Don Benjamen Waldrop

Don Benjamen Waldrop, age 89 from Bessemer, AL passed away on April 19, 2016 in McCalla, AL as a result of Leukemia. He was surrounded by his family and comforted by his brothers and sisters in Christ. Born on August 23, 1926 in Allgood, AL to parents, James Greer and Sarah Thomasson Waldrop, Don was the youngest sibling. Don made lifelong friends during his childhood on Sand Mountain in Allgood, where he studied Agriculture and helped his parents farm. Don me his wife at the U.S. Steel Tin Mill in Fairfield, AL. They crossed the state line into Columbus, MS to marry in 1948. They were baptized together in Arab, AL in Lake Guntersville and remained faithful productive members of the Church of Christ throughout their lives. Don retired in 1984 just shy of 39 years at U.S. Steel’s Central Maintenance Group. After retiring, he kept his Masters Electrician’s License for several years using it for electrical jobs. He also tended and shared his garden, and led singing and minded the Treasury at the 19th Street Church of Christ in Bessemer. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and their friends, bible study, discussing politics, babysitting grandchildren, keeping fit at the Bessemer YMCA, and taking cool summer swims in the lake with his family. Don is survived by five children, Glenda Sue Stansberry, Terry Lee (Jenny), Donald Steven (Geneva) Waldrop, Donna “Lu” Brunson and Carl Bryan Waldrop; seven grandchildren, Robin Macon, Shawn and Brent Stansberry, Adam and Matthew Waldrop, Melody Jones and Charlotte Reach and fifteen great grandchildren. Don was fondly called “PaPa”. Don is predeceased by his wife, Manila “Betty” Bates Waldrop, and his grandson, Roger Eugene Waldrop; his sister, Pearl Tidwell and his brothers, Preston, Taze and Vernon Waldrop. Don was a man of honor, integrity and generosity. He endured the hardships of his generation without complaint, sharing his wit, humor and wisdom with all who knew him. He was unceasing in his love of God, his family and his friends. He will be missed. Funeral service will be Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home with burial following at Jefferson Memorial Gardens Hoover. Bro. Dwight Edwards will be officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.bessemerbrownfh.com

Don Benjamen Waldrop

April 19, 1927 - April 19, 2016