John Allen Gantt

Mr. John Allen Gantt, 85, of Andalusia, passed away on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Andalusia Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m., at Bethany Baptist Church with Brother Richie Hatcher officiating and Foreman Funeral Home directing. The interment will follow in Gantt Family Cemetery on Sandy Landing Road. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Foreman Funeral Home and at the church 30 minutes prior to services.

Born in Andalusia to John Henry and Arlene Harmon Gantt, John Allen lived all his life, except college years, in the Heath area. Following graduation from Straughn High School in 1956, he entered the University of Alabama as a freshman on a basketball scholarship. His college career next took him to Marion Military Institute, where he played both basketball and baseball before moving on to the University of Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. Following graduation, he returned home to work on the family farm. John Allen married the love of his life, Rosemary Johnston, in 1966. He started his career in education in 1969 with Covington County Schools. Working in several different specialties, he retired in 2000 after 32 years of educating children in Covington County.

As an avid history buff, he enjoyed sharing stories with dear friends and talking about the political issues of the day. His hobbies included reading, quail hunting, and a good dove shoot with his buddies. Throughout his life, he watched his garden, timber farm, and stock investments. He thrived during his retirement years by going to the beach, traveling, and taking care of his cherished family land. He was dearly loved by his wife, children, and grandchildren as well as other family members and friends. He was a long-time member of Bethany Baptist Church and enjoyed seeing it grow over the years.

He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Rosemary Johnston Gantt; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Leigh Gantt Tarpley and husband, David, of Andalusia; Elizabeth Arlene Gantt Davidson and husband, Tim, of Madison, Alabama, and Dr. Joni Lynn Gantt and husband, Philip Taunton, of Trussville, Alabama; five grandchildren, Mary Caton Davidson, John Allan Davidson, both of Madison, Alabama, Sarabeth Harmon Tarpley of Andalusia; Cecelia Rose Taunton and Caroline Ruth Taunton, both of Trussville, Alabama; and many cousins and extended family members.

Pallbearers will be Tim Davidson, David Tarpley, Philip Taunton, John Allan Davidson, Buddy Wilkes, and Joe Barton.

The family wishes to thank Dr. August Tournay and the nurses of Andalusia Hospital for the excellent care Mr. Gantt received during his hospital stay.

Those wishing to sign the online registry may do so at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.