Carl W. Albright, Jr., 1944-1997
Civic leaders
Carl Albright lived a life of meaning, commitment, and service - and excellence marked all of his endeavors. From home life to the workplace, from the church to the courtroom, from the chamber of commerce to the boy scouts, from giving to encouraging – Carl Albright’s impact and influence permeated his beloved community.
Born April 27, 1944 in Birmingham, Carl was reared in Tuscaloosa. He graduated from Tuscaloosa High School, the University of Alabama with a degree in aerospace engineering, and from the University of Alabama Law School with his juris doctorate.
An effective attorney, Carl earned his business reputation and influence as an outstanding banker, serving in various capacities with First National Bank of Tuscaloosa, rising to the office of president of AmSouth Bank. His impact in banking was also seen across the state as a strong leader in the Alabama Banker’s Association.
However, it was his model of civic responsibility and leadership in the economic arena that earned Carl community-wide respect. He served in virtually all of the key civic and community leadership roles during his lifetime, including serving as chairman or president of: Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, DCH foundation, Stillman College’s board of trustees and the Stillman Foundation, United Way, the Tuscaloosa Port Authority, the University of Alabama Law School Alumni Association and President’s Cabinet, Tuscaloosa Bar Association, and a host of other key roles.
His economic leadership was key to Tuscaloosa’s development during the 1980’s and 1990’s, as Tuscaloosa became a global economic leader. Carl’s strategic thinking, vision, and determination contributed directly to successes, such as JVC America, Tuscaloosa Steel (now Nucor) and of course, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. He also played an important role in the establishment of Tuscaloosa’s sister city partnership with Narashino City, Japan.
A compassionate leader, Carl Albright also left a legacy of service through many other community agencies and service organizations, such as family counseling services, Indian Rivers Mental Health Center, YMCA, boy scouts, and the American Heart Association. A dedicated and faithful leader of First Presbyterian Church, Carl was an elder and chairman of the board of deacons, and at the time of his death in 1997, he was providing essential leadership for the renovation of his beloved church.
A man of deep and abiding faith, Carl Albright promoted the public good in everything he did. He was a visionary, who strived for a better Tuscaloosa, a better Alabama and a better world for all citizens. He viewed his civic leadership as a calling and a responsibility to serve.
In 2006, he was inducted posthumously into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
Material from the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama was used in this description.
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Brenda Harris (Description)
1249
Tuscaloosa County (AL)
Frances Allison Alexander, 1923-2003
Civic leaders
The daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Richard Allison, Frances Allison Alexander was born in Columbia, SC on January 29, 1923 and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1943. Frances Allison married Sydenham B. Alexander, M.D. in 1944. They resided in Chapel Hill, NC from 1945 until 1966, where Dr. Alexander was Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, and both Dr. and Mrs. Alexander were active members of the Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church. Dr. Alexander served as Director of the University Health Services at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, from 1966 until his retirement in 1985.
During her career in Tuscaloosa, Frances Alexander was instrumental in a broad range of civic, educational, and religious activities. A founding member of the Children's Hands-On Museum, she served as a member of its Board of Directors until her death. An elementary school teacher for seventeen years, Mrs. Alexander tutored elementary school students as a volunteer for her entire life. She served as the senior warden of Christ Episcopal Church, taught adult education classes, led bible studies and was active throughout the Diocese. She was a life-long participant of Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, serving on its Board of Visitors and its Board of Directors. (From the Tuscaloosa News archives)
In 2006, she was inducted posthumously into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
Material from the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama was used in this description:
FRANCES ALLISON ALEXANDER
Three characteristics of leadership rarely come together in one person. When these qualities are combined with passion, southern charm, and humor, and under-girded with a profound sense of love and service to others, the surrounding community will be changed forever.
The vision that initiates change – the determination that implements change – and the character that inspires change were all found in Frances Allison Alexander.
During her lifetime in Tuscaloosa, Fran Alexander was instrumental in a broad range of civic, educational and religious activities, all leading to a better life for those touched by her generous spirit.
Born January 23, 1923 in Columbia, South Carolina, Fran Alexander was a graduate of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. And from the time of her arrival in Tuscaloosa in 1966, with her beloved husband, Syd, Frances was an active, involved community servant.
Perhaps her most visible legacy is CHOM - the Children’s Hands on Museum. As a founding member of CHOM, along with friends Helene Hibbard, Jane Ingram, and others, Frances was at the leadership center and anchored a driving core of believers in children’s education and enrichment to make CHOM a reality. She served on CHOM’s board until her untimely death in September of 2003.
