Mr. Albert Einstein Handy, 93, of Baltimore, MD (formerly of LaFayette) died Friday, January 19, 2024, at his residence Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Powell Chapel United Methodist Church, LaFayette at 12:00 p.m. (CST) with Rev. Kelsey Barnes & Rev. Dr. Randy B. Kelley officiating. Interment will be in Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery, LaFayette. The remains will lie in state at the church from 11:00 a.m. (CST) until the funeral hour. Public viewing and visitation with the family will be Friday, January 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m.to 6:00 p.m. (CST) at Vines Funeral Home Chapel.
If you are unable to attend, the service will be live streamed on Vines Funeral Home Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/vinesfuneralhome
Mr. Handy was born on December 2, 1930, in the Powder Town section of LaFayette and was the last of the 10 children of Elisha and Essie Handy. He attended Chambers County Training School (CCTS) where his father, Elisha, was the Principal. Mr. Handy went on to attend North Carolina Central University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Physical Education. He completed training at Tuskegee University to become a corrective therapist and concluded his post graduate studies years later for New York State Certification as School District Administrator from St. John’s University in New York. Mr. Handy served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge. He worked at VA hospitals around the country. He volunteered for service in the Peace Corps and worked in Ankara, Turkey teaching Corrective Therapy to University students at Haceteppe Children’s Hospital. By 1968, Mr. Handy secured a Physical Education teaching position in Westbury High School on Long Island. During the summers he continued working in programs such as Open Door and Americorps and continued in service around the world, including traveling to Peru to help after a devastating earthquake.
Mr. Handy was one of the first Black teachers in Westbury, New York and throughout his career he fought for the rights of minority staff and students. Mr. Handy spent time all over the world, but LaFayette was always home. He always enjoyed retracing his first paper route through LaFayette on summer visits with his family. He attended his family church, Powell Chapel, and supported the “Back to School Bash” events to help get students ready for the new school year. He remained dedicated to his family cemetery and was especially proud when the State of Alabama listed the Handy Cemetery on the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register. He had plans to build a family home in LaFayette, but his medical needs kept him from fulfilling that dream. Mr. Handy was most proud of being able to see his four children grow up and become “difference-makers” in their communities. His five grandchildren also brought him so much joy. As soon as the grandkids came in the house they would immediately ask, “Where’s Grandpa? Where’s Grandpa?” and ran to him.
Mr. Handy is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Cathy; five children; Alicia (John) Handy, Chicago, Illinois; Catherine (Byron) Marshall, Baltimore, MD; Albert (Jill) Handy, New York City; and Elizabeth (Rue) Laidler-Handy, Hong Kong and five grandchildren; thirteen brothers & sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
In Memory of Albert E. Handy, donations may be made to the Essie J. Handy Cemetery Association, Account No. 2036911, c/o Farmers & Merchants Bank, P. O. Box 128, LaFayette, Alabama 36862. The Cemetery Association is planning to construct a Gazebo in the Cemetery.
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Vines Funeral Home, Inc., LaFayette, AL is handling the arrangements.