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MEMORIALSDNA PARTICIPANTSGordon Clarence Sirmon |
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OBITUARYGordon C. Sirmon Evergreen, Alabama Gordon C. Sirmon, 71, a resident of Evergreen, Alabama, died Monday, March 25, 2013. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013 from the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wesley Russ and Rev. Donald Herring officiating. Survivors include: Wife: Faye R. Sirmon, Daphne, AL; Step Son: Leslie Robinson, Robertsdale, AL; Sister: Serena (Joe) Ealum, Georgiana, AL; Nephews and Nieces: Randy (Lynn) Miller, Evergreen, AL, Jason (Jana) Ealum, Georgiana, AL, George Kohan, FL, Teresa Walker, Evergreen, AL, Joyce Albright, Tuscaloosa, AL, Nancy Kohan, FL, and Mary Alice Kohan, NC. Visitation will be Wednesday from 12 noon until 2 p.m. In Lieu of Flowers, online donations at Covenanthospice.org or mail to 5041 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504, St. Jude Children Research and Methodist Children's Home 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL 36106. |
A TRIBUTE TO GORDON C. SIRMONGordon C. Sirmon, a participant in the S*rm*n DNA project, died March 25, 2013, at his home in Evergreen, Alabama, USA. In 2006, Gordon was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disease. His doctors made him aware that his prognosis was a progressive loss of motor functions leading to eventual death. As was his nature, he immediately arranged for his brain to be donated to the National Institute of Health for medical research. The far-reaching benefits of his decision may never be fully known. Gordon's legacy, however, is not limited to his contribution to medical research. It encompassed an interest in family history and a willingness to share whatever he knew. His collection of pictures and old records was impressive. While he was not active in scholarly research, his knowledge gleaned from family lore was immeasurably valuable to those doing research. Gordon was a 7x-great grandson of the immigrant Edward Sirmon (Edward 1638-Wyre Piddle, UK; Peter 1672-Somerset County, Maryland, USA; Peter, Jr. c1690-Somerset County, Maryland, USA; John c1730-Somrset County, Maryland, USA; Levi c1750-Hyde County, North Carolina, USA; Nathan 1786-NC/GA, USA, Daniel 1817-Conecuh County, Alabama, USA; Nathan Simpson 1845-Conecuh County, Alabama, USA; Clarence 1898-Conecuh County, Alabama, USA; and Gordon C. 1941-Conecuh County, Alabama). His 2x great grandfather Nathan Sirmon settled on the forks of the Sepulga River in Conecuh County, Alabama, c1816 and it was there on his land that the Concord Methodist Church was built and where Nathan and his wife were buried in the church cemetery. Gordon lived his entire life not far from this site in Conecuh County. Some years ago, in an effort to preserve the historic building, Gordon and Bill Sirmon had a new roof placed on the Concord Church. When Gordon and other descendants found that the grave of Nathan Sirmon in the Concord cemetery had never been marked, he along with Bill Sirmon had a memorial placed in the cemetery for Nathan and his wife, Lucretia Dean Sirmon. Gordon took great pride in that memorial. Many recall "gatherings" of the cousins on the church grounds at which Gordon entertained with stories of the family. Ten generations were spanned from the immigrant Edward to Gordon himself -- from Wyre Piddle, UK to Conecuh, County, Alabama, USA. Gordon was a successful businessman. He was founder and President of his own company, Transportation Products, Inc. of Evergreen, Alabama. He employed many workers including some members of his family. He was a generous family man and an excellent citizen. At his funeral he was eulogized for that generosity. It was recalled that Gordon had traveled with a minister friend to Rumania. When he discovered that the resident minister was driving an automobile with threadbare tires and unable to afford replacements, Gordon did not hesitate to buy a complete set of new tires for him. Typically, when he saw a need, he readily attempted to meet that need. He will be remembered not only for his generosity but also for his cheerful demeanor and his sense of humor. Bill and Marilyn Sirmon |