James S. Hubbard

1928 - 2025

James S. Hubbard, age 96, passed away at his home in Anniston on February 12, 2025. Jim was born on May 21, 1928, near Easonville, Alabama, and grew up on his family's farm in Alpine. As a child, he took on responsibilities to help his family survive the Great Depression, later recalling that he "became a man at nine" when he started plowing fields with mules. That spirit fostered his defining traits: resolute work ethic, cheerful energy, undefeatable determination, and, above all, unflinching love of family. Jim graduated from Winterboro High School in 1946 and then worked his way through Jacksonville State Teachers College, graduating in 1949. He began working in a sawmill in 1946, a first step towards timber management that soon led him to start his own logging business with little more than a crosscut saw. His enterprise grew, and he eventually managed a 10-man crew before beginning law school in 1954. Forestry remained a fixture throughout his life, evidenced by his trademark circular saw tie clip. He found moving dirt at the controls of a bulldozer to be recreational, and he became so familiar with forest management that his descriptions of the best forestry practices lent almost human-like qualities to trees. His ability to quickly cruise a stand of timber was practically legendary among fellow foresters. Always a motivated person, Jim earned his law degree at the University of Alabama School of Law in 1957 and moved to Anniston to open his law office in the old Commercial National Bank Building. He quickly developed a primary emphasis on jury trials, and, over the course of his long career, he represented thousands of clients in civil and criminal cases. He earned a reputation as one of the most outstanding trial lawyers in Alabama, handling over 1,000 trials in matters ranging from fender benders to capital murders. Regardless of the case, Jim steadfastly believed in the constitutional right of all people to have legal representation. In the courtroom, Jim was known for questioning witnesses while looking directly at the jury, a method that enabled him to connect with jurors by watching their reactions. He could steer the jury's conscience. His mastery in examining witnesses and delivering closing arguments led many of his colleagues to seek his assistance in their own clients' trials, thus forging friendships that were greatly valued. A sole practitioner for most of his career, Jim joined with Thomas J. Knight to form the firm Hubbard & Knight on Noble Street in 1998. Known for his near-photographic memory, Jim would take almost no notes during weeklong trials yet could still recall the specifics of the case decades later. His work helped shape the legal landscape in Alabama, as he was counsel of record for over 60 published appellate court opinions. Growing up during the Great Depression instilled in him an abiding concern for those in difficult circumstances from all walks of life, leading him to provide free representation to at least one client each week who could not otherwise afford an attorney. Reflecting this spirit of service, Jim received the John S. Nettles Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 2004. Jim was a man of quiet faith who was always proud of his roots in Alpine. He dearly loved his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Joseph and Ora Lee Hubbard, and his sisters, Birdilee Lunamand and Locklyn Redmond. Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Jane Colvin Hubbard, and their three children: Mary (Chris) Randolph, Tricia (Hutch) Harrison, and Anne (Rickey) Norred. He was actively involved in the lives of each of his seven grandchildren: Christopher Randolph, Jr (fiancée Deana Farris), James Randolph, Jane Harrison (Andrew) White, Will Harrison, Elizabeth Harrison, Andrew Norred, and Daniel Norred. He took great pride in welcoming his great-granddaughter, Elle White, in 2024. Family gatherings centered on his stories and his warm, contagious laugh. Homemade ice cream, World War II history, and love of animals were among his many everyday enjoyments, with his faithful pet, Miss Kitty, providing companionship over the past decade. Pallbearers will be Chris Randolph, Hutch Harrison, Rickey Norred, Christopher Randolph, Jr, James Randolph, Will Harrison, Andrew Norred, Daniel Norred, and Andrew White. Members of the Alabama State Bar will be honorary pallbearers. The family is especially grateful for the compassionate attentiveness of caregiver Kim Tyus and her Devoted Hearts organization. The funeral service will be held in the sanctuary of Parker Memorial Baptist Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Visitation will be in the church parlor at noon before the service. Burial will follow the service at Lincoln City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Stemley Volunteer Fire Department (125 Rock Church Road, Talladega, AL 35160) or to Parker Memorial Baptist Church (PO Box 2104, Anniston, AL 36202).
K.L. Brown Funeral Home & Crematory
322 Nisbet Street NW
Jacksonville, AL 36265
256.435.7042