G. Morrell Aldridge

ALDRIDGE, G, MORRELL, 60, resident of Alabaster, Alabama, and formerly of Greenville, Alabama, died on Thursday, December 29, 2011 after an extended battle with pancreatic cancer. Morrell was born on January 31, 1951 in Opelika, Alabama to Gene and Elizabeth Aldridge. He was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Deanna Grayson Aldridge, for 41 years. They were the parents of one daughter, Jennifer Aldridge Macomb. Morrell was a graduate of Greenville High School. A gifted athlete, he attended Samford University on a football scholarship and received the Bachelor of Science in Religion Degree in 1973. He also received the Master of Divinity Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1984. Morrell served as a Southern Baptist pastor for the past 42 years in churches in Alabama and Mississippi. He dedicated the past 15 years to church planting, in which he had the privilege of starting two new church works in Helena, Alabama: Riverside Baptist Church and CrossBridge Community Church, where he was serving at the time of his death. Morrell was preceded in death by his brother, James Marion Aldridge. Survivors include Morrell's wife, Deanna Grayson Aldridge; parents, Gene and Elizabeth Spates Aldridge of Opelika; one daughter, Jennifer Aldridge Macomb; son-in-law, Mike Macomb; grandchildren, Janeth (Jenny) Macomb, Ellis (Lance) of Marion, Arkansas, Joseph Michael Macomb, 13, Gracie Elisabeth Macomb, 11, Grayson Matthew Macomb, 9, and Jenna Isabella Macomb, 6; one great-granddaughter, Briana Grace Ellis, 10 months; sister, Teresa Aldridge Carmichael of Opelika; nieces; nephews; and other relatives. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday, January 2, 2012 at Riverside Baptist Church, Helena, immediately followed by the 12 noon funeral service in the church's worship center. Burial will follow in Helena City Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the Building Fund at CrossBridge Community Church, P.O. Box 304, Helena, AL 35080.