Gracie Deloise Holley
Graveside service for Ms. Gracie Holley of Newbern was held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery. Pastor Dexter Thornton officiated. Ms. Holley lay in state one hour prior to start of services. Public viewing was held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Washington & Paige Mortuary. Ms. Gracie Delois Holley was born March 19, 1952 to Mr. Anderson Holley and Mrs. Ocie Holley. She confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Valley A.M.E. Zion Church, Newbern Mission. Ms. Holley attended Sunshine High School and graduated in the Class of 1971. Ms. Gracie retired from Hale County Hospital Dietary Department. She departed this life March 25, 2026, at Hale County Hospital. Ms. Gracie leaves to cherish her memories: brother, Charles Holley of Greensboro; sisters, Roberta (Matthew) Nathan of Cleveland, Ohio, Jacqueline Holley of Newbern: aunts, Bertha Coke, Celestine Whittaker; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Eddie H. Long
Deacon Eddie H. Long celebration of life was Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 11 a.m. at New Pentacostal Holiness Church, Greensboro. Suffragan Bishop Lovetta Long officiating. Service entrusted to Washington and Paige Mortuary, Greensboro. Deacon Eddie H. Long transitioned from labor to reward on March 21, 2026, at his residence, surrounded by family and friends, He was born on September 10,1950, in Hale County, to the late Benjamin and Aslee Hoskins Long. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Benjamin and Aslee Hoskins Long; beloved wife, Naomi Long; sister, Mary H.Hill; brother, Tommy Long. Deacon Long accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the Name of Jesus in 1971. He joined Christ Temple Holiness Church in Sawyerville. He later moved his membership to New Pentecostal Church in Greensboro, where he remained faithful under the leadership of the late Elder Eugene Fields. Until his passing, he continued to serve faithfully under the leadership of Suffragan Bishop Lovetta Long. Deacon Long was a 1969 graduate of the Hale County Public School System in Greensboro. He retired from Hale County Hospital after 47 years of dedicated service as the Supervisor of Environmental Services. He was also a phenomenal photographer for many years, capturing moments that will be cherished for generations. Deacon Long leaves to cherish his precious memories: one daughter, Ashley Long of Moundville; four sons, Eldrin Long of Greehsboro, Beniamin (LaMesha) Long, Jonathan (Erica) Long, both of Tuscaloosa, Jeremy Long of New York, N. Y.; goddaughter, Antoinette Avery of Douglasville, Ga.; a very close friend, Eunice Crawford of Greensboro; four sisters, Leanna Wilson of Pontiac, Mich., Hattie Tatum of Long Beach, Calif., special sister Johnnie L. Ash of Greensboro, Annie Wilson of Detrok, Mich.; one brother, Danny Ray (Shirley) of Long Beach, Calif.; two special friends, Jeffrey Gee, Susie Avery-Young; mother-in-law, Jessie Taylor; brothers-in-law, Boris Washington, Cedric (Sonya) Dixon; sisters-in-law, Mable Dixon, Rema (Nathaniel) Everett, Patricia (Ricky) Jones; ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.
Annie Mae Mathews
Annie Mae Mathews, 96, of Tuscaloosa passed on March 29, 2026, at Moundville Health and Rehab. A celebration of life was held on at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Travis and Dr. Kim Parker officiating. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. Annie was preceded in death by her husband, I. H. Mathews. She is survived by her daughter, Wanda Fisher; son-in-law, David Fisher; grandson, Mark Fisher; granddaughter-in-law, Carly Fisher; great granddaughter, Maelyn Fisher; great grandson, Austin Fisher. Better known as “Nanny,” she was the heart of her family because of her deep love for serving others. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening and spending time with her great-grands. She will be profoundly missed by her children and her many friends. Pallbearers were David Fisher, Mark Fisher, Gabe Fisher, Will Blakeney. Honorary pallbearers are friends and staff at Moundville Health and Rehab, Gladys Cook. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Greensboro Baptist Church Children’s Ministry or your favorite charity.