Founded in 1986, the touch of Fran Alexander can be felt through CHOM, enriching the lives of thousands of children every year through the largest museum and educational center for children in West Alabama,
But that wasn’t the sum of her contributions as a community servant. A longtime teacher, Fran worked just as hard after retirement, putting in 20 years as a tutor at Alberta Elementary School and giving her time to numerous civic, service and religious initiatives.
Her vision and drive was evident in the lives of children. Fran was an early volunteer through the medical alliance and adopt-a-school program, and she saw the need for expanding new boundaries and encouraging retired teachers, business people and others to volunteer, thus beginning the Alberta Pals Program, which has touched the lives of literally thousands of young people.
Another recipient of Fran Alexander’s talent for initiating big ideas and inspiring excellence was her work with the family of Christ Episcopal Church. Fran was a leader in the Episcopal Church women – an early leader in the Cursillo Lay Renewal Movement of the Episcopal church statewide, helping hundreds to grow in their faith. Fran also spearheaded the formation of senior ministries at Christ Church, touching people daily with her caring and giving spirit.
Fran Alexander’s tireless efforts resulted in many tangible, lasting contributions in a variety of civic, educational, and religious areas of our community. Perhaps even more significant were the qualities she demonstrated and encouraged as a mentor and role model to a generation of young community leaders – the qualities of ethics and morals in decision making – the basic principles of justice and always doing what is right, fair and good.
Fran Alexander left a legacy for many women and a new generation of community servants, teaching others to lead with grace and humanity. She made life better for everyone she touched and for all of us.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Brenda Harris (Description)
Drawing
1250
Tuscaloosa County (AL)
James B. Allen, 1913-1978
Politicians
James Browning Allen, of Gadsden, was born December 28, 1912, son of George C. and Mary Ethel (Browning) Allen, the former an attorney of the firm Dortch, Martin, and Allen, of Gadsden, and serving one term in the State Legislature, 1931-1935. Mr. Allen received his education in the public schools of Gadsden and the University of Alabama. He began the practice of law in 1935, with the firm Dortch, Allen, and Meighan. He was a member of the House of Representatives from Etowah County, 1939-1943, 1943-1945, resigning in the middle of the second term to enter military service as an Ensign in the USNR, from August 1943 to December 1944 when he was promoted to Lieutenant JG, and served to January 1946. He served in the State Senate, representing Etowah and St. Claire Counties, 1947-1951; elected Lieutenant Governor for the term 1951-1955 and again for the term beginning 1963.
Allen was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate, November 5, 1968; reelected in 1974, and served from January 3, 1969, until his death in Gulf Shores, Ala., June 1, 1978; interment in Forrest Cemetery, Gadsden, Ala.
He was a Democrat; and a member of the Church of Christ.
Married: March 16, 1940, in Gadsden, Marjorie Jo, daughter of Joseph N. and Dora Stephens. Mrs. Allen is now deceased. They had three children together. In August 1964 Jim Allen married Maryon Pittman Mullins, who was appointed by Governor George Wallace to her husband's Senate seat when Sen. Allen died. She resigned her seat on November 7, 1978. (Description from the Alabama Department of Archives and History)
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Circa 1960
Jordan Bannister (Description)
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
885
Tuscaloosa (AL)
John G. Allen
John G. Allen was plant manager at BF Goodrich.
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Photograph
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Tuscaloosa (AL)
Thomas B. Allen, 1850 - ?
Businessmen
Thomas B. Allen was the second president of the Allen & Jemison Company, after William. C. Jemison.
Allen was born in Hale County, the son of Samuel B. and Lucy M. Gray Allen. He attended the Green Springs School under the noted educator, Dr. Henry Tutwiler. His parents died when he was only a boy, but he successfully managed his father's large estate, until it was divided among the heirs.
Allen associated himself with William. C. Jemison, mayor of Tuscaloosa, and founded Allen & Jemison Company in 1883.
The company was in business in Tuscaloosa for over 100 years.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
The Tuscaloosa Times, 1899
1899
Betty Slowe (Description)
Newspaper
654
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Robert N. Almon Sr., 1933-2014
Almon & Associates, Tuscaloosa (Ala.)
Civil engineers
Robert N. Almon Sr. was the founder and longtime head of the engineering firm Almon & Associates. During a career that spanned decades, Almon planned and helped implement Tuscaloosa's first sewage collection system, the widening of 15th Street from a two-lane street to a six-lane thoroughfare, and the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk. As a civil engineer he helped change the face of downtown Tuscaloosa.
Almon was born in Selma on May 3, 1933, and attended public schools in Selma, Talladega, and Lawrence County where his father was superintendent of education.
