Dr Charles Hickman, also known as Doc, passed away the morning of June 16, 2023 at the age of 89 years young, surrounded by his loving family members. Dr Hickman received three degrees in electrical engineering, including a PhD from the University of Tennessee. He taught electrical engineering and conducted research at Auburn University for six years followed by sixteen years in research and environmental affairs department at Southern Company Services in Birmingham There he solved noise and vibration problems throughout the Southern Company system. He was the interim dean and director of the Center for Electric Power at Tennessee Tech University (TTU). Dr Hickman was an adjunct professor for the computer and electrical engineering department at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. During his career he developed and presented workshops related to noise and vibration control, and consulted with companies to reduce noise and vibration to improve acoustics. He holds membership and has held offices in many scientific and professional societies.

Dr Hickman and his family moved to Hoover in 1972. He was on the original Hoover Board of Education while living in Hoover. After retirement from TTU, he and his wife, Joyce, moved back to Hoover to share life with family. Since Doc’s retirement he stayed active traveling with different family members. He blessed us with trips to all 50 states. Numerous snow skiing trips. Trips to Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Alaska, and Ireland.

Dr Hickman leaves behind wife, Joyce Hickman, of 66 years marriage and two daughters, Charlene McNeill, and Kristen Hardy (husband Mac Hardy) . Grandchildren are Brock Hardy (wife Emily Hardy), Campbell Hardy (wife Lexi Hardy), Lindsey Claire Douthit (husband Elton Douthit), Heath McNeill, and Luke McNeill. Great grandchildren are Rhett McGraw Hardy, and Mary Helen Douthit. Doc is predeceased by Mac McNeill, husband of Charlene McNeill.

There will be no funeral for Dr Charles Hickman. His wishes, as stated in his will, were to have his body cremated and then to have a party at Charlene’s house. On June 17, 2023 we celebrated Doc’s life with lots of food and fellowship. At the end of the evening we had a final Jack Daniels whiskey toast in his honor. In lieu of flowers the family wishes for donations be made to:

Charles E Hickman Engineering Scholarship Endowment at TTU
University Advancement Box 5111
Cookeville, TN 38505-0001

Betty Jo McIntosh Allen, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 28, 2023, after a long battle with dementia. She was born to Joseph and Kathryn McIntosh on December 13, 1926. A lifelong resident of Birmingham. Betty Jo graduated from Phillips HS, attended Judson College for two years, and received her BA in sociology from the University of Alabama where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. After raising her daughters, she began working at Southern Co. Services in 1970 until her retirement in 1985. In 1986 she changed careers to Customer Service at the Riverchase Galleria and retired again in 2004. Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood was her church home where she was a member and attended with her family for many years. Later Betty Jo attended Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover with her daughter Becky and family. Known for her sweet disposition and gentle nature, Betty Jo was a wonderful listener and was always eager to help anyone in need. At the age of ninety years old, she helped take care of her great grand children, Beckham and Gabriel upon their births. She was most at home in the kitchen helping to prepare food for the household or sitting with a “kitty cat” in her lap.

Betty Jo will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life, not the sadness of her passing. Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her dear friend of thirty years, Mr. Clay Smith, and great grandson Aaron Pierce. She is survived by her daughters Becky Goldman (David) and Marie Comer, sister Kathryn McIntosh Newell, grandchildren Brett Lovell, Ryan Skellie, Amy Mynatt (Kevin), and Emily Kouzeli, six great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

A celebration of life service will be held in the Garden Cafe at the Botanical Gardens (2612 Lane Park Rd., Mountain Brook 35223) on June 21, 2023, at 11:00 AM.

All who knew her are aware of the fact that Betty Jo was extremely fond of any and all cats for her entire life and raised countless numbers of them. Therefore, we find it fitting that in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Kitty Haven and Rescue (kittykathavenrescue.org) in her honor. That would have made her very happy.

Click here to link to her AL.COM Obituary.

We are sorry to inform you that Frank “Jay” C. Dorrance Jr., age 92, of Pelham, Alabama passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023.

A visitation for Jay will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, Alabama 35124, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

Jay will be laid to rest in Southern Heritage Cemetery, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124-1370.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.southernheritagefunerals.com for the Dorrance family.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of the sudden passing of Dennis Swann on Thursday May 25, 2023.

A visitation for Dennis will be held Friday, June 9, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, AL 35901, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM.

Please keep Betty and the Swann family in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of this incredible individual. Your love and support will be greatly appreciated during this challenging time.

Kinegman Cody Shelburne, Jr., 82, of Homewood, Alabama, died peacefully at home Saturday, April 29, 2023. He was a devoted husband for 55 years to Cathy Shelburne, who he leaves behind. Kingman is also survived by a son, Kingman Cody Shelburne III (Colleen) of Marietta, GA, a daughter, Elizabeth Shelburne Storr (Kevin) of Birmingham, and two granddaughters, Avelina Rose Storr (15) and Mary Catherine Shelburne (13), and a brother, John Shelburne (Rhonda) of Lynn Haven, Florida. Additionally, he was an uncle to five nephews and two nieces. He will be remembered as a generous community member and a friend to many people.

Kingman was born in Birmingham and graduated from Ramsey High School where he was a standout football player and ran track. He continued his football career when he attended Virginia Military Institute. Kingman served in Alabama’s Air National Guard and was employed in Birmingham by Southern Company Services. He was an active member of the Shades Valley Optimist Club and managed their Christmas tree sales for many years. He also served as chairman of the Homewood Parks and Recreation Board and enjoyed volunteering as a soccer coach. He served as assistant coach for the John Carroll girls varsity soccer team when they won the 5A state championship in 2000.

Kingman was preceded in death by his parents, Kingman and Mary Shelburne, and his sisters, Jessie Shelburne Ward, and Frances “Suzie” Shelburne. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood.

The Mass of Christian Burial will commence at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, May 8, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church immediately followed by the Rite of Committal Service in the church’s columbarium. Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209.

Click Here to link to the AL.COM obituary.