Obituary

Clara Faye (Smith) Gandy

december 14, 1935 ~ april 22, 2022 (age 86)

Clara Faye Gandy, age 86, of Morris, AL went to be with the Lord on April 22, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Claude E. Smith and Late Stella J. Smith. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Ethylan and Elizabeth, her brother, Raymond and her grandson, Marcus Buckner. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert; sons, Robert Gandy, Jr. (Teresa), and Russell Gandy; grandchildren, Bethany Cammer (Jordan), Rachel Wellborn (Taylor) and Lauren McClain (Eric); great Grandchildren, Hartford Buckner, Maddox and Jace Wellborn and Olivia Cammer; her sister, Jeanette Ellis and brother, Bill Smith (Kathy); she also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews and extended family. Faye was a member of North Clay Baptist Church and a member of the Sunshine Sunday School class. She was a retired banker. Faye was a loving wife and mother who adored her family and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. A visitation for Faye will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Her funeral will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home’s chapel. Her burial will immediately follow the chapel service at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home’s adjoining cemetery. Reverend Tim Evans will preside over the service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that friends please send donations in her name to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

Pat Thomas Darrell Wallace

november 1, 1931 ~ april 23, 2022 (age 90)

Pat Thomas Darrell Wallace passed away Saturday, April 23, 2022, following a year-long decline in health and complications from cancer. Pat was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama, where he met Loretta Alldredge. They married five months before completing their undergraduate degrees. Pat later completed both master’s and doctoral degrees in education from the University of Alabama. Pat’s life was devoted to education. After teaching in several high schools, he joined the staff of Jefferson State Community College when it opened in 1965 and served there until his retirement in 1987. As the Associate Dean of Vocational Education, he was responsible for the practical education of generations of young people. After retiring from public education, he formed his own company to provide innovative instruction for law enforcement agencies across the region. Pat was a longtime member of Hilldale Baptist Church in Center Point, Alabama, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. More recently, he was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama for the past 20 years. Pat will be remembered as a person whom everyone instantly warmed to, always liked, and respected for his consistent leadership and abiding faith. But he will surely be remembered more for his deep love for his family and Crimson Tide football. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Wallace Sr. and LaTrieve Wallace; brothers, Claude Wallace Jr. and Jerry Wallace; sisters, Betty Brand and JoAnn Gulledge; and his granddaughter, Arlen Wallace. Pat is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Loretta Wallace; children, Melanie (Danny) Richards and Joel (Holly) Wallace; grandchildren, Nathan Richards, Luke Richards, Andrew Wallace, and Anna Wallace (fiancé Aubrey Harper); sister, Martha (Jack) Miller; and brother, Larry (Marsha) Wallace. Visitation will be held at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, Alabama at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, with a memorial service in the chapel at noon. Interment will follow in the gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes, Attn: Ministry Development, 2681 Rocky Ridge Lane, Birmingham, AL 35216, or online at alabamachild.org.

AJefferson Memorial is a full-service funeral home and sk Eddie Eddie Seal, General Manager perpetual care cemetery dedicated to serving our community with dignity and compassion. We Make it Personal® , one family at a time.

Honoring Mom’s Legacy

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Losing a parent is always difficult. Losing your mother is a particularly difficult subject for many who have lost a parent or guardian. Here are a few ways to help honor the legacy of your mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, or mother-like figure in your life.

Flowers

Flowers are a common way to honor mom’s legacy. Roses and daisies are beloved favorites to put on a grave, headstone, or in a niche or columbarium. Silk flowers are a great alternative to real flowers because of their bright colors, affordable options, and their ability to weather all seasons and weather conditions.

Do Something Together at Home

Set a time to watch her favorite show or movie together as a family. Cook a special meal using one of her favorite recipes. Create crafts together in her honor. Play her favorite songs and share old photos.

Plan a Road Trip

If there was a place your mother or grandmother liked to go, plan a trip to visit that location. Whether it’s the beach, the Hill Country, or a local park, a trip to honor a legacy is a great way to ease some of the pain of loss. A trip can help not only honor a memory but also help make new positive memories in honor of your lost loved one.

