The family of Lewis “Buster” W. Williams, Jr of Birmingham, AL is saddened to announce his passing on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret M. Williams, his parents, Margaret G. Williams and Lewis W. Williams, his brother, Abbott “Shorty” Williams, and his daughter-in-law, Melanie Dorough Williams. He is survived by his daughter Libby Williams Carlton (Joe), Sylacauga, AL, his son Buddy Williams (Jenny), Columbiana, AL, his son David Williams, Huntsville, AL, his daughter Susan Williams, Birmingham, AL, his grandchildren Joey, Leslie, Bill, Mike, Emily, Robert, Alan, Mark, Patrick, his eleven great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Lewis was born April 16, 1927 in Birmingham, AL. A lifelong resident of Birmingham, he graduated from Shades Cahaba High School where he played football. He and his brother enjoyed many adventures growing up in Birmingham. Lewis joined the Navy after graduating high school and served in World War II. After serving, he returned to Birmingham and attended Birmingham Southern where he met his wife, Margaret Mathews. Lewis transferred to Georgia Tech to pursue an engineering degree. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity, Pi Tau Sigma mechanical engineering honor fraternity, Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering. He graduated with honors with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950.

After graduating, he accepted a job with Southern Company. He served in various engineering capacities, including being named Head of Nuclear Jobs in 1968. He was responsible for coordinating design and construction plans for plants such as Hatch Nuclear Power Plant near Baxley, GA. Continue reading →

Jimmy W. “Smitty” Smith, age 87, passed away on January 12, 2021. He was retired from Alabama Power Company after 43 years of service. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Smith. He is survived by his sons, Alan Smith (Kathleen) and Steve Smith (Kelly); his grandchildren, Corey Smith and Summer Smith; and great-grandchildren, Autumn Smith and Brooklyn Smith; sister, Emogene Claybrooks. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 1pm at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Judy Benson Sanford, age 77, of Pelham, AL passed away on January 11, 2021. She was born to Commodore and Era Benson on April 21, 1943 in Jemison, AL. Judy graduated from Jemison High School in 1962, and worked for Southern Company for many years.

She enjoyed cooking, crafts, spending time with family, and dedicated her time to many school activities with Andrew while growing up.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Commodore and Era Benson. Judy leaves behind her loving husband of 44 years, Thomas Sanford; son Andrew Neil Sanford, and brother Jerry Benson (Sara).

Visitation will be Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 with a chapel service to follow at Southern Heritage Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Riverchase United Methodist Church, 1953 Old Montgomery Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35244, or Rocky Mountain United Methodist Church, 14731 Co Rd 51 Jemison, AL 35085.

Henry Bascom Garrett, Jr., lifelong Birmingham resident, devoted husband, skilled engineer, avid bird watcher and gifted vocalist, passed away on December 28, 2020. He was 95. Left to mourn his passing is Ann Garrett, his wife of 71 years. Preceding him in death are his brother, William Walton Garrett, and sister, Mary Louise Sprouse.

Born April 11, 1925, to Bascom and Josephine Garrett, he attended Phillips High School and was an Eagle Scout. He enrolled in Auburn University in 1943 before being drafted into the service that same year. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war he attended Birmingham Southern College where he sang in the college choir. He transferred to Auburn where he joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Most notably, it was at Auburn that he met his bride, Aurora Ann Sharp. Henry and Ann married in the Auburn Methodist Parsonage in December, 1949. The couple moved to Birmingham following Henry’s graduation.

After a stint in the family poultry business, Henry went on to work at Continental Gin and then Chicago Bridge & Iron Company. He later joined Rust Engineering as a Design and Project Engineer, overseeing the installation of manufacturing facilities across the United States and the UK. He later worked as Principal Engineer at Southern Company Services. After retirement, he spent his days working puzzles, traveling, and watching the birds at his feeders. Continue reading →

Bradley McCurry, age 59 of Pelham, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Bradley attended Gardendale High School and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from UAB; he was a Mensa member and retired from The Southern Company after 39 years of service. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorene Robbins Stewart; he is survived by his partner of 20 years, Adam Plier; sister, Layne Reid (Terry); Lifelong Friend, Susan Mayfield (Randy); nephew, Adam Reid (Laura); niece Meredith Reid; great-nephews, Josiah and Judah Reid. On Friday, December 18, 2020, Graveside service will be held at Southern Heritage Cemetery beginning at 10 AM with Father Bryan Jerabek officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations are made to a charity of your choice in Bradley’s memory.