Connie Lee Entrekin

A visitation for Connie will be held Friday, April 11, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, AL 35901, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. Pastors Jeff Thompson and Ray Garrard will officiate. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the Egypt community.

Connie was a graduate of Emma Sansom High School, class of 1957. After graduation, he attended Jacksonville State University for two years, then served his country in the United States Marine Corp.

Connie retired in 2007, after 48 years of service to the United Steelworkers. He began his union career in Gadsden, AL as a laborer in the shipping department of the pipe mill at Republic Steel in 1959. He was elected Local Union President of Local 4382 in 1968. He was elected President of the Gadsden Labor Council in 1970, and Executive Vice President and PAC Director for the Alabama AFL-CIO in 1973. In 1977, he was appointed as USWA Staff Representative, servicing the Gulf Coast region in what was then District 36. District 36 later merged with District 35 to become District 9. He was appointed Assistant Director of District 9 in 1996. Connie was appointed by unanimous vote of the USWA Executive Board on April 13, 2003, to serve the remaining three-year term of retiring District 9 Director, Homer Wilson. He was elected Director of District 9 by proclamation in 2006. In October of 2006 he became a Special Assistant to the International President. In 2006, Connie was awarded the Alabama Organized Labor Awards Foundation’s Labor Person of the Year for his dedication and service to working families in Alabama. He retired in September of 2007 and was sworn in as President of SOAR, Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees.

Connie was a member and former Master of Dwight Masonic Lodge 550 for over 50 years. He was also a charter member of Lookout Avenue Baptist Church.

Connie was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Annie B. Entrekin; daughter, Freida Entrekin; son, Gary Lee Entrekin; grandson, Dustin Helms; brothers, Eddie Entrekin and Ray Entrekin.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Barbara Entrekin; son, Scott (DeAnna) Entrekin; grandchildren, Jeremy Brown, Kristen (Adam) Martin, Courtney (Blake) Bearden; Chase Entrekin, and Andrew Entrekin; great grandchildren, Zander Lawless, Aleah Pitts, Brantley Bearden, Jackson Bearden, Ashlyn Martin, Zachary Martin, and Evalynn Rose Entrekin; brothers and sisters, Jerry Entrekin, Gary “Babe” Entrekin, Linda Cleveland, Jimmie (Charlene) Entrekin, Paulette Chandler, Homer (Linda) Entrekin, Vicki Mobley, and Mitzi (Jeff) Pearson; sisters-in-law, Janice Entrekin and Glenda (Robert) Moxley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Chase Entrekin, Andrew Entrekin, Blake Bearden, Todd Entrekin, Jacob Entrekin, and David Entrekin.

Honorary pallbearers will be United Steelworkers District 9.

Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to the Etowah County Law Enforcement Memorial, 128 South 8th Street Gadsden, AL 35901.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Debora Reiland and Staff and Enhabit Hospice.