Gordon Morris Studdard Sr.

Gordon Morris Studdard, Sr., 85, of Jasper, Alabama, died on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Jasper’s First Baptist Church. Rev. Andy Frazier will officiate the service.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Kitchens Studdard; one daughter, Vicki S. Whitley, and husband David; one son, Gordon Morris Studdard, Jr.; three grandchildren, Micah Shumate, Kendra Studdard Cooner and husband Mason, Gordon Morris Studdard III and fiancé Anntasia; and two great-grandchildren, Madden and Mills Cooner; niece, Cindy Rowland; and many other beloved family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claud and Marguerite Studdard; and sister, Nancy Studdard Freeman; mother-in-law, Essie Kitchens; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Billie Glaze.

Elected at 32 years old, Morris was the Mayor of Parrish from 1969 to 1972 and was the youngest mayor to be elected in the State of Alabama at that time. He was employed at ABC and Drummond Coal Company for close to 40 years. He was a member of the UMWA from 1959 to 2023. At the same time, he owned and operated a popular business in Walker County, Studdard Cabinet, for 40 years. Morris served on the Jasper City Council, District 1 for three terms from 2000 to 2012. He was committed to his role of serving the City of Jasper and its residents. He delighted in being a part of the Jasper Men’s Chorale and was one of the founding members. Morris was a long-time member of Parrish First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. For the last 30 years, Morris attended Jasper’s First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and was a faithful member of his Men’s Sunday School class.