Born on December 4, 1948, Tony was the eldest of Carlton and Pearl Isbell’s four children. He grew up in the Five Points community and graduated from Sylacauga High School in 1967. In 1969, he began his career at the Kimberly-Clark pulp mill in Childersburg, retiring in 2012 after 43 years of service. In 1992, he and his son began a part-time grass-cutting business that many thought would be short-lived. More than three decades later, Tony cut his last yard in August.
Throughout his life, Tony invested in his community, his church, and the people around him. He spent many years coaching — successfully, he’d want you to know — various Little League baseball teams and Boys Club basketball teams. He also served the Sylacauga Church of Christ in numerous capacities, including as its longtime song leader and member of the visitation team. And, he generously gave his time to organizations close to his heart, including Backwoods Christian Camp and Lads to Leaders. In short, his life was a reflection of the faith he professed and the servant’s heart he carried every day.
To those who knew him, he was the definition of “good people.” But more than anything, he was incredibly devoted to his family, and especially loved being “Pops” to his two grandsons.
Tony leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Bobbie Isbell; his son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Kim Isbell; his two grandsons, Maddox and Griffin Isbell; his sister, Carlette (Tracy) Milam; his brother-in-law, Mike Finn; a special cousin, Terri Pascu; a special niece, Paula Abrams; and numerous other relatives. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Rodney Isbell, and his sister, Kathy Finn.
A visitation will be held at Radney-Smith Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 8. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the same location, with Mike Kiser officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Agape of Central Alabama, 3800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36106.
