Claude Springfield

Claude H. Springfield, Jr.

Tupelo--Claude Harrison Springfield, Jr., 90, died on February 12, 2006, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Claude was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Wilkinson Springfield.

Claude was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Claude Harrison Springfield and his wife, Grace Martin Springfield. He attended City High School in Chattanooga where he was an honor student and president of his class each year. After graduation, Claude attended the University of Chattanooga and graduated with a B.B.A. degree. While at UC, he was a member of the Blue Key Society and Sigma Chi fraternity and was president of his class at UC for three years. Claude then attended the Banking School of the South at L.S.U. and after graduation, he went to work for the American Discount Company.

In 1942, Claude entered the U.S. Army and was stationed in California at the Santa Anita Race Track which had been made into an Army Camp, serving with General George Patton on desert training. Claude was later stationed England prior to the invasion. He landed on Omaha Beach and was decorated by the French Government. In Europe, Claude was a member of the 7th Army stationed in Beaune, France, where he served until the end of the war. In 1945, Claude returned to the U.S. and rejoined the American Discount Company as Vice President and was headquartered in Gadsden, Alabama.

In 1966, Claude moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he joined Memphis Bank and Trust as Executive Vice President. In 1970, Claude returned to Gadsden where is was Chief Executive Officer of the Gadsden branch of Compass Bank. Later, he served as President of the Coosa Valley Bank until his retirement. He also served on the Board of Directors of SouthTrust Bank in Gadsden and was actively involved in the Small Business Administration of Alabama and the Industrial Development Board of Northeast Alabama and served both as Chairman of the Board. Claude also served as President and Board Member of the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce and also served on the Board of Directors of YMCA, Boy Scouts, and Red Cross.

Claude was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter where he served as a Senior Warden and as a member to the Vestry. Later, Claude and Nonie moved to Tupelo, Mississippi and were members of All Saints Episcopal Church.

Survivors are two sons: Claude H. Springfield, III, and his wife, Ann of Tupelo, Mississippi; Stephen F. Springfield, and his wife, Norval, of Birmingham, Alabama. Claude is also survived by three grandchildren: Claude H. Springfield, IV and his wife, Christi, of Apex, North Carolina; R. Frank Springfield and his wife, Caroline, of Birmingham, Alabama; and, Shannon Springfield of Memphis, Tennessee. Claude is survived by a great-granddaughter, Mary Frances Springfield of Birmingham, Alabama.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, February 19, 2007, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter in Gadsden, Alabama. After the service, the family will receive friends at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of the Holy Comforter, 156 South Ninth Street, Gadsden, AL 35901; or the All Saints Church, 608 West Jefferson, Tupelo, MS 38804.