Hiawatha Edward Studdard

Hiawatha Edward Studdard, Sr. age 100, of Birmingham, Alabama, a centenarian born March 28, 1918 in Madison,  Alabama to the union of Robert and Robena Moore Studdard, transitioned and entered into eternal rest Christmas afternoon, December 25, 2018 in Choctaw County, Pennington, Alabama, at the residence of his son,  James. Service of Remembrance is slated for Monday, December 31, 2018 at 12:00 noon from St. Joseph Baptist Church, 500- Ninth Avenue, North, Birmingham, Alabama 35204.  Deacon Studdard will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.  Our adopted Brother In Christ, Rev. Derrick Hudson is to deliver the eulogy;  Rev. Michael Wesley, Jr. (Pastor of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church - West End) is to offer words of comfort and consolation;  Rev. Boykin L. Hunter, Jr. is church pastor.  Interment follows in Elmwood Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Drive 35211. After the committal service, repast and fellowship is at Watermark Place, 4500 Katies Way, Bessemer, Al. 35022.  Visitation for family and friends is scheduled Sunday evening, December 30, 2018 from 2-5:00 p.m. at Bushelon Funeral Home, located 800-14th Street, S.W.   Deacon Studdard was an active member and the oldest member of Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church where he loyally and faithfully served as a Deacon and was chairman of the trustee board for numerous years until his health failed. Honorably serving his country in the United States military during World War II, he was a supply clerk with the rank of Sergeant. During his youth and working on a paper route, he married the girl he teased who later became the love of his life and for 54 years he was married to Christie Lee Clark Studdard until her passing on November 13, 1993.  To this union were born ten children, the youngest daughter, Loretta, preceeding them in death. A staunch believer in education and the work ethic; he worked in various capacities, including being a mortician and eventually after many years, retiring from Alpha Portland Cement Company.   He earned a Business degree from Booker T. Washington College and was determined that all his children also be college educated. To know him, was truly to have loved him because as he has been affectionately called -  Jolly, Jabbo, Radio, to name a few;  he brought laughter and joy into any room he entered and maintained a zestful spirit for life up until his final days. Those who remain to cherish his memories and to celebrate a life of love and longevity are:  his children – Eula Charles, Hiawatha E. (Carolyn) Studdard, Jr, Brenda S. Waugh, Jacqueline S. Weatherly, James (Gerri) Studdard, Dwight (Shelby) Studdard, Kevin (Bobbie) Studdard, Sylvia Renae and Brian Studdard; grandchildren – Eric, Maurice Nathaniel, Marla, Demetra, Dexter, Damion, James II, Sheena, Ardree, Keisha, Brandon, Leslie Gregory, Wesley,  Ruben, Maurice and Shanta; extended grandchildren – Patrice, Doressa, LaTanya and Trevonne;  twenty-nine (29) great grandchildren;  thirteen (13) great great grandchildren; three brothers –  Nathaniel, Napolean and Douglas Studdard;  countless nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends who truly loved him and whom he also truly loved.  Surely “Jabbo” will be missed. From the entire Studdard Family, we ask that you would continue to keep us in your prayers; to lend to us a measure of comfort and consolation that will sustain us during this time of the passing of the family’s beloved patriarch.