jane Barron; and one brother, Edward Thames Turner of Rainbow City, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Webb Turner Jr.
A funeral service was held July 6 in the chapel of Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home with Rev. Cade Farris officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests a memorial gift to the BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose through the Auburn University Foundation.
STEPHEN “STEVE” COLLEY
Stephen “Steve” Colley was born on March 14, 1956, and died July 2, 2024 in Opelika. He graduated Opelika High School and made a career at Thompson Carriers.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Colley, and his father, Homer Colley, as well as his godson, Christopher McMillion. He is survived by his daughter, Heather Colley (Mother: Sharon Colley); his brother, Mike (Angie) Colley; his nephew, Scott (Jessica) Colley; and his great-nephew, Cooper.
He was loved and will be missed by many, including his immediate family, friends and extended relatives.
A graveside service was held July 6 at Garden Hill Cemetery. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
SETH COOPER RAY
Seth Cooper Ray was born on Nov. 30, 1997, in Opelika. He left behind a loving family on July 4, 2024, at the age of 26. He graduated from Beauregard High School and was beginning his career in gas pipelining. He was a Specialist in the Army National Guard as an Airborne 91 Bravo wheeled vehicle mechanic, Echo Company, 20th Special Forces group.
Seth is survived by his loving parents, Steven and Jennifer Ray; brother, Spencer Ray (Aapana); sister, Presley Vincent (Raley); nieces and nephews, Grayson, Elliot, Emerson, Lynley and Ayla; and grandparents, Pansy Newman, Floyd Dubose, Aranell Ray Corley (Billy Corley). He was preceded in death by his grandaddies, Frank Ray and Gene Newman.
Seth was loved and he will be missed by many, including close and distant family and friends.
Seth was a free spirit. He was adventurous, brave, loud, fun and unpredictable. He was also dependable and tough as could be with a tender heart. He overcame obstacles and fears. At the age of 18 he loaded up and moved to Oregon where he made lifelong friends. He loved the mountains, rivers and anything in nature. He always looked up to his siblings and wanted a family of his own. He made friends everywhere he went. He was a great friend, and even more loving son, brother and uncle.
A service was held for Seth at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on July 8.
