Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't just sit on your chest; it reshapes your whole world. When you're standing in the middle of that fog, trying to figure out where to find a friend's service time or how to write a tribute that doesn't sound like a generic Hallmark card, you end up looking for Ashley's J.H. Williams & Sons funeral home obituaries. Honestly, it's one of the first things people in Selma and the surrounding Black Belt region do when the news breaks.
But here’s the thing. People often think an obituary is just a public notice. A "he died, funeral is Saturday" kind of thing. It’s actually way more than that. It’s a permanent digital footprint for a life that mattered. At J.H. Williams & Sons, located right there at 1226 Minter Avenue, these notices serve as a communal bridge.
Finding the Latest Updates and Service Times
If you're searching for someone specific, you've probably noticed that the "official" word usually comes through a few specific channels. The funeral home maintains a dedicated online listing where they post current "Homegoing Celebrations."
Recent names that have appeared in their listings include residents from both Selma and Montgomery. For instance, Loquacia D. Green and Kimberly Bonner recently had their transitions noted, with services often held at the Minter Avenue chapel or local churches like New Shiloh Baptist.
You’ll find that these obituaries aren't just dry text. They usually include:
- The "transition" or "heavenly wings" date (the phrasing is very specific to the culture of the home).
- Specific instructions for the "lie in state" hour, which typically happens right before the service.
- Interment details for local spots like Miller’s Memorial Gardens or Lorenzo Harrison Memorial Gardens.
One thing that confuses people? The timing.
Sometimes a name appears with "service details pending." Don't panic. This usually just means the family and the staff—led by Owner & CEO Ashley Bellard Milhouse—are still coordinating with the church or the cemetery. If you see that, check back in 24 hours. The staff there is pretty quick about updating the digital board once the logistics are locked in.
Why Ashley's J.H. Williams & Sons Funeral Home Obituaries Matter So Much
In a tight-knit place like Selma, an obituary is a historical record. This isn't just about SEO or finding a church address. It’s about genealogy. Families in Alabama have used these records for decades to trace their roots.
The funeral home itself has deep roots. It’s been operating since December 1964. Think about that. That's over sixty years of documenting the lives of the community. When you read a notice for someone like Dr. Lynda Blackmon-Lowery, you aren't just reading a schedule; you're reading about a civil rights icon who walked the bridge. The obituary becomes a mini-biography.
The Human Side of the Process
The staff at J.H. Williams & Sons—people like Laura McNeil or Frank Milhouse—kinda treat the obituary as the first step in the grieving process. They don’t just want the dates. They encourage families to bring in memorabilia and photos.
Basically, they want to see the person.
They use those photos to create a "Tribute Wall" on their website. It’s a place where you can plant a memorial tree or leave a "light a candle" message. It sounds a bit digital and cold, but honestly, seeing a wall fill up with stories from old high school friends is pretty moving.
What You Need to Know About the "Transition"
You'll notice the word "transitioned" used a lot in their listings. It’s a dignified way of framing death that is deeply rooted in the local faith community.
If you are the one responsible for putting one of these together, here is the reality: it’s a lot of work. You have to gather:
- Full legal names (including maiden names).
- Education and military history.
- A complete list of survivors. This part is usually the hardest because you don't want to leave out that one cousin.
- The specific "Homegoing" theme.
The funeral home handles the submission to local newspapers, which is a relief because who has time to deal with newspaper ad desks when they're grieving? They also coordinate the digital side so it's searchable on Legacy and other platforms.
Navigating the Practical Steps
If you're currently looking for an obituary or trying to plan one, there are a few practical "must-dos" that people frequently overlook.
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First, check the Tribute Archive. It’s a secondary site that often mirrors the funeral home’s direct listings but sometimes has better mobile formatting if the main site is loading slowly.
Second, pay attention to the "Lie in State" times. In Selma tradition, this is often the only time for a public viewing if the service itself is expected to be packed.
Third, if you’re sending flowers, the funeral home usually has a direct link on the obituary page. This is actually helpful because it ensures the flowers get to the right church at the right time. There’s nothing worse than flowers showing up at the chapel when the service is at a Baptist church ten miles away.
Actionable Steps for Families and Friends
If you need to find an obituary right now, go directly to the https://www.google.com/search?q=ashleysjhwilliams.com listings page rather than just Googling names, as third-party scrapers often get the dates wrong.
For those looking to honor a loved one whose name is currently listed:
- Check the Interment Location: Many local cemeteries like Pineview or Serenity have specific entrance rules for funeral processions.
- Verify the "In Lieu of Flowers" Request: Often, families like the ones mentioned—the Greens, the Millers, or the Lowerys—might ask for a donation to a specific Selma charity instead.
- Note the Chapel vs. Church: Make sure you verify if the service is "inside the chapel of Ashley's J.H. Williams & Sons" or at an external location like Ebenezer Missionary Baptist.
The digital record is meant to be a tool. Use it to coordinate, but also use it to remember. These obituaries are the final story told about a neighbor, a mother, or a friend. They deserve more than a quick glance.