KERMIT EUGENE "DUDE" LINDSEY

Kermit Eugene “Dude” Lindsey, 87, Hueytown, Alabama, October 1, 1936 – April 26, 2024 Dude was born in the farming community of Skirum, Ala., located on Sand Mountain in north Alabama. He was the ninth child of Elmer and Troy Finley Lindsey. His shared childhood memories included the love and laughter of his parents and siblings, learning the value of hard work and growing up in the Sand Mountain community that he always considered his home. Dude graduated in 1954 from Crossville High School, where he played both basketball and football. He relocated to the Bessemer area after high school and began working in Hill’s Grocery, where he met Gay Lynn Jones; they were married in 1959. Dude joined the National Guard, serving six months on active duty and many years in reserve. Dude worked in numerous businesses and industries in the area as well as ongoing work of his own. Throughout his life, Dude spent his free time always working but also gardening, raising livestock, fishing and assisting neighbors and family whenever he could. He was a Christian and long-time member of Valley Creek Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and managed the care of the Valley Creek cemetery for many years. During the 1980s, Dude was a part of the Valley Creek Bus Ministry that visited with and transported children in the community to church each Sunday. Dude lived his entire life in the state of Alabama within about 100 miles of his birthplace. Dude will be remembered for his hard work ethic, generosity, crushing handshake, devotion to family, witty remarks and funny stories about Sand Mountain. In his last years, greetings of “How are you?” often heard his response: “I’m still kicking, but not too high.” “Good to see you, Dude” was met with “Better to be seen than viewed”. Dude is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Gay Lynn, who served him tirelessly, especially in his latter years, to make his life at home comfortable. He is survived by his daughter, Laura Lindsey Bruner, and her husband, Eric, along with grandchildren Annie, Eli and Liddy. He is also survived by his sister, Maggie Brown, of Lookout Mountain, Ga., many nieces and nephews as well as cherished life-long friends. These include Tommy Nicholas, Angelia Hammonds, and Bree McLemore, who graciously served him alongside Gay Lynn in the last two years of his life, as well as life-long friend Johnny Bartlett, who selflessly supported both Dude and the family in any way he could. Dude was preceded in death by his siblings Maurice, Bob, Hovis, Herschel, Ruby Jo Bruce and Ann Lindsey. The visitation will be Thursday, May 2, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Valley Creek Baptist Church followed by a Memorial Service at the church at 2:00 pm. Burial will be immediately following the service at Valley Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Valley Creek Baptist Church Building fund.