Category Archives: Recent Posts

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Jack Faulkner

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Jack grew up in West End and graduated from West End High School a year early. Following graduation he attended Birmingham Southern College where he played football for one year until he received his “greeting card” from the U.S. government. He then served in the Army as a rifle instructor until the end of the Korean War. Upon discharge, we went on to the University of Alabama where he studied electrical engineering and graduated with honors. After graduation he worked for Southern Company Services for the entirety of his career. He retired in 1986 as Distribution Manager. In his retirement, Jack was an an avid stock market and investor and follower. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Alabama #644 for 65 years. He married Marie Davis in 1966 and they welcomed their daughter in 1967. Jack is predeceased by his parents Jake K. and Clara Mae Faulkner. He is survived by his wife, Marie, his daughter Melanie Bemel, and granddaughter Madeleine Bemel.

Richard Colby

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Mr. Richard Colby Jr., 70, of Trussville passed away on June 30, 2018. Richard retired as Senior Electrical Designer from Alabama Power and Southern Company Services after 40 years of service. He was a devoted member of Springville First United Methodist Church, served in the Air National Guard and Army Reserve, and most importantly, was a loving husband, father, and “B.” He is survived by his wife, Barbara S. Colby; sons, Gregory R. (Gina) and Michael R.; grandchildren, Madison, Haley, Sarah, Ella, and Hudson; brother-in-law, Robert H. Sykes Jr. (Joyce); and numerous loving cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard W. Colby Sr. and Janie V. Colby; and sister, Janie R.

A visitation and funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Springville First United Methodist Church. Interment was at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East in Trussville. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the Springville First United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Published in The Birmingham News on July 4, 2018

Greg Mann

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GREGORY ALAN MANN, 63, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Birmingham on June 7, 1955 to Elizabeth and William H. Mann, Jr., Greg was the second oldest of five children. He spent his early years in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Tullahoma, Tennessee before the family settled in Huntsville, AL. He graduated from Butler High School in 1973, where he was active in sports including wrestling and swimming. Following in the footsteps of his father, he attended The University of Alabama, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Beginning work as a co-op while in college, Greg devoted his career of over 40 years as a licensed professional engineer with Southern Company. Over the course of his career, he contributed to the power generation group by specializing in pumps and wind turbines.

In 1978 he married Vivian Friedrich and they had two sons – Michael and Kevin – in Birmingham, AL where they called home. With an adoration of the outdoors, Greg was active in a hiking and kayaking group. He was a loyal fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and enjoyed attending games with his family. Greg is survived by his father, William H. Mann, Jr., two children, Michael (Elizabeth) and Kevin Mann, two grandchildren, Jack and Ann August Mann, siblings Brian Mann, Mary (Jim) McAlpin, Paul (Susi) Mann, and Cary (Karla) Mann, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is forever grateful for the liver anonymously donated as well as the kidney generously donated by his brother, Paul Mann, which added many quality years to his life. The Mann family motto is “per ardua stabilis”, which loosely means “firm in adversity”, or “steadfast through troubles”. Despite Greg’s health adversity over the years, he persevered to continue working and living life to the fullest. Greg’s mother had instilled upon him a love for Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church. On the afternoon of September 1, which would have been her 85th birthday, Greg reunited again with his mother in heaven. A remembrance and celebration of the life of Gregory Alan Mann was held on Thursday, September 6 at 10:30 AM in a family graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute.

Tuesday Sept. 11, 2018 Meeting

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On Tuesday September 11 at 1:00 p.m., we meet again at the Energy Center, the new SCS/SNC offices at the Colonnade. Address is 3535 Colonnade Parkway, Birmingham AL 335242. We are meeting in North Tower, 6th floor, Room 600.  Note: Due to the unavailability of our meeting room, this meeting will be held on Tuesday rather than our normal Monday meeting day.

Please allow ample time to find parking and sign in at the North Tower. The cafeteria is NOT yet open, so you may wish to eat at the nearby restaurants of the Colonnade. The Alabama Power Company (APCO) Credit Union HAS relocated to the first floor of the North Tower.

Our program will feature George Marling, Senior Consultant in Southern Company Benefits. We are delighted to have George back with us to provide a high-level overview of the benefits program and take questions from the audience. This talk is customary before we sign up for benefits this fall and is a great way to have face-to-face discussion of any changes.

George Marling currently works in Southern Company Benefits as a Sr. Consultant. Marling joined Southern Company in 2000 as a recruiter for Southern Company Generation and Alabama Power. In 2001, he assumed the role of HR Business Consultant for Engineering and Constructions Services. In 2005, he assumed the same role supporting Competitive Generation, Southern Power and Generation Finance.

Marling earned a bachelor’s degree from Atlanta Christian College in Human Resource Management. Originally from Eaton, Ohio, George and his wife Brandi currently live in Calera, Alabama. They have 5 children Drew, Hannah, Olivia, Ben and Maggie. George enjoys hunting and fishing and college sports.

As our meeting falls on the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, our Lifestyle Segment kicking off the meeting is a timely talk on the personal experiences on that fateful day by Luella Brown, retired CIO Coastal Region of Southern Company. She is an ordained minister and currently serves as the Assistant Pastor at Joy of Faith Christian Ministries in Atlanta. Luella’s son was in the military in the Pentagon when the attacks occurred. Her story of the many events around that cataclysmic day is compelling and inspirational.

She is the retired Chief Information Officer for the Coastal Region of Southern Company, which was comprised of Gulf & Mississippi Power and Southern Company Services. She’s held various leadership positions in Information Technology at Southern Company Services with 39 year of service.

She holds a BA degree from Mercer University in Organizational Leadership. She is a recipient of the Turknett Leadership Award for Executive Management, The Inclusive Workplace Award and the Women of Color All Star Award for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

She is and ordained minister and currently serves as the Assistant Pastor at Joy of Faith Christian Ministries, where she oversees the Women and Praise Ministries. She also serves in the Christian Counseling ministry at Joy Of Faith

She is married to Marvin Brown and they are the proud parents of 4 children and 9 grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching college sports and teaching on the End Times.

This should be a very informative meeting.  Hope to see you there!