Warbler Obituaries

Courington, Kenneth

June 17, 2008

KENNETH C. COURINGTON: Lakeland, Florida: Mr. Kenneth C. Courington, 70, died at home early on June 17, 2008 from lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his father Earnest Courington, his mother Annie Lois Courington and his brother Wallace Courington. Kenneth is survived by his wife of 41 years Connie; his 4 children, Kevin, Kelley, Charles and Connie; his brother Gary; and his 4 grandchildren Drake, Nicole, Amanda, and Andrew. Kenneth’s passion was music, especially four part harmony. Throughout his life he was a member of many choirs, choruses and singing groups, including The Warblers in Birmingham, Alabama. A loving husband and father, Kenneth died in Christ. He was a member of Scott Lake Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday June 19, 2008 at Heath Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life service is planned for 4 PM on the afternoon of June 20th at Heath Funeral Chapel.

Hawkins, Don

June 15, 2008

HAWKINS, DONALD EUGENE JR., age 54, died Sunday, June 15, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Eugene Hawkins Sr. and Jean Hamblin Hawkins; sister, Cathy Hawkins Pike. He is survived by his wife, Lynne Matthews Hawkins; sons, Donald Eugene Hawkins III, of Birmingham and Stanley Warren Hawkins, of Irondale; daughter, Ella Mae Alexander, of Boaz; grandson, Donald Eugene Hawkins IV, of Locust Fork; aunts, Elizabeth Hawkins, Lillian Hawkins and Ruth Crumpton; uncles, James Hawkins and James Layton; mother-in-law Frances Matthews of Clay; brother-in-law, Harold Pike of Pinson; and a host of cousins and many lifelong friends. Don began working with his father at Hawkins Auto Parts at the age of 15, he later took over as owner operator. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1971 and was a member of Irondale First Baptist as well as a member of the Warblers. Don served on the board of directors for the Associate Jobbers Warehouse in Boaz, AL. The family would like to thank New Beacon Hospice for the care they received, and donations may be made to New Beacon Hospice or the American Cancer Society. His family will receive friends Tuesday, June 17, 2008 from 5-7 P.M. at Ridout's Trussville Chapel. The service will be from the chapel Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 1 P.M. with Dr. Donald Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Published in The Birmingham News on 6/17/2008

Nunnally, Jim

March 7, 2008

NUNNALLY, JAMES E., JR., age 52, of Birmingham, died Friday, March 7, 2008.
Mr. Nunnally graduated from Woodlawn High School and attended Crestway Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, James E. Nunnally, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Anne Nunnally and a host of friends and family. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, March 10, 2008 at Ridout's Trussville Chapel with Dr. Jimmy Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 5-7 P.M.

Published In The Birmingham News.

Black, Buddy

December 8, 2007

BLACK, JAMES THOMAS, JR. (BUDDY), age 91, passed away on December 8, 2007. He was born in Birmingham on April 10, 1916. He was raised in the Woodlawn area and graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1935. He attended the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He was a WWII Navy veteran with the rank of Ensign. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zula Hallman Black and James Thomas Black, Sr.; his wife of 47 years, Constance Samuel Black; his wife of 12 years, Marjorie Liner Dalton Black; granddaughter, Jennifer Black Johnson; and brother, Robert William Black. He is survived by his son, James Thomas Black III; great granddaughter, Hannah Preuss; brother, Clauselle S. Black; sister-in-law, Virginia L. Black; nieces, Ginger Black Cowley (Stephen), Robbie Black Roberts (Ronald), Jackie Black Mathews (Glen), Sam Black (Cheryl); extended family and numerous friends. Mr. Black was an active member of the former West Woodlawn Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and served on numerous church committees, building projects and was very involved in the music program. He was a talented vocalist/soloist and shared his "God given talent" to minister to others. He blessed many with his clear tenor voice not only in his church, but when he sang for weddings, funerals and other functions. In 1987, Buddy moved his membership to South Roebuck Baptist Church where he continued to sing for the Lord and was currently an active member. He was retired from Connors Steel as Plant Manager after 46 years of service. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Buddy took great pleasure in being an active member of The Warblers and was very proud to be their oldest member. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10, 2007 at Ridout's Roebuck Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at South Roebuck Baptist Church, 501 Mountain Drive, with the Reverend Chris Crain officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the last church building project Buddy was involved with: Margaret, AL Mission c/o South Roebuck Baptist Church, 501 Mountain Drive, Birmingham, AL 35206.

