Category: P – S

Biography; Writer; editor; blogger. Education; University of Alabama, B.A.,  Samford University, M.A., 2017. Director of Content Marketing, Samford University.  Founder and owner of West End Publishing. Has worked as editor for several publishers including Kensington Publishing, Random House, Moody, Hyperion, and Kimani, and for a number of journals and publications. Creator of a popular blog,…

Biography: Ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist. Born– Sept. 15, 1884, in Tuscaloosa. Parents– James Thomas Searcy and Annie Ross Searcy. Married–Mary Emily Fitts, 1915. Education– University of Alabama, A.B.; University of Michigan, M.D. Otolaryngologist in Tuscaloosa, Memphis, and Birmingham; served with U.S. Army in World War I. Member American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology;…

Writer; professor of journalism and creative writing.  Born–September 28, 1936, Montgomery.  Parents–Julius Porter and Emily (Hillman) Paterson. Married– Charles William Jones.  Children–two.  Education:  Hollins College, Roanoke, Va., 1958; Auburn University, M.A., 1972; Ph. D., 1975. Taught at Auburn University at Montgomery, 1972-1981; at the School of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park, 1984-2005;…

Biography: Aviator, airlines employee. Born–November 25, 1914, Birmingham. Parents–Herbert and Ossie Coley Simmons. Married–Martha Mae Terry. Children–two. Education– graduated from Southern Airways Flying School. Flying instructor at Birmingham Southern College; flight instructor during World War II for Army Air Forces; worked for Transcontinental, Western, and Trans-World Airlines. Retired from TWA after 30 years as a pilot.…

Biography: Pharmacist, journalist. Born– September 9, 1878 in Jeffersonville, Ill. Parents– Isaac Henry and Mary Frances (Trussell) Stanley. Married– Martha Cousins Greet on Dec. 7, 1905. Children– Three. Education– Illinois College, Ph.B. Registered pharmacist in various Illinois cities; reporter for Birmingham Age-Herald and other papers, 1901-1922; associate editor Mobile Register, Mobile News-Item, Montgomery Advertiser, Florence…

Biography: Optician, jeweler. Born– Sept. 12, 1869, Montgomery, Ala. Parents– Leonidas and Juliet (Hardwick) Ruth. Married– Maude Crook. Children– Four. Education– University of the South; Parsons’s School of Horology; two optician schools, New York. Jeweler and optician, Montgomery. Member social, literary, business clubs; Commercial and Industrial Associations (Chamber of Commerce); Episcopal Church; trustee, University of…

Biography: Historian; professor of history. Born– Jan. 29, 1923 in Gordo, Ala. Parents– John Ellis and Nona (Cameron) Spain. Married– Elizabeth Finchon, Nov. 22, 1945. Children– Two. Married– Carol Hanna, Dec. 1958. Children– Two. Education– diploma from Clarke Memorial Junior College (Miss.); Mississippi College, B.A.; Vanderbilt University, M.A., Ph.D. Served with U.S. Army 1943-1945 and…

Biography; Military officer; aviator; newspaper executive.  Born–Hinds, Mississippi, November 2, 1908.  Parents– Elbert P. and Mattie Smith.  Married–Lucy Amelia Hudson, 1938.  Children–five. 1940-42, worked for Emery-Riddle School of Aviation, Miami; 1942-46, active duty with U.S.Army Air Corps (later U.S.Air Force); 1945-65, U.S.Air Force Reserve, retired 1965 with rank of colonel.  Worked as a newspaper executive…

Biography: Episcopal priest. Born– January 15, 1891, Madison, Ga. Parents– Hinton Crawford and Lenena Ligon (Reeves) Pennington. Married– Gertrude Guerry Barnett, June 25, 1940. Education– University of Georgia, LL.B., 1914; Cornell University, M.A., 1923; studied for the ministry and ordained into the Episcopal Church in 1921. Served as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, aboard…

Biography: Born– December 11, 1895, Tuskegee. Parents– William Drakeford and Mary (Yancy) Fonville. Married– Clifton Hewitt Penick, October 19, 1918. Children– Three.  Died March 21, 1986. Source: Averette Penick Lackey, Birmingham, Ala.. Publication(s): How a Totem Pole Was Made and Other Tales. New York; Vantage Press, 1969.

