Ben J Neighbors

Ben Johnson Neighbors, 92, passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Born February 22, 1931, in Birmingham, AL to Carrie and Emory S. Neighbors. Ben graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham in 1948. He then graduated with an engineering degree from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, in 1952 where he met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Hodge, at a dance. They married on December 27, 1952, and remained happily married for 51 years until her death in 2004.

Ben and Mary lived initially for several years in Winston-Salem, NC before moving back to Birmingham. They eventually settled in Homewood where he lived in the same house until his death, acting as devoted husband and father raising 3 children. Ben was known in the neighborhood as “the mayor of Columbiana Rd.”, because he knew everyone in the neighborhood and would offer his help to anyone needing something fixed or done. Ben frequently treated his friends, family, church, or anyone needing a little lift with one of his famous banana puddings.

On moving to Birmingham, Ben worked for AT&T, which changed to South Central Bell in later years. He retired in 1991 after 39 years of devoted service.

Always an avid woodworker, Ben was active with the Alabama Woodworker Guild achieving a lifetime membership in 1997 after serving 10 years as Coordinator of the Toys for Children Program. This program ultimately supplied thousands of toys to Children’s Hospital’s play therapy and Toys for Tots programs.

Ben and Mary volunteered with Meals on Wheels. They helped recruit and coordinate volunteers and their delivery schedules. Ben continued with this even after Mary’s death, ultimately volunteering for 20 years in that capacity. On February 1, 1959, Ben and Mary joined Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood. He loved his church and was a faithful member serving multiple times on the Administrative Board, Building Committees, Transportation Committees, and Staff-Parish Committees. He was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class and for many years helped lead their singing. Trinity was his church “family”. He sang in both the adult choir and the Men’s chorus. Many of his favorite stories were about going with the Men’s chorus to sing at other churches and the adventures they had on those trips.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents Carrie Johnson Neighbors and Emory Stowe Neighbors and his beloved wife, Mary Hodge Neighbors. He is survived by his sister Frances Neighbors Smith, 2 sons, Glenn Neighbors (Mary) and Brian Neighbors (Kay), a daughter, Linda Neighbors, his grandson Kevin Neighbors, granddaughter Lauren Neighbors Youtz (Nick), step-grandson Stuart North, and his great granddaughter Emory Youtz.

The family would like to offer our heartfelt appreciation to Renee Lister for being a great friend and neighbor, for loving Dad and helping to take care of him over the last several years. We would also like to thank One Life to Live Nursing Service for their exceptional care of Dad and for all their help for the past 5 months.

Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00am on August 2 at Trinity United Methodist Church with the memorial service from 11-12 with graveside services following at Elmwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, AL 35209

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Neighbors family.