Published in The Birmingham News from 12/10/2007 - 12/11/2007

Richeson, Bobby

July 10, 2007

RICHESON JR., ROBERT L. (BOBBY), age 51, of Odenville, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday July 10, 2007. He was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Woodlawn High School. He was a member of the Warblers Club and played football. He was a member of IBEW 136 Apprenticeship and worked for the past thirty years as an electrician. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2007 at Ridout's Roebuck Chapel with burial at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held tonight from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. He is survived by his: mother and father, Doris and Bob Richeson; sister, Cheryl Rushen (Bobby); nieces Erin Bentley (Brandon), Kristen Clausen (Chris), nephew Zachary Rushen, and great-nephew Thomas Clausen.

Published in The Birmingham News from 7/12/2007 - 7/13/2007

Barrett, Dr. Richard Emory (Dick)

January 8, 2007

BARRETT, DR. RICHARD EMORY (DICK), of Panama City Beach, Florida, formerly of Bremen, Georgia, passed away on Monday, January 8, 2007. He was born March 15, 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Edward Lindsey Barrett and Sallie Outlar Barrett. Dr. Barrett served in the United States Army before attending college at Samford University (formerly Howard College), where he earned a degree in music. He received a Master of Sacred Music from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary. He served as Minister of Music at several churches, primarily First Baptist Church, Bremen. Later he went into full-time Music Evangelism, singing the Gospel in many countries and across America for over 30 years. He was honored to sing for three Gideon International Conventions and many Southern Baptist Evangelism Conferences, Southern Baptist Conventions, and area-wide crusades. Leading choirs and as guest soloist, he loved to share his testimony from the scriptures: "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." (Psalm 40:2-3) After moving to Panama City Beach, Dick was active in many area church music programs and as an auxiliary officer and chaplain for the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Peggy Engle Barrett; infant twin children, Anne Elizabeth and David Barrett; and a sister-in-law, Betty Barrett. Survivors include his wife, Yudora Barrett; his children and their spouses, Carol and Ed Hogan of Carrollton, Georgia, Richard and Rosemary Barrett and John E. and Lissa Barrett of Bremen, Georgia; a brother, Ed Barrett, Jr. of Birmingham; grandchildren, Katie and Caroline Hogan, Eddie, Sallie, and Susie Barrett, and Jenni, Ben, and Curt Barrett. Also surviving are extended family members, Sheila Jones of Franklin, TN; Lyn J. LaCava and husband, Larry, of Hurst TX; David Jones and wife, Lynn, of Dallas, TX; Karen J. Davis and husband, Frankie; Daryl (Butch) Jones and wife, Florence, of Leeds, AL, Mike Jones and wife, Brenda, of Ashville, AL. His extended family includes 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He will also be greatly missed by his tiny shadow Maltese, Muffin. To all of his family, he was "Papa", respected, loved, and adored. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, January 10th from 5:30 until 7:00 at Southerland Funeral Home in Panama City. A service will follow at 7:00 with Chaplain Don Hodges, of Bay County Sheriffs Office officiating; assisted by Dr. Joel Breidenbaughm, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church. His body will then be transported to Hightower Funeral Home in Bremen, Georgia, where the family will receive visitors from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 ET Friday at First Baptist Church, Bremen, officiated by Rev. Keith Moore and assisted by Rev. Henry Linginfelter. Interment will follow at the Carrollton City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice, 107 West 19th Street, Panama City, FL 32405, or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 685, Panama City, FL 32402. Expressions of sympathy may be submitted and viewed on our website: www.southerlandfamily.com Southerland Family Funeral Homes, 100 East 19th Street Panama City, Fl 32405, (850)785-8532.

