William “Bill” John Farrar, age 92, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. A private family graveside service will be held the morning of Friday, June 24, 2022 at 9:00 am at Oakland Cemetery. A memorial Service will be held in his honor on Friday, June 24, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Southminister Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Bill was the son of the late Katherine Stewart Farrar and Dawn Franklin Farrar. A lifelong resident of Jefferson County, he attended Pratt Elementary and Ensley High School, graduating in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Upon return to civilian life, Bill continued his education in the evening at UAB and later full-time at Auburn University, where he graduated with a major in Psychology. While at Auburn, he was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa professional fraternities.

Bill’s career field was in human resources management, which involved assignments in manufacturing, the military, public personnel administration, and utilities. His retirement from Alabama Power corporate headquarters in 1988 followed by an extended consulting assignment with the Southern Nuclear Operating Company. Bill’s community service included various assignments as a volunteer consultant with the Executive Service Corps of Birmingham.

Bill served the Risen Christ through a life-long membership in the Presbyterian Church, having been placed upon the church’s cradle roll at 21 days of age by his beloved mother. He was a master mason 57+ years, most recently affiliated with Metro West Lodge No. 927, F&AM of Alabama.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Farrar Ricketts (Thomas), son, Jonathan Stewart Farrar (Jennifer), grandchildren, Connor Wells (Kaitlyn), Reid Wells (Lily), Marissa Wells, and Garrett Farrar. Bill was a special family friend to Josiah Wooten. Left behind are a host of relatives and many close friends most especially Beverly Knapp.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Children’s Aid Society, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Sav-A-Life-Vestavia, and Lifeline Children’s Services.

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

EDWARD MORELAND OBITUARY (from AL.COM)

Survivors include Margaret Moreland, his wife of 63 years, Sister Jean Guthrie, Children Richard Moreland (Heather), Susan Bria (Bruce), Kristen Fuller (Richard) Grandchildren Steven (Victoria), David (Kalyn), Taylor (Caroline), and Madeleine Bria, Isobel and Zoe Moreland, Grayson, Bennett and Nora Fuller, Great grandsons Connor and Harper Bria. An Auburn alum, Ed worked for 36 years as a civil engineer for Southern Company. In retirement he enjoyed spending time with his family and painting. He was known for his dry wit and ability to fix anything.

Memorial service will be Tuesday June 28th at 2pm First Presbyterian Birmingham.

Monroe Jarman Landrum Jr. (April 14, 1958 – June 17, 2022) was a caring husband, father, brother, and friend. He passed away on June 17th surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Monroe Sr. and Mary Landrum in Clinton, Mississippi and went to the University of Alabama where he met the love of his life, Joan. After graduating, he started his 41 year long career with Southern Company. A resident of Hoover, AL, Monroe served as a deacon at Hunter Street Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Monroe Sr. and Mary, and survived by his wife, Joan, his two daughters, Elizabeth (Justin) Tillman and Rebecca (Matt) Henderson, brother, Michael, and many cousins.

He will be honored at Hunter Street Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 21st , with visitation starting at 10am followed by a service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hunter Street Baptist Church to be sent to Forward in Faith Ranch.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary and website.

Mary Sue Maples Thornburgh died, following a brief illness, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Born March 11, 1940, she was preceded in death by her parents, John and Susie Maples of Birmingham, Montgomery and Maplesville, Alabama. A resident of Liberty Park at the time of her passing, Mrs. Thornburgh was a lifelong resident of the Birmingham area and a graduate of the Birmingham and Vestavia School systems. On May 2, 1962, Mary Sue graduated summa cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College, and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa. She then married J. Donald (Don) Thornburgh shortly after her graduation. The couple was married for 60 years.

Mary Sue and Don raised two sons, John Winston (Joanie Connell) and James Donald Thornburgh Jr. (Chu Kim), who are both practicing attorneys in California. Three granddaughters, Elizabeth Thorell and Riley and Kaylee Thornburgh of California were the joys of her life. Mary Sue and Don enjoyed travel, and were long-time members of Independent Presbyterian Church. She was loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 12th of June 2022, at Independent Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 3100 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35205. Graveside services will commence at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 13th of June, at Alabama National Cemetery located in Montevallo, Alabama.

In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Mary Sue’s name be directed to the scholarship program at Birmingham-Southern College located at 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35254 or by visiting their website at https://www.bsc.edu

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.  Click here to view the funeral home website.

Sylvester S. Varagona, 90, of Homewood passed away May 11, 2022. He was born in Birmingham on March 12, 1932. He graduated from John Carroll High School in 1950 and from Auburn University in 1957 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Southern Company for his entire career doing engineering work on hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. He loved to learn and took classes for enjoyment in his retirement. It seemed like he could solve every problem, fix every broken machine, and build anything anyone needed. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed growing vegetables in his garden.

Most importantly, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family. He was a patient and tireless example of love and kindness for all of us. While we will all miss him greatly, we are comforted in knowing that he is in a better place and that his love and example will continue to inspire us throughout our lives.

He was preceded in death by his parents Michaelangelo and Theresa Acquisto Varagona and his sisters Mary Grace Varagona and Frances Mobarak. He is survived by his wife Mary Frances Varagona; children Michael (Janet) Varagona, Julie (Greg) Karstens, Donna (John) Lossie, and Rena Varagona; grandchildren Matt (Mary Grace) Varagona, Scott Varagona, Kyler (Gianmarco Fifi) Karstens, Kim (Chris) Washington, and Brennan Karstens; great-grandchildren Michael Varagona, Angelina Varagona, Nadia Washington, and another great grandchild on the way; and sister Martha Musso.

He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. A private graveside service was be held at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity.

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