Monroe Jarman Landrum Jr. (April 14, 1958 – June 17, 2022) was a caring husband, father, brother, and friend. He passed away on June 17th surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Monroe Sr. and Mary Landrum in Clinton, Mississippi and went to the University of Alabama where he met the love of his life, Joan. After graduating, he started his 41 year long career with Southern Company. A resident of Hoover, AL, Monroe served as a deacon at Hunter Street Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Monroe Sr. and Mary, and survived by his wife, Joan, his two daughters, Elizabeth (Justin) Tillman and Rebecca (Matt) Henderson, brother, Michael, and many cousins.

He will be honored at Hunter Street Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 21st , with visitation starting at 10am followed by a service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hunter Street Baptist Church to be sent to Forward in Faith Ranch.

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Mary Sue Maples Thornburgh died, following a brief illness, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Born March 11, 1940, she was preceded in death by her parents, John and Susie Maples of Birmingham, Montgomery and Maplesville, Alabama. A resident of Liberty Park at the time of her passing, Mrs. Thornburgh was a lifelong resident of the Birmingham area and a graduate of the Birmingham and Vestavia School systems. On May 2, 1962, Mary Sue graduated summa cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College, and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa. She then married J. Donald (Don) Thornburgh shortly after her graduation. The couple was married for 60 years.

Mary Sue and Don raised two sons, John Winston (Joanie Connell) and James Donald Thornburgh Jr. (Chu Kim), who are both practicing attorneys in California. Three granddaughters, Elizabeth Thorell and Riley and Kaylee Thornburgh of California were the joys of her life. Mary Sue and Don enjoyed travel, and were long-time members of Independent Presbyterian Church. She was loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 12th of June 2022, at Independent Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 3100 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35205. Graveside services will commence at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 13th of June, at Alabama National Cemetery located in Montevallo, Alabama.

In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Mary Sue’s name be directed to the scholarship program at Birmingham-Southern College located at 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35254 or by visiting their website at https://www.bsc.edu

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.  Click here to view the funeral home website.

Sylvester S. Varagona, 90, of Homewood passed away May 11, 2022. He was born in Birmingham on March 12, 1932. He graduated from John Carroll High School in 1950 and from Auburn University in 1957 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Southern Company for his entire career doing engineering work on hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. He loved to learn and took classes for enjoyment in his retirement. It seemed like he could solve every problem, fix every broken machine, and build anything anyone needed. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed growing vegetables in his garden.

Most importantly, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family. He was a patient and tireless example of love and kindness for all of us. While we will all miss him greatly, we are comforted in knowing that he is in a better place and that his love and example will continue to inspire us throughout our lives.

He was preceded in death by his parents Michaelangelo and Theresa Acquisto Varagona and his sisters Mary Grace Varagona and Frances Mobarak. He is survived by his wife Mary Frances Varagona; children Michael (Janet) Varagona, Julie (Greg) Karstens, Donna (John) Lossie, and Rena Varagona; grandchildren Matt (Mary Grace) Varagona, Scott Varagona, Kyler (Gianmarco Fifi) Karstens, Kim (Chris) Washington, and Brennan Karstens; great-grandchildren Michael Varagona, Angelina Varagona, Nadia Washington, and another great grandchild on the way; and sister Martha Musso.

He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. A private graveside service was be held at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity.

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

Raymond Lee Vice, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022, at his home in Calera, Alabama. He was born on October 17, 1951, to Dorothy Lee and W.M. Raymond Vice. He is survived by his wife, Janet Ducksworth Vice, and his daughter, Jennifer Vice Fricker (Colin John Fricker).

Raymond Vice grew through the engineer ranks over his 38 years at Southern Company in Birmingham. Raymond started as a junior engineer at the Barry and Miller Steam Plants, rising to superintendent of the engineering group. He spent 20 years as the Manager of Operations Analysis and Planning. Raymond retired from Southern Company in 2012.

Raymond was a highly respected engineer at Southern Company. He was a leader on the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) Resources Subcommittee. The Resources Subcommittee is responsible for rules on the reliable operation of electric generators in North America. Raymond led the development of performance policies and standards for the power grid that help the lights on across the continent. Raymond loved traveling and fiddling with computers. After retiring, he taught many senior citizens basic computer skills.

A funeral service for Mr. Vice will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home was held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11:00 am with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. A graveside service followed at 3:30 pm at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Gallion, Alabama.

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Joyce Ehrensperger, age 87 of Trussville, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, after a short illness. She was born on April 30, 1935, in Fayette County, Georgia, and grew up in East Point, Georgia. She met her husband, Fred, on February 23, 1952, on a blind date while he was living in Atlanta attending Georgia Tech. They were married in 1953 and moved to his home town of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1960. They have resided in Trussville for the past 20 years.

Anyone who knew Joyce knew that she loved her family and the color purple — any shade of the color purple. She was a card sender; any birthday, anniversary, any occasion, she sent a card, usually with a personal note added. She also loved her gardenia bushes and shared the beautiful blooms with her friends. There are quite a few people who have gardenia bushes that Joyce rooted for them from her plants.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents, William and Christine Payne; brother, Roy Payne; and grandson, Steven Ehrensperger. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 68 years, Fred Ehrensperger, and their children, David (Cheryl) Ehrensperger and Karen (Robbie) Benton; grandchildren, Kristi Ehrensperger (David) Gellings, Ryan Benton, and Kevin (Elyse) Benton; great granddaughters, Madelyn, Ella, and Olivia Benton; sister, Jeri (Carl) Moore; sister-in-law, Ann Payne; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 12, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville. Services will be held Friday, May 13, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 6704 Deerfoot Parkway, Clay, Alabama.The Rev. Keith Cook, The Rev. Frank C. Wise, Jr., and The Rev. Dr. Chris Jones officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

I’m sure this is a devastating loss to our long time treasurer and good friend Fred Ehrenspereger.  Click here to link to the funeral home website and leave a note to the family.