Deborah Ann Gregory was born on December 6, 1950 in Amma, West Virginia. She was lovingly adopted by Delbert and Mildred Gregory of Charleston, West Virginia. She graduated from Charleston HighSchool in 1969. Was married to Richard J Vatovec on June 23, 1973 becoming Deborah G. Vatovec. She attended Jefferson State Junior College for about a year. Debby was very active in our Catholic Parish lady’s groups for church support and craft fairs. Both Debby and Rich were active in Church choirs at Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Infant of Prague parishes. Debby was loving and giving. When friends had a new baby, were out of the hospital or fighting cancer, She was the bunny with a care basket and concerned look on her loving face. Debby gave up her freedom to care for her elderly mother for 10 years. Debby and Rich were active in the Central Alabama Miata Society driving their little car all over the country. She loved to visit craft fairs and was talented at crafts. In later years she suffered from disabling mobility issues that limited her involvement in the activities that she loved. She loved cooking, listening to music and watching English mysteries. Debby was the Queen of my life. It was an honor and a privilege to share my life with her. We were not blessed with children, but we were blessed with each other. Debby left us to be with the Lord on January 19, 2023. She is predeceased by her parents Delbert and Mildred and brother Jackson. She is survived by Richard her loving husband of 49 years, her Sister Fonda Thomas of Beckley, WV, her Brother Donald Curtis of Parkersburg, WV, her Sister-in-law Margie Kipp and Brother-in-law Ed Kipp of Gardendale, AL. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Service will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at Holy Infant of Prague Catholic Church 8090 Gadsden Highway (Route 11), Trussville, AL. There will be visitation at the church at 10AM followed by a funeral mass service at 11AM. Internment of the urn in its niche will follow the mass at the church.

Richard J Vatovec
Trussville, AL

MEETING DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Time: 1:00-2:00 pm
Location: Alabama Power Building Auditorium
600 18th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203

See Parking Information below.

Keynote Speaker: Dan Churchman, a Fleet Engineering Director at Southern Nuclear, will update us on Vogtle 3 & 4.

Lifestyle Speaker: Robert Cornelius Elder Law & Probate and Estate Planning Attorney

Robert Cornelius practices throughout Alabama in the legal field of Elder Law and Special Needs. His office has over 50 years of experience in the areas dealing with issues such as protection of personal and business assets, paying for long term care and/or nursing homes, guardianships and conservatorships, elder abuse, wills and trusts, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, and Health Care Directives.

Just posted the Jan. – Feb. 2023 newsletter Volume 35 Issue 1.

Click here to view the latest list of newsletters.

Melinda Jo Uzzell Blackmon, 61, went home to be with Jesus her Lord on Monday, December 19, 2022. She was born on August 6, 1961 and was part of the Baby Boomer Generation. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Randolph Uzzell, Jr; her mother, Martha Taylor White Uzzell; and her sister Jane Uzzell Dowling. She is survived by her husband Kenneth Edwin Blackmon; her brother Thomas Randolph Uzzell, III (Libby); three children, Mary Jo Blackmon Buckley (Gene), David Kenneth Blackmon (Mary Claire), Jonathan Taylor Blackmon (Lindsey); three grandchildren (Lucy, James Rowe, Kate), and many nieces and nephews.

Melinda graduated from Vestavia High School in 1979. In 1983, she graduated from Auburn University with a Computer Engineering degree. In her time at Auburn, she was involved in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a FarmHouse Fraternity little sister. She worked countless hours in the home pouring into her children and for 16 years as a computer teacher at Briarwood Christian School.

In 2011, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Through the sustaining hand of her heavenly Father, she was able to see her three kids graduate from college and get married. She was also able to love on three grandchildren for the last 3 years. During this season her faith was refined like silver in the furnace so that the likeness of Christ became increasingly evident for all who were watching. She chose to cling to Christ, her Hope, and make His good news known to all God brought along her path. During her journey as a patient with cancer, she told countless doctors, nurses, caregivers, friends, and strangers of God’s goodness and the path He made to eternal life through his Son. Even in her last days the phrase “The story is true” rang repeatedly from her lips. It would be her and her family’s greatest joy to know that God used her life and death to draw just one more person to know Christ as their Savior. We know she was received into Heaven with a rich entrance by her Savior and heard the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

A celebration of life will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on December 22 at 2:00 PM, preceded by visitation at 1:00 PM. A private family graveside will be held at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville.

Click here to link to the funeral home website.

Clara Gipson Posey (Pierce) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 25, 2022, at the age of 85. Clara was born March 7th, 1937 in Birmingham, Alabama to the daughter of the late Andrew Gipson and late Ruby Gipson. She is preceded in death by her brother, Bobby Gipson.

She graduated from Jones Valley High School in 1955. Clara retired from Southern Company and was a member of Community Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her first husband Don Pierce; two sons John Pierce and Bart Pierce. Clara is survived by her son Timothy Pierce; grandchildren Ashley Pierce Smith (Steven), Bradley Pierce, Amanda Hartley Partacz (Dustin); great-grandchildren McKenzie Smith, Charlie Smith, and Ryland Partacz.

She is also preceded in death by her second husband Tom Posey. She is survived by her daughters Teresa Posey Capra and Vicki Posey Rogers; grandchildren Thomas Capra, Claire Capra, Emily Creel (Joseph), Jacob Rogers, Sarah Rogers (Baker); and great-grandchild Sutton Rogers.

She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who all loved her like a mother.

Clara enjoyed shopping, spending time with family, and going to church. She was an angel on earth and her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone she met.

The family would also like to thank the Southern Care New Beacon hospice team for their care. We would also like to give a special thank you to Clara’s nieces Gina Stuman, Crystal Rogan, and Suzan Gottier for helping us care for her.

A visitation for Clara will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Johns-Ridout’s Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave Sw, Birmingham, AL 35211, followed by a funeral service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Posey family.