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CLASSNOTES
Hanna learned the art of sewing
from her mother, a professional
seamstress. She worked as a
volunteer at St. Vincent’s Hospital
for more than 20 years and was
awarded their Lifetime Member
pin. She is survived by three
daughters, six grandchildren, and
12 great-grandchildren. “Mom
had great years at BSC,” said her
daughter, Marie Hanna Nelson
of Millbrook, Ala. “She and dad
talked highly of their years in
college when we were growing
up.”
Ellinor Creel Butterley ’47
of
Birmingham, on April 6, 2014.
She was a teacher at Barrett
Elementary School for 22 years
before retiring in 1988. Along
with her family, she was active
in the United Methodist Church,
attending Lake Highlands UMC,
where she grew up, and Highlands
UMC later in life. She loved to
travel and visited all 50 states.
She was preceded in death by her
husband,
Rev. Elbert Butterley
’36
, and her brother,
Rev. George
Creel ’52
. She is survived by
two daughters, including
Lynn
Rock Ritchie ’77
of Greenville,
S.C.; a step-daughter; and two
grandchildren, including
Erin
Ritchie Ehrhardt ’06
of Greer, S.C.
Mary Louise Coker Davis ’47
of Birmingham, on April 21,
2014. After graduating from
BSC, she spent almost 40 years
teaching in the Birmingham City
School System. She is survived
by her husband, a daughter,
a granddaughter, and a great-
grandson.
Paul Edward Davis ’50
of Hoover,
on May 26, 2014. After BSC,
Davis earned a master’s degree
with a banking emphasis from the
University of Virginia. He also was
a U.S. Army veteran who served
his country during World War II,
most notably in Bastogne during
the Battle of the Bulge. Davis was
retired from Regions Bank. He
enjoyed all sports, but had a special
fondness for golf and football.
He is survived by his wife, two
daughters, and five grandchildren.
John James “Jack” Keyes Jr. ’50
of Bessemer, on May 24, 2014.
Keyes proudly served his country
as a member of the U.S. Marine
Corps, the U.S. Army, and the
Alabama National Guard. He was
a lifelong member of St. Aloysius
Catholic Church and a graduate of
the Birmingham School of Law. He
also earned a Master of Theological
Studies degree from Spring
Hill College. Keyes became an
attorney in 1956 and a CPA in 1958.
He worked alongside his son, Jim,
for many years. He was a longtime
member of the Bessemer Bar
Association and the Birmingham
Chapter of the Alabama Society
of Certified Public Accountants.
Among survivors are his wife, two
sons, and several grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
James PopeWingo ’50
of
Birmingham, on July 29, 2014.
Wingo was a member of one of
the last U.S. Army Cavalry troops
trained at Fort Riley, Kansas, and
served in the Allied Occupational
Forces in Germany from 1945-47.
He was director of purchasing at
UAB for 28 years, retiring in 1987.
Wingo served on the vestry and
in other volunteer ministries at All
Saints’ Episcopal Church, where he
was a member. Survivors include
his wife,
Nan BarnesWingo ’52
,
a son and daughter, and several
grandchildren.
In
Memoriam
Friend
John Ronald “Ron” Council
, former
director of public relations for Birmingham-
Southern, died on June 8, 2014, at the age
of 74.
A longtime Birmingham resident, Council
was the consummate public relations master,
advertising professional, serial entrepreneur,
and innovator. Among his many other
professional endeavors over the decades, he
founded and ran the Advertising & Art Council
Inc., and in 1993, co-founded Metro Monitor,
a professional broadcast news monitoring and
news clipping service, with his wife,
Martha
Myers Council ’94
; his son
Bryan Council
’90
is now president. He retired as director
of communications for the North Alabama
Conference of the United Methodist Church.
During his career, Council was an active member of both the Public Relations
Society of America (PRSA) and the American Advertising Federation of Birmingham
(AAF), serving as president of AAF, PRSA, and the Public Relations Council of
Alabama. He received many awards, including the Otis Dodge Memorial Award as
well as the lifetime Silver Metal ADDY award from AAF.
Council used his public relations expertise to promote the causes important to him,
including the revitalization of Avondale Park, recycling initiatives, and the Alabama
Symphony Orchestra. He was a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America and an
avid photographer. He and his wife were always part of Birmingham’s social scene
and supported many local charities.
In addition, Council was a passionate activist for technological advancements in
cardiac medicine and an outspoken and active supporter of organ donations. He
was also very involved with BSC’s former annual Writing Today Conference, which
brought literary professionals from around the country to the campus. Council served
for several years as chair of the Writing Today committee.
He is survived by his wife; son; daughter, Thyme; and two grandsons. Memorial
contributions may be sent to the Martha Myers and J. Ronald Council Scholarship
Fund, established in 1989, to the Office of Institutional Advancement at BSC, Box
549003, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, AL 35254.