Obituary

Rachel Sue (Stover) Scheinert

september 22, 1940 ~ may 6, 2022 (age 81)

Rachel Sue Scheinert, 81 years old, went to be with the Lord on May 6, 2022. She loved her family dearly and was the most gracious and giving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Sue was born on September 22, 1940 and was the daughter of Walter and Etta Stover. She was a member of Clearview Baptist Church and taught Sunday School for many years. She also served as a member of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) at Irondale First Baptist and lead the Sunbeam Program at Irondale First Baptist. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Donald Scheinert, her two children: daughter, Cathy Booth of Trussville and son, D. Gregory Scheinert of Trussville, three grandchildren: Ronnie Booth, Jerris-Glenn Trevor Booth and Joshua D. Carden, great-grandchild: Kinsey Elizabeth Carden. The service for Rachel Scheinert will be on Wednesday, May 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Paul Pierce Hancock, Jr.

july 29, 1932 ~ may 8, 2022 (89)

Paul “Sonny” Pierce Hancock, Jr., also known as Dede, passed away at home in Trussville on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at 89 years and 9 1/2 months old (and he wanted you to know that!) Sonny was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 29, 1932. He attended Hewitt High School where he met his wife, Bobbie Elveree “Rickie” Hambrice. He attended Auburn University and recruited 15 years for Auburn University football. He was a lifelong Auburn fan. He was a master builder - an innovative problem solver who took risks and wasn’t afraid to try something new to get difficult problems solved. He said, “Make sure you’re right, then go ahead.” Sonny started Hancock Scaffolds and Hancock Contracting Company. He had an enormous capacity to work hard and expected those he hired to work hard alongside him. Many young men learned the value of hard work on the job site of Sonny Hancock.

A blister was a badge of honor. He did civil, commercial, residential, and industrial construction and had a varied portfolio: he built churches; made lakes; made roads and sewer systems; created movable bleachers for events; placed scaffolding around the outside of the Alabama State Capitol and Vulcan, as well as inside cathedrals and power plant boilers. His was a turnkey company, rarely utilizing subcontractors. That was his capstone. He had an engineering mind that wrote his notes on anything he could find - napkins, scraps of paper, and even the headliner of the truck. He was funny and loved for people to laugh with him. He loved to dance, work hard, and play hard. His love for Jesus was real. There is no telling how many people have met Jesus because of the hospitality he and Rickie extended to the high schoolers of Birmingham during the revival of the 1970’s. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents Paul Hancock, Sr. and Hazel Hoskins Hancock; brother, William “Bill” Hancock; and daughter, Kathy Leigh Hancock. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Rickie; sister, Janyce Townley; son, Paul Hancock III “Trey” (Becky): Ashleigh (Vesa) Mättö - Rebecca, William, Elisabeth; Grace (Luke) Halford - Anna Claire, Hudson, Jane, Bo; Paul Hancock IV (Rebekah) - WinnLeigh, Vivian, Paul V “Huck”; daughter, Kim Hancock Swafford (Dale): Daniel (Brigette) - Ridge, Reese, Raegan; Benjamin (Holly) - Johnny, Joe; grand daughter, Sunnie Leigh (Kasey) Graydon - Pierce, Suede, Sadie Kate, Knox; son, Jon Britton “Britt” Hancock (Audrey): Hannah (Ben) Johnson - Hadassah, Samuel, Ariella, Talia; Aspen (John) Marshall; Jacob (Cassie) Hancock - Micah, Havilah; David (Jasmine) Hancock; nieces, nephews, and more great grandchildren to come. He will be greatly missed by family and friends but most of all by his forever sweetheart, Rickie. They would have completed 69 years of marriage on June 27, 2022.

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.

What Do the Folds of the Flag Mean?

In the memorial service of any U.S. military veteran, the American flag plays a vibrant role. One of the key moments in the ceremony comes when the flag that’s draped over the casket is taken up and carefully folded into a triangle shape.

What you may not know is that the flag is folded a total of 13 times—and that each fold of the flag has rich symbolic meaning.

The first fold symbolizes life. The second fold indicates a belief in everlasting life. The third fold honors the service member who has departed, after sacrificing a portion of their life to keep the rest of us safe and secure. The fourth fold denotes our weaker nature as citizens, and our ongoing trust in God to guide us. The fifth fold stands for the country itself, and our belief that, though the country may sometimes be wrong or right, it’s always our country. The sixth fold represents the heart, with which we pledge allegiance and honor our nation. The seventh fold is a tribute to the Armed Forces that safeguard our land. The eighth fold represents the person who has descended into the Valley of Death’s Shadow; it also honors the mother, for whom the flag is flown on Mother’s Day. The ninth fold honors the character of womanhood and the men and women who together have shaped this country. The tenth fold represents the father, for he, too, has sacrificed his sons and daughters to protect this land. The eleventh fold is seen, in the eyes of Jewish individuals, as representing the seal of King David and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold is significant to Christian believers, who see it as an emblem of eternal life and of the Trinity. The final fold of the flag allows us to see only the stars, which remind us of our nation’s identity as “one nation under God.”

There is much depth and beauty even to something as simple as the folding of a flag; remember this rich symbolism the next time you see a U.S. veteran honored in this way.