He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Almon came to Tuscaloosa to attend the University of Alabama, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering. In addition to Almon & Associates, he also co-founded Tuscaloosa Testing Laboratory, now TTL.
Among his professional honors were his induction as one of 150 UA alumni as 150th Anniversary Distinguished Fellow at the University of Alabama's College of Engineering, his induction into the Alabama General Contractor's Construction Hall of Fame, and recognition from the UA chapter of Chi Epsilon, a civil engineering honor society.
In 2007, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama named him its Advocate of the Year, citing his contributions to Tuscaloosa's economic growth.
Information from The Tuscaloosa News, Nov. 20, 2014.
Tuscaloosa News
The Tuscaloosa News
Nov. 20, 2014
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
1269
Judge Eugene Bailey, 1910-1958
Bailey, Eugene, 1910-1958,
Callahan, Artemis Killiam "Temo", 1904-2001
McClusky, D. O.
Holman, Jr., Thomas Victor, d. 1958
Eugene Bailey, judge of the inferior court of Tuscaloosa, sits between D.O. McClusky, (left) longtime administrator of Druid City Hospital, and A.K. "Temo" Callahan, who practiced law in Tuscaloosa for 72 years and served five terms in the Alabama Legislature. The men were at a school function.
Judge Bailey died, along with a friend who was bailiff in his court, Thomas Victor Holman Jr., while on a fishing trip in the Tennessee River in North Alabama on April 22, 1958.
Judge Bailey's widow, Mozelle Kirksey Bailey, died in 1995.
A.K. Callahan, Jr.
Circa 1950
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
2565
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Benjamin H. Barnes
Educators
African-American--History--Tuscaloosa
Fifty years ago, the construction of the Benjamin Barnes Branch of the YMCA began on 18th Street in Tuscaloosa.
The branch was named after Tuscaloosa educator, Benjamin H. Barnes.
Barnes was educated under Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee Institute. According to his biography Barnes heard Washington thunder from the Tuskegee Institute platform the doctrine of service.
“Go back to your homes, put a hinge on the gate, a latch on the door. Don’t stand around and whine. Get into the church, in the school, into the shop and help. Own your own homes and become a tax-paying, respectable citizen.”
Barnes took Washington’s message to heart and returned to his native Tuscaloosa to begin his service. He took a job as a teacher in the city school system and immediately connected himself with the work of the church, the First African Baptist Church. He was elected Sunday School superintendent, a post he held for 25 years. He became church organist and served for 20 years in that capacity. As a deacon in the church, along with other deacons, he designed the new church building as a replica of the chapel at Tuskegee Institute. The church was built in 1907.
Throughout his life he was an avid student and spent many hours in his home library. In recognition of his religious service and of his exemplary scholarship, Selma University conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts and a branch of the Tuscaloosa YMCA bears his name. (Betty Slowe, Looking Back, The Tuscaloosa News, Aug. 2, 2010)
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Betty Slowe (Description)
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Photograph
614
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Jeremiah Barnes
Educators
Jeremiah Barnes was a veteran school master of Tuscaloosa who was described as vigorous and active, in body and in mind. As a school teacher, he was cheerful and optimistic for himself and his people..
Born a slave on the farm of Judge Washington Wood, eight miles west of Tuscaloosa, Barnes learned to read and write and found opportunities to improve himself.
He was a brick mason in the 1860s. Ten years later he ran a variety store at which time he also became an alderman of Tuscaloosa, grand juror of the county and a teacher in the public schools.
Barnes brought a variety of experience and constant study to his classroom. He balanced the curriculum between classroom work and industrial work, teaching by deed as well as by word.
Barnes believed in beautifying one's surroundings and he put this belief into work to beautify the Negro High School building of Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
461
Tuscaloosa (AL)
W. Tandy Barrett, 1901-1992
Businessmen
Colonel W. Tandy Barrett (1901-1992) was an influential Tuscaloosa businessman and devoted patriot.
He was best known around the community for his many positions of civic leadership within the Tuscaloosa Industrial Development Board, Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce, and Tuscaloosa Exchange Club.
Barrett was President and Chairman of the Board at Northington Laundry Inc. in his later years and was twice named Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in his career.
Before his business ventures, Barrett graduated from the University of Alabama School of Commerce and Business in 1924 and promptly enlisted in the National Guard, where he began to move up the chain of command.
He was based in Germany in 1944-1945 during WWII. He helped lead the 3rd Battalion into the Siegfried Line at Battle of Geilenkirchen on Nov. 17, 1944. His service in the US Army earned him an Alabama Distinguished Service Medal in 1983.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
April 19, 1978
Jordan Bannister (Description)
Photograph
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Tuscaloosa (AL)