Prominent Selma businessman dies at 73

Published 9:20 am Thursday, December 9, 2021

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A longtime Selma businessman died this week.

Edward Earle Ashe, a resident of Dothan, passed away at his home on Tuesday.  He was 73 years old. Ashe is  survived by his daughter, Brigette Ashe Johnson (Chad), granddaughter, Katelyn Danielle Allman, grandson, Noah Johnson, niece, Lynn Colburn and special friend, Mary Smith-Johnson.

The family will receive friends at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home in Selma on Friday  from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Guy Anderson officiating.

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Ashe was born on June 23, 1948 in the Perry County town of Sprott, but is well-known for running A-1 Sales and Ashe Rental Properties in Selma over the last 10 years and often donating to different organizations in Selma and Dallas County.  Ashe moved to Dothan last year.

Two months ago, Ashe made donations to: GP Evans Charity for Mental Health ($800), Black Belt Benefit Group ($500), Blue Jean Church Food Program ($500), Christian Outreach Alliance Food Program ($500), Pastor John E. Grayson Gospel Tabernacle Food Program ($500), Selma Food Bank ($500), Selma Purrfect Pets ($500), Sky Hill Animal Sanctuary ($500), Wannabe Rescued ($500), MJ 93 Foundation ($500), Snow’s Cleaning Service ($500), Team Challenge-Selma ($500) and Selma University-Rev. Woodie Melton ($500).

Selma and Dallas County residents recall fond memories of Ashe, an employee at the U.S. Postal Service for 34 years. He often donated to Sky Hill Animal Shelter.

“Mr. Earl was a great friend and we will miss, he was a friend to everyone he meet and would help anyone,” Grayson said. “Mr. Earl was a great philanthropy and Selma will miss him.”

Snow’s Cleaning Service Owner LeMarkus A. Snow said he appreciated Ashe for always looking out in the community.

“I want to thank him for his loyal support of so many organizations in Selma as well as contributions to Project Clean up Selma,” Snow said. “He always talked about supporting anything with Selma name on it and how much he loved Selma and expressed his support of anything I needed to help clean this city up.”

Selma City Councilman Clay Carmichael praised Ashe for his countless charitable donations.

“He was a great man and had a big heart,” Carmichael said. “I think he supported just about every single community fundraiser I’ve ever done, so much that when my dog Ringo died, he made a donation to Sky Hill Animal Shelter in his name.”

Added Rex Jones of Cougar Oil: “Earl loved Selma and always gave back. He was one of my first people to donate to my cemetery run. He will be missed.”

Jerry Hatfield said Selma lost one of its best friends.

“He was a very kind and generous man, never wanting any recognition or publicity for giving and helping so many,” Hatfield said. “He was a very generous giver to animal shelters and all others in need. He called me a few weeks ago after I made that well received post about the possibility of having the Jesus dragging the cross painting put on a building down town by the bridge.  These kind of men don’t come along everyday and I am very, very sorry he is gone.”