Toussaint Thomas
Graveside service for Mr. Toussaint Thomas of Birmingham was held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Evans Cemetery, Sawyerville. Mr. Thomas lay in state one hour prior to start of services. Public viewing was held on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Washington & Paige Mortuary. A miracle child, born to the proud parents William and Mary Thomas on September 28, 1981, passed away on March 16, 2026, going home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ and reunited with his father. At the age of 11, he accepted Christ into his life and was later baptized, a decision that remained a guiding light throughout his life. He was an honor student and a 1999 graduate of Niceville High School. During his youth, he was an active and dedicated member of the Niceville Assembly of God youth group, where he demonstrated strong leadership. He proudly led his church youth group to Nationals in a Bible Quiz competition, reflecting both his faith and commitment. After graduating high school, he continued his education at the University of Alabama on a full scholarship, graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, he pursued various ventures throughout his life. He was the founder and CEO of The Thomas Corporation and studied real estate. He was also a published author of “How To Navigate the Home Buying Process.” In addition, he worked diligently to build and reestablish his trucking company. The absolute love and joy of his life was his daughter, whom he affectionately called “My Baby.” His devotion to her was unmatched. Beyond his accomplishments, Toussaint will be deeply remembered for the way he loved—especially within his family. As a brother, he was more than family; he was a constant source strength, encouragement, and unwavering support. He poured into his siblings with wisdom, laughter, and a fierce loyalty that created a bond that could never be broken. His youngest sister shared a uniquely close and cherished relaflonship with him one marked by deep love, shared life moments, and a connection that only siblings can understand. He consistently shared that their bond was a gift that will live on forever. He was preceded in death by his father, William Thomas. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved daughter, Alyssa Thomas; his grandmother, Mary Anderson; his loving and supportive mother, Mary Thomas; his siblings, Chante’ (Thomas) Becerra (Frank Becerra), Tawanna (Thomas) Atwater, Tonia (Thomas) Bowman (Lewis Bowman), and Thomas Jones; as well as six nephews and three nieces, along with many extended relatives and dear friends. He will be remembered for his faith, determination, love for family, love for life, his bold infectious laugh, and the lasting impact he made on all who knew him.
Ethel Ward
Funeral services for Mrs. Ethel Ward of Greensboro will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at ST. Mary Church, 351 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Greensboro. Pastor Joe Lee Hamilton will officiate services with burial immediately following in the church cemetery. Mrs. Ward will lie in state one hour prior to start of services. Public viewing will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 1-5 p.m. at Washington & Paige Mortuary.
Joely Estella
Tidmore-Wintrone
11/30/1974 – 3/24/2026
Joely was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to James and Linda Tidmore, on November 30, 1974. She was named after her dear Aunt Estella, who cherished her and whom she loved dearly. Joely is preceded in death by her father, James Lee Tidmore, III, as well as grandparents, James Lee Tidmore, Jr., Jean and Joe Toole, J. D. and Zella White. She is survived by her loving husband, Drew Wintrone, her mother, Linda Tidmore, her children, Jaelyn Guillotte (Damian) and Alex Guillotte, Justice Burr-Dean (Chris), grandchildren, Jethro and Lucca Burr-Dean, and her sisters, Emily Ragan Dimberio (Peter) and Jesse Gandy (Justin) as well as five nephews. For the first ten years of her life, Joely lived on the family farm in Moundville, where they raised cattle and grew cotton, corn, sunflowers, and soybeans. She learned to ride a horse at a young age and helped raise and bottle feed an orphaned calf she named Rosie. The family lived several years in Maryland where Joely developed a love of billiards and became quite the teenage pool shark. As a youth, she also enjoyed cheerleading for Hale County (Moundville) and field hockey at Dulaney High School (Timonium, MD). Ultimately the family settled in Plano, Texas, where she remained for most of the rest of her life. Joely spent many years working in healthcare: first as a medical billing specialist, then as a nurse aide, and eventually a phlebotomist and x-ray technician. Most recently Joely changed fields, working in RV sales and starting a small business with her husband, Drew, doing mobile RV repair. Joely loved camping, fishing, Alabama football, and was a gifted artist skilled in drawing. She cherished time spent with her family and late father, Jim, on his boat at Lake Texoma, with her mother, Linda, and especially the love of her life, Drew. The couple enjoyed spending time outdoors and traveling with their dear friends Phillip and Sandy. Details for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Fisher Funeral Home directing services.