On the morning of October 11, 2021, Wayne Pickett Walton passed away peacefully at his home. Wayne grew up in Birmingham – attended grammar school at Central Park, graduated from Ensley High School, and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University in 1956. He married his sweetheart, Jacqueline Fay Brill, in 1957 and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army – stationed in New York City. After serving in the Army, Wayne and Jackie moved back home to Birmingham and started raising a family. Wayne became a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, and had a fulfilling career with the Southern Company Services, where he helped design control systems for nuclear power plants.

Wayne was an active member of the Bluff Park United Methodist Church since 1966. He dearly enjoyed taking his family to church, participating in his Sunday School Group, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and on mission trips throughout the Southeast and as far away as Chile. Wayne loved to build things and to take good care of them. He was a skilled carpenter, mechanic and craftsman. If Wayne built something, you knew it would last – and there was never a machine, car, or tool that he could not fix. Wayne loved a good round of golf and retired early, but he didn’t slow down. He was a member of the Birmingham Section of The American Society of Mechanical Engineering. Wayne was a very involved member of the The Energizers – Southern Company Services, Retirees, as well as the Birmingham Aero Club and enjoyed keeping up with the Central Park Boys. He took Jackie on trips all over Europe, South America and even Egypt and the Holy Land. Above all, Wayne loved his family and spending time with them. He led countless family trips to the Great Smoky Mountains for tent camping. Wayne hiked almost all of the trails in the park with Jackie and their girls. He also loved traveling to see his daughters and their families in Texas, Tennessee and Alaska. He never missed a family reunion, a wedding, or graduation of his children and grandchildren. Always a sport, Wayne loved golfing with his sons in law, would take the family sailing at the gulf, and even deep sea fishing in Alaska.

Wayne is preceded in passing by his daughter Yevonne Bowman and his parents Mae and Pickett Walton. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Walton; daughters Karen Barrett and Amanda Banker, sons-in-law Lynn Barrett and Anthony Banker; grandchildren Jason Barrett (Pamela), Jonathan Bowman (Holly), Jacob Barrett (Chloe), Emory Banker, Henry Banker and Ella Banker; and great grandchildren Haley and Brooke Barrett, and Camdyn and Mallory Bowman. The family appreciates all floral tributes, but suggests that donations be made in Mr. Walton’s memory to Bluff Park UMC.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 2 pm at Bluff Park UMC with services to follow at 3 pm. Burial will be at Valhalla Cemetery.

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Rick Mullins passed away Sunday October 10, 2021

Visitation:
Wednesday October 13
5:30 – 6:30 pm
Martin Funeral Home in Clanton, AL

Services:
Thursday October 14
10:00 am
Shiloh Baptist Church in Clanton, AL

Geraldine “Gerry” Lofton of Pelham, passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at the age of 74. She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Danny Lofton; her mother, Christine Broughton; a brother, George and his wife Gail, and their son, Trey; her mother-in-law Doris Lofton; brother-in-law, Ray Lofton and his wife, Carolyn and their son, Tyler.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home in Hoover. Interment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South.

Mr. George Marcus Crisler “Mark”, age 72 of Moody/Talladega, Alabama, went home to be with the LORD on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 after he lost his battle with the aftermath of covid and a secondary MRSA infection. He was born in Rome, Georgia on March 4th, 1949 and grew up in Cedar Bluff, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, Quinton Augustus Crisler and Aulta (Audrey) Lee Mobbs Crisler. Mark graduated as valedictorian of Cedar Bluff High School in 1967 and graduated college from Auburn University in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked diligently for Southern Company Services/Southern Nuclear for 46 years, beginning in 1972, and retiring to a life on the lake in Talladega. He loved all sports, especially Auburn football and Braves baseball, fishing, piddling, yard work and the beauty of being on the lake. He was kind and generous, loving and patient, dedicated and faithful. He always had a plan in place, never made a hasty decision, and although he was a man of few words, they were always powerful, impactful and full of wisdom. He was funny and quirky and lived a life that honored the LORD. He faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Moody for 41 years and taught preschoolers in Sunday School with his wife for 38 of those years. His greatest earthly treasure is the family he leaves behind. Mark spent every opportunity he could with family. His wife of 47 years, Norma Popham Crisler, was well loved, spoiled and protected. He treated her the way God calls a husband to treat his wife. His children, Heath Crisler (Michaela), Brandi Meyers (Josh), were given every opportunity he could give them for success. He taught them life skills, perseverance, and integrity. He loved them whole heartedly. The grandchildren he leaves behind ruled his every move. He was deeply involved in every aspect of the lives of Austin, Sawyer, Jameson, Mason and Lucy. He was incredibly proud of each of them, understood how to best show love to them individually, and was always there to support them. They will continue a legacy for him, showcasing all the attributes he has inspired into their lives. He also leaves behind his brother and best friend Steve Crisler (Joanne) whom he deeply loved and appreciated, several nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, various family and many friends. The family would like to invite you to attend any service most convenient for you to pay your respects to Mark. There is no expectation for anyone to attend all three.

Services: Visitation- 6:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 29th at First Baptist Church of Moody Funeral- 11:00 am on Thursday, September 30th at First Baptist Church of Moody Graveside- 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 2nd at Forest Crest Cemetery in Irondale.

Pallbearers: Steve Crisler, Heath Crisler, Larry Popham, Dennis Popham, Josh Meyers, Austin Crisler, Sawyer Crisler and Jameson Meyers.

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

Click here for the Funeral home obituary and memorial page.

Michael Bentley Dunkin, age 56, of McCalla, AL passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Katrina Dunkin of McCalla, AL; his mother, Christine Dunkin of Hueytown, AL; one step son, Justin Blakely (Catriana) of Manassas, VA; one step daughter, Tiffany Davis (Branden) of Harvest, AL; He was a grandfather (aka, Happy) to four, Brently Blakely, Hadley Blakely, Everly Davis, Lincoln Davis and a host of extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Mabry Dunkin. Michael loved his family, fishing and Alabama football.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 10:30AM – 11:30AM at Rockco Funeral Home-Centreville. Graveside service will follow at Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery in Marion, AL. Pastor Joel Frederick presiding.

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