Well Known Bermudian “Alabama” Laid To Rest
A funeral and wake were held for Album “Alabama” Anderson this past weekend, celebrating the life of a man well known around the island.
According to his obituary [PDF], “Alabama became well known in the sailing world from greeting the sailboats as they arrived, and letting their lines go when they left. The sailors would often return asking, “Is Alabama still around? He looked after me the last time I was here.”
“Even the tourists would come back asking, “Where is Alabama? I don’t hear him whistling.” That famous whistle would echo around the town; you would hear it long before you saw him.
“Alabama’s police record was famous. There were a few times he went to jail more than 10 times in one year. Mostly being charged with being a public nuisance, drinking in public, or cursing police officers, he never went to jail for anything that would make him a hard criminal,” his Obituary said.
“The judge would sentence him to 30 days or $300 fine. Alabama would reply, “You want me to pay $300 when I can go Casemates and cool out for a few days, work in the kitchen, and earn enough money for a bottle when I come out?” Or tell the judge, “No police officer should talk to Bama like that, so I hit him.”
“Often when major events happened in town, the police would put him in a cell with a few beers and food and let him out when the event was over – believing this was easier than the paper work to arrest him and knowing he would be back in a week doing the same thing.”
The obituary continues, “In his last days, his knees gave out on him, but not his willpower. He was given residence at the Sylvia Richardson Home, where he lived until his passing.
“Even all of the beautiful ladies at Sylvia Richardson fell in love with him. He was well taken care of and the family would like to thank the staff from the bottom of our hearts.
“He is survived by his mother, Ismay Steede, his three brothers, Leslie, Clifton, and Phillip, his three sisters, Quillard, Dorothy, and Francine, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and even many great-great-nieces and nephews – far too many to mention.”
Some of the island’s politicians, especially those from the East End. had words to impart regarding Alabama’s passing.
MP Lovitta Foggo on the passing of Alabama
Ms. Foggo said, “I think all of St. George’s was saddened to hear about Alabama having passed away just a few short days ago. He is certainly a colorful figure and anyone who is St. Georgian knew who Alabama was. Indeed, I can say that anybody who is Bermudian knew of Alabama .
“And let me just say this: I think many people have forgotten over the years the contribution that Alabama made when it came to our local marathon. During his younger years, and for quite some time, he participated in that race, often running barefoot and very often finishing extremely well.”
Premier Craig Cannonier on the passing of Alabama
Premier Craig Cannonier said, “Alabama, Mr. Anderson – but I guess as a kid coming along, I never knew his last name, actually. Having grown up in St. George’s, coming our of St. David’s, and going to school in St. George’s, Alabama was certainly a fixture of everyday events.
“I can recall back when we would have sports days, he would show up at sports days, or even other times, and challenge us to races and the likes,” added the Premier.
“I’d like to say the family, the Anderson family, that we give our deepest condolences to the loss.”
Senator Renee Ming on the passing of Alabama
Senator Renee Ming — Alabama’s great niece — said, “He was described in the House today as being colourful and I thought that, myself personally, that is a good way to describe him because he was just that. He was colourful and for all intents and purposes, he was happy go lucky and he was loved by all.
“But he is definitely going to be missed. We talked about it as a family, some of the the things that we know, and one of them is his distinct whistle that we missed around the town. And a few of my constituents have actually referred to the whistle, so not only do us as a family appreciate it, but other fellow St. Georgians appreciate that whistle as well.
“He knows that he was loved and that we have a huge family and all of us are – although we’re mourning right now – we do have some good memories. Each and every one of us has an Alabama story, and we were sharing them over the last few evenings so, although it’s a sad moment, there is some humour that we can find in it.
“The fact that we have these memories; we can hold onto them forever.”
