Louis Cleveland Culver ’56, talented pianist, organist, and professor of English, died at 91 earlier this year. Below is Culver’s obituary, written by his brother-in-law, Guy McCullough.

• • •

After a distinguished dual career as a professional musician and a professor of English, Louis Cleveland Culver – a 1956 BSC graduate – died on January 26 in Anniston, from complications of COVID-19.

Known for his sheer mastery of keyboard instruments and the musicality of his style, Louis was a church organist for thirty-five years, during which he influenced many younger artists. He often played at Anniston’s Temple Beth El on Friday and – from 1956 until 1978 – at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, on Sunday.

As a beloved English instructor, Louis kindled a love of the language, first in high school students at the Episcopal Day School in Anniston, and then at Jacksonville State University, where his introductory class was a rite of passage for two decades. Yet, somehow, he managed to squeeze in a third career as a highly sought-after private tutor of piano and organ.

The phrase “a scholar and a gentleman” is threadbare and much abused. But, in Louis Culver’s case, we must add to it “and an artist,” for indeed he was, and it started with an education at the Hilltop.

After graduating from the Birmingham Conservatory of Music in 1952 with a Bachelor of Music in Piano, Louis served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he was a Chaplain’s Assistant by day and an organist at Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia in his off-duty hours.

Culver’s sister-in-law Kristie Cloud McCullough ’90 and niece Sarah Trammell McCullough ’21 dedicated a new Adirondak chair on campus in his honor.

Having discharged his obligation to his country, Louis returned to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham-Southern. He later added a Master of Arts in English to his academic achievements.

Louis’ memories of campus life at BSC were always dear to him, despite the constraints his many hours of practice imposed on his social life.

Born in Birmingham on March 22, 1930 to Reuben and Mary Ruth Culver, Louis graduated from Phillips High School, serving as organist at Avondale Methodist Church and Grace Episcopal in his early years.

He is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Deenie Culver, whom he met when she was a chorister at his church.

Under a tree near the Humanities Building, facing the Bell Tower and the Academic Quad, an Adirondack chair has been dedicated in Louis Culver’s honor by Kristie Cloud McCullough ’90 and Sarah Trammell McCullough ’21.