LIFE

10 • Thursday, April 22, 2021 LIFE OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL Overcome Evil With Good

Family of the Late Megan Montgomery to Create Fund for Domestic Violence Prevention Programs

By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW

In the words of Haruki Murakami, “Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.”

On Dec. 1, 2019, Megan Montgomery was shot and killed at the age of 31 by her estranged husband, former Hoover police officer Jason McIntosh. She was a victim of domestic violence.

Yet Montgomery’s personal mission to help those in need lives on as her friends and family make it their mission to continue her legacy.

Montgomery’s family has joined forces with Community Fund of Greater Birmingham to establish the Megan Montgomery Domestic Violence Prevention Fund. The fund will provide grants to area nonprofits to help educate students in high school and college to stop domestic violence before it happens.

“Megan wanted to share her experience with other women to let them know the warning signs that predators use to trap a woman in an abusive relationship, but she was silenced before she could do that,” Montgomery’s mother, Susann Montgomery-Clark, said at a March 31 press conference. “So, we will do it for her. She is not silenced now.”

At the press conference, it was announced that McIntosh had entered a plea of guilty at a reduced charge of murder and been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Both Montgomery’s father, Johnny Montgomery, and stepfather, Rod Clark, made a point to state that it was a favorable outcome.

Johnny Montgomery had been down the alternate road. His mother was murdered in 1977.

“Going through a murder trial, nobody wins,” Johnny Montgomery said.

Clark said the plea bargain not only assured a solid conviction and admission of guilt, but it saved the family the grief of trial and the potential of appeals.

“No sentence will ever bring our precious Megan back to us,” Clark said. “The worst sentence in the world would not alleviate our pain of missing her every day for the rest of our lives.”

While McIntosh won’t likely serve a full 30 years, Clark noted that it is probable he will not be considered for parole before his 24th year served.

Photo courtesy. Right: Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

Spreading Megan’s Message

With the closure of legal proceedings, a door opened to begin fulfilling Montgomery’s mission to help victims of domestic violence.

“We’ll be collaborating with UAB Wellness Department, who has an excellent track record of educating their students on these issues,” Montgomery-Clark said.

During the press conference, she said that it is faith that has sustained the family through this tragedy. It is that same faith that has led Montgomery’s family on a mission to “overcome evil with good” in her name.

According to National Domestic Violence Hotline statistics, the highest rates of intimate partner violence occur in women ages 18-24 and 25-34. In both of these age groups, 77% and 76%, respectively, of the female victims had been previously victimized by the same partner.

McIntosh, too, has a history of harming Montgomery, having shot her in the arm during a domestic dispute in March 2019. It was an instance that led to his resignation from the Hoover Police Department.

In addition, the presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by 500%. More than half of women killed by gun violence are killed by family members or intimate partners.

Montgomery-Clark said in a speech given during McIntosh’s plea hearing that Montgomery began dying the day she met McIntosh, on July 23, 2017.

Poetically, she likened her daughter’s demise to that of an unsuspecting amphibian being placed in a pot of water set to boil. She didn’t know what was happening until it was too late and the damage had been done.

“That’s what domestic violence does,” Montgomery-Clark said. “Anyone who met her after their first date didn’t know the real Megan he destroyed long before he killed her.”

For more information and to support Megan’s Fund, visit cfbham.org/ megans-fund/.

Megan Montgomery, above left, not only wanted to be a voice for victims of domestic violence, she was passionate about animals and was a founding member of the young professional board of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Above, board members at a fundraiser in 2019, from left: Angel Coker with Bailey, Cassidy King, Lauren Brown with Patty, Megan Montgomery, Alexis Helton with Penelope. In front, Sara Sciara and Julia Alton Tubbs.

Saving Animals

Montgomery not only wanted to be a voice for victims of domestic violence, she was passionate about animals and was a founding member of the young professional board of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

According to board President Lauren Murphy, she was an inspiration to her fellow volunteers.

“Megan was so involved, so sweet, and worked very hard to give a voice to many animals that didn’t have one,” Murphy said.

The board recently collaborated to fund creation of the Megan Montgomery Play Yard at the GBHS Animal Care and Control facility.

“We pooled all of the money together ourselves and we actually helped do a lot of the work,” Murphy said. The yard features a playground of obstacles created out of tires donated by local companies including McGriff Tire and Service, Lee Rogers Tire Co. in Avondale, Omega Tires and Total Car Care in Homewood.

After Montgomery’s death, the entire GBHS community of staff and volunteers felt the loss and began organizing ways to immortalize her volunteer work and connect her work with animals to her desire to help victims of domestic abuse.

Members of the young professional board were getting ready to host a fundraiser last March, just as COVID19 lockdowns began. After having to cancel that event, members now are working on plans for an event later this year.

“The big thing that we are trying to support is the Project Pet Safe program,” Murphy said. “It helps house animals in emergency situations.”

The program helped provide safe housing for animals displaced by the March 25 tornadoes and offers housing for pets whose owners are facing issues such as homelessness, hospitalization or financial issues.

