Union State Bank celebrates 120 years

A legacy stretching
back more than a century

Story and photos
by Carol Pappas
Submitted photos

When Emily Norris heads to work each day, it’s like returning to a home she never left. She grew up coming to Union State Bank, where her mother worked as a teller.  She held her first job there at age 15. In college, she worked there around her class schedule.

As Union State celebrates its 120th anniversary, Norris is now a vice president and represents a new generation at Union State, continuing the legacy of St. Clair County’s oldest community bank.

“It’s like family,” she said. “My great-great grandparents banked with Union State Bank as far back as the early 1920s, and my mother has worked here for the bank for 40 years, so it means a great deal to carry on the legacy here at Union State Bank.

“Union State hired me when I was in high school. I was able to come to work after I finished my classes for the day.”

After high school at Gadsden State Community College, she continued her work at the bank until graduation magna cum laude with a Business Marketing Degree. She went on to graduate from Alabama Banking School located at the University of South Alabama. “I feel as though I gained so much insight about the banking industry during those years,” she said. After working in the banking field at another institution in Birmingham for a few years, she returned ‘home’ – to Pell City and Union State Bank.

“I have so many fond memories of growing up and coming to this bank as a kid. I have enjoyed learning from and working for Mr. Reed,” she said, referring to Reed Alexander, the bank’s CEO. “I am thankful for the potential he saw in me as a teenager, investing in that potential and allowing me to grow as a banker through the years.

“It has just always been like a family here,” she added, citing a group of encouraging mentors over the years – Wayne Adams, David Jackson, Dorothy Golden and Chuck Truitt. But she credits her mother as her most valued teacher. “She has always instilled a good work ethic and to always have a passion to do my best at whatever I’m doing.”

She has apparently learned her mother’s lessons well, now serving in leadership at the bank she worked in as a teen.

And the bank’s deeply rooted history in the community makes her role even more special, she said. “It is an honor to work for a bank that has such a long history here in Pell City. I love working, living and serving in the community where I was raised. Knowing that you are investing back into your community makes you feel good about what you are doing and the lives you touch through it.”

Union State: A storied History

The year was 1903 when a group of businessmen, led by J. Fall Roberson Sr., joined forces to form a bank to serve future businesses and citizens of Pell City and St. Clair County. It formed under the name of Bank of St. Clair County and today, it is the county’s oldest successful bank – Union State Bank..

Sumter Cogswell, credited with founding Pell City, served as president with directors McLane Tilton, E.J. Mintz, Arthur Draper, J. Fall Roberson of Cropwell, J.H. Moore of Coal City, Frank Lothrop of Riverside, and Lafayette Cooke, the entrepreneur who built the Cook Springs Hotel and for whom Cook Springs is named.

In 1910, the bank received a charter to establish itself as a national bank and changed its name to First National Bank of Pell City.

The original bank was located on the corner of Cogswell Avenue and 20th Street and was built at a cost of $20,000. It was later demolished. The name changed again in 1918 to Union State Bank, and it operates under that name today.

A driving force in the bank’s success was Gloria V. Roberson, who served as chairman and CEO of the bank from 1964 until her death in 1999.

The family would continue in her footsteps. Her nephews, Reed and Rex Alexander, have been at the helm continuing the leadership. Reed Alexander is CEO and board chairman; Rex Alexander is president; Reed Alexander Jr., vice president, lender; David Alexander, vice president, lender; Chris Alexander, vice president, brokerage manager and Drew Alexander, president, Union State Insurance.

A dedicated corporate citizen, Union State has been involved in a number of civic endeavors, most notably providing “seed money” to help create the Pell City Schools Educational Foundation in 1992 and endowing the first “Chair of the Foundation,” which represented a gift of $10,000. The chair was dedicated in 1994.

St. Clair officials attend summit in Japan

Economic development officials from St. Clair County joined others from Southeastern states for the 45th annual SEUS (South East United States)-Japan Conference in Tokyo in October.

St. Clair Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Smith, Director of Industry and Work Force Jason Roberts and Commission Chairman Stan Batemon were part of the Alabama delegation led by Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield.

While there, they met met with the new president of Unipres and discussed ways to assist their expansion of the plant in Steele while networking with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Japanese business owners.  Topics of trade and investment between the two companies were also discussed.

Unipres is preparing for a $10 million expansion with 20-25 jobs.  With over 300 employees, Unipres is one of the county’s largest employers and has invested over $100 million in St. Clair County over the past 10 years.  

Unipres is a leader in metal stamping technology for the automotive sector.  They have dozens of plants worldwide with three of those locations in the Southeast.  They include facilities in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Steele, Alabama.   Founded in 1998, they are celebrating their 25th anniversary.  

“The SEUS-Japan summit is a valuable event for us,” said Smith. “It provides incredible data and networking opportunities as well as creating a base camp for us to visit the top leadership positions making decisions regarding our local Alabama companies.”

Secretary Canfield said the annual SEUS Japan gathering allows members of the Alabama delegation to reinforce bonds that have been established over decades and to explore pathways to future collaborations.

