Herman Majors

Herman Edward Majors (February 6, 1940 – January 20, 2018)

Herman Majors, of Orrville, was called Home on Saturday, January 20th at 10 p.m. following a long illness.

Herman was born February 6, 1940, in Selma to John Pope (J.P.) and Marie Baker Majors, the oldest of three sons and the sixth generation of Majors born in Dallas County.  They moved to Safford in 1947 and Herman attended Orrville High School from first through twelfth grade where he was a standout player on the OHS football team.  He graduated in 1959 and entered Alabama Polytechnic Institute that fall.  He graduated from Auburn in 1965 with a B.S. in Agriculture Education specializing in cutting-edge agricultural chemistry along with serving as Vice President of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.  At Auburn, he met and married the love of his life, his devoted wife Linda McBrayer Majors.  They celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a traditional Silver Anniversary reception at Orrville United Methodist Church on July 12, 2014, where they renewed their vows of love and dedication to each other in the presence of many family and friends.

Herman and Linda were blessed with two daughters, Melynda Elizabeth Majors of Washington, D.C., and Shannon Majors Anderson of Gulf Shores.  His pride and joy were his three grandchildren, John Dickson, Daulton Anderson and Amanda Anderson, all of Gulf Shores.  He also is survived by two brothers, Leon Majors of Safford, and Paul Majors and wife Violet of Birmingham, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, one remaining uncle, Don Sanders of Mobile, and very special family friend Ella Mae Pullom Rogers of Montgomery.

Herman had a strong work ethic and he began working on his father’s and grandfather’s farms by driving a hay truck at the age of five, sitting on pillows and phone books so he could see over the dashboard.  He was given full supervision over his own crew of hands, mules and wagons from the age of 11 onward.  To Herman, farming was both an art and a science.  By the time of his retirement in 2012, he had employed well over 200 people throughout Central Alabama on his farm and, in many cases, multiple generations of the same local families.  With over 10,000 acres in production, he farmed throughout his life, winning many national, state and local awards for his innovative farming methods including the 1980 National American Cotton Growers Annual Cotton Achievement Award presented to him by Senator Howell T. Heflin in Washington, D.C.

Herman answered the Lord’s call at the age of 12 at Center Chapel, in Central Mills, where he was baptized into the United Methodist faith, and he remained Christ’s devoted servant throughout his life as a lay leader at Orrville United Methodist Church.

Herman was an avid reader and he loved to travel the world with his wife Linda by his side.  No matter where they went, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico to San Francisco to Germany and beyond, Herman never failed to run into someone he knew.  He never met a stranger and his sincere and charming grin and sense of humor helped him make friends with everyone he met, from Presidents and Governors to taxi drivers to janitors—everyone.  He was a devoted civic servant, a member of the Selma BPOE Elks Club and he served on various Boards and Committees, including ALFA, John T. Morgan Academy and many others, too numerous to mention. He sat on the Orrville Town Council first as a member then later as Council President from June 1, 1970, continuously until his death, while simultaneously serving as Chief Inspector of the Orrville Polling Place.  Herman was honest, fair and impartial, and he treated every member of the Orrville community equally regardless of race, gender, age or income.  Herman devoted his life to helping others and he performed many acts of charity and kindness throughout his life that no one will ever know about.

Later in life, Herman became a Facebook “addict” and spent time each day enjoying reconnecting and keeping up with his many friends all over the country.  He had a deep love for animals, and they for him.  Over the years he had many horses, livestock he hand-raised and tamed, and many, many cats and dogs.  He had a special bond with his “grand-dog,” William the Basset hound, whom he walked all over Orrville every day he was able to.

Visitation will be held at Lawrence-Brown Funeral Home Saturday evening, January 27th, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.  Services will be held graveside at Orrville Cemetery on Sunday, January 28th at 2 p.m. followed by a joyous celebration of Herman’s life and legacy at Orrville United Methodist Church.  All of Herman’s many friends from all walks of life are warmly invited to join his family there as we eat, drink, laugh, cry and tell our funniest Herman stories to one another.

Pallbearers will be David Jackson, Eric Jewell, Scott Silvey, Ed Hooker, David Anderson and Jim Ellis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Billy K. Hardy, Edward Givhan, John Brandon Givhan, Dr. Jack Burns, Cloyd Nutt, Ben Cosby, Charlie Sims, John Westbrook, Lonzy Cox, Woodfin Caine and Andrew Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Herman’s memory to Orrville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 291 Orrville, AL 36767 are suggested.