SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Steve Sprayberry died on Friday at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham after a brief illness. He was 70 years old.
Sprayberry is best remembered by friends as a powerful high school and college athlete, and as a successful businessman in Sylacauga who, with his wife Carol, was deeply committed to and involved in the community.
Under Coach Tom Calvin at Sylacauga High School and a 1969 graduate, Sprayberry was on the varsity football team for two years and co-captain. One of Coach Bear Bryant’s “Wishbone Boys” at the University of Alabama in 1972 and 1973, he was a starter and offensive tackle and an All-SEC tackle in 1973.
After graduating from the University of Alabama, Sprayberry returned to Sylacauga. He was in semi-retirement as former owner of Wright-Sprayberry Insurance, a former president of the Alabama Independent Insurance Agencies Association, and served on the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation.
Sprayberry is survived by his wife, Carol Sprayberry; daughter Kelly Akers (Ryan); son Steven E. Sprayberry Jr. (Kimberly); mother Betty S. Jones; sister Beverly White; grandchildren Rowen Akers, Hudson Akers, Hannah Ryan Akers, Isaac Sprayberry, Savannah Sprayberry, Lillian Sprayberry, and Charlotte Sprayberry; and nephews Brian White and Wes McCarter.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Sylacauga, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. and burial in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation in honor of Steve Sprayberry, 43 N. Broadway Ave., Sylacauga, AL 35150 and Lifeline Children’s Services (Hope Adoption Fund-China), 200 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242.
