Recent News & Announcements
Join Us to Celebrate 80th Birthdays on April 25, 2026
Most of us will be turning 80 years old this year
and so
we've decided to celebrate this milestone together
at The Cahaba Brewing Company Barrel Room
pictured here at our 60th Reunion in 2024.
The feedback and responses are in and the Reunion Committee has decided that The 80th Birthday Celebration will be held on April 25, 2026. Click here to see a list of reservations that will be updated each week.
If you have not yet responded "yes" and find that you would like to attend, it is not too late! Please email Susan Owens Canedy at susancanedy@bellsouth.net to let us know "yes" you will attend, and then mail your check for $75 per person to the address below by April 1, 2026. Your check is your reservation.
- Date: April 25, 2026 - 5:30 to 11 PM
- Dress: Casual
- Location: Cahaba Brewing Company / Barrel Room, 4500 5th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222-2911
- Catering: Buffet by Full Moon BBQ (included)
- Full Bar: Credit Card or Debit Card Only
- Cost: $75 per person includes meal. Mail checks by April 1, 2026, payable to
Susan Owens Canedy
1896 Huntington Road
Birmingham, AL 35209
If you have already responded "yes" please mail your check to the above address by April 1, 2026. Your check is your reservation.
Looking forward to seeing everyone,
Reunion Committee
Susan Owens Canedy, Lynne Epsman Cohen, Paul Friedman, Virginia Kelser Jones, Elna Riley Brendel, Suzanne Trimm Payne, Mary Ruth Sevier Caldwell, Gene Holloway, Mike House, Kenny Rosenberger.
From The Reunion Committee
Thank You Classmates for your help!
August 19, 2025
Dear Classmates,
The 1964 SVHS Reunion Committee wants to extend our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to our classmates for the wonderful response to our request for help.
We have collected $6,148.00 which is enough to reimburse Lynne Epsman Cohen $5,136.90 and leaves us a balance of $1,011.10 that will cover the Web Site's expenses for another 2 to 3 years. Keeping the Web Site will allow us to keep all our classmates up to date on what is going on with our class.
Sincerely,
Reunion Committee
Lynne Epsman Cohen,
Susan Owens Canedy,
Paul Friedman,
Carlton Lackey Sokol,
Suzanne Trimm Payne,
Virginia Kelser Jones,
Kenny Rosenberger,
Mary Ruth Sevier Caldwell and Elna Riley Brendel
The Reunion Committee needs your help!
June 3, 2025
Dear SVHS 1964 Classmates,
We need your help! The annual fee for our SVHS 1964.com website (domain name registration, website hosting, webpage updates, news e-Blasts, etc.) is due for renewal. The annual fee is $420.
We have discovered that this annual fee has been paid by one of our very generous and hard working committee members, Lynne Epsman Cohen, for all of the 10+ years we have had this service. We are hoping to raise funds to reimburse our classmate for all or at least part of the funds she has paid for all these years.
Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Funds can be sent by Venmo to @Mark-Cohen-109 or by check payable to Mark Cohen. Mail to Lynne Epsman Cohen, SVHS Class of 1964 Reunion, 2920 Redmont Park Lane, Birmingham AL 35205.
Sincerely,
Reunion Committee
Paul Friedman, Virginia Kelser Jones, Carlton Lackey Sokol, Susan Owens Canedy, Mary Ruth Sevier Caldwell, Suzanne Trimm Payne, Kenny Rosenberger, Elna Brendal Riley and Lynne Epsman Cohen
60th Reunion Recap & Photos
Our 60th Reunion Party was held on April 6, 2024 at The Cahaba Brewing Co. beginning at 5:30 pm.
We had 80 paid reservations for classmates along with 47 paid reservations for spouses and guests. Not everyone attended who had paid.
CLICK HERE for 60th Reunion Recap & Photos
Class of 1964 60th Reunion Photos
Archived News
Shades Valley Reunion Committees Donate 1947 Architect's Drawing
Pictured here are Bill Trotter '63, Debbie Davis Denson '65, Warren Bailes Cain '63,
Pierre Tourney '63,
Mae Bayliss Coshatt '65, Shades Valley Principal Dr. Antjuan Marsh,
Avery Sloan '63, Marsha Currie Terrell '63 and Virginia Kelser Jones '64.
(4/19/18) In January 2017, Class of 1963 Webmaster Avery Sloan was searching for early photos of Shades Valley's old campus in Homewood and found a link on Google to an eBay ad for a framed drawing. He contacted the owner of the drawing, Rick Carter, and found that it was by the original architectural firm Van Keuren & Davis and dated 1947, two years before the school opened. Carter had found it in his aunt's attic when preparing for an estate sale at her house. He had no idea as to how his late aunt may have come to own the drawing. She was an RN at UAB Childrens' Hospital and had passed away the previous year.
