Frederick Ulysses Ezell, 71, a longtime resident of Sawyerville, passed away Tuesday, July 28, at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa.
Born December 26, 1954, to the late Ulysses and Sarah Ezell, both prominent educators in the Hale County School System, Fred was affectionately known as Junior.
He professed hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized by the late Rev. W.E. Patton, becoming a member of Springfield Missionary Baptist Church.
Fred was a proud member of the graduating class of 1972 at Greensboro Public School, East Campus, where classmates nicknamed him “Star” for his swagger and cool demeanor. He attended Alabama A&M University in Normal, Daniel Payne College in Birmingham and the Tuskegee Institute Job Corps before relocating to Opelika, where he worked as a welder. Never afraid to try his hand at new endeavors, he also worked with ranchers, FEMA and the Alabama Farmers Federation, among others. He was a true outdoorsman whose passions included horsemanship, heavy machinery and high-performance automobiles.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Dr. Sandra L. Ezell.
He leaves to cherish his memory a loving daughter, Elvie Gray (Anthony); a grandson, Calvin Black Jr.; a great-grandson, Calvin Black III; a brother, Rev. Toronzo Ezell; two nieces, Toronya Ezell and Terricka Ezell; two aunts, Ethel Ezell-Duncan and Meloneal Hobson; and a host of family and friends.
Homegoing services were held Saturday, August 8, at 11 a.m. at Springfield Baptist Church, 14757 Alabama Highway 14, Sawyerville, with Rev. Gary Allen, pastor, officiating and Rev. Matthew Wilson, pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Marion, delivering the eulogy.
