Virgil M. Price III ’07

On Sunday May 12, 2024 Virgil M. Price, III, Age 39, tragically disappeared at sea while free-diving and spearfishing near a World War II shipwreck off of Florida’s Atlantic coast.

He graduated from the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach and attended Davidson College. He was an incredibly skilled freediver and instructed many people on the sport as a part of Florida Freedivers. From an early age he was drawn to music, wildlife and the ocean. He was adept at multiple different instruments including piano, bass guitar, and mandolin to name a few. He shared his gift of music while playing in local bands.

He is survived by his father, Virgil M. Price II, his mother, Kathleen Cerasaro, his sister Brit Drozda, brother in law Zack Drozda, Gail Obenour, his stepfather Adriano Cerasaro, his grandmother Shirley Mulligan and his niece and nephew. He will be reunited in heaven with his previously deceased grandfather Jim Mulligan of whom he was incredibly fond of throughout his life and his previously deceased grandfather Virgil M. Price. Virgil’s fun-loving playful spirit touched the lives of so many throughout his all too brief 39 years. He will be extremely missed.

A memorial service will take place on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (717 Prosperity Farms Rd, North Palm Beach, FL 33408) followed by a celebration of his life immediately following the service at Bradley’s (104 S Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401) All are welcome to celebrate our dear son, brother and friend.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Virgil’s memory to https://underwaterhypoxicblackout.org/.

Edwin “Grey” Wicker ’04

It is with heavy hearts, and deep sadness, that we announce the passing of Attorney Edwin “Grey” Wicker.

Grey passed away suddenly as a result of a cardiac event on Wednesday, May 10th.

Professionally, Grey served as a law clerk to the Honorable Roger L. Couch in the Seventh Judicial Circuit for one year before going into practice with Mike Spears of Michael E. Spears, PA, in 2008. Grey joined Parham, Smith & Archenhold’s Spartanburg Office in 2017.

While practicing many facets of the law, Grey focused his efforts on pursuing the legal rights of his clients in civil, medical malpractice, class action and trucking accident litigation. Grey committed his career to protecting his clients’ interests while zealously representing them and counseling them through the difficult litigation process. Grey received an “AV” rating as a Preeminent Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell.

A Spartanburg native, Grey received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics with a minor in Music from Davidson College before receiving his Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from The Charleston School of Law in 2007. During his tenure at the Charleston School of Law, Grey served as the Quality Control Editor of the Maritime Law Bulletin. Additionally, Grey served as the Chairman of the school’s Honor Counsel for two years and on the Judiciary Committee, tasked with writing the school’s honor code.

While achieving great success in his legal career, Grey also contributed to his community in many ways. Grey was Chairman of the Board of Directors for Mobile Meals of Spartanburg County beginning in June, 2015. He was also Founder and Director of Public Relations for The Hub City Hog Fest, a charity BBQ competition in downtown Spartanburg, established as a benefit for Mobile Meals of Spartanburg County and raised over $200,000.00 for Mobile Meals in its first four years.

While we could continue with Grey’s accolades and achievements, we know that his greatest legacy is his family. Grey could not have been more proud of his beautiful wife, Amanda, and their two young children.

The void that Grey has left in all of our lives is a true testament to how he lived.

Christina Beesley Crothers ’02

Christina Beesley Crothers, age 42, of Chillicothe passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Christy was born on June 27, 1980, in Lexington, Kentucky, to John and Valinda (Robertson) Beelsey.

She married Robert Crothers on September 13, 2008, in Peoria.

Surviving are her husband, Rob; her children, Evie, Wesley and Mac Crothers; her parents, John and Valinda of Chillicothe; her brother, Joseph (Sahithi) Beesley of Dallas, TX; and her nephew, Rowan Beesley.

Christy graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina and then went on to Arcadia University in Boston, MA, where she graduated with a Master’s Degree. Christy was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Chillicothe. She loved traveling, but most of all, she loved her family. She loved being a mom to her kids and being active in their lives.

Per her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe, with visitation held one hour prior the service. The Rev. Ron Martz will be officiating. A celebration of life benefit is scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2022, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Peoria Casting Club in Chillicothe. Memorials may be made to the family for their kid’s education. Online condolences may be made through www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.

Lee Ann Petty ’01

Lee Ann Petty, 41, passed away Wednesday, December 30, after a long battle with gastric cancer.

Lee Ann was born in Birmingham on February 14, 1979, to W. David Petty and Carol Kiser Petty. She graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 1997 and Davidson College in 2001.

She returned to Birmingham to work for AmSouth Bank as a paralegal in the legal department. She became the Senior Litigation Paralegal, a position she continued to hold after the merger with Regions.

She later transitioned to the Community Affairs team as Regions’ Volunteer Service Coordinator. Lee Ann loved the community of Birmingham and loved serving others. She lived both of these out through being actively involved in numerous non-profits and service organizations.

She worked with, or served on the boards of, many non-profits around Alabama, including the United Way, Junior Achievement, the Junior League, the Firehouse Shelter, the Cahaba Foundation, the Alabama Governor’s School and others. She was also an active member at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School.

You can read more about her rich career of service here. Lee Ann was well-loved by many people throughout the community.

When she wasn’t working for the benefit of others, she loved spending time with her friends enjoying Birmingham’s restaurants and cultural venues, such as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, or the state’s many sports teams.

Her greatest delight was to spend time with her family. She loved being at the beach with them, especially with Jack and Luke, her nephews. Lee Ann passed away at home with her family by her side.

She trusted her Savior throughout her battle with cancer, knowing that, whatever may come, His promises to her were secure. She now gets to enjoy relationship with Him unhindered.

She is survived by her father, William David Petty, her mother, Carol Kiser Petty of Mountain Brook, and her sister, Susan Petty Needler(Kent) of St. Louis, Missouri. Due to the pandemic, a memorial for Lee Ann will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Firehouse Shelter, United Way, Junior Achievement, Junior League, or the Cahaba Foundation.

Copyright, 2021, Birmingham News. All Rights Reserved.