Rhonda Cook

Rhonda Horne Cook, age 60 of Birmingham, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019. She was born to the late Johnie and Lucille Horne on October 20, 1958. She was a graduate of Auburn University and received the first Computer Engineering degree granted by Auburn. She was a member of 100+ Women Strong and an avid Auburn Fan. Rhonda retired from Southern Company after 31 years of service and was an active member of Robertsdale Church of the Nazarene. Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents Johnie & Lucille Horne, grandparents John William and Mary M. Horne, James Robert and Priesley S. Bailey, sister in law Ginger S. Cook and a host of aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband Eldridge Cook, brother Ron (Janice) Horne, brother in law M. Paul Cook, niece Bethany (Chris) Miree, nephew David (Kim) Whaley, great nieces Lucy Miree and Madelyn Whaley and great nephews Christian and Grayson Whaley also a host of cousins.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 10, 2019 beginning at 9 am with the funeral service following at 10 am at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood. Burial will follow at 2:30 pm at Garden Hill Cemetery in Opelika.

January 14, 2019 Meeting

Our next meeting will be on Monday January 14, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. at the new Southern Company Services/Southern Nuclear offices at the Colonnade in Birmingham.

Our Keynote Speaker will be the 4-term Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Walt Maddox. Mayor Maddox was in office during the April 27, 2011 tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa. He was named Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County for his strong, decisive and comforting leadership. Walt Maddox was the Democratic 2018 Alabama gubernatorial candidate. He has worked to support data-driven economic development efforts, and to promote education. While completing degrees at UAB, Mayor Maddox was a four-year letter-winner on the football team. For more information on Mayor Maddox, link to following website for more information: https://www.tuscaloosa.com/government/mayor

Our Retiree Lifestyle Segment kicking off the meeting is an overview of the new Birmingham Iron professional football team, which begins their season February 10. By the time of our January meeting, the college football champions will have been decided and Super Bowl fever will be under way. Don’t despair, football fans will now be able to continue the mania into the spring, as Birmingham Iron kicks off its inaugural game Feb. 10 at Legion Field against the Memphis Express. Birmingham is one of eight franchises in the Alliance of American Football. Birmingham’s roster includes former Alabama players Blake Sims and Trent Richardson and Chris Davis, Auburn’s Kick Six hero and a Birmingham native. See website https://aaf.com/birmingham-iron/ for more information.

MEETING DETAILS:

Date: Monday January 14, 2019
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm Central
Place: Southern Company Energy Center, 3535 Colonnade Parkway, Birmingham AL 35243
Room: North Tower 6th floor, Room 600 (requires escort to/from room)

Program:
Retiree Lifestyle Speaker- The Birmingham Iron Football Overview
Keynote Speaker- Tuscaloosa’s Mayor Walt Maddox

Please allow ample time to find parking in deck and sign in at the North Tower. Security procedures require that we are escorted up to and from the meeting room, so allow time to gather in North Tower lobby and be escorted up to conference room 600 in groups. Please plan to eat before you arrive (there are many restaurants in the Colonnade) because due to security procedures changes you would need an active employee to personally escort you to eat at the cafeteria in the South Tower, which we are not set up to do at this time. The APCO Credit Union office is accessible on the first floor of the North Tower.

 

Judy Reagan

Judy Margaret McCleney Reagan, age 65 of Gardendale, AL was born January 16, 1953 and went to be with her Lord on Saturday, December 8, 2018. She was a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend who was very much loved and will be greatly missed. She was a faithful member of Gardendale’s Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church and was retired from Southern Companies with 42 years of service. She enjoyed reading books, trips to the beach with family and friends, watching TV, especially football games with her son Jonathan, and playing games. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, being a mother, and worshiping her God and Savior. Judy always lived life to the fullest and always strived to be the greatest mother, sister, and friend anyone could ever want. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Michael Reagan whom she married in 1972; her parents, James S. and Louise M. McCleney. Judy is survived by her son, Jonathan Reagan of Gardendale; two sisters, Pat Thomas (Don Thomas) and Carolyn Gregory; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 12th at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel from 6 to 8 PM followed by Chapel services on Thursday, December 13th at 11 AM. Interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Gardens.

EarthBorn Pottery Tour Oct. 15, 2018

Monday, October 15 at 10:00 am is the date for a tour/fellowship at the famous EarthBorn Pottery http://earthbornpottery.net/  in Leeds for SCS/SNC Retirees and their guests.

Attendees should meet at 10:00 am at the Earthborn Pottery facility at 7575 Parkway Drive, Leeds, AL (see directions at bottom of this email or on Earthborn website).

The tour will last approximately 45 minutes.   The tour is free and does not require reservations. However, for planning purposes please email Amy Houston at [email protected] if you do plan to attend .  Several retirees have expressed the desire to gather for lunch on your own dime afterwards at one of several nearby restaurants.

Earthborn Pottery’s owner Tena Payne creates distinctive handcrafted pottery prized by high-end restaurants and retailers nationwide.  Tena, a former Homewood High school student, creates unique pieces that are made for long-lasting beauty.   The tour includes the production area, the onsite store where pottery can be purchased, and the studios for lessons and space to create your own works.

As you may know, Earthborn’s client Chris Hastings, chef at Hot and Hot Fish Club, challenged Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America on the Food Network.  Chef Hastings commissioned Earthborn Studios to create a custom line of Iron Chef plates for his featured dishes on the show.  Hastings credits Earthborn dishes as helping him win points for presentation that ultimately led to his win in the tight contest.  You can see links to videos and articles in the press stories on the Earthborn Pottery website.

Directions

From Birmingham: Take I-20 East to exit 140 (Leeds).  Turn right.  Pass through 3 traffic lights.  We are located on the right next to Lainey’s Restaurant and across from the CVS.

From Atlanta: Take I-20 West to exit 140 (Leeds).  Turn left.  Pass through 3 traffic lights.  We are located on the right next to Lainey’s Restaurant and across from the CVS.

From South Birmingham/280: Take 119 towards Leeds.  Turn left at Parkway Drive (a Sonic drive-thru will be on your right).  Cross the bridge and we are on the left just past Laney’s Restaurant.

Earthborn Pottery
7575 Parkway Drive
Leeds, AL 35094
205-702-7055