Alma Roberta Cowan Roan

Alma Cowan Roan, 91, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 20, 2026, after a long life marked by faith, family, service, and love.

Born November 27, 1934, in Ragland, Alabama, Alma was married for 50 years to Reverend Charles Roan, who preceded her in death in 2003. As a pastor’s wife and homemaker, she spent much of her life caring for others, welcoming people into her home, and serving alongside her husband in ministry.

Alma loved sewing, quilt making, cooking, reading, teaching Sunday School, and spending time with the people she loved. She was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, and she had a true gift for making people feel cared for. Long after many would have slowed down, Alma was still cooking Wednesday night suppers for Maytown Baptist Church well into her 70s.

More than anything, Alma loved Jesus. Her faith was not simply something she believed; it was the center of her life. She was a member of Hunter Street Baptist Church and never missed an opportunity to tell someone about the Lord she loved so dearly.

She is survived by her four children: Eddie Roan (Kristi), Doris Nabors (Eddie), Sherri Williams (Robert), and Pam Guyther (Mark).

She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Brian Sutton; Charlie Roan (Jerrica); Melissa Reed (Jason); Karli Guyther; JuliAnne Zimmerman (Colton); Natalie Roan; and Gage Guyther; as well as nine great-grandchildren.

Alma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles, and by three grandchildren: Robert Adam Sutton, Jonathan Owen Nabors, and Leah Marie Nabors.

Those who knew Alma will remember her for her strength, her warmth, her servant’s heart, her love of family, and the faith that carried her throughout her life. She leaves behind quilts made by her hands, recipes shared around countless tables, memories treasured by generations, and a legacy of faith that will continue through the family she loved so deeply.

Her family finds peace in knowing that the Jesus she spent a lifetime talking about is now the One she sees face to face—and that she is safely held in the scarred hands of the Savior she loved.

Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Hunter Street Baptist Church beginning at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 AM until service time. Pastor Brian Hinton and Pastor Barry Daniel officiating.

Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Roan family during their time of bereavment. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pattersonfuneralhomes.com

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