Julian L. Bibb Jr.

Julian L. Bibb Jr.

Decatur

Julian L. Bibb Jr. of Decatur went peacefully into the arms of his Savior at age 90, on June 10, 2010. His loving wife, Edith V. Bibb, predeceased him. He is survived by his one daughter, Judy Short Reed of Fayetteville, Tenn.; two sons, Julian L. Bibb III (Jayne) of Franklin, Tenn., and William K. Bibb (Melissa) of Pelham; ten grandchildren, David J. Reed Jr. (Traci) of Bradenton, Fla., Joanna Reed Caldwell (Rob) of Fayetteville, Julian L. Bibb IV (Debra) of Franklin, Megan L. Bibb (Craig Carson) of Houston, Texas, Polly C. Bibb of Franklin, Molly Bibb Becker (Abe) of Decatur, Amanda G. Bibb of Pelham, Joseph P. D. Bibb (Allison) of Franklin, John R. Bibb of Franklin, and Wesley K. Bibb of Pelham; and eight great-grandchildren, Kobus Reed, Ferris Reed, Charlie Caldwell, Harry Caldwell, Julian L. Bibb V, Eliza Vaughan Bibb, William Nathan Becker and Dovie Alexander Bibb. He was preceded in death by his sister, Susan Bibb Kidd, son-in-law, David J. Reed, and grandson, Quilla Bibb Reed.

Mr. Bibb attended Decatur Riverside High School, graduating in the Class of 1937. Following high school, he attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He graduated with a B.S degree.

Following college, he joined the United States Army in 1942 and served four years during World War II in the Signal Corp. At the end of World War II and with the rank of Captain, Mr. Bibb retired from the service and returned to Decatur.

Mr. Bibb pursued a number of vocations. He worked as a land surveyor for Morgan County and he managed the family's farm business. In 1949, he became the first local employee hired by Chemstrand, the predecessor company of Monsanto. He assumed the position of Personnel Director. He participated in the hiring of many employees who staffed the plant. Mr. Bibb remained with the company for 35 years until his retirement.

Following his retirement, Mr. Bibb and his lifelong sweetheart and wife, Edith V. Bibb, pursued their joint interests, traveling to Florida for months at a time, and visiting often with their children and ten grandchildren. They remained active in the life of St. John's Episcopal Church where Mr. Bibb was a lifelong member, and enjoyed broad friendships within the Decatur community.

Mr. Bibb also spent many hours with his favorite pasttimes: woodworking and carpentering. He spent hours upon hours refining his skills at this craft. And on the weekends in the fall, he gathered with his family to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was a devoted fan and made sure his children and grandchildren were indoctrinated into the legacy of Alabama football.

The family will receive friends in the Library at St. John's Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 13, 2010, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. immediately preceding the funeral service.

Funeral services will be Sunday, June 13, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, Decatur, Reverend Richard Lawson officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Decatur City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to St. John's Episcopal Church or to the charity of your choice.

St. John's Episcopal Church (256-353-9615) and Roselawn Funeral Home (256-353-2996) are in charge of the arrangements.

This obituary was originally published in the Decatur Daily.