Dr. Raymond Eugene Isbell, 91, passed away on Sunday, November 5, after an extended illness. He died at his home in Sheffield, surrounded by family and caregivers. He was married for 68 years to the late Shirley James Isbell, who passed in 2021.
Dr. Isbell devoted his life to education and took immense joy and pride in mentoring young people. He was a professor of chemistry at the University of North Alabama (UNA) for 32 years, serving as chair of the chemistry department for more than 20 years. He leaves a legacy that is reflected in generations of students and professionals who benefited from his attention and guidance.
Dr. Isbell was the son of the late Travis and Alice Isbell and grew up in the Spring Valley community of Colbert County. Preceding Dr. Isbell in death were his brother, James Isbell, and two sisters, Janie Sockwell and Amizona Ford.
He graduated from Colbert County High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Florence State College (now UNA). Dr. Isbell served in the Chemical Corps of the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, when he was stationed in South Korea.
He received his PhD in chemistry from the University of Alabama. Upon his graduation, he worked as a chemist at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville and at the International Fertilizer Development Center at the Tennessee Valley Authority in Muscle Shoals.
In 1966, he joined the UNA chemistry department and in 1973 was named department chair. He remained in that capacity for more than 20 years. At his retirement he donated a year of service to UNA, with the funds that would have been allocated to his salary dedicated instead to supporting a scholarship fund for UNA students. Thus was born the Isbell Scholars program. In the intervening years, more than 20 retiring UNA faculty members followed Dr. Isbell’s example by serving as an Isbell Scholar. This pioneering program has been emulated by other colleges and universities across the country.
Dr. Isbell and his wife Shirley thrived during retirement. During his retirement years, Dr. Isbell pursued a wide variety of personal interests, including woodworking, gardening, and home improvement. Together, Dr. Isbell and his wife traveled during their retirement years to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Baltic States and, most frequently, to New York City to visit their son.
Dr. Isbell played an active role in his local community. He served for several years on the governing board of the Helen Keller Hospital as well as on the Civil Service Board of the City of Sheffield.
He was also an active member of the Church of Christ. He was minister for several years at the Barton Church of Christ in Colbert County, served as an elder at Cox Boulevard Church of Christ, and was an active member for several years of Magnolia Church of Christ. For the last several years, Dr. Isbell had worshipped at Cross Point Church of Christ in Florence, where he and his wife Shirley enjoyed much love and support.
Dr. Isbell is survived by his two children, Joni Isbell Presley (Tanner, AL) and Michael Travis Isbell (New York, NY); his son-in law, Phillip Presley (Tanner, AL); his grandchildren, Hannah Ferguson (Decatur, AL), and Luke Presley (St. Louis, MO); one great-granddaughter, Alice Ferguson (Decatur, AL); as well as many, many cousins, nieces and nephews, including special nephew, Thomas J Howard (Russellville, AL), who was as an indispensable and much-loved companion to Dr. and Mrs. Isbell throughout their marriage, and niece, Ellen Thomson (Madison, AL), whose many visits to Dr. and Mrs. Isbell brought them such joy.
Dr. Isbell’s children wish to acknowledge and express deep, abiding appreciation for the many caregivers from Visiting Angels who provided loving, unstinting care and support to Dr. and Mrs. Isbell, contributing immeasurably to their happiness and comfort in their later years. The Isbell family also expresses appreciation to Affinity Hospice for their kind and sensitive support during this difficult transition.
Family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are invited to a visitation for Dr. Isbell at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, with a funeral service to follow at the funeral home at 3 p.m., with Frank Mills officiating. Eulogies will be delivered by Dr. Isbell’s children, Thomas J Howard, and Dr. Michael Moeller. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Isbell, Tim Isbell, Jerry Minor, Barry McWilliams, Todd McWilliams, Jeff Patterson and Ron Thompson. Larry McGee and Clifford Miles will serve as honorary pallbearers.