Biography: Anthropologist; university professor. Born– April 27, 1923, Brooklyn, N.Y. Parents– George Martin and Anna Laura (White) Pearsall. Education– University of New Mexico, B.A., 1944; University of California at Berkeley, Ph.D., 1950. Taught at the University of Arkansas, 1950; research fellow at Rhodes Livingstone Institute, British Central Africa, 1951; University of Alabama, 1952-1956; post doctoral…

Biography: Literary scholar; university professor. Born– July 12, 1873, Auburn. Parents– Leonidas Warren and Mary Jane (Foster) Payne. Married– Mary Susan Bledsoe, 1897. Children– Four. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S., 1892; M.S., 1893; University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D., 1904. Taught at the Southwestern Alabama Agricultural School in Evergreen, 1894-1901; Jacksonville State Normal School, 1901-1902; Harrison Fellow in…

Biography: Literary scholar; university professor. Born– September 23, 1930, Birmingham. Parents– Emmett Colson and Hope (Bennett) Robinson. Married– Helen Caroline Wild, June 1959. Children– Two. Education– Birmingham-Southern College, B.A., 1952; University of North Carolina, M.A., 1953; Ph.D, 1960. Served in the U.S. Army, 1954-1956. Taught at Samford University, 1960-1965; Cornell University, 1965-1967; Yale University, 1971-2000…

Biography: U.S.Marine; biologist; university professor. Born– Nov. 4, 1923, Mobile, Ala. Education– attended Marion Military Institute and Georgia Institute of Technology; Auburn University, B.S., 1949, M.S., 1955; University of Florida, Ph.D., 1960.  Volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corps, 1942; served in the Pacific with the 1st Marine Division.  Discharged with the rank of Corporal, 1946.  Research…

Biography: Author, editor, social activist.. Born– May 13, 1894 in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Louis and Blanche (Loeb) Gelders. Married– Roy M. Sterne in March, 1917. Children– Two. Education– Smith College, A.B.; further study at  Columbia University and New School for Social Research. Taught in Rowayton, Conn., 1946-1950; editor at American Book Co., 1950-1956.  Member– American Civil…

Biography: Educator. Born– Dec. 31, 1941. Married– Harry Solomon. Children– Two. Education– Rice University, B.A.; University of Texas, M.A., Ph.D. Taught speech communication at Auburn University; editor of Southern Speech Communication Journal; vice president of Southern Speech Communication Association; published in several scholarly speech journals. Member Rhetoric Society of America. Source: Directory of American Scholars,…

Biography: Political analyst, university professor. Born– Aug. 20, 1939, Hartselle, Ala. Parents– William H. and Opal Evelyn Cross Stewart. Married–Connie Sue Scott, May 12, 1975. Children–one. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1960; Ph.D., 1968; George Washington University, M.A., 1961. Taught at the Citadel, 1968-1972; University of Alabama 1972-2000; Chair of department of political science, 1992-2000.…

Biography: High school teacher, author. Born– March 7, 1899 in St. Paul, Minn. Parents– J. L. and Mattie (Carter) Vernon. Married– Harry L. Stevens. Education– Wichita State University, A.B., 1919;  graduate study at University of Arkansas, 1854. Taught high school English and social studies in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Member Pensters (Mobile, Ala.). Died January 30,…

