by The Observer Staff | May 26, 2026 | Obituaries
BARBARA WARDBarbara Gayle Ward, a resident of Opelika, passed away surrounded by the love and memories of those who knew her. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.Barbara had a servant’s heart and never met a stranger. She loved her fur babies and...
by The Observer Staff | May 26, 2026 | Column, Walt Albritton
OPINION —Forty years ago, Wally Armbruster published a little book titled “Let Me Out.”It never made the New York Times best-seller list. I read it, found its message humorous and provocative, and soon forgot about it. But recently, I came across the book and thought...
by The Observer Staff | May 26, 2026 | Column
OPINION —“If Jesus is a king, where’s his crown and castle?” asks Henry, 8. “I’ve seen Disney movies. Kings are supposed to wear gold and sit on thrones.”When most people think of kings, they picture palaces, parades, armies and riches. But in John 19:17–22, we see a...
by The Observer Staff | May 26, 2026 | Education
DEMOREST, Georgia — On Friday, May 8, Piedmont University conferred undergraduate degrees to 202 students, including 79 first-generation students, and 105 graduate students, including masters, EdS, and doctorate degrees.Among the graduates was Katherine Prowell of...
by The Observer Staff | May 26, 2026 | Column, Sean Dietrich
OPINION —The 94-year-old woman gets a jumpstart on Decoration Day every year. The cemetery gets busy at her little church in Elmore County. She likes to be early to the party.She has brown-flecked hands. Tissue-paper skin. She arrives at the cemetery accompanied by...
