Franklin County Circuit Judge Terry Lee Dempsey, 55, of Spruce Pine passed away Feb. 17 at UAB Hospital after a brief illness.

Dempsey touched the lives of so many people, but most importantly he touched the lives of his family and friends. Dempsey played many roles throughout his life, but above all, he was a loving father, son, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed by so many and will forever live on in our memories.

Long before Judge Dempsey was elected as the circuit judge in Franklin County for the 34th Circuit, he graduated from Belgreen High School in 1985 as valedictorian of his class. Dempsey then went on to graduate from Northwest Alabama Junior College in 1987 and from the University of Alabama in 1989 with a degree in political science before finally graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1992 with a juris doctor degree.   

He then went on to practice law in Russellville as a partner at Lowery & Dempsey.

The visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at First United Methodist Church of Russellville.

The service will follow at 2 p.m. with Bro. Bo Loyd and Bro. Todd Owen officiating the service.  Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Glasgow Corner.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Braxton and Katherine Dempsey and Virmon and Estelle Hatton.

He leaves to cherish his memory his fiancée, Julie Allen; children, Braxton Lee Dempsey, Katie Dempsey Cantrell (Collier), Gracie Dempsey and Emma Dempsey; parents, Sharline and Terry Dempsey; sister, Karen Jones; nephew, Alex Jones; niece, Abby Jones; aunts and uncles, Perry Wayne Dempsey, Donald Hatton (Dorothy), Dorothy Cooper (Jim), Shirley Duncan (Norris), Bobbie Hatton and Cecil Waldrep; and a host of friends.

The pallbearers will be Jeff Bowling, Joey Rushing, Collier Cantrell, Tim Sornberger, Joey Yarber, Alex Jones, Kevin Blackburn and Andrew Bailey Pennington.

The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to their many friends for their prayers, texts, visits and words of comfort during this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating toward a scholarship in his memory. Donations can be mailed to 2036 Highway 52, Russellville, AL 35653. A scholarship account will be set up at a later date.

Spry Memorial Chapel assisted the family. To have us sign the book for you, please free to call, or to leave private condolences, please visit our website at www.sprymemorialchapel.com.