Published in The Birmingham News on 01/11/2007

Morrison, Gary Welba

October 25, 2006

MORRISON, GARY WELBA September 9, 1951-October 25, 2006 Gary passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 in Baltimore, MD. He was born in Birmingham, AL, where he attended Robinson Grammar School and was a 1969 graduate of Woodlawn High School. During high school he was a member of the "Warblers" Club and was voted senior musician. Gary attended Jacksonville State University, Montevallo University, and graduated from Birmingham Southern College in 1977 with a BA in voice and music theory. He received a Masters of Voice and Opera Performance from the University of Texas in Austin in 1979. He returned to Birmingham where he taught voice in the Birmingham Southern Conservatory of Music and in the Shades Mountain Baptist Church Performing Arts Center. While back in Birmingham he performed in several operas before continuing his education at the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Church Music from the seminary in 1992. While in Seminary he served as Minister of Worship in Springdale Baptist Church and First Baptist of Prospect, where he was ordained. He also served at Bashford Manor Baptist Church in Louisville prior to accepting a position at Middle River Baptist in Baltimore, MD where he served until becoming ill. Gary grew up in Birmingham as a member of Ruhama Baptist Church and then Woodlawn Baptist, now Liberty Park Baptist where he was active in Bible study, music ministry programs and mission programs. He was one of the first Bible teachers for the Vietnamese ministry and assisted this ministry in organizing revivals and mentoring other Vietnamese leaders. Gary was preceded in death by his father, John B. Morrison. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Linda Johnson Morrison and one son, Ian Micheil Morrison. Survivors also include his mother, Polly Covington Morrison Perry (Birmingham); stepfather, Bill Perry (Birmingham); his brother, Randy V. Morrison (Birmingham); sister-in-law, Alice Marie Morrison (Birmingham); nephew, Daniel Morrison (Birmingham) and an aunt, Pinkey Dicus of Atlanta, GA. Funeral services will be held at Liberty Park Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Guffin, Pastor of Liberty Park and Reverend Jeff Hartmen, Pastor of Perry Hall Baptist, Baltimore, MD officiating. The service will be held on Monday, October 30, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation at the church from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Forrest Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Ian M. Morrison, Daniel V. Morrison, Darrell Hartsell and members of the "Wabblers" Club. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Ian Morrison Scholarship Fund, the Liberty Park Baptist Church Building Fund, or the charity of your choice. Ridout's Roebuck Chapel directing, 205-833-7171.

Published in The Birmingham News on 10/29/2006

Sawyer, James Edwin (Jim)

June 14, 2005

SAWYER, JAMES EDWIN "JIM" Born November 22, 1935 Survivors include his loving wife Sandra Waine whom he shared 42 years of love, laughter and their love of music and serving their Lord; daughter, Allison Cambre (Frankie); son, James Gregory Sawyer (Kristie), grandchildren, Sawyer and Neil Cambre, Lily, Eli and Ben Sawyer; sister-in-law, Laurie Curd; brother, Edward Fitzsimmons; special nephews, Jerry Edward Callahan (Faye), Wesley Curd (Shannon); and special niece, Candy Jernigan (Brian). Jim retired from U.S. Steel in 1997 and has been a beloved Choir Director for many years. He served as Choir Director of Tarrant First Methodist Church for 3 years, 67th St. Methodist Church for 5 years and retired from Wilson Chapel Methodist Church in 1999 where he served for 26 years. During these years Jim's ministry reached many people especially young people. His ministry included Chancel Choir, Hand Bells, Junior Choirs, Youth Choirs, producing and directing many Cantatas and taking the Youth Choirs on many Tours. Many choir members through Jim's inspiration and direction became soloist and six of them became choir directors including his beloved daughter Allison. Jim never met a stranger and always had a happy smile and hug for everyone. Even in retirement Jim could not be content to do nothing. He kept the books for his son Greg's business Earthworks. This was a joy for Jim and Greg credits his dad with much of his success. Jim's family was the joy of his life and he will be greatly missed. Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 14 Office Park Circle, Birmingham, AL 35223. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Wilson Chapel United Methodist Church, 412 Cumberland Drive, Roebuck, AL. Burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Visitation will be held Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.

Published in The Birmingham News in June 12, 2005

Marsh, Randy

March 14, 2005

Randy Marsh, an actor, director and playwright who co-founded Birmingham Festival Theatre and taught thousands of students at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, died Monday. He was 56.

Mr. Marsh had recently had two strokes after battling throat cancer, said John Northrop, executive director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Mr. Marsh worked at ASFA starting in 1974, first as an English teacher and then, since 1997, as director of curriculum and instruction.

"Randy ... embodied more than any other person in the school what the school was all about," Northrop said. "He was an artist, and he was an educator, and he combined those things with the kids.

"Every kid who graduated from the school for about 25 years went through Randy's English class," he added. "He was a beloved master teacher. If he were to teach Shakespeare, he did Shakespeare. That kind of presence in the classroom makes a huge impression."

