Orville "Bootie" Sizemore Markham

Orville Sizemore “O.S.” “Bootie” Markham, age 93, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., passed away November 15, 2019 at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at Memory Chapel with Rev. Zachary Langor officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.

O.S. was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Verla Markham; son, John Markham; and parents, Orville Fearless Markham and Ethal Markham; son-in-law, Paul J. Nicholson; and sister, Elzora M. Holiday.

O.S. is survived by his daughter, Judy M. Nicholson; granddaughter, Christian L. Nicholson; and a host of other family members.

Bootie was born and raised in Beaverton, Ala. He served in WWII in the United States Navy in the Pacific theater.

After the war, Bootie married Verla Christine Spruiell. After starting a family, Bootie and Verla moved to Tuscaloosa in 1952. They started O.S. Markham Construction Co. O.S.’s business quickly grew into a very successful commercial construction company.

Bootie and Verla retired in the early 90’s and began traveling all over the United States together until Verla’s death in 1995.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of West Alabama, The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.