We are sorry to announce that Ed Williamson passed away on Dec. 24, 2017. Ed was given the gift of life in 1924 – May 17, in Baker, Florida, and on Christmas Eve 2017, he had to give it back. But he was an extraordinary man who led a charmed existence, and for this he was grateful. He decided to be joyful about having had a full life, rather than sad he had to die. His faith in God and love of family helped him accept what he could not change. He died at peace. And on that upbeat note, he took his leave of apartment 91 at Azalea Trace Retirement-Life Community in Pensacola, Florida, our revolving world, our sun, the moon, that weekly breakfast at Waffle House, and the memory of his daughter’s hand in his.

Ed graduated from Baker High School in 1943, and promptly joined the Army Air Corps – all 128 pounds of him. That was his first Pullman car ride. His second Pullman car ride took him to flight school and America’s Flying Fortress, the B-17 – the pivotal event in his life.

America’s G.I. Bill opened the door to further education and a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tennessee (Martin) in 1949, the very year he secured employment with Gulf Power Company in Pensacola. Following a transfer to Birmingham in 1965, Ed experienced a meteoric rise with Southern Company Services (Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, and Mississippi Power) culminating with his appointment as Senior Executive Vice-President. Early retirement in 1988 gave him time to backpack in the Smoky Mountains, ski in Colorado, fly his Piper Comanche, and travel to 29 foreign countries.

Ed authored three books: My Autobiography, Wild Tales of the Blue Yonder, and Essays, Odds and Ends. In his own words: “To my country, to my family, to my business associates, to my service time associates, and to my many other friends and acquaintances, I will be eternally grateful for all the help you gave me – you made it all possible – and enjoyable.”

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Esther; siblings, Roland and Charles, and an infant brother; and his wives, Mary Agnes Jones and Betty Jo Bradley Givens. He is survived by brothers, Jack (Janet) Williamson of Clinton, Utah, and Frank Williamson of Crestview, Florida; and his daughter, Rebecca Ann (Dr. Tino) Ballesteros, Jr., of Celebration, Florida.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home Chapel in Crestview, Florida, on Thursday, 1/4/18, at 11a. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to “Ed Williamson Scholarship Endowment” online through University of Tennessee at Martin www.utm.edu/giving or 731-881-7626.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview. Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

E. Marjorie Beadlescomb passed from her earthly home to the everlasting arms of her maker on December 17, 2017. She is survived by one sister and nieces and nephews. She was a long time member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church. She retired from Alabama Power after 43 years of service. Graveside services at Southern Heritage Cemetery were private.

Bennie R. Williams died at his home in Gardendale, Alabama, on Monday, December 11, 2017. He was 86 years old. Graduating from Mortimer Jordan High School in 1949 with “decent” grades, Bennie was very active with his class, student government, and with baseball and basketball. It was through his love of sports that he met “the prettiest girl” he had ever seen. He married that girl, Mary Evelyn Johnson, and they spent almost 60 years together before her death in 2011. Bennie joined the Navy after the Korean War broke out and, gratefully, he was never deployed to fight. He ended up on the basketball teams at two of his naval bases. He and Mary moved to his assigned bases, living in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Eventually, they would return to the Birmingham area and start a family. He became an electrical engineer and worked for the Southern Company.

Funeral services for Mr. Williams will be Friday, December 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel with visitation on Thursday December 14, 2017 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Bennie, please donate money, goods, or services to someone you know needs help at this time, or to an organization that works with the homeless or families in need.

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Joyce McBride Steele, of Birmingham, was called home by her Savior, Sunday, December 10, 2017, at the age of 86. She was a life-long resident of Birmingham, a 1950 graduate of Ensley High School, retired from Southern Company Services, and a long time member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Joyce was a loving and devoted wife to her husband, Ed, for 54 years, until his death in 2007. In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her 2 brothers, Marvin and Rick McBride. She is survived by her son, Andy Steele (Sue); daughter, Lisa Williams, (Al); 4 grandchildren, Jennifer Rush (Jody), Stuart Williams (Haley), Daniel Steele, and Amy Gonzalez (Danny); 3 great grandchildren, Kate and Emily Williams and Daxton Gonzalez; and a brother, Don McBride. The family will gather for a private celebration of her life, a life that was devoted to serving her Lord Jesus Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church Mercy Ministry or Sav-a-Life Vestavia.

We am sorry to report the passing of Geoff Huddleston this morning. We will send out the arrangements once we find out. Please keep this family in your prayers.