A Heart for Home, Family, and Service

Edward "Ted" Cohen Ezelle, Jr., 84, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, August 2, 2025. A celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 5th at Aliceville First Baptist Church with Rev. Charlie Wilson and Rev. Randy Sudduth officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.  Visitation will follow the service at the church.
Born in Carrollton to Edward C. Sr. and Irene Ezelle, Ted moved with his family across several states before they put down roots in Aliceville in 1950 — the place that would forever be home. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Ben Ezelle, Sr. (Martha) and Doug Ezelle (Betti).
He leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion through his wife of 61 years, Sharon Pugh Ezelle; their children, Ted Ezelle, III (Susie) and Shea Gotsch (Geoff); and his beloved niece, Susan Nix (Michael), who was like a daughter to him. He is also survived by five grandchildren who brought him immense joy — Sydney Nix, Mason and Connor Gotsch, and Tatelyn and Addison Ezelle — along with many nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own.
A graduate of Aliceville High School, Ted served in the Alabama National Guard while earning his electrician certification at Shelton State. He married Sharon in the summer of 1964, and the two started their life together on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where Ted worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding, as an electrical technician on nuclear submarines. With Pickens County always close to heart, in 1974, they returned to Aliceville and became owners of Ezelle Hardware and Building Supply — a cornerstone of the community for many years.
Ted lived his life in service to others. He held roles that reflected his deep commitment to Pickens County: Aliceville City Councilman, Pickens County Commissioner (District V), Chairman of the Board at Pickens Academy, head of the Aliceville Water Board, and a faithful deacon at Aliceville First Baptist Church. He didn't serve for recognition, but because he loved this place and its people.
Outside of work and service, Ted found peace outdoors — whether hunting, fishing, gardening, or tending to his cows. He especially loved sharing those simple pleasures with his grandkids: teaching them to cast a line, ride a tractor, or just sit and watch the birds.
Ted Ezelle loved his family, his church, and his hometown — and Pickens County is better because he called it home.
Honorary Pallbearers are Aliceville High School Class of 1960, Men's Fellowship Sunday School Class of Aliceville First Baptist Church and employees of Hospice of West Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Aliceville First Baptist Church Children's Ministry (323 Broad Street NW, Aliceville, AL 35442) or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777).