Biography: Psychologist, writer, lecturer. Born– Nov. 29, 1924 in Abbeville, Ala. Parents– John and Della Small. Eucation; Morehouse College, B.A.; Atlanta University, M.A.; studied at Rutgers University. In U.S. Army, 1943-1945; research assistant at Atlanta University, 1950-1951; practiced psychology for Federal government, 1965-1969; assistant professor and consulting psychologist at Mercer College, Trenton, N.J., after 1969;…

Biography: Federal administrator, consultant. Born in 1907 in Central Hills, Ala. Parents– Edgar Morgan and Allie Sheppard. Education– Studied creative writing at University of Alabama. Tried unsuccessfully to sell short stories in New York; correspondence clerk for U.S. Treasury Department; during World War II managed correspondence for War Manpower Commission; after war was organization and methods examiner…

Biography: Novelist, poet, songwriter.  Born– July 7, 1853, Logan County, Ky. Parents– John M. and Margaret (Hughes) Cash. Married– _____ Roland. Children– Three. Education– Governess; public schools of Logan County; private girls school in Russell, Ky. Died February 15, 1915. Source: Biographical Directory of Southern Authors, and Owen’s Dictionary of Alabama Biography. Publication(s): Latter-day Sinners. New York;…

Biography: Businessman, journalist. Born– Mar. 7, 1911, in Coldwater, Ala. Parents– M.C. and Millie Lou (Heaton) Scott. Education– self-educated after 8th grade. Mailman; sign painter; cinema manager; variety store owner; watch repairer; columnist for Talladega Daily Home and for Western Publications. Member– Alabama Writers Conclave; chairman Talladega Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee; honored by Helping…

Biography: Literary scholar; University professor. Born– December 6, 1925, Madrid, Spain. Parents– Camilio and Terese (Silverde) Ruiz-Fornells. Married– Cynthia Young, March 21, 1959. Education– University of Seville, B.A., 1944; International University in Menendez Pelayo, 1950; Official School of Journalism in Madrid, M.A., 1951; University of Madrid, M.A., 1953; Ph.D., 1958; University of Paris, Northwestern University.…

Biography: Historian; professor of history; college administrator.  Born– 1954 in Selma, Ala. Parents– Elwood and Sarah Sims. Married– Ellen Guice. Education– Samford University, B.A.; Emory University, M.A., Ph.D.  Professor of history at Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas, 1981-1986; professor and administrator at Belmont College, 1986-2001; vice-president for academic affairs, Muskingum College, 2001-2005; Associate vice-president for academic affairs,…

Biography: Novelist; writer of screenplays. Born– October 11, 1922, Corinth, Miss. Parents– W.T. and Ollie (Fare) Phillips. Education– Mississippi State College, B.S., 1943; University of Alabama, M.A. First novel, The Bitterweed Path, served as graduate thesis. Taught creative writing at Southern Methodist University, 1948-1950. Mississippi State Public Service Commission, 1958-64. Wrote screenplays for several successful films.…

Biography: Genealogist. Born– September 18, 1942, Cullman County. Parents– Odis Freeman and Ima Irene (Marlow) Little. Married– William R. Ponder, October 14, 1960. Children– Three. Education– Wallace Community College in Hanceville. Employed by Cullman Lingerie, 1965-1966; Porter Mills, 1966-1967; Cullman County Public Library, 1974-1976; Gregath Publishing Company. Source: Odalene Ponder, Falkville, Ala. Publication(s): The Marlow…

Biography: Librarian. Born– June 16, 1939, Parents– Lee Wesley and Emma Frances (Robson) Blitch. Married– William Brannan Bailey, 1963; William Grosvenor Pollard, III, 1977. Children– One. Education– Emory University, B.A., 1961; M.L.S., 1970; post-graduate study, University of North Carolina, 1961-1963. Employed by the University of Georgia Libraries, 1965-1967; Emory University, 1967-1970; University of Alabama in…

