Charles Stuart "Sonny" Stirling, Jr., age 92, died February 18, 2021 at Hospice of West Alabama. Graveside services will be 2:00 pm Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Franconia-Oak Grove Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Kay, Jr. and Rev. Derrick Brite officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. A short visitation will follow the service at the graveside, weather permitting. All friends are welcome and the family requests masks be worn and social distancing observed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, Allen Grubbs.
Sonny is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ann Carter Stirling; two daughters, Kathryn Ball and Elizabeth Lewis (Mike); six grandchildren, Katie Sneed (Tommy), Beth Tudor (David), Mary Stuart Hughston (Watson), John Ball (fiancee, Ellen), Libby Clayton (Will) and Lee Lewis (Megan) and six great-grandchildren, Thomas and Mary George Sneed, Stirling and Stuart Tudor, Caroline Hughston and William Clayton.
Sonny was born January 1, 1929 in Aliceville, Alabama to the late Charles Stuart Stirling, Sr. and Katherine Bonner Stirling. A lifelong resident of Aliceville, Sonny graduated from Aliceville High School, Marion Military Academy and the University of Alabama. Following graduation from the University, he entered the Army as a 1st Lieutenant and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He returned to Aliceville and became the first Commander of the Aliceville National Guard.
He was the owner of Stirling Insurance Agency for a number of years and then co-owner of Stirling-Duckworth Morris Agency until he became involved full time in managing family owned land and timber.
For many years he served on the Board of Directors of West Alabama Bank and was a member of the Rotary Club for many years, serving twice as President. In his younger years he was active in many civic organizations. A faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Aliceville, he served many years as a deacon.
The joy of his life was his six grandchildren. He felt so blessed to be able to see them become the fine young men and women they are today.
Honorary Pallbearers are P. M. Johnston, William McKinzey, Dean Lewis, Joe Horton, Everette Owens and Kelvin Eddins.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to First Presbyterian Church of Aliceville, 324 Broad Street, Aliceville, AL 35442 or Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.