Michael Lee Overstreet, Sr.

Michael Lee Overstreet, Sr., age 75, passed away November 24, 2023 at DCH Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Mike’s life will be held at a later date. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Alice Overstreet. He is survived by his wife, Sybil Overstreet; son, Lee Overstreet (Heather); step-daughters, Donna Johnson (Gene) and Lisa Stewart (Frank); sister, Kaye Barrow (Mike); brother, Larry Overstreet (Katie); grandson, Aaron Honeycutt; great-granddaughter, Maylee Miller; nieces, Ashley Overstreet (Adam Salyers) and Kaitlyn Stadt (Ryan); great-nieces, Ashtyn, Ava and Luna; and great-nephew, William.

Michael Lee Overstreet, Sr., known by his family and friends as "Mike," was born to Alice Mae Ealy in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1948, and at age two became an Overstreet when adopted by his father, Cecil. A clever, precocious child by all accounts, he became a popular teenager and high school quarterback at Linden High School in Linden, Alabama. He was the first in his direct family to attend college, beginning at the University of Alabama in 1966. He found himself in Atlanta, Georgia in 1968, meeting Theresa Van Pelt, becoming a husband, and then father to Michael Lee Overstreet, Jr. in 1969. Shortly thereafter, in 1970 during the Vietnam War, he joined the Air Force. His intelligence quickly had him teaching electronics courses, and later maintaining navigation systems in B-52 bombers.

After four years of service, he returned to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and to college to complete his B.A. in Business Administration. In his second stint in college he made Dean's and President’s list each semester, with a Sales and Marketing Executives of Birmingham scholarship. After graduation in 1976, he began his business career in convenience store management, quickly rising in position to manage dozens of Zippy Mart stores across the northern half of Alabama.

After a divorce in 1977, Mike met the forever love of his life, Sybil Corbin, in 1978. His charm converted a blind date into a nearly 44 year marriage, beginning in 1979. His family immediately grew to include step-daughters Donna and Lisa. Mike and Sybil's personalities were perfect complements to one another, and her love sustained and completed him for the rest of his life.

In 1981, Mike moved from retail to the insurance and investments business, where he would work until his recent retirement. Working first for Prudential Financial, Inc., his financial planning skills for clients quickly propelled him in a few short years to regional sales awards. Mike later became an independent insurance broker in Alabama. His trustworthiness and accuracy as a salesperson and advisor brought him clients who often remained with him for decades, followed afterwards by their children and other family. Friendships were formed.

Mike never met a stranger. A quick hello to a neighbor or even a store employee could easily become a long, entertaining conversation. He could be a give-and-take prankster, as well as a consummate worrier. He took pride in needing very little to be happy. He was a die-hard Alabama football fan throughout his adult life. A gathering for football with family, friends, and good food was a permanent desire. He was a steak and baked potato man, and a chocolate swirl ice cream would not hurt his feelings. He always wanted to help those he cared about, and often did so quietly. Mike wanted you to be careful, and call him when you got there.

Mike loved his various pets, dogs and cats both, and in lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mike’s memory to the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter at 3140 Investigator Dornell Cousette St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, or via the donate section of their website at http://www.metroanimalshelter.org.