James “Bert” Hamrick, 96, of Fultondale, Alabama, and formerly of Hanceville, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 13, 2025.

A dedicated man of deep faith and loving family, James lived a life defined by service and devotion. He was a lifelong, steadfast member and deacon of Fultondale First Baptist Church, where his greatest joy was doing God’s work and guiding his church family.

James proudly served his community and his profession, retiring after a distinguished career with Alabama Power/Southern Company Services. Outside of his professional life, his passions were simple and true: he loved his family with everything in his heart, and he was a loyal and fervent supporter of anything related to Auburn Athletics—War Eagle!

James was preceded in death by his parents, Clate and Lily Hamrick; his beloved son, James Anthony “Tony” Hamrick; and his siblings, Ray Hamrick, Gladys Waldrep, and Carol Holmes.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Dean Rooks Hamrick; his daughter, Dari Walker (Kirk); his grandchildren, Natalie Bowen (John-Eric), Tony King, Lauren Barnes (Chris), DK Walker (Amanda), and Clayton Hamrick; and his great-grandchildren, Brooks Bowen, Holland Walker, Lane Bowen, and Porter Walker.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Russell Medical and Southern Care New Beacon for their compassionate care and support.

He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, kindness, and unwavering faith that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

A Graveside Service for James was held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Oakwood Memorial Gardens, located at 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, Alabama 35071.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.

David “Neil” Evans passed away the afternoon of November 4, 2025. Born on October 6, 1946 in Birmingham, AL to David Edward Evans and Helen Looney, Neil attended Woodlawn High School, served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, and worked for Southern Company for more than 30 years.

Neil was a dedicated family man. Most weekends he could be found supporting his children in their passions or working on innumerable projects around the house.

Beyond his family and friendships, Neil’s greatest love was music; particularly collecting records. He had a song for every moment. Neil poured that passion into his involvement with the Alabama Record Collector’s Association (ARCA). More often than not, he was on the board of ARCA, planning meetings, picnics, and of course, the annual record show. It was here that Neil was truly in his element.

Neil is survived by his children, Brandon (Anne) Costerison and Ashley (Brittany) Evans; and his granddaughter, Addison. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Neil’s life was celebrated at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel (1500 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, AL 35235) from 6 – 8, November 13, 2025.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.

We are very sad to report that Grady Luster’s son, Paul passed away Friday night. He was an active employee of SO and worked in the electrical design department.

Visitation will be Friday, 11/21, at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home in Hoover, AL at 10 AM with funeral at 11 AM.

JOHN CHARLES THIES, age 96 of Hoover, Alabama passed away on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025. He was born on June 14,1929, in Birmingham, Alabama, where he lived most of his life except for about eight years in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

John was an active member of Lakeside Baptist Church, a past member of Central Park Baptist Church where he served as Church Clerk for ten years, and Valleydale Baptist Church.

He graduated from Ensley High School, attended Birmingham Southern College and was a 1951 Mechanical Engineering graduate from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University). He also completed the Public Utility Executive Course at Georgia Tech in 1969. He was a member of Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honorary Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Fraternity and Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Scholastic Fraternity at Auburn.

John served in the Alabama Army National Guard, then in the U.S. Air Force as an officer during the Korean War, working as project officer on a ramjet engine development for a supersonic inter-continental guided missile at the Wright Air Development Center in Dayton, Ohio, Air Research and Development Command. He received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force.

He was a Registered Professional Engineer in the States of Alabama and Ohio – retired status in recent years. His working career after graduation from college also included U.S. Air Force Civil Service, Birmingham Fabricating Company, U.S. Steel Corporation and Southern Company Services. He was a manager in the Fuel Department of Southern Company Services for many years and retired from Southern Company Services in 1988 after 24 years of service.

For the past two years, John attended weekly meetings of the Anchor Ministry for people living with memory loss due to dementia. He moved from his home in September 2024 to The Bungalows at Riverchase assisted living facility. In September 2025 after hospitalization due to congestive heart failure, he moved to the Galleria Woods skilled nursing facility. After a second hospitalization in late October, he returned to Galleria Woods on hospice, where he passed away, in peace and with his family.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 18, 2025 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama. Funeral services will also be at Ridout’s Southern Heritage on November 18 at 1 p.m. conducted by Dr. Richard Trader. Private interment, Elmwood Cemetery.

For those who desire to do so, the family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Friends Helping Friends Ministry at Lakeside Baptist Church (2865 Old Rocky Ridge Rd., Birmingham, AL 35243), Anchor Community Respite Ministry – Asbury United Methodist Church (6690 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35242), or your favorite charity.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.

Just posted the Nov. – Dec. 2025 newsletter Volume 37 Issue 6.

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