Support a Cause or Charity

Unfortunately, illnesses like breast cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s claim the lives of far too many women in this country. To honor your mother’s legacy, consider donating to a cause or charity that helps provide support, grief resources, and research to help others going through a similar ordeal. Helping others and socializing with individuals who have been through a related struggle may help some grief processes.

Plan ahead this coming week so you can honor your mom’s legacy in a creative, thoughtful, and loving way ... we hope these tips can help.

Jefferson Memorial

FUNERAL HOME AND GARDENS

205-322-0543 Deborah Gail (Vinson) Lawley

may 6, 1951 ~ march 2, 2022 (age 70)

Debi Lawley, 70, of Argo, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. A lifelong resident of Greater Birmingham, she graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1969 and enjoyed working at places like Bill Woods Beechcraft, Jim Skinner Ford, Peachtree Crossing, Montclair OB-GYN, and most recently at Munoz Mexican Grill. Debi was a very creative and resourceful person who enjoyed gardening and holiday decorating; she was a voracious reader, an avid BAMA football fan, and a 20-year stage 3 breast cancer survivor. Her greatest treasure in life was time spent with family and friends. Ms. Lawley was preceded in death by her father, Grady Vinson, and is survived by her mother, Barbara Vinson; 2 sisters: Cindy Phillips (Charlie) and Becky Speakman (Mike); daughter, Laura Johnson (Daryl); 2 sons: Kelly Emerson and Brock Jones; 2 nephews: Matt Phillips and Chad Phillips (Jessica); 2 nieces: Jennifer Pruitt (Tyler) and Melissa Brooks; and two grandchildren: Hannah and Jonah Johnson. Visitation will be Saturday, May 7, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 8762 Gadsden Hwy, Argo.

Barbara Susan (Marzenell) Nail

may 16, 1944 ~ april 19, 2022 (age 77)

Barbara Susan Nail, 77, passed away on April 19, 2022, in her home in Center Point, AL. She was born in Louisville, KY on May 16, 1944. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to all. She led a long and happy life filled with love for her family. Barbara is survived by Daryl & Lisa Marzenell (son and spouse), David & Jennifer Salvadori (son and spouse), Daryl Meadows (grandaughter), Brayden Meadows, Madison Ward (great grandchildren), and Linda Marzenell Burns (sister). Barbara is preceded in death by Edward Junior Marzenell (father), Ethel Marzenell (mother), William Joseph Nail (spouse), Eddie Marzenell (brother), Dorothy Holloway (sister), as well as many other family members. The service for Barbara Nail will be held on Monday, at 12:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation: Monday, at 11:00 AM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Burial: Jefferson Memorial Gardens East, Birmingham, AL.

Marshall P "Jay" DeMarais

september 1, 1948 ~ april 24, 2022 (age 73)

Mr. Marshall P. “Jay” DeMarais Jr., age 73, passed away, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, AL, Sunday, April 24, 2022. Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 2:00PM at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Birmingham, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marshall Sr. & Lucille DeMarais. Jay is survived by his only son William “Shannon” DeMarais; his beloved cats; and a host of friends and extended family. He grew up in Birmingham and graduated high school from Woodlawn High School. Jay was a retired house painter and an avid drag racing fan. He was truly loved and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. In lieu of flowers the family request you make a donation to any animal welfare charity in memory of Jay DeMarais

Martha Gray Stone

october 12, 1940 ~ april 26, 2022 (age 81)

On April 26th, 2022 , Martha Gray Stone, beloved wife of Jimmy W. Stone, of 57 years , loving mother of two sons, and adoring grandmother of 5 grandchildren, passed away at the age of 81. Martha was born on October 12th, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama. She received her teaching degree from the University of Alabama. She taught for several years in the public schools, along with teaching Sunday school classes at her church, Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church. Martha was a founding member of the Board of Education for the Hoover City Schools. She served on the school board from October 1987 to April 1990. She loved spending time with her family, friends, and church members. She had a compassionate spirit that touched everyone who had the honor to know her. Martha is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Hazel Gray. She is survived by her husband, Jimmy W. Stone; her two sons, Matt and Jeff (Karen-wife); her brother, Mark Gray (Libby-wife); her grandchildren, Luke, Hannah, Audrey, Jack, and Will; and her nephews. The visitation for family and friends will be at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. The grave side service will be for family and friends at 10:00 a.m. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the “Matthew 25 Foundation Fund” at Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church