“They will also place the pets of people who are in domestic violence situations,” Murphy said.

The GBHS provides all food, shelter and medical care for the animals while their owners recover and secure housing. Once owners and pets are reunited, the organization also provides essentials such as a leash and collar, a litterbox and litter, and food.

Murphy noted that the program doesn’t get a ton of time in the spotlight, and society workers hope to build awareness in Montgomery’s honor. She added that Montgomery’s voice is perhaps louder now than ever before – and certainly is louder than any of the others’ voices individually – and they want to use that to draw the community’s attention to projects inspired by her work and hopes for the humane society.

For more information and updates, visit gbhs.org.

Episcopal Place Restructures Annual Gumbo Gala

Above left, Kathy DiPiazza, Jamie Whitehurst and Jan D. Hunter. Above right, Megan Evans, Baylee Law, Sherrie Moore and Ingrid Law. Below, Irene Gardner, Cindy Wiley and Nancy and Ricky Bromberg.

After skipping 2020’s event because of COVID-19, Episcopal Place hosted its annual Gumbo Gala on April 17 at Cahaba Brewing Co. to raise funds to provide low-income seniors and disabled adults with safe and affordable housing.

The event traditionally features a gumbo cooking competition. But it was restructured this year to follow COVID safety guidelines, so gumbo was served by Tasteful Touch Mobile Catering’s food truck on-site.

Festivities also included live New Orleans-style jazz music and local vendors.

For those who could not attend in person, a Gumbo to Geaux curbside pickup was organized for April 22 and 23.

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From page one like Dr. Jeanna Westmoreland.

“The wise, visionary leadership and unselfish service to our organization as well as to our students over the past 15 years by our current first lady and executive director have left an immeasurable impact and legacy on our organization,” she added. “There is no one more worthy to receive this award.”

Andy Westmoreland noted that his wife has achieved goals beyond expectation throughout her career and during their time at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, where he served as president from 1998 until 2006.

She was a teacher and administrator in the Arkansas public school system for 10 years before joining the Ouachita faculty in the School of Education. She moved up to become dean of the School of Education and served as chair of the Arkansas State Board of Education from 2003 to 2006.

“She had done all of that before she was the age of 50,” he said.

When they made the decision to move their family from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Birmingham, Andy Westmoreland noted that his wife had the most to lose in leaving behind her career.

“Jeanna gave up an awful lot to come to Birmingham, Alabama, and to Samford, and so I worried about what would happen,” he said. “She found the Legacy League and it became her passion. You invited her into your homes and into your hearts and then she worked you so hard and you wondered about whether it was wise to invite her into your homes and hearts, but you kept working, God kept blessing and dollars kept coming in – not just to make gifts – but for the purpose of changing these student lives.”

According to Legacy League Director of Development Sharon Smith, under Jeanne Westmoreland’s 15 years as executive director, the league added 27 endowed scholarships, and the total endowment has increased by an estimated $3 million dollars.

Smith, who has worked with the league for more than nine years, said she realizes she has had a front row seat to see not only God’s redemptive work, but Westmoreland’s hard work to serve students in need.

“Whether it is toting chairs, arranging flowers, sweeping up at the last minute before the guests come in or standing at that door for hours and hours with a smile on her face … greeting thousands of people opening her home and her heart,” Smith said.

“There’s a saying that goes ‘dream big dreams then roll up your sleeves,’ and that is exactly what Jeanna did when she came to this place 5½ years before I did.”

Major milestones during her tenure included the first gala, now known as the Scholarship Celebration, in 2009. The first Fall Luncheon was hosted in 2009. In 2011, the auxiliary took on the Legacy League name and hosted its first Scholarship Luncheon and the first Christmas Home Tour. In addition, the junior board was launched in 2016 along with the first new member orientation.

In January, the league announced that a new endowed scholarship would be formed in honor of Westmoreland’s contributions, called the Jeanna King Westmoreland Legacy League Scholarship.

At the time of the meeting, Smith noted that more than 200 donors already had contributed to the scholarship’s endowment, resulting in more than $102,000 in donations. In addition, funds for the scholarship were raised at the event through a silent auction and a Kendra Scott give-back sale.

The new scholarship will aid students who face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, such as homelessness, violence, foster care, the death or disability of a parent, abandonment or sacrifices due to full-time ministry.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Samford’s Legacy League Celebrates outgoing executive director Dr. Jeana Westmoreland, center, with Paula Gossett, and Katie Hughes on April 8 at Vestavia County Club.

Growth and Enhancement

Westmoreland noted that, during the pandemic and both before and after her husband announced his retirement, there has been ample opportunity to reflect on the couple’s 15 years at Samford.

“I would say that, as we have had those conversations, the word that continually comes to mind and is part of each and every one of those conversations is gratitude,” she said. “We’re grateful that you welcomed us into the Samford family and the Samford community.”

