Rev. Jesse B.Duffey, Jr., age 90, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on Saturday, June 15.   After his birth May 26, 1929, in Brighton, AL, his family moved to Florence in 1935, spending most of their lives in the Muscle Shoals area.  His parents were Jesse B. Duffey, Sr. and Ruth Penny Duffey.  Jesse graduated from Deshler High School, Tuscumbia and held a BS in Music from UNA and a Master of Church Music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY.  Following his ordination to the Gospel Ministry, he served a number of Alabama churches as Minister of Music and Youth.   He was in the Naval Reserve after graduation from high school, and was put on active duty during the Korean War.  In his early years he worked as an iron worker in the construction industry, before accepting a call to the ministry. 

Prior to retirement, Mr. Duffey sang with the Alabama Singing Men, a touring group of active Ministers of Music.  He was active with the Rotarians while living in Opp, Alabama.  Composing and arranging sacred music occupied his retirement.  He was a published composer.  One of his favorite activities was performing concerts for seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  He loved the arts and attended numerous concerts and plays.  His hobbies were genealogy, golfing and fishing.  He loved sports and was a fan of the Auburn Tigers and the Atlanta Braves.  One of the things that gave meaning to his years as a minister was watching children and youth that were in his church choirs mature into adulthood and become active church members, faithful to the Kingdom.  His long marriage to a wonderful and faithful, loving wife gave him stability in his home life and in his ministry.  He often stated “I am a man blessed by God.”  His favorite Scripture was from Isaiah:  “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar as with eagles wings.  They will run and not grow weary; walk and not grow faint. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Geraldine Vickery Duffey; son, Jesse B. Duffey, III; sisters, Bonnie Bump (Bill) and Penny Gribble (Newton); nieces, Kathy Smith and Laura Rogers; nephews, John Sledge, Charles Sledge, Bill Bump, Paul Richard and Scott Richard.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 17, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Spry-Williams Funeral Home.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with  Dr. Greg Beasley and Bro. Ted Vafeas  officiating.  Burial will be at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Newton Gribble, Ken Barnwell, Mike Barnwell, Mike Holland, Frank Vetters, and Dennis Sell.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Joe Mikel, Allen Johnston, and Earl Jones.       You may sign the guest register at sprywilliams.com