A graduate of Woodlawn High School and Samford University, Mr. Marsh had a life-long passion in theater. He earned a master's in theater from the University of Alabama and spent his early career teaching drama at West End High School.

Mr. Marsh also volunteered his talent at Birmingham's Actors Studio and then, with Vic Fichtner and Carl Stewart, co-founded Birmingham Festival Theatre in 1972. He acted in or directed dozens of shows for area theaters, including BFT, Birmingham Children's Theatre (which recently produced one of his plays, "The Reluctant Dragon"), Independent Presbyterian Church and the Little Theatre Players, a troupe he co-founded in 2002.

Written by Alec Harvey
Published in The Birmingham News on 3/15/2005

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No one embodied the spirit of the Alabama School of Fine Arts more than Randy Marsh, said John Northrop, the school's executive director.

Every graduating senior in the school's history experienced Marsh's passion for literature and theater, Northrop said. Marsh, 57, one of the four founding teachers at ASFA, stayed enthusiastic about his work through a battle with cancer that robbed the teacher and actor of his voice and eventually his life. He suffered two strokes last week and died Monday at UAB Hospital.

The Birmingham Area Theater Alliance, composed of about 20 local theaters, awarded Marsh its first ever lifetime achievement award on Feb. 13.

"He didn't just talk about Shakespeare. He did Shakespeare," Northrop said. "Randy was such a wonderful person, a great artist and educator. We all will miss him deeply."

Marsh, the director of curriculum and instruction at ASFA, graduated from Samford University in 1970, earned his master's degree at the University of Alabama and became one of ASFA's first teachers in 1974.

Initially, Marsh taught every English class at the school from sixth grade through 12th grade. Pat Taylor, the current director of student support services, was ASFA's first science teacher and worked closely with Marsh for three decades.

"We literally have grown up together, shared our lives, joys and tragic moments, and I really can't imagine a day here at ASFA without him — this is a hard day," Taylor said. "He loved good food, good wine and people, all people. He had a big heart."

About a year ago, Marsh had a laryngectomy, removing his voice box, Northrop said. He survived health problems during the Christmas holidays, but faculty and friends noticed he began to look weaker and thinner. Thursday he was getting ready to go to the doctor to get the results of a scan looking for possible cancer in his lungs when he had a stroke.

On Friday, he had a more severe stroke that robbed his brain of blood, Northrop said.

He is survived by his wife, Haden Marsh, daughters Kim Cornell, Gaines Marsh and Kate Marsh, and his grandson, Eliot Marsh. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ridout's Chapel. His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Independent Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Randy Marsh Memorial Scholarship Fund at ASFA Foundation, 1800 Eighth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203. "There are people passionate about the theater who don't know what they're doing, and there are people who know what they're doing and aren't that passionate about it," said Jack Mann, also a founder of Little Theatre Players. "Randy was one of the few people who was really good at both of those things."

Among the productions Mr. Marsh directed was "Last Hotel for Women," a play based on the novel by his sister, Vicki Covington. The siblings adapted the work together, and Mr. Marsh's daughter Kate was among the stars. Mr. Marsh himself played infamous public safety commissioner Bull Connor in the 1996 production.

Mr. Marsh met his wife, Haden, in a production of "The Little Foxes," and his three daughters - Kim, Gaines and Kate - grew up in the theater.

Teaching was another of Mr. Marsh's passions.

"He was admired and beloved by the staff and was a tremendous teacher coach," Northrop recalled. "He knew how to appeal to the better instincts of his colleagues and get them to do things that were in the best interest of the kids."

Mr. Marsh also knew how to talk, and his conversations became somewhat of an excused absence in ASFA's halls, Suzanne Mann said.

"A wonderful thing that I heard about him at the School of Fine Arts is that if a student came into a class late and said, `I'm sorry, Miss So-and-So, Randy caught me in the hall, and I was talking to him,' it was an excused tardy. He just never shut up."

Mr. Marsh continued to work at ASFA through Wednesday, the day before he suffered his first stroke. Three weeks ago, he accepted the first Life Achievement Award from the Birmingham Area Theatre Alliance.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Johns-Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Independent Presbyterian Church.

The family suggests donations to the Randy Marsh Memorial Scholarship Fund at the ASFA Foundation.