“The long-standing partnership between Japan and Alabama continues to spark economic growth, create opportunity and foster deep friendships,” he said. “That’s why I am looking forward to seeing this relationship blossom for decades to come.”

Today, an estimated 90 Japanese companies have established operations in Alabama, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce. The roster of Japanese companies includes global names such as Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Daikin, Rheem and Dai-Ichi Life.

“The impact of Japanese investment in Alabama has been massive,” Canfield said. “Back in 1999, Honda announced plans to open an auto assembly plant in Alabama, and since that milestone, nearly $10 billion in Japanese investment has flowed into the state.”

Christina Stimpson, who serves as director of Commerce’s Office of International Trade, said the commercial ties with Japan have become an increasingly important economic driver for Alabama.

“The Japanese-Alabama relationship is stronger than ever. Not only do we have significant foreign direct investment from Japan, but for the first time ever Alabama exports to Japan last year reached over $1 billion,” Stimpson said.

“This is a 42% increase from 2021 and represents the largest percentage increase among our top trading partners.”

Besides Alabama, the states represented at SEUS-Japan are Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida.

Lakeside Hospice

Mike Aiello Day, ribbon cutting
mark hospice celebration

Volunteers traditionally are at the heart of nonprofit works, often going about their business to little fanfare or notice.

But Lakeside Hospice and a group of supporting partners turned one occasion for celebration into one that lauded one of its most dedicated volunteers – Mike Aiello.

In a surprise recognition at the ribbon cutting ceremony of Lakeside Hospice’s new renovations, representatives of the hospice and other groups honored Aiello for his selfless acts of offering a helping hand. It was proclaimed, appropriately, “Mike Aiello Day.”

Honoring Mike Aiello

Aiello has been volunteering at Lakeside Hospice for at least 15 years, said Executive Director Paul Garing. He is a person that sees a need and always shows up to fill it. Whether it’s making sure the pump in the fountain is working properly, tree limbs are cleared or checking doors to ensure they’re locked, “he just shows up and does it,” Garing said. “He does everything for us.”

As others attested, Lakeside Hospice is not the only recipient of his good works. He volunteers with ASPCI, volunteered with and served as director of the Love Pantry food bank, works with buildings and grounds at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and is known for good deeds in his community of Pine Harbor.

Municipal Judge Brandi Hufford read a proclamation declaring it Mike Aiello Day and noted she will be presenting it to the City of Pell City for official designation.

“They all came together in a surprise party to honor him,” Garing said. Photos and newspaper clippings were hung in a display to pay tribute, and representatives of ASPCI, Habitat for Humanity, Our Lady of the Lake, Love Pantry, Pine Harbor Association and of course, Lakeside Hospice spoke about him and his good works..

As part of the day’s festivities, Lakeside Hospice did cut the ribbon on renovations to its building, including new paint, cosmetic additions and landscaping to create an inviting and welcoming environment for staff and patients.

Lakeside Hospice was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit hospice, not only serving patients with Medicare or insurance, but also patients regardless of their ability to pay.

A cornerstone of Lakeside Hospice is its volunteers, who provide direct care, respite care, comfort care programs, general maintenance, accounting and office services.

Aiello would certainly be tops on that list, Garing said. “I’ve never seen anyone as dedicated a volunteer as he is.”

Metro’s Jason Dorough honored

Jason Dorough, president of Metro Bank, was awarded the 2023 Chairman’s Award from the St. Clair County Economic Development Council for his work and support of economic development efforts in St. Clair County.

EDC presented it at its annual event, held this year at The Grill at The Farm near Logan Martin Dam.

Dorough joins a prestigious group of honorees for this award that is given once a year to honor a non-elected person who has shown exemplary support for the organization’s mission to create wealth, increase job growth, and improve the quality of life for St. Clair County citizens.

Past honorees include St. Clair County Commissioner Tommy Bowers, St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon, Judge Bill Weathington, Spencer Weitman, Lyman Lovejoy, Ed Gardner, Sr., Carol Pappas, Bill Ellison and former St. Clair County Commission Chairman Paul Manning.

“The St. Clair County EDC has been very fortunate to have the partnership and support of Metro Bank from its inception. As a local banking partner, they have been a supportive part of our team of resources for the entirety of the EDC’s existence,” said Joe Kelly, chairman of St. Clair EDC Board of Directors.

“Jason Dorough has been a tremendous and integral part of that partnership, offering assistance and support when necessary. Knowing our organization and Metro Bank have common goals, to bring new wealth and jobs to the local economy, Jason has always made things happen in a way that is welcoming to local industry and investors.”

“We are always excited to welcome new investment into St. Clair County, and we want to be the bank that our local businesses can rely on,” said Dorough. “Our partnership with the St. Clair County Economic Development Council has been very fruitful through the years, and we have a great working relationship. It was a real surprise and tremendous compliment to receive this honor and appreciation for our work in economic development in St. Clair County.”

The EDC is the economic development organization for St. Clair County and its municipalities, facilitating industrial, institutional, commercial and leadership development throughout St. Clair County.

The EDC team, in partnership with state and local partners, focuses on helping existing businesses grow and compete, diversifying the economy through attraction of new businesses, and supporting newly formed high-growth enterprises.

