Funeral service set for Dothan native and longtime congressman Terry Everett

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Terry Everett, a Dothan native known for his 16 years of service in the United States Congress and career in journalism, died this week at the age of 87.

Everett’s funeral service has been set for Saturday, March 16, at Rehobeth Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Headland.

Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement that Everett died peacefully in this sleep Tuesday morning at his Rehobeth home.

“Terry tirelessly served the people of southeast Alabama and his native Wiregrass with distinction for eight terms in Congress,” said Gov. Ivey. “During his time on Capitol Hill, he was one of the strongest voices for Alabama’s military bases, active duty personnel, and veterans.  He was also a stalwart advocate for Alabama farmers and small businesses”

Everett was born in Dothan on February 15, 1937, to a sharecropper and railroad worker. He spent his childhood growing up in Midland City.

In 1955, Everett joined the United States Air Force as an intelligence specialist.

After four years in the armed forces, Everett returned to Dothan and began a career in journalism as a farm and police beat reporter at the Dothan Eagle.

After a lengthy stint at the Eagle, Everett became publisher and editor at the Graceville News and Hartford News Herald. He also started weekly newspapers Down Home Today and Daleville Today.

Throughout their lives, Everett and his wife, Barbara Pitts, owned several daily and weekly publications in South Alabama.

Everett was elected to Congress in 1992 as the Representative for Alabama’s Second District after defeating state senator Larry Dixon in the Republican primary. He served in this position until 2008 when he did not seek re-election. Then-Montgomery mayor Bobby Bright succeeded him.

During his time in Congress, Everett served on the Agriculture Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

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