Mr. William Larry Orr of Birmingham, AL passed away on June 18, 2017. He graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School and the University of Alabama. He earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering and went to work at Boeing Aircraft in Huntsville, AL. He later went to work as a Civil Engineer at Southern Company Services in Birmingham, where he worked until his retirement. Mr. Orr was a devoted Christian man and was a member of Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Argo, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. Orr and Beatrice Barnett Orr, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marvin Funderburke and Mary Ellen Cain Funderburke. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia Funderburke Orr, and his three sons Brian Orr (Sherry), Jonathan Orr (Sharon), and David Orr. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Michael Orr and Heather Orr-Talbot (Sean). Other survivors include his sisters, Martha Orr Massey (Edwin) and Rita Orr Bishop; sisters-in-law, Cecelia Funderburke Brown (Micky) and Donna Funderburke McKinley (David) and brother-in-law Nathan Funderburke (Linda). Other family members who mourn his loss include many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his sweet dog, Callie.

Visitation was at Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Argo, AL at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 24, 2017. The funeral service followed at 11:00 am. where Mr. Orr was laid to rest at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East in Trussville, AL following the service. Larry was a kind and loving man who will be greatly missed by loved ones and friends. He was devoted to his family, and we all look forward to the day when we will be reunited in Heaven for eternity.

Published in The Birmingham News on June 23, 201

Lincoln – Memorial Service for Gerald Grainger, age 75, will be held Monday, June 19 at 1:00 p.m. at Pell City First United Methodist Church. Mr. Grainger passed away Friday, June 16, 2017. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Robia Malam. He is survived by his wife, Judy Grainger; daughters, Melissa (Russell) Krautheim, Amy (Harold Sr.) Shader; brother, Mark (Julie) Grainger; sisters, Marilyn White, Teresa (Fred) Fields; grandchildren, Harold Jr, Warren, Sierra, Joshua, Isabelle, Gabrielle. Gerald passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Gerald was a loving and devoted Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather and Uncle. He was a faithful follower of God and was a member of Pell City First United Methodist Church. He was a Navy veteran and served his country well. Gerald was a friend to many and a steward of the community. He loved to travel and spend time with family and friends. We will love and miss him forever. Kilgroe Funeral Home – Pell City will direct the service 2219 2nd Avenue North Pell City, Al, 35125 205-338-3341.

Click here to view and sign his guest book.

We have a very interesting program scheduled for our next meeting on July 10, 2017. The presentation will be made by James Lowery about The Historic Birmingham Mineral Railroad — Past and Present. Here is a summary of the planned presentation:

People drive, walk, and bicycle every day in areas where the historic Birmingham Mineral Railroad (BMRR) ran throughout the Birmingham and surrounding areas without ever being aware that the BMRR was located in those places. Birmingham’s iron industry history is an important part of its overall history, and the BMRR was a significant part of that iron industry history. The network of rail lines that constituted the BMRR and its various branches transported the raw materials from the mines and quarries to the furnaces, coke from the coke ovens to the furnaces, and products from the various facilities to major rail lines that connected to points across the Birmingham area and beyond. In addition to the BMRR’s primary purpose as a Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company industrial railroad, L&N also provided regular passenger service on several of the major BMRR branches.

If the lengths of all 31 branches of the BMRR are added together, the BMRR was 253 miles long, which is the distance from Birmingham to Mobile! If the many sidings and spurs to the mines and facilities are added to that, the length would be well over 300 miles. This was a major railroad!

This presentation will describe the Birmingham Mineral Railroad (BMRR), will show maps and photographs from its steam engine era, will describe where it ran in the Birmingham area and where the former roadbed can still be seen, and will describe the BMRR Signs Project that is installing historic signs showing where the BMRR was located.

MEETING DETAILS:

When: Monday, July 10, 2017
Where: Inverness 42, Room 130
Board meeting: 11 a.m.
Dutch Lunch: 12:00 noon
General Meeting: 1 p.m.

We hope to see you all at the July meeting!

Ollie Lee Cornelius Niemzak, 91, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away May 26, 2017. Lee was born in Birmingham and was the only daughter of the late Oliver Zion and Minnie Lee Cornelius. Lee graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1944. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1950 and was an avid Alabama fan. She later obtained a teaching certificate from Samford University. While she spent most of her years as a loving homemaker, she was also a home agent with the extension service and a teacher in the Birmingham Public School System. She was a dedicated member of Huffman Baptist Church for 62 years. Lee dearly loved her family and cherished the time she spent with them. She was a devoted wife and an inspiration and supportive guide to all her children and grandchildren. She is survived by Anthony Joseph Niemzak her husband of 65 years; her daughter Janice Lee Cotton (James) and her son Michael Anthony Niemzak (Beverly); five grandchildren, Mallory Johnson (Brett), Anthony Niemzak, Tiffany Bencko (Greg), Nicole Grigsby (Tim), and Kathryn Cotton; and three great grandchildren. Lee is predeceased by her son Kenneth Edward Niemzak. Visitation will be from 11:30 – 1:00 on Thursday, June 1 at Ridouts Trussville Chapel. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 in the chapel with internment immediately after at Jefferson Memorial Trussville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to OneSky for all Children at www.onesky.org or mailed to OneSky, 715 Hearst Avenue Suite 200, Berkeley, CA 94710. Everyone that knew her will miss her and value the loving influence she had on their lives.

Published in The Birmingham News on May 31, 2017

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The Spring 2017 Luncheon was held at the Pelham AL Civic Center on May 10, 2017.  We were honored to have Kim Green, Southern Company Chief Operating Officer as our speaker.  After an excellent meal of Greek-style baked chicken, Kim gave us an update on current Southern Company projects including Vogtle 3 &4, Kemper County and Southern Company Gas as well as answering many questions from the audience.  There were over 200 people in attendance.  Here are some more pictures: