John Bernard (JB) Smith, Jr. passed away on February 23, 2021 at his residence in Collinsville, MS. A visitation was held on Monday, March 01, 2021 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, Tuscaloosa, AL. A graveside service immediately followed at Memory Hill Gardens -Garden of Devotion- with Dr. Dan Lanier officiating.

John B. Smith, Jr. was born on August 2, 1950 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He grew up in the Coaling community and graduated from Brookwood High School in 1968. J.B. attended the University of Alabama earning a degree in Civil Engineering. He had an amazing career as an employee of Southern Company Services in Birmingham, Alabama, for 39 years.

On December 22, 1972, J.B. married the love of his life Wanda Phillips of Cottondale, Alabama. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary this past year. J.B. was the father of Shana Leigh and Jason Andrew Smith. Following the Godly example of their parents, Shana married her true love, Johnny Mack Jones, and Jason married his soulmate, Kimberly Ann Trayal. J.B. was blessed with 8 grandchildren who lovingly called him Pops: Avery McKay (17), Johnny Mack, Jr. (13), Micah Mae (9), Fielder McDaniel (7), Carson Andrew (15), Casen Luke (7), Collins Grace (4), and Crew Locklin (2). J.B. is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Karen Phillips Chandler (Tony) and Kay Ivy Phillips. He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Jimmy Roberts and Billy Phillips. J.B. was a lifelong outdoorsman.

He loved hunting, fishing, camping, and especially the sport of baseball. Coaching his son Jason through the years, he made a tremendous impact on many ball players in the Alabaster Sports League. He loved Alabama football, West Lauderdale Baseball, and was extremely passionate about anything involving his precious grandchildren.

A highlight of J.B’s life was ministering to the Mayan village of Chan Chen, Mexico, where he served through construction, sports programs, VBS, and door to door outreach. Pops always displayed integrity with a generous, caring, and compassionate spirit. J.B will be remembered, most importantly, for his living example of the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ronald N. Ballard was born on October 28, 1943 and passed away on January 17, 2021. He was cared for by Ridout’s Trussville Chapel.

William T. “Bill” Echols Sr. (91) went to be with Jesus on February 20, 2021. He was with his wife of 68 years at the time of his passing. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Bill Jr. (2009). He is survived by his wife, Eloise, children, Greg (Valerie), Mike (Rita), Karen (Jimmy), Andy (June), Sharon (Danny), David (Denise), numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He retired from Southern Company in 1986. A memorial service was held at Jefferson Memorial on Thursday, February 25th. Visitation from 11AM-12PM, service at 12 with burial at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville.

EDITED by Cary Campbell, 3/2/2021:

Robert Ray Richwine Jr., 77, of Birmingham, AL, passed away January 6, 2021. He was born in Birmingham on November 23, 1943. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021 at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL. “Bob” graduated from Banks High School and achieved his undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama. He was married to Judy T. Richwine on May 16, 1987.

Bob worked in the Production Services Department at SCS for many years and was known as the “RAM” man due to his relentless promotion of Reliability and Availability Management in Southern Company power plants.  He was a very cheerful person and loved to read. He was also a passionate competitor in tennis and poker, challenging family and friends to frequent matches.

Preceding Bob in death were his father, Robert Richwine Sr.; his mother, Sarah Richwine; one brother, David Richwine; two sons, Michael Richwine and David Richwine; and a sister-in-law, Anne Richwine. Survivors include Bob’s wife, Judy Little Richwine; brother, Don Richwine; sister, Bonnie Simmons (Jim); daughter, Anna-Raye Vick (Don); son, Daniel Richwine (Donna); step-daughter, Monica Ward (Mark); stepsons, Miles Little (Maggie) and Grant Little (Celeste); 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, make memorial gifts to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Sara “Jean” Shaw passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Brookwood Hospital on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 at the age of 84. She is survived by her brother Cecil Allen “Jerry” Turnipseed (Nikki), two sons Steven Doyle Shaw (Jamelle) and Stanley Gene Shaw (Susan) and her grandson Zachary Stanton Shaw. She was born in Maplesville, AL on April 5, 1936, the eldest of three siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband, E. Doyle Shaw, parents, Walter “Eugene” Turnipseed and Jewel Mitchell Turnipseed, and her brother Joe “Larry” Turnipseed.

She attended Jones Valley High School in Birmingham, and immediately following graduation she joined her husband “Doyle” at the former Schilling Air Force Base in Selina, KS. After Doyle’s military service, the couple moved to Tuscaloosa, AL and Jean worked to support her husband to allow him to graduate from the University of Alabama. The couple then moved to Birmingham and Jean became a homemaker and also worked for many years with Dewberry Engraving Company.

She and Doyle were married for just over 63 years. Jean was an avid golfer and was a member of Chase Lake Country Club and Hoover Country Club and held many leadership positions in Ladies Golf. She was an ardent Bridge player and continued to play later in life. She and her husband Doyle loved to travel and were active members of Bluff Park United Methodist Church. In addition to golf and bridge, Jean and Doyle were very active in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s at Shades Mountain and Hoover’s youth football and baseball programs. They had a significant impact and were a strong influence on many young men’s lives. She continued that influence with her grandson Zac and their relationship remained very close throughout the years.

There will be a graveside service celebrating Jean’s life beginning at 2PM on Sunday February 21st at Union – United Methodist Church, The Church at Chelsea Park and Interment will follow. The service will be led by Mike Holly, Senior Pastor of Bluff Park United Methodist Church under the direction of Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham.