Lela Sue Barton Springer

Lela Sue Barton Springer, age 71, of Elrod, died Sept. 10, 2012, at UAB Hospital. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Carrolls Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Griffin, Rev. Gary Bonner, Rev. Max Stripling, and Rev. Allan Roggli officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Barton Sr., and her mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Springer.

Survivors include her husband, Don Springer; her daughters, Melanie Springer Hogue (Mike) and Stephanie Springer Church (Walter); her sisters, Roena Barton Burns (Robert) and Betty Barton Carver (Tommy); her brother, D.D. Barton Jr. (Judy); her brother-in-law, Lewis Springer (Martha); her grandchildren, Meredith Hogue, Stephen Church, Marla Hogue, and Daniel Church; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives.

She attended Tuscaloosa County High School and earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama. She taught for 25 years at Cottondale and Crestmont Elementary schools. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority. She enjoyed cooking for friends and family, listening to music by the Gaithers, spending time at the beach with family, shopping, and watching University of Alabama football and sporting events.

She was a faithful and devoted wife for 52 years and provided loving support to her daughters and their families for over 45 years. She loved the Lord, and nothing brought her more joy than serving others. Her four grandchildren were a treasure in her life. She loved watching them perform and play sports and was actively involved in their lives. Sue's determination was evident as she dealt with health issues for the last several years. She loved life and persevered through many challenges to make life better for others.

Pallbearers will be Terry Holland, Glenn Kennedy, Robb Burns, Ryan Burns, Jim Springer, Lew Springer, David Avery, Bart Avery, Lawrence Fair, and Glenn Walker.

Honorary pallbearers are members of Grant's Creek Baptist Church, members of Auditorium Sunday School Class at Grant's Creek Baptist Church, former teachers and staff from Crestmont Elementary, churches where the Springers have served, fellow ministers, Dr. Debra Davis, Dr. Dirk Berry, Dr. Barri Fessler, Dr. David Hinton, and other doctors and medical staff, and friends of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gideons International or Grant's Creek Baptist Church.