Jack Whitfield Torbert

b. 4 October 1925, d. 5 May 2009
  • Jack Whitfield Torbert was born on 4 October 1925 in Linden, Marengo County, Alabama.
  • George Whitfield Torbert and Frances Brunetta Cuninghame appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Linden, Marengo County, Alabama, at East Street. Other members of the household included Jack Whitfield Torbert.
  • He married Marion Frances Jarrell, daughter of Richard Phillips Jarrell and Dovie Maye Beard, on 23 December 1953.
  • Jack Whitfield Torbert became a widower at the 17 April 2008 death of his wife Marion Frances Jarrell.
  • Jack Whitfield Torbert died on 5 May 2009 at age 83.
  • He was interred at Forrest Cemetery, Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama.
  • The following appeared on 7 May 2009 in The Gadsden Times: Jack Whitfield Torbert, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, with family by his side.
         Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, 2009, at First United Methodist Church, Gadsden, with burial following at Forrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon until 1:30 p.m. Friday at the church.
         Jack was born in Linden and graduated from Linden High School. Jack served as a lieutenant in the Navy in World War II and subsequently attended the University of Alabama and graduated from the University of Alabama Law School with an LLB in January 1950. While attending the University of Alabama, Jack was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Jack practiced in his hometown of Linden from 1950 to 1951 when he was recalled to active duty in the U.S. Air Force and served as a captain in the Judge Advocate General Section from 1951 to 1955.
         On Dec. 23, 1953, Jack married the love of his life, Marion Jarrell Torbert. In 1955, Jack, Marion and their newborn son, Whit, moved to Gadsden.
         Jack began practicing law in Gadsden and served as Judge of Gadsden City Court from 1958 to 1970. In 1983, Jack formed a partnership with his son, Whit Torbert, and they practiced law together as Torbert and Torbert, P.A. from 1983 until his death.
         Jack was a very active member of First United Methodist Church of Gadsden, having served as a Sunday School teacher for Morris Friendship Class, chairman of the Board of Stewards and president of First United Methodist Church choir.
         Jack was also active in legal professional associations, including past president of the Etowah County Bar Association (1965-1966); secretary-treasurer, president-elect and president of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; member of the American Bar Association; member of the Alabama State Bar; and member of the Defense Research Institute, and Inns of Court.
         Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Marion Jarrell Torbert; his grandson, David Wilburn; and his parents, George Whitfield and Frances Cuninghame Torbert.
         He is survived by his children, Whit Torbert (Kathy) and Patricia Ann Wilburn (Bobby); granddaughter, Hannah Torbert; grandsons, Jonathan Wilburn and Jackson Wilburn; sister, Eula Torbert Goers (Mel); brothers-in-law, Richard Jarrell (Jeanette) and Albert Jarrell (Florence); and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
         Pallbearers will be Dan Copeland Jr., Charlie Huguley, Judge Bobby M. Junkins, M.B. McCartney, Michael McCartney, Tim McCartney, Jackson Wilburn and Jonathan Wilburn.
         Honorary pallbearers will be members of the "Torbert Fishing Team" that includes Charlie Huguley, Dr. Philip Williams, Judge William Cardwell, Judge Donald Stewart, Scott Stewart, Tom Stewart, Jack Floyd, Whit Torbert, Curtis Wright (deceased) Curtis Wright Jr. and Jim Paseur (deceased).
         Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church music fund.
         Collier-Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Services directing.
  • Last Edited: 19 Aug 2013

Family: Marion Frances Jarrell b. 1 October 1928, d. 17 April 2008