Letting Children Become

I decided years ago to just let my children ‘be’.
‘Be’ whoever they are, however they are. 
I decided to let them be wild or tame… soft or loud … friendly or shy … serious or silly. 
I decided to let them draw dragons and pick flowers, play with dolls and dump trucks, climb trees, catch frogs and take mud baths.

I let them be right, I let them be wrong.
I let them be bold and meek, scared and brave, emotional and unmoved.

I let them go barefoot and pick their own clothes.
I let them fall in line or be daringly different. 
I let them try, and l let them fail.
I let them take risks and learn to trust themselves.

And it’s an amazing thing to witness … the miraculous metamorphosis of their “becoming.”
There is so much beauty and freedom found in watching our children become who they are.

– Mackenzie Free –

Wife, mother, photographer & current resident of the unassumingly magical town of Steele, Alabama

Giving back

Moody group makes quilts for veterans

Story by Elaine Miller
Photos by Richard Rybka

Every time Barbara Willingham makes a quilt for a military veteran, she remembers the time her son called her from Iraq at 2 a.m.  She could hear explosions in the background. “Mom, I gotta go, we’ve been bombed,” he told her. Then he hung up, and she didn’t hear from him again for two fear-filled weeks.

“He came back, and I have my son, but not every mom does,” she says. “Every quilt I make I’m grateful I’m not going to the cemetery.”

Barbara is part of the Moody Crazy Quilters, a group of women that makes quilts for veterans, foster children, nursing home residents and hospice groups, to name a few. It’s their way of giving back to veterans and offering comfort to others who may be hurting physically or mentally.

“I like to make children’s quilts because kids wanna hold something, especially if they’re in the hospital,” says member Carolyn Snider. “I also enjoy making quilts for veterans. Our freedom is not free, and this is a way to give back to them.”

Laura Temple Kinney quilt details

The group meets at Moody City Hall the first Monday of each month, except for holidays. It started in 2009 as a library function at Moody’s Doris Stanley Memorial Library, but soon outgrew its meeting space. They have about eight steady members, including one who moved to Marietta, Georgia, but still comes back for monthly meetings.

Most members also belong to a similar group called Loving Hands that meets at Bethel Baptist Church.

They try to identify a couple of veterans each year to quilt for, such as the two found by group coordinator Jill Dailey’s husband, an Army vet himself. The group also made a patriotic quilt for Moody Mayor Joe Lee, another Army veteran, as a thank-you for his military service and for the meeting space the city provides.

“We label our quilts, ‘Gift from Moody Crazy Quilters,’ and on our patriotic quilts we add, ‘Thank you for your service,’ ” says Jill. “We also put the year we made them on the labels.”

Once a recipient is chosen, each woman usually makes a quilt block at home, choosing her own fabric, colors and design. Then the group puts their blocks together to make one Sampler Quilt, as they are called.

“Each month people turn in their blocks, and we’ll put them in a pile and lay them out and decide what to do with them,” Jill says. “We make 12-inch blocks, using four across and five down, plus binding, and sometimes a wide sashing between rows.”

The group donates at least three patriotic quilts to veterans every year, along with several more to hospice organizations for their patients. Children’s of Alabama is another organization that benefits from the group’s quilting efforts.

“Lots of our fabric is donated  by various people, but a lot comes from our own stashes,” says Carolyn, who joined the group in December 2021 after retiring.

Most are lap quilts. Those made for nursing homes have a small, fleece-lined pocket to keep hands warm. On the outside of the hand pocket is a smaller one for a phone, glasses or tissues. “Most of us don’t make standard-size quilts, but Barbara sometimes gets carried away,” Jill says.

The quilt the Moody Quilters made for Mayor Joe Lee. – Left to right: Jill Dailey, Mayor Lee, Gaye Austin

Nearly all of these women have been quilting for years, some since they were children. “My mother taught me to quilt,” says Laura Kinney who, at 86, may be the oldest member of the group. “Ours weren’t pretty, either. They were just called ‘covers’ back then.”

She recalls the days before she retired, when she often would often get home from work at 8:30 p.m. and sew on a quilt. “I would sometimes tell my husband, ‘My hands hurt, you need to do the cookin’ tonight,’” she says. She has made a quilt for each of her children, and has a stack of 10 that measure 50 inches x 70 inches each, five blocks across by seven blocks down, ready to present to her great nieces and great nephews. She also has a quilt that she hangs on a wall at home to display her husband’s Coast Guard patches.

Some of the women own long-arm machines, others just domestic sewing machines. At least one has a Cutie Frame, a tabletop quilting frame used in conjunction with a sewing machine to do the quilting.

“Making quilts for veterans ispayback for me,” says Barbara, who volunteers at the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City. “Not every mother can say her son went to Iraq and came back. I know how hard it is. My son, Toussaint Edghill, is a disabled vet, and I do this to honor him.”

Gaye Austin’s husband and son are veterans, and she wants to show her appreciation to them and to all veterans “for giving us our freedom and the protection we have today,” she says.

“We want to thank the veterans for their service, and we enjoy quilting so much,” says Jill. “It’s a win-win.”