WILLIAM ROBERTS DEAN
William Roberts Dean passed away peacefully on May 20, 2024.
Born in Alexandria, Virginia, while his father served in World War II, William was a lifelong resident of the Auburn/Opelika area and a beloved husband and father.
William attended Auburn University, majoring first in architecture and graduating in economics. He worked initially with his father at Dean Agency, and later established his own business, Dean Realty, in 1985. He worked with clients throughout Alabama and surrounding states, specializing in appraisals, land and timber sales and expert witness services.
An award-winning marksman in high school and college, William served in a helicopter medic unit with the Air National Guard following graduation. He remained a passionate outdoorsman for life, enjoying hunting and fishing. He could often be found tilling his garden and decrying the various pests that dared to infest his carefully tended tomatoes, which he shared with many friends. He was a wildflower enthusiast, often transplanting and propagating plants he found in the woods. Protection of habitat and stewardship of the land were high priorities for him. He was an excellent cook, incorporating produce he grew into his specialties, such as Brunswick stew and jambalaya.
William was known by all as a restorer of historic buildings in Auburn. He was very knowledgeable about materials and construction of different time periods and set high quality standards. He oversaw the restoration of Sunny Slope, which houses OLLI at Auburn. He also oversaw the moving and restoration of two other historic buildings, now located near Noble Hall and Cusseta. His most recent restoration project is the 1890 Cullars-Henry-Dean home on College Street. He has lovingly labored for many years on the maintenance and renovation of the Lowe family farmhouse, originally built around 1890 by his wife’s grandparents.
His reputation for fair and ethical opinions led to his appointment to the Lee County Probate Commission for multiple years. He served as secretary for the regional Perinatal Advisory Committee during its early years. He was a member of Lee County Board of Realtors, Auburn Arts Association, and Auburn Preservation League.
His varied interests led to friendships throughout the community — staff in restaurants adjoining his garden, plumbers, electricians, historians, builders, businessmen and artists. He quietly helped many people behind the scenes who sought his advice. He had a kind and generous spirit. He was a creative problem-solver, finding solutions when they seemed elusive.
He met his wife on a blind date when she was 16 years old, and they married four years later. He was steadfast in his love and support of her, always patient, always her rock. His family came first.
William is survived by his wife Linda Henry Dean; his son Will (Laura) and daughter Gabrielle (David); his brothers Baker (Theresa) and Robert; numerous cousins and other relatives, as well as his cherished cat Edith whom he rescued as a feral. He was predeceased by his parents Augustus Baker and Caroline Dean and his brother Daniel R. Dean.
A visitation will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., on June 8 at Frederick Dean Funeral Home, located at 1801 Frederick Road in Opelika. Flowers are welcome, as he adored them, or a donation in his memory to Alabama Wildlife Federation.
JACKIE EDWARD “BUDDY” SATTERWHITE
Jackie Edward “Buddy” Satterwhite passed away on May 25, 2024, in a tragic accident at his home.
He was born Nov. 1, 1959, to Carol Dianne Satterwhite. He attended Beulah High School and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in accounting. He became an entrepreneur in January of 1995. Business became his favorite hobby and he liked to say he hadn’t worked a day in his life since 1995.
He was known for his unconditional love of his family and friends, especially his daughter and his beloved grandson, Buddy. He loved nothing more than to spend a day at his farm driving all the farm equipment and playing in the creek with his Buddy. He was also known for his kind and giving spirit and was always looking for ways to quietly help someone or make a difference in someone’s life.
He is survived by his beloved Aunt Frances and Uncle Wesley Hatchett, best friend and mother of his child Chris Satterwhite, his “precious baby girl” Haley and son-in-law Bryan Wade, grandson Buddy Wade, unborn granddaughter Isla Garrett Wade and numerous nieces and nephews who adored him.
A service was held June 4 at First Methodist of Opelika, with Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please consider doing something nice for someone today in his honor.
RUTH ANN SMOCK BURDINE
Ruth Ann Smock Burdine passed away May 24, 2024, at Bethany House in Auburn.
Ruth Ann lived most of her adult life in Huntsville after spending the early years in Indiana. She was born to Byron and Gertrude Smock and came to Alabama with three small children in 1959, when her husband began a career at NASA.
She lived a full life, enjoying work at Southtrust Bank in Huntsville, singing in several church choirs, playing the piano, serving as the head of her Red Hat Honeys chapter, keeping her grandchildren at “Camp Gran” and always baking delicious treats for her family and friends. Her most recent Huntsville residence was in Cedarwood Place where she enjoyed the community until she could no longer live alone. To be close to family members, she moved to Auburn in the summer of 2023, enjoying life in assisted living and visits with her great grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Steve (Alison) Cizek, Marcie (Tommy) Smith and her favorite, Mark Cizek (Deborah Waller) of Huntsville. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lauren (Everett) Marshall, Emmy (Brian) Sharp and Alex (Clay) Ritenbaugh, and great grandchildren Abby, Ethan, Lily, Reese, Logan and Evie. She was proceeded in death by her husband, William Burdine, her parents and one brother, Wayne Smock. Her surviving siblings are Robert (Joyce) Smock, Karen Decker and Bonnie Grigsby.