Biography: Cartoonist. Born– December 1, 1885, Freeport, Pa. Parents– Ira Lester and Mary Ella Dougherty Pim. Married– Lenna Hales. Education– graduated from Cabot Institute; studied photo-engraving, Bissell College; John Huntington Polytechnic Institute. Employed as cartoonist for Birmingham News, established the W. Paul Pims Advertising Art Studio. Taught commercial art at Birmingham-Southern College, 1922-1931. Drew the…

Biography: Educator, poet. Born– Jan. 13, 1935 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Parents– Frank Pettus and Zeila (Stovall) Steele. Married– Peggy Myrick on April 27, 1958. Children– Two. Education– University of Alabama, B.A.; University of Chattanooga, M.Ed.; University of Tennessee, Ed.D. Taught Baylor School for Boys (Chattanooga), 1960-1964; Webb School (Knoxville), 1964-1967; University of Tennessee at Martin,…

Biography; Journalist; professor of journalism.  Born–September 8, 1948.  Married– Sally McMillan. Children–one.  Education:  University of Tennessee, B.A., 1970; American University, M. A., 1973; University of Tennessee, Ph. D., 1978.  Professor of journalism, University of Alabama, 1978-2003; visiting professor of mass communications, Emory and Henry College, 2003-2006; Edward J. Meeman Distinguished Professor of Journalism, University of…

Biography: Literary scholar; university professor and administrator.  Born– Oct. 1, 1937, in Florala, Ala. Parents– John Henry and Clyde (Merrill) Maguire. Married– Calvin Lee Skaggs, Aug. 19, 1960. Children– Two. Education– Stetson University, B.A.; Duke University, Ph.D. Part-time teacher at Teachers College, Columbia University 1969-1973; taught at Drew University, 1971-2008; Dean of the Graduate School…

Biography: Educator. Born– June 24, 1910, Birmingham. Parents– Daniel and Jessie Curtis Sizemore.  Married– James Middleton Sizemore. Children– Two. Married– Edward Douglas, ca. 1982. Education– Samford University, A.B., M.A.;  Degre Normal from the Sorbonne in Paris, France; studied at Western Reserve University and University of Alabama. Taught at Woodlawn High School, Birmingham and at Howard…

Biography: Educator. Born– May 9, 1932, in Cleveland, Tenn. Parents– Pryor L. and _____ (Cooper) Newman. Married– William F. Shouse on Aug. 20, 1954. Children– Three. Education– Vanderbilt University, B.A., M.A.; Auburn University, Ph.D.; attended Exeter College, Oxford University. Taught at Murphy High School, Mobile, 1955-1957; Emory and Henry College 1964-1965; and Alabama A &…

Biography: Poet; author; university professor of English; real estate broker.  Born– September 29, 1943, Boston, Mass. Parents–Rose Winer and Harry Perlis.  Married Paula Perlis; children–two; married Beth Bradley; children–three.  Education– University of Vermont, B.A., 1965; M.A., 1966; University of Michigan, Ph.D., 1969. Taught at the University of Michigan, 1969-1970; Beloit College, 1970-1975; Head of Department…

Biography: Senior environmental scientist at Weston Solutions, Montgomery. Published a number of papers on Alabama ferns. Source: University of Alabama Press Catalog, 2012. Joint_Publications: Ferns of Alabama. University of Alabama Press, 2012.

Biography: Historian, university professor. Born– June 25, 1920,  Alexandria, La. Parents– Eugene and Hattie Sterkx.  Education– Louisiana State University, B.A., 1944; M.A., 1946; University of Alabama, Ph.D., 1954.  Taught at Troy State College, 1947-1956 and 1959-1972; University of Tampa, 1957-1958; Auburn University in Montgomery, 1972-82; Head of Department of History, AUM, 1975-82. Member– Organization of…

Biography: Artist, writer, farmer. Born– March 26, 1878, Mobile. Parents– Thomas T. and Annie Laura (Jane) Roche. Education– Graduated from the Convent of Visitation, 1895; Art Students League in New York City. Wrote Habits of Native Birds and Diseases of Trees. Historic Oakleigh Plantation Museum held an exhibit on the life and work of Emma…

