Thomas Hannah

Thomas Calvin Hannah | TUSCALOOSA Thomas Calvin Hannah, age 81, of Tuscaloosa, died June 5, 2011 at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa with Dr. Tim Lovett and Rev. Frank Jones officiating. There will be a private family burial with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South directing. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church. Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, Vernie Wilson and Mattie Hayes Hannah; in-laws who loved him like a son, David M. and Mamie Ingram Spinks; and first wife, Betty Windle Hannah and their infant son. Calvin was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and man of deep faith in Jesus Christ. He was born July 24, 1929. He married his beloved wife Margaret Spinks in 1955. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Margaret; daughters, Diane Hannah Blocker (Mike) of Huntsville, Debbie Hannah Skinner (Carey) of Amarillo, Texas, and Donna Hannah Tinsley (Joe) of Tuscaloosa; siblings, James Wilson Hannah (Sheila) of Winston, Ga. and Sarah Hannah DeLoche (Louis) of Nashville, Tenn.; and five grandchildren, Carol Blocker Bullock (David), Lindsey Blocker Garmon (Kyle), Hannah Skinner King (Justin), Joseph Calvin Tinsley, and Will Adams Tinsley, who affectionately called him their "Poppy."� Calvin also had three great-grandchildren in whom he delighted, Anna Kate Bullock, Hayes Baker Garmon, and Isabella Claire Garmon. Calvin was a lifelong Tuscaloosa resident who knew the beauty of the area like the back of his hand from his 44 years of faithful service to The Tuscaloosa News. With his favorite Nikon camera in hand, he documented the daily life and history of West Alabama and the University of Alabama, particularly the athletic department, for over 40 years. He served as chief photographer for much of that time, mentoring many young photographers along the way, including his daughter "Tootie"� (Donna). During his lifetime, with camera in hand, he stood in the presence of countless political, athletic, and entertainment figures who lived in the second half of the twentieth century, but one would never know that from talking to him. He was a humble man of few words and a great wit. From all the people and places he was privileged to see through his camera lens, he is now getting to see, face-to-face, the person he told Debbie he "had been living for"�"" Jesus Christ. He had a distinguished career as a member of the National Press Photographers Association, served as a deacon at both Rosedale and Calvary Baptist Church, and was recognized as an outstanding Alumnus of Tuscaloosa County High School. Calvin's life was also a living testament to the power of God to provide strength and perseverance in times of trial as he lived with Parkinson's disease for 28 years. His endurance under trials gave those around him inspiration for living. He was a Southern gentleman who did more than document history. For his family, he made history, and he will be sorely missed until we see him again in heaven. Pallbearers are Cal Tinsley, Will Tinsley, David Bullock, Kyle Garmon, Justin King, Paul Gartman, Hootie Ingram, Eddie Tinsley, and Curtis Bonner. Honorary pallbearers are Calvary Men's Friday Prayer Breakfast, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bonner, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Powell, Tuscaloosa News retirees, friends of Laurel Wood, Dr. and Mrs. Gary Kilgo, Dr. and Mrs. John Summerford, Dr. Michael Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Land, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Belk, Ashcraft-Newman and Fidelis Sunday School Classes, and the staffs of The Waysider and Mr. Bill's. Special thanks to Lyman Hardy and the staff of LaRocca Nursing Home, the staffs of Park Manor, Forest Manor, and Heritage Nursing Homes, and Hospice of West Alabama. The Hannahs wish to thank family, friends, and strangers in the Tuscaloosa community for their many acts of love and kindness during Daddy's illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 1121 Paul Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401; Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405; Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, AIDB Region 5, 2412 Skyland Blvd. E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405; Big Oak Boys and Girls Ranches, P.O. Box 507, Springville, AL 35146; or Caring Days, P.O. Box 5049, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403. Published in Tuscaloosa News on June 7, 2011