Robert Sherell Steen

Robert Sherell Steen, 88, died Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Madison, AL, where he moved in 2025 to be
near his eldest daughter. He was born in Elgin Crossroads, Alabama, on June 20, 1938, and was the son
of William Edgar Steen and Tavie Estella Ezell and the grandson of Christopher Franklin Steen and
Fannie Alice Sledge and Lemual Alasku Ezell and Lizzie Lou Campbell, all of Lauderdale County,
Alabama. Robert attended the public schools in east Lauderdale County and graduated from Lauderdale
County High School in 1956. Upon graduation, he worked on a river boat, a job he continued each
summer while in college. He enrolled at Florence State College in the fall of 1956 where he was in the
band, ROTC, and head cheerleader. Robert graduated in May of 1960 as president of his senior class.
He earned a B.S. degree in Social Science and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army
Reserve through the ROTC Program. Upon graduating from Florence State College, Robert spent his
fifth summer working on the river boat, followed by employment with the Lauderdale County Board of
Education as a 7 th grade teacher at Central Junior High, where he taught during the 1960-61 school year.
On November 5, 1960, Robert married his high school sweetheart, Constance “Connie” Ann White.
In April 1961, Robert entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant. In 1966 he received a Regular
Army Commission and served a total of 21 years on active duty. During his military career, Robert had
numerous stateside assignments and five overseas tours. After completing Basic Training at Fort
Benning, GA, he served at Fort Jackson, SC; Fort Gordon, GA; Grafenwoehr, Germany; Vietnam; Fort
Benning, GA; Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Vietnam; Erlangen, Germany; Worms, Germany; Iowa City,
IA; and Fort Rucker, AL. He saw combat during both of his tours in Vietnam. While on active duty,
Robert earned an M.A. degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 1978 and an
M.S. degree in Personnel Management from Troy State University in 1982.
On June 1, 1982, Robert retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. The Steens returned to
Florence and built their home in the Creekwood Subdivision where they were recognized by the City of
Florence with multiple beautification awards. On the same date of his retirement from the U.S. Army,
Robert began a second career as Personnel Director for the City of Florence. He remained with the city
until May 1, 1989, when he accepted the position of Human Resources Director for the University of
North Alabama (UNA). In addition to his personnel responsibilities at UNA, Robert worked on
numerous campus improvement projects. He also authored pamphlets, magazine articles, and books on
the history of UNA and its predecessor, LaGrange College. Robert retired from UNA on May 1, 2006.
After retirement, he continued his work documenting the history of the university and that of Lauderdale
County through his involvement in erecting historical markers. Robert re-entered the workforce on June
23, 2011, when asked to return to the City of Florence as the Interim Director of Human Resources, a
position he held until June 2013.

Robert was a longtime member of the Springfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was also active
in a number of civic organizations including the Tennessee Valley Historical Association, City of
Florence Walk of Honor Committee, LaGrange Living Historical Association, East Lauderdale
Historical Society, Florence Civitan Club, Knights of Pythias, UNA Alumni Association Board, UNA
Sportsman’s Club, City of Florence Civil Service Board, and was President of the City of Florence
Historical Board and the City of Florence Bicentennial Committee. Robert was also a member of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Veteran’s Memorial Committee where he planned and
led the Florence Memorial Day and Veterans Day Programs for many years.
Robert had a very outgoing personality, and he never missed an opportunity to chat with neighbors,
former co-workers, childhood friends, or any store clerk willing to listen to his stories. He frequently
initiated a conversation with, “Where do I know you from?” He also loved to share a corny joke he had
heard at one of his recent civic meetings. His “gift of gab” was only surpassed by his love of food. He
enjoyed Connie’s good cooking for many years and later developed a taste for “all-you-can-eat” buffets.
After every meal, he asked if he could have a second helping of dessert. At family reunions and other
gatherings, Robert taught his young grandsons how to properly position themselves near the beginning
of the food line just prior to the blessing being offered. He and Connie were proud of their two
daughters and four grandchildren. He stressed to each the importance of getting a good education where
they could support themselves. Robert and Connie attended most every school and sporting event for
their Madison grandsons and congratulated them following each game with a big, “High Five” and five-
dollar bill. Robert’s life-long mission focused on education and hard work leading to financial security.
He supported and encouraged family, friends, and UNA students with advice on obtaining a marketable
degree and then saving for the future. He was quick to remind everyone that “It’s not how much you
make, but how much you save!” He believed in helping others just as he was the beneficiary of
extended family and community support in his quest to become the first in his family to attend and
graduate from college.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Jerry Clellon Steen; sister and brother-in-
law, Patricia (Bill) Ann Steen Bray. He is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Shelaine (Alex) Steen
Luttrell of Madison, AL, and Julia Diane Steen Harshbarger of Apex, NC; four grandchildren, Frank
“Ford” Alex Luttrell, IV, Robert Andrew Luttrell, Lila Ellis Harshbarger, and Brenson Steen
Harshbarger; sister and brother-in-law, Myra Jean (Dwight) Steen Gray; sister-in-law, Charlotte Steen;
one niece, three nephews, and numerous cousins. The family wishes to thank Anthony, Jamie, & John
at Orion Home Care for taking such good care of him for the past year.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 1 at 10:00 a.m. at Springfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church
with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Brother Kenny Morgan officiating. A burial with military honors
will follow at Springfield Cemetery with Elkins East Chapel directing. His grandsons and nephews will
serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the Springfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church.