July 21, 1945 – June 21, 2025

Sherman Guyton, 79, of Gadsden, Alabama, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025. He was the beloved son of William “Blackie” and Frances Guyton and grew up in Alabama City as a proud mill village resident.

Sherman graduated from Emma Sansom High School in 1963 and later attended Snead State Community College and Jacksonville State University while serving in the Army National Guard for 6 years. During this time, he also studied at Livingston University and completed graduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama.

Sherman held several jobs throughout his life, including positions with Phillips Fruit Stand, Republic Steel, and the Goodyear warehouse. In 1977, he opened Sherman Guyton Realty, a business he ran for 29 years. He also taught and coached basketball at General Forrest Junior High and Etowah High School.

He remained actively engaged in the community through his work with the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, the Community Development Board, the Gadsden Rotary Club, and numerous other organizations. He was inducted into the State of Alabama Softball Hall of Fame and served as Finance Director at Bellevue United Methodist Church.

In 2006, Sherman was elected Mayor of Gadsden, where he served four terms for a total of 16 years. As Mayor, he created the Industrial development board along with many other citywide improvements.

Sherman was preceded in death by his parents, William “Blackie” and Frances Guyton.

He is survived by his loving wife, Debra; daughter, Gracie (Reagan); sister, Sandra Neal (Rick); sister-in-law, Sherry Battles (Ronnie); niece, Sonya Strassburg (Mark); nephews, Jeff Underwood (Elly), Andrew Richardson (Kelly), Ryan Battles (Colbi); and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at The Venue at Coosa Landing, with a celebration of life service immediately following at 3:00 PM. Rev. Harvey Beck will officiate. A private burial will follow at Forrest Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Reagan Harrell, Ronnie Battles, Andrew Richardson, Mark Strassburg, David Cochran, Charlie Gardner, James Graves, Ryan Battles, Bob Guyton, Harry McClendon

Honorary Pallbearers: Mitchell Troup, Jimmy Gramling, Jerry Don Mabrey, Ralph Stanfield, Chuck Davis, City of Gadsden employees (2006–2022), Lighthouse on the Bay family, Amedisys of Birmingham, AMT Staffing of Homewood, and Amada of Baldwin County

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Regency Retirement Village (Employee Christmas Fund)

385 West Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL 35209

The family extends their deepest gratitude to Regency for the excellent care Sherman received and to the gracious staff who loved and supported them.