Biography: Teacher. Born– March 27, 1916, Camp Hill. Parents– George Robert and Bessie (Garlington) Rodgers. Married– Thomas Jackson McLain, 1960. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, M.S., 1941; University of Alabama. Taught school in Talladega and Camp Hill. Published short story in the Birmingham News-Age Herald, 1937.               Died July 13, 2004. Source: Files at Alabama Public Library…

Biography: Attorney, journalist. Born– Feb. 25, 1839 in Barbour (now Russell) Co. Parents– Benjamin and Morning (Drake) Screws. Married– Emily F. Holton Apr. 25, 1867. Children– Three. Education– studied law in Montgomery law offices; admitted to bar in 1859. Practiced law until 1861; served in Confederate Army, 1861-65; purchased Montgomery Advertiser in  1865, becoming president…

Biography: Poet; university professor; civil rights activist. Born– Sept. 9, 1934, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Wilson L. and Lena (Jones) Driver. Married–Albert Sanchez.  Married (2)– Etheridge Knight. Children– Three. Education– Hunter College, B.A., 1955; New York University M.A.  Taught at Downtown Community School in San Francisco, San Francisco State College, University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University, Manhattan…

Biography: Musician, teacher, civic worker. Born– October 13, 1901, Port Gibson, Miss. Parents– Horatio Nelson and Ellie Mae (Hartwell) Spencer. Married– Kenneth Bennett Roy, September 9, 1925. Children– Three. Education– Grenada College; Port Gibson College; Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Taught music in El Dorado, Ark.; public school supervisor and private music teacher. Received an award from…

Biography: Business executive. Born– Jan. 26, 1925, in Birmingham. Parents– Harris and Zoe Reed (Black) Saunders. Married– Jean Rowan, Aug. 9, 1949. Children– Five. Education– Georgia Institute of Technology, M.S. (M.E.), 1945.  U. S. Navy, WWII. Executive positions in Saunders Leasing Systems; helped expand it into the third-largest truck-leasing system in the country.  Member of…

Biography: Economist; University professor. Born– July 10, 1931, Guntersville. Parents– Leon Virgle and Willie Mae (Williamson) Rowan. Married– Marilyn Walker, August 3, 1963. Children– Two. Education– Birmingham-Southern College, A.B., 1953; Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 1956-1957; University of North Carolina, Ph.D., 1961. Taught at Auburn University and the University of North Carolina; Wharton School of Business, University…

Biography: Accountant, educator. Born– Aug. 19, 1916, in Madison, Wisc. Parents– Benjamin Franklin and Camilla (Haley) Sweet. Married– Melba Cameron, Dec. 22, 1936. Children– One. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., M.S.; University of Texas, Ph.D.; became CPA in 1944.  Served in U.S.Navy, WWII. Auditor for Sears, Roebuck in Atlanta, 1938-1942; accountant in Dothan, Ala., 1942-1946;…

Biography: Historian; college professor. Born– October 22, 1900, Smyrna, Tenn. Parents– Wilson Yandell and Myrtle (Omohundro) Posey. Married– Margaret Grisham, September 1, 1926. Children– One. Education– University of Chicago, Ph.B., 1923; M.A., 1930; Vanderbilt University, Ph.D., 1933. Taught at Cumberland University, 1923-1925; Birmingham-Southern College, 1925-1943; head of History Department at BSC, 1932-1943; head of History Department,…

Biography: Textile executive, writer. Born– August 13, 1916, Goldville. Parents– George W. and Cora B. (McDaniel) Powell. Married– Minnie Lee Harris. Children– One. Education– Universal School in Dallas and National Institute in St. Louis. Employed by Russell Mills, Inc., Alexander City. Awarded a Gold Plaque for best poet in Alabama, 1966. Founded the Thurston Powell…