
As is my tradition, my year-end columns highlight the lives of legendary Alabama political figures who passed away during the year.
Elbert Peters, an icon of the Republican Party, died in the last days of 2023 at the age of 90. Elbert Peters was Chairman of the Republican Party during the 1990s. Elbert was a Republican before being a Republican was cool. Elbert was one of the most powerful Republicans in Alabama history. He is perhaps best known as the driving force and originator of the Madison County Republican Men’s Club. These rallies were and continue to be a favorite event for Republican candidates.
Former 2nd District Congressman Terry Everett died in March, at the age of 87, at his home in Rehopeth. He was a native of the Wiregrass. He served for 16 years in Congress from 1992 to 2008. He had a keen interest in agriculture and the military. Governor Ivey said it best: “During his time on Capitol Hill, he was one of the strongest voices for military bases and veterans in Alabama.” He was also a strong advocate for Alabama farmers.
Robert “Bobby” Timmons, one of the most legendary figures in Alabama political lore, died in March at age 91. Bobby Timmons served as Executive Director of the Alabama Police Association for 47 years from 1975 until 2022. He was a beacon of guidance and support to sheriffs across the state. Nearly five decades before his tenure as Sheriff’s Association director, he served in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was a close ally of Governor George Wallace. He was one of Governor Don Siegelman’s closest and most enthusiastic friends and mentors.
Former state representative William Thigpen died in June at age 83 in Montgomery. During his 12-year tenure in the state House of Representatives, William and his wife, Betty, were mainstays of the Legislature. He was a friendly and sociable fellow. When you met him, you immediately felt like he was your best friend. William was successful in business. He established a factory and owned a car dealership in Fayette. He was a very conservative and pro-business legislator. After his time in the legislature, he became assistant director of the ABC Agency for 13 years.
Longtime Supreme Court Justice Gorman Houston died in September. He was 91 years old. Judge Houston was known as a strong, conservative, and pro-business jurist.
Joe Adams, legendary editor and publisher of the Ozark Southern Star, died in August at his home on Broad Street in the Ozarks at the age of 91. His family had run The Southern Star since 1867. Joe was publisher for 66 years. He loved the Ozark, his family’s newspaper, and his alma mater the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide.
Quentin Brown, a longtime Jefferson County judge, died at age 77 in July at his home in Birmingham. Quentin had a lot of friends. If you were his friend, you had a true friend. Quentin was a true democratic yellow dog.
Alabama lost one of its finest women ever to grace its Capitol and statehouse in June. Ms. Miriam Sheehan founded Victims of Crime and Leniency of Alabama (VOCAL) in the 1980s and has been executive director and lobbyist for the organization for more than 40 years. She was a dear friend and hero to many victims of crime in our state.
Miriam was a tireless giant for victims of crime. Her devotion and complete devotion were incited by the brutal murder of her daughter. Quinette Sheehan was murdered when she was a student at Birmingham Southern College. Maryam was dismayed by the lack of judicial action and punishment in bringing the killers to justice. She dedicated the rest of her life to helping victims of crime in our state. Mary died in her hometown of Clio at the age of 91.
It is my belief that the murder of Quinette Sheehan, outside the gates of Birmingham Southern, during her first year at the prestigious liberal arts school in the late 1970s, marked the beginning of the school’s end. Its precarious location has led Alabama’s brightest to avoid turning away from one of Alabama’s most popular private colleges. Birmingham Southern officially passed away on May 31, 2024. Alabama’s iconic private college ended 168 years of excellent education this year.
See you next week.