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.

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!

Published in The Birmingham News on July 8, 2018

Anthony Joseph Topazi, age 68, passed away at home on July 6, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with ALS. Born in Ensley, Al on June 6, 1950, Anthony is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patsy; sons, Michael Topazi and Chris Topazi (Debbie). Also, four grandchildren – Evelyn (10 yrs), Anthony (8yrs), Mary (6 yrs), and Thomas (3 yrs). His sister Joye McBee (Tom) and brother Gerald Topazi (Shelby).

Anthony graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He began working for Alabama Power Co. in 1969 as a co-op student. This was the beginning of a successful 43 years with Southern Co. He served as President of Mississippi Power Co. from 2004-2010 where he oversaw the extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina. In 2010 he was promoted to C.O.O. of Southern Co. until his retirement in 2012.

A funeral mass was held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover on Wednesday July 11, 2018. There was a private family burial at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville, Al.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses, caregivers and hospice personnel who helped them through the many years of Anthony’s illness. The family requests donations be made to the ALS Association of Alabama at www.alsa.org/goto/teamtopazi2018

Published in The Birmingham News on July 8, 2018

Thomas Henry Kicker, Jr., 84, went to be with his Savior on August 19, 2018. He left this life surrounded by his loving family, which includes his wife of 47 years, Sandra Bloom Kicker; his daughter, Chalice Louise Kicker; his sons, Darryl Allen Kicker, Dennis Ray Kicker, and Jacob Thomas Kicker (Elisabeth). He is also survived by five grandchildren, Allen, Amanda, Jake, Dawson, and Eli; and his brothers, William Burdette Kicker and Michael Bates Kicker. He is preceded in death by one son, Thomas Henry Kicker, III and one sister, Mary Jane Kicker.

Tom was a Korean War Veteran. He retired from Southern Company Services. He was an active member of Gardendale First Baptist Church since 1978. The family wishes to thank Comfort Care for their kindness.

His funeral service was held on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at the New Gardendale Funeral Home with burial at Oakwood Memorial Gardens. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Fund at Gardendale First Baptist Church.