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Hiram Honea
Obituary, courtesy of the Pickens County Progress, 2 December 2010
Colonel Hiram James Honea passed away peacefully on Nov. 28, 2010 at the age of 91.
Born in Amicalola District, Dawson Co., Ga., son of the Rev. and Mrs. Joel A. Honea of Jasper, Ga., Col. Honea received his Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State College. He received his Master’s degree in Economics from Emory University in Atlanta and pursued a Doctorate degree in Economics at New York Univ. in New York City. After serving as Associate Professor of Economics at Georgia State Univ., he became Research Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta, and rose to the leadership position of vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank, Birmingham Branch. He proudly served his country in the Army Air Force in World War II and in his GA Air National Guard Unit which was called to serve during the Korean Conflict.
Col. Honea is survived by his wife of 67 years, Vadie F. Honea; daughters, Nancy Blanchard Honea, Atlanta, Ga., Dr. Patricia Honea-Fleming (Dr. Richard Borden) and Dr. Kathryn Honea (Tom Jung), Birmingham, Al. He leaves six grandchildren, Lisa Cummings (Wade) and Kristen Watanabe (Kaz), all of Atlanta, Kimberly Skelton (Patrick), Keenan Tauxe and Elana Golding, all of Birmingham, Kaelin Tauxe, Nashville; and six great-grandchildren, Tyler and Lauren, Bailey and Vadie and Gus and Ruby.
The funeral service was held Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. from Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Al. with a graveside service for the family following. Pallbearers were grandsons, grandsons-in-law and sons-in-law. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jimmie Hale Mission (Christmas Dinner Fund), P.O.Box 10472, Birmingham, Al. 35202-0472.
Col. Honea was dearly loved and will be remembered by many for his contributions to the City of Birmingham and the State of Alabama.
Letter to the Pickens County Progress Editor, 9 December 2010
By Mimi Jo Hill Butler
Colonel Hiram James Honea's obituary in the December 2 Pickens County Progress spoke of his generosity to the City of Birmingham and State of Alabama, but failed to mention his generosity to the youth of Pickens County. In 1996, Mr. Honea established the Honea-Worley Scholarship for Pickens High School seniors. A Family History competition, Mr. Honea wanted to inspire the youth of Pickens County to study and learn about their ancestors and prepare a four generation report. The first place winner receives $1500 and the 2nd place winner receives $750. Since 1996 twenty four Pickens High School seniors have been recipients of the cash awards. In establishing the scholarship, Mr. Honea honored his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Joel A. Honea and Ulysses Worley, Pickens County teacher and School Superintendent, who recognized Mr. Honea's abilities and encouraged him to pursue advanced education. In 2009, an 8th grade component was added to the Honea Worley Scholarship to encourage middle school students to begin early with their family research. Twelve students from Pickens County Middle School have received awards from $100 to $25. The Marble Valley Historical Society, Inc., P.O. Box 815, Jasper, GA 30143, administers the two scholarship programs. Mr. Honea insured that the scholarship would be available for many years to come. The Historical Society is indebted to Mr. Honea for his commitment to the youth of Pickens County. Two close relatives of Mr. Honea are Pickens County residents: Cleo Honea of Tate, sister-in-law, and nephew, Jerry Woodall of Jasper.
Mimi Jo Butler
MVHS Secretary