Sloan then contacted several Shades Valley Reunion Committee chairpersons for whom he does work. Warren Bailes Cain '63, Lynne Epsman Cohen '64, Virginia Kelser Jones '64 and Mae Bayliss Coshatt '65 agreed to share the cost of the drawing restoration with the idea of donating it to the new Shades Valley. Virginia Jones took the drawing to Presentations, etc. Studio in Edgewood for restoration and reframing. After years in a hot attic, several air pockets developed between the drawing and its backing. The result is what was presented to the school on Friday, April 13, 2018, prior to the Class of 1963's "Combined" 55th Reunion celebration that included the Classes of 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965.
After the presentation, Dr. Antjuan Marsh, Principal at Shades Valley, conducted an hour long tour of the new campus for the committees. See presentation and tour photos here at the svhs1963.com website.
Class of '64 Celebrated 7 Decades on April 23, 2016 - "Let's Shake, Rattle & Roll! "
Most of us will be turning 70 years old and it was appropriate to celebrate that milestone together. Our 70th Birthday Bash was held on Saturday night, April 23, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Homewood. Catering was done by Ruth's Chris.
The party was a fantastic celebration and the food was delicious. Everyone had lots of fun and enjoyed visiting with the 73 people who were there for the buffet dinner plus a few who joined us later for drinks.
Visit the 70th Birthday Bash Gallery to view photos from the event.
Thanks to everyone who attended and to the committee members and volunteers who worked to make the event a success!
Register for e-News and keep in touch!
As you may know, sending emails to large lists can be cumbersome at best, and many times causes problems with mail hosts who think the originator may be a spammer. And so, our webmaster has set us up with this neat service, MailChimp, to send all of our "official" e-News blasts to everyone on our emailing list. Addresses will not be shared with other organizations.
If you are receiving our MailChimp email blasts it is because we already have your email address or you registered online using our form. Be sure to save an e-blast message and use the link at the bottom that will enable you to make subsequent changes to your registration. We've recently added information on the form about how to update your existing data if your name is already registered.
If you are not receiving e-News blasts, register here - http://svhs1964.com/registry.html
50th Reunion Recap
Our 50th Reunion has come and gone! Approximately 200 classmates and guests enjoyed themselves at the Friday Meet & Greet at the Embassy Suites Hotel and over 300 folks celebrated the next night at the Dinner/Dance at the Birmingham Country Club. The weekend of May 16-17, 2014 will be remembered for a long time by all!
Visit the 50th Reunion Page for details.
Website Updates - In Memoriam, Classmates Section & Directory, Gallery
- In Memoriam Page - (Updated frequently)
- Classmates Section - list updated frequently - help us find the missing!
- Classmates Directory - (5/1/16) password protected section with our 50th Reunion Directory and recent 2016 updates
- Gallery Section
(5/1/24) 60th Reunion photos added.
(5/1/16) 70th Birthday Bash photos added.
(6/16/14) 50th Reunion photos addded. View hundreds of photos in several slideshow albums and a video of of our dear friend Kathleen Liles leading the Reunion Committee singing Rah Rah Shades Valley. Sadly, Kathleen passed away on June 16, 2014 after a brief illness.
(7/6/13) 40th Reunion photos added. View 79 photos from the 40th Reunion, and a video slideshow created back in 2004 that we've posted to You Tube for fast streaming. On 7/5/13, a new video version was added that will play on Android and iPhone devices.
The Gallery Section on our website features our reunions and school activities way back when, plus web links of interest to everyone. You can help us by contributing content to these pages. Start now - scan your old photos and email them to us. Try to include the names for captions and approximate dates and descriptions.
Send us links to your favorite websites about SVHS communities (Birmingham, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Irondale, Cahaba Heights, Vestavia Hills and Hoover), people in our class, and places of interest from our school days. We've copied some of the links from the Class of 1963's website for starters and added a few of our own to the Links Page.
Let us hear from you!
Email the Reunion Committee with your comments and suggestions. I'll read every one of them and do like to receive hugs every now and then.
Virginia Kelser Jones
50th Reunion Committee Co-Chair
virginia@svhs1964.com
Recent Obituaries
Last Updated: 1/23/26
This section includes recent obituaries with links to the online notices and guest books at websites such as al.com. If you find a notice has expired, visit our Final Roll Call page for archived obituary notices. If you know of someone who has passed away and is not included on that page, please let us know.
