Alfred "Huey" Sides Obituary
Alfred “Huey” Sides died in Oak Ridge, TN, on July 19th, 2025, at the remarkable age of 95. He passed peacefully from this life into the next, with his devoted wife, Barbara, at his side, where she had been for over 74 years of marriage.
Huey was born in Carbon Hill, AL on March 14th, 1930. He moved to Birmingham the very day that he completed high school, and he met Barbara shortly thereafter. Their courtship lasted for three years before they married on May 18th, 1951. Huey had been drafted to serve in the Korean War, and he shipped out for basic training six days after their wedding. He bravely served in the 25th Infantry Division of the United States Army for nearly two years before returning home to Barbara and a job at US Steel in Birmingham.
Huey and Barbara moved to Oak Ridge, TN in 1961, where he worked as a machinist at K25. They adopted their daughter, Wanda Lynne, in 1964, which completed their family. Or as Huey often put it, “It used to be 2 Sides, now it’s 3.” They began their incredible landscaping work on the yard that would later be featured numerous times in the local paper. Huey and Barbara had seen many azaleas in Alabama but felt they were lacking in Tennessee, so azaleas became the focus of their yard. Eventually, Huey created a pathway made of river rocks, complete with decorative fountains, and their yard was open for the public to enjoy for decades. Also, on prominent display at the Sides home during the holiday season was the big Christmas tree covered in lights, and Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, with a new toy added annually to reflect the interest of his grandchildren, Brandi and David. Huey created all the toys out of Styrofoam and painted them himself. Notable hits of the 90s included Pikachu and an extremely anatomically correct Barbie.
While he was a man of limited words, Huey had many hobbies and skills. He spent countless hours working in his garden and his shop, creating beautiful things for others to enjoy. He loved the outdoors and took every opportunity to take his grandchildren hiking and fishing when they were young. He played tennis until age 80 and even won a state tournament for the 80+ division at the Cedar Bluff Racquet Club. His faith was extremely important to him. Even after he stopped attending church in person due to health issues, he consistently watched services on TV every Sunday morning. He and Barbara attended Robertsville Baptist Church, where they were members for over 60 years.
As a very successful woodworker, Huey’s signature gift to his family, friends, and community were his beautiful cutting boards. The amount that he created throughout the years is incalculable, and his generosity with them was unmatched. He was always asking his daughter and grandchildren who in their lives needed a cutting board. He gifted them to doctors and nurses who cared for him and Barbara. He once came to Sunday morning service at Robertsville with a truckload of them for anyone in attendance. Barbara recalled a time when he was helped by a clerk at the grocery store and he brought the young person a cutting board that he quickly retrieved from the car. Huey was also a notable baker, and he gave away pecan pies and homemade candy to people with equal generosity.
Huey was a very service-oriented person and spent his life helping and providing for others. He planted trees at the Jackson Square tennis courts to increase shade for spectators and players alike and donated eight benches that he made himself. He coached Little League baseball. He volunteered every Tuesday at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge, keeping the gardens weeded and flourishing. A small garden is now there in his honor. He provided landscaping and groundskeeping at Robertsville Baptist Church. He was always available for his friends and neighbors who needed help with home projects or repairs.
We would like to share our deepest appreciation to those who cared for Huey over the years. To Quality Private Duty Care for eight years of service to him. To The Alexander Guest House staff for welcoming and truly caring for him the last two years. And to Amedisys Hospice…thank you for helping to ensure his final days were peaceful and comfortable, as well as lending support to our entire family.
Huey is survived by his faithful wife, Barbara Sides; daughter, Wanda Galyon; grandson, David Drown (partner Kimberly Lively); granddaughter Brandi Pursley (husband Andrew Pursley); bonus granddaughters Gracie Sulfridge (husband Zach Sulfridge) and Masynn Hildreth (husband Hunter Hildreth); great-grandchildren Glenn and Sarah Lively; a sister, Nahelia Hamilton, and a brother – his twin – Joseph “Duey” Sides (wife Peggy Sides).
Huey has left behind an incredible legacy of kindness, industriousness, and dependability. In his final act of generosity, he donated his body to Vanderbilt medical school so that he could continue contributing to others. As a result, there will be no public memorial service for Huey, per his wishes. For those who want to honor his life and his memory, please consider donating to the UT Arboretum Society. And take excellent care of his cutting boards if you are lucky enough to have one.
