Manuel Fitch

Manuel Fitch was born on June 26, 1944, to Inell Fitch and King Chandler, Jr. He was the third son born as part of a set of triplets.

At an early age, he was baptized and joined Mt. Hebron Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. G. W. C. Richardson. Later in life, he joined Canaan Baptist Church under the leadership of Douglas Caddell. He was a member of the Trustee Board.

He was a graduate of Carver High School, Class of 1962. Afterwards, he attended Wenonah Trade School.

He married Kathleen Ash on April 18,1966, and they had six children. Later, on February 21, 2007, he married Polly Bryant.

Manuel was a member of Bessemer Busy Bee Masonic Lodge #2. He was the Secretary. For many years, he was employed with Bristol Steel until its closure. After which he became a Mail Clerk at UAB until his retirement on June 30, 2007.

Manuel's passion was music. He became a DJ in his early teens. In 1970, Manuel began working in Birmingham Radio, known as Mellow Man. He was employed with WENN and WBUL. While employed with WAGG, he was known as The Weekend Warrior Manuel was a Radio Announcer for over 50 years. He retired from WJLD/WIXI on November 10, 2019, as God's Child.

After retiring, Manuel continued to share his love of music by gifting family, friends and strangers with CD's.

On March 1, 2024, he departed this life at University Hospital in Birmingham.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Fitch; son, Cedric Fitch; mother, Inell Carter; father, King Chandler, Jr.; wife, Polly Fitch; sisters, Gloria Fitch, Joyce Ann Dunlap, Lorraine Beavers, and Janice Breadwater; brothers, Samuel and Daniel Fitch, King III, Cornelius and Melvin Chandler.

Cherished memories will remain with his sons, Manuel Ash and Terry (Carmelita) Fitch; daughters, Cynthia (Keith) Butler, Talisa (Robert) Portis, Sheree (Raynard) Fleming; grandchildren, Kalavia (Joel) Brookins, LaKia and Lakeithia Butler, RaGene and Raynard, Jr. Fleming, Ka'Tara Dudley and Justin Williams; great grandchildren, Elijah Fitch, Angela Parker and McKenzie Butler; brothers, James (Evelyn) Chandler, Stanley (Donna) Mohammed, Bishop Lovell, Sr. (Latricia) Chandler; special friend, Barbara Nelson; special nieces and nephews, Ebonie Webster, Rene (Lorenzo) Looney, Nickia (Harvey) Fox, Fabien Beavers; cousins, Leon (Bonnie) Pippen and Jessie L. Bennett; five brothers-in-law, twelve sisters-in-law, other relatives and a host of friends and the Canaan Baptist Church family.