Just posted the Jul. – Aug. 2024 newsletter Volume 36 Issue 4.

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Reese Leon Ponder Jr, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on Wednesday, June 26th.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1941, Reese dedicated much of his life to service and community. He began his career at Hayes Aircraft and later transitioned to the Southern Company, where he remained dedicated until his retirement at the age of 75 after 41 years of service!

Reese was a devoted sports enthusiast, with an unwavering passion for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He spent countless hours cheering on his favorite team and imparting his love for sports to his grandchildren Ben, Mia, Abbie, Sam, and Evan, whom he took great joy in watching play various sports.

In addition to being a spectator, Reese was deeply involved in local sports as an umpire for recreational baseball and softball leagues. His commitment and expertise earned him a well-deserved place in the Central Alabama Softball Association Hall of Fame, where he was honored for his contributions and dedication to the sport he loved.

Beyond his professional and athletic accomplishments, Reese will be remembered for his kindness, his warm smile, and his unwavering support for his family and friends. His legacy of love, integrity, and passion for life will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His love for music was seen in his involvement with the Shades Mountain Baptist Church choir where he and Linda sang and worshiped for over 30 years. Additionally, this love of music took them to see musical greats like The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Keith Urban to name just a few.

Reese is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda, and their two sons Hunter (Erika) of Vestavia Hills and Scott (Alison) of Bluff Park as well as daughters Karen Ponder Messersmith of Alabaster and Rebecca Ponder Mitchell of St. Thomas USVI.

Funeral services will be held at Shades Mountain Baptist Church conference center in Vestavia Hills on July 9, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by the service at 11:00 am. Reese will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all whose lives he touched.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.

Mark Thomas Kuester, 71, of Springville passed away on June 8, 2024. Mark had resided in the Birmingham area since 1955. Mark was a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a successful 40-year career with Southern Company.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Kuester and Manuel Kuester. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Debbie; brother Rick Kuester of Birmingham, sisters Mary (Preston) Willis Of Dothan And Jane (Mark) Golden of Birmingham; numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, caregivers and hospice personnel who helped Mark through the last few years.

Mr. Frank David Brizendine, age 80, of Hoover, Alabama, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Frank was born July 26, 1943, in St. Louis, MO, the son of the late Frank Brizendine and Ruth Irene Anderson. He was a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He later graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) with a master’s degree in engineering. He was retired from Southern Services, a division of Southern Company, Inc. that provided engineering services to Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power and Mississippi Power. Not one to sit idle, following retirement from Southern Services, Frank served for ten years as a teacher’s aide at Deer Valley Elementary School.

For forty-five years, Frank was a devoted preschool Sunday school teacher at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church and Hunter Street Baptist Church. He was also active in many other ministry areas within the church.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, affectionately known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Papaw Frank. He was a man of faith and prayer, and his legacy is one built on love for his family and kindness to others. He will be greatly missed, but his family finds great comfort knowing that he is in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Peggy Burley Brizendine, daughters Traci Hindsman (Todd) and Staci Corbin (Chris), sons David Brizendine (Heather) and Brent Brizendine (Stephanie), ten grandchildren Hunter Hindsman (Taylor), Lindsey Hindsman, Bradley Hindsman (Bailey), Brinley Corbin, Brock Corbin, Bryant Corbin, Delaney Brizendine, Carter Brizendine, Finley Brizendine, and Blakely Brizendine, and six great-grandchildren Joanna Hindsman, Mason Hindsman, Jack Hindsman, Melanie Hindsman, Brooks Hindsman, and Anna Blake Hindsman. Frank is also survived by his sister Jo Daniel and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home Memorial Gardens with Pastor Hunter Hindsman officiating. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Frank’s beloved sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons. The family will receive friends from 10 am to 11 am (the service hour) on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Frank, the family asks that donations be sent to The Baller Dream Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional and financial support to children and young adults battling cancer. Donations can be made here.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.

Gerald Eugene Aultman, 82, of Springville, Alabama, passed on June 2, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents William Thomas and Mattie Belle Aultman; sister Clara McPherson; brother John Aultman; brother James Aultman; brother William Aultman; and grandson, Drew Mitchell.

Gerald graduated from Auburn University on June 2nd 1966 with an Electrical Engineering degree. Most of his career was spent with Southern Company after working for NASA in the late 1960s. He was deeply involved in his church and active in many civic organizations throughout his career. He also touched the lives of many high school students through his ACT prep courses.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Gaye Lee Aultman; sister Marilyn (Judson) Cork; daughter Pam (Brad) Rathje; daughter Debbie (Mike Glaze) Mitchell; son Jerry (Teresa) Aultman; son Tommy (Alice) Mitchell; son, Joe (Sunny) Aultman; daughter Cheri (Mike) Scharbert; grandson Dalton (Lindsey Holler) Reaves; grandson Jeremy Chandler; grandson Weston (Julie) Reaves; Josh (Riana) McLaughlin; granddaughter Treasha Reaves; grandson Brent (Bethany) Mitchell; granddaughter Avery Dellinger; grandson Will Aultman; grandson Gabe Aultman; grandson Conley Dellinger; grandson Kirk Pope; grandson Pierce Aultman; granddaughter Alina (Trey Terry) Mitchell; and great granddaughter Addie Reaves; great grandson Travis Chandler; great grandson AJ Reaves; great granddaughter Lila Reaves; and great granddaughter Nola Reaves; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at Clearbranch Methodist Church in Trussville on Thursday, June 6, with visitation at 10:30 a.m. and service at 11:30 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Homes and Gardens.
If preferred, in lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Dementia Society of America.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.