A very special thanks to many friends, visitors, and caregivers, particularly Carolyn Life and Karen and Tim Cotton of Huntsville, and Teresa Vest, Dr. Tripp Martin and the staff of Bethany House in Auburn.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home of Opelika assisted the family with arrangements. A memorial will be held in the picnic area of Monte Sano Park in Huntsville at a later date.
Ruth Ann was an enthusiastic supporter of the Big Oak Ranch, (6000 Shelley Dr. Springville, AL 35146) supporting disadvantaged children, as well as the Downtown Rescue Mission in Huntsville (1400 Evangel Dr. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816). Those wishing to make a donation in her honor can consider these.
MICHAEL STEVENS
Michael Stevens passed on May 26, 2024, at the age of 58.
Michael was born on May 18, 1966, in Winter Park, Florida, the fourth child to the loving parents of Betty Ruth and Richard William Stevens. He graduated from Winter Park High School in 1984. As a student, he excelled at the trumpet, winning many awards and becoming one of the best players in the state. He pursued a 5-year degree in Architecture at Auburn University, graduating in 1989.
Before graduating, Michael founded United Development Associates with his partner Michael Reeves. Together, their company would design and build dozens of homes across Lee County during the 1980s. In the early 1990’s, embracing technology, he founded United Design Associates with his wife, Jennifer, to distribute home designs via the internet.
His final company, UDA Technologies, expanded rapidly into the construction software industry. Never without vision, he pushed through the turmoil of the housing market crash to rebuild the company with a focus on the cloud construction management software. He led his staff of over 50 employees with encouragement and support, embracing and refining ideas to foster a close-knit company culture rooted in mutual respect. In his own words, his company is now “a leading provider of construction technologies for over 950,000 professionals in more than 75 countries.”
Starting as a young boy, he spent summers in Colorado, where he helped to build the family cabin and gained a hard-working resolve. There, he would develop passions for hiking, running and skiing that would define his active life. As an adult, he would return to the mountains of Colorado, creating cherished memories with his loving family. At home, Michael’s love of architecture and design was endlessly expressed in his beautiful landscaping. His yard provided him a sanctuary to work in and share with those he loved.
Michael will be lovingly remembered for his uplifting support, his persistent drive, his generous character and his adoring love of those close to him. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 26 years, Jennifer; his children, Will, Jack, Sydney and Chris; his mother, Betty; his siblings, Doug (Cindy), Linda (Mark), Ann (Jeff) and John (Ann); his many nieces and nephews; and his dog Aries.
Michael was preceded in death by his father, Richard, and his beloved dogs, Jesse and Jesse Jr.
A memorial service was held at Auburn United Methodist Church on May 30. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
For years, Michael ended his every plan with the quote: “We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit.”
NOLEN F. CHERRY
Nolen F. Cherry, 83, of OpelikA passed away at his home surrounded by family on June 2, 2024. He was born in Auburn on Jan. 24, 1941.
Mr. Cherry was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Vena Cherry, and his brother, Tommy Cherry.
Mr. Cherry was a very friendly man who never met a stranger. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren dearly. He was an avid Auburn fan and enjoyed living life on Lake Martin.
A funeral service was held June 5 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home Chapel in Opelika, with Dr. Eric Fuller officiating. Burial followed at Memorial Park Cemetery in Auburn.
Mr. Cherry is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Carolyn R. Cherry; children, Andrea Fuller (Eric) and Suzanne Joiner (Casey); grandchildren, Kirk Robinson (Brittnie), Kourtney Howard (Wesley), Jones Fuller (Sara Kate), Leslie Walding (Luke), Rush Fuller and Karson Joiner; brother, Lewis Cherry (Ottis); sister, Donna Brown (Bill); six great grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
CANDACE STILL MCELVAINE
Candace Still McElvaine, 70 of Lafayette passed away on May 31, 2024. Candace was born Aug. 5, 1953, to the late Rosser and Hazel Still.
Candace was a very loving woman, she loved everyone. She truly loved her family and Alabama football. Family was the most important thing to her and she was always willing to help anyone at any time.
Candace will be greatly missed but, loved every day.
Candace is survived by her husband: Jack McElvaine, son: Eric McElvaine (Heather), daughter: Lynn Manning (Jeff), grandchildren: Serenity Morgan, Jennifer Walker (David), Richard Cullingan, Braydon Cole, Aryn Cole, Kaese Davis, several great grandkids, brothers: Charles Still, Hoyt Still (Charlsey) and one nephew Russell Still.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, with burial following in Antioch Baptist Cemetery in Lafayette.
KAREN BAKER
Mrs. Karen Baker, 58 of Auburn passed away June 2, 2024, at EAMC.
Mrs. Baker was preceded in death by her parents Jessie & Jean Smith. She is survived by her sons, William Armstong (Holley) and Jason Armstrong (Nicole), both of Opelika; sisters, Cindy Noland (Jeff) of Tuscaloosa and Renay Dillard (Scott) of Opelika; brothers, Gary Smith (Traci) of Georgia and Boddy Smith (Triffan) of California; grandchildren, Man-Man, Jason Jr., Thomas, Justice, Nevaeh, Star, Khloe and Ambreah; great-grand daughter, Navie; and her beloved dog, Boss.
Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, June 7, in Garden Hills Cemetery, with Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home assisting.