Written by Daniel Jackson
Published in the Birmingham Post Herald on 3/15/2005

Parker, Michael Haralson

October 14, 2004

Michael Haralson Parker Sr., age 54, of Birmingham, died October 14, 2004. He was a graduate of Woodlawn High School and Samford University. Mr. Parker was a member of Crestway Baptist Church. Survivors include sons, Michael H. Parker, Jr. and Nicholas A. Parker both of Louisville, KY; parents, Victor and Mary Parker; brother, Bob (Margaret) Parker. Visitation will be held Monday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Roebuck Chapel. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at Roebuck Chapel, with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery. Dr. James Wilson officiating. Ridout's Roebuck Chapel directing.

Published in The Birmingham News on 10/17/2004

Lardent, William P.

May 20, 2004

LARDENT, WILLIAM P., age 62, of Center Point, died Thursday, May 20, 2004 after a lengthy illness. He was the Administrator at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Trussville and a lifelong member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church (formerly 76th Street Presbyterian Church in Eastlake.) He received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University and an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, I.E.E.E. Professional Society and the Woodlawn Warblers Choral Group. He was actively involved in all functions of his church and the Shepherds and Lapsley Presbytery, particularly the Older Adult Ministry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lillian Lardent. Survivors include his wife, Betsy Sims Lardent; children, Carma Lardent and Dana (David) Anderson; grandchildren, Maggie Decker and Cameron and Tyler Anderson; brother, Dr. Charles L. (Edna) Lardent Jr., Tampa, Fla; sister, Frances (Floyd) Curtis; a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2004, at Jefferson Memorial Gardens Chapel in Trussville. The funeral service will be at Eastminster Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2004. The family will receive friends for 1 hour prior to the service. Graveside services will follow immediately after the funeral service at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be his nephews and honorary pallbearers will be the Church Elders from Eastminster. The family requests any memorials be sent to The General Fund - Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1751 Gadsden Highway, Trussville, AL 35235, or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, AL.

Published in The Birmingham News on 5/22/2004

Cumb, James G. (Jimmy)

January 24, 2004

CUMB, JAMES G. "JIMMY", of Vestavia Hills, AL, died January 24, 2004. He served with the 806 Air Police Squadron in the U.S., South Africa, and England. While in England, he stood Honor Guard for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He attended school at Woodlawn High School with the Class of 1948. He was a member of a singing group called the Warblers Club. His grandfather, John William Cumb, was the last living member of the Virginia Regiment of the Civil War. Jim was an avid bowler. Survivors include his wife, Lois D. Cumb of Vestavia Hills; a special nephew, John Patrick McCraw of Gadsden; and many relatives in Virginia, Florida, and Alabama. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at 1 p.m. at Ridout's Valley Chapel with burial to follow in Forest Hills. Rev. Terry DeFoor and Rev. Jimmy Dixon will officiate at the services. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Road in Homewood (879-3401).

Published in The Birmingham News from 1/26/2004 - 1/27/2004

Ferguson, C. Rayburn

November 29, 2003

FERGUSON, C. RAYBURN, age 77, of Birmingham, died November 29, 2003. He retired from Jim Burke Buick as a tune-up mechanic after 35 years of service. He was a 50 year member and head Elder of Roebuck Seventh Day Adventist Church. Rayburn was known for his good nature and strong Christian principles. He had a beautiful Irish tenor voice and frequently sang at church and social events in the community. He was a graduate of Woodlawn High School and attended Howard College. He was active in Warblers Glee Club. Mr. Ferguson was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during Asian Campaign. Mr. Ferguson was the great great nephew of John Inzer, the Civil War hero. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Geneva Carruba Ferguson; daughters, Claudia (Tony) Gilmer, Carla (Dean) Snider; son, Charles (Sharon) Ferguson; five grandchildren, Adam Ferguson, Carson Ferguson, Jason Snider, Kelli Snider and Heather Buck; two great grandchildren, Madison and Tanner Buck. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Roebuck Seventh Day Adventist Church, with burial in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Dr. Charles Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 5-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.

