REMEMBERING SONNY HUNTER

"The Lord himself goes before you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 Jeremiah Hunter (Sonny), was born June 5, 1948 to the late Jordan James and Bernice French Hunter. He confessed Christ at an early age and joined Friendship Baptist Church, Minter, AL where he sang in the choir.

He was educated in the Dallas County segregated School System at Hunter Mission Elementary and E M Brown High School graduating as Salutatorian of his class. In 1965, while a junior in high school he participated in the Civil Rights Movement in Selma. He became involved because his sister and her husband were actively involved.

When the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) came up with the idea of using students, he responded. He would leave school to attend mass meetings, participate in marches and demonstrations, and was jailed several times. He marched on the first leg of the March from Selma to Montgomery, (stopping in Lowndes County and returned home). On the last day, he rejoined the march and spent the night at St. Jude in Montgomery, and on the next day marched from St. Jude to the capital. He said this had a profound effect on his life and made him want to continue the struggle for equal rights.

In 1966, he graduated from high school and continued his education at Tuskegee University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he embarked on a 42 year career at JE Seagrams. In 1969, he married his college sweetheart, Natalie Thomas and relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio. To this Union, two children were born, Quintina and Jeremiah II. Quintina preceded him in death in 2005.

After retirement he and Natalie decided to return to Alabama and settled in Birmingham. They joined Harmony Street Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Terry Cummings where he served on the Usher Board.

He leaves to cherish his memory: A loving wife Natalie, a son Jeremiah II (Linda), grandsons, great grand children, god children, siblings, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.