John Edward Cosper
(1/23/26)
John Edward Cosper, 79, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away peacefully at his home on January 15th, 2026.
Born on October 28th, 1946, in Birmingham, John lived a life of kindness and unwavering devotion to those he loved.
John graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1964. He completed a BA in theatre from Birmingham Southern College in 1968. He earned a master's degree from Auburn University and UAB in counselor education/educational psychology in 1977.
After graduating from Birmingham Southern College, he enlisted in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1970.
John had a remarkable ability to connect with others in warm and open-hearted ways. He was an exceptional listener, a quality that naturally led him to a career as a professional mental health counselor. John became a prominent figure in the mental health, addiction recovery and crisis intervention fields, starting in the late 1970's through 2009.
John held several leadership roles in mental health facilities and in his final leadership position, John was Executive Director of the Chemical Addictions Program/Pegasus, a residential drug treatment center in Montgomery, Alabama.
Beyond his career in the helping professions, John maintained long friendships with a group of Theta Chi fraternity brothers who all went to Birmingham Southern College in the late 1960s. The core group and John stayed in contact by vacation gatherings, visits and by telephone until his death.
John had considerable talents and skills for gardening and painting. After retirement, landscaping and gardening became a passion for him. He found solace in the green sanctuaries he created and constantly renewed. He pursued an interest in painting and strived to develop the skills to match his sense of expression.
John is survived by his wife, Pamela Burks, his two children, Sean (Shelly) Payne and Meghan Cosper, four grandchildren, Anthony, Andrew, Olivia and Miller Payne, and one sister, Lynn Martin.
John was buried at Whispering Hills Nature Preserve and Natural Green Cemetery with only family attending.
John will be deeply missed and remembered for the light he brought to the lives around him.
View the online obituary and guest boook HERE.
Reverend John Fletcher Comer Jr.
(1/16/26)
The Reverend John Fletcher Comer Jr, age 79, passed away surrounded by his family on January 12, 2026, in Daphne Alabama.
Born in 1946 and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, he was preceded in death by his parents, John Fletcher Comer Sr and Bettie Blair Comer of Birmingham. Fletcher is survived by his wife of 57 years, the Reverend Judith Walton Comer; three sons: Fletcher (Melissa), Patrick (Christina), and Walton (Hana); a daughter, Sun Mee Comer; and seven grand children, Bryce Comer, Devan Martin, Mary Alice, Brittan, and Vivienne Comer, Braxton Fletcher Spears, and Cy Comer. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Hugh Comer (Sandi), his sisters, Blair Strain and Helen Brooks (Bill), and his brother, Kim Comer (Ulrike), his sister-in-law, Carol Walton, and his brother-in-law Steve Meyer, and 25 nieces and nephews.
Fletcher graduated from Shades Valley high school in 1964 and matriculated at the University of the South Sewanee where he was a member of the Order of the Gownsmen, on the debate team, and played varsity golf and tennis. Two years later, he transferred to Auburn University to pursue a degree in Business. It was there at a practice debate that he met his future wife, Judith. They became debate colleagues, and he played intramural tennis. An Auburn man to the hilt, he graduated with a BS in Business, and the Comers married in March 1969. Later that year he received an MBA from Auburn (War Eagle!) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, serving a tour of duty in South Korea on the DMZ, and later serving as a chaplain in the Alabama and Tennessee National Guards and Army Reserve. He attended seminary at The University of the South Sewanee where he received a Masters degree in Divinity. YSR.
Father Comer served as an Episcopal priest at St. Andrews, Sylacauga; St. Mary's, Childersburg; the Church of the Advent, Birmingham; chaplain to the Advent Day School, and as one of the first canons of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham; St. Mark's, Prattville; St. Paul's, Greensboro, St. Wilfrid's, Marion, and as chaplain and an instructor in Economics, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy at Marion Military Institute. After he retired in 2005, he served as interim priest at St. Luke's, Scottsboro; the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Helflin; and Calvary Episcopal Church, Oneonta.
He was a lifetime core member of Karatana, an intentional Christian community. Father Comer worked for many years in partnership with Rev. Kervin Jones in a Racial Reconciliation Ministry called "Expanding the Grace Margins." He was co-founder of the Firehouse Shelter Ministries in Birmingham, served as a Deputy to General Convention and on the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Alabama. He was an EfM mentor for over twenty-five years and active in the Cursillo movement. He was a Rotarian, serving as President of the Prattville Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Father Comer served on the Advisory Board of the Community of Saint Mary, Southern Province.
To all those who knew him as priest, friend, father, brother, spouse, John Fletcher Comer, Jr. was a kind, gentle, man of compassion and faith, a great encourager, and calm presence in the midst of chaos. He is now at home with his Lord and Savior.
