John Pierce “Pete” West, Jr., age 93, of Childersburg, Alabama, went to be with Christ in glory on September 4, 2025. A devoted United Methodist minister, he was also a committed husband, companion, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He lived with good humor, deep compassion, and a true pastor’s heart.
Pete was literally born in a parsonage on August 8, 1932, in Rockford, Alabama, where his father, Rev. John Pierce West, was pastor. After his mother, Doris Maxwell West, tragically died of sleeping sickness before Pete’s second birthday, his father remarried. His loving stepmother, Willie Harris West, took on the task of raising him and his five older siblings Charles, Doris, Mary, Frances, and Rachel. Throughout their lives, cherished Thanksgiving reunions kept the family bound together.
Pete’s life was marked early by a profound sense of purpose. As a teenager attending a Methodist Youth Convocation at McCoy Methodist Church, he responded to God’s call to ministry by walking down the aisle and dedicating his life to full-time Christian service. He was elected president of his senior class at Tarrant High School. At just 17 years old, he received his first appointment to pastor Oxmoor Methodist Church.
He went on to earn a degree in history from Birmingham-Southern College and a seminary degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. It was on the BSC campus that he met his beloved wife, Betty Hamby West. Their first date—a fellowship supper at Midway Methodist Church—was the beginning of their shared ministry, laughter, and devotion. They married on June 14, 1955, three months before his first ordination. Together they raised four sons while faithfully serving churches throughout the North Alabama Conference.
Pete’s ministry left a lasting legacy. He attended the third Emmaus Walk ever held, at the Upper Room in Nashville, and was instrumental in bringing Emmaus to Alabama. Both Betty and Pete were frequent speakers for subsequent Emmaus Walks at Sumatanga. After retirement, they enjoyed spending days at the lake house and traveling the world, organizing tours with Educational Opportunities. After Betty died, Pete continued to travel with EO and serve interim pastorates. He devoted many years to serving as president of the North Alabama Conference Historical Society. Well into his 80’s, he helped launch Celebrate Recovery, a Christian twelve-step program, in his local church. He led their weekly worship services with joy and conviction. Well into his 90’s, he was inducted into Sons of the American Revolution, a testament to his heritage of faith and leadership.
That heritage ran deep. His 3rd great grandfather, Rev. Levi Garrison, was ordained by Francis Asbury. Another 3rd great grandfather, Rev. Thomas Maxwell, was an early American Baptist preacher jailed for “preaching without a license” and defended by Patrick Henry. Pete followed in the footsteps of generations of ministers, including his father and his father-in-law, Rev. C.P. Hamby, both Methodist ministers in North Alabama. Pete’s pastoral appointments in the North Alabama Conference were Oxmoor, Midway, Kellyton, Goodwater in Sylacauga, Bellevue in Gadsden, Fayette First, Sheffield First, Athens First, Bluff Park, Huntsville District Superintendent, Gadsden First, and Gadsden District Superintendent. As if that were not enough, after retiring to Childersburg, Alabama, he served seven additional appointments as interim pastor. He was always ready to step in, serve, and love God’s people.
He was passionately committed to “stay UMC” to the very end. For his final year of life, he moved from his home in Childersburg to Fair Haven, a Methodist Home for the Aging, where he found joy in organizing Wednesday afternoon services. The family is deeply grateful for the Fair Haven staff and the wonderful caregivers who sat with him during the last few months. He had a deep faith in Christ and a graceful spirit, through and through.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Betty Hamby West, and his youngest son Richmond Pierce West, whom he cared for unwaveringly in Richmond’s later years. He is survived by his sons John Charles West (Paulette), David Andrew West (Karla), and Stephen Pierce West (Sandy); his grandchildren Lauren Cleary (Mark), Pierce West (Anna Kathryn), Deborah West, and Quinn West; and his great-grandchildren Topher, Carolina, and Charlie. He is also survived by Dot Fiquett, his “permanent special friend,” whom he adored and cherished in his golden years. He was a great father, a beloved grandfather, a faithful friend, and a tireless servant of God.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 9:30 to 11:00 am at Elmwood Chapel in Birmingham, followed by a private family graveside service officiated by Rev. Richard Stryker. At 2:00 pm that day, a Memorial Service will be held in the Good Shepherd Chapel at Fair Haven, officiated by Rev. Amy Parsons-Vaughn. The address of Fair Haven is 1424 Montclair Road in Birmingham.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sumatanga Retreat Center.
