John Devlin Plaxco, 97, doting husband and proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Sunday the 14th of March, 2021. He was born in December 1923 in South Carolina. He was the son of Reverend Moffatt Ross and Agnes Devlin Plaxco, the youngest of three children. John’s family moved to Louisville, Georgia and he attended Louisville Academy, where his father was also the head master. He attended Erskine College prior to transferring to Georgia Tech. Like others in the Greatest Generation he served in WWII graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1945. He entered active duty as an Ensign and served aboard the USS Omaha CL4 in the Atlantic and USS Steamer Bay CVE-87 in the Pacific. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Georgia Tech graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1947.

John began his professional career in Birmingham, Alabama as a draftsman for Southern Company Services. He spent 38 years with the company prior to retiring in 1986 after leading the electrical design department for many years. Birmingham was also where he met his true love, Jeanne. They met on the front steps of First Presbyterian Church after his first Sunday in 1948. When asked in 2019 where his favorite place in Birmingham was, he stated First Presbyterian for this very reason. John also served as an elder and deacon at the church.

John welcomed everyone he met with a generous heart. He was a talented woodworker creating treasured gifts for family, passionate about genealogy and history, avid tennis player and golfer, meticulous with his lawn care, and appreciated a good afternoon nap. Above all else he was devoted to Jeanne, his family, and friends.

He is survived by his son, John “Jack” Plaxco; daughter, Margaret Chandler; grandchildren, Lelia Wilcox (Ian), Kathryn Drake (Kory), John Plaxco (Kat Moore), Daniel Chandler (Megan Holder), David Chandler (Annie), Paul Chandler (Jessica), Marie Curtis (Quinn); great-grandchildren, Kathryn, Evelyn, Maggie Flynn, and Leda Wilcox; Rowan, Madelyn, and Felicity Drake; Annabelle and Sophia Chandler; Marcee Jeanne and Isabelle Chandler; and Boone and Lexi Curtis; brother-in-law, Marion Dick; sister-in-law, Allene Tynes; and many adoring nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69-years, Jeanne Tynes Plaxco; parents; brother, Moffatt Ross Plaxco, Jr.; sister, Mary Elizabeth Patrick; sister-in-law, Faye Tynes Dick; brother-in-law, Hubbard Armstrong Tynes and son, James Moffatt Plaxco.

A private graveside service will be held for family at Elmwood Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service in the church at a later date. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 2100 4th Avenue N, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 or First Light Shelter (for women and children), 2230 Fourth Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203

Cards may be sent to

Family of John Plaxco
1109 Lido Drive
Birmingham, AL 35226

John Bernard (JB) Smith, Jr. passed away on February 23, 2021 at his residence in Collinsville, MS. A visitation was held on Monday, March 01, 2021 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, Tuscaloosa, AL. A graveside service immediately followed at Memory Hill Gardens -Garden of Devotion- with Dr. Dan Lanier officiating.

John B. Smith, Jr. was born on August 2, 1950 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He grew up in the Coaling community and graduated from Brookwood High School in 1968. J.B. attended the University of Alabama earning a degree in Civil Engineering. He had an amazing career as an employee of Southern Company Services in Birmingham, Alabama, for 39 years.

On December 22, 1972, J.B. married the love of his life Wanda Phillips of Cottondale, Alabama. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary this past year. J.B. was the father of Shana Leigh and Jason Andrew Smith. Following the Godly example of their parents, Shana married her true love, Johnny Mack Jones, and Jason married his soulmate, Kimberly Ann Trayal. J.B. was blessed with 8 grandchildren who lovingly called him Pops: Avery McKay (17), Johnny Mack, Jr. (13), Micah Mae (9), Fielder McDaniel (7), Carson Andrew (15), Casen Luke (7), Collins Grace (4), and Crew Locklin (2). J.B. is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Karen Phillips Chandler (Tony) and Kay Ivy Phillips. He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Jimmy Roberts and Billy Phillips. J.B. was a lifelong outdoorsman.

He loved hunting, fishing, camping, and especially the sport of baseball. Coaching his son Jason through the years, he made a tremendous impact on many ball players in the Alabaster Sports League. He loved Alabama football, West Lauderdale Baseball, and was extremely passionate about anything involving his precious grandchildren.

A highlight of J.B’s life was ministering to the Mayan village of Chan Chen, Mexico, where he served through construction, sports programs, VBS, and door to door outreach. Pops always displayed integrity with a generous, caring, and compassionate spirit. J.B will be remembered, most importantly, for his living example of the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ronald N. Ballard was born on October 28, 1943 and passed away on January 17, 2021. He was cared for by Ridout’s Trussville Chapel.

William T. “Bill” Echols Sr. (91) went to be with Jesus on February 20, 2021. He was with his wife of 68 years at the time of his passing. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Bill Jr. (2009). He is survived by his wife, Eloise, children, Greg (Valerie), Mike (Rita), Karen (Jimmy), Andy (June), Sharon (Danny), David (Denise), numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He retired from Southern Company in 1986. A memorial service was held at Jefferson Memorial on Thursday, February 25th. Visitation from 11AM-12PM, service at 12 with burial at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville.

EDITED by Cary Campbell, 3/2/2021:

Robert Ray Richwine Jr., 77, of Birmingham, AL, passed away January 6, 2021. He was born in Birmingham on November 23, 1943. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021 at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL. “Bob” graduated from Banks High School and achieved his undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama. He was married to Judy T. Richwine on May 16, 1987.

Bob worked in the Production Services Department at SCS for many years and was known as the “RAM” man due to his relentless promotion of Reliability and Availability Management in Southern Company power plants.  He was a very cheerful person and loved to read. He was also a passionate competitor in tennis and poker, challenging family and friends to frequent matches.

Preceding Bob in death were his father, Robert Richwine Sr.; his mother, Sarah Richwine; one brother, David Richwine; two sons, Michael Richwine and David Richwine; and a sister-in-law, Anne Richwine. Survivors include Bob’s wife, Judy Little Richwine; brother, Don Richwine; sister, Bonnie Simmons (Jim); daughter, Anna-Raye Vick (Don); son, Daniel Richwine (Donna); step-daughter, Monica Ward (Mark); stepsons, Miles Little (Maggie) and Grant Little (Celeste); 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, make memorial gifts to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.