Willa Dean Marlaire

Public viewing will be Friday, September 22, 2023 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by a lunch reception from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. The graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023 at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham.

Vicki was born in the small mill town community of Bemiston in Talladega County, Alabama. In this idyllic setting, she spent her childhood and teenage years, attending Talladega County High School and working as Recreation Director and Lifeguard at the Bemiston Community Center and Talladega Recreation Center.

Vicki was crowned the “Cotton Queen” of Talladega County in her senior year. Musically talented, she blessed others by voluntarily teaching piano and voice lessons at the Talladega School for the Deaf and Blind. She sang and played piano at Talladega Civic Club events also.

Vicki graduated from high school with high honors in 1950, and started college immediately on Academic Scholarship at the University of Alabama, where she majored in Physical Education. In her second year at U of A, she met the love of her life, Leon Richard Marlaire, a point guard on the famed “Rocket Eight” basketball team. His team was SEC Champion and undefeated in 1956. Vicki finished her undergraduate studies one year ahead of Leon and started teaching elementary school in the Tuscaloosa School System.

When Leon graduated from college, he and Vicki moved to Denver, Colorado, where she continued teaching while he played professional basketball for Denver/Chicago Truckers in the NIBL. Two years later, he retired from basketball and was transferred to New Jersey for a management position. Soon after that, he took a position with Baggett Transportation in Birmingham, Alabama as Vicki began her 34-year career with the Jefferson County School District.

While teaching full-time at Cahaba Heights, she devoted countless hours to raise funds and procure donations for a new athletic complex before seeing the facility's construction to its completion. She was a gifted organizer, and parents were delighted to work with her on worthwhile projects to make their children’s educational experiences better.

When Gresham became the middle school for Jefferson County, Vicki was recruited to head the Physical Education Department. She coached the "first" girls Junior High Volleyball Championship for the county, and oversaw the schools' cheerleading squads and volleyball programs. She was a beloved figure in the Jefferson County Schools System and remained in contact with many of her students until her death.

Vicki worked diligently in her community as well as in its schools. She was instrumental in organizing hers and Leon's fellow Rocky Ridge homeowners to maintain the community's residential nature over the years. She helped that unincorporated community to become a part of the City of Vestavia Hills, an achievement for which she fought although she and Leon had no children who would benefit from enrollment in the Vestavia Schools System.

Vicki and Leon have been avid supporters of The University of Alabama their entire adult lives. They have worked tirelessly together with the A Club to sponsor the ‘A Club Golf Classic’ with proceeds going for athletic scholarships at the University.

Vicki loved the Lord, her family, her students, and her friends, but the one who occupied her whole heart was the true love of her life for 67 years on earth and for eternity in heaven, her Leon.

In addition to her husband, Vicki is survived by her nephews and niece, Charles H. "Chuck" (wife Debbie), John Lee "Chipper" (wife Paula), Karen, and Steve. She was predeceased by her parents, Eva Dell Vickers and Ollie Lee Vickers; and two brothers, Charles Hershel Vickers (wife Meredith) and Robert S. Vickers.

The family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Monday Morning Quarterback Club, www.mmqbc.org. Or give to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SouthernHeritageFunerals.com for Vicki's family.