Jefferson Memorial

FUNERAL HOME AND GARDENS 205-322-0543

Harold Lee Easter Jr.

october 14, 1951 ~ may 9, 2022 (age 70)

Mr. Harold Lee Easter Jr., age 70, passed away Monday, May 9, 2022. The family will receive friends at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. Funeral Services will begin at 12:00pm in the chapel and Graveside services will follow. He is survived by his son, Todd Easter; brothers, Leonard Easter, David Easter; sister, Donna Ware; grandchildren; Shelby, Courtney, Ashlyn; and great-grandchildren, Autumn, Summer, Sadie, Levi, and Eli; daughter inlaw, Stacey Easter. Mr. Easter is preceded in death by his wife Linda Sue Easter; parents, Barbara Jean and Harold Lee Easter Sr.; and son, Christopher Lee Easter. Harold was proud to serve his country in the US Navy on the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier. Harold then continued serving his community as a civilian Firefighter for the Center Point and Hoover Fire Departments until his retirement as a Lieutenant. He was a devout Christian who loved to read his bible and preach every chance he could. Harold also loved stock car racing, hunting, fishing, and Alabama football . He was especially proud of his sons following his career path and becoming firefighters themselves. Mr. Easter absolutely loved his family and he will truly be missed. In lieu of flowers the family request you make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Memory of Harold Lee Easter Jr.

Ronald Lee Messer

april 11, 1957 ~ may 7, 2022 (age 65)

Ronald Lee Messer, 65, of Birmimgham went to be with our Lord on May 7, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mary Messer. He is survived by his son Ryan Messer (Michele), granddaughter Abigail Messer, sister Carla Vickery, niece Jennifer Dickinson, great nephews Dawson Findley and Andrew Dickinson, and great niece Arianna Hutchings. He was a graduate of Huffman High School and had a long career with Bruno’s Supermarkets, PSS, and McKesson. A Funeral will be held, Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 2:00pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Jefferson Memorial’s adjoining cemetery. Visitation for friends and family will be held one hour prior to the service. Pastor R. J. Horstman officiating.

Emerson Allen Arthur

january 4, 1931 ~ may 8, 2022 (age 91)

Emerson Allen Arthur, age 91 of Birmingham passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 8th. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Arthur was a long time member of Hilldale Baptist Church. She retired from Parisian, downtown Birmingham, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Elks Lodge 79. Mrs. Arthur loved Jesus and was devoted to her family. A great comfort comes knowing she is now healed and reunited with her late husband, Henry Edward Arthur. The celebration as they were reunited in Heaven was certain to be filled with dancing and praising their Savior together. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Henry Edward Arthur and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Olon Gaines Tucker (Sally). She is preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters; and is survived by one brother, Fred Tucker (Helga) and one sister, Mildred Bennett, one brother in law, Claude Vaughn and one sister-in-law, Betty Tucker. She was a devoted mother to her children Wanda Vest (Gordon), Sherry McCay (Steve), and Alan Arthur (Linda). She was also a tremendous grandmother to her eight grandchildren: Phillip Vest, Amy Vest, Christy Lett (Darrin), Stacey Vest, Andrew McCay (Ashley), Jake Arthur (Ryan Lee), Kimberly DeLoach (Daniel), and Daniel Arthur (Lauren). Mrs. Arthur was a proud great-grandmother to her 18 great grandchildren. Services will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville. Visitation will be Wednesday May 11, 2022 at 11:00, a graveside service will follow at 12:00. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. The family wishes to thank her caregivers Leslie Chappell, Betty Littlejohn, Jamie Bowlin and the entire McGuffey’s Healthcare Staff for the love they showed Mrs. Arthur.

Joyce Ehrensperger

april 30, 1935 ~ may 10, 2022 (age 87)

Joyce Ehrensperger, age 87 of Trussville, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, after a short illness. She was born on April 30, 1935, in Fayette County, Georgia, and grew up in East Point, Georgia. She met her husband, Fred, on February 23, 1952, on a blind date while he was living in Atlanta attending Georgia Tech. They were married in 1953 and moved to his home town of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1960. They have resided in Trussville for the past 20 years. Anyone who knew Joyce knew that she loved her family and the color purple — any shade of the color purple. She was a card sender; any birthday, anniversary, any occasion, she sent a card, usually with a personal note added. She also loved her gardenia bushes and shared the beautiful blooms with her friends. There are quite a few people who have gardenia bushes that Joyce rooted for them from her plants. Joyce was predeceased by her parents, William and Christine Payne; brother, Roy Payne; and grandson, Steven Ehrensperger. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 68 years, Fred Ehrensperger, and their children, David (Cheryl) Ehrensperger and Karen (Robbie) Benton; grandchildren, Kristi Ehrensperger (David) Gellings, Ryan Benton, and Kevin (Elyse) Benton; great granddaughters, Madelyn, Ella, and Olivia Benton; sister, Jeri (Carl) Moore; sister-in-law, Ann Payne; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday, May 12, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville. Services will be held Friday, May 13, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 6704 Deerfoot Parkway, Clay, Alabama.The Rev. Keith Cook, The Rev. Frank C. Wise, Jr., and The Rev. Dr. Chris Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.