Iris Taylor Johnson Isbell

Funeral services will be 2 P. M. Sunday March 27, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church of Attalla for Gordon Roswell Isbell, Jr., 87, Gadsden, who died Saturday, March 19, 2011. The Reverends Mark Smith and Bill Bostick will officiate.

Mr. Isbell touched so many lives with his kindness and generosity. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Attalla for 87 years. He served in the United States Army from 1943-1946. He was past president of the Alabama City Civitan Club, a member and past president of the Gadsden Kiwanis Club with 55 years perfect attendance, and was honored by the Kiwanis with the George F. Hixon Award, J. Mercer Barnett Fellow Award, Key Club Hoyt W. Lee Award, The Barnett-Isbell Friendship Award, and The Gordon R. Isbell Jr. Doer Award. He was a member of the Attalla Masonic Lodge, a member of the Gadsden Quarterback Club, and served on the board of directors for the United Givers Fund of Etowah County. He was a member and benefactor of the Sigma Nu Fraternity at Auburn University and received the Sigma Nu John M. Ward Outstanding Alumni Award. Gordon was a tremendous supporter of Auburn University for a lifetime.

Gordon was owner of Isbell & Hallmark Furniture Company which was in business in Etowah County for over 100 years. He was a member of the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce and was past president of the Retail Store Division. He was president and treasurer of the Alabama Furniture Retailer’s Association, and on the board of directors for the Etowah County Retail Furniture Dealer’s Association.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Roswell Isbell, Sr. and sister Annette Hornsby. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Iris Johnson Isbell; sons, Dr. Gordon Roswell Isbell, III and wife Cindy, Hal Johnson Isbell and wife Leigh, and Gilmer Frank Isbell and wife Syndee; grandchildren, Christina Isbell, Hal Johnson Isbell, Jr., Hilyer Isbell, Gordon Roswell Isbell, IV, Timothy Isbell, Frances Taylor Isbell, and Iris Ann Isbell; sister, Katherine O’Rear; brother-in-law Joe Johnson and sister-in-law Shirley Johnson; nephews, Caine O’Rear III, George O’Rear, Griff O’Rear, Dr. Joe Hornsby, and Joey Johnson; nieces, Isbell Juntila, Kathryn Hornsby, and Jill Herron, and cousin, Margaret Ann Todd (Jim).

Pallbearers will be Gordon R. Isbell IV, Timothy V. Isbell, Frances Taylor Isbell, Christina Isbell, Hal Johnson Isbell Jr., Hilyer Isbell, Jonathan Jordan, Iris Ann Isbell, Billy Harbert, and Howell O’Rear.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Saturday Night at Collier Butler Funeral Home. Sunday the body will lie in State at the church from 1:00 P.M. until time of service at 2:00 P.M.