Mr. John Anderson Fisher, 82, of Florence, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010, at ECM Hospital. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Elkins Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Phillip Skipworth, the Rev. Ted Vafeas and the Rev. Peter Hawker officiating. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park.
John, a native of and an ambassador for Florence, Ala., survived the deaths of six brothers and five sisters and their parents, John Anderson Fisher and Tempest Beadle Fisher. With his death, the earthly life of those generations of his family comes to closure. He retired from the Florence Parks and Recreation Department. He was a Baptist by faith and loved the Lord, family, big band music, history and genealogy.
John is survived by his wife, Gertrude Hannah Fisher, who was a faithful, caring and loving friend for 55 years; a sister-in-law, Elgenia Hannah; and a special nephew, Jim Sadler. He also is survived by many nieces, nephews and close friends. All his family knew John to be generous, encouraging and fun-loving. He was respectfully and lovingly addressed as "Uncle John" or "Papa John." He often referred to his male friends as "Coach."
Nephews and great-nephews serving as pallbearers will be Paul Harbin, Ronnie Hannah, Andy Hannah, Eric Canaday, Jamie Vafeas and Steven Skipworth. Honorary bearers will be George Chambers, Sam Futtrell, David Henn, Mike Wagoner, Jess Portwood, Steve Pierce and John's coffee drinking friends from Jacks.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the charity of your choice.