John I. Churchwell, age 96 of Pinson, Ala., passed away on Tuesday, September 4th, 2012. He was a member of Sharon Baptist Church of Pinson where he served as a Deacon and Choir Director for many years. Mr. Churchwell was a long time resident of the Pinson area having moved his family here in 1945 from Tarrant. He worked as a machinist at Vulcan Rivet and Bolt Corp. in Tarrant for 35 years and made rivets, bolts, and nuts for the War during the 1940s.
He was a past Master, several times, of Bush Masonic Lodge #777 and had a Certificate of Proficiency to instruct and lecture the Masonic work
. In 1995 he was awarded a Certificate and Masonic apron for 50 years of service. He was a Mason for 67 years.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Mary Lou (Tate) Churchwell, his parents, Reverend Curtis H. Churchwell and Tillie Mae (Tidwell) Churchwell and a Sister, Lettie Mae Martin and 3 Brothers, James, Harvey and C.H. Churchwell as well as 2 Sons, Kenneth Ray Churchwell and Infant Churchwell.
He is survived by a Daughter Sue Churchwell, Daughter-In-Law Delores Churchwell Son John (Marie) Churchwell, Jr., 5 Grandchildren, Donna (Glenn) Lay, Dana, Danny, Scott (Susan) Churchwell and Stacy (Joe) Laminack, 6 Great Grandchildren Kristin (Chris) Burchfield, Jeremy Lay, Brandon and Alycia Churchwell, Jake and Luke Laminack, 2 Great, Great Grandchildren, Austin and Emily Burchfield.
Mr. Churchwells son, John Churchwell, Jr. is a Pinson City Councilmember. His Grandson, Danny Ray Churchwell, is a member of the Pinson Library Board and his Daughter Sue and Daughter-In-Law Delores are both members of the Pinson Historical Society.
Mr. Churchwells services were held on Friday, September 7th 2012 at Sharon Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Robert Wilkerson and Reverend David Awtrey. A Masonic Burial Service was conducted at the grave side by Bro. Frank Little, assisted by 15 other Masons. Interment was in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery
