Dr. C. Walker Dempsey, 83, Red Bay, Ala., died Nov. 8, 2007, at the Care Center, of Red Bay, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was born Jan. 8, 1924, in Nauvoo, Ala., to Newman and Maude Berry Dempsey. He was a graduate of Red Bay High School, University of Alabama and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Dempsey had a family practice in Red Bay for many years and helped to establish the Red Bay Hospital. He served on the city council of Red Bay and was past president and director of Bank of Red Bay. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving 1950-1952. He was a member of First Baptist Church, of Red Bay, and Men’s Sunday School class, The Friendship Class.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eugenia Howell “Gene” Dempsey, and a sister, Peggy Greene. The family wishes to thank longtime caregiver, Sonny Thompson, the staff of the Red Bay Hospital and the Care Center of Red Bay.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, at First Baptist Church, Red Bay, Ala., with Brother Larry Hill officiating. He will lie in state from noon-1 p.m. today at the church. Burial will be in Red Bay City Cemetery. Deaton Funeral Home, Red Bay, Ala., will be in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by one son, Marc Howell Dempsey (Dianne), Florence, Ala.; three daughters, Denni Clark (Scott), Decatur, Ala., Laurin Schultz (Randy), Belgreen, Ala., and Ellen Meade (Jon), Santa Fe, Tenn.; one brother, James Raymon Dempsey; one brother-in-law, Lyman Greene; 10 grandchildren, Jeff Parker, Mark Parker, John Clark, Erin Dempsey Sizemore, Jenna Dempsey Brewer, Kyndell Dempsey, Rebecca Britt, Randel Schultz, David Meade and Michael Meade; eight great-grandchildren, Jackson Parker, Spencer Parker, Cameron Parker, Brooklyn Parker, Sam Parker, Grace Parker, Trevor Britt and Caitlyn Britt.
Grandsons, Jeff Parker, Mark Parker, John Clark, Randel Schultz, David Meade and Michael Meade, will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Bolton, Bobby Canup, David Tiffin, Pat Nelson, David Grissom, members of The Friendship Class, Dr. Raynard Fabianke and Dr. Victor Norman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dr. Walker Dempsey Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 490, Red Bay, AL 35582, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 616, Red Bay, AL 35582, or Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.
