After serving as district attorney, Bob was of counsel with
Bob Burrell is survived by his wife, Mary Stuart Burrell;
Harris, Caddell & Shanks PC. Barney Lovelace, a member of
children Jenny B. Mercieca, Ben Burrell, Bill Burrell and
the firm and close friend, said of Bob, “He had a keen sense
Gaines Rowe; grandchildren Hannah and Bailey Mercieca; a
of being able to size up people and situations better than
brother, Jimmy Burrell, and his wife, Luverene.
anybody I have ever known. He was a low-key person, not a
−Morgan County District Judge Charles B. Langham
typical politician, and he loved the law.” Bob was the founder and past president of the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center. Susan Coggins, who worked as a therapist and did forensic interviews before becoming
Demetrius Newton
the center’s executive director in 2010 said, “He was dedi-
Alabama lost a great leader and
cated to the mission of the center. Bob and I reviewed hun-
fearless lawyer with the passing of
dreds of cases of people who were suspected of child abuse,
Birmingham lawyer and state legis-
and that was on his own time. He continued to serve on the
lator Demetrius Newton on
board of directors until his death.”
September 11, 2013. His passing
He was a member of the Alabama, Georgia and American
will be felt deeply by the legal com-
bar associations and of the United States Supreme Court
munity in Alabama as well as its
bar. He was also a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
citizens.
Bob received the Golden Gloves Award for the highest DUI
Demetrius Newton was a gradu-
conviction rate in Alabama awarded by the Alabama Chapter
ate of Wilberforce University in Ohio and Boston University
of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Club. He founded and was
Law School. He was a proud member and national president
past president of the Young Lawyers’ Section of the Morgan
of his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma. It was at Boston University
County Bar Association, which continues to be active today.
that Newton met Martin Luther King while they were both
He was also past president of the Decatur Jaycees, the
students. Newton would join in the quest for equality, repre-
American Heart Association, the Boys and Girls Club of
senting many of those arrested during civil rights marches in
Morgan County and the Frances Nungester PTA. Bob was an
Birmingham and Selma. He later became a city judge and
active member of the Rotary Club of Decatur along with the
served as Birmingham’s city attorney. He was a proud father
Morgan County and State Republican Executive committees. He
of Deirdre and Demetrius, Jr. and friend to many who knew
was a former member of the Board of Directors of Parents
and worked with him.
and Children Together, Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Decatur City Council of PTA’s and the Chestnut Grove PTA. Bob Burrell faced his two-year battle with cancer with a
However, it is as an Alabama legislator that the death of Demetrius Newton creates a public void. He was first elected to the Alabama Legislature in 1986 and rose through
quiet dignity and grace. Having served with him as an assis-
positions of leadership to becoming president pro tem of the
tant district attorney from 1977-79, I held Bob Burrell in
house of representatives in 1998. He served in this position
high esteem personally and professionally. The last time I
for 12 years. It was once said by a legislative leader, “If I had
saw Bob was at the funeral of respected Decatur attorney
Demetrius Newton’s wit, charisma and charm, I could be
John Key, shortly before his own death. It was a terrible,
governor.”
rainy day, and I knew Bob didn’t feel well, but he came out of respect for a colleague. Bob was a true professional.
Demetrius Newton’s enduring legacy for lawyers will be the leadership and passion he brought to improving the law for www.alabar.org | THE ALABAMA LAWYER 403