Friends and family are invited on Saturday, January, 17, 2026, to a visitation , at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Daphne, Alabama, followed by a memorial service to celebrate his life at 11:00 a.m. A second service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook, AL on Saturday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m.
Read the online obituary and guest book HERE.
Frank M. Taylor
(12/7/25) Frank M. Taylor, 79, passed away at his home in Mountain Brook, Alabama, November 6, 2025.
Frank lived in the Mountain Brook/Crestline area his entire life. He attended Shades Valley High School and Darlington School in Rome, Georgia. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank M. Taylor, Sr. and Julia Mae Watkins Taylor. He is survived by several cousins.
Per his wishes there will be no service. Read the online obituary and guest book HERE.
Donna (Williamson) Chambers
(12/7/25) Donna (Williamson) Chambers, age 78, passed away in Cocoa, FL (8/29/25) following a short illness. She was born September 14, 1946 in Birmingham, AL, a daughter of the late Delmar and Dorothy Williamson.
In 1963 Donna was spotted by Joe Chambers at a swimming pool due to her striking appearance in a white two-piece bathing suit. Joe didn't approach her then, but he never forgot the young woman. Five years later, Joe spotted Donna in The West Lounge and made his move. He walked up and asked her if she ever owned a white two-piece. Mildly taken aback, she replied that she did and Joe asked her out on a date on the spot. Donna wasn't buying it and asked the young man in front of her to explain himself. He explained that he had seen her in that white two-piece five years earlier, that he didn't approach her then, but that he never forgot her. Never the fool, Donna asked if he noticed anything about her from the neck up when he saw her in that white two-piece and Joe quipped back that he recognized her at the bar five years later, so yeah...he saw her from the neck up. It took a little more negotiation on Joe's part, but he secured a date with the beautiful woman in the white two-piece by the end of the night. They would never be apart again. Donna and Joe were married within three years of that evening and stayed utterly devoted to each other for another fty-ve years of marriage. Their story is one of happiness, adventure, illness, hardship, success, and true love.
Donna is survived by her faithful husband Joe Chambers now of Cocoa, FL and daughter Becca Chambers now of Asheville, NC.
True to herself, Donna's strict instructions were that she wished for neither a funeral nor a memorial service. She wanted to be let go when the time was right and said that if people wanted to remember her, then they could get together for a drink and share fond memories and funny stories. We will raise a glass to an extraordinary woman, wife, and mother who will be desperately missed.
Visit the online obituary and guest book at HERE.
W. Edward "Ed" Stead, PhD
(10/9/25)
W. Edward Stead, PhD, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and Professor of Management at East Tennessee State University, passed away peacefully in his home on October 3, 2025. He was 79 years old.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Ed received his BS (1968) and MBA (1972) from his beloved Auburn University, where he also met Jean, the love of his life, while teaching computer programming. He earned his PhD in Management from Louisiana State University in 1976. Ed served on the faculties of Western Illinois University and the University of Alabama in Birmingham before joining East Tennessee State University in 1982, where he remained as a respected professor until his retirement.
Ed dedicated his distinguished academic career to promoting sustainable and ethical business practices. Together with his wife and academic partner of 52 years, Dr. Jean Garner Stead, he pioneered the integration of environmental and social responsibility into business education. Their groundbreaking book, "Management for a Small Planet," first published in 1992, helped shape the field of sustainable business management and has influenced generations of students and business leaders worldwide. They later authored "Sustainable Strategic Management," which was the first book to integrate sustainability into the strategic management process.
Throughout his career, Ed authored numerous influential publications and received multiple honors, including the American Library Association Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award and the Academy of Management's Distinguished Service Award. He was a founding member of the Organizations and the Natural Environment Division of the Academy of Management.
Ed found his greatest joy in teaching and mentoring students, believing passionately that education was the key to creating a more sustainable and just world. His classroom was a place of inspiration where he challenged students to think critically about their role in society while nurturing their intellectual and personal growth. Countless former students have shared how Ed's guidance shaped not only their careers but their character, creating a legacy that extends far beyond academic achievement.
He lived his values, making his home with Jean on 12 wooded acres in the majestic Appalachian Mountains of northeast Tennessee. A dedicated practitioner of yoga, Ed earned his teaching certification from the Asheville Yoga Center in 2004, describing his practice as "meditation in motion." He was also a gifted poet who wrote many special poems for his loved ones, capturing moments of beauty and meaning in verse. Committed to environmental stewardship in all aspects of his life, Ed pursued a vision of zero waste in his mountain home, demonstrating that sustainable living was both possible and fulfilling.
