Ruben Douglas Smith, lovingly known as “Doug” by his grandchildren, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the age of 79.

Doug was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He cherished his family above all, especially his beloved wife, Linda Franklin Smith, who preceded him in death. His greatest joy came from spending time with his five granddaughters Callie, Sofia, Maci, Miley, and Zoie — who will deeply miss their Doug.

A U.S. Army veteran, Doug served his country during the Vietnam War. He later retired from Southern Company, where he was known for his dedication and work ethic. Doug was an avid reader of Louis L’Amour novels and had a passion for rebuilding cars. However, nothing compared to the time he spent making memories with his granddaughters.

He was also preceded in death by his father, Ruben “Buddy” Smith, his mother, Polly Smith and brother, Robert Dewey Smith.

Doug is survived by his three sons: Christopher Douglas Smith, Kenneth Jeffrey Smith (Allison), and Jonathan Brett Smith (Sarah); two sisters: Sue Steelmon (Kenneth) and Teresa Ingle (Jerry); and his cherished granddaughters: Callie, Sofia, Maci, Miley, and Zoie.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025, at Cullman City Cemetery, with Wayne Terry officiating.

Doug will be remembered for his generous heart, quiet strength, and deep love for his family. His legacy lives on in the lives of those he touched.

Moss Service Funeral Home Directing.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.

The next retiree meeting is coming up soon!

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Location: Colonnade Energy Center Auditorium
3535 Colonnade Parkway
Birmingham, Alabama 35242

Time:
11:00 a.m. to 12 Noon – Board Meeting
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – General Meeting
2:00 p.m. – Door Prizes and Adjourn

Speakers:
Michele Stewart – Retirement Analyst
Jane Lewis – Alabama Power Energizers Travel

Michele Stewart is a Retirement Analyst from the Retirement and Financial Group and will be discussing retirement benefits.

Jane Lewis is the Director for the Alabama Power Energizers Travel. She is responsible for identifying, coordinating, and scheduling travel opportunities for the retirees. SCS/SNC Retirees can participate in any of the travel opportunities available through the Energizer Travel.

Hope to see you there!

Each year our organization makes donations to three charities during our November Holiday Luncheon.  The charities are selected from the nominations we receive from our retirees. It’s that time of year again!

FYI, last year’s recipients were:
Hope-Filled Rooms
National Veterans’ Foundation
Ethan’s Heart

If you would like to nominate an organization for 2025, please click on this linked form and submit it via e-mail or by USPS no later than October 1, 2025 to:

Charlotte Graham
2521 Magnolia Place
Birmingham, AL 35242
dricharlo@gmail.com

Just posted the Sep. – Oct. 2025 newsletter Volume 37 Issue 5.

Click here to view the latest list of newsletters.

Greg Clyburn passed away on the afternoon of July 25, 2025, at the age of 78.

Although he lived in a beautiful home in Pelham, Alabama, for the last 42 years, Greg held immense pride in being a born-and-raised New Orleanian. The time he spent growing up in New Orleans in his family’s home on Piety Drive, going on fishing trips with his father, and eating his mother’s cooking left an indelible imprint on the person Greg became. He enjoyed nothing more than singing the city’s praises and regaling anyone who would listen with an exhaustive knowledge of the city’s streets, stores, restaurants, and bowling alleys that “ain’t there no mo’.” Louis Armstrong asked the question, “Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?” to which Greg could concretely answer, “Yes.”

A graduate of Louisiana State University and a member of the Lambda Chi fraternity, Greg was rarely seen not flying the colors of his beloved Tigers or the New Orleans Saints, of which he was a passionate and lifelong supporter.

Greg received an Masters in English Literature from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and continued his personal intellectual development every day of his life, driven by an intense curiosity to devour knowledge, wisdom, and perspective. His expansive library of thousands of meticulously highlighted and annotated books represents his near-infinite spectrum of interests, openness to the diversity of ideas, and passion for the written word.

A member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Vestavia Hills, Greg cultivated a deep relationship with Christ through silent prayer and meditation, always welcoming the questions, doubt, and introspection that come with an active pursuit of understanding and spiritual enlightenment.

Greg’s professional life took him from climbing telephone poles as a lineman for South Central Bell in New Orleans to the suit-and-tie corporate telecommunications world, eventually retiring from both AT&T and Southern Company.

Far above and beyond any other defining characteristics that can be attributed to such an enigmatic person, Greg Clyburn was a family man: a devoted husband to Faye, his wife of 42 years, a beamingly proud father to his two children, Erin, 40, and David, 38, and a brother to Marshall, 72, with whom he had the unique rapport that only loving brothers can possess. Greg exemplified unconditional selflessness, doing anything to ensure his family’s well-being, security, and comfort—always putting them before himself.

Greg leaves behind a well-curated collection of office supplies, a fastidiously maintained quiver of fishing poles and tackle boxes, an extensive collection of 1950s monster movies, seven guitars, four amplifiers, and one family that will love him forever.

Funeral services will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, on Monday, August 4, at 11 a.m.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.