R. Michael Booker

R. Michael Booker, 76, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away February 14, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born in McKenzie, Alabama on March 8, 1948 to Milfred Manning and Joye Coleman Booker. Mike often told the story of attending eight different schools from New Orleans to Kentucky, eventually graduating from Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama at the age of 16. Although he was offered a full scholarship to Yale University, because of his young age, he attended Auburn University.

At Auburn, he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Army R.O.T.C., and his favorite of all, the Auburn cheerleading squad. Mike graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. After graduation in 1969, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served honorably in Vietnam from 1970-1971, earning a Bronze Star.

In Vietnam, Mike held the rank of First Lieutenant and served as a company commander in the MAC-V Special Operations Group. Most of his combat service focused on the Central Highlands of Vietnam where he fought against the communist insurgency and helped train the anti-communist indigenous Montagnard people during the "Vietnamization" program. After his service in Vietnam he continued to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve 87th Maneuver Area Command (MAC ) in Birmingham. During his time in the 87th MAC, Mike earned the ranks of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel. He also served as the Secretary to the General Staff (SGS). He retired in 1993 from the Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Mike applied to Cumberland Law School from Vietnam often joking that they only let him in because they thought he wouldn't make it back. He earned his Juris Doctor, graduating with honors and serving as editor of the Cumberland Law Review. Mike had the honor of clerking for The Honorable Clarence W. Allgood. He was also a member of the first graduating class of the Masters in Taxation Law Program from the University of Alabama.

Mike fostered a successful law firm, R. Michael Booker, Attorney-at-Law, in Birmingham, specializing in Social Security disability cases, and established himself as one of the state's best attorneys in his field. His practice expanded to branches in Mobile, Fairhope, and Sylacauga. He made his practice a mission field by giving Bibles to client and their families. In 2024, Mike was recognized for his 50 years of service to the Alabama Bar Association.

Mike met the love of his life and wife of 52 years, his sweetheart, Renee Williams, in 1971. It was love at first sight - they were engaged within two weeks, married in six months and have been an extraordinary example of God's instruction for marriage in Ephesians 5. Mike loved his wife as Christ loved the church. The only thing Mike loved as much as his family was his God and Auburn University, War Eagle!

Mike was a devout Christian and loved his church. He served as a deacon at Southside Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Birmingham. He was a fierce competitor in church basketball and softball. He was a beloved Sunday school teacher in the youth department where he cut up and laughed while spreading the Gospel to teenagers. For the past 25 years, Mike has been an active member in Homewood, Alabama of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as beloved kindergarten Sunday school teacher with his precious Renee.

Mike's favorite place to be was with his family in their Point Clear home. He loved to windsurf, ride jet skis with the grandchildren (who knew him as "Aubie"), play basketball, and dance with Renee on the wharf with the glorious sunset over Mobile Bay as the backdrop.

Mike loved music and could be found listening to the Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, and the Eagles. He was a lifelong numismatist and loved to play video games with his children and grandchildren. He was a brilliant man, quick-witted, strong, and kind. He was a very giving man, giving back so much of what God gave him. He always said "You can't take it with you."

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Milfred and Joye Booker. He is survived by his wife, Renee, of Birmingham; his children, R. Michael Booker, Jr. (Jennifer) and Mary Ruth Bean (Colter); and grandchildren, Gibson Colter Bean, Mary Paten Bean, and R. Michael Booker III, and Keith Manning Booker (Dawn).

We would like to say a very special thank you to our amazing caregivers Diane Jeffery, Glenise Zorn, Kim Marbury, and Compassus for their excellent care of our beloved patriarch.

A celebration of Mike's extraordinary life will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 12 noon at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church with visitation from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. A private graveside for close family and friends will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Mike's favorite charities and causes:

- PD Fight Club (in memory of "Mack Truck Mike")

Attn: Martin Juarez

825 Shadywood Lane

Birmingham, AL 35206

- Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Preschool

Attn: Brooke Gibson

1114 Oxmoor Road

Homewood, AL 35209

-The Parkinson Association of Alabama

P.O. Box 590146

Birmingham, AL 35259