Alvin Stephens

Alvin Lester Stephens, age 84 passed away on August 1, 2009. He was born June 26th 1925. Visitation will be from 5:00 till 7:00 PM, Monday, August 3, 2009 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. He was a wonderful, caring husband and father. A celebration of his life will be at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Immediately following the service the burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East in Trussville. Al was preceded in death by his mother, Ada Glenn Stephens and father Charlie Henry Stephens; brothers, Kermit, Earl and Charles; sisters, Essie Mae Landrum and Maude Waller. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Roberta M. Stephens; daughters, Debbie Beasley (Bill), Pam Harmon (Ron), and Lisa Young (Steve); Grandchildren, 1st Lt. Stephen Harmon (Stephanie) and Brian Beasley (Lorie), Chris Harmon (Valerie), Jenny Harmon, Jordan Thompson, Emily Harmon, Devin Young and Braden Young. Al attended the Fairview Grammar School, West End High School and the University of Alabama. He enlisted in the US Navy on June 25th 1943 and served until 1946 during World War II on the U.S.S. Solar (DE-221) escorting convoys to Africa, Italy and Europe. On April 30, 1996 Al had the distinct honor of participating in the 50th anniversary memorial service of the U.S.S. Solar in Leonardo New Jersey reunited him with his shipmates he served in the war with. In 2008 he was able to participate in the Flight of Honor taking heroes from past wars to Washington DC. He worked in the railroad industry for 41 years and retired as a sales manager for the Norfolk Southern in 1987. He was a member of the Birmingham Traffic and Transportation Club for 30 years and served as President from 1972-73. He later supported his daughter, Lisa, as President of the BTTC from 2000-2001 and son in law Steve as the current President. He participated in the Annual Dinner for the BTTC for 29 years and only missed one dinner during his association with them. After retirement, Al kept busy by supporting each grandchild in a variety of sports and traveled the roads regularly chasing softball, baseball, basketball and any other sport they may be involved with. He loved the Crimson Tide and the Atlanta Braves and rarely missed a game of either. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.