Published in The Birmingham News on 12/1/2003

Nichols, Christopher George (Smiley)

November 19, 2003

NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER GEORGE "SMILEY," age 61, passed away November 19, 2003, after a valiant four-year battle with cancer. He and his family left the Birmingham area in 1969 and for the last 14 years lived in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1960 where he was a member of the Warbler's Club. He went on to Auburn University where he played varsity baseball. He and a partner established R&G Sales, a Manufacturers Representatives Company, in 1981. He was a member of the Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors Association, Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association, and the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors of Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christopher Ellis and Naomi Schou Nichols. Survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of over 40 years, Dorothy "Dot" Willcutt Nichols; sons, Christopher George Nichols, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona, and Kevin Lane Nichols of San Francisco, California; sister, Anna Lu Hemphill of Birmingham; brothers, Larry Ellis (Faye) Nichols of Birmingham, and Ronald Schou (Kay) Nichols of Springville; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and a world of friends. Services were held November 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Odyssey Healthcare, Inc.'s "Harbor House," 4011-A McLeod, Las Vegas, NV 89121.

Published in The Birmingham News on 11/25/2003

King, Cecil

July 17, 2003

KING, CECIL NEUHAUSER, 84, died July 17, 2003 in Rochester, NY. Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, he was a graduate of Howard College (now Samford University), and a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity; with additional degrees from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, and Auburn and Northwestern Universities. He served in the Army Air Force in WWII as an aircraft maintenance officer for the 509th Composite Air Group (Atomic Bomb Squadron) on Tinian Island; and was a design engineer on heavy military tanks, as well. He was an expert gray metal foundry man, working for both Chrysler and Ford. He was a foundry consultant and plant manager in Rosario, Argentina and Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico; and retired from E. M. Wood & Assoc. in Atlanta, GA. He taught at Lawrence Institute of Technology. He was a devout Christian and an active member of the Mountain Brook Baptist Church. He taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was a soloist for churches in Michigan, Wisconsin and Alabama. He was also a long-time member of the Warblers singing group. He taught English to Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian refugees, and was a volunteer at the American Baptist Conference Center in Green Lake, WI. Mr. King was pre-deceased by his wife of 61 years, Jappie Bryant King, in April 2003. He is survived by his daughter, Jappie King Black (Richard) of Brockport, NY; his son, Cecil B. "Pete" King (Terry) of Orlando, FL; sister-in-law, Eloise B. Crenshaw of Birmingham; and nieces and nephews. No flowers, please. Remembrances may be sent to Samford University or the Mountain Brook Baptist Church Mission budget. A memorial service will be scheduled for August. Mr. King was a devoted husband, a gentle, caring father, and a loyal friend. He was loved and will be missed by all who ever met him.

Published in The Birmingham News on 7/22/2003

Hudson, William Amos

February 14, 2003

Amos Hudson, who directed music for 47 years at Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham, died last week at his home in the Glen Iris neighborhood. He was 78. A conductor, singer and pianist, Mr. Hudson was born in Cordova and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1947. While at BSC, he formed the Cat Mountain Four, a group that parodied country and bluegrass music and achieved notoriety around the state. After receiving a master's in music education from Columbia University in 1950, he taught at Woodlawn High, where he was active in the choral group Warblers Club, and from 1955 to 1970 he taught music at Crestline Heights Elementary School. At Highlands, he led performances of Handel's "Messiah" for 39 years and directed the Boar's Head Festival for 29 Christmases. After retiring in 1999, he continued to perform for worship services and the day care center, and worked in the homeless program. "He was a fixture here at the church and in the Southside community," said Reggie Holder, Highlands' Director of Ministries. "Everybody knew Amos, and he knew every child's name in day care. He greeted the homeless men and women who came to the church, and knew many of them by name." A music scholarship for Birmingham-Southern students was established in Mr. Hudson's name in the mid-1970s. Its second recipient, Richard Phillips, sang in Mr. Hudson's choirs and succeeded him as director of music at Highlands after his retirement in 1999. "Amos was a loving human being and a master teacher," Phillips said. "He was truly a cheerleader, and so enthusiastic about the music. He would stand in the back of the nave and root for the choir. After they sang, he would leave. There's no way I can be Amos Hudson, but I'm honored to follow him and uphold the tradition." Mr. Hudson never married. Survivors include six nephews and two nieces. Visitation will be today from 4-6 p.m. at Johns-Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Highlands United Methodist, followed by burial at the New Prospect Baptist Church cemetery in Jasper at 2 p.m. The family requests memorials to the Homeless Fund at Highlands United Methodist Church or the Building Fund at New Prospect Baptist Church.

Written by Michael Huebner
Published in The Birmingham News on 02/19/2003