Edwin Lipscomb Brobston

September 23, 1929 - November 12, 2019

Edwin Lipscomb Brobston departed this life November 12, 2019. He was born September 23, 1929 to W. E. and Linnie Mae Brobston near Tampa, Florida. E.L. was the second of three children. His older sister Linnie Mae Griffis survives him, and his younger sister Mary Lawrence Cleverdon predeceased him. E.L.’s loving wife of 60 years, Sandra Riddle Brobston, passed on May 13, 2014. He is survived by his daughter Anne Laplante and her husband Andrew; his son Stan Brobston and his wife Shelly; daughter Brooke Watson, and her husband Jim; and by his son Mark Brobston. E.L.’s family moved to Bessemer when he was a child. They lived in the Westlake area. He graduated from Bessemer High School, class of ‘48. E.L. attended the University of Alabama receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. Thereafter, he attended the University of Alabama School of Law where he was editor of the Alabama Law Review. He met Caroline Cassandra Riddle, and they wed in 1954. That same year, he received the Honor of Order of the Coif, and graduated from law school. He was admitted to practice law in 1954. He joined the U. S. Army, and was stationed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He attained the rank of Lieutenant, and was a member of the Judge Advocate General corps. After his service, he returned to Bessemer and entered private practice with his father, William Edwin Brobston, grandfather James A. Lipscomb, and Richard L. Jones with the firm of Lipscomb, Brobston, Jones and Brobston. Later the firm became known as Brobston and Brobston. He was engaged in the practice of law in Bessemer with his father, and later with his son, for over 60 years until the time of his death. He was beyond a student of the law, rather, it was a part of him, and in recognition of this, others respected him for it. The was no contemporary lawyer that did not recognize E. L.’s abilities or that did not call upon him from time to time for his advice on a myriad of legal issues. Upon any such request, he would gladly give of his time and advice to assist fellow servants of the law. This generosity was also shown to clients for whom he administered his services, sometimes for nothing more than a pumpkin pie, a basket of beans, or a sack full of greens. In this endeavor, he was selfish only in his selflessness, working from seven in the morning to seven at night during the week, and from seven until noon, or later, on Saturdays. He continued his stringent work ethic throughout his career until a few months before his death, when only his failing health prevented it. And through it all, he faithfully cared for his wife and children, sending his sons to the University of Alabama and his daughters to that other school. He was dedicated to his family, and leaves behind his grandchildren: Kate (Jade) Cappelmann, Melissa Brobston, Will Brobston, Morgan Mae Brobston, Emma Brobston, Brooklyn Brobston, Caroline Watson and Henry (Craig Hench) Watson. No story about E. L. would be complete without mention of his passion for fishing. In this pursuit, he made time to spend a few days with close friends to embrace the outdoors and fishing, whether they caught anything or not. He now rejoins his wife throughout eternity, one old fisherman and the catch of his lifetime. A memorial service will be held at McCalla Memorial Funeral Home November 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Please honor his memory by donating to Black Warrior Riverkeepers.