She noted that one of her first introductions to the Legacy League, then known as the Samford Auxiliary, came when then-coordinator Elouise Williams picked her up from a hotel during a traditional visit and drove her to campus.

“She is the one who first told me about the scholarship program,” Westmoreland said. “I immediately connected with that and thought, ‘I can get behind that. I can work with that.’ So, I am so grateful that we had that time together and she was able to share her love for the organization with me.”

In addition, Westmoreland noted that one thing that both she and her husband are most thankful for is Samford’s bright future as the Taylors transition into their leadership roles.

“I think that the foundation that was laid by (former Executive Director Marla Corts) and Elouise Williams in this organization and that you all have helped to enlarge and build is going to be a fantastic launching point for what Julie Taylor will be able to do as your executive director,” Westmoreland said.

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Recognizing Students

The Guild of the Birmingham Music Club Holds Annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon

The Guild of the Birmingham Music Club held its annual spring scholarship luncheon April 9 at The Country Club of Birmingham and presented four awards.

This year’s scholarship competition, which was held virtually, involved 48 students from nine Alabama universities. Students were judged by respected musicians from across the United States.

Margery Whatley, scholarship vice president, presented the scholarships: Mildred Volentine Green Piano Scholarship Award and Walter Sechriest Best Performance Award, Azalea Kelley, Troy University; Penelope Cunningham Voice Scholarship Award, Noah Graham, University of Alabama; and Stuart Mims Instrumental Scholarship Award, Julian Fiaschetti, Auburn University.

Scholarship winners performed for the Guild members and guests, including pieces by Mozart, Stravinsky and Chopin.

Previous scholarship winners have gone on to become distinguished teachers and musicians. Some former scholarship winners include opera stars Irene Jordan, Rachel Mathes and the late Nell Rankin.

The luncheon was hosted by Mell Gage Smith and Lochrane Coleman Smith, with Martha Mims serving as the scholarship luncheon committee chair. Attendees were welcomed by Guild President, Linda Cooper.

The Guild started a century ago as a casual conversation on a downtown street corner that spawned a music club dedicated to nurturing the community’s artistic environment. To date, the Guild has awarded close to $500,000 in scholarships to music students at Alabama colleges and universities.

Guild Music Club members attending the Spring Scholarship Luncheon included Recording Secretary Lesley DeRamus, Judy Anderson, Roberta Atkinson, Debbie Bennett, Marleen Bodden, Jeanne Bradford, Laura Bryan, Cheree Carlton, Mary Horn Cooper, Sandy Eichelberger, Jane Ellis, Margorie Forney, Linda Griggs, Tallulah Hargrove, Angie Holder, Margaret Hubbard, Nancy Jones, Barbara Klyce, Anne Lamkin, Vicki Lukens, Michelle Rushing, Angelyn Simmons, Suzanee Taliaferro, Susanne Thomas, Liz Warren, Sue Watkins and Eyleen Widjanarko.

Guests included Ron Bourdages, executive director of the Birmingham Music Club; Katie Holmes, representative of Alabama Piano Gallery and recently voted Birmingham’s Arts Educator of the Decade by Broadway World readers; Dr. Hui-Ting Yang, piano professor, Troy University; Tim Huffman, graduate of Miles College with a degree in music, drummer for the annual Young People’s Concerts and leader of his own band, the

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Harry and Jeanne Bradford. Scholarship Luncheon Committee Chair Martha Mims with Guild President Linda Cooper.

Noah Graham, Margery Whatley, Azalea Kelley and Julian Fiaschitti.

Laura Bryan, Roberta Atkinson, Baraba Klyce and Liz Warren. Tim Huffman and Ron Bourdages.

Mary Horn Cooper, Linda Cooper, and Eyleen Widjanarko.

Linda Griggs, Lesley DeRamus and Michelle Rushing.

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Mother’s Day Gift to Remember

Many probably think Mother’s Day is just another one of those commercial holidays to drive retail sales of cards, gifts and flowers. It is actually tradition that dates back to the 18th century. England was one of the first to recognize it when many people worked as household servants for the rich. “Mothering Sunday” was set aside for them to return home to honor their mothers. Today, just as in those days, mothers deserve to be recognized for the work they do in the home, outside and everywhere in between. So many times we overlook or take this for granted. She keeps the household together with cleaning, cooking, carpooling, errands, nursing, and the list goes on. As the family becomes more independent and her job or list of jobs become less important, so is the feeling of being needed. Empty nester moms are the most likely to fall into the world of addiction. A glass of wine with dinner becomes another glass just to relax and so on. This is the pattern of most of the female clients who have come to Bayshore Retreat and interestingly the children are the ones who reach out to us the most. Whether it’s the child that has fallen into the addiction trap or the parent, getting healthy in mind, body and spirit is the greatest gift someone can receive. As we think of Mother’s Day this year, forget the flowers, the cards and chocolate. Instead know that the greatest gift you can give your mom is a sober healthy life. Compared to other rehabs, coming to Bayshore Retreat is truly a gift.