Michael Shane Hembree

Mike was born May 3, 1965, on Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Col. James M. Hembree and Shandry J. Hembree. Growing up as the son of an Air Force pilot, he lived in numerous places throughout the United States, something which likely fortified his “never met a stranger” attitude. Mike also lived in two different foreign countries as a child, starting elementary school in Okinawa, Japan, and graduating high school at Zaragosa High School on Zaragosa Air Force Base in Spain.

Mike loved helping his mother in the kitchen as a child. It is not surprising, then, that back in the United States as an adult, Mike turned his love of cooking and service into a career in the restaurant industry. He worked his way from a server with Red Lobster into management, eventually becoming the General Manager of the restaurant in Mobile, Alabama. From there, he was promoted to Director of Operations in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mike was a master at managing people and things, and he often said the best knowledge came from doing. He was a problem solver, a real-life “MacGyver,” and his calm in the face of a crisis helped put many at ease. Mike spent 34 years with Red Lobster, a feat not often accomplished in today’s times.

Mike loved to play golf, captain his boat in Mobile Bay or while scalloping in Florida, and tell dad jokes. He talked to everyone (whether they liked it or not) and could learn a person’s life history in five minutes. He truly loved learning about and from people. It was important to him to share his faith and he did so in small but effective ways, from talking about his experiences to buying informative books for his friends and soon-to-be friends. If a book showed up at your house, know that it was meant with love. He loved his friends, and he loved his family more.

Mike met Debbie in Mobile when she traveled there for work. Despite being late for their first date (something of which he was reminded often when he was being a stickler for time), a long distance relationship bloomed. After a year of separation they married and settled in Mobile where they welcomed two wonderful children. Mike instilled his love of FSU football (and other important values) in his son, Matthew, and his unfaltering observation abilities in his daughter, Mia. Mostly, though, he just loved and cherished them all.

Mike was predeceased by his father, Col. James Hembree, of Crystal River, Florida, and then his sister, Karon (Rich Wilckens) of Senoia, Georgia. He is survived by his mother, Shandry Hembree; his wife, Debbie Hembree; his son, Matthew Hembree; his daughter, Mia Hembree; his brother-in-law, Rich Wilckens; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be conducted on Friday, May 28, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. CDT at Green Valley Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama. A reception will be held in the church’s fellowship hall following the Memorial Service. Green Valley Baptist Church is located at 1815 Patton Chapel Road, Hoover, Alabama, 35226.

A private graveside service will be conducted at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama, prior to the Memorial Service.

For those who wish to make donations in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an organization close to Mike’s heart. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 59267, Birmingham, AL 35259.