Robert Sherard Edington

Robert Sherard Edington, age 90, of Mobile, Alabama, died on July 26, 2020, at his summer home in Destin, Florida. A funeral service will be held on the lawn of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church in Mobile on Thursday, July 30, at 9:00 a.m. with the Rev. Buz Wilcoxon officiating. Due to COVID there will be no visitation.

Robert was born in Mobile to Judge David Henry Edington and Cornelia Owen Edington on November 18, 1929. He married Patricia Gentry on June 2, 1962. He is a graduate of UMS, Rhodes College, and the University of Alabama Law School. He practiced law in Mobile for over 60 years.

Robert is survived by his wife Patricia, son Sherard (Courtney Hollins), daughter Virginia, and granddaughter Courtney.

Robert joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and served as a decorated Air Intelligence Officer for a fighter squadron in the Korean War before retiring from the Reserves with the rank of Commander. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Mobile Council of the Navy League as well as state president and a national director of the Navy League of the United States. For 60 years, Robert coordinated the U.S. Navy ships that docked in Mobile at Mardi Gras. In 2012, Robert was named the Mobile Area Veteran of the Year.

As an attorney, Robert was a member of the Mobile and Alabama Bar Associations. He served as director of the Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program.

Robert served for eight years in the Alabama House of Representatives and then four years as a state senator representing Mobile County. As a legislator, he helped create the USS Alabama Battleship Commission which brought the USS Alabama to Mobile in the 1960s. He was a long-time member of the Commission and served two terms as chair.

As a legislator, Robert was instrumental in the creation of the University of South Alabama, the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, as well as the development of Bishop State Community College. He played a lead role in establishing the Alabama Historical Commission, and in recognition of his efforts, the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. presented Robert their national award.

In 2008, Robert was named Mobilian of the Year by the Mobile Civitan Club for his 50 years of service to the city. He is a charter member of Mobile United and a faithful member of Mobile’s Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs as well as the Mobile Chamber of Commerce.

Robert chaired the CSS Alabama Association, an organization responsible for underwater archeological expeditions at the wreck site of the CSS Alabama off the coast of France. Robert also loaned his expertise appearing on the History Channel’s documentary "Raise the Alabama."

Robert was Mobile’s Consul to Guatemala for 20 years and in this capacity he organized Mobile’s first trade mission to Central America. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Achievement Award. He served on the National Advisory Board for the U.S. Small Business Administration. In 2008, Robert was named Rhodes College’s Alumni of the Year.

Robert was an elder at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church and long-time Sunday School teacher. He chaired the board of the Montreat Association.

Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the USS Battleship Commission.

The family asks that memorials may be given to Spring Hill Presbyterian Church.