Bob Sturdivant

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marianna Bailey Sturdivant, whom he married in 1959.

Survivors include Bob’s sons, Jim (Susan) Sturdivant of Vestavia Hills, AL and David (Laurie) of Alexander City, AL and his daughter Leanne (Chad) Calhoun of Alexander City, AL; grandchildren Robert (Brittany) Sturdivant, Adam Sturdivant, Daniel Sturdivant, Thomas Sturdivant, Bailey Sturdivant, Sam (Sadie) Sturdivant, Scott Sturdivant, Brantley Calhoun and Will Calhoun; sister-in-law Martha (Mickey) Ponder of Nashville, TN; nephews Bentley (J.), Ponder and Brandon (Caitlin) Ponder; niece Brooke Ponder; and cousins Pam Bowers Auger and Mark Bowers.

Bob graduated from Middle Tennessee State College with a business degree in 1964, and served as a commissioned Army officer (Armor Branch) on active duty as a tank commander and trainer at Fort Knox, KY. In 1966, he began a long and distinguished career in the Tennessee National Guard and the US Army Reserve, 87th Maneuver Area Command, headquartered in Birmingham, retiring in 1998 with the rank of full Colonel. Bob loved America and took tremendous pride in his military service and enjoyed being around military and former military people. In civilian life, Bob was an executive with the Bell System in Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis and Humboldt, TN, and then in Birmingham, AL.

Bob was active in the United Methodist Church and was a choir member and enthusiastic and committed volunteer and leader at multiple Methodist Churches located in the communities where he lived and worked throughout his life. Bob led several youth work trips at Mt. Chapel United Methodist Church during the 70s and 80s, including trips to the mountains of Appalachia and the painted desert of New Mexico, often driving the old church school bus himself. He had a beautiful and sonorous baritone/bass singing voice and was a trained vocalist and musician, leading the Youth Choir at First UMC in Humboldt. He also enjoyed the occasional theater performance or skit, and performed often in the theater group at the Danberry community where he had many good friends and lots of fun fellowship. He served on various church committees and frequently gave his time as a volunteer for the Shades Valley High School Booster Club and at Hoover High School. He was active in the Exchange Club, Rotary, and at the YMCA.

Bob worshipped his children and grandchildren and frequently commented in later years on how he was grateful that his large family “always gets along so well and loves one another”. However, the love of Bob’s life and the apple of his eye was his gracious Marianna, who was called to Heaven two years ago. Before her passing, Marianna experienced the impact of dementia, and Bob was there for her every step of that increasingly painful and heartbreaking journey. All those who were involved in Marianna’s later life and care will agree that never was there a more faithful and devoted spouse – Bob gave new meaning and strength to his vow to give care and comfort to Marianna “in sickness and in health”.

Visitation will be Monday, March 9, 2020, at 10 a.m., at Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Birmingham, with the funeral to begin at noon. The Reverends Mike Holly, Reid Crotty and Robert Sturdivant will officiate. A military honor guard and internment ceremony will follow at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

Memorial gifts may go to Unless U, serving adults with developmental disabilities through continuing education, at 4521 Amberley Drive, Birmingham, AL 35242 (www.unlessu.org) or Children’s Harbor, providing resources for seriously ill children and their families, at 1 Our Children’s Highway, Alexander City, AL 35010 (www.childrensharbor.com).