Obituaries Articles

Obituaries | Week of Jan. 19, 2026

BRYANT LEE BATTS II Bryant Lee Batts II, 45, also known to family and friends as Bucky, was born to Maire Sharpe and Charles “Eddie” Batts Jr. on Dec. 3, 1980, and passed away on Jan. 12, 2026. He was a life-long wild child who had a passion for dirt bikes,...

Obituaries | Week of Jan. 12, 2026

ELIZABETH “ANN” SIMMS FREEMAN Elizabeth Ann Simms Freeman, lovingly known as “Ann,” passed away on Jan. 4, 2026, at the age of 82. A native of Washington County, Alabama, Ann lived a life rooted in faith, family and service to others. Ann graduated from Leroy High...

Obituaries | Jan. 6, 2026

MYRTLEAN MANISMyrtlean Mains passed away in the comfort of her home on Tuesday Dec. 30, at the age of 93 years. Mrs. Mains was a native of Crenshaw County, Alabama, and she lived in Lee County, since 1965. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Charles...

Remembering Woody Ross: 1949-2025

BY JOHN ATKINSONFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — You meet people in a number of ways. Through school or work. Through church or friends. Through speeding tickets or flat tires.My friendship with Woody Ross began through an index card on a bulletin board.Always one to do...