Harold Rick Humphries, age 73 of Jasper, passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021 at his residence.
Mining is defined as the extraction of valuable minerals from the earth, such as: diamonds, emeralds, gold, silver, and where I come from; black coal. I’ve heard it said, “the best thing that ever come up out of a deep, dark, coal mine, was the miner himself.” As a 3rd generation coal miners’ daughter, I can say the most precious thing that came out of the Mary Lee #1 Coal Mines in Walker County, Alabama was my Dad, most of you called him Rick. For many years’ daddy rode the mining elevator down into a deep, dark, pit, and he dug coal. As his long workday came to an end, he got back on the elevator, and rode back up. Covered in black coal dust, he would step off the elevator and into the sunshine. On June 28, 202I, daddy took a Heavenly elevator up to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He stepped off the elevator to see the Son Shine. Daddy shook off the coal dust covered clothes, and thanks to Jesus; he was wearing pure, clean, and white.
During daddy’s battle with cancer, his miner’s insurance never failed to pay, and when he moved to Heaven the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) helped pay toward his burial expenses. May God continue to bless the mine workers and shine His Light upon them, and I know I am speaking to many daughters right now, “we are proud to be coal miners’ daughters.”
In lieu of flowers, and in memory of my dad, go outside and watch the birds, and spend the gift of time with your loved ones. Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26
The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Edgil Grove Baptist Church, funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Steton Hayes will officiate.
Mr. Humphries was preceded in death by his Father-Harold Humphries; Mother-Carlene Humphries.
He is survived by his Daughters-Leigh Mayberry (Mike) and Mikie Humphries (Brad); Sister-Deb Humphries; Grandchildren-Devin Parr and Emerson Price; Nephew-Jason Ory; Niece-Lisa Ory.
Pallbearers will be Brent Hudson, Brad Killingsworth, Mike Mayberry, Andy McGinnis, Jason Ory and Robert Turner.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Gary Green, Bill Humphries, Jerry Wayne Humphries, Dwayne McGinnis and Keith Morris
