Obituary For Michael D. Hand

Michael D. Hand, 71, of LaFayette died Thursday, February 14 at his residence in LaFayette. He was born March 2, 1947 in LaFayette to the late Bonnie and Pearl Hughes Hand.

He was a graduate of LaFayette High School and received a degree in journalism from Samford University in Birmingham where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduating, he served as a member of the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War era.

After college he returned to LaFayette to help his mother, Pearl Hand, publish the weekly newspaper, The LaFayette Sun, which remained in the family for 74 years. After her death in 1989, he became editor and publisher until it was sold in December, 2014.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in LaFayette and had served as deacon. He was very active in the Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver, and was honored as Chambers County’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2015 by the Boy Scouts of America.

He served on the LaFayette Public Building Authority and helped oversee the expansion of the Chambers County Courthouse in downtown LaFayette. Before his health declined, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. After retiring, he enjoyed golfing with friends.

He is survived by his wife Charline Cumbee Hand, sons Kevin Hand and Kenneth (DeAnna) Hand, grandsons Kade Hand, Kyle Hand, Landon Hand, Cohen Hand and granddaughter Addison (Addie) Hand.

The service will be held Saturday, February 16 at 11 a.m. at LaFayette First Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Allen and Rev. Scott Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, 5-7 p.m. at LaFayette First Baptist Church.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to LaFayette First Baptist Church Building Fund, 201 South LaFayette Street, LaFayette, AL 36862

Services

Guest Book

Charline and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was a great man and he would tell you that he didn't accomplish anything in his life without the Grace of God and the support of his family. He will be missed by all. May God grant you peace and strength to face each day until you meet again. Amen!

- Kenneth R. Sims

I am so sorry to hear that Mr. Mike has passed. He was alway kind and dear to my family. Praying for all of you during this time of loss. Hope your memories will surround you and provide some comfort. I always loved the LaFayette Sun and I have so many articles that I saved from it. LaFayette truly lost a precious soul . God bless all of you! Becky McPherson I am just learning that Mr Mike passed aways. He was always kind and sincere. I am praying for all of you during this time of loss and hope you wonderful memories will surround you and give you comfort. He was such a strong LaFayette man and will always hold a special memory for me. Oh how he will be missed.God bless all of you! Becky McPherson

- Becky McPherson

Dear family. I am very sorry to have read of the recent death of your loved one, Michael. Please accept my sincere condolences. I would like to share something that I have personally found to be very comforting. It is found in the Bible at John 5:28,29 and also Revelation 21:3-5. These verses tell us that soon God is going to bring about a resurrection of our dear loved ones, as well as do away with all of the many causes we have for suffering, including sickness, pain & death. Knowing this has always comforted me and it is my hope that these thoughts from the Bible will likewise comfort your family and will also ease some of your pain during this most difficult time in your lives.

- Jackie R

LaFaqyette truly lost a "favorite son" with the passing of Mike Hand! Since he grew up two doors down from us, I've been a close friend for his entire life. He was in our house and all over town from his earliest days. Always a positive and pleasant force with a life-long focus on the welfare of his friends and the community, Mike might well have been the person most often seen around the "square" of LaFayette for the past 50 years! The city and I will certainly miss him!

- Mac McClendon

Mike was a friend .Always with a smile and a question, “ How you doing?” Someone I could talk with easily. A genial soul for sure! Praying for comfort for Charline, Kevin, Kenneth, and all his family and friends .

- Lanny Johnson

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Mike was a very sweet man. Praying for peace, comfort and healing during this time. He will be greatly missed.

- Hope Howard