Ed's heart remained forever tied to Auburn University, where he was a member of the Upsilon chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He maintained a second home there and regularly attended sporting events, embodying the "War Eagle" spirit throughout his life. In 2017, Auburn honored him with the Auburn University Sustainability Award in recognition of his groundbreaking research and teaching in sustainability.
A lifelong Methodist, Ed was a devoted member of Munsey Methodist Church and a founding member of the Melting Pot Ministry, which serves the lost, hungry, and homeless in the Johnson City downtown community. He worked tirelessly in this ministry, living out his faith through compassionate service to those in need.
He was immensely proud of his daughter, Garner Lee, whom he always described as an "old soul here to impart wisdom into the world." Ed's devotion to his grandchildren, Grant Thomas and Allison Grace, was boundless. He delighted in every moment spent with them, sharing his love of nature, learning, and life's simple pleasures. His eyes would light up when speaking of their accomplishments, adventures, and the joy they brought to his life.
Ed is survived by his wife and scholarly collaborator of 52 years, Dr. Jean Garner Stead; his daughter, Garner Lee Green (Mike); grandchildren Grant Thomas and Allison Grace; his son, Lance Graves (Karen); and his daughter, Valerie Mazzotti (Chris).
A celebration of Ed's life will be held at Munsey Memorial Methodist Church, October 11 at 3:00 p.m., with family receiving friends from 1:30-3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alzheimer's Tennessee or Munsey Methodist Church. Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, TN 37604 is honored to serve the Stead Family.
Visit the online obituary and guest book at https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/birmingham/name/w-stead-obituary?id=59666250
Anne (Scheinert) Allen
(9/16/25)
Anne S. Allen, 79, of Hoover, AL passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, in her home after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. She was GrandAnne to her sweet grandchildren, Mom to her son and precious daughter-in-law, and the love of a lifetime and best friend to her beloved husband Wray.
Anne was born November 4, 1945 in Birmingham, AL, the third daughter of the late Casper John (C.J.) and Hazel Lynn Scheinert. Anne reminisced often about the year before she started first grade, getting Mama all to herself before her baby brother came along. She loved her parents and talked of them often right up until the end. As a child, Anne would often tag along with her older sisters or sometimes play involuntary games of Johnny Appleseed with her younger brother. Anne graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1964 and then left for Auburn University, where she graduated in 1968 with a degree in Business Education.
A Halloween blind date in 1965 changed everything for Anne, as she met a young man from Valley, AL. It was love at first sight for Wray, but Anne was not sure she was going to stay at Auburn. This kept their relationship in check until Wray decided to send her a dozen roses the following year on her birthday. The rest was history. They married August 18, 1968 on a hot August Alabama afternoon in a church with no A/C due to a power outage. Their love remained just as warm until the end.
Anne became a school teacher, and retired with over 30 years of teaching. She got a master's degree from UAB in 1985 in Elementary Education, while raising her son. She started teaching at Lanier High School in Chambers County, AL, one of the only White teachers in a newly integrated Black high school. Her warmth and acceptance led her students to consider her one of them and she cherished her memories there. She later taught in LaFayette, AL, Elmore County, and Marshall County, AL, before finishing her career for the last 23 years teaching 2nd grade at Tarrant Elementary School, where she maintained friendships with her fellow teachers and students long after retirement.
Anne is survived by her husband of 57 years, Noel Wray Allen, Jr.; a son, Timothy Mark Allen and his wife Lara Allen of Vestavia Hills; two grandchildren, Avery Allen and Jack Allen; two sisters, Evelyn Veal (Evan) and Betty Brannon (Michael); a brother, John Scheinert (Kay); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
Anne was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hoover after growing up and attending First Lutheran Church in Birmingham, where she was baptized, confirmed and married (all by the same pastor). Anne loved gardening and was always wanting more flowers for Wray to plant, and occasionally planted pumpkins much to the chagrin of the Riverchase Homeowners' Association. She also loved to travel with her family, spend time at the pool or beach in the summer, and no one was better than Anne at remembering everyone's birthday, anniversary or other milestone with a card in the mail.
Anne suffered from Parkinson's Disease after being diagnosed in 2022 and received great care from the nursing team at ExpectCare Hospice. She also had a team of caregivers, including Anna Wade and Carol Miley, who were with her until the end. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church or the Parkinson Association of Alabama.
A memorial service for Anne will be held Wednesday, September 17 at noon at Christ the King Lutheran Church. A graveside service for family will precede the memorial service. To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pelham-al/anne-allen-12521276
