Obituaries for Thu., Sept. 26

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 26, 2019

GARY DONNELL “GATOR” SMITH

Gary Donnell “Gator” Smith, age 64, of Red Level, passed away peacefully at his home on the Patsaliga River.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Chester Smith of Gantt, and Nadine Waldon Smith of New Orleans, La. He is survived by his wife, Mikalene Smith of Dozier, daughter Jessica (Brandon) Hickman of Corinth, Miss., and stepdaughter Rachael Petty of Andalusia, brothers Dan (Nancy) Smith of Tampa, Fla., Ron (Debbie) Smith of Gulf Breeze, FL, Terry (Sandra) Smith of Jacksonville, Fla., and sisters Linda (Brian) Rasmussen of Kansas City, Mo.,  and Donna Williamson of Andalusia. The pride and joy of his life were his beautiful granddaughters, Heaven Leigh Donnell Tether, 16, Zoey Angelica Tether, 14, and Shiloh Mercy Grace Hickman, 4, all of Corinth, Miss., and step-grandchildren Phoenix Seth Lawson, 14, and Ripley Athena Petty, 8 of Andalusia.

A memorial service will be held at Rawls Baptist Church on Sat., Sept. 28, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m., and memorial service following immediately afterward.

The world has lost a gentle soul who never failed to open his heart or door to anyone in need.

MARYANN BRACKIN SASSER MCKNIGHT

Maryann Brackin Sasser McKnight, 76, of Bainbridge, Ga., formerly of Dothan, Ala., passed away Sat., Sept. 21, 2019.

The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., (CST) on Mon., Sept. 30, 2019, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Dothan, Ala. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1:30 p.m., until 2 p.m. (CST).

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.

Maryann Brackin was born March 11, 1943, the daughter of Donald and Mable Brackin. She was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Dothan.  Maryann served Brinson Baptist, Morningside Baptist and Mt. Pleasant Baptist in Decatur County, GA and Fairmount Baptist in Red Level, Ala., with her husband, Rev. Bruce Sasser.

Survivors include her children, Allen and Sharon Sasser of Andalusia, Ala., and Cheryl Sasser & Danny Holcombe of Bainbridge, Ga.; her sister, Linda Waters of Dothan, Ala.; her grandchildren, Paige, Will, Beau, Blake, and Emily; and her eight great-grandchildren.  In addition to her parents, Maryann was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Bruce Sasser.