Fay Yow

Fay Irene Yow, 97, of Burnwell, Alabama, passed away on April 4, 2026, at South Haven Rehabilitation Hospital, just twenty days before her 98th birthday. Fay was born on April 24, 1928, in Burnwell, Alabama, to Charlie and Claudia Yow. She graduated from Dora High School in 1946 and went on to attend business training school. This training helped her begin a career at Lamson & Sessions in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 20. She worked in the Invoice Department for over 30 years until her retirement, building a reputation as a professionally capable woman. Fay was a self-starter kind of person with a strong work ethic. While working at Lamson & Sessions, Fay served a term as President of the North Birmingham Business and Professional Women's Club. She was also deeply involved in Kelly Ingram V.F.W. Auxiliary No. 668, where she held many official roles. She was notably recognized for recruiting 25 new members during 1971 to 1972 and went on to serve as President for 1972 to 1973. She treasured her experiences with the Auxiliary throughout her life. For many years, Fay was an exceptionally gifted seamstress who made beautiful clothing for herself and her family. She loved purchasing fabrics and patterns and favored using "covered" buttons because they matched perfectly and looked very professional. In retirement, she loved being at home and keeping a neat yard, paying great attention to clearing away every leaf and stick. Her longtime yard worker describes her affectionately as a "tough cookie," and those who knew her would entirely agree. Fay loved chocolate chip cookies, almost always preferring them for breakfast. Her family believes that she was at least half composed of cookies. She enjoyed hot coffee with lots of cream and drinking whole milk, too. She adored fresh flowers, which she would keep until they were almost unrecognizable. A pretty regular stream of replacements was required so that she would part with the old. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Claudia, her brothers, Eugean, Harland, Claud and Fred, and nephews, Charlie Yow, and Don Yow. She is survived by her nieces, Carolyn Self, Pam Willburn, Debra Woodley, and Joan Ellis, and nephews, Jimmy Yow, Jackie Yow, and Gary Yow. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. Though Fay was not an active member of a congregation, she shared that she prayed often and had given her heart to God. She lived longer than anyone she knew of in her family and thanked God every day for letting her live so long. Her family will hold a small memorial service to celebrate her life but that time has not been determined. Fay was a resilient dynamo of a lady, and she loved deeply. She will be missed by all who loved her, until they see her again. New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home directing 205-648-2323

Fay Yow

April 24, 1928 - April 4, 2026