Just posted the Jan. – Feb. 2023 newsletter Volume 35 Issue 1.

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Melinda Jo Uzzell Blackmon, 61, went home to be with Jesus her Lord on Monday, December 19, 2022. She was born on August 6, 1961 and was part of the Baby Boomer Generation. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Randolph Uzzell, Jr; her mother, Martha Taylor White Uzzell; and her sister Jane Uzzell Dowling. She is survived by her husband Kenneth Edwin Blackmon; her brother Thomas Randolph Uzzell, III (Libby); three children, Mary Jo Blackmon Buckley (Gene), David Kenneth Blackmon (Mary Claire), Jonathan Taylor Blackmon (Lindsey); three grandchildren (Lucy, James Rowe, Kate), and many nieces and nephews.

Melinda graduated from Vestavia High School in 1979. In 1983, she graduated from Auburn University with a Computer Engineering degree. In her time at Auburn, she was involved in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a FarmHouse Fraternity little sister. She worked countless hours in the home pouring into her children and for 16 years as a computer teacher at Briarwood Christian School.

In 2011, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Through the sustaining hand of her heavenly Father, she was able to see her three kids graduate from college and get married. She was also able to love on three grandchildren for the last 3 years. During this season her faith was refined like silver in the furnace so that the likeness of Christ became increasingly evident for all who were watching. She chose to cling to Christ, her Hope, and make His good news known to all God brought along her path. During her journey as a patient with cancer, she told countless doctors, nurses, caregivers, friends, and strangers of God’s goodness and the path He made to eternal life through his Son. Even in her last days the phrase “The story is true” rang repeatedly from her lips. It would be her and her family’s greatest joy to know that God used her life and death to draw just one more person to know Christ as their Savior. We know she was received into Heaven with a rich entrance by her Savior and heard the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

A celebration of life will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on December 22 at 2:00 PM, preceded by visitation at 1:00 PM. A private family graveside will be held at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville.

Click here to link to the funeral home website.

Clara Gipson Posey (Pierce) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 25, 2022, at the age of 85. Clara was born March 7th, 1937 in Birmingham, Alabama to the daughter of the late Andrew Gipson and late Ruby Gipson. She is preceded in death by her brother, Bobby Gipson.

She graduated from Jones Valley High School in 1955. Clara retired from Southern Company and was a member of Community Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her first husband Don Pierce; two sons John Pierce and Bart Pierce. Clara is survived by her son Timothy Pierce; grandchildren Ashley Pierce Smith (Steven), Bradley Pierce, Amanda Hartley Partacz (Dustin); great-grandchildren McKenzie Smith, Charlie Smith, and Ryland Partacz.

She is also preceded in death by her second husband Tom Posey. She is survived by her daughters Teresa Posey Capra and Vicki Posey Rogers; grandchildren Thomas Capra, Claire Capra, Emily Creel (Joseph), Jacob Rogers, Sarah Rogers (Baker); and great-grandchild Sutton Rogers.

She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who all loved her like a mother.

Clara enjoyed shopping, spending time with family, and going to church. She was an angel on earth and her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone she met.

The family would also like to thank the Southern Care New Beacon hospice team for their care. We would also like to give a special thank you to Clara’s nieces Gina Stuman, Crystal Rogan, and Suzan Gottier for helping us care for her.

A visitation for Clara will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Johns-Ridout’s Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave Sw, Birmingham, AL 35211, followed by a funeral service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

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

Glenn Eugene “Gene” Lacey Jr., age 74, of Jemison, AL, passed away on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Gene received his formal education in Birmingham Public Schools. He furthered his education at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. Gene was married to Nancy Duncan on February 20, 1993 in Calera, AL. Their union was blessed with 4 children. Gene was a member of United Methodist Church and he proudly served in the United States Navy. Gene worked for Southern Company as a Project Manager and retired after 33 years. In his leisure, he enjoyed attending Auburn football games with family and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his father and mother, Glenn Eugene Lacey, Sr., and Dorothy Smith Lacey; one grandson, Duncan Collins; son-in-law, Jeff Cobb, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Nancy Duncan Lacey; his children, Amanda Lacey Purkey (Kevin), Anna Lacey Keef (Alex), Robyn Avery Cobb, and Angie Avery Mayfield (Shane); grandchildren, Avery Langley, Cole Langley, Bella Collins, Claire Purkey, Libby Cate Collins, Andrew Purkey; one brother, Tim Lacey (Belinda); great-grandchildren, Nolan Langley, Liam Langley and Jack Langley; numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home at 10:00 am on Friday, November 18, 2022, with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Alabama National Cemetery at 1:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Butterfly Bridge; 502 5th Avenue N., Clanton, AL 35045.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.

Just posted the Nov.-Dec. 2022 newsletter Volume 34 Issue 6.

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